I read this book very quickly thanks to such an engaging talented author! Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Great characters, setting and storyline. Would highly recommend.

Thank you netgalley for a chance to read this early!  I loved the premise of this story.  It was sweet, had great dialogue & was a light read.  I also enjoyed the small town feel.

Likeable main characters. Great dialogue. Quite a predictable plot you could say...perhaps saved by the journals that go back a few generations.

To me, the pacing was rather slow but fans of family drama, community life, and sweet romance in a small town will like this book. 

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.

The Family Journal was just a light sweet read. I enjoy a romance where the main couple is mature and thoughtful.   Single Mom with troubled kids returning to her home town and restoring her family and finding love made for a lovely story. I appreciated the addition of the Civil War Journal and the discussions that surrounded it.  Carolyn Brown can be counted on for a solid romance! 
3.5
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

"There's a difference between love and being in love, and also liking a person.  Love is akin to lust, and lasts a few minutes a day.  In love is deeper than that….Its what's left when you're old and lust isn't there anymore for health reasons.  It’s the glue that holds a marriage together. "
 
Book Review:
A family Journal by Carolyn Brown touched upon many topics close to home.  As a mom, raising 2 children, both of which are nearing the teenage years, there are many things I am concerned about.  Things such as drugs, sex, drinking, bullying, and everything else that goes with raising 2 boys in the current climate.  
Lily is a divorced mom with 2 children.  A 14 year old daughter and a 12 year old son.  Lily discovers her daughter had been caught smoking pot in the school washroom and found out that her son was sneaking out of the house at night.  She makes the decision to move out of the city and back to the small town where she grew up, for the summer.  They would revisit the living situation by the summer.
Mack Cooper, a boy that she went to school with, has been living in her family home, taking care of the house, their many goats and teaching at the local school.  They decide that Mack will continue living in the house carrying down his regular duties while they move into the upstairs bedroom. 
Once she moves back she discovers a family journal in an antique dresser.  In it she discovers entries written by women of generations before her.  Reading through the journal gave Lily an opportunity to bond with her daughter and to think about the life that she wanted for herself and her family.  The legacy that she would leave behind. 

Reading about the life in the small town, Lily reconnecting with her past, with the friends she grew up with made me think about what it would be like to live without all the external pressures of city life, of the pressures we put on ourselves.  Lily took her life into her own hands, found love, established stronger relationships with her children and created a wonderful life for herself and her children.  

This was a wonderful story about a woman, a mom, taking charge of her own life and creating a better future for her children.

Carolyn Brown does it again, and this is her one-hundredth novel according to her website. All I can say is WOW! Her stories always draw me in immediately and are always up-to-date and full of family, friends, angst, and love.

THE FAMILY JOURNAL is set in Texas, where single mom, Lily, is having troubles with her children. Both are running with the wrong crowd, and Lily decides to take a stand before their lives totally get out of control. She moves them to the small town of Comfort, where she grew up and still owns a home, and takes away all their electronics. Obviously, Holly and Braden aren’t too happy with any of the changes their mom is making,but they have no choice but to abide by her decisions. Small town life might just be what they all need though including mom!

Lily and her children decide to move into the second floor of her house while sharing the kitchen and living room with tenant, Mack. It’s interesting that while Lily and Mack knew each other in high school, they haven’t really had any contact except when he rents her house. I love the vibe between them and how her kids took to him immediately.

The story is portrayed realistically with friendships from childhood still intact and only strengthening when Lily moves back. There are a multitude of characters that span the generations, and all have a depth to them. The story is filled with family, small town life, and love.

The family journal that is unexpectedly found connects everyone and everything and serves several purposes. Ultimately there is a happily ever after and some closure, since the last chapter takes place thirteen months after the story ends. There still seems more story to tell regarding some of the characters lives, and I can only hope we meet up with them in a novella, if nothing else. (Hint, hint!)

Ms. Brown has fast become one of my favorite authors, whether of cowboy or contemporary romances or women’s fiction. Give her books a try if you haven’t already.  You’ll be glad you did!

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars on this site and others.

Since her divorce,  Lily has been raising her two children basically alone. Her husband's new wife doesn't want the kids around.  Now daughter has been caught smoking in the library and son has been sneaking out drinking beers.  Lily packs them up and moves back to Comfort, Texas her home town. Kids are minus phones, kindles and internet so they start taking interest in church and the goats on the farm.  A good story that is pretty realist.  I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

“The Family Journal” by Carolyn Brown

What would it mean to you if you found a journal that went back multiple generations and had entries from only the women of your family in it? Would you cherish it? Disregard it? Keep it a secret?

Lily Anderson decides to move herself and her two children back to her hometown of Comfort. Not only that but she also takes away all of their mobile devices including laptops, cellphones, etc until her kids turn their life around and are back on the straight and narrow. Needless to say her kids are even more angry by all these decisions.

Once settled in Comfort, Lily finds a journal stuck way back in the secretary desk that used to belong to her mother. She is transfixed by what she begins to read. At first she keeps it to herself, but when an occasion arises where she uses it to assist her daughter in a project she decides to share it with her and is amazed at what effect it has on both of them in similar and different ways.

“The Family Journal,” is a moving and heartwarming novel about the power of love, faith, resilience, family, and new beginnings. With relatable and wonderful characters and an interesting storyline, Carolyn Brown has written another alluring novel.

Rating: 4.7
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

** I initially read and reviewed an advanced copy o

Well written and relatable story of a single mother struggling through the teenage years, trying to survive admist loneliness, hormones and trusting that things do get better.

This book is a beautiful story that brings the importance of family history amd the power of love. I enjoyed this wonderful tale and its delightful characters.

Ahhhhh this was just such a great read. I just didn't want this book to end and I was sad to turn the last page. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.

I love this book.  A fun read and great characters. A strong mother trying to maintain her kids sense of right and wrong; will make you change your life and there.

As a parent, who raised 3 teens, I really connected with this story.  I can understand Lily's edict to ban electronics from her kids lives and to move them to the small town that she grew up in.  
She finds when they get there that the home comes with long time boarder, Mack.  They choose to live as housemates.
In the meantime, Lily finds a family diary that spans 5 generations of females in her family.
As Lily learns about her ancestors struggles, she and Mack grow closer.
Will Lily open up her heart for Mack?  I recommend that you purchase this book to find out.
Thank you Carolyn Brown, Montlake Romance and NetGalley for allowing me this advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

Carolyn Brown at her very best.  I became a reader of her books a few years ago and I can't get enough.  I am such a "fan".  I love that her characters are like your own best friends, they are real women who have the same issues as you.  Carolyn Brown hits this one out of the park .  I am constantly looking for new books by Ms Brown

Lily Anderson finds her children’s bad behavior and attitudes unacceptable, and temporarily moves them to Comfort, Texas, to the home she grew up in. The kids initially hate the move, but soon they grow to love their new surroundings and don’t want to leave. Lily finds a journal passed down through the years by the females in her family. She and her daughter bond over the journal as they read it together for a school history project. It tells the story of long ago women from their family that serves to bring mom and daughter closer as the story goes on. 
This story is wonderfully written, with rich characters and a gripping tale of love and family

I've heard it said that there is nothing new under the sun, and while I don't quite agree with that, people fundamentally haven't changed, so when Lily finds the journal it isn't a surprise that the feelings expressed by her foremothers aren't all that different from what she has experienced.  The times are different, as are the challenges, but when it comes down to it, women by and large are concerned about their children and want to be loved by their husbands.  



Lily needs a new start but rather than striking out to a new city, she returns to her hometown.  While her parents are deceased, her childhood friends are still there and they welcome her home.  



In some ways things go too well--these problem children adapt well to small town life, make new friends and don't get into trouble any more.  Mack's relationship with her children is one of the things that attracts Lily to him.  Romance novels are supposed to end up with everything neatly tied up with a bow, and this one certainly did, probably too much so, but I'd much rather be smiling at the end the book than crying .  



Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book via NetGalley. Grade:  B.



If you are a Kindle Unlimited member, this book is available via that subscription.

The Family Journal
by Carolyn Brown
296 pages 
Publication date: November 12, 2019
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
💜 MY REVIEW 💜 
This is my first read by this author, and definitely won't be my last.  I loved this beautiful heartwarming story. The author writes in such a way that you fell like you are there. It was well written with such great characters. I loved all of the characters. I loved how the character of Lily was such a strong. divorced, single struggling mom. When her kids get into trouble she makes the decision to take all of their electronics and move them from the city to her childhood home. Its a small town in the country. After moving there Lily finds and reads a family journal with her daughter that was written by some of the women in her family dating back to the civil war. 
I loved how the past of this family was brought into the present through this family journal. It truly is such an emotional read that will give u all of the feels.   
  Many thanks to the Publisher , the Author , and NetGalley for a ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own.
#TheFamilyJournal #NetGalley

Unbelievable!!! The 100th book by Carolyn Brown has been my most favorite book of hers yet! I hate picking favorites as I have loved each of the dozens I’ve read of this amazing author this book is a pure celebration in many ways! The Family Journal is a true heartfelt written book that grabbed my heart immediately! These amazing characters are so relatable as is their story. Lily moved back home after her kids have left her no choice with their actions and no help from her ex husband. Hoping being home helps herself and her kids she settles in with a few surprises. One being a family journal dating back to the civil war era that brings this family back together in the most touching ways. Grab your tissues for this amazing and beautifully written book that reminds me of all the things that matter most of all! I loved the history in this book!!! Amazing and In love with this! A must read and can totally see this turned into a fabulous movie!!! Best book to date and can’t wait to read the next book Carolyn Brown Writes!

Carolyn Brown never disappoints and The Family Journal is no exception. 

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Terrific book about family, friendship, love, and new beginnings. In the five years since her divorce, Lily's life was taken over by the day-to-day stresses of work and home, leaving her little time to give her kids the attention they needed. Her cheating ex-husband gave her full custody because his new wife had no interest in being around children. He flits in and out of Holly and Braden's lives, unreliable in actions and attitude. She experienced a rude awakening when she discovered 14-year-old Holly smoking a joint in the library bathroom, and that 12-year-old Braden was regularly sneaking out to drink and smoke with his friends. Devastated and furious, Lily takes drastic action. She takes all of their electronics away and moves them from Austin to her tiny hometown of Comfort, Texas.

I had to hand it to Lily. She didn't shilly-shally when faced with trouble, but took immediate action. Nor did she allow the kids to guilt her into changing her mind. She may harbor a few doubts, but she wasn't about to show them to the kids. Returning to Comfort was a big step for her. As a teen, she couldn't wait to get away from the small, sleepy town and experience city life. Her return feels a bit like a failure, but she'll do what she must for the kids. Her return also forces Lily to face some unresolved guilt about her relationship with her deceased mother. In the middle of her divorce, Lily was unwilling to deal with the stress of handling her mother's house, so she rented it as is to Mack Cooper, the high school ag teacher. It's a fairly large house, so she and Mack come to an agreement that he will continue to rent and live in the downstairs, while Lily and the kids live upstairs. They'll share the kitchen.

I really liked Mack. He's a quiet, steady man, who enjoys his work with the kids at school. He's accepted that love is likely not in the cards for him after having been burned twice. I ached for him and that part of his past, as the two women he loved threw him over for his flashy and shallow twin brother. Personally, I felt he was better off without them, as they obviously didn't truly love him. I loved the way that he welcomed Lily and the kids into his life. I especially enjoyed his connection with Braden and seeing the positive influence he had on the boy. I had to laugh at Braden's enthusiasm for the goats, much to his sister's disgust.

A lot was going on in this book. First and foremost was Lily's need to reconnect with her kids and help them see the error of their ways. It was a tough go at first, as the withdrawal pains from their lack of electronics made them unusually irritable. I had a great deal of fun watching them all cope with their new reality - no wifi??!!! Both kids had some severe culture shock going on, and I enjoyed seeing their progress from spoiled brats to good kids. It wasn't all smooth sailing for them, and I liked seeing them deal with their various challenges. I especially loved Braden's defense of his friend and cheered the awesome principal. There was a little while where I worried that Holly was headed down the wrong path again, but she too came through with unexpectedly mature decisions.

I also enjoyed seeing Lily reconnect with her childhood friends. It didn't take long for them to be as close as they had ever been. I enjoyed seeing Lily get involved in the antique store and discover that the slower pace suited her new lifestyle. Her friendship with her mother's best friend also gave Lily the chance to learn things about her mom that she hadn't known. When going through her mother's desk, Lily found an old journal that turned out to be written by earlier generations of the women in her family. I loved the snippets that were shared in the book, and how many of them had parallels in what Lily herself was experiencing. When Holly needed a school project, Lily shared the journal with her. I loved how sharing that link with their ancestors brought the two together in new ways. It was fascinating to see the effect it had on both of them.

There was also the growing relationship between Lily and Mack. It started as friendship, with the two learning to work together as they shared the living space. Mack's quiet strength helped Lily stay true to her goals for herself and her children. I liked how he took an interest in the kids and provided the kind of example they didn't have in their own father. I enjoyed seeing the two of them settle into a comfortable friendship with trust and respect for each other. And the more time that they spent together, the stronger the sparks of attraction between them grew. Both are a little wary, as Wyatt did a number on Lily's belief in herself, and Mack's brother Adam's dog-in-the-manger attitude toward anything Mack has made him reluctant to trust his heart to another woman. I had to laugh at Lily's reaction to Adam and his stunned disbelief. I loved that Mack was there for Lily when Wyatt pulled his bone-headed stunt with the kids. I loved the ending and seeing the changes that everyone experienced. I was left with a wonderfully warm feeling and the belief that Comfort was both a place and a state of mind.

One of my favorite secondary characters was Granny Hyatt. She was something else, with her fierce independence and blunt speech. She also showed the heart of Comfort and how everyone looks out for each other. It was quite a surprise to see how she took to the rebellious Holly. It was fascinating to see how two such different people connected. There was an interesting twist involving Granny at the end of the book, which answered a few questions Lily had from reading the journal.