Not That Fancy

Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
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The best things in life are really not that fancy. This photo-driven book featuring all things Reba invites you to get back to the basics of life: fun, food, friends, and family. In her first book in over two decades, actress and country music legend Reba McEntire takes you behind the scenes and shares the stories, recipes, and Oklahoma-style truths that guide her life.

FROM REBA: "To me, there's nothing better than sitting on the back porch looking out at the land that goes on for miles. A beautiful sunset and then me, just sipping on a glass of iced tea (or whiskey and Sprite) with my friends and family. I don't know what heaven's going to look like, but I hope it feels like Oklahoma. Throw in some beans and cornbread, and I'm all set.

"Okies know that the secret to a good life is to keep things simple and be thankful for what the good Lord's given you. That's what I want to get back to. Simple fun, hard work, good food, and laughing with those you love. Everything I'm doing in my life from here on out—personal or professional, doesn't matter—I'm going to have fun.

"That’s what I'm sharing in this book—some simple, not-that-fancy truths I live by and a bunch of good stories, photos, and recipes that go along with them. So if you're looking to slow down, get back to basics, and have a heckuva lot of fun, I think we're going to have a good time together in these pages. Come on in, kick off your boots (or leave them on, I don’t care), and learn how to bring a little bit of my downhome-inspired life into your own."
Not That Fancy includes:
• Nearly 200 photographs from Reba's childhood, career, and personal life—many of which are straight from Reba's phone
• Never-before-told stories from rodeoing with her family to pranks with Brooks & Dunn to falling in love over a plate of tater tots
• Behind-the-scenes anecdotes from her music and acting career, with inspiration on how to follow your passion, trust your gut, and take a chance on yourself
• More than 60 recipes of appetizers, mains, sides, desserts, and cocktails from Reba's personal kitchen, from friends and family, and from her restaurant, Reba's Place
• Lighthearted lifestyle tips on how to achieve Reba's signature hairstyle, plan a down-to-earth date night, throw an effortless dinner party, and more
Not That Fancy is the perfect deluxe gift for Christmas, birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and special occasions. This keepsake book is ideal for Reba fans, country music lovers, or anyone who enjoys an easygoing Western lifestyle.

What else can I say about a book after such a thorough description? I loved this book and can see myself making many dishes from it as it is down-home non-fancy food that hubby and I both love. And, coming from a music icon, it will appeal to her fans as well. Highly recommended to friends, family, patrons, country music fans and lovers of good food alike. #shortbutsweetreviews

Reba McEntire is going back to basics and she takes us with her in "Not That Fancy." Beautiful photos fill the book along with lists of ideas, recipes, and McEntire's take on her life in Oklahoma.

Very down-homey and an utter delight. I found I breathed deeper as I took in the simple yet deeply profound ideas to be found here.

I found this delightful! Absolutely delightful. And I got a cookie recipe out of it that I'm excited to try. I wasnt in it for the recipes, but Reba won me over. I grew up watching Reba and she is a delight and seems genuine and I like her writing style.

This is a great look at Reba McEntire's life and how she really dug back into her roots during the 2020 pandemic.
She shows us parts of her life and how she still chooses to live simply, even in the thick of being a musician.
I liked the recipes and learning more about where she comes from and what brings her joy, besides music.
My mom is a huge Reba fan and I can't wait to purchase this for her when it comes out.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Truth be told, I love Country Music, but...not a Reba fan.
I don't dislike Reba, but I don't rush out to buy her music (or stream it these days).
That being said. I am a FAN of Reba the Person.
This is a wonderful look into her life, Country Music and the way it works, as well as the many other outlets Reba is/has been passionate about.
Any Reba fan would love this book. Any fan of Country music would love this. And anyone looking for a story of a strong successful female that has overcome obstacles will love this.
5/5!

I love her music and her book was so much fun to read also I highly recommend this book I will definitely have this at our library

Thank you NetGalley for this digital free ARC. I like Reba McEntire very much and this book was a true joy. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a Reba fan. I also feel this book would be a wonderful gift for anyone who likes Reba McEntire.

Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots by Reba McEntire will be published on October 10, 2023. Harper Celebrate provided an early galley for review.

I became a fan of Reba first through her sitcom in the early 2000's. Sure, I had seen a couple of her music videos on TV prior to that, and about a decade back when I got into a country music period I did a deep dive into her back catalog. But my first impressions of her was from her show. She came across as welcoming, fun and easy-going.

This book is a lot like what I expected from those impressions. The stories are casual and personal as if you're sitting on her back porch just talking. The over 200 photographs in the book come from her personal albums, so you feel like you're sitting there flipping through them in her living room while she tells you the tales behind them. And, of course, the more than 60 recipes come from her own kitchen, from her friends and family, and from her restaurant Reba's Place in Atoka, Oklahoma. It is easy to feel like these are all things she'd serve up if you were invited to her home for a meal.

This was a quick and pleasant read, and Reba's life advice is intuitive and universal. I appreciated the quick index in the back to all the recipes, making it easier to reference them when looking for a dish or drink to make.

I’m not a country fan and do not listen to Reba’s music, but I absolutely adore the TV-show and have always liked Reba’s humor and persona, so I knew that I had to give this book a try.

Fortunately, this is not just a book about country music. It was exactly what I hoped it would be. It was a heartfelt and honest memoir with a splash of humor as well as being a self help book filled with good and simple advice as well as being a cook book with all kinds of lovely recipes that I will definitely be trying out.

Would obviously recommend this book for any kind of Reba fan (Music or persona vise) but definitely also for people - especially women - who enjoy reading memoirs as well as some good old fashioned life advice.

Enjoyed the book and the pictures I also listened to the audio book I enjoyed that much more but would reccomend this book also

I received an advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have to be upfront: I'm not a country music fan. At all. I do, however, appreciate a good story and have been aware of Reba McEntire's sunny personality for many years. So I took the plunge and thought I'd try out her book, which s part memoir, part cookbook. And you know what? It works well!

Reba's anecdotes range from stories about growing up, her extended family, her close relatives, and her touring. It's interesting to read about all the people who have shaped her life, from early on to present day. She associates recipes with people, stories, and experiences that really make this book special. Lots of traditional southern recipes, like lemonade, mac & cheese, peach soup, and iced teas are sprinkled throughout the memoir blending them with neat stories, memories, and life advice.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There is also an audiobook version, and it would probably be even better for big fans of Reba!

When I saw this autobiography coming out from Reba, I thought, "Here's your one chance Fancy, don't let me down." And, she certainly didn't. I couldn't wait to pick up this title each day. I loved the story of how she got to where she is today and the lessons she has learned along the way. As a big fan of the Reba show, I enjoyed this deeper peek into her life. Previously, I wasn't aware of her faith and that part of the journey made me love her all the more. Fantastic read!

Down-home southern cooking, party planning and common sense living.
Reba did an excellent job of showing how to be "not that Fancy". Loved the looks inside her life- how humble and thankful she is and for sharing her philosophy on living a good life.

Thank you for the preview - it's in my cart waiting for release !

After finishing Not that Fancy my first order of business was to thank God for the ability to read this amazing book! The second was to grab my pen and paper and get those recipes into my box! Yum! When you sit down to read a memoir you expect some in-depth info (cause fans love that) but this gave me so much more. How personal Reba was about her family made me want to cry for gratefulness and hug my own. The losses the wins and the perseverance is inspirational. If you love Reba (and who doesn’t) and recipes, laughter, tears and southern joy this is definitely for you!

I listened to this book as my very first audio book ever! I am glad I received a digital copy too so I could see the pictures and captions.
I am not a county music fan but I liked some of Reba’s songs in the 80s and I watched her show Reba and thought it was hysterically funny.
I loved listening to her narrate the book because I love her accent. Most of her OK sayings I knew what they meant and I didn’t grow up anywhere near OK.
This book is what I expected- down to earth, folksy, good old fashioned horse sense. I think the world needs more of that today. I laughed at many parts in the chapters right along with Reba.
It’s an upbeat book and I listened to it in one day.
Simple and straight forward, words to live by.

This was the best book!! Throughout the book there are recipes and anecdotes from Reba's life. You really get to know her on a more personal level.

There is simply no way this was going to be any less than a five star for me because Reba is the QUEEN!

Reba McEntire shares bits of her life, her family and friendships, her career, recipes, and just so much tenderness. I love hearing about her fabulous singing career and her acting roles. The show Reba is probably my all time favorite show, and while I wish there was a bit more in here about that time in her life, I appreciated that she included her continued friendship with cast member Melissa Peterman.

Through hard times and great times, Reba has just always been a pillar of strength and I adore her. I am very appreciative to have had the chance to read to this one.

As Reba as my queen, did you expect anything else? Stories. Recipes. General wonderfulness? Yeah. I need this as a physical copy ASAP.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for making my dream come true of reading this 🤣

I love Reba. Love her music. Love her shows. Love listening to her. She’s a hoot. So when I saw she had another book out I had to read it. It’s a great book she goes back to before she made it in the country music. Talks about losing her mom and the pandemic. I really enjoyed the book and found a bunch of recipes to try as well.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an arc for my honest review.

If you’re not already a Reba McIntire fan, you will be after reading her book, Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots. Not only does it include mouthwatering recipes, it is sort of a biography and self help book with advice from Reba herself.
Since almost everyone loves southern food, the recipes really stand out. Reba has included her own southern recipes and others from friends. Some of the recipes have a little twist from traditional southern fare, and others don’t seem particularly southern at all. However, there really isn’t a recipe in this fun cookbook that people won’t want to try. The recipes are presented in the standard manner, with Reba’s comments and hints at the beginning, followed by a list of ingredients, and step-by-step instructions to insure a picture-perfect result.

Included are beautiful, professional photographs of almost every dish, as well as photos of Reba over the years. The pictures make the food seem mouthwatering, and the pictures of Reba make her seem real and very likeable.

All told, this is one book you’ll want to curl up in the corner and read cover to cover. Before reading, you’ll want to make a few of the recipes to sample because you’ll be tempted to quit reading and cook some extremely yummy dishes. Reba fans will definitely want this fun cookbook on their recipe shelf.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

This cookbook is full of beautiful pictures and interesting stories. The recipes are well written and simple to follow. Ingredients are accessible. I can't wait to try some of them myself! And who doesn't want to eat dinner with Reba?

This is a fun look at Reba's life and inspiration. Great book to have on a coffee table. Very enjoyable.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I always thought Reba would be a down to earth person who I would like to hang out with. I loved her stories and enjoyed learning more about her life. There are several recipes included throughout the book. While I’m sure they are all tasty, some sound very delicious. If you are already a Reba fan, I think you’ll enjoy this book as much as I did. If not, this will give you a chance to get to know her. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

Intriguing!

Reba is a fascinating person and I enjoyed the tidbits and images from her life. The recipes are tasty and easy to follow.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Not That Fancy

Recommend for anyone who’s a Reba fan or looking looking to learn about her! Also anyone who looking for a big set of recipes with a twist!
This was a great read! A nice look into some of Rebas life and shows how humble and honest she is! Packed full of recipes for those looking for a cookbook! Also all of the photographs are an awesome addition to both the memoir and the recipes!

Thank you Harper Celebrate and Net Galley For this Arc!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I love anything by Reba or about her. So this was a great book for me. One of my favorite people!

According to Reba, the best things in life aren’t all that fancy! And she proves she is correct with this book. Full of yummy recipes, stories, and life lessons she has learned, this book was a joy to read and sample.

If you were not aware, I live in Oklahoma. And boy, is Reba big here! A couple of weeks ago, we drove down to Reba’s Place for lunch. It was good and the atmosphere was fun!

“To me, there’s nothing better than sitting on the back porch looking out at the land that goes on for miles. A beautiful sunset and then me, just sipping on a glass of iced tea (or whiskey and Sprite) with my friends and family. I don’t know what heaven’s going to look like, but I hope it feels like Oklahoma. Throw in some beans and cornbread, and I’m all set.

With Reba, what you see is what you get. She is charming and down to earth and an all around wonderful person.

This book is her telling us that from here on out, everything she is doing better be fun! I love that. You will want to own this one for sure! I can attest the recipes are yum!

Netgalley/ Harper Celebrate October 10, 2023

I love Reba and her music and her movies. This book is wonderful with all the pictures and recipes. Reba is so down to earth and her life is so interesting

Review: I enjoyed a lot of this, but many parts were not my style (too much focus on religion, meat, fand ashion for my taste). I prefer to just learn and about a person in a memoir instead of feeling l like I am being told there is only one correct way to live a life.
Recommended For: Reba fans who want a cookbook too (many alcohol recipes).

I’m a lifelong Reba fan so this book was a no brainer, must read for me. I’m so glad I did. She’s just delightful and exactly what you’d hope she would be. The stories were like sitting at her kitchen table and talking to her. I cried, I laughed (a lot) and I prayed. And that was before I got to the recipes. I’m from the south and the recipes included are good home cookin’ style recipes.

Not That Fancy is the newest book from Reba McEntire.

Stories, photos and recipes prevail in the book. The overall feeling is family and faith.

I enjoy her outlook on life. I too find the most loved things are family and other things that money cannot buy. Just goes to show that even when you have fame and money you can still enjoy the simple things in life.

As I read the book I could imagine her speaking the words. I loved the photos and recipes.

A great read for any Reba fan.

Thanks to netgalley and Harper Celebrate for the arc.

Reba McEntire sets the tone for NOT THAT FANCY right up front. "To me, there's nothing better than sitting on the back porch looking out at the land that goes on for miles. A beautiful sunset and then me, just sipping on a glass of iced tea (or whiskey and Sprite) with my friends and family. I don't know what heaven's going to look like, but I hope it feels like Oklahoma. Throw in some beans and cornbread, and I'm all set."

With her straight-forward down-home delivery Ms. McEntire reminds you of that friend that you can talk with about a little bit of everything and nothing in particular. NOT THAT FANCY: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots is an easy meandering book full of stories of family and friends, beautifully photographed culinary dishes with easy to follow recipes, funny anecdotes and checklists for life as well as a ton of personal photos from her decades long career. It's a warm comforting and familiar reminder of what's important in life (at least from Ms. McEntire's perspective).

NOT THAT FANCY by Reba McEntire evokes that type of down home connection with stories of her journey from Oklahoma to Nashville to Broadway, and beyond. Whether or not you're a fan of Ms. McEntire's music, her self-titled sitcom, or any of her other accomplishments, you'll probably find something to like here. Even if what you like is simply feeling like you're eavesdropping on a conversation between old friends.

Thanks to @netgalley and @harpercollinsfocus for the ARC advance copy of this book in exchange for a candid review.
Pub Date: October 10 2023

I have loved and admired Reba for many years, not only for her music and her voice, but also as an actor and as a human being. She truly is s queen. When I saw that book pop-up on NetGalley I had to pounce on it? and boy am I glad I did! This is such a beautiful book, chock-ful of pictures and anecdotes, I will definitely get my hands on the hardcover when it comes out, because I'm pretty sure it doubles as a pretty beautiful coffee table book. It's not quite a biography and not quite a recipe book, although I will definitely try some of the recipes that are in there. If you love Reba, you will love this. And if you don't know her, you should get this and then you will, like everybody else, fall in love with her.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this.
It was full of fun anecdotes and an authenticity one can only expect from Reba McEntire, proving her reputation as a kind person is warranted.
It was a little heavy on the religion for my liking, but it's not my story. Some of the recipes look delicious and I loved that there were heaps of pictures to show what the food looked like.
I received a copy via NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

Jam packed with stories, recipes, pictures, and all around loveliness, this is a perfect coffee table book and would make a great gift for any fan.
It’s a peek into her life from the days she started back in Oklahoma through the pandemic and up til now when she’s back on tour again. Stories about how songs came to be and how she got to make certain choices along the way. I liked learning more about her faith and her family and the pictures were gorgeous! The recipes didn’t seem overly complex and ones I would definitely try.
It was an easy read and a book I’ll have to buy a physical copy of.
Thanks to Harper Celebrate and NetGalley foe this eArc in exchange for my review.

An enjoyable look into Reba McEntire’s life, with photos, recipes, advice, and more. I learned a few things about her that I hadn’t previously known. She seems so down-to-earth, values her friendships, and keeps her faith through everything.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m a big fan of Reba and have been for a long time. Living in Oklahoma these days, she’s a bit of a hometown heroine. I’ve seen her perform several times. I have always loved hearing her speak when she’s being interviewed.

This book is filled with stories of Reba’s life, her faith, and cherish family recipes. I’ll be getting this book for several family members for the holidays. Reba is just down to earth and charming, and you’ll see that coming through in this book

Thank you NetGalley, Reba McEntire and Harper Celebrate for the copy of Not That Fancy. This is my personal review.
This was a fantastic book from start to finish. The photos added so much depth to Reba’s story. Reading the book made me adore her even more than I already did. She told her story in a way that made me feel like she is part of my family. I was drawn into her life with every word I read.
I have already ordered copies of this book for several of my friends who are Reba fans. I am so excited for them to get them so they can enjoy it as much as I did.

This is a great book for any Reba fans and even those readers who may not be a fan, yet. The book is filled with beautiful pictures and stories of Reba’s life. There are numerous recipes that I can’t wait to try. Not That Fancy is a nice addition to any home library.

Highly recommend listening to this one on audio as the charm of this one is really getting to hear Reba's signature voice, and her emotions really come through when she's talking about the things that have affected her and matter to her. This one covers a big range of topics without necessarily getting too in the weeds on anything, but it's a pleasant way to spend an afternoon with Reba.

This was a fun and informative book to read.. I loved all the recipes and the way that Reba told the story I really enjoyed. She challenges each reader to go out into the world and do their best. She shared happy and sad times. I love reading books where the author is real and Reba is the real deal.

From the intro from Garth Brooks to the family connections and then to the recipes from the heart this was a great story to get to know another side of the country superstar. If you are a fan of Reba's this book will make you smile and make you feel like you now know her on a different level. This is a wonderful book that should not be missed.

I really enjoyed this book. Reba shares both funny and inspiring stories throughout this book as she takes you throughout her life. She also includes little snippets like the best places to eat in Nashville and the best movies/TV shows in her opinion. Also included are, of course, recipes that look really yummy. It’s just good, down-home Southern cooking. Some recipes are even from her restaurant, Reba’s Place. The pictures in this book are also high-quality and gorgeous. For a celebrity, Reba seems very genuine and down-to-earth. As she explains, life really doesn’t have to be all that fancy.

I’m a huge fan of Reba so naturally when I saw this cookbook I immediately requested a copy. What I love about this book is that this isn’t just a cookbook it’s lots of pictures and things about Reba’s life. The book talks about Reba’s life, her faith, and her childhood. She talks about her relationship with God all through the book and lists some of her favorite church songs. She talks about how she talks to God and ways you can talk to God. I loved all the little things in this book from a list of her favorite horses and Reba’s specific style including and I quote “And Put Some Fringe One It.” Melissa Peterson (Barbara Jean) herself talks about the tv show they were on together and her friendship with Reba. There is a lot of interesting articles from the story behind “ The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.”
Date Night Ideas, her favorites from games, movies, tv shows & music. The book made me feel like I was really setting down with Reba hearing her talk. Some of her recipes that stuck out to me were : Homemade ranch dressing
Southern Burger ,Creamy Coleslaw ,Chicken tenders recipe ,Cowgirl baked beans, Homemade lemonade, Strawberry shortcake ,Reba’s Mexican Cornbread ,Crispy Smashed Potatoes ,Black Bean & Corn Salsa and
I especially love her recipe to Tator Tots. I’ll definitely be picking up this book in print.

Full of recipes and stories and all the charm we’ve come to expect from Reba, this book is a fun read. This would make a great gift for any fan of hers!

Jam packed with stories, recipes, pictures, and all around loveliness, this is a perfect coffee table book and would make a great gift for any fan.
It’s a peek into her life from the days she started back in Oklahoma through the pandemic and up til now when she’s back on tour again. Stories about how songs came to be and how she got to make certain choices along the way. I liked learning more about her faith and her family and the pictures were gorgeous! The recipes didn’t seem overly complex and ones I would definitely try.
It was an easy read and a book I’ll have to buy a physical copy of.