s!Fannie Flagg has a gift for weaving stories that blend humor, warmth, and a touch of nostalgia. The stories the reader finds here continue this tradition of creating memorable characters and a comfortable sense of community. The novel reminds readers that even in the face of challenges, there is always hope, kindness, and connection to be found.

The stories are lighthearted with humor and touching reflections of life, aging, and friendships. The pacing is gentle, but allows space to savor the moments of kindness and wisdom tucked into the narrative.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Ms. Flagg for a digital copy to read for review. I loved it. 5 star

Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg has a variety of interesting short stories about life. These stories will encourage contemplation of life and the people we encounter.

A collection of short stories that span decades and are somewhat connected. Fannie Flagg writes refreshingly sweet stories, and these short tales are no exception. She delves into the human condition and puts a positive spin on this ever changing and sometimes crazy world that we live in. I enjoyed reading this collection, and like the title says, hopefully we have something to look forward to!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House for this delightful arc.

Something To Look Forward To is a collection of interconnected short stories by Fannie Flagg. They range from quirky and fanciful to humorous to poignant. Two of the stories feature an alien who chooses to come to earth disguised as William Frawley (with that name as well) to learn about earth. He finds a sense of wonder on earth, with observations like:

"This was the first time he had ever encountered color. All the images of Earth on his boss’s screen were light gray, but here on Earth, everything was a different color and it almost made him dizzy." (ebook location 102).

Other stories feature a news reporter, a remote cafe in Wyoming, a college student who has a crush on her professor, a woman who finds love with rescued animals, and (my favorite) recurring stories about a sweet older lady who has a happy life on a farm but misses her granddaughter and great-granddaughter who live far away in California.

I wanted to read this book because I love Fannie Flagg's fiction; she is one of my favorite authors.

I prefer novels to short stories, but ventured into this genre because of the author. I'm so glad I did! I found these stories heartwarming and enjoyable. I loved the little connections here and there with the stories and characters. Through it all, Fannie Flagg's distinctive authorial voice shines through.

I recommend this book for other fans of southern fiction, and for anyone who enjoys short stories. I found it a quick read, and it would be a nice comfort read for a weekend or a vacation.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Fannie Flagg for allowing me to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An alien reporter, the size of less than the head of a pin, dons a William Frawley suit and heads to America to see what makes us happy. Fannie Flagg has written stories for everyone. I don’t usually pick short stories, but am so grateful I chose such an uplifting book. Do you ever wonder. how other people view the way we live, love, and laugh, or even forgotten how to live, love, and laugh? “William Frawley”, alien reporter, has plenty to say after his visit to America. Velma, in Kansas, loves her chickens, yellow butterflies, and the beauty of her quiet farm; whereas, her California granddaughter would rather walk picket lines and text on her phone, worried sick her grandma is dying of boredom. From leaving spouses, jobs, and searching for happiness in material goods, “William Frawley” feels that Americans are off track for true happiness.
Thanks to Fannie Flagg for gently giving her readers a sweet wake-up call to a happier life.

According to Fannie Flagg, she once said the world needs a good laugh. That has never been more true! This collection of stories are about (mostly) ordinary folks all over the U.S. If you have read her previous books, you will recognie some of the names, and think "Hello, old friend!". Some of the stories made me smile, some made me laugh out loud. There were even a couple of stories about an alien who comes down to Fort Wayne, Indiana posing as Special Agent Frawley to study the mysteries of being human from an original perspective. If you want a light hearted read that will pick your spirits up, then this needs to be at the top of your TBR pile.

Displaying Fannie Flagg's signature charm and wit "Something to Look Forward To" is a delightful collection of short stories detailing the lives of everyday people. It's an enjoyable novel to read straight through or to pick up and read a few stories at a time. I recommended it for those who want something light to finish off their summer list or to kick off cozy fall reading.

**Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**

I would call this a most unique, quirky, entertaining book, with basically no storyline, but lots of interesting vignettes. I don’t think I quite got it, but I enjoyed it. Since I enjoy reading for the sake of reading, I would recommend this book to my friends, especially for people who just want to read a book that comes in a lot of small bites. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

Fannie Flagg, I dare to think of as a modern day Mark Twain or even Will Rogers who can make a tale out of any subject and turn it into a humorous story or it might just allow one to ponder a thought or two. This might not be my favorite book by this author, but it still evoked a hearty chuckle particularly when the ending is not as expected. A series of short stories but there is a repeat of a few characters throughout the book. My favorite character was Velma, a great grandmother from Kansas. Enjoy this fictional book in one setting or a story or two at a time. Many thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Random House Publisher
for an advance reader copy for review; this review is my honest opinion.

I was so excited to receive this free e-book from Netgalley, as I've always loved Fannie Flagg's books. I didn't realize at first that this is a collection of short stories. Some of the stories intertwine with each other, but others do not. It was a bit challenging to keep track of all the characters, wondering if they would be mentioned later on. I did enjoy Flagg's quirky humor in her writing, but think I do prefer her novels over short stories. Thank you to Netgalley for this free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flag in exchange for a honest review.I have read all of Fannie’s book and loved them all.This book is no exception.If you want to laugh and remember better times this is the book for you.This is a collection of short stories some of them continuing and some one offs .Some of them are set in the past, some in the present day and some in the future but all of them are heartwarming and include Fannie’s own brand of magic and Americana.A must read!

3.5 rounded to 4

Individually these very short tales are variously charming and heartwarming, with upbeat endings. But reading too many became tiring with repeated beats and tropes. Like a steady diet of candy.

Recommended for those who like a short piece before bedtime, or when there are ten free minutes for relaxing reading.

Love Fannie Flagg. This is such a heartwarming collection of feel good short stories.

This collection is a quick read, some of the stories are a little longer than others, but overall it's just a fun look at life, family, friendship, and belonging through the lens of our changing world.

Many of these stories are interconnected and have characters that appear and reappear at different times in different tales. Some of the characters do feel like real people, but others seem more like caricatures and stereotypes. That was the only shortcoming I feel like this book had. I'm not always the biggest fan of short stories because I really like to get to know characters, but this one was a nicely refreshing, cozy book.

I did love the first and last stories, introducing and capping off a look at life on earth.

If you're looking for a sweet change of pace, Fannie Flagg is always a good choice.

I love Fannie Flagg and I love short stories, so this book was a natural for me. I found the framing device was a little weak, but every single story was absolutely spot on. I loved this book.

Thank you to the publisher, Net Galley and the author for the opportunity. My review is my own opinion.
While I am not a fan of short stories at all this compilation of thirty short stories was entertaining as the author always is. The stories are endearing , quirky and funny. The characters are vibrant and leap off the page for their very short time with the reader. Each has poignant meaning and food for thought.
California was not depecticted rightfully and you can tell the author does not know California at all writing without
accuracy on our culture, environment or people.
The multitude of locations of each story adds interest for the reader. I enjoyed the short glimpses into life in various cities of the US.
The cheating husband story was my favorite and very funny.
All in all a enjoyable read I will recommend to all readers who enjoy short stories . The author has a unique voice I always enjoy reading her work.

This is a short story collection by Fannie Flagg (of Fried Green Tomatoes fame) and it has the same wit and sharp take on the human condition as her other books (a bit like Fredrik Backman’s style). Some of the stories circle back to earlier ones and characters and to be honest that is my favorite type of short story collection. There is not one location for these, the stories take place in numerous places (Ithaca, NY, Bent Fork WY etc.). This is a book for readers who don’t love short stories, because there is no way not to fall in love with these.

For fans of Fanny Flagg this is a must read. I will say that the first story gave me pause since it’s a little out there, it’s about an alien who comes in human form to observe the odd human race. The rest are pretty different, some are Lake Wobegonesque (it reminded me of Garrison Keillor’s imaginary world), some are a bit more out there, but I loved almost all of them. I am really not the hugest short story reader (although between this one and Curtis Sittenfeld’s latest I am becoming more and more a fan) and I would highly recommend listening to the audio because Flagg herself is the narrator (and she is perfect). I had planned to listen to the whole thing on audio (and read a different book on the beach) but I was on the beach and really wanted to continue in the stories so ended up reading about half of them.

4.25 stars

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC to review

"Something to Look Forward To" by Fannie Flagg feels like a patchwork quilt of small-town Americana stitched with moments of joy, a sprinkle of heartbreak, and a whole lot of “wait, what just happened?” Thirty short stories hopscotch across the U.S., dipping into the lives of quirky characters who try to make sense of the chaos life throws at them. It’s classic Flagg in many ways, but chopped into bite-sized pieces that sometimes land sweet and sometimes fall flat on their face.

Let’s start with the good stuff because there is plenty. Velma Ruth Vanderhoff, the Kansas grandma who pops up again and again, is an absolute treasure. She’s the kind of character who makes you want to call your own grandma and say “tell me your stories.” Helen from Ithaca, New York, who gives her cheating ex a well-deserved reality check, is another highlight. These moments carry the kind of warm-hearted, sassy punch Flagg does best.

But here’s the catch. The short story format means you barely get to know some characters before their tale is done. It’s like being invited to a party and just getting your coat hung up before someone yanks you outside. The connections between stories are thin enough to make you wonder if you accidentally grabbed a random collection instead of a novel. If you’re a full-length story person, this might leave you hanging.

Now, about those awkward attempts at gender-neutral representation scattered throughout. It often feels less like genuine empathy and more like someone was determined to make a point, but forgot to give the characters real depth or humanity. Instead of feeling inclusive, some portrayals come off stiff and one-note, lacking the warmth and fairness the book usually delivers. The California characters in particular get painted with broad strokes that come off more like a late-night political rant than nuanced people. That kind of caricature killed the vibe more than it helped.

Then there’s the alien framing device, where a faraway observer studies humanity. Sounds cool on paper but ends up feeling like a clunky afterthought that doesn’t really add much. It slowed the flow and made me wonder if I accidentally switched genres.

Still, when Flagg’s on, she is on. Her gift for capturing everyday struggles, quirks, and triumphs shines through. The humor and heart are here. Even if the stories sometimes feel like a tease, the moments that stick hit hard.

So here’s the deal. If you’re a Flagg fan craving a quick and mostly sweet read, you’ll find things to love here. If you want the rich, full-bodied character development she’s known for, you might be better off with one of her novels. The Velma stories alone are worth the price of admission.

I’m giving "Something to Look Forward To" 3.5 stars. It’s a cozy, if uneven, reminder that life is messy, funny, and sometimes just weird enough to make you laugh.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC. While I wish the representation had been handled with more care and depth, I still found plenty of warmth and humor shining through in many of the stories.

The most delightful book! each short chapter tells a short story by a character. Each one is whimsical and delightful. This book was like having coffee with that one special friend you have that is super chatty and loves to tell everyone stories to brighten their day. If I had the money, I swear I would by multiple copies of this book and hand them out to all the special people I know. This book is truly a gift to be cherished.

Something to Look Forward to. I have enjoyed previous works by Fannie Flagg, but they were all novels and this is a group of short stories that are only somewhat interconnected. Although I found this to be a decent read, it was difficult for me to really relate to most of the characters. I also thought that some of the stories were too short: just as I was getting to know a character or two, the story ended and it was on to something else. The longer stories were much better and decently developed, which is probably why I have enjoyed Fannie Flagg’s novels much more than this collection.

Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg is a heartwarming, very highly recommended collection of thirty short stories, several of which are interconnected. I loved every one of these delightful, humorous, nostalgic, and insightful stories and the memorable characters in them. The story telling is superb and flows quickly and smoothly. Once I started reading, the stories immediately grabbed my complete attention and they were so enchanting that it was impossible to stop reading.

Flagg has a special way of bringing her characters to life, making them believable, relatable, down-to-earth, and human. The characters are from several different towns and cities across America. Velma Ruth Vanderhoff is in several stories and I grew to love this sweet grandma from the small town of Cottonwood, Kansas. I commend Helen from Ithaca, New York, and how she handled her cheating ex-husband. Darla Womble's experiences showcased exactly what member of her family cared. Special Agent William Frawley from Planet 8676 visits Fort Wayne, Indiana, and learns about humans.

Something to Look Forward To is a must-read, especially for fans of Fannie Flagg. Thanks to Random House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.