Book Info
Paperback, 286 pages
Expected publication: January 15th 2019 by Montlake Romance
ISBN 1503904393 (ISBN13: 9781503904392)
Other Editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown brings together two wounded hearts in a Texas romance of second chances and twice-in-a-lifetime true love.

Inheriting the Magnolia Inn, a Victorian home nestled in the East Texas pines, is a fantasy come true for Jolene Broussard. After living with the guilt of failing to rescue her self-destructive mother, Jolene knows her aunt and uncle’s B&B is the perfect jump start for a new life and a comforting place to call home. There’s just one hitch: stubborn and moody carpenter Tucker Malone. He’s got a half interest in the Magnolia Inn, and he’s planting his dusty cowboy boots squarely in the middle of her dream.

Ever since his wife’s death, Tucker’s own guilt and demons have left him as guarded as Jolene. The last thing he expects is for his new partner to stir something inside him he thought was gone forever. And as wary as Jolene is, she may have found a kindred spirit—someone she can help, and someone she can hold on to.

Restoring the Magnolia Inn is the first step toward restoring their hearts. Will they be able to let go of the past and trust each other to do it together?

My Thoughts


The formerly resplendent Victorian home that became the Magnolia Inn a few miles outside the East Texas town of Marshall is a now shabby version of its former glory.

The new half-owner Jolene Broussard along with best friends of her Aunt Sugar, namely Dotty, Flossie and Lucy, are determined that the Magnolia Inn once more take it's rightful place as an elegant profitable B&B.

The other half-owner is Master Carpenter, Widower and total eye-candy, one Tucker Malone. So along with his renovation skills and Jolene's flair for soothing decor the dream of creating a welcoming plus functional environment for future guests is one step closer to becoming a reality.

The local watering hole, Dotty's bar "The Tipsy Gator", provides Jolene steady employment and a paycheck for utilities and Tucker bankrolls the rest. Having previously spent 10 years as a bartender in West Texas at "The Twisted Rope" Jolene is amazed at the difference in atmosphere between the bars and the treatment of her new employer versus her old one as well. Dotty treats Jolene like family where her previous boss rarely gave her the time of day much less a kind word or compliment on her work performance.

Sunday get togethers with the 3 elderly ladies provide time to enjoy good company and good food. Also those same get togethers strengthen a bond Jolene formed with them as a child, making it deeper as an adult is icing on the cake for her. As bonds go the one she and Tucker are forming as friends soon deepens into more as the reno continues to come together nicely.

For Tucker the get togethers are a reminder of happier times. Times spent with his wife of only 5 years Melanie whose death has left his heart broken and guilt ridden as well.

Jolene is also full of guilt, however hers comes from years spent taking care of her alcoholic/drug addicted Mother until one day the responsibility becomes too overwhelming and she moves out on her own.

For both Jolene and Tucker this second chance for the Magnolia becomes a symbol of hope that their own second chance is possible.

Letting go of the past is not as easy as embracing the future for either of them however. A lesson that is brought home in ways that neither Jolene or Tucker can choose to ignore nor choose not to take heed of.

Why did I finish so soon?

Hated flipping e-reader last page of this one, TOO SHORT! For me of course every one of Carolyn Browns books are too short so not really surprised at how quick the read went.

[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

The Magnolia Inn by Carolyn Brown is a slow burning contemporary romance. The story brings two flawed characters together for their shot at a happily ever after over the course of several months time.

Jolene Broussard found out that her aunt Sugar was going to give her half of her bed and breakfast, the Magnolia Inn. As excited as Jolene wanted to be she knew she was dead broke and that the inn was going to take a lot of work to get into shape and her cousin Ruben who now owns the other half was the last person she waned to go into business with.

Tucker Malone used to be in law enforcement before his wife died in a tragic accident, now Tucker is basically a hermit in his trailer and a weekend drunk mourning his wife. When Tucker hears the inn is for sale he decides to invest the insurance money putting use to his carpentry skills. While Tucker is much better to partner with than Ruben, Jolene and Tucker find themselves navigating their new partnership slowly but surely.

For a change we have a romance novel that didn’t push the romance (or the characters into bed) within the first few pages. The couple in this story each had their own issues to deal with and that was done slowly while remodeling the inn. I will say what I also enjoyed the most in here was the side characters, Flossie, Dotty and Lucy, the trio of elderly ladies had been friends with Jolene’s aunt for years and were like extended family and always good for a chuckle which definitely helped make this one a cute story overall.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was my first book by this author and I have to say that I rather enjoyed it. It was a sweet and heartwarming story packed with emotion. I’ll definitely be reading this author again!!

THe Magnolia Inn is a sweet story. Two injured souls, Tucker and Jolene suddenly become partners in her aunt and uncle's Magnolia Inn, The pair work together to progress through old hurts: for Jolene unresolved guilt towards her mother, and for Tucker, mourning his wife. They refurbish the tired inn and refresh their perspectives in the process. Throw in a trio of interfering and electic older women to spice up the story and the results are terrific. Readers will be left with a good feeling at the close of this one.

Jolene Broussard has inherited the Magnolia Inn. Her aunt and uncle have retired and want to travel. The only place Jolene has felt that she has been wanted and loved is the Magnolia Inn. Tucker is part owner of the Magnolia Inn. He's a carpenter who has been struggling since his wife's death. Can they work together to rebuild the Inn and mend there hearts or are they just destined to be alone with the past that they can't escape. This was the first book that I have read by author Carolyn Brown. It was a sweet book.

Okay

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I had a hard time staying interested in this book.

A well written, engaging and entertaining romance. I loved the plot and the characters and couldn't put it down.
I will surely look for other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Montlake Romance and Netgalley for this ARC

​I do like a Carolyn Brown book, but for some reason I just couldn't get into this one.

Jolene inherits half an inn from her aunt & uncle, with the other half left to a horrible nephew of her uncle who promptly sells it. Tucker buys it and they go into partnership renovating the inn. Tucker's wife died a little while ago and he is still battling the loss of her in his life, hearing her talk to him in his head, and has let himself go a bit, living in a caravan and being a bit of a hermit - except on Saturdays when he goes out and gets completely drunk because it used to be their date night.

Once Tucker buys into the inn he moves into one of the rooms ​and slowly gets to know Jolene and her eccentric friends, well her aunt's friends more, while slowly renovating the inn. The older ladies were definitely a bit quirky!

I enjoyed the story and there were some good side characters in it, but for some reason it was a bit too gentle for me and didn't grab my attention enough. I'm sure it's only a blip though as usually I love a Carolyn Brown book.

Very much a feel good book. You pretty much know what is going to happen in the end but it is an enjoyable read to get there.

Loved this well written romance. Good plot and setting. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital arc. This is my unbiased review.

Carolyn Brown us high in my list of favorite authors so anytime I get the change to read one of her books I am thrilled to do so. The Magnolia Inn did not disappoint. I love the story, its sweet and a little heart wrenching, but uplifting also. I love that Ms Brown includes older, wise ladies in her stories. I definitely recommend this one! Thanks to netgalley for the gift of the arc, the review is solely my ooinion

Jolene was thrilled when she learned that she was inheriting the Magnolia Inn from her aunt and uncle. Then she learned that she was only inheriting one half of the inn while her cousin, Reuben, inherited the other half. Reuben had no intention of working with her as he felt he should have inherited the entire inn and therefore sold his half interest to Tucker Malone. Jolene did not learn of this until Tucker moved his travel trailer on to the property and showed up at the inn. Tucker is a carpenter and has plans for the restoration that may not coincide with Jolene’s. Also, he still has feelings of guilt over using the money he inherited from his late wife, Melanie. Would she approve? Jolene agrees to work with Tucker as he has the funds for the restoration and she does not. She fights her increasing attraction to him as she believes he is still in love with his wife. Tucker never thought he would feel this way about another woman, but Jolene is lovely, strong and independent. Travel along with Jolene and Tucker as they learn to let go of the past. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Such a wonderful, warm story set at a charming Texas B&B. Love it!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. All opinions are my own.

This is the first book I read by this author.
The storyline centers around Joelene Broussard and Tucker Malone.
Joelene has just inherited an inn that needs renovations . She got half the inn and the other half was given to Reuben, her uncle’s despicable nephew. Who in turn sells that 1/2 to Tucker.
Tucker the carpenter who bought that half on a whim, is a widower, still recovering from his loss, and dealing with that loss with booze.
These two have baggage to fill a truck.
As the story progresses , so does the relationship.
Somehow I expected more, but for me it was just ok. I suspect I was hoping to like the characters more and to get more romance.
In the end it’s story about , hope, new beginnings, letting go and finding someone to love.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Sweet story of second chance of love. Makes us remember the important place of family and friends in life. Tucker and Jolene are great together and are healing each other. Sometimes the dialogue with thw old women are a little bit long.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of one of my favorite authors, Carolyn Brown.

Jolene has loved the Magnolia Inn forever and when she is gifted half of the inn, she is excited about plans to renovate. Except, the other owner isn't interested and sells his half to a cowboy who has lost his wife and is still grieving and drinking way too much. Jolene is perturbed since her mother died from alcohol abuse, she decides to help with the reno that Tucker is interested in doing in the hopes that he can turn a profit and flip the inn.

The secondary story involves the older women who are friends with the former owner of the Magnolia Inn.

It is a sweet, heartbreaking and uplifting story that can only come the magnificent mind of Ms. Brown. What a glorious read and I highly recommend this book.

I've read a few of Carolyn Brown's books and definitely enjoy the small town Texas story that she favors. The Magnolia Inn is a stand alone slow burn clean story, full of all the best southern charm and a HEA.

I loved the symbolism of Jolene and Tucker giving the inherited beautiful old Victorian home a remodel and fixing themselves along the way. I'm a big fan of HGTV so this was perfect for me. Tucker has a broken heart and soul to match finding his relief in the bottom of a bottle. Jolene has a beaten down heart and has no patience for drunks. I adored the meddlesome quartet of sweet southern aunties who conspire to get this pair together. Their friendship is and sisterhood is the glue and foundation of family that Tucker and Jolene need to mend. I would have enjoyed a longer look into the couple after they got together.

Oh my gracious! Carolyn Brown has really overdone herself with this one! I love her Texas books, her special connections she includes in her stories and the depth of emotions she brings out. Clearly my favorite book in months! Jolene and Tucker's journey is riddled with pain, but they have an amazing ride. Love.

My heart! I felt very deeply for both Tucker and Jolene. The guilt they both carreid and the process of coming to terms with that as well as finding it within themselves to move past it. More than just a romance, this book is about friendship and family, and the power of healing.

Jolene Broussard has had a tough life. Her luck seems to be changing when her Aunt Sugar decides to retire and gives her half of her B&B, the Magnolia Inn. Tucker Malone is still grieving for his dead wife, when he decides to buy the other half of the Inn. They decide to remodel the Inn together, and the become friends and work through their respective issues. The friendship eventually becomes more. This is a clean romance, with minimal angst. The secondary characters were sweet, Aunt Sugar and her friends. What kept this from being a five star book was Tucker. He was wallowing for too long, I just wanted someone to slap him and say “Snap out of it”. I was given an ARC of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.