| Title | : | The Magnolia Inn |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 292 |
| Publication | : | First published January 15, 2019 |
The Magnolia Inn Reviews
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Audiobook- ebook sync.
Voice narrator by Brittany Presley was perfect for this story
In the process of renovating the damaged, run-down, out-dated structure of
the Magnolia Inn in east Texas, ( in a small historical tourist town called Jefferson), the two main characters: Jolene Broussard and Tucker Malone are both in need of ‘personal’ renovation. They each come with troubled pasts of baggage.
Literally and figuratively the Inn gets a make-over as well as these two wounded grieving souls.
As Jolene and Tucker work together to bring freshness of Magnolia Inn back to life...
they do the same with themselves and with each other.
From partnership, to friendship, to love... Jolene and Tucker are working through grief, fears, guilt, sadness, even anger...
coming to forgiveness and redemption.
Three other feisty, quirky.....’hilarious’ characters:
Flossy, Dotty, and Lucy, are the town community gals that give this novel its
supercalifragilisticexpialidocious entertainment.
Like the song in Mary Poppins...
the old gals add spoons-full of sugar to make the medicine go down.
They contribute healing Jolene and Tucker.
Jolene’s *Aunt Sugar*, does is sprinkling healing too...( notice the name is *sugar*), along with Uncle Jasper by calling from the road... checking in on the kids, - how the remodeling is coming - and how they are coming along emotionally.
Aunt Sugar and Uncle Jasper, are retired RV owners - having recently let go of their many years of running The Magnolia Inn, are
having their own new beginning adventures on the road.
Jefferson is the perfect town to heal, grow, let go of the past, and move on.
Jefferson is ‘not’ the town of depression.
The buzzin- perky- town people are goofy-joyfully-contagious.
I learned an interesting tidbit about the historical town of Jefferson. ( for real)..
There is a group of women who call themselves
“The Pulpwood Queens”.
These women are part of a meet&greet book club in a combined beauty and book store.
I couldn’t help but wonder if their sparkling group played a roll in the creation of Flossy,Dotty, and Lucy.
This was fun reading in the way author Fannie Flagg is.
A predictable love story develops...( but we’re happy about it).
This was my first time reading Carolyn Brown.
I might not jump to read her often - but I enjoyed it for what it was: a contemporary old fashion PG-love story.... with quirks!
3.5 rating
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The Magnolia Inn by Carolyn Brown is a slow burning contemporary romance. The story brings two flawed characters together for their shot at a happily ever after over the course of several months time.
Jolene Broussard found out that her aunt Sugar was going to give her half of her bed and breakfast, the Magnolia Inn. As excited as Jolene wanted to be she knew she was dead broke and that the inn was going to take a lot of work to get into shape and her cousin Ruben who now owns the other half was the last person she waned to go into business with.
Tucker Malone used to be in law enforcement before his wife died in a tragic accident, now Tucker is basically a hermit in his trailer and a weekend drunk mourning his wife. When Tucker hears the inn is for sale he decides to invest the insurance money putting use to his carpentry skills. While Tucker is much better to partner with than Ruben, Jolene and Tucker find themselves navigating their new partnership slowly but surely.
For a change we have a romance novel that didn’t push the romance (or the characters into bed) within the first few pages. The couple in this story each had their own issues to deal with and that was done slowly while remodeling the inn. I will say what I also enjoyed the most in here was the side characters, Flossie, Dotty and Lucy, the trio of elderly ladies had been friends with Jolene’s aunt for years and were like extended family and always good for a chuckle which definitely helped make this one a cute story overall.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit
https://carriesbookreviews.com/ -
once again I went into this novel blind & I was quite surprised, when I started it I thought to myself what have I got into here, but once I got into it fully I was blown away it was a slow burn romance that held my attention from the first page through to the last. The characters were so likeable & engaging, the plotline was so unique I loved every minute of this, Carolyn brown knows how to grab the attention of the reader, I could not put this book down.
Jolene Broussard got a half share in The Mongolia Inn with her cousin Rueben who she has no time for an arrogant SOB who didn't want his half of the inn he never got on with Jolene anyway he decides to sell his half to Tucker Malone who is a former cop who got thrown out of the force in Dallas on drink driving charge, he is also fighting his demons the loss of his wife Melanie in a car crash & the bottle is his friend an alcoholic.
He turns up the inn looking for the part owner he meets Jolene & there is a sudden attraction to each other Jolene has demons of her own & doesn't want to get involved with an alcoholic as her mother Elaine was a drug addict & alcoholic plus her ex boyfriend was a drinker too.
Once they start work on the inn as Tucker is good with his hands he decides to do it up in colours & names each room, as the plot goes on the tension grows between them but both don't want to get hurt again, We find out that Tucker wife Melanie he hears her voice when he is sleeping telling him to move on but he just can't .
Jolene's Aunt Sugar & her long time BFF Dotty were childhood friends keep an eye on Jolene as they virtually are her family. I loved the slow burn tension between Jolene & Tucker they had tortured pasts but were unbelievably strong Dotty & sugar were so well written the story takes place in Jefferson Texas . I have found a new author as well which is a bones 5 stars. -
The Magnolia Inn
Carolyn Brown
THE MAGNOLIA INN is a slow burn contemporary story that I was pulled in to from the very first page. To be honest, I fell in love with the cover the minute I saw it. I knew I would read it anyway, because I love Carolyn Brown, but the cover really pulled me in. I would love to stay at an inn with a beautiful purple door!I loved everything about this beautiful story and I'm excited to recommend it to my reading friends. Carolyn Brown always has a way of grabbing her readers and she never lets us go.
THE MAGNOLIA INN really takes a turn that will have you unable to put this beautiful story down. Neither Jolene or Tucker are looking for a relationship, but they can't seem to ignore their growing feelings. Tucker's wife died five years ago and it has left him with so much grief and guilt. Jolene has been burned in the past and has no desire to go down that road again! It was cute watching these two dance around their feelings for each other. Jolene just wants to remodel the beautiful inn that she has inherited from her aunt and uncle but she needs someone to buy the half that her cousin wants to be bought out of. Jolene doesn't have that kind of money and Tucker does so when she hires him as a carpenter he decides to do a little investing!
THE MAGNOLIA INN is filled with twists and turns and had me staying up way too late one night to finish! I had to know where Carolyn Brown was taking us and what would happen to Jolene and Tucker. I really loved how the whole community came to Jolene and Tucker's aid and only wanted them to feel loved and realize that they were home. There is so much heart in Carolyn's writing that I'm always left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. I could totally see THE MAGNOLIA INN becoming a Hallmark movie and I would love to see it. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I've known them for a long time. I would love to hang out with Sugar, Dotty, and Flossie. I'm sure they could teach me a thing or two and I know they would keep my laughing all day long! I love how Carolyn does that to me each and every time.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given. -
80% of the book Tucker is still talking to his dead wife and just cannot seem to get over her. Sorry but this is the least romantic book I have read in a long time! If the writing hadn’t been so good I wouldn’t have finished reading it! The best part of the book – the cover!
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I am sort of in dilemma with The Magnolia Inn. I like the idea of the story. However I found it hard to click with writing style from Miss Brown. Some of the banter, I found it difficult to follow.
I like the characters. Both are dealing with lost, anger, resentment and family drama. I like how they both help each other to heal themselves.
So at the end, I only like this book OK.
3 stars -
The Magnolia Inn by Carolyn Brown is a romance that takes place in the East Texas town of Jefferson, which is home to many B&B’s and antique stores. If you like the Hallmark Channel or romance novels in general, then you will probably enjoy this book. This story is pure fluff.
This romance follows the typical plotline of two tortured souls who are tossed together, then fall in love. Jolene Boussard is given the gift of one-half of a B&B just outside Jefferson, TX from her Aunt Sugar and Uncle Jasper. The Magnolia Inn is outdated but could be profitable after an update. Jolene is tormented with the emotional effect of her father’s death when she was 16. Afterward, her mother fell into drugs and alcohol and died in a two-bit motel. Her last boyfriend also turned out to be an alcoholic. Jolene, who is a teetotaler, has worked full-time as a bartender for the ten years leading up to her being given the interest in the Magnolia Inn. She doesn't have the personal funds to restore the inn.
Tucker Malone was a Dallas Police officer. After his wife was killed in a car accident, he began drinking. He left the force and moved to Jefferson, TX, where his deceased wife had grown up. He is now a carpenter who drinks heavily on the weekends. He doesn’t want to get over his wife. She still speaks to him clearly. He uses the money he received after his wife’s death to purchase the other 1/2 interest in the Magnolia Inn after Jolene’s cousin puts it up for sale. He uses his carpenter skills and money to fix up the inn. He has to move on from his past and quit getting drunk.
One of the bright spots of the storyline is the warm friendship between Aunt Sugar’s friends. They welcome Jolene and Tucker into their circle. Another nice thing is that sex is not part of the story.
I feel uncomfortable reading detailed sex scenes. This book focuses on the healing process of the two main characters before allowing themselves into a new relationship. The rest of the story is full of the main characters asking themselves questions and speaking to dead people as they try to get over their pasts.
One thing that made me cringe were instances involving a local real estate agent. She was representing Jolene’s cousin who was his half interest but told Tucker to make an offer lower than he did. Then the closing of the sale was held in her real estate office instead of a Title Company or a Law Firm. The realtor just produced the legal documents and the sale was closed. The author's lack of research does a disservice to the real estate industry by making these unethical situations a part of the plot. -
2.5. Let me be frank: this book is really boring. I’m told a lot of what I disliked about it is cultural, that I’m simply not the intended audience for this story. But that doesn’t change the fact that there is nothing compelling here. I felt about as much for these characters as I do for egg salad.
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Two broke, grieving people share an ownership in an old Victorian inn. Between the magic of the inn and the friendship that grows between them, they might both find a chance at forgiveness, healing, and love. A bit of country charm, a group of sassy friends, and a sweet, simple story are what draws me back time and again to this author's books and an engaging, familiar narrator.
The Magnolia Inn, a crossover between women's fiction and contemporary romance is a standalone story. It deals with such sad elements of death, grieving, substance abuse, family, friendships, and letting go of the past and guilt.
Whenever I see a pair, who are disgruntled and barely acquaintances, but have that special spark, forced to work together in a gently-paced, slow burn friends to lovers, I know I'm going to have a good time.
Jolene Broussard inherits half of the old Magnolia Inn from her aunt and uncle and ends up gaining a business partner when her cousin sells his share to Tucker Malone. Tucker might be the best handy man in the area and a partner who sees the potential in the Magnolia like she does, but he gets drunk at least once a week and isn't over his wife's death. Jolene has had enough of supporting and enabling drunks from her mother to her ex-boyfriend and she sure isn't willing to coddle another one.
But, with the support of her aunt's three old friends and her own daily experience seeing that Tucker is not her mom or her ex though he surely does fight his own demons, she realizes that Tucker isn't the only one who needs to get over some pain, guilt and anger.
Slowly, but surely the old inn is refurbished and the pair find they are friends and they both start to look toward the future. If only they can let go of the past.
Unlike her straight up cowboy romances, this one focuses on the process of letting go, friendships, and then romance. There is lots of time with the three older ladies who are a sassy trio, renovation work that helps Jolene and Tucker form a friendship which lets them talk over what is on their hearts, and even resolving unfinished business with the ghosts of their past through mental conversations with those dead and gone. Things ease along rather than run straight to the romance.
I enjoyed the story I got. The work, the people, the friendships, and the everyday feel. It was hard seeing how much pain and waste the alcohol caused, but I was glad to see that it wasn't quickly swept under the rug or treated lightly. Jolene was the child of an alcoholic and Tucker lost his job because of it and uses it to self-medicate away his grief and loss. My heart broke for them and I was cheering them on to get through it.
Brittany Pressley is a great match for group who were mostly Texan with one of the older ladies, Dotty having some Cajun. She paced well with the story and had a good grasp of the tone needed through each change of emotion and situation. Her work enhanced the story and I enjoy that she does several of Brown's books.
All in all, this was a comfy, heartwarming story with a satisfying romantic ending. Those who enjoy women's fic crossed with contemporary romance set in a small town should try this one.
My thanks to Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review. -
1) Super judgmental main character. Alcohol is not evil and you have absolutely no right to judge his life. You are a business partner. Not his mom or his therapist.
2) Super judgmental relatives/friends. Really? It's shameful to work in a bar? Really? What is it? 1956?
3) It definitely takes more than 2 years to get over the death of your spouse sometimes. Forcing this dude who is still mourning to move on is pretty fucking rude.
4) You're shit still stinks, even if you go to church on Sunday. Going to church isn't the magic eraser. It doesn't erase your sins or make you a good person. You still have to act right the other 6 days of the week.
5) Preachy. Preachy as fuck. I got so annoyed by the end of it with all the crap about alcohol being the devil and bad people don't go to church on Sunday.
I tried y'all. -
CHARMING. Also one of my absolute favorite covers of the year. I don't think I've read anything else by this author, but if this story is indicative of her work, I'm going to go sink into her backlist RIGHT NOW. The fact that her books are available as Read & Listen on Kindle Unlimited will make that so easy to do! I loved this one on audio - the accents were all amazing and really made me feel like I was in East Texas.
The Magnolia Inn is a wonderful blend of small town Texas, home renovation, overcoming grief, overcoming addiction, and chaste romance. The cast of older women in this book is just wonderful and add so much depth to the story. I love the lack of drama in the main relationship as well. -
Check out all of my reviews at:
https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE MAGNOLIA INN by Carolyn Brown is her new contemporary second chance romance. It is a sweet romance, which I call a cozy romance because it is written about adults (not YA), any sex is behind closed doors, some religion may be included and the focus is on the H/h’s emotional growth or healing. These books also include a strong family, friends and/or community support system.
Jolene Broussard grew up with a drug and alcohol addicted mother. She could not get her mother to change or get help for herself, so she left when she could. She is carrying a lot of guilt though because her mother committed suicide after she left. The happy times she had growing up were with her mother’s older half-sister and her husband at The Magnolia Inn B&B during summer break from school.
Sugar and her husband are ready to retire and travel across country, so they leave half of the B&B to Jolene and half to her cousin Rueben. Sugar has big plans, but no money. Rueben hates his memories of the B&B and decides to sell.
Tucker Malone lost his wife of 5 years in a tragic traffic accident. He hits the bottle hard. After losing his job as a police officer, he vows to only get drunk on the weekends and starts to build a name for himself as a carpenter. Tucker is informed about the sale of Rueben’s half of the Magnolia Inn and decides to buy in and partner with Jolene.
The partnership is rocky at first, but soon each begins to understand that they each have deep emotional issues to deal with and dealing with them together as they remodel the inn seems to work better than dealing with them alone.
I enjoyed this cozy romance. Jolene is so strong and had to survive so much. Tucker is rebuilding his life, but he is stuck emotionally until he meets Jolene. I enjoyed how the changes in their lives and the remodel of The Magnolia Inn seemed to intertwine. The secondary characters are almost show stealers in this story. Sugar, Flossie, Dotty and Lucy are good for a laugh, but also share their wisdom with Jolene. This is an emotional growth story with a very slow build up to romance. Sex is behind closed doors and only in the last portion of the story. An enjoyable read. -
O carte simpla, o poveste draguta, fara pretentii, numai buna pentru un sfarsit de vacanta sau o pauza intre doua carti mai grele. Mi-a placut atmosfera sudica a romanului.
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This book started slow for me but it built up to a wonderful story of family, friendship and love.
Jolene Broussard has been left half of The Magnolia Inn from her Aunt Sugar and the other half belongs to the nephew of her Aunt's husband. He does not want any part of the Inn and sells his have to Tucker Malone, who is a widower that cannot get past loosing his wife. Both of these people have had tragic pasts which they cannot move forward to a new life. While they renovate the Inn, they begin to put the past behind them and with the help of Aunt Sugar's three friends, who have been together since they were little girls, and phone calls with Aunt Sugar, they know the future is something that they both want and are building it together.
Carolyn Brown knows how to write a good women's fiction with wonderful characters and the bonds of friendship that cannot be broken over time or place. She adds in romance and HEA for us to sigh over and gives us many LOL moments with her feisty, lovable, and quirky southern woman of a certain age. She makes you want to pull up a chair at the table and join in the fun. I always want they story to on and on so I can catch up with what her characters are doing... I await the next great story from one of my fav Women's Fiction writers. -
An absolutely terrible book. Reads like a Steel Magnolias wannabe, but a nonsensical, terrible version of it. The main story is interesting enough but it's so drawn out and repetitive. Then there's other side stories that are going on in the background that make no sense. They're insignificant and bring nothing to the story so you end up wondering why it was even mentioned in the first place. And the ending is abrupt and purely lazy writing.
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Good slow-building romance between two hurting people who can't seem to let go of their painful pasts. Jolene was raised by a mother who was an alcoholic and a drug addict, making Jolene the "adult" in the family. After Jolene grew up and moved out, her mom died of an overdose, leaving Jolene feeling guilty for deserting her. Then Jolene's boyfriend also turned out to be an alcoholic who cleaned out her bank accounts. She needed a chance for a fresh start.
Jolene's Aunt Sugar has given her a half-interest in the Magnolia Inn, the bed and breakfast that Sugar and her husband run together. He has given his half to his nephew Reuben, who Jolene detests (with good reason). Reuben has no interest in doing anything with his half and immediately sells it to Tucker. Jolene has some great ideas for the inn, but no capital to carry them out.
Tucker is the local handyman. He used to be a cop until his wife died in a car accident. Unable to handle his grief, Tucker turned to alcohol and eventually lost his job. Now he works as a handyman during the week and drinks his way through the weekends to dull the pain of her loss. When he heard about the inn, he thought it would be a good opportunity for him. He has the cash to invest and the skills to do the renovations.
Jolene wasn't too sure about having Tucker as a partner. She was all too familiar with living with a drunk, and she didn't want to do it again. I liked the way that she and Tucker sat down and laid out their expectations so that there would be no misunderstandings. I enjoyed the development of their relationship. They started as partners, working together to renovate the inn. I loved the easy exchange of ideas, and their willingness to compromise when necessary. As they worked together, their partnership became friendship. There were some terrific scenes of their more lighthearted moments, as well as some emotional scenes as they shared the more painful parts of their pasts. All that time together also gave a simmering attraction time to grow. But both were wary of risking their hearts again. Jolene feared getting involved with another alcoholic and did her best to keep Tucker at arm's length. But she also has a good influence on him after he heard her story. Tucker was buried in guilt over his wife's death, which made getting past it that much harder. He also fought his growing feelings for Jolene because they made him feel disloyal to his wife. It was very interesting to see the mental conversations he had with Melanie as she tried to get him to let her go. There were some heartbreaking moments as Tucker worked his way through that grief. The slow buildup of the feelings between Jolene and Tucker was believable and right for them. I loved seeing them realize that their pasts don't have to define their futures and that they can build that future together.
The secondary characters are a huge part of the story. First, there are Aunt Sugar and Uncle Jasper, who were ready to retire and live their dream of traveling. It was fun to follow their travels and see the effects it had on them. I loved Sugar's phone calls back to Jolene and "the girls." Her ability to sense when Jolene needed her was great, and I enjoyed the kernels of wisdom she dropped along the way. I wasn't at all surprised by her feelings as the trip went on. The surprise she had for everyone at the end was terrific. Her three friends, Dottie, Flossie, and Lucy, were a riot. Each of them was very different, but their friendship was bone deep. It was fun to see them rag on Lucy about her actions after romantic breakups. I loved how they supported Jolene with the inn and kept a wary eye on Tucker until they were sure he was okay to be around her. Their Sunday lunches were a hoot and added a bit of lightness when emotions got a little heavy. -
A romance set in Texas, how much better could it get?! And to top it off, it is set in Jefferson Texas, not far from where I went to high school. And in fact, my husband and I visited this town last summer and was charmed by the small town, its residents, and the landscape.
While the story is somewhat predictable - knowing that Jolene and Tucker would end up together, what adds flavor to the story is Sugar, Dotty, Flossy, and Lucy. These women take Jolene under their wing and only want to see her happy. But they are old enough to do what they want and not care what anyone thinks. I got quite a chuckle out of their antics and matchmaking ways.
Jolene and Tucker have their own set of issues to deal with but it somehow works for them as they learn to trust each other a little more and realize that perhaps what they need is looking them right in the face. I thought it was interested that Tucker's deceased wife would speak to him in his thoughts. She was a wise woman. There were multiple times that the story was very touching and I felt a bit misty as if I was right in the center of the situation.
This was a fun read and if you are looking for a book set in a small Texas town, in a B&B, and with some sassy characters, then check this book out. -
When she inherits half an inn badly in need or repair. Jolene Broussard is equal parts thrilled and daunted. When she discovers that her original partner, the loathsome Ruben , has sold his half to someone else, Jolene's day brighten somewhat. But what if the new half owner is as bad as her cousin-by-marriage would have been? Jolene's got a lot of baggage in the love department and she's not exactly the most trusting of souls.
Tucker Malone is a widower still in love with his wife and who is battling a drinking problem. Buying the inn on a whim seemed like a good idea at first. But when he meets the fiesty Jolene, he begins to second guess his purchase. Why does his partner have to be so darn cute?
Restoring the inn together is a balm for the both of them.
In her sweet way, Carolyn Brown gives her readers another darling romance and teaches us all about the gift of forgiveness.
I loved this book. And although, like all her books. the dialogue sometimes seems a little anachronistic, the story is sound and the power of redemption for her characters, strong. Thanks, Netgalley and MOntlake for a sneak peak for an honest opinion. -
3.5 stars because Tucker talks to his dead wife for more than 70% of the book. It was too much!!! if you are looking for a romance read, this is not it. I felt that there was zero chemistry between Tucker and Jolene. What I enjoyed was Jolene's aunts, I thought they were sweet and fun.
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Absolutely awful. Forced myself to finish it for Book Club, but good gravy, this is a terrible read. The characters are bland and completely uninteresting and their banal, repetitive conversations were absolutely unbearable. Zero story arc. Boring story. The writing is absolutely abysmal. I could not wait for this to be over.
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Okay this ones a pretty predictable old style romance about Jolene and Tucker two troubled souls who find them selves and then eventually each other as they work as business partners in restoring the Old Magnolia Inn , which Jolene inherits from her Aunt Sugar. Yep Aunt Sugar - that’s right. 3.5 stars
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This was stunningly bad. I mean absolutely awful. The writing was pedestrian, the story was ridiculous & the characters were cartoonish. The only positive thing I can say about the book is that the cover looked nice.
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The Magnolia Inn is a sweet story of healing and friendship. It's the perfect type of fiction for women everywhere. It's got a warm inviting feel and relatable characters. Give this one a try!
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There’s not much to this book. She’s written better things.
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2.5
When her aunt and uncle give her half of their bed & breakfast to travel in their new RV, giving the other half to her despicable cousin, Jolene Broussard is still concerned when he sell his part to a stranger. A carpenter and widower with a moody attitude who still talk to his deceased wife. Together, they'll renovate the inn.
It sadden me to give such a low rating to an author that usually bring me so much joy but I didn't connect with all the characters this time. I had trouble especially with Tucker and with the lack of romance in this story. I know it's women's fiction, but I still expected a love story that didn't happen , in my opinion, even when they finally got together, thirty pages before the ending.
Anyway, one deception book on almost 40 read by this author is a pretty good average ;p -
The most predictable book.
No plot twist. Nothing too exciting.
I didn’t connect with the characters, and I didn’t care for them a bit, also I knew how it is going to end from the very beginning, so when I finished the book, it felt like I finished the book from the beginning.
2 stars for tryin. The writing was good though. -
A quick read but not memorable. Less of a romance as the focus was more on the hero overcoming his grief following the death of his wife 3 years early. There really was very little physical and romantic awareness between the main characters for most of the book, and what was there was stated by the author rather than shown.
This was an ARC provided by NetGalley. -
The Magnolia Inn is only the second book I’ve ready by Carolyn Brown. I absolutely love her writing style, but this one was a little on the slow side for me. What drew me to this particular read over all her others was the cover. It is absolutely gorgeous and just popped out at me.
Jolene Broussard was gifted one-half of The Magnolia Inn by her Aunt Sugar and Uncle Jasper which she couldn’t be more excited about. Unfortunately the other half was gifted to her horrible cousin, Ruben, who promptly put his half up for sale not wanting anything to do with the nostalgic Inn.
Enter Tucker Malone. He is looking for a project to keep him busy while his Saturday nights are held for him to drown himself in the bottom of a bottle to forget the pain of his wife’s unexpected death two years prior. The Magnolia Inn was just what he needed, in more ways than one.
Jolene isn’t having it though. She was raised by an alcoholic mother, dated alcoholic men and is done taking care of the likes of people who drink themselves stupid to bury their feelings. I loved how strong this character was. She is full of life and is just what Tucker needed. He spent a lot of time talking to and grieving his dead wife and not seeing what was right in front of him until it was almost too late. She breathed life back into this broken man while doing nothing other than being herself.
While I did like this story, like I said, it was a really slow burn, but I highly recommend.
Hey book whores, if you want to follow me, you can find me here
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I love second chance romance stories and this was an excellent contemporary romance with second chances thrown in. I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw this cover, but I also love Carolyn Brown's books. She has a folksy, fun way of telling a story and the characters in this one fit right into that. Jolene has had a rough life, losing her father when she was young and her mother sinking into addiction. Her last boyfriend was a weekend drunk and she has had enough. Moving to The Magnolia Inn in small town East Texas, she is ready to work with her cousin to renovate it after being given the Inn from her Aunt Sugar and Uncle Jasper who have retired. What she never expected was her cousin selling his half of the Inn to handsome Tucker, who was a weekend drunk, never getting over the death of his wife five years prior.
This was a beautiful story full of love, compassion, friendship, understanding and yes, second chances. The three ladies who take Jolene into their fold; Dotty, Lucy and Flossie are Sugar's best friends and they needed a fourth wheel. They are adorable, a bit quirky and so loving and accepting, I would love to have them as my friends. When Jolene and Tucker begin to realize that they have feelings for one another, they were so cute. Both were afraid to love again, but the attraction was just too strong and it is hard to ignore the encouragement of the whole town. There were some twists in the story, but they all led to the right place. There is a bit of a Christian undertone to the story, but you do not have to enjoy Christian Fiction to read this. Carolyn Brown's writing is beautiful and when I finished this book (in one sitting) I had a huge smile and warm feeling. I do not hesitate to recommend this story to those who love a contemporary, second chance romance. The audio version of this book was amazing. The voices of the "girls" were just what I envisioned and Jolene's was perfect. If you have kindle unlimited, I recommend you read and/or listen to this one.
