25.10.11

Book Review: Magnolia House by Pauline Barclay

When Jane Leonard gave half of her house to her only son, little did she realise that within twelve months, she would be forced to sell the home she had lived in for nearly five decades. The choice for this action was not hers but the events that led up to her handing over fifty per cent of Magnolia House paled by comparison to what happened after the ink had dried on the documents that named the new owners.
As Magnolia House is put on the market for sale, love and betrayal and ultimately family loyalty will affect the lives of all those who become involved.
I read and reviewed Pauline's latest book, Sometimes It Happens a little while back and I really enjoyed it. When Pauline got in touch and offered me the chance to review Magnolia House, I was more than happy to give it a go.
Magnolia House has  just been re-issued and have a very pretty new cover; it has a different feel to Sometimes It Happens in that it is more serious and poignant in my opinion.
Jane Leonard is the central character, at 70 years old I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to identify with her but her story really made me think. After living at Magnolia House for nearly fifty years, Jane must face the reality that she will have to leave her beloved home after giving half to her son. I hope one day to have a long term family home where I see my children and grandchildren grow up and I can't imagine how it would feel to lose that.
As I found with Sometimes It Happens, Pauline creates very likable and more importantly, believable characters. Jane was the main reason that I turned the pages as I wanted to know what would happen to her and what decisions she would make.
Magnolia House is a really good read, full of emotion and as I said it leaves you with a lot to think about.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Many thanks to Pauline for sending me a copy of Magnolia House to review, you can buy it via Amazon.

3 comments:

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

Hi Dot,

I checked out your great review for 'Sometimes It Happens' and couldn't decide which of the two books appealed to me the most.

Both are probably equally as good in their detailed character make-up, although I think that 'Magnolia House' has more depth and is probably the more emotionally disturbing of the two.

Choices, choices ... nothing for it ... both have been added to the reading list.

Great reviews.

Yvonne

Pauline Barclay said...

Hello Dot, a huge thank you for the lovely review. I am glad you enjoyed the story, and thanks too for the fabby 4 stars! xx

Pauline Barclay said...

Hello Yvonne, thank you for adding Sometimes It Happens... and Magnolia House to your reading list, enjoy both. x

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