This book is a gem about a mother, Posey Jarvis, who wants to rule over Spark, Tennessee and a daughter, Callie Jane, that wants to expand her horizons and get away to live in California.

The book has both of these ladies’ points of view and I love how the beginning feels more Posey heavy and as the book starts to wind down we get more Callie Jane. The meat of the book has more alternating Points of View. I think the way these points of view are set up really elevates the story.

I also adored the fact that this book is set in 1966. It’s all about Tang, tuna casserole, and the Beatles.

There is a lot of good foreshadowing and a few surprises that come our way.

I highly recommend this read!!

The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Bass Parman is an engaging listen with heartfelt moments and relatable characters. The narration captures the warmth and complexity of the story, drawing you into the small-town charm. However, the pacing lags at times, and some plot points feel underdeveloped. A solid choice for fans of character-driven stories, but it didn’t quite reach its full potential for me. 3 stars.

I really enjoyed the story, the characters are interesting and engaging. The atmosphere is set in a way that completely pulls you into the story. The author did a great job helping to draw you into the lives of the townspeople. I was shocked at the turn of events that happen toward the end of the story, but in the way townsfolk would be shocked when something unusual happens to one of their own. In other words, the story felt authentic, even in its twists.
Posey is a big part of the story and is a generally awful or unlikeable character. The depth of her depravity is outrageous, extreme, and unrelatable. She’s seriously delulu in a way that would make her a true sociopath in real life, but her delusions aren’t portrayed that way in the story.

Overall, an excellent read that I’d recommend to fans of family dramas and historical fiction.

The audio is amazing, of course! She’s performs both Posey and Callie Jane’s POVs but does a good job with varied inflection to differentiate the two. Highly recommend this one on audio! While I may not purchase it for a high school library, I think adults would really love this book and relate to the story.

I so wanted to love The Empress of Cooke County but I found myself drifting off while listening. I would then set the audiobook aside and come back to it, only to find myself drifting again. The narrator did a great job, it’s just the story and I did not connect. And since we did not connect this was unfortunately a miss for me.

The Empress of Cooke County tells the story of a mother and her daughter at a pivotal time in their lives .

Posey is a mother and wife in the small town she grew up in. She’s wanted more her whole life but hadn’t been able to leave. She has some opportunities to elevate her status but in the end, fails to do so.

Calle is her mother’s only child and is referred to as her ‘little mouse’. As she is growing up, she learns to stand up for herself, make hard decisions and follow her heart.

The author does a great job of making Posey, the mother, unlikable. She’s brash and unyielding in a sandpaper on your skin kind of way. The writing is a little slow at first, however I loved the twists in the book. There was a lot of foreshadowing around a death in the book, but I liked how the book resolves in the end overall. A couple of questions are unanswered and I would have loved to see what/if anything happens with ‘JJ’.

I was put off by Posey’s character, and at times it was hard to read. I feel like Vern sort of made up for that in the end.

The story centers around a fiercely independent woman navigating life in a small town, and Parman's sharp wit and vivid descriptions really brought the setting to life.

I loved the way Parman mixed humor with poignant moments, making the characters feel relatable and real. However, the pacing felt a bit uneven at times, especially in the middle where it dragged a little.

Overall, The Empress of Cooke County balances charm and depth beautifully, offering a heartwarming and thought-provoking story. Definitely a gem for anyone who loves character-driven narratives!

Elizabeth Bass Parman’s *The Empress of Cooke County* is a rich, witty, and poignant tale that brims with Southern charm, unforgettable characters, and the timeless tug-of-war between expectations and self-discovery. Set in the small town of Spark, Tennessee, during the upheaval of the 1960s, this audiobook weaves a dual narrative about a mother and daughter grappling with identity, love, and the ever-elusive quest for happiness.

At the heart of the story is Posey Jarvis, the self-proclaimed "empress" of Cooke County—a 38-year-old Jackie Kennedy devotee whose life is as messy as the derelict mansion she unexpectedly inherits from her eccentric Aunt Milbrey. Posey is a wonderfully complex character, at once laughably self-absorbed and deeply vulnerable. Her plan to host her high school’s twentieth reunion at the crumbling estate is less about nostalgia and more about rekindling a romance with the man who broke her heart nineteen years ago. Posey’s obsession with perfection—whether in her image, her social standing, or her makeshift empire—forms the backbone of her hilariously flawed but ultimately endearing quest for validation.

Meanwhile, her 18-year-old daughter Callie Jane is desperate to break free from the life her domineering mother has mapped out for her. Engaged to a man she’s not sure she loves and facing a future that feels suffocatingly small, Callie dreams of escape—California, freedom, and a fresh start. Callie’s perspective offers a tender counterpoint to Posey’s antics, grounding the story with moments of quiet rebellion, heartfelt longing, and the bittersweet uncertainty of forging your own path.

Parman’s writing is sharp and evocative, painting the town of Spark and its quirky inhabitants with vivid strokes. From the gossip-fueled gatherings to the stifling expectations of small-town life, the setting is alive with detail, perfectly capturing the era’s tensions and transformations. The humor is razor-sharp, but beneath the laughs lies a story about the complexities of love—between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, and the communities that both support and stifle.

The audiobook narration is stellar, bringing Posey and Callie Jane’s voices to life with warmth and nuance. Posey’s dramatic flair and Callie’s quiet resolve are distinct and engaging, drawing listeners deeper into their intertwining struggles. The narrator captures the Southern cadence and personality of each character, enhancing the immersive experience of this richly textured story.

What makes *The Empress of Cooke County* truly shine is its exploration of self-worth and reinvention. Posey’s journey toward self-awareness and Callie Jane’s determination to carve out a future on her own terms offer parallel arcs that feel both personal and universal. The story doesn’t shy away from the messiness of relationships or the pain of letting go, but it ultimately celebrates the power of being true to yourself, no matter the cost.

This is a story with heart, humor, and just enough chaos to keep listeners hooked from start to finish. Elizabeth Bass Parman has crafted a gem of a novel that is as funny as it is touching, a perfect blend of Southern wit and emotional depth. Whether you’re drawn to the outrageous antics of Posey, the earnest struggles of Callie Jane, or the richly drawn tapestry of small-town life, *The Empress of Cooke County* is a five-star listen that will linger long after the final chapter.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Another example of not the right book for me. I really wanted to like this book and I can't quite tell what it was that I didn't enjoy but I also can't really tell you anything that I did enjoy about it. Two stars.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Oh the drama! Not what I was expecting but a interesting read, and I thought the ending was fitting. The narrator did a good job.

I loved the setting, timeframe, and all the characters. A wild ride with a great ending. Thanks NetGallery!

I really enjoyed this one.

Posey’s daughter is 18 years old and she helps her dad run their family shop in town. Posey can’t wait for Callie’s wedding to her childhood best friend. Callie’s soon to be husband is on the fast track to opening a chain of grocery stores and will make a dependable and capable husband. Posey wants Callie to have a better life than she did. She wants Callie to have a big house and lots of babies. Callie dreams of moving away from their small town in Tennessee and exploring a different way of life. Callie and Posey are complete opposites and can’t really understand each other’s point of view.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I loved the family dynamics. This book kept surprising me. This family was full of secrets and I couldn’t put this book down.


Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an audio ARC of this book. All thoughts/opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved the sickeningly sweet Southern charm of this novel! It was so much darker than I expected and that was exactly what it needed. I did find it mostly predictable but not in a bad way, more in a "I can't wait to see how this goes down" way. This book felt like I was getting all the tea and I was there for it.
This would make a great movie.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 Stars

Posey, unhappy, alcoholic, controlling and the self-appointed "empress of Cooke County" has recently inherited a derelict mansion from her aunt but in a movie to outshine the other people in town she has demanded to host the 20th high school reunion. With the date looming she pushes to fix up and show off. Her polar opposite 18 yr old daughter is Callie, who is attempting to flee the area for California after she "accidently" became engaged to her high school boyfriend. When a tragedy strikes Callie must decide if going back is her best option.

Based on the cover and description I thought this would be a fun campy romp through the southern hills of Tennessee in the 1960s, that is not at all what this book is. Posey is one of the main characters and is one of the most unlikeable, unredeemable and cardboard characters I have read in a long time. Callie is supposed to be her opposite and clearly who we are supposed to be rooting for but she is boring and flat. The two characters are the POV but I cant say I enjoyed either. There was not a lot of action to drive the story and the pace faltered, so I found myself getting bored, struggling to finish it. The cover needs to be reworked as this book is not the fun happy light hearted comedy it appears. Pass.

I had the audio version read by Brittany Pressley. I struggled with Pressley's performance and coupled with the bad writing it was not an enjoyable audio book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Liked it, fun while I was reading it
Set in Tennessee in the 60's, I was expecting a light, somewhat satirical romp about a small town mother daughter duo. That isn't what this is at all... both of the main characters are hard to like on the surface, but as the story unfolds, you start to understand their motivations and what they're trying to cover up and hide. After all, it's a small town and everyone is in everyone else's business...

The narrator, Brittany Pressley, did a good job, I had no trouble understanding who was saying what, where, when, and with what expression/intension.

Thank you to HarperCollins Focus, NetGalley, and author Elizabeth Bass Parman for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The Empress of Cooke County is out September 3, 2024.

This was not quite what I expected. I thought it was going to be a quirky, light romp but it was much deeper and darker than that. Set in the 1960s, this is a mother daughter story of differing opinions on small town social graces. I liked it. there were great characters and good story plotlines.The narrator was terrific, the accents and tone were spot on. It was slower than I wanted but it was a good listen. Thank you Netgalley and Harper Muse Audio for this audiobook arc.

The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Bass Parman immediately drew me in. I really enjoyed the small town family drama. The author did a great job of setting up a story that I could imagine happening in a small southern town during the 1960s. I am a sucker for a well done dual perspective, and the author did a great job. In addition, the narrator was fabulous! She definitely adds greatly to the reading experience. This book was a fun escape during a busy season of life. I would for sure give any future books by the author a try.

Thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks at NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book was so much more than I expected. I thought it would be a simple, "fluffy" ready, and one one hand it was, but the characters and the storyline were much deeper than I anticipated. It's one that I'm glad I read. I will watch out for more books by Elizabeth Bass Parman in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing an audio ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

Thank you HarperCollins Focus - Harper Muse for allowing me to read and review The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Bass Parman on NetGalley.

Narrator: Brittany Pressley

Published: 09/03/24

Stars: 4.5

Grabbed me right away and ran my emotions through the gamut. Pressley performed beautifully and enhanced the storytelling. She and Parman teamed well.

The synopsis is clear. The characters are well done. Each had their role and played perfectly.

I found this mostly entertaining. There are a few spots where perhaps I should feel sorry or bad for a character; however, I didn't but I did find the moments cringe worthy. Life sometimes is what you make it.

I recommend this wholeheartedly. It is hours of fun with a couple lessons to ponder. I look forward to her next book.

Not really my cup of tea, but I was entertained.

It gave " Crazy Rich Asians" vibes

Hope to read another of the author and see the improvement

I found this book a little confusing, but I don't think it's the author's fault. The book description and especially the cover make this feel like a quirky book about gossipy housewives. In fact, the book is quite dark.

The book alternates between Posey Jarvis, a housewife who is obsessed with winning back her married ex boyfriend and Callie Jane, her daughter who feels stifled by the future laid out for her. I enjoyed Callie's perspective a lot more than Posey's.

Posey is a sympathetic character up to a point. She is the daughter of an affair and has never felt wanted. This does not excuse her terrible behavior throughout the book.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but was a little taken aback by the turn of events.

Brittany Pressley is a great narrator. She does a good job distinguishing the two points of view.