Scan barcode
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
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.
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.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
5.0
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.
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.
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
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.
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.
seriouslybookish's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 45%
Note to self: stay away from books such as this.
I still don't know what possessed me to read this book.
I got to 45% in the book and ere was zero development in the story and definitely not in the relationship. I learned more about the old ladies in the book then the main characters.
The audiobook was so terrible. I just couldn't with the narrators voice. Trying to put on a old woman's voice or a man's voice just didn't work. I was done so poorly and didn't make the book any better.
Note to self: stay away from books such as this.
I still don't know what possessed me to read this book.
I got to 45% in the book and ere was zero development in the story and definitely not in the relationship. I learned more about the old ladies in the book then the main characters.
The audiobook was so terrible. I just couldn't with the narrators voice. Trying to put on a old woman's voice or a man's voice just didn't work. I was done so poorly and didn't make the book any better.
dorin_love's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
meglang's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
aaliyahjn's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
brerob's review against another edition
4.0
This was a cute read. I would recommend it for an easy, flowey, read.
breeze_books's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a southern, sweet romance. Super slow burn. Some people don't care for a slow burn, but I think it works well with the storyline. Overcoming the things in the past and learning to love again. Great work. :)