Cover Image: The Mill on Magnolia Lane

The Mill on Magnolia Lane

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This book made me laugh and cry! Fun, laughter, romance and tragedy knitted together in a fantastic read. I’ve read books by this author before and struggled with the plots and pace but this book is in a class if it’s own. The characters become dear to you and I miss them already!

Thank you NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

When Lizzie's beloved father dies she is devastated and decides to totally change her life and buy an old deserted windmill that he had always coveted. The amount of renovation work to be done is immense and Lizzie is left wondering if she has bitten off more than she can chew, but then she meets her neighbour Jude and life is definitely looking up...... or it would be if it wasn't for the constant presence of his ex!

Another great book by this author, I loved Lizzie's chaotic life living in the caravan, coping with the arrival of her sister, the worry about her brother and the animosity between her sister and stepmother, and so you are really rooting for her to have her happy ending with Jude and to get her beloved mill up and running

Was this review helpful?

I love Tilly Tennant so I was excited to read her latest story 'The Mill on Magnolia Lane' - it didn't disappoint! A cute and entertaining story. Perfect for a chilled afternoon in the sun. Good plot, great characters and a range of emotions.

Was this review helpful?

This is another one of those books I would like better as an audiobook. There are just certain books that I get more out of my listening to them instead of reading them and this is one of them.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book and found it hard to put down. The first chapter pulls you in and entices you to read more.

The story tells of Lizzie who buys a old Mill to renovate following the loss of her father and who had always loved the mill himself.

Although she moves to the Mill as a single lady, soon romance is in the air……….

There are many twists and turns and I love how it all ties together. The characters are very likeable and believable and the author has a great way of making you feel like you can relate to the characters.

A lovely summer read with a feel good story. Another fab read from the author Tilly Tennant.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book. The story wends it way through loss, family, friendship, familiarity, diy, humour and human nature.
Somehow this book casts a spell over the reader and you are transported to a different place, quiet English countryside where there are no politics, no global news and bad things don’t happen. Loved it!

Was this review helpful?

The Mill on Magnolia Lane by Tilly Tennant has the most beautiful and colourful cover perfect for this time of year when you want something light and refreshing that draws you in and invites you to read. With Easter coming up this would be an ideal read if you have some time off or are planning a break away to some where warm and sunny. Although the eventual outcome might be slightly predictable, there are still a few twists, turns and bumps along the road to keep the reader entertained until we reach the conclusion.

Lizzie Lovell has always been attracted to the abandoned mill on Magnolia Lane ever since she was a child. Every time her father drove past it she felt there was something calling her there. Her father himself wished that he could buy it and restore it to its former glory instead of leaving it sitting there rotting and decaying. But that was never meant to be. Now Lizzie is a grown up women and one who is faced with some life changing decisions. Her family are trying to come to terms with the recent death of her father and, although he had been separated from Lizzie's mother Gwendolyn, his absence is deeply felt. Lizzie's love life is not that great either since her sudden and devastating split from Evan, the reasons for which become clearer much further on. When the reasons did become evident I felt more empathy towards Lizzie and I could see why she was so hesitant to place her trust in a new relationship given how hurt and broken she had been by past experiences. But up until that point I found her frustrating and wished she would just make up her mind and say exactly what she thought. Prior to this Lizzie takes a huge leap of faith into the unknown, she decides to buy the mill on Magnolia Lane in the hopes of getting it working again. In turn she can produce her own flour hopefully to sell on or to use for products in a shop/café she wishes to get up and running. Will this decision prove to be the best thing she has ever done or will it cause more trouble than its worth?

Once Lizzie moved on site into a caravan while building renovations were being carried out I thought the plot line regarding the mill itself and Lizzie's long term ambitions took a back seat and the more personal side of the story came to the fore. As Lizzie had contracted a builder to do the work it wasn't up to her to do any of the jobs. I think if she herself had been doing some of the work and needed help from friends it would have been excellent because the title and parts of the blurb suggests this is a personal quest Lizzie has set for herself. But I think this took much of a back-seat as her personal and family life came to the fore. I would have preferred a balance of the two and to see Lizzie struggle that little bit more when it came to the mill and reaching the point of success rather than so much focus on her brewing relationship. I just felt the mill side of things came too easily and a little hardship and pressure would have added some spice to the story.

As soon as Lizzie arrives to face the daunting task of seeing the mill back to working order and getting people in place to organise and restore everything she meets her new neighbours Jude and his brother Charlie. Jude has been raising Charlie since the death of their parents as Charlie has learning difficulties but he is one of the stand out characters in this story. He was really well written and portrayed so well. He added humour and warmth when things started to get too tense and he was just the most loveable person. Right from the moment Lizzie sets eyes on Jude she feels a connection and soon they are in a relationship, I thought this all happened so quickly. Within a few days of arriving, having sworn off men and relationships, she had fallen hook, line and sinker. OK Jude was written in such a way that I think all readers would fall in love with him but he did come with attachments and complications and I just thought yes this is a love story but it was just all too fast. I would have loved and a bit more hesitation and getting to know each other more before embarking full scale into a loving unit. But the more the story developed I realised this was more about dealing with how a couple attempt to stay together when faced with many challenges.

The above mentioned attachments and complications rear their ugly head more than once as we continue through the story and Lizzie is faced with many challenges and questions. Her loyalty is severely tested when it comes to Jude but also when dealing with the unexpected arrival of her sister Gracie from London. Gracie is fleeing a relationship but she soon discovers she too has brought something extra to the oasis Lizzie has envisaged for herself which is rapidly turning into a maelstrom of emotions and problems. I admired Lizzie for taking in Gracie and working on their sisterly relationship because I would have told her where to go considering she was up to her eyes with keeping an eye on work on the mill and trying to establish could things with Jude work out? Then into the equation comes their step mum Florentina who again was a lovely character and was there to give emotional support when needed. I really wanted Lizzie to express to Jude how she was feeling about certain things. I thinks she was slightly jealous as to what was going on and she wasn't ready for a competition for someone's affections. It was either her or nothing but Jude was caught between a rock and a hard place. Trust and being open with one another were two things that needed to happen and I questioned would the ever occur?

The Mill on Magnolia Lane started off well but then I felt it lost its way in the middle before picking up again towards the end. I thought a storyline that came in towards the end seemed to come out of nowhere and I understand it was used as a way of bringing the family together and getting everything out in the open but I don't think it needed to happen. I would have preferred something rather not so drastic and would have liked to have seen something else occur in its place. As for Jude and Lizzie will their trust and commitment issues just prove too difficult too overcome? Well you'll have to read this book to find out. Although I did enjoy this book, it lacked a little bit of sparkle for me that I normally find present in Tilly Tennant's books. It's not my favourite book by this author but I am glad I read it in order to discover did Lizzie fulfil her dreams of bringing the mill house back to life. This is a quick, light read ideal for when you have an hour or two spare to sit down and relax.

Was this review helpful?

I wanted to renovate a mill by the end of this book! It was a lovely story of Lizzie's discovery of her capabilities and her voice. It had family dramas and hardships and was a great read to escape to for my bedtime reading.

Was this review helpful?

Another great cozy story this author. I enjoy her stories and the happy ending as well. I look forward to the next one.

Was this review helpful?

A heartwarming story packed with love and family! This book made me want to move to a windmill or at the very least to a small English Village. Tilly Tennant Rights stories with such charming and realistic characters. At the end of this book I felt as though I was saying goodbye to good friends, I am hoping there will be a follow up.

Lizzie has lost her much love father, so she decides she will purchase the old mill to honor the dream that they shared. The thing is the mill is in need of some serious renovation, something Lizzie wasn’t necessarily anticipating. Lizzie ends up living on the property in less than ideal conditions during the renovation. She soon meets her handsome neighbor Jude. There is an instant attraction and soon they find their lives entangled, but Jude has a bit of a past. There is quite a bit more to all of this, but you will need to read the book to find that out.

Lizzie was a very likable character and I loved her growth throughout this book. Lizzie really finds her self in some tough situations that I am not sure how I would handle myself, I generally completely agreed with her decisions and understood where she was coming from. Jude? Loved him... hated him... loved him... The secondary characters were all pretty spectacular, I loved getting to know Lizzie’s family, but Charlie stole the show. Charlie was Jude’s younger brother, he is on the autism spectrum and his bluntness was refreshing. There was A romance in this book, however it also really touched on the love of family.

A perfect book to kick off your season of reading in the sun!🌞

*** thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***

Was this review helpful?

This is one of the most beautiful countryside stories I have ever read. The location is absolutely stunning and I found it so easy to imagine it and the mill. The character's in this are great too Lizzie was definitely my favourite. This is so hard to put down as you will just love reading this.

Was this review helpful?

When Lizzie loses her larger-than-life Dad she doesn’t know how to move forward. Encouraged by a childhood dream she shared with her beloved father, she is determined to continue his legacy and moves to the old Mill on Magnolia lane, a place he had always longed to own.

Restoring the old windmill is a much bigger job than Lizzie bargained for, especially when she is distracted by her new next door neighbour Jude, who has temptingly twinkly eyes and a body to die for. But when Jude’s ex- girlfriend Harriet arrives back on the scene, Lizzie begins to wonder if life wasn’t far simpler before she moved to the mill. Especially when it emerges that Harriet knows something about Jude’s past, something that could shatter her new start and her heart into smithereens …

Following her dad’s death, Lizzie buys an old mill, which her and her father had always dreamed of restoring. It turns out to be a much larger job that she expected, both financially and in the amount of work needed. Meeting her new next door neighbour, Jude begins to wonder if her luck has changed, at least on the romance front! That is until she meets Jude’s ex-girlfriend, Harriett….

What a lovely book! An original story of a grief stricken Lizzie restoring an old derelict Mill. Do her plans sound crazy?.....absolutely!! Personally, I couldn’t think of anything worse of spending all that money to be left with the ruin of an old windmill and an old caravan to live in! But the story really works! I really liked all the main female characters – Lizzie, Gracie, Gwendolyn and Florentina – and felt they all blossomed throughout the book. I have to admit, Gracie was my favourite and I loved her relationship with sister, Lizzie.

There were a few little things which niggled me as the story progressed though! Whilst Jude sounded very aesthetically pleasing, he was very naïve and trusting where ex-girlfriend Harriett was concerned, and at times I really felt for Lizzie with how he was with her. I also didn’t like Harriett for the same reasons! The one thing that stood out for me though with this book was the location, the scenery and of course the windmill. Even the name, The Mill on Magnolia Lane, sounded so beautiful and whenever I was reading about the windmill, it conjured up lovely images in my mind!

All in all, it was a lovely, easy to read book. I didn’t find it as light-hearted as some the author’s other books, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! The story flowed well and kept me interested throughout. It did have a lot of emotions to deal with in the ways of love, death and family relationships, but it was well written and tugged at my heartstrings at times. Would love to perhaps see a follow up book to carry on the storylines of some of the characters!! Would definitely recommend.

Was this review helpful?

The Mill on Magnolia Lane is the latest offering by Tilly Tennant. This is the tale of the Lovell women, Lizzie, her younger sister Gracie, mother Gwendolyn, and step mother Florentina. The story begins with the funeral of Lizzie’s father. She rides in the second car with her mother as Florentina has the privilege of riding in the widow’s limousine, causing additional angst for Gwendolyn.

As Lizzie is a freelance web writer, she is able to take her job anywhere. When she sees the old dilapidated windmill her father had so dreamed of restoring on the ride to the cemetery, the kernel of an idea begins to germinate. In the next few months she finds herself the owner of the mill and it’s property, a caravan for temporary housing, an enormous mortgage, and a feeling of exhilaration. She is stepping out of her box, taking a chance, and is so excited to see what will come with the renovation.

She meets neighbor Jude Travers and his disabled brother Charlie and forms a fast friendship with them both. A strong attraction between Lizzie and Jude is evident from the beginning. But the baggage Lizzie carries from her previous relationship and the presence of Jude’s former relationship in the form of close friend Harriet and their young son Artie may be more than they can overcome. When Gracie appears on Lizzie’s doorstep after her break up, the trailer gets crowded and patience gets thin. And thus the story evolves.

Life goes along uneventfully until tragedies strike that bring the four women together, making unlikely bonds and acceptance. In Tilly Tennant!s twenty-second novel, the reader is once again in store for a story of love in its many facets as well as the way it unites people in the darkest of times. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this thoroughly enjoyable arc.
Lizzie has realised her late fathers dream and buys the dilapidated mill on Magnolia Lane. She begins having it restored as someplace to live and as a working mill.
Her new neighbour Jude is fast becoming a very special person in her life, along with his younger brother Charlie.
Lizzie's sister Gracie arrives to stay after splitting with her partner and soon announces she's pregnant! Into the mix is Lizzie's mother and stepmother.
A truly enjoyable story with lots of ups and downs. Also a tragic loss!!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. A charming story of family relationships, new beginnings and romance. A lovely feel good story. I really enjoyed the unusual setting of this book - around the renovation of a windmill. The countryside and village were lovely. I liked all of the characters and their stories and interactions.

A lovely cosy read perfect for the summer or a cosy afternoon on the sofa.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I adore Tilly Tennant but I’m a bit mixed on this one, it says on the blurb romantic comedy but it didn’t feel that way, it’s a very emotional read and I didn’t find there to be that much humour in it, when I wasn’t upset I was angry with Jude and Harriet, Jude was immature as was Harriet, I didn’t think that Lizzie was overly paranoid she reacted normally well except for accepting it ! Charlie is amazing the one shining character. So sadly for me this is a no, other than Charlie and I do adore Tilly Tennant but just found it not as happy or entertaining as her usual books.


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book. I have been reading Tilly's books for quite a few years now so I was excited to read this book that was set in Suffolk (where I live).

This story follows Lizzie as she embarks on this crazy idea to restore the mill on magnolia lane. The mill is in a very poor state of repair but Lizzie is determined to get the mill at least in a liveable state and quite possibly a working mill too. I really liked Lizzie. She was an easy character to like. At times I did want to give her a little shake but I totally understood a lot of her feelings and I think I would have been the same in her shoes. It's always easier to see these things from the outside.

We meet Jude and his brother Charlie quite early on in this book. Jude seemed like a nice guy if not a bit naive, especially when it comes to his ex. It seemed to me like he just didn't really think about the way their interactions appeared and how that would make Lizzie feel. Charlie was a great character and he made me laugh quite a lot.

I liked Lizzie's siblings but I wish we could have seen more of her brother, James. His storyline seemed too unexplored to me. I liked the interaction between Lizzie and her sister Gracie. I also think we could totally have another book just on Gracie (please)!

This book was an enjoyable read. The story was sweet but also have some real heartfelt moments.

Was this review helpful?

Amazing read as always. Tully never disappoints me when I open it. Loved the characters and the location. Everytime I open millys books I want to go and visit these towns.

Was this review helpful?

Lizzie Lovell's dad has recently passed away. Re-evaluating her life she decides to sell her home and purchase a windmill just outside the little village of Piriwick. Her dad had always wanted to buy the mill but had never gotten around to it.

The mill, unfortunately, is falling apart but Lizzie is determined to bring it back to its former glory. She even decides to live on site in a small caravan so she can help oversee the work and help out too.

As well as the mill, Lizzie makes friends with some of the locals including handsome Jude and his younger brother Charlie, who is autistic.

Life's looking good for Lizzie, but nothing ever that simple!

Over the years I have read and reviewed numerous Tilly Tennant books. I always enjoy her writing style and how she can make you feel warm and uplifted and The Mill on Magnolia Lane is no different.

The characters are very realistic which means that some are adorable and lovely, others are plain annoying. Lizzie falls into the adorable category. She is very headstrong and has plenty of guts to change her life completely.

The book from start to finish was exceptionally enjoyable and I loved seeing how the renovations on the mill were coming along. My tiny criticism is that the book sometimes jumped forward in time. Now and again it moved forward days without me realising.

This is a book for summer. It’s an easy read and one you can lie on the beach with or sit by the pool drinking your cocktails and enjoying a fabulous story.

Was this review helpful?

Like the beautiful cover, THE MILL ON MAGNOLIA LANE by Tilly Tennant filled me with warmth from the beginning and left me cosy and comforted by the end.

​Lizzie is lost without her beloved Dad but when she buys the old dilapidated mill that her father always dreamed of owning, she feels like it was fate and that he would be proud of her for taking it on. And a huge task it is as the mill barely has walls let alone windows or anything else that makes it habitable. But it is a new start which is exactly what Lizzie needs. What she didn't expect were her handsome next door neighbour and his amazing little brother, and suddenly Lizzie finds herself in a new relationship. But life is rarely simple and as Lizzie tries to juggle this herculean renovation alongside her family squabbling, is she really ready for love with someone who has a very close relationship with his ex?

Charming, funny, and very realistic, THE MILL ON MAGNOLIA LANE by Tilly Tennant may just put you off doing some home renovations but it will make you smile and fall in love with this wonderful group of quirky characters who are all dealing with their own stuff, and trying to be happy. The setting is perfect and I really hope this won't be the last we hear from this spirited community, but it is the emotional parts of this story which shone for me. The topics of grief, sibling rivalry, step-parenting, co-parenting and more are all deftly entwined amongst new romance, friendship, self-belief, and love, and I read this book in one night as I simply could not put it down.

THE MILL ON MAGNOLIA LANE by Tilly Tennant was everything I had hoped it would be and then some, and I highly recommend it to fiction fans everywhere!

Was this review helpful?