Cover Image: Red Magnolia

Red Magnolia

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Member Reviews

Lucy Holden's Red Magnolia invites readers into a decadent and dark world, weaving a narrative that is as devastating as it is seductive. This four-star novel immerses readers in the intricate dance between Harper Ellory and Antoine Marigny, a dance that unfolds against the haunting backdrop of a cursed Mississippi mansion.

Holden introduces us to seventeen-year-old Harper, who, despite the ruins of her past, seeks a new beginning. The death of her twin sister propels her into a life entangled with both the cursed mansion and Antoine Marigny, the enigmatic heir who wants it back at any cost. The story unfolds with a rich tapestry of emotions, secrets, and the undeniable allure of darkness.

The author excels in creating a vivid atmosphere, immersing readers in the decadence of the Mississippi mansion and the emotional turmoil of the characters. Harper's resilience in the face of death and curses adds depth to her character, making her a compelling protagonist. Antoine, with his infuriating smile and mysterious aura, becomes a captivating and complex figure, keeping readers guessing about his true intentions.

The narrative is a rollercoaster of emotions, skillfully exploring Harper's journey as she grapples with loss, fear, and the haunting allure of Antoine. The dialogue is sharp, capturing the tension and chemistry between the characters. Holden masterfully peels back the layers of the story, revealing hidden truths and darker secrets, keeping readers engaged until the final pages.

While the novel successfully balances the elements of romance, mystery, and the supernatural, some readers may find the pacing slightly uneven. However, the intricate plot twists and the well-developed characters contribute to a satisfying and unpredictable climax.

In conclusion, Red Magnolia is a mesmerizing exploration of love, darkness, and the choices that bind us. Lucy Holden's storytelling prowess shines through in this decadent and emotionally charged tale. With its richly drawn characters and atmospheric setting, Red Magnolia earns a well-deserved four stars, offering readers a captivating journey through the shadows of a cursed past.

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Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

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It’s always nice when I find books that can amaze me like this. When I started reading Red Magnolia I didn’t have great expectations, I was just aiming for something light and quick, but instead I found myself captured by this story with a gothic atmosphere. It’s very horror-oriented, but in a subtle way, which at times reminded me of Horrid and Mexican Gothic.

The plot is not particularly complex, as are the plot twists (especially towards the end), however the author has masterfully managed each prompt and especially the relationships between the characters. One of the main reasons why I usually tend to avoid short stories is that I always find them superficially done, with characters that don't feel "real" and stories full of holes. Lucy Holden instead managed to make her characters really realistic, to make their reactions logic and above all to create a meaningful love story between Harper, the MC, and Antoine.

What I liked the most is undoubtedly the atmosphere, which with the "world building" - or rather the prompts that led to the events of which it is narrated - makes this short story a beautiful example of Southern Gothic.

The conclusion of this book is really bittersweet, but I think it was a great way to finish this first installment - and after reading the synopsis of the second one, I can’t wait to continue!

I highly recommend Red Magnolia to anyone who likes this genre and to those who are looking for something short but able to capture the reader. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

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DNF - no rating

I'm sorry, I tried but I just couldn't get into it. It's a bit bland and rushed in certain parts because it's a short book and the author is trying to fit everything in. I'm not getting that "settling in" feeling with the world and characters that I love so much.

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I thought this was not going to be my cup of tea. but honestly i got very much Vampire Diares & Twilight feeling and i`m all here for it! This was such an enjoyable, awkward , interesting read. Harper was likable, a little bit annoying. But Antonie was interesting, i look forward to see more of him later.

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# Red Magnolia by # Lucy Holden is listed under romance, teens, and YA. I find age makes no difference in a wonderful story. # Lucy Holden is a true storyteller!!
Decadent, Dark, Devastating,
Harper at the young age of 17 already knows the ruins of the past are a dark place for a new beginning…..
Thank you for the advance copy,
Netgalley,# Lucy Holden,# BooksGoSocial

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YES!!! This book was everything I expected and more. It was so fun and so different from my usual fantasy reads. Harper is an incredible character and reading the book from her perspective made it easy to dive into her story, feeling all of her emotions from pain to grief…and especially love towards her family. This book did have a Vampire Diaries feel to some extent, which made me love it all the more. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

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I was really excited to read this book. It had all of the academic bookish vibes - dark, gothic, secrets and betrayals. And unfortunately, it kinda went flat for me. It was too similar to previous books that I have read in the past. I want different storylines whenever I pick a new YA fantasy book. But I kept on reading it. It was a good book, just too familiar with the past books I have read before.

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Another book I didn’t get through but this is just purely personal and shouldn’t reflect o. The author or the book. Thank you to netgally and the publisher for early access to this book.

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While the story sounded intriguing from the description, it lacked depth in its plot line. The writing was average at best. It simply did not pull me in as I had hoped it would.

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Well, that was a hell of a ride-

Review to come, though I’ll just summarise it in a few words: twilight, vampires, weird mc, boyfriend (now husband) gone.

REVIEW

This will be short because i really do not have time to waste on this book. Special thanks to Netgalley for providing me an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Red Magnolia follows Harper, which seems to be one of the three name options when it comes to YA paranormals, who moves to a cursed mansion to let go of it all after her twin sister’s death. There, she meets Antoine (ahem, 200 years-old vampire name), the former owner of the house, who tries to persuade he into selling the house back. <spoiler>Somehow, in the end, they end up getting married and Antoine leaves her all alone, as if it is in the vampire starter pack to leave their loved ones.</spoiler>

This book is short & packed which i really appreciate. However, I need to also admit that it is all because this book lacks a proper plot. Nothing is really happening, except weird noises from the basement and a random, dark & mysterious guy showing up everywhere the MC is (Antoine).

Both Harper and Antoine are very shallow & 2d. Harper is like a very stupid kid that sees itself very smart. While Antoine, the love interest, is just there to show his muscular arms. (YA fantasy/paranormal, what is your obsession with arms about?)

Putting it all aside, I can easily say that i enjoyed reading this book in the way I enjoy watching Twilight book & movie reviews. I don’t regret reading it! The two stars are given only because my rating system is not based solely on enojyement but quality on my standards.

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Personally, I didn't really get into this. It started off as interesting but the initial hook wasn't there for me. I feel like there was definitely a plot that could develop into a great dark fantasy story, but it started off really slow and I couldn't bring myself to continue.

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Powerful beginning to a Southern Gothic with a bit of twist. Complex cast of characters and some surprise secrets and mysteries that add to the interest. Definitely like the Native American magic as part of the core story. This is a solid series for any age - a good read

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Harper has lost so much in her short life, but she is willing to try with her Step Brother in a new place where she can pretend to be happy and he can have his dream of restoring an old mansion. When Harper starts to get messages to leave the mansion and strange dreams of a woman needing help, she has no idea that she is in the middle of a dangerous world she can't handle on her own.

I found this to be a very fast and approachable read, some easy escapism that can be read over a day or two. And while the book dealt with some heavy topics such as murder, death and torture, I did not feel like the story was super dark, the plot kept moving at a fast enough rate that I was not overwhelmed with the bad. If you are a fan of Twilight and vampire romances in general, I very much recommend this as your next read. Keep in mind that this is a series and the ending is more a resting point than an actual ending and there is way more to come. I will for sure be reading more in the series so I can see how everything will unfold.

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When I decided to read this book I wasn't absolutely sure about what to expect. Vampire books, and especially YA paranormal romance books, have been called “trashy” too many times and people sort of have lost respect for them. Unfairly if you ask me. So, I'm happy to report that Red Magnolia exceeded my expectations.

The author’s influence is clearly palpable; you can tell there are many similarities with The Vampire Diaries and Twilight. That being said, the story does stand on its own. Since this is a very short book -it’s less than 200 p.- I believed we wouldn't get a full and complete story. Yet somehow, the author managed to create this incredibly fast paced, action packed book with captivating history. The legend or history parts could have been handled in a less info dumpy kind of way, but it is there and it’s complete. She also gave enough background information, presented us with a thoroughly described setting and introduced us to all the necessary characters. Harper, the protagonist, can be a bit intense sometimes and not act like a 17 year old, but I actually liked her. Putting the highly unlikely things she does aside, she’s a well intentioned, brave and caring person. Qualities I consider important if I’m to root for a character. Her love interest, Antoine, is the perfect mix between Damon Salvatore and Edward Cullen. Yes, you read that right. And he will most probably get under your skin.
The ending of the book was so exciting I couldn’t have stopped reading even if I tried to. However, it does end in a heart breaking cliffhanger, the kind that makes you want to read the following book immediately.

If insta-lovey and massive age gap vampire/human relationships don’t bother you, then the chances of you enjoying this book are high. I am aware of the “flaws”, but I went into this book looking for an entertaining vampire story and that’s exactly what I got.

Red Magnolia is the beginning of a new vampire series perfect for readers who are looking for a good old paranormal romance and I 100 % recommend it. Can’t wait to sink my fangs into the sequel.

Rating: 4 / 5 fangs

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I did not enjoy this book at all. It seemed to me that these subjects have been written by better authors, and have more likeable characters. It just did not grab my attention at all.

I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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*Copy provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I have to admit: when I first requested this ARC I was expecting this story to be not that great. And I am glad I was wrong. Even though it is wildly out there, I do like the twist with the paranormal romance and was intrigued by the plot and characteres, having read this book incredibly fast.

Now I am intrigued to see where this is going!

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NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Fans of supernatural, vampires, mystery and indigenous mystic arts will fall in love. Book is a one sitting read that will have you begging for more.

Be warned, there is an age gap between the two characters. Death and grief also show up.

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Paranormal is my comfort food, so it was great to immerse myself in this story. It was very easy to get into it and I loved the Vampire Diaries vibe.
Can't wait toread the next instalment!

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I am on the fence with Red Magnolia.

Pros:
Short first novel
Liked the history/curse

Cons:
Not enough character development
Some parts felt rushed, given it's part of a series
The age gap between Antoine and Harper.

I mean, it was terrible however, it wasn't great! For me, it passed the time.

For me, it didn't keep me, wanting more!

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