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.

I got very confused very early on who was who and what was going on. I felt like I was missing important information and the story moved too fast to early, that it made me not care about the people in the story.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Southern by Design by Grace Helena Walz. This debut novel is a second-chance romance that also includes an overbearing but well-meaning mother. Charleston is one of my favorite cities (maybe because I lived there for a time) and this book transported me to the city streets with every description of a home or character. The narrator's southern accent was perfect.

4 stars!

Southern by Design tells the heartwarming story of Mack Bishop, a determined and creative woman working to establish her home design business while chasing her dream of landing a reality TV show. Set in the charming backdrop of the South, the novel explores themes of family, love, and second chances.

Mack’s journey becomes more complicated—and unexpectedly exciting—when she discovers her new neighbor is none other than her first love, Lincoln Kelly. Their shared past is marked by heartbreak, but the connection between them rekindles when Lincoln’s son and Mack’s daughter quickly bond, forming a deep friendship. As Mack and Lincoln spend more time together, old wounds begin to heal, and they uncover the truth about why their relationship ended. The influence of “southern traditions,” where families often believe that “like marries like,” had played a major role in their heartbreak.

The story also delves into the dynamics between Mack and her mother, Magnolia. Throughout her life, Magnolia has tried to dictate what she believes is best for Mack, often causing tension. However, as the story unfolds, Magnolia comes to understand that she and Mack aren’t so different after all. This realization brings a sense of closure and reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of letting go of generational expectations in order to allow personal happiness.

The novel’s focus on family relationships and the challenges of blending past and present creates a compelling and emotional narrative. Mac’s determination to follow her dreams, despite obstacles, makes her a relatable and inspiring character. Her journey demonstrates resilience and the importance of staying true to oneself while balancing the influence of family and tradition.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collind for this free audio copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily

Southern by Design is the debut novel by Grace Helena Walz, and I had the opportunity to listen to an advanced audio version. Narrated by Amanda Stribling, she did an excellent job—her Southern accent was spot-on and really brought the story to life. It was the perfect fit for this book!

Southern by Design is a charming second-chance romance. While it did have some slower moments, particularly in the middle, I still found it enjoyable overall.

Publication date- Feb 11 2025
#SouthernbyDesign #NetGalley

4.5 ⭐️s | What a great debut novel!! This book had so many layers and as the story progressed, the author did a fantastic job of peeling them back like an onion.

The first chapter opens with a preview of a scene the reader revisits in the last few chapters of the book. I was immediately drawn in wanting to know more about the circumstances under which this crazed woman (Magnolia Bishop Sr.) was smashing heirloom china.

From the first page, the reader is immersed in this Southern socialite world and the MC (Magnolia “Mack” Bishop Jr.) who desperately wants to escape it—along with the puppet strings of her controlling mother.

As an interior designer focusing on historical restorations, she’s focused on finding her own footing as she and her husband (the son of her mother’s longtime best friend) go through divorce proceedings. But her world comes undone when her young adult flame moves back to Charleston from New York and their worlds collide. This opens a closet full of skeletons that none of them are prepared for.

This story was so engaging, full of twists and turns. I was invested in Mack and Lincoln’s story as well as Mack and Magnolia’s. This was Southern women’s fiction at its finest.

I received an eALC of this title via NetGalley from Harper Muse. All opinions are my own.

Content considerations: pregnancy out of wedlock; secondary character in same-sex relationship; light language

Loved this book! As a Southerner myself, I see myself and EVERY woman I've ever known in the pages of this title. It was hilarious and poignant and an overall great story that made me want to redecorate something! Can't wait to see more by this author!

Southern by Design is a nice, cozy read. I found the premise of the book to be very interesting, but the book fell a bit short for me. Though the characters are likeable and there’s plenty of story, I found myself struggling to focus, especially in the middle. I would consider this an enjoyable, easy read.

This is a second chance romance with some meddling in-laws! I really loved this. I loved Mack's character. The author did a fabulous job writing her, making me root for her the whole way through. The narrator was great too. 5 stars!

Many thanks to Net Galley and HarperCollins Focus for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
No 🌶️

Thank you NetGalley and the author for allowing me early access to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
This book was so cute. I laughed, I cried. I had all the feels. It has drama, romance. All the things to keep you captivated. The narrator did a great job separating the characters so it was easy to listen to. I will definitely be recommending this book. I can’t wait to see what else the author has available.

What an enjoyable and cozy book. Chasing your dreams and even finding some new love. Lots of family secrets and surprises. Very enjoyable and great narration. I would love to listen to more by this author.