Review: Magnolia by Kristi Cook

Summary:

In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, the Cafferty and Marsden families are southern royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when a baby boy and girl were born to the families at the same time, the perfect opportunity seemed to have finally arrived.

Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: They hate each other! Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn’t exist.

But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over.

Publication Date: August 5, 2104

After a run of disappointing YA contemporaries, I’m finally two for two this month. I love having renewed faith in a genre I almost have given up on. I loved Magnolia, especially since I’m a sucker for hate to love romance stories.

Magnolia is a very sweet story about a girl resisting who her family wants to be. Jemma can’t stand the guy her family wants her to one day marry. It’s not until a storm forces her to spend time with Ryder that things begin to change for her.

I loved Jemma’s narrative voice and felt like the story was told in a way that made me feel part of Jemma and Ryder’s world. There is plenty of drama between Jemma and Ryder and I appreciated their ever-changing feelings towards one another. I thought the way they communicated was wonderful and it made for a strong foundation in their relationship.

Later in the book, there were a few darker moments where I felt myself getting choked up. However, I was warmed by how the characters were able to pull through and really be there for one another.

Another must read for fans of YA contemporary romances!

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!