Thanks #NetGalley @TyndaleHouse for a complimentary eARC of #UndertheMagnolias upon my request. All opinions are my own.

In 1980 in Magnolia, South Carolina, a young teenager, Austin Foster, finds herself caring for her six siblings (all named after cities) when her mother dies in childbirth. Austin’s father is a preacher and works a tobacco farm, but he suffers from mental illness and is unreliable in many ways. Austin tries her best to keep the family fed and clothed and still attend school for a time. She has members of the community she can turn to, but no one really knows the extent of her hardships. Austin is attracted to Vance, the handsome son of a wealthy family in the community, and he is there for her when the truth of her circumstances is revealed.

Under the Magnolias is a compelling and beautifully-told story, and I was immediately pulled in by the descriptive writing and my concern for Austin and her family. The story moves along at a quick pace and is told from one perspective in a chronological timeline. The ending is filled with hope, love, healing, and acceptance.

No child should have to bear responsibility for the welfare of the family, but at times children shoulder this burden. Austin is a hard worker, reliable, determined, responsible, and proud. She cares for her siblings and holds things together to the best of her ability. She loves her father and at times, he is able to provide some leadership but his mood swings prevent him from providing stability. Vance is a stable friend/boyfriend for Austin and helps her as best as he can and even provides encouragement and financial assistance as she transitions into young adulthood and considers her future.

The most endearing theme in Under the Magnolias is the community understanding and acceptance of mental illness and the support that is there for Austin and her family when the truth finally comes out. The father is a generous and caring man at heart, and his acts of kindness throughout the years cause the community to rally around him now in his family’s greatest need. Because the father is a preacher, it’s the people of the church who play the greatest role in helping the family.

Thoughtful themes include mental illness, burdens that children carry, family hardships, determination, community support, perseverance, faith, poverty, family loyalty, coming of age, against the odds, and HOPE .

I’m recommending Under the Magnolias for readers who appreciate family drama told from a Christian perspective, for fans of inspirational and determined young protagonists (coming of age), and for book clubs (looking for gritty Christian fiction). Even though this story ends on a note of HEA (happily ever after), the author prefers to think of the ending as HEA (hope ever after).

***contains spoilers***
Content Considerations: death of a mother during childbirth, family hardships, mental illness (bi-polar), grief, poverty, children with disabilities

Such a beautiful book about a girl who became a woman too soon, and the sacrifices she had to make for the sake of her family.

Many thanks to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the ARC. I really enjoyed the book!

This is one of my favorite books of the year! It is definitely not an easy read as it deals with the tough issues of racism and mental illness, but it will challenge the reader and open a lot of eyes to what is going on around them. TI Lowe does a masterful job of drawing you into the story with the down to earth Southern charm in which it is written making the story flow and write itself on your heart.

Austin Foster is a character of quite strength who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders from a young age trying to care for her family. She, like so many of us, hides behind a mask until life forces her to face her fears.

This book will have you laughing, crying, and change you forever. It will stay with you long after the last page is read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

THIS Southern Fiction. 5 🌟 read. If you enjoy strong female protagonist, coming of age and family drama. Sprinkle in a love story and you have the perfect read. TW: Mental health and self harm.

“But I do believe God gets blamed for a lot of stuff that he shouldn’t. . . . And I also believe forgiveness and getting over being mad is a gift for ourselves, not for the ones who wronged us.”

I am in love. In. Love. This, this will be the novel I will be recommending all Summer long.

Austin is the character I’ve been waiting for. Nolia Farm is the atmosphere I’ve been looking for. All the characters. Such rich, strong characters. Look….I could go on and on. Just trust me on this one. It’s lovely. It’s heartbreaking. It’s atmospheric. It’s Faithful.

Pretty much if T. I. Lowe writes her version on the phonebook…sign me up to read it!

They say what goes around comes around or karma for short but sometimes it takes way to long to come good or bad. Atlas had nothing on Austin what with the weight of the world and the whole family on her sholders. But all in all there is a happy ending.

Wow! Under The Magnolias by T.I. Lowe was tender, poignant, absolutely beautiful book. And I absolutely loved going back in time, but not too far back. It felt nostalgic rather than historical, in the very best way. This was my first book by T. I. Lowe and will definitely not be my last. Loved!

T.I. Lowe wrote a poignant, thoughtful, and heartbreaking novel with Under the Magnolias. The story of Austin and the rest of the Foster family placed under impossible to handle situations, yet they must to survive, feels like real life. At every turn, this story of a family dealing with loss and a single parent with mental illness tugs at your heartstrings. I found myself fully absorbed into this story and I couldn't put the book down. This would be a great book club read with so much to unpack, complex themes and characters. Highly recommended.

I loved T.I. Lowe's Carolina Coast series and when I saw her newest release, I couldn't wait to read it. The story is as beautiful as the cover is. Austin is barely a teenager when she suddenly becomes the caregiver to her six siblings due to her mother's death. Her father is a pastor who battles mental illness which worsens as he grieves the loss of his wife. The story takes us through the many struggles this family endures. Oh but, God is with them, as are some wonderful friends. The family grows stronger as they make it through each trial. This is a powerful, heavy book, but there are moments that will make you smile. In the end, you will feel uplifted and inspired. I can't recommend this book enough!

This was a sad, yet uplifting tale of a young woman prepared to do whatever it takes to keep her family together.

Austin and her siblings are left without real parental guidance when their mother dies, leaving 13 year old Austin to care for her six siblings and a father with a lot of heart but many demons playing with his mind. rather than reach outwards to the community who care for them, the siblings reach inwards and keep the secret of their fathers mental stability to themselves. Austin is a wonderful, inquisitive girl who still finds time to help others heal, even when her fragile state is locked away. That barrier is built on pride and rage at what her life has become.

Set in the farming South, this story has a faith undercurrent that flows beautifully throughout. I am not a religious person but I found I liked the idea of God and faith that Lowe believed in. This was a beautiful story and I will be highly recommending to everyone who asks what they should read.

I have read most of T.I Lowe's books so I was very excited about this one and it was AMAZING! It is beautifully written, emotional, and inspiring. I loved the characters and the development throughout the story. Oh, I just loved it so much!

Thank you NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for this ARC!

Thank you @netgalley and Tynedale for this copy to read and review

This was a sweet story. Taking place over a span of a few years in the 80s about a young girl who was forced to grow up fast. It had highs and lows. And I really enjoyed it.

Austin is 1 of 7 kids, tragedy strikes and she is forced into a parent position as a teenager. We read about her attempts to care for all her siblings including 2 newborns, one physically disabled and one mentally disabled. Not to mention father who is falling further and further into a darkness caused by manic depression.

This story was eye opening, shocking and sweet all at the same time. I suggest it

Under the Magnolias by T. I. Lowe is a powerful story of a young teen who is left motherless with several sibling and a farm to take care of while her father struggles with the loss of his wife. This story takes place in the 1980’s that spans several years and shows the devotion Austin has to keep her family together despite the sacrifices and hardships she endures.

This is such a good book. It is well written and descriptive. The story focuses on Austin but gives great detail for the other members of this family. This story shows the stress and destruction mental health can put a family through. It also shows the strong devotion Vance had toward the family and how he was always there for Austin when terrible things happened. This is not the easiest book to read because it is so realistic and there are so many people who, like Austin’s family, hide what is really happening and do not seek help.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Tyndale House Publishers through NetGalley, this is my honest review.

The cover of this book grabbed me and I'm so glad it did. This was sassy, fun, real, and heartwarming. I enjoyed this story so much, I've decided to find all of T.I. Lowe's books and receive some more feel good inspiration. If you're looking for something fun with real meaning behind it, you'll love this sassy novel about a young girl who is raising her siblings on a tobacco farm after her mother dies in childbirth. Her Preacher father is dealing with a mental illness and this one little girl is trying to keep her family afloat. I love the characters in this town that come together and just give little miracles everyday. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to laugh, cry, and be inspired.

Confession: I almost set this book aside, after reading some early descriptions of the "First Church of the Riff-raff" and, admittedly, side-eyeing a bit. _Where was this book going to go? What did I sign up for?_ Little did I know I'd learn a few lessons about myself while reading the book. Turns out I could learn a thing or two from said church. Who knew life could imitate art?

T.I. Lowe is a welcome voice in today's Christian-fiction realm. _Under the Magnolias_ is not romance-driven, per se, though there is some of that. I found it much more plot- and character-driven, getting to know a family, life, and town very, very different from my own. Lowe confronts tough topics head-on; I appreciate how she pulls the rug back on many a hard-to-bring-up subject and uses historical fiction to pave the way for present-day conversations.

Excellent read, recommended for fans of Robin W. Pearson.

(Also, can I say what a beautiful book cover it has?)

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I don't have much to say because there wasn't anything that particularly stood out to me about this book. I just didn't like it and I most likely would not recommend this to anyone.

This was a little draggy in parts but a solid coming of age tale in the south in the 80s with mental health and community and being seen all strong themes. Austin was reminiscent of Kya from Crawdads in fleeting ways. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully written coming of age story set in the 1980 south. Austin is barely a teenager when her mom dies in childbirth and Austin is thrust into becoming the mom for her siblings. A good read, with such memorable characters.
This is my first book by this author and it definitely won’t be my last

A powerful Southern coming of age tale that follows Austin Foster a teenager in the 1980's fighting to keep her family together in the shadow of her father's darkness.

Told in the first person perspective we follow Austin and her family through the years as they struggle to keep everything afloat. The darker moments are well balanced with humor that shines even through the heartache. A full cast of colorful characters add heart and depth, I think that the author did an excellent job of showing the different ways that each of the siblings coped with their constant state of crisis.

Vance is a bright spot in Austin's life, always trying to be a constant in her tumultuous surroundings.

This is a well written book that deals with the toll that mental illness takes not only on the person who is ill, but also the family suffering alongside. I enjoyed the characters of Foxy, Jinx, Waylynn, Morty, Mrs. Wise, and so many more! A beautiful yet heartbreaking, raw and tender coming of age story of loss, love, and living in the shadow of darkness.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A beautifully emotional story, Under the Magnolias does not shy away from the messy, scary parts of life.

While Austin is a strong, independent character, she's still believable. She makes mistakes and pushes away those who only want to help her. Austin has an idea in her head of who she is supposed to be and how she is supposed to handle her difficult situation; she strives to accomplish everything independently, no matter how impossible the task. The life she leads is daunting and overwhelming, but she keeps moving forward. Her family is lovable and exhausting, her six siblings have unique personalities and complex lives, and they all come together to form a unique and exciting cast.

Vance is hard to read at first. It's difficult to get to the bottom of his hanging around Nolia Farm. I wanted to believe the best of him, but I was preparing myself for the rich douchebag bait-and-switch. He, like Austin and her family, is a complex and interesting character with serious depth.

I loved the eclectic church community acting as one big crazy family. They each had their role to play and contributed to the narrative in unique and interesting ways. Every one of them had their own complicated histories to deal with, and I loved getting to know their stories as well.

Under the Magnolias could have been twice as long, and I still would have wanted more. The descriptive writing made me feel like I was there, especially during the sweltering southern summers. An intense, emotional read; I loved every moment.

Review posted on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend.com/

Poignant, Thought-Provoking, and Affecting.

“Under the Magnolias” will capture your heart and run away with it.

Austin Foster is a teenage girl who is forced to grow up way too fast when her mother passes away and she is left to raise her younger siblings.

Dysfunction runs amok in this familial drama with Austin’s father being at the heart of it.

Tension swirls and heartache rises as Austin desperately tries to save her siblings from realizing the cards they’ve been dealt.

Beautiful, Powerful, and Impactful, this novel drew me in wholly and completely. A coming-of-age novel about hard work, strength, and perseverance that brought tears to my eyes.

This was my first novel by T.I. Lowe. I was blown away by the beautiful, gorgeous, lyrical writing and the heart and soul of each character portrayed in this novel.

“Under the Magnolias” will most certainly be on my Goodreads-Best-of-List for 2021 and is now the runner-up for my favorite book of 2021 right behind “We Begin At The End.”

I received an arc of Under the Magnolias from NetGalley and Tyndale House. For those of you who have Hoopla and are interested, I happened to notice that both the e-book and the audiobook are now available to borrow.

Published on Goodreads and Twitter.