A wonderful debut. I got swept up in this HGTV-esque story and I look forward to whatever is next from Grace Helena Walz!

I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting with this book. When I saw many describe it as Sweet Magnolia vibes from Netflix I thought this was the perfect thing for me to read.

Unfortunately I did not resonate at all with the main character Magnolia. I did understand the complexity of her relationship with her mother and my heart did go out to her for that. Magnolia liked to be called Mack since she share the name with her mother.

She was stuck in a marriage that lacked passion and her husband was sending photos of his passion to other women when he got caught. The way both Mack's mother and Grady's mother interfered in their relationship was quite shocking. I could never be the wall flower Mack was through all that.

If you like drama, old deep south roots, and reading about how a story came to be years earlier and see how it ends, this may be the right book for you. I prefer a faster pace and a FMC that is not afraid to speak her mind.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Muse, for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I listened to the audiobook over just a few days, and the narration really worked for me—the narrator reminded me of Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama, which fit the setting nicely. I liked the characters and the story, even before it got to the more dramatic moments, and I was easily entertained throughout.

That said, the characterizations were a bit flat. I couldn’t quite buy that a woman as successful as Mack would still be blaming her mom for everything in her life multiple times a day, and the lack of growth in any of her relationships made the arc feel a little flat. I think with more development, the story could’ve landed stronger.

I’ll be recommending this book to:
* fans of Southern family dramas
* audiobook listeners looking for a quick, engaging pick

If you like DIY shows, romance and have an affinity for the South--this book is for you. Reminiscent of Mary Kay Andrews, the main character Mack quickly becomes the protagonist you want to root for. This author definitely knows how to whip up a good tale of romance and left me wanting more.

A really great debut novel set in Charleston SC with lots of southern charm thrown in! I think the narrator did an excellent job of keeping me hooked to the story. The pacing of the story was great and ended nicely. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Walz’s Southern by Design is a sparkling debut - an interesting mother-daughter tale set in Charleston and well told. Recommended in particular to those who love Charleston, the restoration of old houses, and southern fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperMuse for the privilege of a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own,

I love a good southern story with wonderful characters and home remodels . This had drama, fun and love , great story .

Southern lit lovers will enjoy Southern by Design set in the beautiful Charleston. A double win is that it is about a home renovation and trope of second chance love.
Magnolia "Mack" Bishop never thought she her marriage would fall apart, especially as it did with her husband sending a private image to their community of women friends. This separation makes her alone in parenting and in business. Add that her mother, the first Magnolia, is controlling, and she has a lot on her plate. But things start looking up with her former flame moves in next door!
I found the book slow at times but did love the setting and know some people will love it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to Harper Muse Net Galley, but all opinions are my own.

I was so excited when @gracehelenabooks reached out and offered to send me a copy of her new book, “Southern By Design”! It is EVERYTHING a southern fiction lover wants!! Drama, love, and tons of sassy snippets!

If you love Kristy Woodson Harvey, Mary Kay Andrews, and Victoria Benton Frank, you’re going to fall in love with Grace Helena Walz!

Charleston setting? Sign me UP! Historic homes in Charleston? I am so so there for this.

I enjoyed seeing Mack’s journey unfold— her search for answers was emotional and relatable for anyone who has dealt with their fair share of family drama and secrets. I felt so much for the hard feelings she had to face throughout this book.

If you’re an HGTV girlie (or human!), you’ll enjoy this. The home design aspect is a fun approach, the hilarious “one who got away” moving in next door is fantastic, and I have seen enough gorgeous Charleston homes to envision this one flawlessly in my mind.

Thanks so much to Harper Muse for the eARC of this fun but reflective read!

Such a fun read. Had me hooked from the start. I love how it brings southern charm to readers. Highly recommend.

Just as Mack Bishop is on the verge of a career-defining fellowship, a public scandal and a disastrous house tour derail her plans, forcing her to take a job under her controlling mother. But when an unexpected opportunity for a TV pilot arises—and her long-lost first love moves in next door—Mack must navigate family secrets, professional ambition, and a second chance she never saw coming.

Southern by Design is a perfect vacation read—it’s lighthearted, rich with family drama, and easy to devour in one sitting. While a solid debut, Walz's writing occasionally leans on clichés and oversimplifications, making some characters feel fully realized (like Magnolia, Mack’s mother) while others read as if they stepped straight out of 1960s Mayberry. With that, I did feel as though I was walking down the streets of Charleston through these pages, so it would be a great read if you are a resident of the Holy City or are merely an admirer of this beautiful setting.

3/5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Southern by Design" is a heartfelt, drama-filled debut that dives into the complicated mess of family, second chances, and figuring out who you are when life falls apart. Set in the charming streets of Charleston, the book follows Magnolia “Mack” Bishop—a single mom, designer, and daughter of a seriously controlling Southern matriarch—as she tries to rebuild her life post-divorce. The writing pulled me in right away, and while some parts had me shaking my head (in a "you've got to be kidding me" kind of way), I found myself rooting for Mack the whole way through.

This one’s definitely for fans of Mary Kay Andrews-style Southern fiction, with a mix of romance, family tension, and that sweet tea-soaked charm. The relationship between Mack and her mother is intense—equal parts love and manipulation—and the emotional payoff as secrets come to light is worth the ride. Some scenes felt a little over the top, and a few moments dragged, but the warmth of the setting and Mack’s journey toward self-respect and love really shine. A cozy, satisfying read with heart—and plenty of Southern flair.

What a fantastic debut novel. The writing was deep and drew me in. There were times I adored this story and others when I thought you have got to be kidding me, ahhhhh. It's about family, love and second chances. Mothers and daughters. So complicated even when the love is bone deep or maybe because of it. The author created characters that brought out a lot of emotions for me all along the way. Magnolia has an iron fisted grip on Mack's life and has done and will do anything to keep that control. Manipulation is her go to and the levels of deception are stunning. And yet, she is the only family so Mack has so she sucks it up again and again. Mack is trying to live her life and recover from her divorce from a marriage she felt forced into when she reconnects with her first love. Can she get her second chance? A wonderful story and writing that had me hoping for all the best for Mack.

I would compare this to Mary Kay Andrews older novels, and I mean this as a compliment. I enjoyed the southern hospitality angle and was very happy with the way the plot wrapped up.

What a cute debut novel! I loved that it took place in Charleston, my hometown. I also loved the main character Magnolia and her relationship with her daughter, mom, coworkers and neighbors. I felt like I really got to know her and her life. The book consisted of some romance, a mother/daughter relationship, divorce, friendships, and second chances. For an easy read, pick up this book.

I absolutely adored this book and couldn’t put it down! I might be biased as I grew up in the south and was taught to love southern decor…chinoiserie, china, teacups, deviled egg plates, tobacco jars, oyster plates, antiques, etc. Charleston is the perfect location for this book. I can visualize the location as I read.

It’s not often that someone gets a second chance at love and much less a second chance at living but Magnolia “Mack” Bishop has been given just that. A single mom who works in housing design and decor has been given a second chance to stand up to her family (including her ex-husband’s) to set healthy boundaries and expectations about who she will be, what she will do, and what she needs.

As Mack starts her quest to redefine herself and her independence, she starts to unravel secrets and the truth about her mother’s past, her biological father, and how exactly tight knit her mom and ex-husband’s mom really are. However, she isn’t sure whether or not the new information will make her distance herself from the only family she has remaining. She only knows that she has to do what’s best for her daughter, she has to trust her new love interest, she must lean on her best friend, and she must honor a contract with a tv company to help launch her career and business in a positive trajectory.

I cannot wait to read more of Grace Helena Walz’s works. I think I’ve found my favorite new (to me) author of the year!

A cute story that has a lot of iteresting and charming characters. An HG TV lover will be a fan of this book. Humorous and entertaining!

Thank you Netgalley and author/publisher for the ARC!

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.


Southern by Design is the debut by Grace Helena Walz set in Charleston and follows a mother and daughter through a dual timeline narration.
Mack (Magnolia jr) is struggling to keep her footing after separating from her husband after he sent photos of his you-know-what to a woman in their community. Her mother, Magnolia Sr., is a thorn in her side - controlling, overbearing, and unsupportive. When Macks shot at the Historic Preservation Design Fellowship is pulled out from under her feet, Magnolia jumps at the chance to have her daughter back under her thumb working for her.
When Macks one-that-got-away, moves in next door to her it throws her into a spin- he was the summer romance she's never forgotten who left to follow his own dreams fifteen years earlier and whom left her heartbroken - and now he's back and moved in right next door!
This was a fun read perfect for spring and summer. Although the dual timeline did get a little repetitive, I enjoyed the characters and storyline enough to push that aside.

This had the potential to be an amazing book but it fell a little short for me.

I liked Magnolia "Mack" Bishop's character but I didn't love her. The dynamic with her mom and ex husband was a bit much for me. I don't think the scene with Randy forgetting their daughter were really necessary. It could have simply been one or two sentence about having to take her to work with her again or needing Lincoln to have her over.

I did like the relationship between Lincoln and Mack. This was probably my favorite part of the story.

I am sure Southern by Design will be a 5 star read for so many. It just wasn't for me.