The Merriest Magnolia by Michelle Major – a Review

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Description:
Home for the holidays has always meant cozy small-town traditions…but this year all that may change…

Carrie Reed has always been known as her hometown Good Girl, yet she still loves Magnolia, North Carolina—after all, this is where her newly discovered sisters, Avery and Meredith, live. But Christmas is on its way and with it, her first love. Dylan Scott is back in town and planning on changing everything she’s ever loved about Magnolia with his real estate development project…but not without a fight.

Returning to Magnolia was never in Dylan’s plans—it holds too many reminders that he would never be good enough, and memories of the girl he left behind. But when a tragedy leaves him guardian of a grieving teenager, Dylan returns, ready to remake the town into something only money can buy, small-town traditions be damned. But with Carrie determined to stop him, he finds himself wondering if redeeming his teenage reputation is worth losing out on his second chance at love.

Review:

The Merriest Magnolia by Michelle Major is the 2^nd book in her Magnolia Sisters series. This series focuses on the town of Magnolia, North Carolina and three young women who discover that they are half sisters (the same father). Carrie and Meredith lived all their lives in Magnolia, and Avery arrived after learning about her inheritance. After a short time, the three of them became friends, dealing with the betrayal of their father, with each willing to help each other.  I loved the first book in this series, and after completing The Merriest Magnolia, I am happy to say this was equally as good.  Avery (first book heroine) was a great heroine, but I have to say I loved Carrie, our heroine in this book.

Carrie, who stayed with her father, to help and has always put the town first, even when he made a mess of things.  She was determined to rebuild Magnolia, and with her sisters help, they worked together to bring the town back to its original glory.   But soon all will change, as her ex-boyfriend from high school moves back to Magnolia, with his nephew and has his own plans for the town. 

Dylan was Carrie’s love, until her father gave him a check to leave Carrie and Magnolia, leaving her broken hearted.  Dylan has not seen Carrie since then, and returns a successful and wealthy entrepreneur, with plans to tear down and rebuild the town to be luxury townhomes and resort for the wealthy.  Carrie isn’t happy to see Dylan, especially after she discovers that he has already bought some property to start making his changes.  They both have different ideas what is best for Magnolia, with Carrie, Avery and Meredith working to make the local businesses better; and Dylan to change it all.

Dylan and Carrie are forced to work together to help prepare the town’s Christmas festival, which develops into a temporary friendship, with each slowly rekindling their feelings from the past.  However, both are just as determined to prove their way works better.  Carrie begins to help Dylan with his 15-year-old nephew, who with the death of his cousin, is now his responsibility.  Carrie begins to resume her love of painting, and pushes Sam, who is a good artist, to work on his artwork.  This brings Sam out of his snarky attitude, and happier with Carrie, her sisters, family and townsfolk.  

What follows is a wonderful heartwarming story with both Carrie and Dylan falling in love again, but will they be able to get past their different views of what is best for Magnolia?  I loved seeing Carrie, with Meredith and Avery, and how they had each other’s backs. The bond between the sisters was great. 

The Merriest Magnolia was written so very well by Michelle Major, with a great couple, and so many wonderful characters, including Avery, Meredith, Gray, and many of the townsfolks.  I look forward to the next book in this series, which I expect to be about Meredith.  Cannot wait, as I loved everyone in Magnolia. I suggest you start with series by reading the first book, The Magnolia Sisters.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review