In the debut novel by Grace Helena Walz, Magnolia "Mack" Bishop is Southern by Design as she navigates Bishop Builds, her home preservation design firm in Charleston, South Carolina. Mack’s marriage is in a state of dissolution after her husband sent a body part photo of himself to another woman.

Though Mack’s firm misses out on a prestigious fellowship for historic preservation, she does secure a new design job thanks to her mother Magnolia Sr., a force to be reckoned with as she has always tried to control Mack’s life including pushing for a match with the husband Mack is now divorcing. Better than the design project is the opportunity it presents for a shot at a home improvement TV show, something Magnolia Sr. has no control over whatsoever, though she would like to be a co-host.

Her love life might be looking up as Mack takes a chance on an old love who returns to Charleston when she is in the thick of designing a wide Georgian mansion with a double porch. If left to romance on her own terms instead of a push from her mother, Mack would have married Lincoln Kelly 15 years ago before he left Charleston for a career in New York City. He is back in town with a young son, and Mack has some big decisions to make.

This contemporary romance comes out February 11, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Grace Helena Walz received a master’s in social work at the University of Houston and worked with children in foster care, as a medical social worker, and in a mental health capacity. She resides outside of Atlanta with her family.

Grace Helena Walz has been added to my list of must read southern chick lit authors! This debut novel was an easy fun read to start the year. I just wish I was on vacation in Charleston where the novel is based when I was reading it. If you like Dorothea Benton Frank, Mary Kay Andrews, and Kristy Woodson Harvey, then you will love this book.

Thank you Harper Collins Focus | Harper Muse for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Witty dialogue, fun romance, home renovation, and a reconciliation between a mother and daughter. As Mack works through her marital separation and pursues a once in a lifetime career opportunity, she gets a second chance at two important relationships in her life. It’s a fun read with some heart.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

This was the cutest book! I really enjoyed watching Magnolia come into her own, both in business and in her love life. This was like a tried and true Dorothea Benton Frank book, and I can't recommend more highly! It just zipped right along and I really enjoyed reading it

<b>4.5 Glorious Stars </b>
This book seriously had me laughing out loud, crying my eyes out, and feeling all the emotions.
It has some sneaky husband, fun best friend, second chance love, an adorable child, an overbearing mother, and a great main character.
There was a little mention of some mystery in the book but, you don't get lost in that until it is revealed. I felt like I knew everyone so well and would love to be a fly on the wall at one of these family dinners.
Grace Helena Walz did a great job of allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the story. I can't wait to read more by her.
Thank you Netgalley and HarperMuse for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The daughter of a domineering, forceful, society mother finally has her chance to come out from under the thumb that pressures her into place. Mack loves her mother but bristles under her constant criticism and push to conform to the rules of the upper crust society of Beaufort and Charleston. Magnolia can be unfeeling and driven to control twenty-eight year old Mack.
The story relates the deep struggles between daughter and mother with all the mistakes and outcomes, delving into the impact of upper crust demands.
It is a great book to read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The synopsis gives you a very, very good idea of what this book will be about. Of course, there is a HEA also, which you could see from a mile away! That is a comforting aspect of this novel.


I would have given this book more stars except for the fact that there was just a little too much 'plot' that really wasn't needed and that this author tried just a little too hard to write about the South, like author Mary Kay Andrews does. It didn't work for me. There were just too many things going on that weren't needed to get to the finish line. Everyone had some problem that needed Mack's attention, and Mack's mother was a caricature, which could sometimes be annoying.

It's predictable.

ARC supplied by the publisher Harper Muse/HarperCollins, the author, and NetGalley.

The debut novel "Southern By Design" by Grace Helena Walz is a dual timeline novel. Set in wonderful Charleston, SC, Walz is accurate in her descriptions. It showcases the dysfunctional relationship between the main character Mack (Mercedes) and her mother Mercedes. Also, another plot line is love lost and, hopefully, regained. Will Mack finally discover what makes her mom who she is? And, will this knowledge mend their relationship? Although a secular book, Walz keeps the novel clean and real to life.

Releases Feb 11th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5 stars

Magnolia Bishop is descended from a long line of iron-willed Southern women with standards for behavior and a lot of other things. Her father was never in the picture and her mother, another Magnolia, won't even divulge his identity.

Magnolia moved away to get away from the expectations and has set up her own interior design and historic renovation business. She married her mother's best friend's son and is now divorcing him and raising her young daughter. She is struggling to get out from underneath her mother's judgment and manipulation.

In the middle of all this, a new neighbor moves in. She is stunned to discover it's her old love Lincoln who left 15 years ago to pursue his career dreams. He has a son and a wildly successful business. He and Mack dance around the awkwardness of their meeting again.

There are no big surprises here but it's easy to follow the characters and their development. Magnolia's mother in particular undergoes a transformation. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Look at how pretty the cover is!! This is what drew me in!

I loved every second I've spent with this book - such a cute story! Mack is a great character. Her mom is a whole another story - quite difficult!

Thank you Netgalley!

Southern by Design
by Grace Helena Walz
Pub Date: Feb. 11, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Sweet Magnolias meets Fixer Upper in this delightfully refreshing debut about a woman bravely chasing her dreams, building a life on her own terms, and maybe even discovering a second chance at love.
I absolutely loved this debut! Pick this one up if you like books by Kristy Woodson Harvey, Annabel Monaghan and Colleen Oakley.

Really enjoyed this one! Loved the Charleston backdrop, the renovation talk and the character arcs. Can’t wait to read more by this author! Thank you NetGalley!

Listen, the home improvement and southern hospitality vibes of this book are *chef’s kiss* and I could totally see this being on screen some day! I loved following Mack’s story and her overcoming the “over bearing” mother at her side. Also the guy moves in next door? I love this trope. Overall, this was a slower start novel but an easy read and if you love HGTV this is for you!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I fell in love with this book: first for the cover, second for the setting - in Charleston, and third - the array of characters. I love cozy mysteries that include home renovations so this one was up my alley. I liked the main character, Mack, and her friend Fitz - likeable and relatable characters. This book was an easy read, with lots of red herrings, and many suspects which kept me guessing until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I cannot wait to read #2 in this series!

I love books with Charleston as the setting and couldn't wait to read this! Mack or Magnolia is a home renovator in the Holy City and is going through a divorce while also facing some challenges in her work life. I thought this was a sweet story with low stakes, but needed a bit more to move the plot along. Overall, it was a nice story to immerse myself in Charleston culture and follow Mack's story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was great! If you love anything home renovation, southern hospitality, and sweet romances, you will love this book.

Like is good when you’re an incredible designer in this southern city. Now Mack’s marriage is ending after 20 years and she’s trying to find her way on a new, better path. There are problems along the way but she’s determined. It there a new relationship in her future. Tune in to find out!

This book was great! It had very good storytelling in it and I really enjoyed the jump between past and present!

I was not the biggest fan of this book. I found it went into too much detail about her business. A story about a controlling mother who she is desperately trying to get out from under.