This was an amazingly well written book with a wonderfully sad and interesting storyline. Im usually more of a romcom/cozy mystery reader but wow, I was blown away by this one. Parts of it were unbearably sad but I loved this book from beginning to end. It was reminiscent of “Where the Crawdads Sing” for me, but in my opinion, even better. I will be looking for more
books by this author!

This is an eye-opening, tender, thought-provoking novel that introduces Austin Foster, a remarkable thirteen-year-old facing an unimaginable task. Readers soon find out the determination and strength of this amazing young lady who steps up to the plate after tragedy strikes and selflessly tries to fill in the gap for her family, and their tobacco farm.

Here's a peek at what Austin thinks, “Mama wasn’t there to protect us from Pa’s dark seasons anymore. A hard question followed that hard truth: Would I be able to step into her role and protect my siblings from him? Whatever was going on with Pa went beyond normal grief, but I was too young to understand what exactly it was. With Mama’s shield no longer in place, I fully experienced the shadows that fell from Pa’s presence for the first time. It was a murky place, dim with very little understanding.” “Protecting my siblings and my father from himself was top priority, so what I wanted rarely mattered.”

I wholeheartedly agree with this note from the publisher…”I’m writing this letter because in a world of “too many books and too little time,” I am convinced I have something very special to offer that deserves your time and attention: Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe…is fresh and stunning in its own way, this novel will remind you of some of the great Southern coming-of-age novels like The Secret Life of Bees, Saving CeeCee, Honeycutt, and When the Crawdads Sing….T.I. Lowe is a rare, unpretentious, natural-born storyteller.”

The author pens an astonishing, heart-breaking yet hopeful story that will grab your heart and not let it go long after you close the book. There are tragic moments mixed with family and community love and humor. There are moments to cry and moments to cheer. Vance Cumberland and Austin Foster are my heroes as they fight the good fight, then remember what Pa said, “Fighting hate with hate only produces hate.”

This book would work well for your next book club pick as it’s rich in character and story. There is so much to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

This is such a lovely coming of age book, I really enjoyed it. I fell in love and connected with all the characters and how they grew throughout the story. It was a difficult book to put down. It was so beautiful and made me feel love, happiness. I laughed, smiled and cried throughout the book.

Under the Magnolias is a Southern coming of age story that is emotionally heavy at times, but powerful. This character-driven novel moves at a slower pace, as each chapter moves along a few months or a year, giving us a glimpse into the seasons of life for Austin and her family. Austin is strong protagonist who exemplifies resilience and fortitude from a young age, taking care of her siblings after her mother’s death and trying to protect her father's reputation. The story culminates with a crisis that turns out to be a turning point for Austin, as she finally realizes she’s not alone and can rely on others for help. It's a powerful conclusion to a compelling story. Fans of Southern fiction won't want to miss Under the Magnolias!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am impressed with T. I. Lowe’s latest book, Under the Magnolias. Lowe has progressed to the major league with this Southern story. Lowe’s earlier Carolina Coast series is sweet, but Under the Magnolias is a tough, gritty family story that will stick with you. If you liked Where the Crawdads Sing, this is a must read. This heart-wrenching story will get you rooting for the kids living on a tobacco farm in South Carolina in the 1980s.
Austin Foster is forced to grow up at age 13 when her mother dies giving birth to twins. Austin is left the responsibilities of raising six siblings, running the house and helping her father, Dave Foster. Her father battles the darkness of a mental health issue while trying to make a living off his tobacco farm. When Vance Cumberland, the mayor’s son, shows interest in Austin, she keeps him at arm’s length, afraid he will uncover the truth of her father’s problems. Loyalty to her family and protecting her siblings are more important than following her heart.
Her father also preaches in a small chapel on the property where he always welcomes everyone, regardless of what they’ve done in the past or what the town folk think of them. This brings a colorful group of people into the congregation and their lives. Part of enjoying this story is uncovering who these people are and what they’ve been through in life. Lowe demonstrates the weakness of people in the church and the strength they get from supporting each other and from trusting God. The book reminds us that no one’s life is perfect. Even Christians need support, including the preacher.
Under the Magnolias is full of tension from taking on tough topics including mental illness, racism, ostracism, pride, faith and support systems, but it ends with hope and healing without making the ending unrealistically perfect.
I truly feel this book is a huge jumping point in Lowe’s career, placing her in a different league of writers. The book comes out May 4, 2021. If you think you’ll buy this one, help the author out by pre-ordering now or buying in the first week. This makes a huge difference to the author. If you’re reading this review after that time, it’s still a book worth reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for the arc. The review is my honest opinion.

Growing up in the South, I never have read a lot of Southern fiction but I am finding that I really enjoy it. Under the Magnolias was a beautifully written book, and one that pulled at my emotions which I have to find in a book for it to be called a 5 star read. This was the first book I have read by this author but I certainly plan on reading more of her work. This was such a powerfully written storyline set in the 1980's, we travel along with Austin and her siblings after the death of their mother. Covering the downward spiral of her father, poor Austin has a huge job being the caregiver for all her younger siblings plus the dad. This book will cause your heart to break, then leave you soaring. I definitely recommend this amazing book to others.

I received a ARC from NetGalley and Tyndale Publishers, and am under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This was my first book by this author and I was rather blown away by how much I enjoyed it.  Such a beautiful and poignant story, I fell in love with all the characters and really enjoyed seeing how their lives changed and grew over the years. Austin or 'Ox' was a fantastic main character and I had the utmost respect and amazement for how she dealt with what life threw at her.

This story made me smile, laugh and cry the whole way through.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me.

This is a awesome book. Set in the eighties, it deals with racism and mental illness. I would totally recommend this book. A sweet read, progressing over a span of years.

Under the Magnolias offers readers a glimpse of southern life, replete with faith and family. The main characters assumes responsibility for her family at a very young age and hides a lot. There is a lot of religion in the story, which can be comforting and awkward at the same time. At,times, the narrative seemed to veer off in different directions, like a meandering river. The best of the book was the mention of magnolias, the graceful beauty of the south.

This Coming of age is a heart tugger! A beautifully written book. Lowe knows how to write and this story was one that will stick with me. The story what to say???? So dang beautiful!

T.I Lowe has written a riveting novel that spans the decade of the 1980s. The story is bittersweet throughout the pages with many low valley moments but also many mountaintop highs. It addresses the topic of mental illness, and how the children coped with their only surviving parent’s erratic behavior by overlooking or hiding it to protect their father and themselves. The focus of the story is told from Austin’s perspective, who at the young age of 13, found her mother who died in childbirth. Austin assumes the role of mother to her siblings and helper to her father with a hard found resiliency and strength. I admired this flawed family because through them the author encouraged and inspired me with some important lessons: 1) God first - with Him everything is possible. 2) We are made for fellowship and community. 3) Give others a chance- get to know them, you never know the baggage someone is carrying. 4) In every relationship honest communication is vital. This author truly has a gift of storytelling, I await anxiously her future novels.

A beautifully written book! Well done, T.I Lowe. I cannot wait to buy this one. The cover is beautiful. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the e-arc.

A compelling story told from the main characters point of view bringing together a story about love, loss, and friendship in a small community of misfits. From the very first page until the ending you will be crying, laughing, and smiling with a sense of relief and redemption for everyone. I had all the feelings that Austin or "Ox" had through out her teenage years of the 80s. She is a feisty and gritty character I could not help but feel relatable with.
As a new reader of T.I. I was drawn into her southern world of Nolia farms and Tobacco fields in the country side. Under the Magnolias is a book anyone who roots for a story with a happy ending and a strong message not just between the characters, but for the reader as well.

Under The Magnolias by T.I. Lowe is a powerful Christian novel about a turbulent family in the 1980’s. It is a story with love, care and God at the centre.
There is the theme of depression brought on by bereavement. It is painful to watch a young teen try to hold her family together as her father sinks further into the abyss. As she tries to cope she holds onto her mother’s words “Loving your family means you love them during their sunshine and even during their thunderstorms.”
Nolia Farm is a place where people are seen and needs are met. Those who are not readily accepted by society can find love and belonging here.
When life is hard we sometimes push others away, even God. We think we need to do life alone and sweep our problems under the carpet but God never asks us to do this. He is working things out in His perfect timing. We can trust Him. “God answered my prayers in ways I’d not trusted Him enough to handle.” No matter where we go, no matter what life throws at us, “Just know you are God’s kid no matter what.”
In Under The Magnolias the church functions as Jesus intended. There is a beautiful scene where many stand, each giving testimony to the love and blessings they have received, and because of that their pasts were healed. Now, they want to pay it forward.
Under The Magnolias is a comprehensive read about a family (microcosm) but it is a macrocosm for us all. Whatever we face, wherever we are, God is there. He will never leave us. He sends His people to walk beside us and He sends us to walk beside others. Under The Magnolias is a very beautiful read.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Under the Magnolias - T.I Lowe
Austin is just a kid when she learns of the world's harsh realities. Her mother dies during child birth, her father slips in and out of his dark days and leaves Austin to be the adult of the house to her 6 siblings. She does her best to contain her family's secrets on the tobacco farm, ensuring that the outside world doesn't suspect a thing while they do their best to do their farm work, compete the harvest, attend school and do their best moving forward. Austin fears letting anyone get close for their safety, but the mayor's son Vance becomes determined to show his loyalty to Austin by showing up to the farm and learning as much about her world as she allows. Resentment starts to sit in as Austin's dad's dark days become more often than not and she mourns the life she could have had.
Magnolia is an incredible read that will give you all the feels. It really gave insight into how mental health issues used to be a taboo subject that people tried to hide, and how much it could affect everyone around them. Austin's dad obviously had some issues that started to get out of control after the death of her mother. Austin understood that there was an issue with her dad, but had no idea how to help or what to do except to try to hide it. I also loved the sense of community that this book showed towards the end and acknowledging that sometimes it really does take a village. This book without a doubt deserves ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! Make sure you grab your copy May 4th!

“Mama once told me loving your family means you love them during their sunshine and even during their thunderstorms”-Austin

This book was absolutely beautiful. Southern fiction at its finest. I really loved Austin from the very beginning as well as the entire Foster Family. This book was what you wish for when you want to read a book filled with love and hope. The relationships were solid and the character development was on point. This was my first book by Lowe and there is no doubt I will be reading her other novels. If you are interested in reading this book I would skip the blurb. In my opinion it gives away way too much and I’m glad I went in pretty much blind.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

I loved this book! Loved the story, loved the characters, and loved the ending. Set on Magnolia, SC on a tobacco farm in the 1980s. Austin must take over care of her younger siblings after their mother dies in childbirth and their father checks out because of mental health issues. Other likable characters in town are introduced that makes the story even richer. The love interest and story was so sweet, i got a crush on Vance! I appreciate the ending which summed up what happened to the characters plus there was a good lesson about mental health problems. I hated to finish the book, i will miss Austin and her siblings. Looking for more great books from this author. Bravo!

What a beautiful, stellar story that takes the reader thru the grip of depression, the grip of loss and into the overcoming arms of redemption. A must read.

“At eighty feet tall with a spread of forty feet, the southern magnolia tree was known to get out of hand. The ornamental madam could get a wild leaf to lift her full skirt and take a squat in a yard if she wasn’t made to mind. The self-contained tree was a tidy guest though. Discarded limbs and leaves were kept hidden under her fluffy hem until the debris gradually returned to the very soil that gave it life.”

And so begins this southern story of grit and determination of a young woman taking on the weight of responsibilities most people twice her age would’ve fallen under. Austin (Ox) is this families saving grace as she navigates her family’s way through a life of unyielding challenges while keeping an unwavering faith that God will see them through. The beautiful magnolia tree was such a perfect metaphor for her. A beautiful story of what it means to be family and in “loving them during their sunshine and even during their thunderstorms.” 4.5 stars.

I, also, really loved this from Lowe’s acknowledgements... “My heavenly Father, we sure did have some long conversations about this book. I have no doubt that you gave me this story with an important purpose. My prayer through this journey has been that I wouldn’t get in your way. Still praying I don’t.”

T.I. Lowe has written a beautiful and poignant story that has left me undone. I was riveted from page one. At certain points I laughed out loud and at others I washed my face with my tears. This was heart wrenching and hope filled. Oh, how I loved each and every character she created. Austin Foster will forever be my favorite character in a book. If only I could be more like her. She was hard working, reliable, dependable and a loving care taker. She was a daughter, sibling and girlfriend. She protected those in her care. She gave her all in every aspect of her life. Wouldn't life be so much better off with selfless folks like that in the world today? Every person on the planet should read this beautiful, southern, coming of age romance. This will inspire and uplift. The ending will make you grin and hold the book to your chest with a satisfied sigh.
*I was given a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers and this is my honest opinion.
Ten stars if I could.