I was drawn to this novel by its promising premise: a Southern woman renovating houses, a returning old flame, and the allure of a fixer-upper romance. As someone who enjoys stories set against the backdrop of home renovations, I anticipated a delightful blend of charm and second chances.

However, the narrative fell short for me. The multitude of plotlines introduced, ranging from personal dramas to historical elements felt overwhelming and underdeveloped. This lack of focus made it challenging to connect deeply with any single aspect of the story. Additionally, while dual timelines can enrich a narrative, in this case, they seemed to dilute the emotional impact. The chemistry between the protagonists was lacking, making their rekindled romance feel unconvincing.​

The writing would have benefited from more rigorous editing to streamline the plot and enhance character development. With clearer direction and tighter storytelling, the book might have delivered the engaging experience I was hoping for..

I do think the narrator did a good job but I felt like the accent went in and out which took me out of the story.

Thank you to Harper Collins for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm always happy to find a new author writing Southern fiction, and I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by Grace Helena Walz. Set in Charleston, Walz has written a novel with an interesting plot (including a low-key mystery) and filled it with likable and relatable characters. Add the fact that she's also added an excellent sense of place (the Low Country) and it all adds up to a most excellent read - or in my case, listen. Amanda Stribling is a new-to-me narrator, but I wouldn't hesitate to listen to more of her work. I'll definitely be looking forward to hearing more from this author AND this narrator.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Muse for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

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.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. This was a cute story with loads of southern charm. Highly recommend. I would read from this author again.

I recently finished Southern by Design, and while it started off a bit slow for me, the book ended up being a real gem. The story takes its time to build, but once it gets going, it’s hard to put down.

The book combines a rich narrative about Southern design with a compelling storyline.. While the early chapters take time to establish the setting and characters, the payoff is well worth it. As the plot develops, I found myself more and more invested in the characters' journeys and the intricate details of their lives.
It’s a beautiful story with a satisfying conclusion that leaves you thinking about the characters and their world long after you’ve finished.

Southern by Design written by Grace Helena Walz and narrated by Amanda Stribling was a cute listen.

Magnolia "Mack" Bishop is a designer and a single mom (thanks to a cheating husband). Mack is trying to find her footing as a project lead, and when a television show is looking for local designers for a home renovation show, Mack jumps at the opportunity. As Mack begins making her dreams a reality, trouble, in the form of a previous love, moves in RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

in this sweet story, Mack is finding her way in both her professional and romantic life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for the advance listen in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the accents through out the narration, however I felt like some of the accents blended too much with the others. at times it was hard to know who was speaking and I had to use context clues to try and figure it out. Overall I think it was a okay book, I'd probably recomend it but I wouldn't rave about it.

Part home makeover/design show, part southern family drama. If you’re a fan of Mary Kay Andrews, you will love this one!

Southern By Design was a fun read with some of my favorite things: HGTV style home design/remodeling, the Carolinas, and all the family and romance drama. It gave me a vibe of Gilmore Girls with the mother/daughter relationship similar to Lorelei and Emily but with a twist. I enjoy the storyline and the narrator did a great job with the voices of the characters. I also loved the way the story went back and forth in time to give depth to the romance and the family drama.

I received a complimentary audiobook copy from HarperCollins Focus and Net Galley - thank you! all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Southern by Design is a perfect combination of southern charm, HGTV vibes and southern family drama. I loved the dual time line, leading the reader through the past to confront the present. The southern lifestyle is so brilliantly portrayed and oozes throughout the book. There were twists and turns as well, and some very heartwarming moments. This is a great read for those who enjoy tv that features housing renovations and such! It's got a little bit of everything, making it hard to classify it in any one drama. It has romance, it has drama, it has suspense and touches of mystery!
I highly recommend Southern by Design for the general adult section of the library, as well as romance or Rom-com. It doesn't have as much comedy as the traditional rom-com, but enough to satisfy those of love the genre!

The narration was wonderful and I will definitely look forward to more from Grace Walz and the narrator Amanda Stribling. Stribling does an amazing job with the southern charm!

This was a very cute book. The end was a little surprising but in the most enjoyable way. I liked Mack but i didn’t like how much she would placate her mom. That was very irritating but by the end mom redeemed herself. I was in love with her partner at the design company. He was a best friend she needed.

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 and her child.

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Muse and Grace Helena Walz for an audio ARC of this novel. Mack Bishop is the typical southern belle who always follows the rules of Charleston society. Having a cheating husband was definitely not part of her plan. Now she is the single mother of a little girl, her mother is getting more controlling by the day and still refuses to reveal the identity of Mack’s father. Mack is an interior designer and is in the running for a home renovation TV show. This is well written with engaging characters and more twists and turns than I expected. The narrator has the perfect southern voice which really adds to the story. The narration flows smoothly, it is easy to distinguish the different characters and it is well paced. This is the debut book for the author and she has done an excellent job of capturing the essence of the south. The cover is absolutely beautiful. Fans of Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey and Victoria Benton Frank will enjoy this book.

I had a lukewarm reaction to this book. Perhaps because the narrator of the audiobook did not enunciate clearly and I had to be patient to finally get all the character’s names and details clear in my mind. She pronounced Fitz as « its » and often left off either first or last consonants. This « swallowing of consonants » continued to bother me right up until the end, although I did get used to her Southern accent.

The story itself was mildly interesting but I couldn’t really identify with the main character - a wealthy Southern belle who was trying to succeed in the house renovation business. Her overbearing mother needed a good telling off, her ex-husband was a typical twit and her « handsome neighbour next door » was right out of a romance novel. The novel was lightweight entertainment and I’m sure many people would enjoy the story. I just wasn’t one of them. Sorry!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an audio arc to review. The auido narration was great! I enjoyed this contemporary novel. It was a little bit family drama and secrets, a little bit romance, and a little bit behind-the-scenes of a home renovation and design business that gets selected to do a TV show. The main character, Mack, is juggling single motherhood after her divorce. Her marriage, built on a foundation of what was expected and proper in her social circles, imploded after her husband's cheating goes viral. Her mother is much too much in so many ways - controlling, a little conniving, and snooty - and definitely up in her grown daughter's business. Her ex is often an unreliable co-parent. Her best friend and co-worker is solid but also dealing with his own issues. And a blast from the past shows up. It's all a great recipe for a fun book. The dual timeline flashes back to Mack's college days and shows us the present-day chaos as well. I loved Fitz, the best friend - everyone needs a friend like him. As intended, I got very exasperated with her mother, Magnolia. The unfolding of the various family secrets kept me listening to find out what would come to light next. I thought the pacing was great. It was light but not fluffy or syrupy - just what I was in the mood for.

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.

Southern By Design - Book Review
Grace Helena Walz - Author

What can I say about this book besides FANTASTIC. Mack, also Magnolia Bishop is such a relatable character. Her spunky attitude and never give up style keeps you cheering for her with each turning page. The quiet southern town is the perfect backdrop for this book. Who wouldn’t love to renovate a home and have it as the Pilot for a television show! Everything is perfect until the original Magnolia Bishop enters the scene as well as a pesky ex. I loved watching Mack navigate the family dynamics in this cute southern romance. I look forward to other books by Grace Helena Walz.
Grace Helena Walz has truly captured the essence of Southern charm and resilience through her vivid storytelling and well-developed characters. The plot twists and turns keep readers on the edge of their seats, while the romantic undertones provide a heartwarming balance. The dynamics between Mack and the original Magnolia Bishop are intriguing and add depth to the narrative. The element of home renovation as a pilot for a television show adds a unique and refreshing twist to the storyline. Walz’s writing style is engaging, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the world she has created. Overall, Southern By Design is a must-read for anyone who loves a good romance with a dash of southern flair.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job! The story caught my attention from the beginning and was a fun read. I loved the dynamics between the characters. Highly recommend this one!

A delightful southern fiction that made for an easy read. I really did enjoy this book, I just wish it hadn't ended so quickly.
Magnolia (Mack) is starting over after her husband shared some umm, well, indiscrete photos of himself. She is finally divorcing him and focusing on her company and her daughter. She is hopefully that a prestigious award in the Charleston historical design world, all while trying to wrestle her life away from her mother. A mother that has controlled every aspect of Mack's life.
Even though Mack is well past the age of where most books are labeled a "coming of age" book, this one reminded me on that type of book. Mack is learning things about herself and her mother that will shape the rest of her life. That is why I liked this book. It was just an honest view of a woman trying to find her way in a life that isn't always pretty. Oh and it is set in two of my favorite cities in SC, Charleston and Beaufort.
If you like southern fiction or just enjoy an uplifting story, this will fit the bill. You just need to grab a glass of sweet tea and pull up a chair on the front porch.

This was about Southern Women and their lives. They were reconstructing homes in Charleston. In the process the lives of a mother and daughter were also, reconstructed. The characters were presented with Southern charm and conviction.