Bestselling author and viral sensation, and most importantly, Texan Melissa Radke is bringing the sweet tea, sass, and soul to Studio B. We chatted about her brand-new book, Chicken Fried Women. Radke serves up a hilarious and heartfelt tribute to the Southern women who raised us, praised us, and sometimes roasted us when we needed it most.
Known for her relatable humor, she introduces her fans and readers to her larger-than-life characters — the grandmothers, mamas, aunties, and girlfriends who taught us to clap back, pray hard, and never underestimate the power of big hair.
“Chicken-Fried Women are battered on the outside, tender on the inside,” Radke says. “They’re salty, sweet, and sometimes a little Nashville Hot—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Melissa first captured national attention with her bestselling debut Eat Cake. Be Brave. and her hit USA Network show The Radkes. With over 1.1 million followers on social media, she’s spent nearly a decade making people laugh, cry, and call their mama.
Here are some totally not-so made up reviews:
- “Hilarious. Could barely breathe I was laughing so hard.” - My Trainer , on ab day
- “There better not be one word about me in this book.” - My mom
- “I laughed. I cried. I cheered. It was a roller coaster of emotions.” - A woman who watched me get on a float
- “You’re writing another book? Why?” - Cashier at Chick-fil-A
- “It surprises me very little that she used the word ‘fried’ in her title.” - My doctor
Radke says Chicken Fried Women is a love letter to friendship, kinship, and the women who made us this way. Whether you were raised under a roof full of prayer and politically incorrect recipes or if you just love a good story about strong women, this book might need to be added to your “to be read” list. She says she wrote the book with our chapter numbers so you can flip to any chapter and just read.
By the way, don’t ask her what she hopes the reader will take away by the end of the book -- she. just. wants. you. to. laugh!
Chicken Fried Women was released on April 22 and is available everywhere books are sold.