I was a huge fan of Dorothea Benton Frank, and I was very excited to read this book by her daughter Victoria. There were definitely some similar elements of the writing styles, but unfortunately, it was not the same for me. While I liked the relationships that Magnolia had in her life, I felt like there was some necessary character development that did not happen. I felt the plot was unbelievable at times and needed to take a breath sometimes. I realize that it was an ARC, but there were multiple errors.

Overall, I would try reading a book by Victoria Benton Frank again, but this one was not a favorite book of mine.

I have read almost all the books by the authors mother so I looked forward to reading this book. The story was set in the south and full of food references. This book leaves you hungry and looking for more. Hopefully there is a sequel with the same characters. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

I have loved novels by Dorothea Benton Frank and was so happy to see her daughter, Victoria, write a novel, too. She did not fail to tickle my fancy. In My Magnolia Summer, a New York chef returns to her family on Sullivan’s Island when her beloved grandmother is in a car accident and in the hospital. Maggie (Magnolia) is shocked to learn her mother, Lily, was not only in the car but has also drastically changed the family restaurant. Maggie has to cope with her alcoholic mother and her younger sister, Violet, as she struggles with the accident, her work in New York, the family restaurant and so much more. Life seems to be throwing one curveball after another to this family. Great book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a wonderful wonderful story. Maggie returns home to Charleston when her beloved grandma is in the hospital. She has come home to a mess in the family-owned restaurant and works hard to turn things around.

I absolutely loved this book and loved the DBF references in the book…a shoutout to Victoria’s beloved and adored mom.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the honor to read and review this book.

This book was such a delight to read. My Magnolia Summer felt reminiscent of Dorothea Benton Frank's beautiful writing of the Lowcountry with a fresh voice. I am so happy that Victoria decided to continue her mother's legacy and write books that make readers feel like they are in Charleston with the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

This is the very first book I have read from this author and was seeking a casual, light-hearted, and fun read. This author delivered. I felt that this book had a August: Osage County vibe to it and I really liked the southern charm and ambience. The plot was extremely obvious from the start for Magnolia's path and I felt that there were some plot points that seemed a bit rushed in the grand scheme of the book. I would definitely read more from this author. I am always a sucker for the south. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

So poorly written that it is very difficult to see the storyline or characters. I would give it zero stars if I could

I read her mother's books and loved them. Thought I would give Victoria a chance. For a debut it is good. Hope to see more

Frank is such a well known author that I was excited to read her latest. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for the purpose of this review. The setting was everything that made this book magical for me. I enjoyed the story and thought she did a good job telling it. There were some spots that didn't quite capture all of my attention but overall it was well done.

My Magnolia Summer
by Victoria Benton Frank
Pub Date; June 6, 2023
William Morrow
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Victoria Benton Frank, daughter of the beloved late writer Dorothea Benton Frank, spirits us away to summer in the South Carolina Lowcountry with a tale of family bonds that is spicy and heartfelt.
This novel is interesting and satisfying, although it moved a bit slowly for me, the conclusion also felt a little too perfect for real life. But this is fiction. Great book for a beginning author.
3 stars

I received an arc of this title from Netgalley for an honest review. I struggled to get through this book, putting it down and then picking it back up. It's a great story, and I liked the characters; it just moved too slowly in some parts.

Victoria Benton Frank taking southern fiction by storm! I think it’s so wonderful to continue her mothers legacy while also making a big name for herself as an author. My Magnolia Summer was a great first novel that left me wanting more. Beautifully written and full of charm, you won’t want to miss this new summer read!

I enjoyed this book by Victoria Benton Frank, I couldn’t put it down. Her mother Dorothea Benton Frank would be so proud. The story is set in South Carolina - Low Country. It follows three generation of women. Rose - the matriarch, Lily - her daughter and the mother of Violet and Maggie. The story is told mostly in Maggie and Violet’s voices. There is a lot packed in this novel hopes and dreams dashed, addictions, food and love. I hope there is another book continuing this family saga because I felt there were loose ends that the author left. Victoria Benton Frank’s debut novel is a wonderful beach read. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion.

My Magnolia Summer is a light read. If you like lighthearted escapism, then this is the book for you.

My mom and I have always loved Southern writers, especially Dorothea Benton Frank. I’m happy to say that this book would have done DBT proud. It’s a great addition to the Southern fiction genre.

My Magnolia Summer is a book I have heard about for awhile so I was very excited to read an early copy! The story centers around three generations of women - Maggie (Magnolia), her sister Violet, her Mom Lily and her Grandma Rose - all very different women but who all share their love for the Lowcountry of Sullivan's Island. Maggie left her hometown to work as a chef in New York but returns home when her beloved grandmother is in an accident. The Magic Lantern is their family-run restaurant and Maggie can not believe what has happened to it in her absence! During her stay besides waiting for grandmother to recover she tries to get the restaurant back on track and also tries to help heal some of the relationship issues she had with both her mother and her sister. Throw in her best friend Jimmy (who I loved!) and a very handsome farmer/doctor and you have an excellent story! Just loved these characters and the beautiful setting! I think I just discovered a new favorite author and I can't wait to read what Victoria Benton Frank comes up with next!!!!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for giving me the opportunity to read this book! I squealed when I received notification I was approved for an advance copy. I was a huge fan of Dorethea Benton Frank books and was heartbroken when she passed away.
I was excited to hear her daughter had written her first novel. It did not disappoint! Victoria Benton Frank has written a delightful tale from the Lowcountry that her mother wrote about so brilliantly and where Victoria calls home. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only thing better would have been reading it on a beach with a cool drink. I am a fan now and will continue to read any novels written by Victoria Benton Frank. DBF is a very proud mother up in heaven! Victoria can WRITE and is a wonderful storyteller as was her mother. She has stepped into the shoes of a beloved author we lost too soon.

A young woman, Magnolia who has trained to become a chef is in a dead end job at a New York City restaurant. When her grandmother is involved in a car accident and is a medically induced coma she returns to Sullivan's Island. She is reunited with her alcoholic mother and sister. To make matters worse, the family restaurant owned by her grandmother is on hard times. Coming home Magnolia begins to find herself when she meets a new love and begins to take over the family restaurant. Family and love help her make decisions for her future. This a a tale of strong women and the men who love them, hard work and making hard choices in our lives.

I will highly recommend this book to my fellow readers! Thank you again NetGalley!
I

Magnolia Adams is slaving away as a chef in a New York city kitchen when she gets a call that her beloved Grandmother has been in an accident. She packs up her knives and rushes home to Sullivan's Island South Carolina. Her Grandmother is unconscious in the hospital, her mother has fallen off the wagon, the family restaurant is in trouble and her younger sister Violet is trying to hold it all together.
Maggie and Violet try to revamp the restaurant and keep their mother out of trouble. This is the perfect summer, beach read. This book has two of my favorite things to read about cooking and the Lowcountry.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of this book for review.

I loved the culinary theme of this story and the characters are just incredible! The beautiful Low Country descriptions are so lush and vivid. With the loss of Dorothea Benton Frank, I was afraid my annual summer "vacations" to the low country wouldn't continue - but reading Victoria Benton Frank's story, was like going on that vacation, only with a new friend - somehow different, but just as warm and welcoming.

I loved getting to know the Flower Girls - Lily, the disfunctional mother; Magnolia, who's following her culinary dreams as a chef in NYC; Victoria, who's pursing a photography career and Rose, the matriarch of the family. Rose and Lily are in a car accident leading to Violet calling Maggie home, where she finds the restaurant in their family for generations has been left in Lily's hands and has dramatically changed. They struggle to find their way back together and save the restaurant. The secondary characters are just as fleshed out and interesting to learn. Alice is like the second grandmother every wants, Jimmy is the perfect friend and confident and Sam is just dreamy and says all the right words. There are a lot of things going on in this story - substance abuse, family dynamics, love, forgiveness, learning which dreams to hold on to and which to let go. I hope the story continues - there are a few things not completed wrapped up with Violet's situation, why great-grandma's photo is always hanging crooked, what did their paternal grandfather mean about forgiveness and what about those postcards Rose was so desperate to find.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

This was a fun read, I enjoyed it & look forward to more by the author. I hope this is the first in a series, because I have questions!

Magnolia (Maggie) comes back to the low country of SC after her beloved Grandmother is injured in a car accident. I liked the family dynamic & restaurant setting,

Thanks NetGalley!