Those of us raised in the deep south will recognize all of Melissa Radke's women, even if we know them by another name. This book is a mostly humorous, but sometimes serious, look at the women who made us who we are today. The author celebrates women who are 'chicken-fried': battered on the outside, but tender on the inside. They loved us, fought with us, prayed over us, and took us down a peg or two when needed. Most of all, they are authentic and without apology for who they are.

I very much enjoyed this book, but I suspect that younger women, or those not familiar with Southern culture, might not quite 'get it'. It is largely a collection of character sketches, with the lessons almost as an aside.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I was thrilled to receive an advanced reader copy of Chicken Fried Women: Friendship, Kinship, and the Women Who Made Us This Way by Melissa Radke. This was my first time reading Radke’s work, but it certainly won’t be my last!

From the start, I was drawn in by the book’s clever and charming chapter titles, many of which introduce us to the unforgettable “chicken fried women” in Radke’s life. The book takes readers on a journey through the highs and lows of these women—through love, laughter, trials, gossip, and tears. Just like in real life, they walk through it all together, side by side.

These women are witty, sharp, and downright hilarious. Their stories reminded me so much of my own Southern family—the way conversations start in one direction, take an unexpected detour, and somehow circle back to where they began. While the storytelling at times felt a little out of order, it only added to the authenticity, making it feel like I was right there in the room, part of the conversation.

Beyond the humor, there’s also a deep, raw honesty in this book—one that makes you appreciate the women in your own life even more. It left me reflecting on my own chicken fried women and the wisdom, love, and resilience they’ve passed down to me.

A heartfelt thank you to the publisher for this ARC. I truly enjoyed every page!

Sardonic and witty, Radke delights readers with her candor. This crisp, easy-to-read book is original with relatable yet unique characters that will leave the reader long after reading. Radke writes in a way that energizes the reader, making her book as addicting as fried chicken.

Closing this book was like hanging up a phone after a conversation with your best friend. I laughed out loud and felt deep sadness at times, but my heart is full.

Oh my goodness! I have never laughed so hard at a book! I immediately want to be part of this family stat! The love, the honesty, and the laughter of these women made my heart swell! I am ready for the rest of the stories that she didn't include in this book. I have always admired people that can find joy and laughter in the midst of hard things and this family excels at it. I know this book is about women, but I just had to read my husband a couple of chapters because I was laughing so hard! Thanks for the laughs Melissa!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

It wasn't long ago that I reconnected with some of the cousins of my youth. These cousins, nearly all women and from the hills of Kentucky, were creators of some of my best childhood memories. They were, I believe, the "chicken-fried women" of which author Melissa Radke writes in her latest effort "Chicken-Fried Women: Friendship, Kinship, and the Women Who Made Us This Way."

Truthfully, I hadn't stayed in touch with these women very well. It is largely thanks to the presence of social media that they've re-entered my life. For that, I'm grateful.

In most ways, however, I'm not the target reader for "Chicken-Fried Women," a book clearly aimed toward female readers and clearly aimed at female relationships. I'm a decidedly northern guy in his 50's, an adult male with lifelong disabilities and someone with a more fluid family situation that hasn't produced a whole lot of the type of memories brought to life here.

And yet, I couldn't help but fall in love with Radke and her family, especially her mother, as Radke makes us laugh, makes us reminisce, makes us shed tears, and makes us celebrate the women who made us as she brings to life these chicken-fried women from her childhood and adult years.

Radke is the bestselling author of "Eat Cake. Be Brave," and if you're aware of her then you're likely already highly anticipating this book's arrival in April 2025. It won't disappoint. As someone who was not familiar with Radke, "Chicken-Fried Women" had me looking her up and learning even more as she writes about the women who encouraged, teased, chastised, mortified, and prayed, prayed, and prayed some more.

Radke brings to mind the kind of bonds that I can't even imagine - family that comes along when you go bra shopping, the ups and downs of southern faith, and the ins and outs of daily life.

"Chicken-Fried Women" is filled with an abundance of humor, often laugh-out-loud, and an immersive heart that is warm and wonderful and more than a wee bit uncomfortable in all the right ways. Indeed, an absolute celebration of friendship, kinship, and the women who shaped us, "Chicken-Fried Women" is the kind of book you read and then you read it again.

Melissa does it again. If you're like me and have followed her on social media, it was easy to picture many of her Chicken-Fried Women as she shared their stories. You will hear her unmistakeable voice on every page. Part humor and part wisdom, this book will make you think about the people you share your life with and whether you are someone else's Chicken-Fried Woman. If you were raised in the South, ever lived in the South, or just lucky enough to have a Southern=born mama, you'll probably feel right at home with the stories and truths Melissa shares. Personally, it made me miss the days I had a group of chicken-fried women of my own. I'm not lucky enough to be in that place now, and that was probably the only downside to the book for me. It made me want to start looking for real estate in SE Texas to see if I could worm my way into their group!

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Such a fun read from this hilarious comedian from the South. Loved her focus on the women in her life that have made an impact all tied in with funny stories about each of them. I also enjoyed seeing how close the whole family is and how Melissa moved her family back to her hometown for that family experience. Great quick read!

Ok, I loved this. Melissa Radke does an amazing job of bringing us into her family of interesting, spicy, funny women and allowing us to sit at the table and listen to family gossip. After finishing this book in two days (I couldn't put it down) I felt like I knew each of these chicken fried women and that they were my friends. Melissa is one of the funniest authors I've read. I found myself cracking up laughing, by myself in my apartment. Not only was this book hilarious, but it was thoughtful, poignant, and tender.

I have been following Melissa Radke for several years, she makes you laugh with her stories online but to be able to read about the women who have raised her is the icing on the cake. She takes the funny things from these important women and gives you life lessons. I laughed out loud and cried when she talked about her Granny. I had to stop when she discussed the how to divorce your girlfriend and how it affected me and the loss of my own "divorce". I cried when she wrote " These are the women who know it's possible to hold gratefulness and grief in the same hands" because I knew who my chicken fried women are. I will be giving this book to my Chicken Fried Women. I hope every woman that reads this book reflects on the strong women in their lives and can laugh and cry and love them the way Melissa Radke expresses her love for her own Chicken Fried Women.

If you are a memoir lover, pick up Chicken-Fried Women by Melissa Radke. It was an enlightening read.

This was a good book! I love the themes of womanhood, sisterhood, family, love, and growth. I love how it showed an array of different personalities that women can have, the good, and the bad of all of them, and the growth that comes with having these people in your life.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!