A beautiful cover and title - this book is like Fixer Upper meets Sweet Magnolias.

This story sets the scene in beautiful Charleston, SC where we meet newly divorced – interior designer Magnolia “Mack” Bishop. Mack is trying to make a name in the industry (getting out of her overbearing mother’s shadow). We see her navigate her pending divorce and her family drama – but we also get flashbacks to her life 15 years ago when she was younger.

This book has good bones. The writing made it fairly easy to envision where we are. I struggled with the book/story dragging at times and most of it was predictable. There’s a small plot reveal/twist the last 15% but it felt frustrating. The family dynamics definitely had the southern drama.

I’d say this is a 3.25 out of 5.

"Southern By Design" is a debut focusing on a Southern mother-daughter duo, their turbulent relationship, and a second-chance romance. Through flashbacks, we witness Mack's first love, Lincoln, and how they missed their chance the first time, only to be reunited in the present when Lincoln buys the house next to Mack. Walz will undoubtedly win fans with this heartwarming tale of big dreams, stunning design, and genuine love.

The story employs dual timelines, 15 years apart, but the execution feels clunky as details are often repeated across both timelines, unnecessarily inflating the narrative.

For the most part, the language is clean. Romantic scenes are limited to hugs, kisses, and off-page activities, with no physical violence. The primary warning concerns emotional manipulation, which may affect sensitive readers, especially those with challenging mother-daughter relationships.

I enjoyed this book overall, though I felt it lacked in execution. Several areas could have been further developed to fully engage the reader, but despite these shortcomings, I still found the story enjoyable. I look forward to reading more from this author and seeing her growth.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I enjoyed this book in the end. I will say the middle was a bit slow to get through but by the end of the book, I had tears in my eyes. There is an emotional pull that sucks you in. I am not a huge fan of the tense this book was written in but that is of course a personal preference. You honestly feel for Mack for most of the book. There were parts where I wanted to scream on her behalf. Lincoln Kelly is a dream and I loved every single chapter with him. I would definitely recommend this book to friends!

What a great surprise this book has been. Grace Walz is a new author for me, and I absolutely love it when I find little gems like Southern by Design. Loved Mack and Lincoln's story and chemistry. This book definitely had some OMG no way moments in it, some angst in the worst way with Mack's mother, and the end for me was a kleenex moment. The flash backs throughout the book flowed easily with the present, so that made it a very enjoyable read. Fitz was hysterical, and Magpie and Foster were adorable. Truly loved this book, will definitely read more from this author.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

4.5 ⭐️ Strong women, family drama, second chance romance and a sprinkle of reality TV…this was such an enjoyable read, perfect for a snowy northeast day given the southern setting. I really liked the FMC and all of her relationships, especially with her daughter. Wanting to know what happened next in her business, personal and love life kept me reading. I truly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to see what the author writes next! My only complaint is I didn’t read a physical copy of the book because the cover looks stunning. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Title: Southern by Design
Author: Grace Helena Walz     
Genre: Fiction        
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Magnolia "Mack" Bishop is staring down the barrel at single motherhood--thanks to an unsolicited personal picture her husband texted another woman that quickly went viral among every mom group in town. But she's determined to not let it distract her from the professional victory she's inches away securing Charleston's prestigious Historic Preservation Design Fellowship, the apple of every local designer's eye.

But when the final house tour is undone by a host of calamities, Mack's shot at the fellowship goes up in flames. Smelling blood in the water, Mack's mother, the original Magnolia Bishop, breezes in with a project lead--strings attached. If there's one thing Magnolia lives for, aside from maintaining her station atop the Southern social ladder, it's to control Mack's life . . . and that includes keeping the identity of the absentee father Mack never knew in the shadows.

While working for her mother is the professional equivalent of moving into one's parent's basement, Mack spots an opportunity to make it her own when a television network puts a call out for local designers. Pitching the home renovation TV pilot of her dreams--one with a historic preservation twist--might just be the way to finally prove herself. Still, she'll have to do it covertly to avoid her mother's interference.

Just when Mack finds her professional footing, at home she spots an impossibly familiar figure unloading his moving truck into the newly sold house next door. She is furious, floored, and regrettably flustered because Lincoln Kelly is the one who got away. Fifteen years earlier he was a summer romance she inadvertently fell in love with, and when he left, following his dreams to New York, Mack was broken-hearted.

I love Southern fiction, and this fits the bill. Mack’s mom is…terrible. Her ex-husband is terrible. The thought of living in that world with those people made my skin crawl.

I loved the Charleston setting. It felt so vibrant and real, and I wanted to visit immediately! Mack’s friends/coworkers were also fantastic, and her daughter made me want to hang out with a tiny human. Definitely recommend this read!

Grace Helena Walz lives outside of Atlanta. Southern by Design is her debut novel.

(Galley courtesy of HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 2/12.)

1⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for an advanced copy of Southern By Design.

Mack has just recently found out that her husband has been cheating on her with a younger woman, and the job she wanted fell through. In steps her mother to give her a design job. But it always comes with strings attached! Then the love of her young life moves next door. Is this her second chance at happiness?

I wanted to like this book but it was boring. It dragged on way too long with details about things that were not very interesting. But yet lacked description about the young relationship between the main characters. I could not get invested in the characters because they were unlikable. I was not a fan.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the ARC.

I know that the blurb describes this book as Steel Magnolias meets Fixer Upper, but I watched neither; so I will try to find alternatives that I have seen. And to me this was HGTV meets the totally immersive reality show Southern Charm.
This is a dual timeline story, where in current times, Magnolia, aka Mack, Bishop is a interior designer in Charleston, who is trying to build her business by restoring a historical property in the city, while managing her divorce, raising her 7 year old daughter. and trying to maintain and tenuous relationship with her mother, overbearing, judgmental, arrogant and slightly narcissistic, traditional old money heiress, Magnolia Sr (I think it was quite telling when she names her daughter after herself lol). She reminds of Society lady Victoria in Souther Charm (IYKYK). The other timeline happens 15 years in the past; where Mack is a college student, trying to spread her wings and achieve some independence away from her mother. She meets Lincoln Kelly, a recent graduate who is an aspiring photographer. Their romance crashes and burns for reasons that will be revealed later in the book. This leaves Mach heartbroken and vulnerable enough to accept the semi-arranged marriage to Grady, her former high school boyfriend and the son of her mother’s close friends. The same man who, 15 years later, cheated on her and cause their marriage to end. After the divorce, Mack gets an opportunity to showcase her work on a design TV show, and her old flame, Lincoln, moves next door.

We have an interesting combination of home design and restoration, a second chance romance, family secrets to discover and traumas to process.
I really enjoyed this story; it is well written, evenly paced, equally entertaining and emotionally engaging (certain parts are guaranteed tear jerkers). It is also interesting to read about Southern social traditions. There is also a lovely cast of side characters.

My only gripe is that Mack’s grievances with her mother’s behavior became slightly repetitive. I also felt that Magnolia Sr. was forgiven way too quickly.

This is a fantastic debut by Grace Helena Walz and I would be happy to read for her in the future.

Thanks to Harper Muse for this ARC and ALC! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

First of all, the cover is stunning! The description is correct--this is the best cross between Sweet Magnolias (Netflix show) and Fixer Upper (HGTV show)! Charleston is my favorite city, so I loved the setting. As a southerner myself, I appreciated the Southern culture representation. The southern accent of the narrator was perfect. I was happy to see my favorite restaurant, Fleet Landing, mentioned!

It was wild to see the main character having the same name as her mother, Magnolia. Senior Magnolia was seen as your typical southern insufferable mother for most of the book. I keep thinking in my head, "She is the worstttt (in Jean Ralphio voice)".

This book alternated between present day and 15 years ago. We get to see second chance romance of a lost love.

The ending had me sobbing! This was a wonderful book.

I will post a review to my bookstagram, @toomanyfivestarreads, around publication date.

Have you read a book where you connected with the characters? Was it a debut? Southern by Design is the debut novel of Grace Helena Walz.

"Mack Bishop is newly separated after her husband sent pictures of himself to someone in her friend group. (yes - those pics) Mack's design firm is in line for a prestigious Charleston Preservation Design Fellowship until the the final house tour (it's a disaster) Her mother, Magnolia, swoops in with the offer of a project. Mack knows how much Magnolia meddles but she's the only family she has and she needs the work. When a home-improvement TV show puts out a call for designers, Mack knows this is her chance for something that's her own.
Wait...who is that moving in next door?"

Walz has crafted a story about family and forgiveness. About the damage that secrets can cause. Throw in some long-lost romance and put it in Charleston - a city like no other. There are lots of fun moments with Mack and her design team. And some great moments between Mack and Magnolia - some hard moments with a surprising ending.
I could really relate to Lincoln. Glad to see him in there.

This is not a thriller but you will not want to put this down. This is a wonderful debut from Walz with a great story and characters. And if you haven't visited Charleston yet, what are you waiting for?

Going to be a favorite this year.

Enjoyable work of Southern women’s fiction set in Charleston present day with flashbacks. Mack has a restoration design business, and after her split with her husband, she is determined to make it on her own without his or her wealthy mother’s help. Caught up in her mother Magnolia’s machinations to control her choices, Mack is making a separate life for her daughter Hallie and finding her strength in the process. As an old flame enters the picture, Mack finds herself evaluating her choices. Entertaining and engaging, I recommend this novel. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Well, what a great book!

This book had so much character and did well in transporting the reader to the place and people within it, making it practically possible to see, smell and feel almost everything!

Told in two timelines. The story is about Mack, her domineering mother Magnolia, a lost love, suddenly appeared out of the blue as Mack tries to navigate her life after separation/divorce. All while she tackles a tough restoration project that promises to take her career to the next level.

Long hidden family secrets, who will finally break and spill the tea? (Tears may be shed)

This book was chock-full of Southern charms and honestly so good, I really wish it was a movie!

Recommend!

Many thanks to Netgalley, Author and publisher for the chance to read and share my thoughts

Magnolia "Mack" Bishop finds herself facing single motherhood when her husband is caught out having sent an unsolicited personal picture to another woman that went viral among every mom group in town. Yet she is determined to secure Charleston's prestigious Historic Preservation Design Fellowship. When that goes up in flames, her mother, the original Magnolia Bishop, breezes in with a project lead-string attached. She is determined to control Mack's life, and that includes keeping the identity of the absent father Mack never knew in the shadows. While working for her mother, Mack spots an opportunity to pitch her own home renovation TV show when a television network puts a call out for local designers. Yet when Mack comes face-to-face with the owner of the newly sold house next door, she is floored to see Lincoln Kelly again. Fifteen years earlier, he was a summer romance she inadvertently fell in love with, and when he left, following his dreams to New York, Mack was broken-hearted.
An entertaining read told in flashbacks, set against the Charleston background had me enthralled. There were plenty of twists and turns to this story, with family secrets in the mix. Plenty of secondary characters who are well developed and added to the dynamics of the story. This was a great debut novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.


Dual timelines that are 15 years apart are used in a clunky manner to reveal details in this Southern Fiction debut novel by Grace Helena Walz’s SOUTHERN BY DESIGN. Much of the information is repeated in both timelines and bulks up the story unnecessarily.

I was also slowed down by the mixed type sizes that were used in the first line of every chapter. Because my copy is an eARC, this might be changed if the actual publication copy but if it’s not, that technique is distracting 56 times plus a Prologue and Epilogue.

Early in the story, Walz goes overboard trying to use Southern phrases: “on what we’ve always wanted: y’all two together”; (loc 956); “required so much hands on of y’all” (loc 1256). These people are well educated, articulate and artistic types who just wouldn’t speak like this. Fortunately, the dialogue settles down into natural language that flows well and moves the story along comfortably.

Walz also developed a fine cast of characters that have interesting relationships with a few mysterious connections taking the entire story to unfold. Good use of family manipulation, deep seated mother & daughter emotions, generational expectations, socioeconomic status comparisons, breaking free from family’s control, forging your own path and much more.

Romance threads are hanging for almost every character but I didn’t have an overall feeling of romance while reading or when finished. It was the family relationships that had my attention. Perhaps it’s because my mother was a “Momster” , (my moniker), like Magnolia Sr. The only difference is that my mother never repented. Walz has a Master’s in Social Work, worked as a medical social worker in mental health and in the foster care system. Her strength in dealing with emotions and relationships is woven subtly into the characters and their dialogue.

Charleston is an amazing southern city with beautiful architecture, history and culture. Walz misses the carriage when it comes to describing this glorious town. She does a much better job giving a literary, architectural life to the historical restorations of the homes and properties her company is working on. While reading, I could easily picture any one of the similar programs I’ve devoured on HGTV.

For the most part, the language is clean: no f-bombs, divine epithets and just a few, what I consider, soft expletives, (dam@, he++). Romantic scenes are confined to hugs, kisses and off page beyond that and there is no physical violence. Most of the warning is in regards to the emotional manipulation. Sensitive people could be affected, especially those with difficult mother/daughter relationships.

My actual rating would be 3.5 stars but I’ve rounded up to encourage this new author and to support for the book📚

Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks

This was a solid debut about a Southern mother-daughter pair, their contentious relationship plus a second chance romance. Told with flashbacks to the past, we get to see Mack's first love, Lincoln and how they lost out the first time around but get reunited again in the present when Lincoln buys the house next to Mack. With strong HGTV crossed with The notebook vibes and an Emily Gilmore esque mother, this book had plenty of drama plus a mystery involving the identity of Mack's birth father. Good on audio and recommended for fans of authors like Kristy Woodson Harvey. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: kissing only

This charming and delightful novel is a heartwarming tale that will captivate readers who are drawn to stories of resilient women pursuing their dreams. It beautifully explores themes of family, second chances, and self-discovery, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy Southern women's fiction and feel-good stories.

The book delves into the complexities of familial relationships, showcasing the enduring bonds and occasional conflicts that shape our lives. It paints a vivid picture of the Southern landscape and culture, adding a rich and authentic backdrop to the narrative. With its well-developed characters and compelling storyline, this novel is sure to resonate with readers who appreciate stories that are both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

The protagonist's journey of self-discovery is a central theme, as she navigates the challenges and opportunities that come her way. The novel also explores the power of second chances, highlighting the possibility of new beginnings and the transformative nature of love and forgiveness. With its engaging prose and relatable characters, this book is a testament to the enduring power of hope, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness.

Thank you so much Grace Walz and net galley for allowing me to read this book early in advance in exchange for an honest review. The review is linked below via Goodreads .. I face this book 4 stars

Mack is a young woman who is becoming a divorcee and a single mother while trying to save her Design business and win the Historic Preservation Design Fellowship. She had hoped winning would be a huge boost for her business. Her affluent Mother then comes in and tells her of a job she heard about and she wants to help with it. It seems the only thing her mom knows how to do is be a socialite that constantly criticizes her daughters choice in both business and her personal life. However she is keeping a secret. I felt bad that Mack has had to deal with a parent like that her whole life and was happy to see that is not how she treated her young daughter. A great heartfelt southern book that will make you smile and root for the underdog.

I was approved for the advanced reader copies of both the e-book and the audiobook(the narrator was great) of Southern by Design. I always love this because I can listen as much as I can and read the book at bedtime.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arcs.

Thank you to Harper Miser for the free ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is our next week on 2/11!

Magnolia “Mack” Bishop is a newly single mom after an unsolicited dick pic her ex sent makes its way into her mom group chat. But Mack is so close to achieving her professional dream of securing Charleston’s coveted Historic Preservation Design Fellowship that it takes the sting out…until her showing goes disasterously. Left without a next design job, she has no choice but to take the job her steely and domineering mother, also Magnolia, offers her as a member of the historic board. But Mack is able to make it a positive with the chance to host a home renovation pilot, and it almost makes up for her mother’s constant interfering and control. Just when she feels like she’s gaining steam, her summer love from 15 years ago moves in next door - and Mack is thrown for another loop.

After reading this I immediately want to visit Charleston. If you’re a fan of Fixer Upper this is definitely up your alley with a bit of mother-daughter drama and some romance thrown in. This was an easy read, but the chemistry between Mack and her love interest seemed a little lackluster to me in the present - just seemed tad too insta-lovey after 15 years apart.

Southern by Design by Grace Helena Walz is a captivating second-chance romance set in the balmy South, filled with long-held secrets that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Just like sipping on a refreshing glass of sweet tea on a scorching summer day, this novel offers vibrant dialogue, vivid characters that practically leap off the page, and a charming Charleston backdrop that will sweep you off your feet. I found myself completely engrossed in the story, unable to tear myself away from its pages.