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Concrete Magnolias
In the heart of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a young Trina Jones is fighting to break a vicious cycle of generational trauma. She has never known the luxury of being mothered the way other girls do. Instead, she stands as the sole anchor for her four younger siblings, shielding them from the fallout of their mother’s addiction.
Her only sanctuary is the love of her life, Joshua Johnson, a rising star quarterback at Rouge University. But trying to play the savior has Josh biting off more than he can chew. Trapped in a dangerous duality of his own, he is forced to split his time between his football career and hustling on the block.
When a collision of betrayals and life-altering crises shatters Trina’s fragile world, the very ground beneath her begins to split. The prayers she desperately clings to start feeling less like answers and more like the inherited curses of her mother.
Will Trina be the magnolia that grows out of the concrete, or will the pull of the streets prevent her from finding a way out of the struggle to save them all?
Her only sanctuary is the love of her life, Joshua Johnson, a rising star quarterback at Rouge University. But trying to play the savior has Josh biting off more than he can chew. Trapped in a dangerous duality of his own, he is forced to split his time between his football career and hustling on the block.
When a collision of betrayals and life-altering crises shatters Trina’s fragile world, the very ground beneath her begins to split. The prayers she desperately clings to start feeling less like answers and more like the inherited curses of her mother.
Will Trina be the magnolia that grows out of the concrete, or will the pull of the streets prevent her from finding a way out of the struggle to save them all?
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 26, 2026
Whew chile, this story was tugging at my heart every which way, but I still couldn't put my Kindle down. The author's talent for storytelling is evident in the way the story is written with such depth. It not only makes you feel what the characters are going through but also understand the powerful messages woven throughout.
Watching the main characters try to navigate a life filled with struggles and heartache, constantly being knocked down but still doing their best to stay afloat and survive... whew, it weighed heavy on me. But I loved how this story highlighted the importance of prayer and having faith in God. It definitely gave me alot to reflect on too.
I'm so glad I stumbled across this book. It's one of those reads that will stay with me for a while. 10/10, i highly recommend! 💖
Watching the main characters try to navigate a life filled with struggles and heartache, constantly being knocked down but still doing their best to stay afloat and survive... whew, it weighed heavy on me. But I loved how this story highlighted the importance of prayer and having faith in God. It definitely gave me alot to reflect on too.
I'm so glad I stumbled across this book. It's one of those reads that will stay with me for a while. 10/10, i highly recommend! 💖
June 21, 2020
I couldn't put it down! The main character's journey/testimony is so beautiful. The characters seem so real. Very well written! About to start book 2!
August 9, 2026
Whew!!!!
What a story!? I'm so emotionally spent bc I'm Trina. I'm that child. I'm in tears not bc the book is sad. It has its sad parts but its weird seeing your teenage life through the eyes of a fictional character and an author you don't know. I needed to find this book and I'm so happy that a single post on Threads lead me to this book. Trina, you deserve so much more than you give yourself credit. I hope everything works out for you. Joshua, man what you be on? One minute I like you the next minute I'm drove! You move to fast. Sit down and focus. K'La...K-LA!!!!!! You are a pain. You, Tre, Roscoe, ya mama and the rest of them should be ashamed. Like Drake & Larissa too. This book felt so authentically Louisiana. Everything I-10 and below. Bc iykyk! Loved the terms we say like "fa trhe", loved the mention of the Boss, Keith Frank & Goodies song " Haterz". That just did something to my heart as a #337Girl. The making of the gumbo and mawmaw's description of how Trina had Josh had to both do their parts and then put them together like a good gumbo. I loved that Josh had a mawmaw & pawpaw 😂 it was just all around a good book. So much so that I plan on diving head first in this author's catalog. And I need the physical trophy of this book since I read the Kindle version. I need this on my shelf.
What a story!? I'm so emotionally spent bc I'm Trina. I'm that child. I'm in tears not bc the book is sad. It has its sad parts but its weird seeing your teenage life through the eyes of a fictional character and an author you don't know. I needed to find this book and I'm so happy that a single post on Threads lead me to this book. Trina, you deserve so much more than you give yourself credit. I hope everything works out for you. Joshua, man what you be on? One minute I like you the next minute I'm drove! You move to fast. Sit down and focus. K'La...K-LA!!!!!! You are a pain. You, Tre, Roscoe, ya mama and the rest of them should be ashamed. Like Drake & Larissa too. This book felt so authentically Louisiana. Everything I-10 and below. Bc iykyk! Loved the terms we say like "fa trhe", loved the mention of the Boss, Keith Frank & Goodies song " Haterz". That just did something to my heart as a #337Girl. The making of the gumbo and mawmaw's description of how Trina had Josh had to both do their parts and then put them together like a good gumbo. I loved that Josh had a mawmaw & pawpaw 😂 it was just all around a good book. So much so that I plan on diving head first in this author's catalog. And I need the physical trophy of this book since I read the Kindle version. I need this on my shelf.
November 16, 2018
I enjoyed this book. Trina Capone was an awesome young lady. Trina’s parents were divorced after her mom became pregnant again with another’s man’s baby. After her parents was divorced Trina took the responsibility of raising her siblings. Trina was a senior in high school, worked a job to support the family while her mom was addicted to drugs. Trina became pregnant by her drug dealing and football player boyfriend. He helped her with her siblings. Trina became fed up with the things going on at the apartment and moved out of the apartment leaving one of her siblings with the mom. Trina wanted a better life and decided to develop a relationship with God. Great read.
November 13, 2022
Praying My Way Out of the Struggle
Trina is a warrior and a woman of victory.
She was determined to do the right thing even though she could have chosen the easy way out. She struggled yet she overcame everything.
Trina's mom now she was a different story. I definitely did not like the person that she was. The things she allowed her children to go through especially her daughters made me want to put hands on her.
I would recommend everyone read this book especially those that are dealing with a love one's addiction.
Trina is a warrior and a woman of victory.
She was determined to do the right thing even though she could have chosen the easy way out. She struggled yet she overcame everything.
Trina's mom now she was a different story. I definitely did not like the person that she was. The things she allowed her children to go through especially her daughters made me want to put hands on her.
I would recommend everyone read this book especially those that are dealing with a love one's addiction.
September 3, 2026
4.25⭐️
A story of a young 18 year old girl Trina Jones having to step up and become a “mother” to her younger siblings while her mother struggled with her drug addiction.
This story pulled at my heart strings. Between Trina mothering her siblings (Nina, K’La, Scooter & Camille) and Trina dealing with her problems with her boyfriend Josh it was just a lot for her. My goodness. The ending fell a little flat for me.
Looking forward to reading the next book about Larissa and Drake who are Trina and Josh’s friends.
A story of a young 18 year old girl Trina Jones having to step up and become a “mother” to her younger siblings while her mother struggled with her drug addiction.
This story pulled at my heart strings. Between Trina mothering her siblings (Nina, K’La, Scooter & Camille) and Trina dealing with her problems with her boyfriend Josh it was just a lot for her. My goodness. The ending fell a little flat for me.
Looking forward to reading the next book about Larissa and Drake who are Trina and Josh’s friends.
July 28, 2026
I appreciate how the author was able to capture the dimensions of a city and people through the characters. Every interaction with Lady Eve took me to church. I wanted to knock Josh head off his shoulders and be a friend to Trina. I wanted to hold Nina and K’La til they felt love.
It was a constant page turner. I found myself thinking about the characters when I was not reading.
Excited about the series!
It was a constant page turner. I found myself thinking about the characters when I was not reading.
Excited about the series!
July 7, 2018
LOVE IS ALL WE NEED (God is that Love)
Oh my. I loved this from beginning to end. God sure has a way of letting us know...He is the Man in charge. The characters are ones I can relate to. Girl your calling didn’t end in your writing. Make this a movie fir PureFlix, Dove and give God all the praise for your obedience and love for Him.
💋💋💋👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽😊😊😊👏🏽🙏🏽
Oh my. I loved this from beginning to end. God sure has a way of letting us know...He is the Man in charge. The characters are ones I can relate to. Girl your calling didn’t end in your writing. Make this a movie fir PureFlix, Dove and give God all the praise for your obedience and love for Him.
💋💋💋👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽😊😊😊👏🏽🙏🏽
July 31, 2026
This was such a good read! Being from the area where the story takes place made the experience even better because everything felt so authentic. The language, the scenery, the culture, and the overall atmosphere were spot on.
What I loved most was the characters. Every single one felt familiar like someone I’ve met or known at some point in my life. That made it easy to become invested in all of them.
Definitely a 10/10 for me. I’m already looking forward to the next book to see how these characters continue to develop.
What I loved most was the characters. Every single one felt familiar like someone I’ve met or known at some point in my life. That made it easy to become invested in all of them.
Definitely a 10/10 for me. I’m already looking forward to the next book to see how these characters continue to develop.
June 15, 2018
Nice story
I enjoyed it , but someone should check the spelling and grammar. Can't wait for the next one. Very good read.
I enjoyed it , but someone should check the spelling and grammar. Can't wait for the next one. Very good read.
December 1, 2018
I normally don't read young adult stories, but I really enjoyed reading this young lady's journey. Great job by the author.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews