Tag Archives: The Carolina Girls

The Wish List by Michelle Major – a Review

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The Wish List by Michelle Major – a Review

 

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Description:
This Christmas the Carlyle sisters will rediscover the gift of family

For some families, a Christmas reunion is like a feel-good movie. For Beth Carlyle, it might be more of a disaster epic. Her ex-husband’s new girlfriend is already pregnant. Her self-absorbed, bestselling author mother recently suffered a stroke and has summoned Beth’s sisters, Freya and Trinity—neither of whom even seem to like Beth very much—back to Magnolia. Beth’s so lonely and stressed that she spills her guts to a stranger, wondering why the handsome newcomer affects her so deeply. Reality TV star Freya deliberately forged a career that would upset her mother, who’s always been as brilliant as the sun…and just as distant. Now a handsome literary agent is making Freya dream of a different life. As for Trinity, she just wants to start over after leaving an abusive relationship and make a future for her and her baby.

It’ll be a Christmas like no other in Magnolia. But the Carlyle sisters might find they have more in common than their shared past—and that the holidays are made for second chances.

 

 

Review:

The Wish List by Michelle Major is the 4th book in her wonderful The Carolina Girls series. This story takes place close to Christmas, and centers on the three Carlyle sisters ((Beth, Freya, Trinity), who are brought together in Magnolia when their mother has a stroke. 

Beth is the oldest sister, who has always watched over her younger sisters, when their famous mother (author) is constantly away on tours, leaving the girls to struggle.  Beth still lives in Magnolia, but her other sisters travel home to help. Beth is divorced, and a nurse at the hospital, with her ex also working there as a doctor; they do remain on friendly terms.  Privately Beth wants to step away from her burdens and leave Magnolia, once her mother is better. But when she meets Declan, will Beth allow herself to find love again, or will she leave Magnolia.

Freya is a reality tv star, who does come across early on as a bit sarcastic, especially when she meets her mother’s agent. She doesn’t trust the agent (Greer), even though they both feel their attraction to each other.  Will Freya, who seems to be getting closer to her sisters, open her cold untrusting heart.

Trinity, the youngest sister, is also pregnant, much to the surprise of her other sisters.  What they don’t know is she has run away from an abusive boyfriend.  Trinity is worried she won’t be able to handle having a child, but her sisters promise to be there for her.  Trinity meets the next-door neighbor, who just happened to be the police chief.   A friendship builds, but in time things will change to a possible romance. 

I did enjoy seeing the three sisters begin to bond, bringing the family together.  It was nice to see each of the sisters find love. I did like Beth with Declan, Freya finally with Greer, and Trinity with Ash.  I love seeing many of the characters from previous books, such as Mariella, Anji, Carrie, Avery, just to name a few. It was exciting when Trinity had her baby, and when the family stood together against the abusive boyfriend.

What follows is a wonderful heartwarming romantic story with all three Carlyle sisters playing major parts, as well as all finding love.  I enjoyed this return to Magnolia and the comfort of a family reunion; despite the many struggles along the way.  Michelle Major also created a wonderful group of secondary characters, as well as giving us a glimpse at the ladies we loved from the previous series. The Wish List was written so very well by Michelle Major, with three great sisters, hot men, and so many wonderful secondary characters.  The Wish List was a very entertaining read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Wedding Season by Michelle Major – a Review

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The Wedding Season by Michelle Major – a Review

 

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Description:
The last person she wants to see in Magnolia, North Carolina, could be exactly whom she’s been waiting for…

Mariella Jacob was one of the world’s premier bridal designers, but one viral PR disaster later, she’s trying to get her torpedoed career back on track in small-town Magnolia, North Carolina. With a secondhand store and a new business venture helping her friends turn the Wildflower Inn into a wedding venue, Mariella is finally putting at least one mistake behind her. Until that mistake—in the glowering, handsome form of Alex Ralsten—moves to Magnolia too.

Mariella ruined Alex’s wedding by announcing that his starlet bride-to-be was sleeping with Mariella’s fiancé. While he’s furious when they’re forced to work together, there’s no denying Mariella is hardworking, talented…and gorgeous. In fact, though Alex keeps reminding himself that they’re enemies, something deeper is growing…daring them to admit that a rocky past might lead to something unexpectedly wonderful.

 

 

Review:

Wedding Season by Michelle Major is the 3rd book in her wonderful The Carolina Girls series. I have become a big fan of Michelle Major, having enjoyed her Magnolia Sisters series, and the first two books of her Carolina Girls.  Wedding season continued this trend, as it was a wonderful story, with a terrific couple, and great secondary characters.

Mariella, our heroine in this book, is the third partner in the Wildflower Inn, as she helps design the dresses for upcoming weddings at the Inn; she also owns the Second Chance dress shop.  In the previous books, we learned how Mariella left her job as a big shot wedding dress designer, and moving to Magnolia to avoid meeting anyone, after her fiasco when she drunkenly ruined her career.  Now Mariella has made friends with her partners in the Inn (Emma and Anji) is happy being in Magnolia. But things will soon change.

Alex Ralsten, our hero, is the man who Mariella ruined at his wedding by exposing his cheating fiancee, and has opened a new business in Magnolia.  They both are cordial, but try to avoid each other, and slowly they become friends.  Alex hires a young assistant, Heather to help at work, who turns out to be Mariella’s daughter, whom she gave up at birth.  Heather is not nice to Mariella, but with help from Alex, she begins to learn more about her biological mother, and in time the two of them will open up their hearts.

Alex recognizes that Mariella is not only a hard worker, who is loyal to her friends, but also smart, not to mention beautiful; as he begins to see her more often, he enjoys spending time with her.  Mariella and Alex’s relationship begins to change, as they each have strong feelings for each other. At first, they try to avoid anything, until their sizzling chemistry becomes an affair that they keep a secret.   I did love Alex and Mariella together, and also loved how Heather became closer to Mariella.  It was great to see how close and loyal the ladies were to each other, going out of their way to help Mariella with her daughter, as well as with Alex.  I really loved seeing Emma and Cam, Anji and Gabe.

What follows is a wonderful heartwarming romantic story with both Mariella and Alex dealing with their past issues; as well as Mariella coming to terms with the daughter she never knew. Michelle Major also created a wonderful group of secondary characters, as well as giving us a glimpse at the ladies we loved from the previous series. Wedding Season was written so very well by Michelle Major, with a great couple, and so many wonderful characters, many of the townsfolks, and the cute animals. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Mistletoe Season by Michelle Major – a Review

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Mistletoe Season by Michelle Major – a Review

 

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Description:
Spend the holidays in Magnolia, North Carolina, where two lonely hearts find exactly what they need for Christmas.

Anji Guilardi needs a man for Christmas—at least, according to her mother. What she really needs is to grow her fledgling catering business. Partnering with Magnolia’s Wildflower Inn holds promise, but when her mother falls ill, Anji’s drawn back to the responsibility of the family restaurant. Balancing work and her eight-year-old son, she has no time for romance…until Anji runs into Gabriel Carlyle.

Temporarily helping at his grandmother’s flower shop, Gabriel doesn’t plan to stick around, especially after he bumps into Anji, one of his childhood bullies. Sure, she’s all grown up and gorgeous now, and when they find themselves under the mistletoe, their chemistry is undeniable. But it’ll take more than a Christmas miracle for Anji to break through the defenses of Gabriel’s well-guarded heart and find a love built to last.

 

 

Review:

Mistletoe Season by Michelle Major is the 2nd book in her The Carolina Girls series. I have become a big fan of Michelle Major, having enjoyed her Magnolia Sisters series, and the first book of her Carolina Sisters.  Mistletoe Season continued this trend, as it was a wonderful story, with a terrific couple, and great secondary characters.

Anji Guilardi, our heroine, loves working at the Wildflower Inn, but with her mother recovering from an illness, Anji is stuck helping at the family restaurant. She is working overtime, between both places, trying not to leave her new friends (Emma and Mariella) in a difficult position (Anji does all the cooking for the Inn); and also help out at the restaurant, not to mention taking care of her young son, Drew.  Anji’s mother makes things difficult for her, putting pressure on her handling the restaurant, even though her heart and new recipes are with the Inn.

Gabe Carlyle, our hero, is back in Magnolia to help out his grandmother run the flower shop.  Gabe knows his mother wants to sell the shop and house they live in, but since she is far away, he ignores her, and puts most of his time with his grandmother.  Years ago, when the was young, he had a crush on Anji, but things broke up.  Now when he meets her at his shop, and despite his coldness toward her, he can still feel the chemistry between them; especially when they are forced to kiss under the mistletoe, and the sparks sizzle.

Between Anji’s mom, she pressures her to find a husband, and her son, Drew, who has become close to Gabriel, a bond begins to form.  Anji asks Gabe for help to be her fake boyfriend, to get her mom off her back. Drew had become very close to Gabe, which brings him closer to Anji.  Their relationship turns into a full-blown real romance, after they are both asked to run the town Christmas festival, and spend lots of time together.  Gabe is also there for Anji, when he sees how much she loves working at the Inn, but is pressured by her mother to stay with the restaurant.

What follows is a wonderful heartwarming story with both Anji and Gabe dealing with their issues (both mothers). Michelle Major also created a wonderful group of secondary characters, as well as giving us a glimpse at the ladies we loved from the previous series. Mistletoe Season was written so very well by Michelle Major, with a great couple, and so many wonderful characters, many of the townsfolks, and the cute animals. I suggest your start this series, and if you have not read The Magnolia Sisters, you should start that one too, then read Wildflower Season, before you move to Mistletoe Season.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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