This group of characters living in 1960’s rural Tennessee charmed me from the beginning. I enjoyed the southern humor and beauty shop gossip at the “Curly Q”! Posey was the villain, filled with determination, grit and backbone—but no heart. Callie Jane and Vern were kind and loving, but passive and resigned to Posey’s temperament. With each chapter, we were introduced to more Spark residents, including Callie Jane’s best friend Trace, new-girl-in-town Evangeline, and the beauty shop crowd.

The story took a turn when Posey inherited her Aunt’s mansion and I enjoyed following the progress of “Cold Spring”. Unfortunately, Posey’s character grew darker with desperation and Callie Jane and Vern were pushed to grow stronger (and more likable).

There were a lot of lessons to take away from Empress, not least of all the destructive powers of greed and alcoholism. The humor vanished as Posey’s mansion became Class-Reunion-Ready.

Reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

I breezed through Elizabeth Bass Parman’s debut novel, “The Empress of Cooke County” in well under a day, knowing that the the small family of three at its core are on a collision course destined not to end well. The mother, a closeted alcoholic, is a conniving, controlling, bitter woman, who feels shortchanged by life and stridently overcompensates; her 18 year old daughter has lived her entire life doing as she has been told and what has been expected of her; and her husband is a gentle, kind, loving father, beloved by everyone, except her.

Although one might feel some slight sympathy when first introduced to the mother when she was only a teenager herself, it’s clear she was scheming and manipulative even then, almost to the point of being pathological. On the other hand, it’s almost inconceivable that her husband could tolerate her through almost twenty years of marriage or that her daughter never rebelled. Interestingly, it’s several of the minor characters that imbue the story with color and texture: the new hairdresser in town who befriends the daughter, the daughter’s lifelong best friend, the town sheriff, the mean but gorgeous redheaded boy.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book, and my review is voluntary. I happily would read another book by this author if she were to write another.

3.5 stars. This book started out promising. I loved the 1960s small town setting. I even liked Posey’s story, as despicable as she was. The middle lagged a little bit for me, but it picked back up around 80%. The relationship between Vern and Callie Jane was sweet and I enjoyed Callie’s ending.

The chatter at the Curly Q beauty shop is about who'll be first to get a new blue Foodarama refrigerator from Sears in their small town of Spark, Tennessee, but Posey Jarvis and her daughter Callie Jane find themselves facing a crisis--one that will change both their lives forever.

Thirty-eight-year-old Posey Jarvis is the self-appointed "Empress" of rural Spark, in Cooke County, Tennessee. She spends her days sneaking nips of gin, following every word about her idol and look-alike, Jackie Kennedy, and avoiding her stalwart husband, Vern. She is also struggling to control her newly defiant daughter, Callie Jane, who finds herself accidentally engaged to Trace Humboldt. When Posey unexpectedly inherits a derelict mansion from her quirky old Aunt Milbrey, she finagles her way into hosting her high school's twentieth reunion there. Possums are nesting in the parlor and the stench of cat urine permeates the sunroom, but she must be ready for the big day, so she needs to work fast. She cares nothing about seeing her classmates, but she cares deeply about seeing the love of her life, a man who dumped her twenty years ago.

Callie Jane has had enough of her mother and working her boring job at Jarvis Emporium, a junk shop owned by her father. She breaks her engagement, moves out of her parents' house, and sets her sights on moving to California. Her domineering mother, stultifying future, and even the creepy peeping Tom terrorizing the town will be in her rearview. But then a shocking act of violence changes everything, and Callie Jane must determine how far she will go to save someone she loves.

Set in a gossipy small town during the turbulent 1960s, and full of Southern charm and unforgettable characters, The Empress of Cooke County is a novel about found family, what it means to be loved, and how being true to yourself can have life-altering consequences.

Nailed the gossipy small town. Loved the characters and the story that they told. Will recommend to others.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an Advance Digital Copy of The Empress of Cooke County in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this story! It's set in Tennessee. Posey Jarvis is a southern charmer who nips quite a bit of her hidden gin, gets her hair done weekly at the local beauty shop where she keeps up with the gossip. She dreams about the day where her secret lover from years ago will come and claim her as his one true love.

Posey's husband, Vern, spends his day keeping up with his Emporium shop that he works in with their daughter Callie Jane.

Callie Jane spends her days at the Emporium with her dad, her best friend since childhood, Trace, has recently asked her to marry him, but she is having trouble getting everyone to hear that this is not what she wants.

This is a story about finding your truth, following your heart and finding your family, whoever they might be.

This was a complicated one for me to review. I found the middle to be incredibly slow, but the last 30% to be pretty good. I loved Callie Jane, one of the main characters, but felt there was room for her to be further developed. Posey, our other main character, was absolutely despicable and much further developed. Exploring what it means to be an outsider in a small town was a prominent theme, and it was especially enjoyable in 1960s Tennessee setting. Thank you Harper Muse and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

The book was good and so was the hopefulness of the characters . It was based off the 1960’s mother and daughter . I don’t want to spoil anything but the mother has regrets not marrying her high school crush and her daughter accidentally gets engaged .
It’s a good book mixed reviews from some people but I highly recommend it .
Thank you net galley and Harper muse for the arc

The writing was so good. You really think your in the space with them. Posey's character was so outrageous and delusional in her thinking. I actually cringed for her at times. This book is definitely worth reading.

This book started out promising with it being set in the 1960s with a small town atmosphere filled with gossipy residents and a mystery to solve. The cover and synopsis had me really intrigued but I think it set me up for different expectations in the book.

The pacing felt a bit off throughout the book. There were moments where I felt quite excited to read more, and then other times there was just not a lot happening and given the setting and characters, I felt like there was an opportunity to write a lot more interesting things happen. I didn't love the writing, at times it felt very choppy and I'd get a bit lost on where we were and what is happening and would have to re-read sections, and there was a lot of details and information that just felt unnecessary to the overall plot.

I just don’t think this book was right for me. I expected something more lighthearted and humorous based on the cover, but it’s actually quite sad. The last 20% or so did redeem it slightly, but for the majority of this book I struggled to get invested in the story or to care about the characters.

I can't even put in words the love i have for this book and the ending oh my god! This author captured the dynamic between all the characters and i have never laughed or cried more than when i read this book! 10/10 stars!

"Sizzling small-town life in the American South with its secret history, vivid characters, and juicy dramas." Yep... All that and more. This book had me hooked from the first sentence right through to the last. I was entertained, I enjoyed it so much that once I got started I had to keep reading. I think we all know someone like Posey Burch Jarvis and this book brings her off the pages and into your world.

This is such a fun, well written and quirky book, how could anyone not like it. Fun, crazy and a book that develops throughout. I enjoyed every minute of it and now I want more. Can't wait to see what this author writes next.

Thank you NetGlley and Harper Muse for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

*The Empress of Cooke County* is a masterfully layered story about a mother and daughter whose lives are deeply entangled in dreams, delusions, and the heavy weight of unspoken expectations. It’s an emotionally charged exploration of small-town life, ambition, love, and the invisible ways family can both nurture and stifle.

At its heart is the complicated relationship between Posey and her daughter Callie Jane. Posey is a deeply flawed yet fascinating character—driven by old heartbreak, social status, and a fierce desire to craft a better life for Callie Jane. Her belief that she’s doing everything “for her daughter’s best future” becomes both a crutch and a curse. Through Posey, the novel delicately touches on themes like covert addiction, buried traumas, and the suffocating grip of parental control disguised as love.

Callie Jane’s arc is poignant and empowering. Initially quiet and restrained, she slowly begins to rebel in subtle but meaningful ways—from choosing her own dress for church to rejecting the path laid out for her by both parents. Her yearning for autonomy and her eventual determination to break away from Sparks, the stifling town she grew up in, is deeply moving. Her relationship with Vern—her “dad,” despite biology—is the emotional backbone of the novel. Their bond brought tears to my eyes in the final chapters.

The reveal that CJ (Dr. Callen James) is Callie Jane’s biological father is handled with restraint, with Callie ultimately declaring that Vern was and always will be her true father. His love for her, his sacrifices, and his unassuming support shine throughout the book. Even in his final moments, his presence lingers—his legacy guiding Callie Jane to finally follow her dreams and leave Sparks behind.

The story’s pacing is deliberate but rewarding. The introduction of characters like Evangeline and CJ (the doctor) enrich the tapestry of Sparks’ tight-knit community. The subplot about the peeping tom adds suspense and ultimately folds back into the main arc in a shocking climax that sends Posey to prison, still deluded and selfish. Posey never gets a redemption arc—but that feels honest. Some people don’t change, and the novel doesn’t force a neat resolution where one isn’t earned.

Parman’s prose is elegant, and the recurring metaphor of the tarot card—upright for luck, reversed for misfortune—is a beautiful lens through which to view both Posey and Callie Jane. Two women chasing dreams in opposite directions, yet forever tied by a fragile thread of blood and expectation.

The small-town setting is rich and alive with gossip, judgment, and interwoven lives. Side characters are compelling, and even the briefest interactions ripple across the story’s emotional landscape.

While I give it 3.75 stars, that’s not a knock—some of my favorite reads fall into this category. The emotional depth, the subtle commentary on womanhood, parental control, and personal growth hit me hard. I laughed, I ached, and I cried. *The Empress of Cooke County* is a quietly devastating, ultimately hopeful novel that lingers long after the final page.
(For Netgalley I'll round it up to 4 ⭐)

3.5 rounded down. A great debut and I'm looking forward to more from Parman, especially with the "groovy" 1960s vibe. The back story about the great-aunt would be interesting. There are several subplots going on here, so even if you *think* you know what's going to happen, more will than what you expect.

Once I realized the main income for Posey and her husband Vern was a thrift store--and yet she drives a Cadillac and gets her hair done weekly--Parman explains how their other household expenses are covered. That would be something that would bother me as I was reading it--"how in the world can they afford anything?" I understand that reading is an escapist outlet, but things have to be somewhat realistic.

Speaking of which, a "beehive" hairdo--
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b9/d8/3a/b9d83a1c9ff87607608220da8d68ee70.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="beehive"/>

Remember that rumor that claimed that women with beehives were dying because spiders or other deadly bugs took up residence in the hive. Snopes.com has declared this legend false.

So you have the conniving mother and sweet, starry-eyed daughter here--guess which story line I enjoyed more?

Catios exist! But usually outside, not inside.
<img src="https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.RkgQMVyM294CPUoKDnm4PAHaFj?r=0&cb=iwp2&rs=1&pid=ImgDetMain" width="400" height="300" alt="catio"/>

The title comes from the idea that a queen rules a country, but an empress (such as Queen Victoria) rules the world.

Thanks to Harper Muse and Netgalley for an ARC. Legalese--"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

This was such a good read!

I loved the relationship dynamics of the family, the retro small town setting, and the characters of this book. I think most people from a small town can relate to the “stuck” feeling of both Posey and Callie Jane, and I really appreciated Vern as a character. The addition of a Peeping Tom to a small town filled with gossips really added to the story, and it added almost a levity to the story with the way “news” spread through the town.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and finished it in a day!

Thank you to Harper Muse and the author for this ARC!

Posey Jarvis is the self-declared Empress of Cooke County, and when she unexpectedly inherits her aunt’s derelict mansion, she dreams of fixing it up and hosting her 20th high school reunion there. Meanwhile, Posey’s daughter Callie Jane dreams of life outside her small Tennessee town and refuses to play by her mother’s rules anymore.

This book alternates viewpoints between Posey and Callie Jane, and the differences between them are stark. My favorite character was the new hairdresser in town; I would have loved to see the town from her point of view. This story was OK, but I didn’t love it.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Bass Parman is an amazing story.
Elizabeth‘s writing is as sharp and witty as ever, with plenty of humorous and touching moments.
From the first page to the last, I was completely engrossed in the story. The characters were richly developed, the plot was captivating, and the writing style was flawless. I found myself unable to put it down, eagerly flipping pages to see what would happen next.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Bass Parman!

The Empress of Cooke County tells a riveting story of Posey Burch Jarvis, a woman who believes the world has jilted her in more ways than one and that of Callie Jane Jarvis, Posey’s daughter, attempting to find herself in a world that appears to be too cruel.
Posey has spent the last near-20 years pining after a man named CJ, whom she had a week-long affair with when she was 19-years-old, culminating in a pregnancy and Posey all alone. That pregnancy resulted in the sweet, mild-mannered Callie Jane. Now 18-years-old and ready to get on with the life she dreams of, Callie Jane finds herself unwittingly engaged to her childhood best friend Trace.
The results of this story ends with Posey having the world she’s known forever ripped out from under her by her own actions, and Callie Jane coming to terms with her own life and learning that she must live that life by her own terms, and not anyone else’s.
In this story, you will be rooting for Callie Jane to grow a backbone and be able to stick up to her mother, the woman you will loathe from the very first page. This author has an uncanny way of getting you to hate one of the two main protagonists from the very first word written on the page. You will spend the rest of the 300+ pages wondering if Posey will learn that consequences come with the actions she has chosen, and cheering when that happens.
Well done to Elizabeth Bass Parman on a wonderful, coming-of-age story for Callie Jane and a guidebook on not what to do with your life from Posey. I originally chose this book as an ARC specifically because Cooke happens to be my maiden name, so I immediately was drawn to it, and I’m so glad that I did. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.
Thank you to Harper Muse, Netgalley and author Elizabeth Bass Parman for this complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review

This book follows mom, Posey, and daughter, Callie Jane. It takes place in 60’s Tennessee. Posey is all about keeping up appearances and she just wants three things in life - be loved by her daughter Callie Jane, own a mansion, and marry CJ.

When a long lost aunt leaves Posey her mansion, she now has two out of three! But owning a mansion isn’t all it’s cracked up to be if that mansion is dilapidated. Posey will fake it until she makes it because in her mind this mansion is how she will finally make CJ see that she is doctor wife material.

Callie Jane - well she’s accidentally engaged and feels completely trapped in the small town of spark where she was born and raised. How does one get accidentally engaged? You’ll have to read this gem to find out!

There’s some laugh out loud moments in this one, and I definitely found myself empathizing with Callie Jane. She’s just a young girl who is trying to find herself but struggling with the fact that Bri by true to herself might mean hurting the people around her.

Don't hate me, but I just didn't love this one like I thought I was going to! I don't think it was the books fault either, I think based off the description and the cover I was expecting it to be something other than what it actually was. Unfortunately I was more looking forward to what I had imagined it to be than what I got, but I do think it's still worth reading! It still kept me wanting to know what happened!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for my early copy!!