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

***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
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.

Amanda Stribling did an amazing job with the narration. I really liked her voice for Mack.

When I started Southern by Design, I expected it to be like The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews. It was a little of the same feeling with the design and TV show angle, but so much more. Grace Helena Walz delves into the complicated relationships between Mags and her family, which is at the forefront of the story. This is a wonderful blend of complex family dynamics, a little love story, a little mystery, and a whole lot of feels. Southern by Design is a new favorite.

3.5 rounded up, this was a really fun debut. The Sweet Magnolias comparison is dead on, that's just what I got from this, Maddie's character in particular. It makes it read so cozy despite the drama and family tensions. Maybe because it's predictable, it was a comfort to read rather than boring. And I think many women, especially Southerners, are going to see themselves in the Mack vs her mother dynamic. Very Lorelai and Emily, for Gilmore Girls fans out there.

The narrator for the audio was perfect, absolutely nailed the southern accent.

I received a review copy of Grace Helena Walz's debut novel, "Southern by Design," and my opinions are entirely my own. The characters are well-developed, showcasing complex family dynamics and emotional themes like manipulation and personal independence. The narration did a great job of giving life to the characters. While there are romantic threads, the focus really lies on family relationships, which resonated with me personally. The narrative draws you in right from the start with a compelling opening that hints at chaos involving the main character’s mother. Magnolia “Mack” Bishop Jr. struggles to break free from her controlling mother while navigating her own messy life, especially after a past love re-enters the picture. Overall, this engaging Southern women’s fiction is packed with twists, and I found myself really connected to both Mack and the family saga surrounding her.

So … conceptually, this has the makings of a fun, lovable read. However, it’s executed poorly. A female lead whose professional and love lives are a mess? Yea, I could get into that. It’s just … super dull. Lots of ‘telling’ instead of ‘showing’. Slow-paced. Skips around. Lots of unrelated, gossip-y nonsense is mixed in. (Yes, this would fit the vibe, except it’s unrelated to the content more often than not.

🌴 Set in South Carolina.
Interior design.
🌴 Small town vibes & gossip.
Guy-next-door.
🌴 Second chance at love.
Single mom.


Overall:
I appreciate what i think the author was trying to do here, the stellar audio production and the beautiful cover. Unfortunately, it just did not hit for me.


2 stars.



🎧 Audio:
Absolutely flawless narration and production overall!

Southern by Design by Grace Helena Walz is a captivating and special debut novel that was such a joy to read. This is the story of Magnolia "Mack" Bishop as she goes about chasing her dreams, building a life set on her own terms, and the opportunity to experience a second chance at love. Despite her husband's infidelities and questionable choices, Mack is determined to make a positive and professional name for herself competing for the Charleston Historic Preservation Design Fellowship. You'll enjoy the journey of Mack trying to stop her meddling mother and namesake from controlling her life and the path she carries to success. I have left behind so much for you to uncover. There is a great building love story within the pages that introduces us to Lincoln Kelly and takes us back in time to their budding friendship.

I think there are quite a few things you'll additionally enjoy - the characters are transparent and forgiving, the writing style is easy and flows well, the prose will make you laugh at times, and the setting of Charleston is always a sure win. There are always so many positive things to say about an author that can allow you to feel many emotions at a time, all the while sharing a story that can transport you to another time.

If you are a fan of Kristy Woodson Harvey and Mary Kay Andrews, this will be a sure win for you. Thank you to the author herself for reaching out on Instagram asking me to review the book. Such a treat!!

Special thanks to Amanda Stribling for her narration of Southern by Design. her expression truly added to my reading enjoyment. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read and review Southern by Design.

I loved the narrator, but I just couldn’t get into this book. I love a good Southern fiction book, it’s one of my favorite genres, but at 40% I just really couldn’t see where the book was going. It was too drawn out. The beginning pulled me in, but the rest was a little flat for me. If you like books about home renovations and restorations, with a second chance love story, you may like this one.

DNFed @10%/ page 37

Thank you so much to NetGalleyand the publisherfor providing an eALC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This one is totally on me, I know the title of the book is 'Southern by design' however, I just can't stand the southern accent of the narrator. Totally a me problem, I tried to keep going but I knew I wasn't going to be able to be unbiased throughout my reading experience so there is no point in forcing myself just to give a low rating to this book for something that isn't even about the story.

Thank you NetGalley for the audio version of Southern By Design. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story. I was also granted a request for the book version. I love listening and reading together! The narrator did an excellent job. The southern accent and changing voices for each character made the story come alive. I would highly recommend the audible version! Thank you again!

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.