This southern story is so engrossing with interesting characters, and I soaked up every moment of it! Loved the twists and turns of how the plot unfolded, and definitely felt all the emotions of the main character. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good story!

Southern by Design by Grace Helena Walz – 4.5 ⭐

This book was so lovely! There was just so much to love and connect with—complex mother-daughter relationships (plus the absolute sweetest granddaughter), a slow burn second-chance romance, an interior design show (HGTV fans, this one's for you!!), and a then-and-now timeline that kept things interesting.

Oh, and let’s talk about the twists—there was another storyline that had some major surprises at the end, and I was fully invested! 😱.

The setting? Charleston, SC—a fave of mine for book settings. No spice in this one, but plenty of raw, real-life drama that felt so relatable. The writing was solid, and the audiobook narration? Chef’s kiss. 😘

I can't wait for this book to release so I can pick up a copy for my shelves.

Disclaimer: ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! If you love Hallmark movies and home renovation shows, this is the book for you. I loved the audiobook narrator, too, and felt that she gave an authentic Southern flair to the story.

I’m also a fan of books with flashbacks, which this book has and does well! A great debut!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Amanda Stribling does a wonderful job narrating this one and giving the audiobook a warm southern setting!

In Charleston, we meet Mack and her family. The story alternates between her present day career as a home restoration and designer and her former days in college. We meet her divorced husband and her daughter who they co-parent. This is a solid domestic drama that follows a single mom on a journey to rediscover herself while raising her daughter.

This is a fast paced, easy read that is enjoyable as well as entertaining.

The audiobook cover is absolutely gorgeous. I love the lowcountry setting where this novel takes place.

The plot was well thought out and well written. I love the interior design aspect of the show. The friendships and familial relationships in this novel are sweet. However, about halfway through the novel storyline of southern girl with southern overbearing controlling mom got a little old. The author wrapped it up nicely at the end, though.

The narrator for the audiobook had a perfect southern drawl- not too thick but just right.

This book was a breath of fresh air! Magnolia is an interior designer/historic renovation worker in the south. She gets her name from her mother who she has a strained relationship with and it’s only gotten worse since her divorce due to old money reputation and social politics debutants are taught. Magnolia is working hard as a newly single mother to break the generational trauma while also making a name for herself as a designer. There’s always been the question of who her father is haunting her all her life though since her mother has kept her lips sealed tight on it. When her one that got away moves in next door as a single father she knows it’s time to dig up the past with him and her mother and finally get some answers so she can move forward. This book displayed the social aspects of older generations of southern women well. Whether you come from money or not, the reputation of southern women and families are a big deal full of intricacies and social faux pas. This book did a wonderful job of addressing them and showing that causes the strain between Magnolia and her mother. It also does a beautiful job giving you the butterflies over a second chance romance with the one who got away while not making the pacing too drawn out or quick. Each character was interesting and had great written out personalities even if you didn’t like the character due to it. I would highly recommend this book for people looking for a reflective not spicy romance.

After reading the synopsis, I knew I had to dive in, especially since it promised a sweet second-chance romance. While I did enjoy the book overall, I found myself more intrigued by the "twist" toward the end. It left me wanting more details, and I honestly think the story would have been stronger had that twist been better developed and elaborated on throughout the book, rather than saved for the last 20%.

One aspect I struggled with was the character of Magnolia. Throughout the story, she’s portrayed as a difficult and unlikable person, and by the end, I couldn’t bring myself to feel sorry for her. The way her character was handled felt a bit jarring—she went from being depicted as terrible to suddenly being portrayed as a victim. This shift didn’t feel entirely earned.

The overall situation seemed to be one big miscommunication between all parties involved, and I couldn’t help but feel that no one took responsibility except Delta. I felt genuinely sorry for Delta, as she didn’t deserve the treatment she received, and I wish there had been more resolution for her.

While I would consider this a "clean" read overall, it does include mentions of a homosexual relationship and a few curse words (three to be specific). There was also a lack of separation in the timeline when reflecting on Mack and Lincoln’s past relationship, which made it a bit confusing, especially in the audiobook version. This might be clearer in the physical book, but the audiobook didn’t provide a clear distinction between the present and past.

I did enjoy the narration overall, but I did notice that the Southern accent started strong and then faded quickly, which was a bit distracting at times.

Overall, this was a decent read with an interesting premise, but I think it could have benefited from better pacing, more character development, and clearer timeline transitions. Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins Focus, and Harper Muse for the opportunity to listen and review this advanced copy.

Grace Helena Walz dazzles with her captivating debut, SOUTHERN BY DESIGN, set in the stunning historic Charleston, South Carolina, where family secrets are unraveled and familial bonds are tested.

“A delightful Southern gem! Full of heart, soul, secrets, humor, and Southern charm. A captivating, impressive debut for fans of Dorothea Benton Frank and Kristy Woodson Harvey.”

We follow a woman who is courageously pursuing her dreams, striving to build a life free from her mother's control and ex-husband while on a quest to find her biological father. As she navigates a new TV design remodel show, a business, and single motherhood, she also grapples with the aftermath of past love and the possibility of a second chance at romance that was once stolen from her years ago.

About...

Magnolia "Mack" Bishop owns Bishop Builds, and they have lost their Charleston fellowship. On top of that, her husband, Grady Edgar Suffolk, III, sent an unsolicited personal photo to a woman that has caused an embarrassing stir in Charleston.

After kicking her unfaithful husband out of her life, Mack is entangled in a web of complex relationships. Her mother, an influential and controlling figure, is best friends with her ex's mother. This intricate network of connections, coupled with past betrayals, adds a layer of tension and drama to the story.

She dreads going to her mom for help with a new historical project, the prestigious Daniel House. At least she has her seven-year-old smart daughter, Hallie, who speaks her mind. She has impeccable taste and is the highlight of her life.

Mack's mother, the original Magnolia Bishop of Beaufort, SC, of privilege, has strings attached to any project. She is all about social status and loves to control Mack's life. Mack does not need someone to micromanage her team. Her mom sits on the Carolina Historical Society Board, and half of her friends are tied up in the Charleston Historic Preservation Board. So there you go.

Mack has never given up trying to find her biological dad, but her mom always brushes her off.

She and her team, Fitz, her right-hand man (love him), an old college friend, and her staff are invited to do a TV series to cover the renovation. This opportunity could be a game-changer for her business, but she must keep this a secret from her mom as long as possible, adding another layer of complexity to her already complicated life.

Amidst the excitement of the new show, Mack finds herself navigating the complexities of being a single mom, dealing with Grady's lack of involvement, and getting distracted by the new neighbor next door.

This new neighbor is Lincoln, her past love who moved to NYC for a photography career, and his young son, now her daughter's best friend. Their unexpected reunion adds a new layer of past feelings and spice to Mack's life.

Mack's life is far from ordinary between her controlling mom, the challenges of renovating a historical home, the TV show, her ex, trying to find her father, and the rekindling of past feelings.

However, when a tragedy strikes, the mystery of the past will resurface, not just for Mack but also for her mom, potentially altering their lives. This unforeseen twist will test their relationships and force them to confront their past, leading to a dramatic and emotional climax.

My thoughts...

Oh, how I loved this book! From the stunning front cover to the allure of the historic Charleson, from design, a home reno TV show- Holy City Flip, heartbreak, new beginnings, Southern sass, family secrets of the past, self-discovery, a new romance, and second chances—SOUTHERN BY DESIGN has it all!

Grace deftly explores the familial ties that bind us — and those that have the power to break us. Walz is a significant new voice in Southern fiction and the real deal, folks.

When the past and present converge, it is explosive, heartbreaking, and compelling. Grace pulls the reader into the hearts and souls of her characters with ample emotions, secrets, privileges (haves and have not), and consequences—showcasing the lengths they go to protect their families and friends.

I loved the mystery, the family secrets, the design elements, the show, the humor, the well-developed characters, and all the things we love about women's Southern fiction. It is an impressive debut, and I cannot wait to see what comes next!

This is a beautiful story for Valentine's and Mother's Day and an ideal choice for book clubs.

Interview...

Stay tuned for my upcoming #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A, where we go behind the book's scenes and the author—and Southern storyteller. (pub day, Feb 11)

Audiobook...

I had the honor of reading the e-book and listening to the audiobook performed by the talented Amanda Stribling, enhancing the story with her Southern accent and charm. The characters come alive, keeping you glued to your AirPods while engaging and entertaining you with humor, adventure, family drama, mystery, and romance.

Recs...

SOUTHERN BY DESIGN is for fans of Dorothea Benton Frank, Victoria Benton Frank, Anne Rivers Siddons, Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Karen White, and Wendy's Wax's Ten Beach Road series (all favorites).

Thanks to Harper Muse and HarperCollins Focus for an ALC and ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Feb 11, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
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On a personal note: With a commercial design & architectural background, and later with website hotel and resort clients in Charleston for many years, I loved traveling there monthly to visit and spend time in this beautiful historic city. From the events, the history, the restaurants, food, shops, people, the atmosphere, charm, and architecture—it is one of my top Southern cities!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)

I’m always drawn to stories set in the South, so I was excited for this one—and for the most part, it delivered! The dynamic between Mack (Magnolia II) and her mom, Magnolia, was spot on, though I’ll admit it could be a little frustrating at times.

The story itself was a great mix of Fixer Upper and Sweet Magnolias, with a charming small-town setting, home renovation fun, and a mostly coming-of-age journey post-divorce. The characters were strong, and the narrator did a fantastic job bringing them to life with distinct voices and accents.

If you enjoy Southern family drama (with a mama who has no boundaries), some lighthearted humor, and a sweet, closed-door second-chance romance, this is a delightful listen!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Southern by Design by Grace Helena Walz is a charming Southern women’s fiction debut with a strong, relatable lead in Magnolia “Mack” Bishop. I enjoyed the small-town setting and the mix of personal and professional challenges Mack faces. The family dynamics and romance add depth, but the plot and pacing felt predictable at times, and the romance didn’t fully captivate me. Overall, it was a solid read, but not as impactful as I’d hoped. 3.5 stars.

3.75 stars. I think there was definitely promise for this story description, but I didn't enjoy the execution as much as I thought I would. I feel like the MMC was just a background character although he was definitely important. I did enjoy the southern charm of the setting and the accent of the narrator. I would definitely recommend for fans of Fixer Upper.

This is an enjoyable southern family drama about a newly divorced mother with her dream career. While predictable, this is a story with well loved characters and a happy ending.

Newly divorced, Magnolia ‘Mack’ Bishop was so close to her dream of securing Charleston’s prestigious Historic Preservation Design Fellowship. With the loss of that dream her mother, the original Magnolia Bishop, has secured Mack a new design job with plenty of strings attached. When a home renovation television network reached out to Mack’s design firm about applying for a TV pilot, Mack knows this is her chance to get out from under her mother’s thumb and prove to everyone that she is a success. As her and her team prepare for the pilot – Mack will find herself facing questions and people from her past. Will these end up derailing her newly built life? Or will she finally be able to answer questions she’s had all her life.

I enjoyed this book but found it slightly lacking in execution. There were so many areas that could have been flushed out to really draw a reader in, but overall, I still found myself enjoying the story. As a debut, I think it could have used a bit more editing and focus -as the plot seemed to be stretched and trying to do too many things and felt it didn’t commit to any singular trope or topic. For example, it seemed it could have easily gone down as a romance, but lacked any true chemistry, instead brushing over the opportunity a bit. However, I did find our characters to be charming (minus her ex) and as a big fan of design shows, I loved the concept of Mack’s livelihood.

If you are a big fan of renovation shows, you will love Southern By Design. Filled with plenty of colorful characters, southern charm, and of course home design – this was a cute story perfect for an easy beach read. I’d certainly be interested to see what a sophomore approach looks like for Walz. 3.5 rounded up to 4 for the ‘easy breezy’ atmosphere.


Southern By Design comes out February 11, 2025! Huge thank you to Harper Muse for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my:

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I thought this book was a hug from HGTV. I did think that it was a little hard to get into the first couple chapters, with a bit of confusing texts but it all circled back at the end of the book to make more sense. I did feel it kept my interest the whole time so all in all it was a good book.

I had an audiobook version of this ARC and while I found the story interesting, I couldn't deal with the exaggerated southern accents the narrator used (I understand this could be their natural accent and that other readers probably adore this narrator for the atmosphere it creates. I just found it distracting). I've lived in and around the Charleston area my whole life, so you'd think I wouldn't even notice the accent, but I did. I'd love to pick up a different format of this novel and give the plot the review it really deserves.

Very empowering and cute read! I wish there had been more Lincoln content and more context for Grady’s scandal, but overall I enjoyed it a lot. Full review on Instagram

This contemporary story was a great book to sit back and relax with. It have an adorable storyline with family drama and a relatable main character!

I was obsessed with this book! The narrator's voice was perfect for the role. She emphasized the correct points and demonstrated the sassiness of the main character.

I would definitely recommend this audiobook to my friends and followers. The southern voice fits the character perfectly and the story was really fun and entertaining.

This isn't a book I would have necessarily just picked up and read, but I'm SO GLAD I did. I like the story throughout and it kept me interested, I actually binge listened to it in a few days.

This was a sweet book. I’m glad I got to read it from NetGalley. It’s well worth the read if you haven’t read it it’s definitely a great pallet cleanser

I received an advanced listening copy of this audiobook. This is my own opinion.

It’s probably a little weird that I’m as big a fan of this sort of hgtv with a side of family drama book (A la Mary Kay Andrews and Dorothea Benton) but I guess this is where my inner coastal grandmother comes out to shine in my thirties 😂

Anyway. I feel like this book neatly fits into the genre of hgtv fiction. Mack restores old homes and runs into an old flame, all while dealing with her overbearing society mother. This book is a cute, easy listen, especially if you’re into a lot of family drama while hanging wallpaper.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collin’s for the ALC!

3.5 rounded to 4 stars.