Famous in a Small Town

Select praise for the novels of Viola Shipman “A beautifully written story about second chances. Fans of women’s fiction won’t be able to put this down.” —Publishers Weekly on The Secret of Snow “Viola Shipman knows relationships. The Clover Girls will sometimes make you smile and other times cry, but like a true friendship, it is a novel you will forever savor and treasure.” —Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author “The perfect winter warmer!” —USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan on The Secret of Snow “Viola Shipman has written a love song to long-lost friends, an ode to the summers that define us and the people who make us who we are. The minute I finished The Clover Girls, I ordered copies for all my friends. It’s that good.” —Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author “Reading Viola Shipman’s novels is like talking with your best friend and wanting never to hang up the phone. The Clover Girls is her most beautiful novel yet, and her most important.” —Nancy Thayer, New York Times bestselling author “Oh, the joy! The Clover Girls may be [Shipman’s] best yet. ... A redemptive tale, celebrating the power of friendship while focusing on what matters most. Perfect for the beach!” —New York Journal of Books “Every now and then a new voice in fiction arrives to completely charm, entertain and remind us what matters. Viola Shipman is that voice and The Summer Cottage is that absolutely irresistible and necessary novel.” —Dorothea Benton Frank, New York Times bestselling author “A blissful summer read sure to please the author’s many fans, and fans of writers like Elin Hilderbrand or Kristin Hannah.” —Library Journal on The Heirloom Garden Also by Viola Shipman THE WISHING BRIDGE FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN A WISH FOR WINTER THE EDGE OF SUMMER THE SECRET OF SNOW THE CLOVER GIRLS THE HEIRLOOM GARDEN THE SUMMER COTTAGE VIOLA SHIPMAN Famousin aSmallTown Viola Shipman is the pen name of Wade Rouse, the USA TODAY bestselling author of thirteen books, including The Secret of Snow and The Clover Girls. Rouse chose his grandma’s name, Viola Shipman, as a pseudonym to honor the woman whose heirlooms inspire his fiction. He lives in Michigan and California, and hosts Wine & Words with Wade, a literary happy hour, every Thursday. To my grandmothers, who were my best friends growing up. There should never be an age limit on friendship, new adventures or restarting your life. Be the legend you were meant to be. Contents The Lake Effect Express PART ONE Becky Mary Becky Mary Becky Mary Becky Mary PART TWO Becky Mary Becky Mary Becky Mary Becky Mary Becky PART THREE Mary Becky Mary Becky Mary Becky Mary Becky Mary PART FOUR Becky Mary Becky Mary Becky Mary Becky Mary Becky Mary Becky Mary Epilogue Becky Acknowledgments A Letter from the Author On a Personal Note... Reader’s Guide Recipes Questions for Discussion THE LAKE EFFECT EXPRESS August 1958 “Good News from Good Hart!” by Shirley Ann Potter It was the spit heard ’round the world! Our town is still atwitter over the news that the daughter of Mr. Peter Jackson was crowned the 35th Annual Cherry Pit PART ONE “You can’t pick cherries with your back to the tree.” —J.P. Morgan Becky June 2023 “Okay, Benjie, would you like it if Ashley did this to you?” He scrunches up his face to stave off tears and shakes his head. “No.” “Well, it’s