When Rowan and Tom bought Magnolia House at auction, a beautiful townhouse they thought they were set up for life..... but fate had other things in store for them and Rowan its left grieving and trying to find a way forward on her own. Deciding to turn the house into three flats she gains Ace and Nora and her daughter as lodgers.

A lovely story full of heartbreak but also joy. I loved her tentative feelings for James which were also tempered with guilt..... was it wrong to move on from Tom?

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

Rowan and Tom are a couple in love, with a dream to own a run-down Georgian townhome in London, just minutes from Tom’s sister and her husband. With the aid of Rowan’s inheritance from her grandmother, they get the house at auction, and are able to refit and renovate for a new start – with a photography studio in the basement for Tom and plenty of light and bright space for Rowan to create her jewelry. And things are lovely, with only a few hiccups from a client of Tom’s and Rowan’s big secret – she’s pregnant and can’t wait to share the news.

But a sudden appearance of a heart condition takes Tom away, leaving Rowan, his sister Libby and her husband / best friend David grieving and bereft. Wanting nothing more than to hide away until the pain subsides, but needing to do SOMETHING, Rowan organizes for contractors to split the house into three flats – giving her some income and people around her. And while she’s struggling to figure that all out, she heads to France to her parents’ home, just to regroup and have a break from the noise and construction debris. An ill-advised open car door results in her meeting her first tenant, Mason (or Ace) is flamboyant, friendly and utterly adorable, and with his own living situation in London going pear-shaped he’s moving in with plenty of laughter and good-will.

We follow Rowan through a year of her grief, interspersed with concerns about Libby and David’s marriage, a miscarriage, new feelings for someone else, and a series of strangely threatening notes, all leading to a climax that leave Rowan feeling both hollowed out and fed up with it all. Grief is a funny thing, and the moments of Rowan’s dealing with it by ignoring, pushing herself, railing and sobbing all felt normal and solidly portrayed, while the characters of Ace, James, Libby, David and Nora, as well as her little spaniel Jet gave little reprieves from both the grief and the struggles to move on. What emerges is a solidly presented and clever story that allows us to understand and appreciate Rowan, empathize with Libby and wonder about the changes as they are approaching almost before a year has passed since Tom’s death. Solid friendships, true caring and plenty of drama that results from poor choices and secrets are all clear and palpable, and the story brings brightness and happiness to most everyone we meet.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aiG/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I thoroughly enjoyed this story which has a touch of everything from romance, to sadness and an interesting hint of suspense. Rowan and Tom’s plans include renovating a house in London but when their dreams are torn apart she struggles with a multitude of emotions while trying to decide a new direction for her life. The many sensitive issues this story touches on are handled deftly and we’re brought on the journey with Rowan, laughing and crying along with her. The secondary cast of characters only add to the depth of this book bringing intrigue along with a lot of laughter and bolster the uplifting resolution to a charming story.

Aww! Just perfect! Simply a wonderful, very enjoyable read. Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

Suspense, hope and love

This is Rowan's story, which takes the reader on a wonderful journey that includes sorrow, happiness and hope.

Rowan's husband appears to have some secrets, but then so does Rowan, who is waiting for the right moment to tell hers. A move to a new house in Clapham, London seems just perfect. They are close to the Common, close to Rowan's sister in law and everything is very exciting. Then in a moment it all changes, and Rowan need to have a big re-think about her future.

Meanwhile Libby (Rowan's sister in law) enjoys shopping rather too much, and finds life is getting somewhat out of control.

4*s from me for this comforting, lovely read, about friendship, love and new beginnings. The writing style made me feel completely involved, and there were some wonderful details about English life. I enjoyed the suspense about Rowan's husband's secrets, and loved the characters. Although including some difficult themes, this is a book of joy and positivity.

An entrancing tale. I was enraptured from the first chapter. Plenty of intrigue throughout with a twist with a twist! Highs and lows this book has them all. It was so easy to lose myself in this book. I was sorry to say goodbye to the characters at the end. This is a book to binge on. Highly recommended read.

Thank you NetGalley.

There are times when I’ve read a story that has engaged my emotions made me feel for the characters – and there have been times when the events that happen to characters simply leave me an emotional wreck… that is what MAGNOLIA HOUSE did for me.

You will not close that final page of this book without feeling something – grief, hope, despair, anger, renewed faith, and the ability to breathe freely once more. You will wonder how the human heart can go through as much as Rowen does and still survive. You will, at the very least, get misty-eyed or downright sobbing may occur. In the end, you’ll discover that there is hope, life after you’ve been beaten down to the point where survival is the only option.

MAGNOLIA HOUSE delivers a strong story full of secrets, lies, tragedy, hope, friendship, recovery and a chance to find happiness again when you once thought that was an impossible dream.

I absolutely loved this story, I sincerely hope that we’ll get another story that follows these characters further along in life because I’m now emotionally engaged in their welfare. This is one of those stories where a reader needs to discover the nuances for themselves, to find those little nuggets of wisdom or solve a puzzle. My saying much more would take that gift away from you… and this story is a gift from the heart, and I hope you’ll enjoy every moment spent in this world, I know I did.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

What a great book! Angela Barton takes you through highs and lows of life. This book really grabbed my attention and held it! Hard to review without giving away spoilers! Since I don't like spoilers I will simply say "This is a book we all should read as it shows us the courage to find our own second chances."


I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review!

A Thoroughly Enjoyable Read

I loved Magnolia House. This is the first book by Angela Barton I have read and I will now be investigating other titles by this author. Interesting characters with lots of intrigue and secrets, which is just how I like my novels.. Great read - thank you!

I loved this story. Brilliant characters and lovely story. This is a gem of a book. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A lovely book about a woman remaking her life after tragedy. Rowan had so much to look forward to- and then not. What she had left was house, Magnolia House, but that's a little overwhelming. She opts to take in housemates, a positive in so many ways. Ace is just awesome and just the person she needs to perk up her life. James, however, is tempting but....There's a gentle dance toward romance here. Barton does not shy away from the serious issues Rowan faced or her conflict at finding a possibility of happiness. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A rewarding read.

What a read! It’s hard to write a review sometimes without revealing spoilers and this book is one of those. But I really enjoyed this and there were several twists that I didn’t see coming at all. Thoroughly enjoyed this and would really recommend it.

Absolutely loved this book flew through it. Loved the characters & such a heart warming story would reccomend this to anyone.