A delightful book! Filled with short stories from characters throughout America, I didn't want it to end. Some of the stories are surprising, some hilarious. Very entertaining. I didn't want it to end.

Fannie Flagg writes with humor and sincerity. Her characters are people the reader would love to spend some time with. This novel is actually short stories, some with recurring characters. The stories take part in different parts of the country at different times. The characters are dealing with issues that most people face, so the stories are relatable.Some readers may not enjoy this format, but Ms. Flagg's fans will appreciate her warm, honest and no-nonsense style.

Fannie Flagg never disappoints. There is such an unpretentious down home feeling about everything she writes and this book is no exception. And you might laugh at some of the characters!
Comprised of short stories, some of which are connected with other stories, we catch a glimpse of Americans living in small town, living in cities and Special Agent Frawley who may be from some other galaxy - we will never know. We meet Velma, a great-grandmother in Kansas who would love to see her children, but they live too far away and send a card or two at Christmas time. Ranches in a small town in Montana who take matters into their own hands, a woman in New York who has had enough of the shenanigans going on around her. We share for a few brief moments the lives of others, loving, quirky, hopeful, who find the strength to go on, no matter what.

I've read several of Fannie Flagg's works in the past and liked them fine, but this one was an utter flop for me. The short stories seemed recycled, and often too similar. Flagg has a niche, and her attempts at diversifying just didn't work out. There were stories where I thought for sure there would have to be some sort of tongue in cheek haha coming up, and when there wasn't, I realized the author had no freakin' clue about who she was trying to portray. She clearly likes good ol' country folks, plucky women, and cheeky responses to being wronged. When she stays within her realm of comfort, it's tolerable. But outside of that, it's cringe. In the afterward, she suggests we all "be quiet," and that seems like poor advice for times like these.

I love books by Fanny Flagg. They are so funny and heartwarming. This book is full of interconnected stories set all over the world U.S. and beyond. They are set in different time periods and a few don’t even have dates. Her books always make me feel happy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for a honest opinion. 4⭐️

A fun and quirky collection of short stories. Flagg maintains her ability to encapsulate small town coziness; however, delivered in short bursts of storytelling. It reminded me more of Elizabeth Strout’s writing - but with more humor.

Each story was engaging, and the one story that continues throughout left me emotional. There was an underlining of thought provoking questions about the life you lead and the life you think you are living. Once I got to the support group of animals, I had a new appreciation for each story. Needless to say, I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've been a Fannie Flagg fan since she was my weather girl out of Birmingham. I think the time has come to admit that, for me, the luster is gone. Both this book and the one before it reads like a sophomore class assignment. I couldn't enjoy the story because I couldn't get past the stilted classroom sounding narrative.

Fannie Flagg’s new book was such a delight to read with a deeply woven human story and richly developed characters! She weaves together all our human emotions. I could. Not put this book down. Thank you Fannie for another wonderful read!

A delightful novel of short stories about people and their lives. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

very cute stories about humankind, wouldn't have normally picked it up - but happy I read it! I loved the interconnectedness of some of the stories.

First of all, I've never been a great short-story reader. Mainly because just when you get into the plot, the story is over.

BUT, I am a big fan of Fannie Flagg, so I requested a copy . I have read all of her books and even have the F/G/T Cookbook!

What pleasant surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed each chapter. I look at the world a little brighter when I step outside and see
the wonder that surrounds me.

I still think my fave is the alien eating ice cream at Baskin-Robbins. It was so tender.

Of course, they were all terrific and made great reading while waiting in a lobby for an appointment. Just the right length.

I can't wait to eat at The Whistle Stop cafe, in Juliette, GA where they filmed Fried Green Tomatoes, and left the set when the filming
was finished. Of course, you can take a virtual tour, but now it is a must, and we live just a few hours away.

Thank you Fannie Flagg for writing such wonderful, heartfelt stories.

This book would be a great gift for a loved one.

I will also be posting on Goodreads!

Read it soon!

I always love a new Fannie Flagg book and this one did not disappoint! This book consists of 30 short stories showcasing observations of American life about love, loss and reinvention. I would highly recommend to all Fannie Flagg fans! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

I will be posting this review on Goodreads adorn once published on Amazon. I will also post it in my private reading group on Facebook.

As always, Fannie Flagg is down to earth about life. This book, however, covers many aspects of life as she writes it in short stories about different life events and facts. I loved it and hope to find a way to get a signed copy of this book to keep. A fabulous book!

This is a quick and simple read with unusual beginning and ending chapters. I thought all the stories would intertwine, but much of the book could stand alone. It was lighthearted entertainment with some sweet human insight.

I love Fannie Flagg. This was a good book, but not exactly what I expected. I could not really find where these stories were hardly connected except for Velma throughout the book. I like the short stories, but not what I usually read.

✨I usually avoid short stories because they tend to leave me wanting more, but when I saw that Fannie Flagg was releasing a collection, I knew I would read it as soon as I could get my hands on it. I’m so glad I did because this was such a happy read at a moment when I really needed it.

✨In true Fannie Flagg style, this collection is filled with lovably endearing characters, refreshingly hopeful views of a long life, homespun wisdom and warmhearted humor. She writes about what makes us human and the everyday moments that turn out to be not so trivial after all. These are life lessons cloaked in humor and wrapped with empathy.

✨I definitely enjoyed this quick, cheerful read, and I recommend it for anyone who needs a little pick me up.

Being a fan of Fannie Flagg, I eagerly started reading this new book and was surprised, but not disappointed. The stories are very engaging and make you cheer for the characters. Many of the chapters are related, but several are stand-alone stories. "Don't Mess with Texas" is an absolute classic! Really enjoyed those characters and that chapter. We need more stories like this about people overcoming adversity and building resilience, all mixed with a touch of humor.

I received an electronic ARC from Random House through NetGalley.
What a charming set of short stories by Flagg. She sets up an interesting opening with the first story and wraps it back together with the connected final one. Readers see slices of life for ordinary American small town life. Flagg's light touch captures the joy for life with some serious undertones. She challenges readers to enjoy life and to look deeper too. Of course, I preferred some stories to others but all worked well together. I wish a couple had been a bit longer to flesh out the details but I could do that myself as a reader. Some were directly connected and told a fuller story together.
A light read that can be read in one sitting or separately.
This is a departure from Flagg's other books but continues to show her style.

Fannie Flagg's books are some of my favorites, portraying small-town America with unforgettable characters and a healthy dose of humor. Her latest book, Something To Look Forward To, is quite different. Small-town America is still at the forefront, but this time the author has given us 30 short stories--some of them short enough to be called vignettes. One family provides a satisfying through-line for several of the stories, but mostly they are unique, without shared characters. The length of each story, some as short as three pages, limits the amount of detail the author can include about the plot or the characters, keeping most of them broad and simplistic.

Fannie's signature love of people, however, is always in evidence. She aims to capture emotions and teach lessons--mostly with the focus on normal people but sometimes with the help of animals or even space aliens. I enjoy her humor and her always-positive messages. I will always prefer her longer works, but this one can be enjoyed in bits and pieces, perfect for the summer,

My thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Such a good read--positive and funny and gives you feel good vibes. These thirty stories, some of which are interconnected, show people in a variety of places in America making do, feeling good and being happy despite circumstances that could drag them under. Flagg has that ability to show real people from small towns with their flaws but more importantly with their attributes that help both themselves and others. Thanks to Net Galley for the arc.