The Barefoot Followers of Sweet Potato Grace: A Novel

by Megan Okonsky

Barefoot strangers crashing a beloved cat’s funeral leads to horrified pearl clutching, wacky adventures, and blossoming friendships in Megan Okonsky’s hilariously irreverent debut.

Tombstone, Texas, has never seen anything like the barefoot travelers who barrel in one afternoon, looking like they just stepped out of the seventies. They appear right in the middle of Pinky Elizabeth Swear’s eulogy for her beloved rescue cat, Sweet Potato Grace (may she rest in eternal peace and abundance of goat cheese). To be honest, Pinky is relieved at the interruption. She’d planned to use the second half of her eulogy to come out of the closet. Now, she doesn’t have to.

Are the newcomers a circus troupe? Revolutionaries? A sinister cult? While the town grows suspicious and rumor mills churn, Pinky finds herself drawn to the charisma of the barefoot strangers. Perhaps, she starts to think, the wrath of Tombstone is a thing worth risking in order to be true to oneself.

280 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[Megan Okonsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this, so…

[Vaughn Lach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Feliza at Lanternfish Press for an ARC of this book!

Probably my favorite book of 2025, definitely one of the favorite books of all time. A closeted young woman takes the opportunity to come out to her family in the eulogy she’s written for her dead cat- only to be interrupted during the funeral by a van full of loving, free-spirited strangers. Her life then changes forever. A story about angst, joy, love, and breaking free of the confines of small-town thinking. I loved it entirely and you will too.

[Gina Pettinelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Barefoot Followers of Sweet Potato Grace! Pinky Swear, the main character, is such a relatable and heartfelt figure—her journey of coming out in a small, tight-knit community is beautifully told. The story is filled with warmth, honesty, and growth, as Pinky learns to embrace her true self and find acceptance. The writing has this quiet, lyrical quality that really pulls you into the world. It’s full of those tender moments that make you feel like you're walking alongside Pinky as she discovers who she really is. If you’re looking for a story about love, identity, and finding your place, this one is a must-read!

[Rachelle Benavidez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed! I cried! I deeply missed my dog! I truly loved this book. This is a wonderful story about grief, seeking acceptance, found family, and being yourself. Pinky is a refreshing character. This was a joyful reading experience. Highly recommend!

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I saw the title for The Barefoot Followers of Sweet Potato Grace, I knew I was going to have to read it. I love novels that take me to unexpected places—and there's a lot that's unexpected in this book.

Our narrator is Pinky Swear (yep, that's her real name), raised in a small Texas town, with all that implies, went off to college, then COVID—so it was back to that little town again. Pinky's life has been all planned out for her. She'll follow in her mother's footsteps and run the family store, Swear It's, have children and raise them.

But—Pinky's a lesbian. She loves her mother. She also knows that the only way she's going to get to be who she is if she leaves Swear It's behind her. And she's still deciding. Is staying with her family worth giving up on any hope for love or a relationship that will be accepted by her mother? Even if that miracle happens, she's certain it won't be accepted by the community.

At the book's opening, Pinky is preparing for the funeral of her cat, Sweet Potato Grace. She's thinking about coming out at the end of her eulogy, but isn't sure she'll be able to do it. That question becomes irrelevant when a van carrying six barefoot free spirits pulls up alongside the park where the funeral is being held. This "invasion" stops everything.

You can probably predict some of what follows—
- the town is appalled by people. who. are. not. like. them.
- Pinky befriends them and find herself "crushed out" on one of them: a woman named Mars
- rumors about the members of this new "cult" abound and get increasingly strange

What's wonderful is that, even though a reader can anticipate part of the novel's arc, I feel pretty sure that a reader cannot anticipate the way Pinky Swear (our narrator) is going to relate events. She's a mix of naivete, quirks, and an absolutely deadpan sense of humor.

I have one caveat: The Barefoot Followers of Sweet Potato Grace is a charming read, but it's a charming read for someone who has embraced their own identity. The rumors and backbiting in the novel aren't something I would wish on someone who isn't yet out or who is still wrestling with real discomfort over the issue of who they are. But once that bridge is crossed The Barefoot Followers of Sweet Potato Grace will prove a laugh-out-loud affirmation.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.

[Hayden Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"People in small towns can be wary of strangers," she said, "but you know there's no need for it. Everyone's just a bunch of limbs and fears."

well this just charmed me to hell!! Barefoot Followers is a strangers-come-to-town story with a big, beating heart—it's about the danger and harm of intolerance, the eternal quest for selfhood, and the beauty of finding true community, even if it looks different than expected. it's poignant, it's silly, it's heartful, it's riotously funny; I'm already hungry for Megan's next book. Megan I will be waiting!! chop chop get to work!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great. I expected it to be goofier, given the main character named Pinky Swear and the kooky start with the barefoot travelers showing up at a cat's funeral, but most of it was a serious portrayal of being gay in small-town Texas in 2022, until it turns magical realist in a twist at the end. I loved Pinky, and the book was both fun and reflective.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read! Funny, touching, relevant, and a little crazy. Love the names in the book.

[Amber Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan Okonsky is a wonderful writer. This was my kind of southern fiction.

[miki larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved this! A look into small, small town life in texas, and what happens when someone comes in to shake up the status quo. A fun, queer read with a unique narrator and plot.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman outgrows her small Texas town so she can finally live her truth. I loved this book. It hurt my heart and I was rooting for Pinky the whole time. That last line! ❤️

[Zach Scheimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan’s witty humor was a perfect touch in this story about grief and finding yourself. Each character is intentionally written with depth - you really feel like you get to know them.

[Parker Brogdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A celebration of dancing, grass under the feet, freedom found in individuality, and the accidental/intentional queer tendency to start some drama. A lovely read, and I can't wait for more!

(Congrats, Megan!)