Escape to the South Carolina Lowcountry, where family bonds and hidden secrets run deep. In this gripping tale of self-discovery, Victoria Benton Frank introduces us to Maggie, struggling to find her place in the world when she receives a phone call bringing her back to her hometown of Sullivan's Island.

In New York City winter never seems to loosen its hold and for South Carolina transplant Maggie (born Magnolia after the fairest summer flower) the balmy beach weather of April back home on Sullivan’s Island feels like a distant memory. Until a phone call from her sister, Violet, changes everything.

Gran, the treasured matriarch, has fallen into a coma after a car accident caused by Maggie’s troubled mother, Lily. But once Maggie returns, she finds that her hometown of Sullivan’s Island holds even more secrets. The Magic Lantern, the restaurant owned and run by generations of women in her family, is now rudderless, and her sister seems headed for a savage breakup.

Once she is between the marsh grasses and dunes of South Carolina, she feels herself changing like the Atlantic tides, rediscovering the roots she left behind, and a new and different version of herself—one who can see how a minor crash into the back of a very handsome farmer’s truck may become fortunate. Or perhaps it’s even… fate?

When the three generations of South Carolina women join forces—the family pillar Gran, troubled Lily, impulsive Violet, and redoubtable Maggie—anything is possible.

With stunning descriptions of the magic of the Lowcountry, this novel will transport you to a world of treasured family traditions and unexpected twists of fate.
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I received an advanced electronic copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was very excited to see that Victoria Benton Frank was publishing her debut novel, as I have read everything her sweet mother has written and mourned with the rest of the fans of Lowcountry fiction when she passed away in 2019. She left big shoes for Victoria to fill, and this first novel shows real promise as she takes her place among the likes of Mary Alice Monroe and Karen White and Susan M. Boyer. Her descriptions of Sullivan's Island and her obvious knowledge of that area of the country, as she speaks of the unique beauty of that region of South Carolina, as well as her descriptions of food and the restaurant industry, which she draws from her time in culinary school and working in restaurants, all lend an authenticity to the story that comes from her familiarity with her subject matter. Although the story sometimes feels a little choppy, for a first offering, this is a very enjoyable story, with likable characters, and I found myself rooting for the main character, Magnolia (Maggie), as she struggled to decide just what it was she wanted to do with her life. I can't say I was surprised with her final decision, but that's what happily-ever-afters are all about, and I liked that this was not an obvious love story that had the female protagonist being saved by a man. I will happily continue to follow this author and root for her as she (I hope!) continues her writing career.

This is the perfect summer read. It’s set on Sullivan’s Island, SC, and is a family drama as well as a love story. Maggie is a chef in NYC but isn’t getting promoted. When her beloved granny is in an accident, she comes home. Her family has run a restaurant for generations, but Lily, her mom, and Lily’s new boyfriend have changed the menu drastically.

Maggie takes over the chef position and meets Sam, and they’re spending time together. Maggie is wary because she’s going back to NYC after Gran is better. However, the longer she stays the more she wonders if NYC is still for her.

I read this book in almost one sitting. It’s very entertaining and feels like a mini-vacation. 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

Dorothea Benton Frank is one of my favorite authors, so I was very excited to receive an ARC of My Magnolia Summer by her daughter, Victoria Benton Frank, from NetGalley. I have always enjoyed books set in the Lowcountry, and this one did not disappoint! It is the story of a family with four strong women finding their way back to each other. Add in some Lowcountry cooking, a family restaurant, the beach, and a little romance, and you have a great book to enjoy. I hope to read many more books from Victoria Benton Frank in the future!

Watch out - there’s a new force in Southern fiction!
My Magnolia Summer is Ms. Frank’s first adult novel and she brings us back to the familiar territory covered in her mother’s novels, but with her own unique spin. The story is primarily told by Magnolia (Maggie) with occasional chapters by Violet (Maggie’s sister) and Grandmother Rose. As the book opens, she’s living in NYC with her best childhood friend, Jim, as they each pursue their dreams: hers to be a chef in a highly rated restaurant and his in acting. A car accident brings them back to Sullivans Island and that’s where the fun and drama begins.
I loved the inside look of the restaurant world (both the NYC and SC versions), food focus, and description of a chef’s life. It made me want to visit the Magic Lantern, or at least have some fried chicken or slightly spicy Tuscan kale soup with sausage and white beans! She also beautifully transports us to the low Country, humid weather and all. There’s a lot of drama happening in a relatively short period of time and it keeps your attention and interest.
I loved the poignant author acknowledgement at the end of the book, and hope this is the start of a series. Can’t wait to see what Ms. Frank writes next.

Thank you Victoria Benton Frank, William Morrow and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC e-book. Is it fate? That's a question Maggie (Magnolia) asks herself when she is tossed back to her hometown after an accident in the family. Is she here to help mend the increasing rift between her family members or was she sent here on a journey to discover who she truly is and maybe even find her soulmate... This book has great family dynamics so many can relate to and throw in a love story... well that's just the cherry on top.

Loved this book. This is about Maggie who is a chef in New York until she gets a call that her Gran is in the hospital back in Sullivan's Island. She and her best friend fly there as soon as they find out. Maggie goes to see Gran that night. It is then she decides to stay for a while.Her Mom Rosie, is an alcoholic. Gran owns a restaurant called the Magic Lantern and while everything is falling apart, Maggie takes over and tweaks some of the recipes and the people of Sullivan's Island love the it is back to normal not. the fried fish place that her Mom made it. . Maggie lost her job where she was but gets a new job that takes and goes back to New York but it is not long until she goes back home .See the reasons why. This is A VERY GOOD READ.

My Magnolia Summer is a cute summer story. One family filled with strong women navigate the struggles of owning a restaurant, generational drama and second-chances at love. While its not bad story, it was just ok for me. It lost steam mid-way through, and I honestly lost interest.

This book is perfect for the beach.

Thank you William Morrow for the complimentary copy.

My Magnolia Summer
Author: Victoria Benton Frank
William Morrow
Release Date: June 6, 2023
General Fiction (Adult, Women's Fiction)

Victoria Benton Frank transports her readers to the beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry in her sparkling, multi-generational novel, My Magnolia Summer. From page one, I was captivated with the story of Magnolia "Maggie", a New York chef who returns to Sullivan's Island when her grandmother Rose is hurt in a car accident. Returning to her roots re-connects Maggie to family ties with her mother Lily, and sister Violet, as well as the family's restaurant The Magic Lantern. Frank writes so vividly of the Lowcountry setting, with the food, landscape, and traditions. She really brought Maggie to life. I enjoyed reading about her style of cooking and her love for fresh, local ingredients.

I could not wait to read this debut novel by the daughter of one of my all-time favorite authors, the late Dorothea Benton Frank. Like her mother, Victoria writes of family, love, and all that is the Lowcountry, but in a fresh way and presented in a voice uniquely her own. This is an engaging, impressive debut which was a joy to read. I hope Victoria brings us many more tales set in her beloved Lowcountry.

Thank you to Net Galley and William Morrow for the advance reader's copy. My review is my own.

Benton Frank

#MyMagnoliaSummer #NetGalley

I am among the many readers who delighted in the novels of this author’s mom. Her death was a cause of sorrow on many levels. Dorothea created wonderful stories set in the Low Country. She is missed by many.

That said, it was a delight to get to know another Benton Frank. Not only did I very much enjoy this novel but so did some of my favorite authors including Patti Callahan Henry.

Here is a Southern family story. The setting, character and plot are all quite well done making it hard to believe that this is Victoria’s first novel.

I recommend this one for lovers of women’s/family fiction. It offers just the right kind of summer read; get to know Magnolia (Maggie), Lily and the others in the family. As a bonus, there is a restaurant too!

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.

Happy Pub Day to this new debut!

I’ve got the perfect beach read to add to your beach bag this Summer!

📖𝙈𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙖 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧
✍🏻Victoria Benton Frank
🗓️6.6.23
🌸Women’s Fiction
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

As a fan of the late Dorothea Benton Frank, reading the Lowcountry Tales each Summer, I was so excited to read her daughter’s brand new debut!

I loved this story of three generations of women that come together in this heartfelt story. It features a woman named Magnolia, her sister Violet, their Mother Lily, and Grandmother Rose.

It was fun to see author Victoria use her culinary background throughout the story, and I really enjoyed the delicious food descriptions that transported me right to my memories of beach vacations in GA and SC.

The dialogue was so funny between sisters, Mother, and Grandmother, and the great cast of characters that make this such a heartwarming read.
I can’t wait to read more by @victoriabentonfrank 💕🌸

I both read and listened to the audiobook format, and found myself transported to my many trips to South Carolina.

Thank you @williammorrowbooks @harperaudio #gifted

My Magnolia Summer” had my heart from the first page! A story about a young woman trying to escape her family legacy and chase dreams of her own. Maggie is brought back to her low country life by family tragedy and begins to question if NYC is the only place she can make her dreams come true.

A love letter to the low country, to strong women, and to Dottie, “My Magnolia Summer” is a perfect summer read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Magnolia Summer
By:Victoria Benton Frank
Pub Date: 6/6/23
Publisher: William Marrow

I was so very excited to see the debut novel from Victoria Benton Frank, the daughter of beloved low country writer Dorothea Benton Frank. Visiting the low country is one of favorite parts of summer.
There is no doubt that Victoria has her mom writing genes but she has her own flare and style too. She delivered a family centered novel that had great characters as well as family relationships.
Magnolia Adams, aka Maggie escaped the low country 10 years ago for the big apple where she honed her chef skills but somebody else’s kitchen. When her grandmother and mother are in a car accident she returns to the low country to help out where she can. A complicated mother, daughter relationship as well as a sister relationship really kept the story moving and interesting. The family restaurant has made some major changes since Maggie was home last, they are shocking to her. When tragedy strikes the family for the second time she really steps up and starts to get things back on track.
The cooking elements were fantastic and kept your mouth watering.
I really enjoyed the way Maggie’s character strives for her career, while trying to keep her family together too.
I can’t wait to see where Victoria’s career goes from here! The bonus recipe for Heartbreak Soup was the perfect added touch.

Maggie gets a call from her sister Violet letting her know their Gran is in a coma after being in a car accident with their mother, lily. She tells the head chef at the restaurant where she works that she has to go home to Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, to be with her family. Once she arrives, she discovers that everyone in her family has been hiding a bevy of secrets from her.
We may have lost the talented Dorothea Benton Frank in 2019, but her daughter, Victoria Benton Frank has completely blown me away with this debut novel. This was the perfect beach read. There was romance and lots of juicy family drama. You will definitely want to add this one to your beach bag!

Great summer read! Magnolia was hit or miss in the book for me I liked her in some cases then got frustrated with her at others. I loved Jim as he was the perfect mix in the Flower Family.

I really enjoyed My Magnolia Summer by Victoria Benton Frank. Yes her name is familiar to readers of Dorothea Benton Frank of happy memory. And Yes, this novel is set in the Carolina Low Country and yes she has her mother's ability to tell a good story. AND Victoria is an author who will speak to younger readers--her main character Maggie (Magnolia) is a chef who is making her way in the food world of NYC when she is called home to deal with her grandmother's illness. While the story also highlights her sister, mother, and grandmother--still the main plot is Maggie's. I appreciated the perspective of younger people and the choices they face as they build a life--what do we change, what do we keep, and what must we let go of to truly build our own future.
My Magnolia Summer is on sale now and I am appreciative to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended for a fun summer read and I will look forward to Victoria's next book!

The day that Dorothea Benton Frank passed away was the same day that my dad's doctor told me he had three weeks to live. He died six days later. I've always felt some kindred spirit to her daughter, Victoria Benton Frank, because we lost our parents so close together. When I was approved for the ARC, I was overjoyed and honored to be selected.

As an avid DBF fan and reader, I could not wait to read My Magnolia Summer and fans of DBF will not be disappointed.

In My Magnolia Summer, Victoria evokes the same imagery of the Lowcountry as her mom, yet with a voice that is all her own.

Magnolia (Maggie) works in the kitchen of one of NYC's most coveted restaurants striving to be a head chef. She works grueling hours with little to no respect from the head chef. Maggie receives a disturbing call that her cherished grandmother was in an accident and is now in a coma. Maggie leaves NYC (much to the ire of the head chef) and returns to Sullivan’s Island and the trials and tribulations of her family.

Just like most families, My Magnolia Summer features a great cast of characters – everyone needs a Jim in their life. You’ll definitely see one of your family members in one of the characters.

The story focuses on the Magic Lantern, a restaurant that has been in the family for generations. Magnolia has always said she would never return home, but we know what happens when a character says, ‘never’. Will Magnolia take over her family’s restaurant and make it her version of a Lowcountry staple? Will the family unite? Will Magnolia find the love she seeks?

Grab this book, toss it in your beach (or pool) bag and thank me later.

If Victoria is anything in real life like Magnolia, I'd love to visit Sullivan's Island and enjoy a cocktail or two at The Obstinate Daughter with her.

Victoria, your mom is looking down from Heaven with so much love, joy and immense pride for what you have accomplished.

Thank you to William Morrow for the ARC of My Magnolia Summer. I can’t wait to read her next book, based on Magnolia’s sister, Violet.

#MyMagnoliaSummer #NetGalley

I really wanted to love this one but it just fell flat. I really liked the relationship Magnolia and her sister had. I loved the setting of the Lowcountry and how family oriented the story was. But the writing felt off. Some moments the writing felt full and deep while others it felt rushed and like it was filler words.

My Magnolia Summer is a perfect beach reach. It has a story that grabbed me and held me close as I got to know the characters.
The story is set in South Carolina on Sullivans Island. The family is held together by Gran -Rose who is the head of the family. Her daughter Lily has two daughters Magnolia known by all as Maggie and Violet.
The story is full of drama, family, and romance that is expertly tied together to make the reader care about each and everyone in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Victoria Benton Frank and William Morrow for the ARC of My Magnolia Summer. This is my personal review.

I loved this author's Mother's books and it seems the apple doesn't fall far! South Carolina low country is the setting. 3 generations of women are the characters. Love that all of their names are flowers and each women is totally different and complicated and fun to get to know. Great beach read of this summer!

My Magnolia Reads was a fantastic beach read and a must read for the summer. Excited to see what else Victoria Benton Frank has up her sleeve!