The Best Laid Wedding Plans: Magnolia Brides #1 by Lynnette Austin
A fun contemporary romance is on the blog today – with a bonus. Lynnette Austin’s Magnolia Brides series is set in Georgia, and you can find out about the title and to celebrate the May release of Every Bride Has Her Day, the second in Lynnette Austin’s Magnolia Brides series, Sourcebooks Casablanca is giving away a free copy of The Best Laid Wedding Plans via iBooks! Please read on to discover more about
The Best Laid Wedding Plans
A story set in Georgia brings to life the ‘image’ that most have of a Southern belle in Jenni Beth, having achieved success in Savannah working for someone else, she’s decided to strike out on her own, and head back home to Magnolia House, her childhood home in Misty Bottoms. The premise is rather quintessentially southern with quirky town names, southern accents, small towns and a rather deep layer of spackle that covers up anything ‘too distressing to discuss in polite company’. Each element manages to enforce that feel, a touch of regression to an earlier and simpler time, creating a world that is as close to idyllic as one might wish.
But real life is never just as the polished memories would have, and Jenni Beth returns to find her house in disrepair and her plans will require a ton of elbow grease and a bucketload of cash. While securing the loan is no issue, the other elements are far more problematic: her parent’s grief over the loss of her brother, gathering competent help for the renovations, discovering who wishes the renovations to not continue, and just WHY Cole is hanging around constantly.
Cole has used the years to build his own reputation and business acumen as an architectural salvager: he’s got experience that Jenni Beth can take advantage of, and he wants to see her succeed. While these two had a moment that turned to nothing, the chemistry between them is evident, even as they are not an instant happy ever after. Their relationship is full of ups and downs, moments to savor and moments where bouncing their heads (collectively and individually) off the nearest sturdy wall.
The story is laden with moments that meander to the end, the drop of clues like breadcrumbs to discover the culprit behind the sabotage of Jenni Beth’s dream, the family interactions, the townsfolk and the gradual development of the relationship between Cole and Jenni Beth slowly unfurl. Not a barn burner read – you’ll step into this world and exist as it tugs at heartstrings. Wholly sentimental, the story leaves you with a sense of a time past, not quite modern in a 21st century way, but enjoyable nonetheless.
I purchased a copy of the title for my own library. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Title: The Best Laid Wedding Plans
Author: Lynnette Austin
Series: Magnolia Brides #1
Also in this series: Every Bride Has Her Day
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 1492617970
Published on: 3 November 2015
Source: Self-Purchased
Pages: 416
Rated:
Heat:
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About the Book:
Jenni Beth Beaumont thought she left her broken heart in Chance, Georgia, when she moved away. But when she suddenly inherits her family's beautiful, antebellum home, her dream of turning the residence into a wedding destination calls her back.
Cole Bryson, an architectural salvager and Jenni Beth's former flame, intends to purchase and deconstruct the Beaumont family's down-at-the-heels estate. To his surprise, Jenni Beth is more of a stubborn Southern girl than he thought. Cole will have to use all his sultry, steamy tricks to test more than the resolve of his sexy competition…
See the Magnolia Brides Series on GoodReads
