I am always always on the hunt for my next vampire fix. Yes, I get the irony. I stumbled across Red Magnolia while browsing Netgalley. The words 'vampire' and 'Mississippi' caught my attention. As a native Mississippian, I was curious. I absolutely love how the author wove Mississippi's Slavery history and the Natchez's Indigenous history into it's vampire lore. It's a completely fresh take on vampires and it makes a fictional personal obsession, a little more sentimental. And lucky me, it's going to be a 7 book series. Though, maybe the book went a little heavy with the Magnolia. But it definitely lives up to the title. Red Magnolia was a little slow to get going. It had to set up the 'mystery' and Gothicy vibe. Once it got going, though, I couldn't put it down.

(quote)“This is the Deep South, after all.” She shrugs. “Old superstitions die hard.”(quote)

Harper and her brother, Conner, move to Mississippi from Baton Rouge to have a fresh start from their tragic past. They move into an old historial mansion Conner wants to fix up. Unknown to them, but not for long, the antebellum house has some deep-rooted superstitious history. Harper then meets the mysteriously secretive Antoine whose family once owned the house. And he wants it back—no matter the cost.

(quote)He says it’s a new beginning for us. I want to believe that, even if the ruins of the past are a strange place to look for a new beginning.(quote)

Red Magnolia has some parallels to The Vampire Diaries. Honestly, finding TVD parallels in anything and everything is my superpower at this point. Harper reminds me so much of Elena Gilbert. She's headstrong and self-sacrificing and cares more than she wants to admit. Antoine is... well I'll let you decide. But I love him. And I'm so excited and impatient to continue this series.

(quote)Antoine is powerful and vital, and when he isn’t grim and angry, his eyes are so vivid they seem to pierce the light itself. He seems born to the outdoors rather than the darkness, as if he carries the sun inside him rather than fearing it.(quote)




***Thank you to Netgalley, BooksGoSocial, Fehu Press, and Paula Constant for allowing me to review Red Magnolia. Quotes are subject to change.***

Seventeen-year-old Harper Ellory knows the ruins of the past are a dark place for a new beginning. Then she meets Antoine Marigny, and discovers just how seductive darkness can be.

After the death of her twin sister, Harper dreams of a new life. But not only is the Mississippi mansion she moves into cursed, it’s also Antoine Marigny’s family home. Now he wants it back—no matter the cost.

Harper’s seen too much death to be frightened off by a curse. But Antoine is a different kind of threat. He has an infuriating smile, an annoying habit of turning up when she least expects it, and a frustrating knack for getting Harper to talk about things she’d rather keep hidden.

This was a YA novel that ticked all the boxes: suspense, romance, vampires, history, family, tragedy and death to name a few!

Holden has created a poignant tale of family loyalty, love and duty set in a modern day, yet at times eerily gothic/timely American town.

She has produced enigmatic characters in Antoine and Harper and bundled us all onto the whirlwind of emotions experienced by Harper in her quest to find her way after the death of her twin sister and mother.

Coupling everyday issues of grief, loneliness and trying to fit in with the supernatural appeal of monsters in the cellar Holden has done a fantastic job to create the epic YA fantasy story.

I don’t want to give too much away as the book is so good and you should just go and read it … and let’s just say I am glad it’s the first in a series; I can’t wait to read the next instalment.

#bookreviewsbymrsc #redmagnolia #lucyholden

Twilight meets The Vampire Diaries in Red Magnolia, the first book in a brand new paranormal romance series. Jumping into this book I was not sure what to expect, however soon realized just how similar it was to Twilight and the Vampire Diaries. The book was a quick read and short read, however I found it to be very predictable, which led me to not enjoying it as much as I originally thought. The pacing in certain scene's felt a little too rushed and unbelievable. I didn't mind the characters, and rather liked Harper's character and how blunt Antoine character was when Antoine finally revealed his secrets. Unfortunately I do not think I will continue this series, but do recommend it for those who want a quick gothic vampire read that projects Twilight/TVD vibes.
Overall, 2.5/5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC!

This review is also posted on Goodreads at the link provided.

A quick romance/vampire read. The first of seven books starts off an interesting tale of Harper and her step brother, Connor. Harper has lost her mother and twin sister. The story is interesting and keeps your attention. A little predictable but good. I will read the next one when it releases. Thanks #netgalley and #BooksGoSocial for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

The theme of this book is fascinating. The fluidity of the writing, the description, the mystery and the portrayal all make for a great read.

Harper and her brother, Connor move to Mississippi to start over. The pain of losing their loved ones might be easier if they moved away. They buy this old mansion that needs a lot of work. No problem though, because that's Connor's area of expertise.

Harper on the other hand has some unusual and scary experiences. Antoine adds to it by turning up unexpectedly. He is not happy that they have bought the house which used to belong to his family. He wants it back and is quite insintent. Harper is not one to be bossed around and as they get to know each other, she starts to unravel the mysteries around the mansion and Antoine himself. Will those scare her away and grant Antoine his wish?

I must admit that I didn't know what to expect when I decided to read this book. It turns out that I was completely captivated from the prologue to the end. The plot and the characters are very well developed. The story is compelling and I can't wait to see where it leads. Beautifully portrayed.

I received an eARC from Netgalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

The book is a must read. But I must warn you,at the end you will be hungry for more. Its a good thing we have continuation to the series.

The story has got those magnetic pulls on each and every word that you absorb in and the sad part is when the book ends with so much more in store that you can't help but wait for the next.

The blurb:
The story begins with Harper's letter to her deceased twin giving us a presight to the story. Harper and her stepbrother Connor leaves back their life in Baton Rouge and are trying to start afresh in Deepwaters in Marigny Mansion. The story takes an interesting turn from here which one can't miss reading.


Am still stuck in those tunnels though where Antoine and Harper had a moment for themselves.

This book was absolutely amazing! I loved the characters and all of the details that went into creating the history of the plot. The romance in this novel was top-tier and I am counting down the days until the sequel comes out!

Red Magnolia by Lucy Holden is a YA book that is part of an upcoming series. It follows Harper who is dealing with the loss of her twin sister. Harper and her step brother, Conner, have recently moved into a new mansion in a small town in Mississippi. They don't discover until later there there are legends that tell of an old curse placed upon the mansion. And legends often hold more trusted then lies.

I gave this book a 4/5 stars simply because it was a bit cliche and predictable in some parts but other than that I did enjoy it. It was a quick, fun read that had me hooked right from the beginning. Lucy did a good job with the pacing of the book and i just couldn't put it down. I am definitely not looking forward to the long wait for the next book in the series but I expect that it will be worth it.

It’s unusual for me to start a series like this (7 books I believe) with only one book available. Patience is not a virtue I possess so the wait between books will be hard. But the blurb intrigued me and I’m nothing if not weak.

This proved to be an intriguing and absorbing read. Harper and her brother Connor have moved for a fresh start. Having lost her twin, the other half of her soul Harper struggles to continue on. Connor saves her. Together they move to the ruins of the once great Marigny mansion.
They discover the old mansion is cursed. But then what old building in the Deep South isn’t?
Then Harper hears a woman’s voice calling to her.

I enjoyed this book and while I’m not looking forward to the wait I am looking forward to the next book.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley.

wow

From the first chapter of this book I was extremely intrigued, hell even from the first page I was hooked!

“Red Magnolia” by Lucy Holden is a YA/NA paranormal romance fantasy. This incredible story weaves together a coming-of-age story, vampire lore, and teenage angst with a rich Southern Gothic plot line.

“Red Magnolia” follows Harper, a young girl dealing with the heartbreaking loss of her mother and twin sister. Along with her step brother, Connor she moves to a small town in Mississippi for a fresh start.
Little do they know the old plantation house they have bought is cursed.
But not only is the mansion cursed, it’s Antoine Marigny’s family home.
Now he wants it back—no matter the cost.

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. It is a bewitching, easy to read story, following an extremely likeable main character. Harper is a strong determined and loving character, whose main priority is her family.

Fans of Vampire Diaries and Twilight are bound to enjoy this captivating vampire romance fantasy!

If you are even thinking about reading this novel, I’m telling you read it, you won’t regret it!

I cannot wait for the next instalment in this incredible saga to come out!

This book is not for me.

I've never really been a fan of vampire romance novels as it is, but this one was dreary regardless of the trope.

The world-building was weak and the protagonist was uninspiring. I was never surprised by anything. It was predictable in every sense.

I liked Red Magnolia. It didn't exactly blow my mind, but it was an easy read, I liked it and it left me wanting to know what happens next. There are simmilarities with some other vampire books that I've read, but fortunately I didn't mind because I like reading these kinds of books ;)
The characters are likeable, the plot is interesting.
I need more Harper and Antoine after this! Totally need the next book!

This was an ok read, it was pretty obvious what was going to happen in the story, but I still read the whole book.
I am not sure if I would read the sequel, not a bad read though.

Red Magnolia by Lucy Holden is the start of a paranormal fantasy series. Harper's life has changed recently with the death of her twin sister and moving to a new house in a new city. During her first day of school, she finds out that the house she has moved into has a curse. This leads Harper to investigate further and learn more about things she never thought were real. This was a promising first book of the series. The plot was fast-paced, and readers are left wanting more. Fans of the Twilight series would like this new series.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange of an honest review.