I love Reba McEntire and I love this book. I thought it was really well written, I enjoyed all the stories and photos from throughout her life. The whole book was great.

Love Reba and loved this book! Loved that I was able to learn so much more about such a great successful woman in the music industry that is mostly dominated by men. This book is packed with recipes, pictures and stories. This book is remarkable!

3.5 stars

I feel like this book is very authentically Reba and at the same time not Reba enough. It felt shallow. not in the normal way the word implies, but in a literal sense, like she wrote a book without much substance. Yes I enjoyed the family anecdotes and personal notes from celebrity friends, but nothing felt particularly new or like something a Reba fan wouldn't already know about. I guess I was hoping for more. Still its a great opportunity to read and get to know a country legend.

Who doesn't like Reba. In this new part autobiography part cookbook Reba shares some great stories from her childhood and about some of her different family members. There are some great photos that show Reba as a child and with family members. And among the pictures and stories she shares some of her favorite family recipes. Some of the recipes are from her restaurant Reba's Place. After reading through this book you are going to think is there anything Reba can't do and you might be right. From award winning country singer, to rodeo star, to cook, to movie star, and now The Voice judge she can do it all.

Not That Fancy is a glimpse into Reba's life through stories and recipes. From the origin of her singing career to getting into acting, being a parent, friend, and dealing with loss, this book will have something for everyone. You do not need to be a fan of country music to enjoy this book, but if you are the audiobook is narrated by Reba and definitely the way to go.

Special thanks to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was just “meh” for me. I felt like I was reading it because I had to finish it instead of reading it because I wanted to finish it. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was.

Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots is written by country music legend Reba McEntire. Reba invites readers into her life with a plethora of photos, behind-the-scenes stories, as well as recipes from her friends, family, and restaurant.

Not That Fancy went a bit too religious for my liking and I found myself skipping portions of the text. There were some great stories and good recipes, but the book suffered from an identity crisis, in my opinion. There were too many stories to be a cookbook and too many recipes to be a memoir.

Overall, fans of the artist will love the look into the life of Reba McEntire. Not That Fancy is more coffee table book than cookbook, with pictures that definitely tell the life story of the country music icon.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.

In Not That Fancy, Reba McEntire opened up about her life and lessons that she learned along the way. She grew up in Oklahoma and her father was a rancher and he actively participated in the rodeo. Her father taught her the importance of working hard and she even had to work on the raunch when she was attending school. She shared how when she first started in the music business, she believed that once she got the record deal then she would go on tour and make big money. The first time she heard her song on the radio she thought everything would change. She quickly learned that wasn’t the case. She spent 7 years traveling around playing everywhere she could. Her first hit song didn’t happen until, “Can’t Even Get the Blues” was released. It took her 13 singles from 5 albums before she ever had a number one. Her first headlined show she had 800 people show up and she still ended up losing money because she didn’t’ sell enough tickets. She explained how determination was taught to her from an early age and how she also helped pass it down to her son, Shelby. He is a race car driver and had to also be determined to get going when times get tough. In the book, she also discussed her acting roles, her divorce, how she met Rex (her new boyfriend), her new restaurant, some recipes, and most importantly lessons she learned.



Another heartbreaking part of the book was about nobody goes it alone. This one discussed the dreaded topic of when Reba lost some of her band members in a tragic accident. In March 1991, a plane crashed killing half of her band. She used this chapter to walk people through grief and the process. She shared how none of us will get through life without losing someone we love. She included a helpful gift idea section to help a friend who is hurting. She also shared about how she lost her mother in March of 2020 when the world was shutting down and afterwards admits she almost quit singing. But her sisters helped her to refocus and slowing down helped her to regain her passion.





I enjoyed reading this book and learning even more about Reba. I have always enjoyed listening to her and watching her on TV and in movies. She is truly an amazing performer. I loved the recipes in this book and how southern style she kept a lot of them. Some were her own and others were from Shelby’s wife, Kix Brooks from Brooks & Dunn, Rex, Reba’s Place (restaurant), Katy McEntire, Chris Rich (co-star in Reba), and much more. I loved how the recipes included a difficulty rating which I thought was a little different from most cookbooks. I’m curious to try Reba’s Place Tequila Lime Vinaigrette. I haven’t had the chance to go to her new restaurant but I hope too someday! Some of the recipes I want to try is, porch day lemonade, shishito peppers and okra with tequila lime vinaigrette, Rex’s pecan smoked beer-can chicken tacos, onion and jalapeno haystacks, Nashville hot chicken, and so much more! I also enjoyed the chapter on talking to God and how He has changed her life and it was inspiring to read the positivity in this and she helps readers to get to know Him. I also liked how she explained the story behind the song, “The Nights the Lights Went Out in Georgia” and fans will get to hear about Reba was able to rerecord this popular song. The pictures in this book are awesome and very colorful and helps to make this book one to keep and reread. There is an abundance of lessons readers can learn from this Fancy hit singer.



"I received this book free from the publisher, Harper Celebrate for my honest review.”

I ended up listening to Reba read this one, and it makes it even better to listen to it. The only draw back is you don't have the recipes written down with the audio.

This was an interesting read and just shows how wholesome and wonderful of a person Reba is. The pictures were gorgeous and I loved to read things about her that I didn’t know.

A wonderful insight into the world of Reba McEntire, she enjoys sharing her life story.
The reader will explore Reba’s journey from childhood, share in some good southern traditions and cooking and feel a sense of being a part of Reba’s life.
The only slight negative for me was that there was some repetition. There’s plenty of photos to support the timeline and stories to tell, the recipes are a bonus.

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I requested this because not only do I love Reba but I also love reading memoirs and biographies...as long as it is something that interests me. Anything that comes from their own words? I'm in. I actually really liked this one because it was fun to hear her voice in my head but also, she threw in so many good recipes and the pictures were so colorful. In fact, I am contemplating buying the book just for the recipes...if you are a Reba fan or a memoir fan or just want to see some cool pictures and get some great Southern recipes, I would recommend this book to you.

This was just a fantastic read and listen. I started this one reading but then got my hands on an audio version and loved listening to everyone telling their stories. It is jam packed with stories from the beginning of Reba's start back in Oklahoma to the present (right through the pandemic and back on tour). Grab the print version so you have the pictures and recipes but the audio is full of the interviews from those giving them. So special. Perfect for any Reba fan. As one who has been to 3 of her concerts (including one just before her band was in the plane crash) it was so special listening to this one.

Found this book very helpful and insightful.. I have learned allot just has I had hoped I would. Huge fan of Ms. McEntire so it was a must read

Not That Fancy by Reba McEntire wasn't that fancied by me. In one of her recipes, she uses canola oil in her salad dressing. Not healthy when so many now use a healthier oil such as olive oil. The book is a little too on the nose for just speaking to Southerners and the photo with a gun is not for me. I try to like Reba because she is so talented but this book felt very mediocre just milking money off a celeb name again type book.

The recipes don't feel original or appealing and the photography is very lackluster.

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

👩🏼‍🦰ℕ𝕠𝕥 𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔽𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕪
🤠𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗮 𝗠𝗰𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲
👩🏼‍🦰Country Music
🤠288 pages

🤠Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs

👩🏼‍🦰In Not That Fancy, Reba shares parts of her life, including recipes and random lists.

🤠Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs

👩🏼‍🦰As a long-time Reba fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The photos are gorgeous, and there are plenty of them, from past and present.

👩🏼‍🦰She shares a bit of her background, and her love of God is strung throughout the book. I love the way she told her stories, feeling like she was talking right to me.

👩🏼‍🦰If you like Reba and are okay with her sharing her faith, this is a book you would enjoy. It is a quick read too.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing this ebook for me to read and review.

Reba mastered the art of storytelling decades ago. The original Pete Davidson, Reba has made herself the character you love to see pop up. What accent?
this book is how to stay humble when you're a superstar. she doesn't need a last name, but she still uses it you feel?

Not That Fancy
Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots
by Reba McEntire
Pub Date 10 Oct 2023
Harper Celebrate
Biographies & Memoirs| Cooking, Food & Wine| Entertainment


In conjunction with Harper Celebrate and Netgalley, I am reviewing a copy of Not That Fancy:


With Not that Fancy, Reba McEntire invites you into the story of her life as if she were a dear friend.


"To me, there's nothing better than sitting on the back porch looking out at the land that goes on for miles. A beautiful sunset and then me, just sipping on a glass of iced tea (or whiskey and Sprite) with my friends and family. I don't know what heaven's going to look like, but I hope it feels like Oklahoma. Throw in some beans and cornbread, and I'm all set."

Whether it is the simple joys in life or the heartbreaking grief of losing loved ones along the way, Reba speaks to you as if you were a friend sitting across the table from her.


"Okies know that the secret to a good life is to keep things simple and be thankful for what the good Lord's given you. That's what I want to get back to. Simple fun, hard work, good food, and laughing with those you love. Everything I'm doing in my life from here on out—personal or professional, doesn't matter—I'm going to have fun.


In Not That Fancy, Reba's story is told, the story of the girl from Oklahoma who grew up to become the Country Music Icon she is today. It highlights the fact that despite all her success, she remains humble, giving the glory to God for her accomplishments.


If you are looking for a book, that is comforting like a talk with a dear friend, I highly recommend Not That Fancy!


Five Out of Five Stars!


Happy Reading!

I enjoyed this book and learning about Reba’s life. Some parts weren’t quite as interesting as I had hoped, but others were very entertaining. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes! This is a great book!!

This is part recipe book and part a look into Reba’s life. The recipes she shares are country comfort food, some her own and others from her restaurant and friends. Main courses, sides, desserts, and drinks are included. They all look great to me. Nothing too complicated or pretentious, just like her. I loved reading about her life and her love of her family, faith, and Oklahoma. She’s funny and down to earth.