I was really looking forward to this one, and I flipped between reading the ebook and listening to the audiobook. The narrator did a good job.

The author, in my opinion, took on too many plot ideas to be able to carry them to conclusion. If the ideas could have been narrowed to only a couple, or three at most, this probably would be a super debut, but there was just too much to deal with. The cover was gorgeous, the setting perfect, but I think the book could have benefited from some tight editing and a red pencil. The idea of a southern single mother with a design business trying to get out from under her mother’s influence, starting a home-improvement show, trying to find out the truth about her family, and reconnecting with an old boyfriend was a lot! I’m hoping the author keeps writing, and I’ll look for the next book.

Three stars!

3.5 stars 🌟 (Rounded up because I really enjoyed the narration! 🎧) Huge thanks to HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse and NetGalley for the ALC! 💌

Southern By Design by Grace Helena Walz is like a Southern cocktail—sweet, strong, and a little complicated to drink, but worth it once you get through! 🍹 The story had some real potential, but it also had some hiccups (pun intended, you'll see in a bit 😉).

First off, let’s talk about the vibe. Charleston? Yes, please! 🏡 This city is alive, it has soul, and it's basically another character in the book. I loved the atmosphere, especially when it came to the historical homes and the design elements! 🏛️

Mack (our fmc 💁‍♀️) is dealing with a lot. A toxic mom (hello, Magnolia Sr.), a life thrown upside down after a messy divorce, and... oh, did I mention her first love just moved back to town? Enter Lincoln Kelly—the one that got away. But here’s the thing, I wanted to feel the sparks between them. I wanted to scream “kiss already!!” at the page, but the chemistry didn’t quite hit for me. Maybe it was the whole “15 years later” trope? Or maybe the relationship was overshadowed by all the family drama. 🏚️💔

Speaking of drama, the mother-daughter dynamic really held my attention. I swear, Magnolia Sr. was a monster (yep, a full-on "Momster" as I like to call them 😂). The manipulation was strong with her, and while I wanted Mack to stand up more, I did appreciate how her character evolved throughout. But tbh, I was dying for a more direct confrontation between the two. We got there... but it felt a little too late for my impatient self. 😤

The dual timelines were a tricky beast to manage. The constant repetition between past and present was a bit clunky, and I felt it padded out the story unnecessarily—like, I get it, but we could’ve cut down some of the deja vu, right? One big plus though: Mack’s growth! She seriously made me root for her as she fought for her own life, dreams, and answers. I’m here for a character who takes control and makes things happen! 💪🏽

Now, the ending—I didn’t expect to love it, but I did! It wrapped things up solidly, even though some of it was sad. 😔 It kinda left me thinking, “Yeah, life’s messy, but you gotta keep going.” The romance wasn’t as fire as I wanted, but the family bonds really shone through! 🫶🏼

Overall, this debut had so much promise, but it could’ve used a little more focus. Too many subplots and not enough time to develop them properly. Still, I think this is worth a shot if you’re into Southern drama, home reno shows, and a little second-chance romance. 🏡💕

🏡 Second Chances
💖 Small-Town Charm
🏡 Career-Focused Female Lead
💖 Family Drama
🏡 Romantic Tension
💖 Self-Discovery

Final thoughts? A fun, emotional ride with a few hiccups! Worth the read for fans of Southern women’s fiction, family dynamics, and home renovation drama! Would recommend if you like books that have a bit of everything, but don't mind some extra baggage. 💓

This book was an absolute delight. The plot surrounding a tv show following an interior designer who remodels historic homes in Charleston, SC, is basically a combination of all of my favorite things. Walz made the atmosphere come alive, so that even when I was reading it at home in the winter, I felt like I was spending the summer in Charleston.

I loved all of the characters, and their relationships with each other were so wholesome and sweet (except the ones that weren't, but they served their purpose well). The character development was excellent, and the plot twist was very well executed. As invested as I was in the plot and seeing how it ended, I hated to finish and immediately missed Charleston and all of the characters.

Overall, my only complaint is that the cause for divorce (the husband sending an unsolicited picture) was a bit more detailed than I needed, especially since the rest of the book was quite clean.

I started this reading this book and finished it in audio and have to say I preferred it in audio as it moved faster. Magnolia "Mack" Bishop is a single mom of a precocious girl. Her ex-husband is now her ex after he sent a picture of his privates to another woman and it was shared with the moms of the area. They were partners and now he quit after the project they had been working on has one problem after another she watches the Fellowship slip away but at least he has left. Now she needs to find another project. In steps her mother, the original Magnolia Bishop. She comes with a historical home that needs repairs. At the same time, Mack is approached with a proposal for a television program on home renovation. But wait, there's more. There is a new neighbor moving in and he looks familiar. He happens to be her old boyfriend from 15 years ago. This story was told in past and present time and, at times, was choppy but I am confident this author will find her footing. This was a great debut novel and I will definitely read her next one.

Julia Sugarbaker meets HGTV!

Recently divorced, Magnolia ‘Mack’ Bishop is redecorating her life one day at a time. Mack has worked hard to build her reputation as a historic renovations’ designer. Despite a controlling mother, and the selfish antics of her ex-husband, her life is looking better every day. This book is filled with strong friendships, healing forgiveness and classic southern charm. Oh, and maybe even a second chance at love!

I look forward to what Grace Helena Walz publishes next. It was a great listen! Narrator, Amanda Stribling, was a perfect match to deliver this feel-good story.

What does Mack do when her controlling mother goes overboard, wanting to hone in on her new business venture? Mack (i.e., Magnolia "Junior") is a restoration expert who designer who is divorcing her husband (and business partner) while working on a new project. She has a precocious daughter who adds humor to the story. Mack struggles to find balance between making her own decisions and appeasing her mother. And, to complicate things, a man from her past moves in next door. All of this adds to a very complex and fun story to read/hear. I loved the unique characters, who don't necessarily fit the usual stereotypes for this type of story. The narrator is expert at portraying their quirks.

A great listen! I highly recommend it!

Thank you to Harper Collins Focus and Net Galley for providing an advance review copy of this audiobook. My opinions are my own.

I loved this story!
I could so much relate with Mack and her overwhelming mother that I almost felt in Mack's shoes at times when she was referring to her mother. It is true that those mothers of ours mingle with everything, but we can never stop loving them or start loving them less for this. God, Magnolia (mama) felt so real to me!
Having two timelines really added to the story, helping us see how Magnolia grew to be a person for herself and I find this character really successfully written and presented. Mack's responses to happening in her life, her decisions, her doubts and feelings all feel feel objective and grown up. Though the ending of the book was met more calm than I expected, specifically having in mind the characters of both Magnolias, but what is the need to raise the tension anyhow.
A beautiful novel, where the personal life and carrier or Mack were equally interesting and evolving.
Duuhh I can strangle any Grady that appears in my life!

A great debut novel! Set in Charleston, South Carolina, the story revolves around Mack and her work as a house designer updating historic houses, her life as a single mum, her relationships with her soon to be ex husband, mother and a new neighbour from her past.
For me the inclusion of a dual timeline seemed to interrupt the flow of the current day story. I think it would have worked to have a chapter at the start called "15 years ago" to give all the details and then had the story go on from there. Apart from that I enjoyed the book and look forward to Grace's next book.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollinsFocus for this ARC of this audiobook.

Narrated by Amanda Stribling
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Story by Grace Helena Walz
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I dont normally like duel time lines but this author did a great job keeping both of them interesting, smooth and engaging.

This book overall was as sweet as Southern tea. I really enjoyed these characters and their world.

I would definitely recommend this book to fellow readers and buy another book from this author.

Thank you #NetGalley #GraceHelenaWalz #HarperCollinsFocus #AmandaStribling for this ARC of this audiobook.

Lovely Women’s Fiction with great character development. This is written in dual timeline of present and 15 years ago following Mack(Magnolia Jr) through her college years and where she is currently. You will find Southern charm, a single mom juggling a career and an infuriating meddling mother but, what you won’t find is complete predictably.

Mack is definitely struggling. She is going through a divorce, lost a good fellowship job for her business, and now, her ex-boyfriend from college just moved into her neighborhood. Nothing else to do but put on her work boots and overcome!

Y’all know I love a good southern fiction and this one is pretty dang good. I loved the characters, especially Mack’s mom! We all know a southern woman just like her! And Mack, handles her mom like a pro!

Then there is Lincoln, Mack’s long lost love that got away. These two have some difficulties but definitely worth the fight!

There is a slight twist at the end that just added to the drama!! I love a good family secret and some southern meddling!

The narrator, Amanda Stribling, did a good job, even with the child’s voice. You follow me long enough, you know this is a pet peeve. I always cringe if the narrator gets a child’s voice wrong. But she nailed this one.

Need a good southern fiction…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Southern By Design is the debut novel from Grace Helena Walz, a fresh new voice in southern women’s literature. Magnolia “Mack” Bishop has lived her life dealing with her controlling mother, Magnolia the first. Magnolia has done everything to keep Mack in line even to the point of keeping the identity of the father she never met a secret.

Now, in the midst of a divorce from the two timing son of Magnolia’s best friend Delta, a union that Magnolia and Delta had orchestrated, and in the running for the prestigious Savannah Historic Preservation Design Fellowship perhaps Mack can finally get out from under her mother’s thumb. But when things go awry in the final round of judging, as consolation Mack’s mother brings her an excellent opportunity, of course with strings attached, to restore the Davis house, a recent endowment to the Savannah Historic Preservation Society.

With this new prospect, Mack and her second in command and best friend Magnus Fitzgerald, are excited to begin both the design and its execution, making Mack feel relieved. That is until Mack spots her new neighbor as the moving truck unloads next door. When she is near enough to tell for sure, she is astounded to find Lincoln Kelly, the one who got away and broke her heart fifteen years before when he left to pursue his own dreams.

This is such an impressive debut work. Ms. Walz has designed a story with well crafted characters, intertwining subplots, and an overarching message of forgiveness. I very much enjoyed this book and I wholeheartedly recommend it!

I think this was a solid debut novel. I appreciated the main character, Mack, as she navigates a complicated divorce while trying to take her interior design business to the next level. I loved Charleston aspect of the story, as I've spent a lot of time there and really love the city. I was less enthusiastic about the romance piece of the novel, but was fully invested in Mack and her mother's relationship issues, though some of it was a bit tedious - I just couldn't understand the difficulty around her name! All in all, an enjoyable book.

I absolutely adored the narrator of this audiobook! Her southern accent was the perfect narration for this book. The book itself was a lot of fun and kept my attention the whole time. Mack was an incredibly likable character, even as dealing with her not so likable mom. The home improvement show aspect of the book reminded me of all the shows on HGTV. It was an entertaining listen that I would highly recommend.

This one unfortunately didn’t work for me. The plot was incredibly slow and I didn’t find the characters to be very interesting. I received an audio copy of this book and the voice actor doing the child’s voice really threw me off. I think this would’ve been instantly more compelling if there had been a narration cast rather than a single narrator. The cover design was beautiful and i appreciate the ARC. Thank you to the author and publisher.

Magnolia “Mack” Bishop’s ex-husband was caught cheating on her and was involved in a scandal which was revealed in a group text chain. Mack is trying to pick up the pieces of her life as she raises her 7-year-old daughter, and an opportunity arrives to try to be on a design show. As an interior designer, I was excited to read a book that focused on renovation. I wish more of the story was centered around this. The story was told in two timelines, present day and 15 years earlier. There is a second chance romance between Mack and her new neighbor, her high school sweetheart, but I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two in either timeline. There is a lot written about Mack and her mother’s relationship. I enjoyed the twist at the end but found the middle of the story to be lackluster. The story makes me want to go to Charleston! Overall, this was a decent debut and I’m curious to see what Walz comes up with next.

Entertaining debut novel with likable characters, family drama, loss, love, and a new found identity. Enjoyed the audio ARC; thank you Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest assessment.

Thank you for the ARC in exchange for feedback.
What a beautiful cover, who can resist a great cover, and that the book is set in Charleston! This debut novel reminds me of a cross between Fixer Upper and Designing Women. Magnolia "Mack", newly divorced and a single mother" is trying to kickstart her own career without her mother's influence. She is charged with restoring an old historical house in Charleston, and hopes to make her mother proud.
Meanwhile, an old flame moves back to town. Lincoln broke her heart when he left town over 15 years prior, but Mack soon learns the real reasons he left. Will they be able to rekindle their love?
There are other secrets to come to light, secrets that separated mother and daughter and best friends. Some relationships can be repaired while others cannot.
The book is told through two timelines - when Mack was younger and present day. Great debut!

3.5/5

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus/Harper Muse for my review copy. These are my thoughts:

This was a charming southern, small town story.

Magnolia “Mack” and her very meddling mother - and namesake - Magnolia “senior”, had a complicated relationship. I quite enjoyed the twist on the second chance - Mack gets a second chance at love after her divorce and also to mend or redefine her relationship with her mother. Magnolia senior was insufferable for most of the book but I enjoyed her “redemption arc”.
I did not see the plot twist towards the end coming and was not expecting the added drama from the way it was handled.

I don't normally listen to audio books, but I enjoyed the narrator and her subtle accent.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This was a slow ride for me. It started slow moving and some of the beginning, honestly could have been trimmed. The back end of the story was wonderful though.

This story is very Sweet Magnolias coded. And while i dont appreciate the over sensationalized “southern” stereotypes and name stereotypes, it’s what people love. Its the small town southern money drama.

The romance aspect was so sweet. I loved Mack and Lincoln. They made sense all along, and you could feel their connection come through. I also loved Fitz. He is the best friend any girl could want.