The Empress of Cooke County

Sassy story that surprised me. I really enjoyed this easy, one sitting read. I would gladly read more from this author.

This was a really enjoyable read. I had a hard time putting it down. I think most fiction readers will enjoy it. Pick this one up on publication day.

I loved this gem of a book from the very first page! It is a sweet story about life in Cooke County, Tennessee. The writing is reminiscent of Fannie Flagg. Posey Jarvis is a social climber in an unfulfilling marriage with an 18 year old daughter. Self-indulgent and selfish, she is constantly trying to better her lot in life and doesn't appreciate her kind husband or lovely daughter. The story follows a cast of characters in Cooke County and I loved them all. The plot follows Posey as she inherits a large mansion and sets about sprucing it up in order to host her class reunion and her daughter's wedding reception. Posey is also still pining over a married man she had an affair with twenty years ago. Her daughter and husband are also searching for happiness and fulfillment. Read this book! Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced reader copy.

The Empress of Cooke County tells a riveting story of Posey Burch Jarvis, a woman who believes the world has jilted her in more ways than one and that of Callie Jane Jarvis, Posey’s daughter, attempting to find herself in a world that appears to be too cruel.
Posey has spent the last near-20 years pining after a man named CJ, whom she had a week-long affair with when she was 19-years-old, culminating in a pregnancy and Posey all alone. That pregnancy resulted in the sweet, mild-mannered Callie Jane. Now 18-years-old and ready to get on with the life she dreams of, Callie Jane finds herself unwittingly engaged to her childhood best friend Trace.
The results of this story ends with Posey having the world she’s known forever ripped out from under her by her own actions, and Callie Jane coming to terms with her own life and learning that she must live that life by her own terms, and not anyone else’s.
In this story, you will be rooting for Callie Jane to grow a backbone and be able to stick up to her mother, the woman you will loathe from the very first page. This author has an uncanny way of getting you to hate one of the two main protagonists from the very first word written on the page. You will spend the rest of the 300+ pages wondering if Posey will learn that consequences come with the actions she has chosen, and cheering when that happens.
Well done to Elizabeth Bass Parman on a wonderful, coming-of-age story for Callie Jane and a guidebook on not what to do with your life from Posey. I originally chose this book as an ARC specifically because Cooke happens to be my maiden name, so I immediately was drawn to it, and I’m so glad that I did. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.
Thank you to Harper Muse, Netgalley and author Elizabeth Bass Parman for this complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This novel's setting and character development really made it easy to find myself inside Cooke County. I even at times felt like the Empress herself! The cover is also a great depiction of the 1960's southern ladies! The undertone of this novel was the ipact of societal norms, and there was a generational perspective. Posey, who considers herself the Empress of her small area in the south, outs the pressure on to maintain her status at any cost. When she inherits a broken down mansion from the quirky aunt (we love those), she outs the pressure up even more in trying to pull off a huge party there. Her daughter on the other hand wants to escape the south, the pressure to continue on the path of her parents and start fresh elsewhere. The dynamics between each character were well developed and enthralling!

Bravo! It’s hard to believe that this is a debut novel!

Elizabeth Bass Parman has written a tale of mistakes, dreams, schemes and family secrets embedded in small town 1960’s Tennessee. At times, her narrative reminds me of Fannie Flagg’s novels.

Intricate and somewhat quirky characters gently coax the reader into non-stop reading. Posey, a dissatisfied housewife with wannabe dreams; Vern, the kind everyman, beloved by friends and Callie Jane, a mistakenly engaged and obedient daughter on the verge of rebellion. Combined with interesting supporting characters and life paths, this is a book that makes you eager to read more from Parman.

Highly recommend this for your next read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the advance eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a fantastic debut novel for Elizabeth Bass Parman. The way the character and story line are developed pulls you right in and makes it for an easy enjoyable read. You won’t be disappointed taking a chance on this one!

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
This is easily one of my favorite books of 2024. It's funny and heartbreaking and the story flows with so much emotion and action that I hated for it to end. Definitely will read more from this author in the future!

The Empress of Cooke County is a captivating novel filled with humor, suspense, and unforgettable characters. This fast-paced story provides readers with a delightful glimpse into small-town Southern life at its finest. Get ready to chuckle as you immerse yourself in a tale brimming with secrets, high drama, and an unexpected conclusion!

It's been so long since I've found a southern "voice," in the vein of Fannie Flagg. Holy heck. This is IT. I laughed, I felt sadness and was sorry when it ended. Posey Jarvis came from the wrong side of the tracks, and she's harbored an obsession over someone she'd been with years ago (let's call it what it is...stalking.). She doesn't see the love that's right in front of her. Told in the alternating dialogues of Posey and her 18-year-old daughter worked really well, because you could see Posey from the outside in. Her daughter is also able to give us some insight into other characters, including her dad. I can't say enough about this book. Preorder it.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was great! Posey Jarvis seems at first just like a busybody woman in rural Tennessee that’s not too likable. As the story grows, Posey reaches for her gin more and more, and she becomes more unlikeable. All the while, Posies daughter Callie Jane and her husband Vern continue to grow and seek their own happiness, apart from Posey.

Eventually, after inheriting a large home from her aunt, Posey sets a new plan into motion. She manipulates those in her life to get what she wants. Except her plans don’t work out and sadly, every one of the Jarvis’ pay the price.

Advance reader copy provided by Harper Muse and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

This book just kept getting better! I really loved the characters, the setting and the story. I was not at all expecting the last part of this book's story or how it ends.

This book is full of small town gossip. With a mother trying to force her dreams onto a daughter that has much bigger dreams. It is a quick read and worth your time.

In 1960s Spark, Tennessee, Posey Jarvis is eager to make the town forget her humble beginnings and acknowledge her as "empress." She certainly looks the part in her thrifted designer clothes and Cadillac and when she unexpectedly inherits the grandest (albeit dilapidated) house in town from her aunt, Posey believes things are finally falling in place. She will lure the doctor she had an affair with as a teenager and he will realize he really loves her. Sure, she'll have to divorce Vern, her presumably loyal husband who saved her from single motherhood.

But there are a few hurdles. Her teenaged daughter, Callie Jane, is suddenly thinking for herself, wanting to leave for California and break off her engagement with Trace, soon-to-be grocery store mogul. And Vern is disappearing for hours at a time, coming home with flimsy excuses and smelling of fried chicken.

Instead of things falling into place, they fall apart. This small-town story is by turns heartbreaking, hilarious, inspirational, and sad. #TheEmpressofCookeCounty #NetGalley

Wow, what a great book! Seeing mother and daughter both following their paths to follow their dreams, and how differently they go about it was fascinating. I loved Callie's relationship with her father, and how much he loved the town, juxtaposed with Posey's hatred of her life and discontentment with her small, insignificant (in her eyes) life. It was so relatable to see Callie struggle between her parents' wishes and what she feels she has to do to be happy. I loved the small Southern town setting,and I appreciated how certain aspects of the story were upended and didn't go in the direction it normally would in a book like this. If you want a book that feels like being in a gossipy hair salon, this is it.

I loved this debut book and hope this author writes more!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a juicy story of love, drama, a spoiled grown woman who, is so crazy she will make you bust a gut laughing. This book is perfect for fans of Plum Sykes.

Posey sees herself as the Empress of Cooke County. A Jacqueline Kennedy enthusiast, she secretly drinks a lot to combat the boredom of her life in rural Tennessee. Her nineteen-year-old daughter Callie Jane and Posey's husband run the local Emporium. While Callie Jean dreams of California and a bigger life, Posey wants to rule where they are. Set in the late 1960's, Callie Jane and Posey's opposing dreams come to a head.

I really, really liked this one. It is a dark comedy, felt very "Southern fried", and had great characters. I loved to hate some and just loved some. It's not lighthearted in tone overall but was a good read. It felt a little like Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau, in a very good way.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

This was a very fun read, and sure there is a little tragedy thrown in towards the end but overall it was a joy to read. It's about a mother and daughter who are so very different in personality and temperament that they don't know what to do with each other. Posey, the mother figure is shallow and conniving but I still liked her because she was so self unaware that she was funny. Calle Jane, Posey's daughter is the polar opposite of her mother and has to learn to stand up for herself to realize her own happiness. I loved that the story is based in the south, I love good southern fiction. I highly recommend this delightful and heart felt story by Elizabeth Bass Parman. 5 solid stars.

I loved this book! At times laugh out loud funny and at times utterly heartbreaking, this story portrays one woman's desperation to return to the past she imagined while her daughter longs for nothing more than spreading her wings toward the future. Thanks #NetGalley #HarperMuse

This book is a great read! I am from the Deep South and felt so many themes that are prevalent and relevant and brought the reality to the pages. I was a little shocked by how the book ended, but not really surprised. If you have ever lived in a small town, you know the characters of this book well. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes coming of age stories, and also somewhat of suspenseful reads.

The Empress of Cooke County was a terrific read. I was hooked from the beginning, and the story flowed with same level of pleasure through to the end.
The book was a bit of a surprise for me, as I was expecting a light and perhaps silly tale. Rather, I found a much deeper and thoughtful story about a family in a small town in Tennessee who deal with many real life's challenges and then some. I grew to love dad, Vern, and daughter, Callie, but was totally disgusted with mom, Posie, the self-appointed "Empress of Cooke County". There were other surprises that I will save for readers to discover. The ending is a bit bittersweet, but satisfying.
I would highly recommend this title to fans of small towns, the '50's, interesting personalities, independent spirits, difficult family relationships, and love conquering all. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I'll be watching for more from Elizabeth Bass Parman.

Loved this story!
Posey is the self proclaimed Empress in this story. She trying hard to overcome her roots and this leads us to a take of family secrets! Meanwhile her daughter is just trying to fit in.and her husband just is going along- until he doesn’t!
A fun southern take full of laughs and “no she didn’t” moments.



#TheEmpressofCookeCounty #NetGalley