“I have no pride. I tell anything,” Jill Conner Browne is fond of saying. As Her Royal Highness, Boss Queen of the Sweet Potato Queens,® she has told legions of fans, known as “SPQ Wannabes,” her delectable secrets to living, loving—and eating—like a queen. In her words, “More is more.”
How much more? The #1 New York Times bestselling author of five works of nonfiction now serves up The Sweet Potato Queens’ First Big-Ass Novel: Stuff We Didn’t Actually Do, But Could Have, and May Yet. The humor in this uproarious coming-of-queen novel is more delicious than a favorite dessert (the Queens favor Chocolate Stuff™, of course).
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 redheaded newcomer banishes 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 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. “If it ain’t fun, we ain’t doin’ it,” runs their official club motto, and the Queens are true to their word.
Together, the Queens laugh out loud as they step down the long—and not altogether pretty—road toward making their very own queen dust, the sparkle that comes from livin’ and lovin’ their own lives. The Sweet Potato Queens’ First Big-Ass Novel: Stuff We Didn’t Actually Do, But Could Have, and May Yet reveals that the journey isn’t always easy, but in the company of the Queens, you can sparkle, too.
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"Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining! LOVED IT! Witty and hilarious with some very funny and memorable one-liners thoroughout. Not for the faint of heart - if profanity bothers you, you may not want to read it. This was my first experience with the SPQ's and it won't be my last!"
— Arbkdbarb (5 out of 5 stars)
" Don't bother. Wait, there are recipes in the back. They may prove worthwhile. "
— Erin, 2/18/2014" Not sure why I read this book - felt like I was reading something written for a teenager. "
— Susie, 2/13/2014" I listened to the audiobook. Fun and easy read about the Deep South and their love of food and humor "
— Lauretta, 2/12/2014" laugh out loud funny! Reminds me of why I love the South. "
— Katie, 2/12/2014" I am not sure I liked the quasi first person voice that this is written in, but the tales and woes of the SPQs are mostly funny. The book was entertaining, I liked the main characters though I did find some of the troubles they got into a little banal and some of the story lines you can see coming a country mile away, but, all in all it was a decent quick read, I mostly enjoyed it, especially the love that these dear friends share from high-school into adulthood, it is to be admired. "
— Brenda, 1/16/2014" Loved this book! Jill Conner Browne delivered once again. "
— Jamie, 1/7/2014" I really enjoy her books. She is quite funny and I think her books are better when you listen to them because it is just not as funny unless you hear the comments coming from her with her accent. "
— Cathy, 1/5/2014" I listened to the audio book.. the reader's accent and voicing helped add to the southern charm of the story. Parts were funny and touching, although overall pretty predictable. A very cute story with a happy-ending feel throughout the mini episodes in the book. "
— Andrea, 1/1/2014" I think the audio version of this book is what made me like it so much or maybe it was the accent. Very funny. The reader was excellent. "
— Venessa, 12/21/2013" This is a good book. I read it in 2 1/2 days. I enjoyed it. At first, it was a little slow, but, it picked up. This book made me go on an emotional roller coaster. I was embarrassed one minute, laughing the next and then crying another minute. I really liked this book. Go Sweet Potato Queens! "
— Southernbelle0326, 12/20/2013" I read this book in 4 hrs...it was that good. Now this ain't no literary masterpiece but it is a hoot! I love all of the SPQ antics, the unbreakable bond these friends have and their crazy antics. It's a fun easy read and I recommend it to lighten your day. "
— Donisha, 12/14/2013" A bit raunchy for my conservative taste, plus it was a little too easy a read. Still, having spent time in the south I found it amusing enough. I have, however, added a couple of the recipes at the back of the book to my kitchen. How I love southern food. "
— Sunshine, 11/13/2013" Sometimes it's nice to read a book just to make you laugh your butt off. Nicely done. "
— Tracy, 9/12/2013" Listened to this on CD in the car. I must have looked ridiculous as I drove down the road laughing out loud! "
— Vicky, 8/16/2013" LAME-O!!! got it from the library, thank god! "
— Bonnie, 8/11/2013" 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. "
— Rach, 4/14/2013" I forgot that I had read this for a book club back in 2008, don't remember much but I wrote down that I liked it! "
— Kristina, 4/12/2013" This was a fun book that made me laugh a lot. I'm sure any woman who went to public school can identify with the characters. "
— Heather, 1/23/2013" Every bit as good as I remember the SPQ books to be! Like sitting down with your favorite girlfriends, a sack o' limes, salt shaker and a BIG ol' bottle of premium tequila to share ~ "
— Karen, 10/18/2012" Loved it. Fast, fun, feel good read. "
— Susan, 9/21/2012" I got this book idea from my sister. I read it in one day while I was sick. I really enjoyed it. Was an easy read but alot of the "F" word. "
— Kara, 9/9/2011" Oh my goodness, what a funny book! I loved this book from page 1. The characters were so much fun and so relatable. I will have to read more in this series. Loved it!!! "
— Barbi, 8/27/2011" Listening to this on audio. It's fun so far and makes the ride to and from work a little more interesting "
— Megan, 6/10/2011" This fictionalized account of the Sweet Potato Queens' story starts with their origin and follows them into their adult lives. The story is entertaining with lively prose and believable characters. I've kept the book a few days longer to try some of the recipes included at the back! "
— Khuck, 12/18/2010" laughing my a$$ off as usual... "
— Ashleigh, 11/28/2010" This was the perfect book to be reading over the summer. "
— Melinda, 9/23/2010" every "love" scenario is certainlly covered "
— Mona, 8/19/2010" Fun! A great story about friendships, empowerment, and life. "
— Andrea, 7/10/2010" It was cute, it was funny, it was a fun read. I will read other books but this author, but not right now. I think I"m going to go read something a little more serious.....I'm not from the south so some of the southern stuff, to me, was kind of annoying at times, but still, I did enjoy this. "
— Michele, 4/7/2010" A fun read, but thought some of the characters could have been developed a little more. After reading this one, I am undecided about reading any of the other Sweet Potato Queen novels. "
— Rachel, 2/20/2010" This book is absolutely hilarious, but such a good story of human nature, sisterhood in the broadest sense, and friendship. A feel-good read. "
— Nancy, 2/5/2010" Cute book , very predictable and easy to read. gotta love em. "
— Veronica, 11/2/2009Jill Conner Browne is the author of the bestselling The Sweet Potato Queens’ Book of Love, God Save the Sweet Potato Queens, and The Sweet Potato Queens’ Big-Ass Cookbook (and Financial Planner). She is Boss Queen of the Sweet Potato Queens of Jackson, Mississippi, and now tours and speaks full-time about all things Queenly.
Karin Gillespie is the nationally bestselling author of five novels. She has also written for the New York Times, Washington Post, and Writer Magazine. She has an MFA from Converse College and lives in Augusta, Georgia. She writes a book column for the Augusta Chronicle, and a humor column for the Augusta magazine.