The Sweet Potato Queens' First Big-Ass Novel: Stuff We Didn't Actually Do, But Could Have, and May Yet

Sweet Potato Queens #7

by Jill Conner Browne, Karin Gillespie (Contributor)

The Sweet Potato Queens' First Big-Ass Novel: Stuff We Didn't Actually Do, but Could Have, and May Yet

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Humor, Southern, Book Club, Audiobook, Comedy

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 2, 2007

About the author

Jill Conner Browne is the multiple #1 New York Times bestselling author of nine Sweet Potato Queens® books and has created a global phenomenon--6,200 chapter groups in 37 countries--based upon her philosophy and world-view as recounted through these rollicking, raucous and riotously funny essays. Women and smart men understand that the bawdy, sassy, down-to-earth humor is simply the vehicle by which the greater message is conveyed--that is, one of self-reliance and empowerment, inspiring all to do what makes their hearts sing.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shallow and full of not only unnecessary, but inappropriate, profanity. Not recommended!

[Shaynipper]

I love The Sweet Potato Queens. I've read every book by Jill Connor Browne that I've found - she makes me laugh till I pee my pants.

[Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny, makes you laugh and feel good. I don't like glorifying some of the things that make America so unhealthy, but damn it, I couldn't help but laugh. Great summer read or when you are feeling down. The author uses her wit well.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember the last time I laughed this much while reading a book. Actually, I listened to it which made it even better, since it was read by the author, and she is a seriously funny woman. If she wasn't an author, she would make a terrific comedian. The only bad thing about listening to the story while driving, was that I had no way to write down all the hysterical southern sayings she would come up with for just about everything. I thought I knew lots of southern slang, but boy oh boy, she's got some doozies! If you're looking for something light and funny that will keep you entertained throughout, then definitely give this one a read, or better yet, a listen.

[Brooke Maedel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beach read material for sure. Light, fluffy and fun, but I have actually enjoyed some of the other books more.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read!!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know anything about this author before stumbling across this book so I'm brand new to the "sweet potato queens" idea. But I adored this book. Great character development and laugh out loud moments in every chapter. And I loved the passage of time and feeling like you were growing up with the queens. I feel like I came to know each character personally and I will miss them. Such a fun break from reality.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only real issue I had with this book is that NOW I'M OUT OF SWEET POTATO BOOKS TO READ! Although this is a novel, those of us who have read Ms. Browne's other books will recognize a good many incidents, so it drew on real-life, as all of the best novels do! Read it and weep...mostly with laughter!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It was a cute story and I definitely would have been friends with these ladies.

[Kristi Bumpus · Rating 3 out of 5]

What you expect from their books, but presented as fiction. Entertaining, but I still like the “nonfiction”guides better.

[JG (Introverted Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jill Conner Browne writes a fictional account of how the Sweet Potato Queens came into being and how they truly became queens through some terrible decisions and heartbreak.

I absolutely loved the first chapter of this book. It was sheer perfection I tell you. It starts when the queens are in high school and haven't really figured out that they're queens yet. They are always being looked down upon by the high school beauty queen, a bitch if ever there was one. I was shrieking with laughter and doing a corny little fist pump all alone in my car by the time the chapter ended. "You tell her, Queens!" I was repeating the last few sentences of that chapter to anyone who would listen for days, complete with my best Southern drawl.

That was by far my favorite part. The Queens seem determined to make every mistake it is possible to make when it comes to love. There were still definitely some funny parts, but I had gotten so attached to these characters in that first chapter that I just wanted everything to go right for them. But I think Browne's ultimate message is that we are all Queens, no matter what horrendously bad decision we have made in our lives. We just need to pick ourselves back up, dust off our crowns, and start singing "Tiny Bubbles" again.

I am torn between recommending the print or audio versions. I listened to the audio, read by Browne herself, and had a blast listening to her. I am definitely a Southern girl, but up here in the Southern Appalachians, we have more of a twang, and Browne definitely has a drawl. I could listen to her talk all day, I swear. No matter the slight differences in accents, I think that Southerners all have a similar rhythm to our storytelling, so listening to her read this book just felt deeply right.

On the other hand, there were so many quotes I wanted to mark, but there was no way for me to do that! Maybe I'll check the print book out of the library and look for the best bits. One that I can sort of remember is something like, "She was letting that word fly. You know, the one we called the firetruck word back then because it began and ended in the same letters."

For a laugh-out-loud, ultimately feel-good book, go ahead and pick this up in whatever format tickles your fancy. It might not have quite lived up to the high expectations I had after the first chapter, but it is definitely a girl-power book, and we all need to read those every once in a while.

[Tabby Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Browne's Sweet Potato Queen advice books on love, divorce, and cooking have found a wide audience in readers who appreciate the Queens' sassy southern charm. With coauthor Gillespie, Browne turns to fiction for the first time to share lives and loves of the Queens. Jill, Mary Bennett, Patsy, and Gerald are united by their outsider status in high school. When Tammy, a beautiful but insecure redhead, moves into town and is humiliated by the in-crowd, Jill and company form the Tammy Club to bolster her spirits. The five enter the homecoming parade in wild dresses and red wigs, but a misprint on their sign (it reads Yammy instead of Tammy) leads to the five rechristening themselves the Sweet Potato Queens. The groups' friendships last for decades, despite distance and differences of opinion. Mary Bennett pursues fame on the coasts, Gerald comes to terms with his sexuality, and Tammy marries. But not everything is rosy. Mary Bennett finds success as a soap actress at the expense of the love of her life, Jill finds a man who proves too good to be true, and Tammy's insecurities lead to infidelities.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are the Red Hat Society ladies and there are the Sweet Potato Queens. Which group is more like you? Edging towards the age requirement for the RHS, a high school soriety sister said we should really consider becoming SPQs (mainly because the green and pink colors are better!), but after reading this book I see so many similarities between this original group and my friends that I want to be a SPQ! This was an enjoyable read starting in 1968 - 1989 and was just really funny. The SPQ motto of "If it ain't fun, we ain't doin' it" and the changes over the years that happen and still keep this group together was so true to real friends. Deep down they aren't royalty, but just simple 'girls' from Jackson, Mississippi with hopes, dreams and life coming their way. Long reign the Queens!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely book. It was hysterically funny all the way through but had moments that were touching, sad, and thoughtful.

It was so real. The author did a masterful job of capturing the complex nature of friendships yet maintaining each individuals core personality.

The timeline and its pop history and southern culture were spot on. The one liner's in this book made me laugh out loud and now I have several people at work looking into this book.

I plan on hunting down every book the author has written.

Favorite line? Has to be, and I'm loosely quoting, and forgive the language but it IS in the book: "Oh, honey, you have to be nicer because you're not cute enough to be such a fucking bitch."

*dies*

I loved this book. I long for a group of friends like this.

[Aimee Tourville · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected at all. It was definitely not like the rest of the Sweet Potato Queen books. That being said, it was still humorous. This book was a work of fiction. Browne uses characters we are already familiar with in her other books. This is a fictional "back story" of some of their lives. As she says in the title, it's "Stuff We Didn't Actually Do, But Could Have, and May Yet." I think we've all considered some of the antics these girls pull in this novel at some point. Jill Connor Browne has a very satirical sense of humor so if that's not your thing, you probably won't appreciate this book.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a few years ago after having read a series of books for my profession that were heavy, serious, and more than a bit dark. This bit of confection was just what I needed to break that mood, and provide some great laughs as well as some deep-fried home truths. I have always loved Southern writers, from the masterful (Harper Lee, Flannery O'Connor, Truman Capote) to the funny (Fannie Flagg, Celia Rivenbark). Jill Conner Browne belongs with the best of the latter group, writing with a voice that let's us see what she sees, and even better, see ourselves along the way. Is this great literature? No...but it is great fun.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book about friendship, mainly old friends. It made me laugh!

I thought it was kind of confusing in the beginning since I've read some of the other Sweet Potato Queens books which give mostly the same details about their "club" and this was a novel about what could have happened.... I guess? I had to let that go and just enjoy the story. There was a little too much drama with all their love lives but overall I liked it.

It really reminded me of my good friends I've kept since high school....all 2 of them!

[Marnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was fast moving but the plot wasnt good. After a popular girl insults Tammy, Tammy's friends form a group to make her feel better & stoop to the popular girl's level to get back at her. The group becomes the Sweet Potato Queens. The members are not very nice & dont treat each other the way friends should, they backstab each other & are very catty.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a rip-snortin' fun read! If you're expecting high-falutin' literature, this may not be the book for you. But if you're looking for a book you can enjoy, where you can cheer for the characters and want to reach in and bonk them over the head when they do something stupid, give this one a go. Bonus: tasty, tasty recipes are included. Enjoy!

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! This was my third one in the series and I was not disappointed. Now I have to search for books by Karin Gillespie who co-authored this with Jill Conner Browne.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot believe I wasted my time on this book! Characters suck, situations stupid, just a complete waste.

[Lynn's books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oy! I’m not sure what to surmise after reading this. I better clarify that my book group chose this book. Typically they like heavy topics with lots of drama/thrillers and depressive situations. Finally I spoke up and said, “Any chance we can read something funny? Lighter then we usually do?” They chose this because one of our group read another Sweet Potato Book. I read the synopsis and I was all for it because it was stated to be hilarious. I thought, “Yes! This was going to be funny!” Hmm...

The book is split into parts. The first part when they are all in school is rip roaring funny! I loved getting to know them and all their quirks. The second part there were some funny sentences but their quirks were gone. Drastically different characters then when in school. I know the author probably wrote it with this intention but in doing so some of our fun characters just fell flat. The third part of the book they are trying to fix the Queens and find themselves again after more intense drama then in part 2.

I felt like part 2 and 3 were a completely different book compared to part 1. Actually, tons of drama in part 2 and 3 from these queens due to poor choices...down right idiotic choices really. So it left me with a random “ha” instead of a constant LOL read.

[Tom N · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE SWEET POTATO QUEENS' FIRST BIG-ASS NOVEL, by Jill Connor Browne, is a hilarious, wise, and heartwarming autobiographical novel of the Sweet Potato Queens, a group of women from Jackson, Mississippi, who started an international phenomenon.

In Jackson, Mississippi, Mary Bennett, Patsy, Gerald, and Jill are high school classmates whose daily routine is paced like a shuffle through the local red dirt. That is, until the arrival of a red-headed newcomer banishes monotony forever. With her luscious hair and voluptuous figure, Tammy Myers aspires to join the "silver-spooners", a group who made things happen in their lives. When Jill convinces Tammy and the others that money might buy a certain kind of good time, and that true friendship has no price tag, the "Sweet Potato Queens" are born. Together, they laugh out loud as they step down the long, and not always pretty, road toward making their own queen dust, the sparkle that comes from living and loving their lives. They live by the motto, "If it ain't fun, we ain't doin' it".

We would recommend this story of true friendship and coming-of-age to fans of southern humor and comedy.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very amusing and entertaining audio book narrated by author. In Jackson, Mississippi, Mary Bennett, Patsy, Gerald, and Jill are high school classmates whose daily routine is paced like a shuffle through the local red dirt – until the arrival of a red-headed newcomer banished monotony forever. With her luxurious mane and voluptuous figure, Tammy Myers aspires to join the silver-spooners, who make things happen in their lives. When Jill convinces Tammy & the others that money might buy a certain kind of good time and that true friendship has no price tag, the Sweet Potato Queens are born. Very amusing book. Would read other books by author. 2007. she has website www.sweetpotatoqueens.com There were recipes at the end of the book – some sounded good, but did not write them down.

[Katie Burkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, feel-good hijinks. If you can ignore being annoyed by a gaggle of grown women making horrendously immature decisions in their personal lives, you can at least appreciate the depth and integrity of their friendships. They do seem to keep A LOT of secrets from each other for pack of raging extroverts, but it’s touching how they are able to forgive each other time and time again.

[Grecia Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute read. Perfect for packing and a flight that was delayed by about six to eight hours. Moved along at a steady enough clip to keep me from screaming furiously, mostly kidding, but the characters were engaging and ever-growing. And the recipes at the end were definitely helped by the comments interlaced within.

[TerryJane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining, light and fluffy read. I don't recommend reading this novel in places where a laugh-out-loud moment would be frowned upon. I wish i had some Big Bubba Bingo cards for when I'm out with friends since I, too, live in the deep south.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Potato Queens Browne, Jill Conner 3 F Drama group of outcasts in High school form own club "Queens": if not fun we don't do it! see each other through love loss, betrayal con to find love form own family 2017 8/27/2017 8/25/2017

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light and easy fast read about a group of high school "misfits" who form a life-long friendship. The book takes us along on the Sweet Potato Queens' lives from 1968 to 1985 . It was a nice break from all of the serious stuff I have been reading.

[JMitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been at least 10 years since I read anything by Jill Conner Browne. I read this book when I was in desperate need of laughter, distraction and some southern storytelling. She is fun, flamboyant and sassy with a kind heart.