Review: A Little Bit Country

9/3/2026

A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy

In Brian D. Kennedy's A Little Bit Country, readers are introduced to Wanda World — a fictional amusement park inspired by the real-life Dolly World. In fact, I picked up this book because of my love of amusement parks and a boyhood dream of working in one. The park, however, ultimately just serves as a backdrop for two young men, Emmett Maguire and Luke Barnes, as they navigate the complexities of identity, love, and ambition.

Emmett Maguire is a Chicago native who dreams of becoming the world's first openly gay country music star. With the help of his Aunt Karen, Emmett lands a summer job in a musical stage show at Wanda World, owned by his idol, the legendary and bigger-than-life Wanda Jean Stubbs. For Emmett, this opportunity is a stepping stone toward his ultimate goal, even though the park sits in a small, rural town that feels worlds away from his urban upbringing.

Luke Barnes, on the other hand, is a local boy grappling with his own set of challenges. Closeted in a very conservative community, Luke longs to escape his family's financial struggles and pursue a career as a chef. His family's history is intertwined with Wanda Jean's, as Luke's grandmother, Verna Rose, was once Wanda Jean's best friend and musical partner until a scandalous love triangle tore them apart. This connection to Wanda Jean is a sensitive subject within Luke's family, casting a shadow over their lives.

When Emmett and Luke's paths cross at Wanda World, there is an undeniable attraction. Their burgeoning relationship, however, is problematic from the first. Emmett is open about his sexuality and adores Wanda Jean's music, while Luke is deeply closeted and resents the music and the icon herself. As they navigate these challenges, they still try to support each other’s dreams — Emmett's musical aspirations and Luke's culinary ambitions.

Their relationship grows more complicated when Emmett discovers Luke's familial connection to Verna Rose and the possibility that Wanda Jean's hits were plagiarized from her work. As Emmett faces the pressures of pursuing a music career, including a disheartening encounter with an indie music agent, he must make tough choices about how he wants the world to see him. This collides directly with Luke's internal struggles and family pressures and culminates in a dramatic confrontation with Wanda Jean that reveals unexpected truths about her relationship with Verna Rose.

A Little Bit Country is a competently written, mostly engaging story, though the interlocking tensions can feel overwhelming at times. Kennedy weaves a narrative rich in drama and dialogue, though it occasionally veers into soap opera territory with its multitude of subplots. While the story could have benefited from a more streamlined approach —particularly by leaving out some supporting characters and subplots, like Emmett's discovery that Aunt Karen is being cheated on—it still captures the challenges young LGBTQ individuals face.

The novel deserves credit for its realistic portrayal of the struggles young gay men endure, particularly the impact of homophobia. Emmett's refusal to hide his sexuality for the sake of a record deal is a commendable stance that, honestly, may have ended his career before it ever began. His decision to reject the continued use of Verna Rose's songs for personal gain highlights his integrity. In contrast, Luke emerges as a tragic figure. His homespun work ethic and salt-of-the-earth personality clash with his inherent dishonesty toward himself and those around him, and sometimes it’s very hard to like him, even when you feel sympathy for him.

The plot twist involving Wanda Jean and Verna Rose was both surprising and a little heavy-handed. While I personally didn’t see it coming, it might have been more impactful if the story had fewer dramatic elements competing for attention. Honestly, by the time we resolved this plot point, A Little Bit Country was feeling like an old episode of the Dallas TV show.

As for the central relationship between Emmett and Luke, it's hard not to question how long it could last. Their connection, rooted primarily in physical attraction, seems mismatched given the vast differences in their backgrounds and personal struggles. Whether their relationship could withstand the test of time remains uncertain.

Overall, A Little Bit Country is a decent read that captures the struggles of youthful ambition and identity amid family and cultural expectations. While it may not stand out as a great LGBTQ YA novel, it offers an honest look into the complexities of young love and self-discovery in a world where dreams and reality often collide.