Missing in Magnolia Bay: A Coastal Cozy Mystery Romance Novel: (Southern Tides Book 1)

by Emily Daniel

Some secrets were never meant to come to the surface.When Lauren Miller’s culinary program unexpectedly shuts down, she finds refuge in Magnolia Bay — a charming town on the northern Florida coastline filled with childhood memories and now, a chance to find solid ground.

Nestled in the cozy apartment above her Aunt Jo’s struggling bookstore, Seaside Books, Lauren discovers their beloved shop manager hasn’t just recently quit - she’s vanished. As she searches for answers, she finds herself drawn to Jacob, the town’s dependable handyman - whose easy charm makes her question everything she thought she wanted.

With Seaside Books on the brink of closing, a missing woman to find, and her own heart wavering between past and possibility, Lauren must uncover the truth... before it’s too late.
--Who the Book is

• Perfect for Fans Gilmore Girls, Mary Kay Andrews, Heather Webber and Emilie Richards—you’ll love Missing in Magnolia Bay and its blend of small-town charm and cozy mystery with a little bit of magic realism!

• For Readers Who Cozy mysteries with amateur sleuths, beach-town settings, Southern hospitality, and a dash of slow-burn romance. Ideal for fans of women-led investigations, family secrets, inheritance twists, charming locals, and clean mysteries with heart and humor.

• Quick but This shorter read is just right for busy book lovers who want a complete mystery they can enjoy in a weekend or on vacation!

Missing in Magnolia Bay is the first book in the Southern Tides cozy romance series by Emily Daniel.

231 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2025

About the author

Emily is writer, artist, wife and mother. She shares stories and gifts for everyday motherhood via her company lily + ivy.

Reviews

[serysbookspace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Emily Daniel for the gifted eARC of this title!

✨ARC REVIEW✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🩵Missing in Magnolia Bay
🌊by Emily Daniel
🩵Available NOW!

I am so happy that I was fortunate enough to beta read this one as it’s one of my favorite mysteries that I’ve read this year!!!

I can’t believe this book was a debut as it was so very well written and perfectly paced with writing that kept you on your toes! Our FMC, Lauren, moves into the apartment above her Aunt Jo’s bookstore (the cutest setup ever!) when she’s in need of a change of scenery! Although, she gets more than she bargained for when she discovers the true mystery that’s intertwined.

When a local woman simply vanishes, Lauren finds herself searching for answers hidden in the town of Magnolia Bay where she also meets Jacob, the town handyman!

This read is the perfect cozy mystery with a storyline that will have you pulled into the waves of Magnolia Bay! A frantic search, a slew of questions and a budding romance….and more suspense by the minute! An absolute 5 STAR read that should be added to every mystery lover’s TBR!

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missing in Magnolia Bay is the debut cozy mystery in Emily Daniel's Southern Tides series. It's got a touch of paranormal with an intriguing cozy mystery and a sweet romance. Lauren Miller is back in Magnolia Bay, FL temporarily to help her Aunt Jo at Seaside Books. Jo's employee Mary Kay left work on her lunchbreak and hasn't been seen since. Mary Kay's disappearance is the focus of the mystery. Lauren meets Jacob who is Aunt Jo's handyman and they have chemistry but Lauren isn't planning to stay. They work together to find out what happened to Mary Kay. Lauren has dreams that come true and Seaside Books hides a secret. There is a lot to keep Lauren, Jacob and Aunt Jo busy including a man lurking around town, people with secrets and clues to uncover! There are some twists and turns that will keep readers engaged right to the end! The story is compelling and the characters are well developed and interesting. I enjoyed every minute of it! It's perfect for a weekend escape or a day at the beach. It is part of a trilogy and I am looking forward to the next book. #MissingInMagnoliaBay #SouthernTidesBook #RomanticCozyMystery

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missing in Magnolia Bay is the debut cozy mystery in Emily Daniel's Southern Tides series. It's got a touch of paranormal with an intriguing cozy mystery and a sweet romance. Lauren Miller is back in Magnolia Bay, FL temporarily to help her Aunt Jo at Seaside Books. Jo's employee Mary Kay left work on her lunchbreak and hasn't been seen since. Mary Kay's disappearance is the focus of the mystery. Lauren meets Jacob who is Aunt Jo's handyman and they have chemistry but Lauren isn't planning to stay. They work together to find out what happened to Mary Kay. Lauren has dreams that come true and Seaside Books hides a secret. There is a lot to keep Lauren, Jacob and Aunt Jo busy including a man lurking around town, people with secrets and clues to uncover! There are some twists and turns that will keep readers engaged right to the end! The story is compelling and the characters are well developed and interesting. I enjoyed every minute of it! It's perfect for a weekend escape or a day at the beach. It is part of a trilogy and I am looking forward to the next book. #MissingInMagnoliaBay #SouthernTidesBook #RomanticCozyMystery

[Tristan Tuttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was such a sweet, cozy mystery with a dash of magical realism tossed in.
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I thought the MMC and what he shared with his dad was a very sweet and tear jerking scene. I cannot wait to read Emily's next one!

[Karla Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!! Local (to me) author and I could really envision the setting. The twists were not too crazy and just enough to keep you hooked.
I really liked it!