The Chickie Shak is something of a historical landmark. Red clapboard walls, thriving wasp population, yard-toilets resplendent with sunflowers. My best friend Lee Ray and I used to come after our softball games and snag a picnic table while our mammas ordered the home team special. Truth is, most people around here order the same thing until the day somebody throws their ashes off a roller coaster at Dollywood. The line snakes around the building as far as you can see, the grimiest bunch of Jessies, Pearls, and Scooters you ever did behold, hobnobbing in the parking lot from noon until night.
When PJ Spoon returns home for her beloved daddy’s funeral, she doesn’t expect to stick around. Why abandon her PhD program at Vanderbilt for the humble charms of her hometown, Pennywhistle, Tennessee? Mamma’s broken heart, that’s why. But truth be told, PJ’s own heart ain’t doing too good either. She impulsively takes a job as a fry cook at Pennywhistle’s beloved Chickie Shak, where locals gather for Nashville-style hot chicken. It may not be glamorous, but it’s something to do.
Fate shakes up PJ’s life again when the town rallies around the terribly retro and terribly fun Hot Chicken Pageant. PJ finally notices her cute redheaded coworker Boof, a singer-songwriter with a talent as striking as her curly hair, and learns to fear her smack-talking manager, Linda.
As PJ and Boof fall for each other, Boof’s search for her birth mother—a Pennywhistle native—catapults the budding couple into a mystery that might be better left unsolved. The Chickie Shak pageant takes off, spurring old rivalries and new friendships in this tale of unexpected connections and new beginnings.
PJ's Thoughts:
The perfect, unabashedly Southern, blend of hilarity and heart, this feel-good, small-town debut had me laughing out loud in places and wiping away tears in others. It's a story about family, friendship, searching for your place when your world's been turned upside down, uncovering your beginnings, overcoming grief, and forging new connections in unlikely places...in life, in love, within family, even in a treehouse while on your way to the Hot Chicken Beauty Tour with an unlikely cadre of two and four-legged companions, including the woman you're falling for.
The pace of the book is on the slow side, like a meandering ride down a lazy river, but that fits with the pace of life in PJ's small Tennessee town where everyone knows you and your business. Anyone who grew up in a small rural town will be able to relate, whether Southern or not. Those Southern roots though are on full display with plenty of local wisdom and humor that comes through in a deep Tennessee twang. At least in my mind. I can't be the only one who heard Dolly Parton's voice in my head as I read.
The (closed door) romance is endearing with enough emotional layers to keep it interesting but not the primary focus of the book. I enjoyed all of the relationships revolving around PJ that are explored, including her lifelong friendship with her (gay male) bestie, her supportive dean at Vanderbilt, the wise elderly town librarian, even her abrasive co-worker, Linda. But I especially enjoyed the evolution of the relationship between PJ and her mother. After being a daddy's girl all her life, watching her slowly bond with her momma was one of my favorite parts of the book.
If you enjoy Southern, slice of life stories that are brimming with character, humor, and heart, I enthusiastically recommend picking up a copy of Mary Liza Hartong's debut novel: Love and Hot Chicken. She's a sparkling new voice in Southern fiction that I'll be keeping an eye on.
Do you enjoy humorous Southern fiction?
Who are some of your favorite authors writing in this genre?
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, February 25 will receive a hard cover copy of Love and Hot Chicken.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
Humorous Southern fiction is wonderful and special. I have read many memorable books which gave me enjoyment. Sarah Addison Allen, Fanny Flagg, Celia Rivenbark, Molly Harper, Heather Webber. Love and Hot Chicken sounds delightful and so enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Texas, so yes, I enjoy Southern fiction. I like quite a few Southern authors. Fannie Flagg comes to mind, she is one of my favorites. I am not crazy about indications that if one lives in the South speaking correct English is not possible. I am a fan of humor in stories and if the humor shows the complications of living in a fun family it is even better. So many of us live with family members who are just a little bit out of the ordinary. This does sound like an entertaining story. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteHumorous southern fiction is one of my favorites! I absolutely love Mary Kay Andrews and her Weezie and Bebe series. Any author that can make me laugh out loud is a favorite author!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Southern fiction, humor included. No favorite authors, I am living it. This sounds like it was set in my back yard. We live outside a small town a little over an hour from Dollywood. It is interesting and appropriate that she focuses on "gay" relationships especially since the state is so determined to deny their rights and existence. I am glad to see a book showing the normalcy of their feelings and place in the community. We are transplants to the area (for the VA hospital) and it has been an interesting learning experience.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying the Coastal Magic get together. It is so much work to put on something like that. I was hoping to make it this year, but life got in the way. Maybe next year.
Yes I love hilarious southern fiction
ReplyDeleteI love hilarious southern fiction
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like so much fun -- with some very serious social issues especially these days. I love humorous fiction of all types and have decades long understanding and appreciation of southern humorous fiction having lived in both Georgia and Texas for most of my life. If you've lived in the south you've heard all the meanings of "Bless Your Heart" and probably used them.
ReplyDelete