Chicken-Fried Women

Friendship, Kinship, and the Women Who Made Us This Way

By: Melissa Radke

Narrated by: Melissa Radke

From the bestselling author of Eat Cake. Be Brave, a love letter to the strong, opinionated Southern women who raised her and surround us all.

Lucy and Ethel. Laverne and Shirley. Dorothy, Sophia, Blanche, and Rose. Chicken-Fried Women is a celebration of them: the women who raised us, taught us to cook and clap back. The ones who prayed for us, raged at us and humbled us a notch or two when we needed it. These are the women who have encouraged us, teased us, chastised us, and mortified us. And as they fill up the seats around our table, we realize we wouldn’t have it any other way.

They’re our Chicken-Fried Women—battered on the outside, tender on the inside. Some are salty and a couple are Nashville Hot. Filled with a hilarious cast of larger-than life women, this book explores why no one messes with Southern women and their hair, why the whole family comes along when you go bra shopping, why true crime and aquarobics brings us together, and how faith shapes us through it all.

Insightful, big-hearted and laugh-out-loud funny, Chicken-Fried Women is a celebration of friendship, kinship and the women who shaped us.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 Melissa Radke (P)2025 Worthy Books

Laughter through tears

I loved everything about this book. I recommend it for all women, you will love it.

Love love love this book!!!!!

Thank you Melissa for this book! I loved listening to you narrate it on Audible and I feel as though I know all the voices of your family now! 😂 I laughed, cried, and am
forever grateful for the Chicken Fried Woman that it brought to mind in my life! 20/10 and I recommend to every woman to read this book!

Such a sweet book!!

I loved all the stories about her chicken fried women! Very well done and will be sending this book to my girlfriends!!

Laughter is good for our soul.

I laughed & cried. I was moved I am inspired. Relationships create the beauty in our lives. Melissa should also become a character’s voice in a movie.

I LOVE listening to Melissa tell her stories.

I cried. I laughed out loud. I related to so many of the women talked about in this book. Thank you Melissa for another one of my favorite books!

Fantastic book and the Audiobook is even better!

Get the book! Fantastic book that will gave you laughing and also you may shed a tear or two. Will have you reminiscing about your family and friendships! Trust me-worth your time! Five stars!!!!

Southern to the Soul!

As a southerner I could relate to everything and everyone she references in her funny and uplifting book for women. Highly recommend.

Southern truth with no apology!

Absolutely one of the best books ever! I am glad I listened as it enhanced the experience. Melissa is a great storyteller and as a Chicken Fried woman myself…so true!

Hilarious Truths

Loved it from beginning to end! Had to get the audio version because Melissa’s delivery is an added bonus! Family, Jesus, Food, Hilarity.

Relatable and so funny but feel good too

Funny stories and heartfelt life lessons. You will laugh, cry, and really think about the important women (and men) in your life.