As a longtime fan of Fannie Flagg, I was honored to receive an early copy of Remember the Time. Her earlier books—especially A Redbird Christmas and Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café—are personal favorites, and once again, she delivers a thoughtful and engaging story.

The novel opens with a slightly fantastical tone, setting the stage for a world where everyday moments carry unexpected meaning. Ms. Flagg shows how the ordinary details of life can hold real emotional weight, and how, at our core, we all share the desire to love and be loved. Several well-placed plot twists bring earlier scenes into sharper focus. In many ways, Ms. Flagg reveals herself as part mystery writer, quietly laying clues along the way.

Each chapter is told from a different character’s point of view, offering fresh perspectives that gradually reveal how their lives intersect. The structure feels deliberate and intimate—almost as if Ms. Flagg is discovering each character one at a time and stitching them together as she goes. I couldn’t help but wonder if she plans to revisit some of them in future books. Maybe that’s the "Something to Look Forward To?" I hope so.

The novel is full of humor, warmth, and emotional honesty. Ms. Flagg’s writing is grounded and accessible, and her characters are multidimensional and familiar. She explores themes of love, memory, and belonging without drifting into sentimentality. No "brown elephants" here. 😉

The book also offers a gentle reminder that certain moments in life are too important to miss—and that we shouldn’t let pride, politics, social conventions, distance, or finances keep us from the people we care about. Do we create these barriers to grow, learn, and find our way back? Perhaps. But the story reminds us not to wait too long.

Remember the Time is a comforting, well-crafted novel that both new and longtime readers of Fannie Flagg will enjoy. Reading it felt like spending time with a dear friend.

Thank you, Ms. Flagg.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review. This is another hilarious and enjoyable book by Fannie Flagg. This delightful book consists of thirty different short stories about people across America trying to cope with their lives and circumstances in our every changing world . One woman has to downsize to move to senior living, another person has to learn that her great granddaughter is now “they” instead of “she”, another woman has to deal with her husband leaving her for a trophy wife. This is a light, humorous and enjoyable book.

Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg, a series of short vignettes, like a patchwork quilt of life. What looks small might be the most important, a reminder to offer kindness. Reading this collection was a bit like hearing the wandering porch or diner stories that are sparked by “remember when?” and “what ever happened to . . . ?”
Connections might not be clear at first, a reminder that we are all more connected than we might realize. It’s a sweet and soothing work, and came to me when I needed soothing distraction.
Pub. date August, so there’s time to read a few other Flagg books until then.

I love Fannie Flagg, but this wasn’t my favorite. I think the extraterrestrial element will bring in a lot of readers, but it’s not for me. The writing was still amazing!

Heartwarming with delightfully quirky characters. A charming collection of stories that celebrate resilience, humor, and the unexpected twists of life. My favorite was Cathy and Velma, Velma was a trip!
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love Fannie Flagg. I was lucky to receive an advance copy. It comes out August 25. This was a book of many short, endearing stories about different people and times. Some of the characters showed up again in different stories. I highly recommend this book. Makes you feel good.

I was so excited to read this new beautiful piece if writing by Fannie Flagg. A series of stories connected by the people and the lives they live. Emotive, funny, and relationship driven.

This is a collection of short (very short!) stories. If you are a Fannie Flagg devotee, this book will be a lovely chance to read what is (presumably) her final book. If you’re unfamiliar with her previous books, you may be puzzled as to why this one was published. The stories are thin and not as satisfying as her big, ambitious, heart-warming, and thoroughly enjoyable novels. I had a sense that she published this collection to fulfill a contractual obligation.

That being said, I am a fan and did enjoy reading this book. It was pleasant and nostalgic if not particularly engrossing.

Unlike Flagg’s other books, which are novels, this is set up as a series of short stories. Some are told completely in a few pages, while others are told piece by piece with new parts of the story spread throughout the book.

As with most short story books I read, I enjoyed some of the stories more than others. Still, Flagg’s humor was found throughout the book.

It was a pleasure to read something new from Fannie Flagg, and her many fans will not be disappointed with this latest release from her.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of this book.

I absolutely adore all of Fannie Flagg’s books and was thrilled to read this. This collection of short stories is so fun and entertaining. Flagg’s characters are always unique and leave me wanting more. I’d love to see some of these stories developed into full length novels!

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

Fannie Flagg has been a favorite of mine forever, way back when she appeared on Match Game in the 1970's. She has a warm personality, which is reflected in all her books. I love the southern charm and humor. While I prefer her other books, this compilation was cute. Great short reads for when I only had a few minutes at a time. I would recommend it to anyone, especially older ladies, who just wants a short story to give them a smile.

Short stories that don't necessarily merge together into one (just a heads up, I thought it was going to be one story). Lighthearted, brings a smile to your face. A quick, enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley, Ms Flagg & Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I always love Fannie Flagg's charming small towns that call back to the 50s. She is an American Treasure and this book does not disappoint.

I have been a fan of Ms. Flagg and have read a lot of her books so I was excited to read the book at first but then had a hard time getting into the book. First it is a collection of short stories about different characters in small town life that are not connected. I think that my issue is that I first had different expectation of this book and was not expecting it to be short stories and secondly with it being about different characters I had a hard time connecting and staying interested in the book itself. I wanted to like it more but am unable to. Overall, this is just an okay read for me.

Author Fannie Flagg has an incredible gift of crafting stories detailing the human spirit. Something to Look Forward To offers the reader dozens of short stories with very interesting situations. What to do when your husband leaves you for a younger (and definitely brasher) woman? How to understand someone who finds joy in everything when you see the world as troubled? How can a gunshot wound bring forth a miracle of love and redemption? Thought-provoking, relatable and utterly enjoyable-
Thanks to Random House, Fannie Flagg and NetGalley for this ARC.

This is a quick read full of delightful glimpses into small-town life USA. Flagg's super power is writing lovely characters that remind you of your neighbours and family. The short story format of this book did give me a glimpse of the small town life and its people, but it didn't help me with my desire to fully know some of these characters before moving on to a new setting. A few of the longer stories made me smile with quite cute endings that I did not see coming. Overall, I will read anything this author writes as it feels safe and cozy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars I loved them all! This is a delightful collection of short stories. These are all different with the exception of Velma and Cathy. They are a grandmother/granddaughter and are featured in several stories. I enjoyed all the people and the writing is very charming. This is a fast paced, fun book 📚

(Review will be posted to Amazon and Barnes & Noble on publication day. Link to Goodreads review provided)

Nobody weaves a yarn like Fannie Flagg. Her latest novel Something to Look Forward To is as wonderful as expected. A very different and unusual style of book as it has several characters and timelines. I was first concerned about this because too many is too hard to keep up with but Flagg brings each story together in a way that flows colorfully and beautifully. Like intersections on a busy road or detours on the right, all the characters move well in a book of interconnecting stories. If you enjoyed Aunt Elner from the Elmwood Springs series, you'll find a likeable character here in Velma. Also, much again like the Elmwood series, the characters are colorful, fun, intelligent, witty and charming. This book will resonate for awhile. I know this because even though I finished a week ago, I'm still tasting it. 5 stars all the way.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ms. Flagg and Penguin Random House for sending me an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Every short story in this collection had something to chuckle about. However, a couple ended a little too abruptly for me, and I wondered if they were just the beginning of a novel that never got written.

One of the stories that resonated with me was "The Dreaded 'D' Word" about a woman with a houseful of family heirlooms who is forced to downsize. At one time or another, most of us will have to go through our parents' possessions, if not our own, and let go of so many things that hold so many memories and tug at our heartstrings.

All in all, a charming collection of homey stories that can be read over a weekend.

Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC ebook edition.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Since reading “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café” when it was first published, I have always looked forward to new Fannie Flagg books. This collection of short stories introduces us to an array of fascinating characters in interesting situations. The descriptions are so realistic that you feel that Ms. Flagg is talking about you or some people you know!

The stories themselves are down-to-earth and sprinkled with the kind of humor the reader would expect from this author. As in real life, there are good times mixed with tragedy, but you can relate to each story in its own way. I thoroughly enjoyed these vignettes and hope more will be published soon.