Sophie Dreams Big

Southern Belle Insults #5

by Keke Palmer, Jasmine Guillory

Starry-eyed Janet is enchanted by her new wig, but Lady Miss knows her dear friend will soon be caught in a tangle of doubts in this whimsical short story about courage, self-worth, and confidence.

For former pushover Janet, her Sophie curls appear to be a balanced and beautiful new addition to her magical, life-changing wig collection. She’s positively beaming, has smoothed out the wrinkles in her personal life, and is embarking on a philanthropic new business venture. Everything is ideal until the unthinkable happens and she has to stand on her own—with a final push from Lady Miss Jacqueline, of course!

Sophie Dreams Big by Keke Palmer with Jasmine Guillory is part of Southern Belle Insults, a fiercely funny series of short stories set in the fully realized world of Keke’s viral phenomenon. Take Lady Miss Jacqueline’s advice: read or listen to them at once, without stopping, the whole way through. You’re welcome.

Genres: Short Stories, Audiobook, Humor, Fiction, Contemporary, Fantasy, Magical Realism

27 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2021

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short which I picked up on Prime Reading introduces us to Janet. A woman, working in an office building that has let herself fade into the background. But when she stumbles into a wig shop, Janet's life is about to get a whole lot more exciting.

The fifth and final installment brings it all together for Janet. It had a good message and I am glad I am kept reading the series.


Goodreads review published 11/09/22

[Regina the Constant Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Kindle Unlimited

Book #5 in the Southern Belle Insults Collection

On the most important day of Janet’s life, the wigs go missing and she cannot find the wig shop anywhere. After a lot of panicking she finds her own inner strength and heads to the bank and her interview. She learns an important lesson going to her interview without one of the wigs: That she had all those qualities in her all along. A great series, especially if you feel you’re lacking the strength to do something!

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle/Audio/Short Stories

Oops I listened* out of order. But Keke Palmer you are an ACTRESS, and a phenomenal book narrator.
What a cute story. I will def finish the rest from this quick "series".

Even tho these are available on both kindle, or audio - I highly recommend you listen. (or listen and follow along w/ your kindle) 😉

[Ashley G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute set of stories that was laugh out loud funny at times. A quirky set of tales about finding self-confidence and a true sense of self.

Keke Palmer shined as narrator, she was truly outstanding.

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please tell me Keke is going to write another novella collection!?!? This was so much fun to listen to.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 3 out of 5]

The conclusion to the Southern Belle Insults series narrated by Lady Miss Jacqueline finds poor, dull Janet wearing the Sophie wig from the magical wig store. She's hoping to receive a special grant to expand her own marketing business to help people in the community but at the last minute, she starts having doubts. After showering to get ready for her appointment, she finds all the wigs are gone! Her BFF Candace tries to convince her that all she needs is herself. But will that be enough?

Very funny stories with some lessons at heart. These are a collaboration between Keke Palmer and Jasmine Guillory, based on Keke's posts on TikTok and Instagram. According to Jasmine, working together to create these stories online occupied them during the pandemic.

[Freda Mans-Labianca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the end.
So who the heck is Lady Miss Jacqueline?! I get she is the friend that introduces Janet to the wigmaster, but one minute the story is told from her point then it is Janet's. Ugh. My least favorite way to read a story. One minute I think Lady Miss is just another alter-ego wig persona, but the she seems to be narrating at times. The transition from Janet to Lady Miss gets lost and no wonder I'm confused.
I wanted to like this series. I just didn't. It had a great premise though, it just wasn't done right in my opinion.
Whatever.
To each their own.

[Lucie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I really enjoyed the series. Keke Palmer's narration definitely made it even more enjoyable do not skip it! But overall the series was fun.

[lexiskat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0
I love a good effective quick read. And these books do just that!! Okkkkk Janet!! It’s not about the outside but what makes you feel good. Love my girl confidence in this book. Appreciate the positive energy around her to continue to make her believe in herself. But Janet please the nicknames was a little too much.

[Nella ☾ of Bookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Janet's final wig, none other than the kind-hearted, sweet, caring Sophie! But even though Sophie's extra considerate of others, she doesn't leave any room for herself to shine.

I love how everything comes full circle. This was such a unique and funny set of short stories with incredible narrations. *chef's kiss* Love, love, loved it!

[Kait Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This final installment of the Southern Belle Insults was well worth the wait. At the end of the day, this uproarious series is all about the masks we put on to find our self confidence and self worth--the fake it until we make it for real. Two thumbs up and a barrel full of snort laughs.

[Lala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay Janet!! The collection came together how I hoped it would. Miss Lady Jacqueline was phenomenal in this one. The smile on my face was gone when Chelsea popped up again, but I mean mhm she adds to the story too.

[kamryn ౨ৎ · Rating 1 out of 5]

literally the worst book in the series it was so cringey to read omg

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was successful at work, I started this great business, I made a good friend, I even went out on a really great date with someone who seemed to like me, and it was all because of the wigs!

The wigs gave me power, personality, and courage. Without the wigs, I'm just boring old Janet.

Can plain, boring old Janet pull off a win . . . without any help from the wigs?

An inspiring conclusion to a fun series.

[Sarmat Chowdhury · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fitting end

The series end with the final wig persona (Sophie) and also with the reveal that Janet learned a lot from the personas, and this helped her find her own confidence and voice - allegory one might say to black women being diverse in their personas and how they present themselves to society and for people to understand them - as if the personas can’t mix.

I truly loved the series, and it also gave me the bug to try some of the Jasmine Guillory backlist again (only think I’ve read from her was “The Proposal”

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie Dreams Big (Southern Belle Insults, #5) by Keke Palmer
Published November 9, 2021

<3 <3 <3

Starry-eyed Janet is enchanted by her new wig, but Lady Miss knows her dear friend will soon be caught in a tangle of doubts in this whimsical short story about courage, self-worth, and confidence.

For former pushover Janet, her Sophie curls appear to be a balanced and beautiful new addition to her magical, life-changing wig collection. She’s positively beaming, has smoothed out the wrinkles in her personal life, and is embarking on a philanthropic new business venture. Everything is ideal until the unthinkable happens and she has to stand on her own - with a final push from Lady Miss Jacqueline, of course!

Sophie Dreams Big by Keke Palmer with Jasmine Guillory is part of Southern Belle Insults, a fiercely funny series of short stories set in the fully realized world of Keke’s viral phenomenon. Take Lady Miss Jacqueline’s advice: read or listen to them at once, without stopping, the whole way through. You’re welcome.

[Tameka Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keke wrapped this series up in a nice little French braid. I enjoyed this fun and quick series of grown women fairytales. I'm glad to see Janet got her confidence and all the ladies came together in the end. The sense of humor was on point throughout the entire series. Keke did a superb job with the audio between the accents and personalities. I would highly recommend the audiobooks for the full experience of these stories.

[Nyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saccharine-Sweet Sophie helped smooth a few rough edges in Janet's personal life but almost derailed her professional aspirations.

Thankfully, Candice, Peter, and Rahdswee, all firmly in Janet's corner, helped to once again right the ship.

And like any good fairy-tale, they all lived happily ever after! The End. :)

[jennyreadit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute finale to the series

Janet gets an appointment for a small business loan, but all the wigs have disappeared. What will she do? How can she be confident and clear and a bit sassy but sincere without one of her wig personas?

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really had a fun time listening to this series. I was pleased that Janet set aside her self-doubt and discovered her confidence. I would have liked to find out more about this wig shop and Lady Jacqueline though. Also, Keke did an excellent job as narrator.

[Ms.Blkbelle Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

light and fun

I enjoyed this audio short story series because it shows that with the right amount of confidence and support you can accomplish things you work hard for. It was hilarious. Sophie was a sweetheart. A little too sweet if you asked me. But the ending made
me happy.

[Chinelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect ending

A wonderful end to the series. Absolutely loved it. If you need a good laugh pick up this book. Thr series is short and good fun

[Emma Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

i felt myself cringing a lot but i finished all 5 books so what can i say

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

So overall with all the episodes combined, I thought this was a good story. And I love Keke Palmer.

[Evangeline Munster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say Keke Palmer was the ONLY correct choice to narrate this! What a performance! I also loved the message behind this one especially!

[ysf.incolor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice end to a fun series of books, loved how Janet was finally able to come into her own

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gittin witty with it

Fun, quick, satisfying read that I almost swipped by, but I'm glad I didn't. Now I am off to go wig shopping...

[TSFitzPa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm reclaiming my time!

[Michelle Seekings · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Take Lady Miss Jacqueline's advice: read or listen to them at once, without stopping, the whole way through. You're welcome."

Synopsis: Main character Janet Williams is 50 shades of beige and boring, her work life stale, her wardrobe an abomination to fashion, her love life nonexistent, but her inner voice, Lady Miss Jacqueline is magical, courageous, fabulous - but stuck inside. This 5 part Amazon mini-book/audible series takes us through the 5 personalities of Janet, as told through her wigs! In the first episode we meet and get to know boring Janet, and are introduced to Rahdswee's wig shop. Episode 2 takes you through Janet's life, as she wears the OVER-THE-TOP Lady Miss wig and quickly rises to the top of her work. Episode 3 introduces the long golden Chelsea wig and her gregarious personality as she finds success at work, but struggles with adventure and purpose. Episode 4 is from the edgy short haired wig of the Keke personality, who does not lack ADVENTURE, but fails at being egotistical, which threatens all her relationships. In Episode 5, we find Janet as long beautiful/fairytale, sweet Sophie wig, who is whimsical and confident. Janet is positively beaming, until the unthinkable happens. Can she find balance through these wigs and come out on top, breaking the cycle of boring and bland? Written by Keke Palmer with Rom Com Queen Jasmine Guillroy as part of the Southern Belle Insults Series, this mini-series kept me on my toes.

Personal Review on Southern Belle Insults #1-5: 3.5 Stars

These had me from the start, the audible of Keke Palmer as Lady Miss is absolutely divine and I was enamored from her first sentence. These are very short stories and easy to listen to and read. The struggle of most women to be the best that they can be - and balance work/home/personal life. I like how this was released as a mini series as it was perfect for reading one each night before bed. It was light, airy, and funny - so easy to cheer for the main character Janet.

XO, Lady Miss

[Megan Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

(2.5 stars)
Overly sweet and empathetic Sophie gives great apologies to Peter to Candance on behalf of Janet. Then she fills out an application for a bank grant to expand her marketing business. Only on the day of the presentation, the wigs and the shop disappear. Will she shine or go back to her beige existence?
* * * * *-------------* * * * *-------------* * * * *
This is a quick, bingeable series about a month of magical transformations and self-discovery. Along the way it is a bit repetitive and has this messy idea that our Janet was each of these people and also that none of them were quite her either. As far as the fairytale goes, I dislike that Janet is saved from the negative consequences of each persona—keeping only the good things they achieve. Lessons are often better learned with a little pain. There is a comedic presentation to the audio version. Sadly, it commits very hard to a style I just don’t find enjoyable.