In Not That Fancy, Reba McEntire opened up about her life and lessons that she learned along the way. She grew up in Oklahoma and her father was a rancher and he actively participated in the rodeo. Her father taught her the importance of working hard and she even had to work on the raunch when she was attending school. She shared how when she first started in the music business, she believed that once she got the record deal then she would go on tour and make big money. The first time she heard her song on the radio she thought everything would change. She quickly learned that wasn’t the case. She spent 7 years traveling around playing everywhere she could. Her first hit song didn’t happen until, “Can’t Even Get the Blues” was released. It took her 13 singles from 5 albums before she ever had a number one. Her first headlined show she had 800 people show up and she still ended up losing money because she didn’t’ sell enough tickets. She explained how determination was taught to her from an early age and how she also helped pass it down to her son, Shelby. He is a race car driver and had to also be determined to get going when times get tough. In the book, she also discussed her acting roles, her divorce, how she met Rex (her new boyfriend), her new restaurant, some recipes, and most importantly lessons she learned.
Another heartbreaking part of the book was about nobody goes it alone. This one discussed the dreaded topic of when Reba lost some of her band members in a tragic accident. In March 1991, a plane crashed killing half of her band. She used this chapter to walk people through grief and the process. She shared how none of us will get through life without losing someone we love. She included a helpful gift idea section to help a friend who is hurting. She also shared about how she lost her mother in March of 2020 when the world was shutting down and afterwards admits she almost quit singing. But her sisters helped her to refocus and slowing down helped her to regain her passion.
I enjoyed reading this book and learning even more about Reba. I have always enjoyed listening to her and watching her on TV and in movies. She is truly an amazing performer. I loved the recipes in this book and how southern style she kept a lot of them. Some were her own and others were from Shelby’s wife, Kix Brooks from Brooks & Dunn, Rex, Reba’s Place (restaurant), Katy McEntire, Chris Rich (co-star in Reba), and much more. I loved how the recipes included a difficulty rating which I thought was a little different from most cookbooks. I’m curious to try Reba’s Place Tequila Lime Vinaigrette. I haven’t had the chance to go to her new restaurant but I hope too someday! Some of the recipes I want to try is, porch day lemonade, shishito peppers and okra with tequila lime vinaigrette, Rex’s pecan smoked beer-can chicken tacos, onion and jalapeno haystacks, Nashville hot chicken, and so much more! I also enjoyed the chapter on talking to God and how He has changed her life and it was inspiring to read the positivity in this and she helps readers to get to know Him. I also liked how she explained the story behind the song, “The Nights the Lights Went Out in Georgia” and fans will get to hear about Reba was able to rerecord this popular song. The pictures in this book are awesome and very colorful and helps to make this book one to keep and reread. There is an abundance of lessons readers can learn from this Fancy hit singer.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Harper Celebrate for my honest review.”
If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com:
https://www.amazon.com/Not-That-Fancy-Lessons-Dusting/dp/1400238250
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