A beautiful story about love, community, and safety. While I wish the magic aspect of the land was brought more forward into the story to establish explicitly a mythology, I loved the combination of history and mysticism-- especially in a region and time period that doesn't typically get the treatment. I found all the residents charming and the danger very intense, but I wish the romance was a bit more tactile and experiential. At times, the romance was as intangible as the ghost itself.

This is a very easy read.
Unfortunately it did not known whether it wanted to be a thriller, romance or fantasy.
Some of the characters were very good whilst others felt like they were just thrown in for the sake of it.
It ended up being a little bit of everything which really let it down.

Just back from Virginia for her Daddy's funeral, Fiona finds her apartment in shambles. A man she went out on three dates with has turned out to be a stalker and a bit of a psychopath. She seeks help from an ex-law enforcement friend and ends up back in Virginia living in a safe house surrounded by her family way off the grid. Fiona's family is gifted and they use their gifts to heal and to speak to the dead. Speaking to the dead is handy due to the fact that the Magnolia House has a resident ghost, named Rhys, from the days of the Civil War.

I enjoyed the basic storyline of this book. A girl in trouble being hunted by a killer with a big family that will do anything to keep her safe. I liked the southern aspect with a touch of magic wrapped up in it. The pacing was quick and all the scenes were short and sweet. I liked the characters, but you did not stay with them long enough to get attached to them. The romance was a bit quick as well. I would have liked it better if there was more focus on relationship building versus all the focus on remodeling the house. The first ending was surprising and the second ending was sweet and funny.

Fun book. More paranormal fantasy than women's fiction. A few characters are believable for awhile, As the story moves along,there is a lot of paranormal and a lot of odd characters. I don't think anyone family could have so many people around them get murdered or deal with the FBI so much. I don't believe the intent was to make them all believable anyway. A little off balance and loose in a few areas where it doesn't flow well but soon is back on track.Most of the story is predictable to anyone who reads a lot,overall it is a good fun read.
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review.The opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks to the author,publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

When the Magnolia Blooms by Ann DeFee is an action packed, intense novel that keeps you entranced at every turn. Fiona's life is in turmoil when a cop that she dated a few times begins stalking her. She flees when it is discovered that he has left a trail of victims who had rejected him, but where can she go and stay out of reach, still keeping her family and friends safe? Filled with unique characters, this novel goes from California to the East Coast and keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way!

Thank you to the author, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for an ARC of this entertaining novel in exchange for my honest opinion.