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The Family Journal
Join the millions who have fallen in love with New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown in her landmark hundredth novel.
At the end of her rope, single mom Lily Anderson is determined to move her rebellious children in the right direction. That means taking away their cell phones, tablets, and computers—at least temporarily—and moving to the house where Lily grew up in the rural town of Comfort, Texas. But Lily has a bigger challenge than two sulking teens.
The house comes with Mack Cooper, high school teacher and handsome longtime renter. The arrangement: just housemates. But Mack’s devoted attention to the kids starts to warm Lily’s resistant heart. Then Lily finds an old leather-bound book in which five generations of her female ancestors shared their struggles and dreams. To Lily, it’s a bracing reminder about the importance of family…and love.
Now it’s time for Lily to add an adventurous new chapter to the cherished family journal—by embracing a fresh start and taking a chance on a man who could make her house a home.
At the end of her rope, single mom Lily Anderson is determined to move her rebellious children in the right direction. That means taking away their cell phones, tablets, and computers—at least temporarily—and moving to the house where Lily grew up in the rural town of Comfort, Texas. But Lily has a bigger challenge than two sulking teens.
The house comes with Mack Cooper, high school teacher and handsome longtime renter. The arrangement: just housemates. But Mack’s devoted attention to the kids starts to warm Lily’s resistant heart. Then Lily finds an old leather-bound book in which five generations of her female ancestors shared their struggles and dreams. To Lily, it’s a bracing reminder about the importance of family…and love.
Now it’s time for Lily to add an adventurous new chapter to the cherished family journal—by embracing a fresh start and taking a chance on a man who could make her house a home.
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 12, 2019
8369 people are currently reading
5807 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
184 books4,139 followersHi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 861 reviews
November 12, 2019
The Family Journal by Carolyn Brown is a contemporary romance that is a huge milestone marker in the fact this is her one hundredth book. Yes, I typed that right…a big one zero zero. Wow. Do I need to say anything on an author’s writing when having that many books in circulation? Well, I guess I will tell a little about this one….
Lily Anderson has been raising her two children on her own since her divorce from a cheating husband. Lily’s ex pops in and out of the kids lives when it suits him having remarried a rich woman who does not want children so Lily has done her best to be mom and dad. However, Lily’s best doesn’t feel good enough when her young teen daughter is caught with a joint and her not even a teen yet son is smoking and drinking himself.
At the end of her rope Lily decides to put her foot down and really lay down the law with the kids before things get even worse. First go all of their electronics and in order to get then out of the big city environment and away from the bad influence “friends” Lily decides to move back to Comfort, Texas where she was raised. The one catch, Lily owns her mothers home in Comfort inheriting it after she passed but she’s rented it to Mack Cooper who she grew up with so hopefully there will be room for them all.
Right off the bat I couldn’t help but root for Lily when her focus was on her children and what would be best for them, a little tough love that went a long way. Finding a journel in the old house added an extra layer to the story showing family bonding across the generations. Then add an extra good guy into the mix to make a whole family and this was one heart warming read.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Lily Anderson has been raising her two children on her own since her divorce from a cheating husband. Lily’s ex pops in and out of the kids lives when it suits him having remarried a rich woman who does not want children so Lily has done her best to be mom and dad. However, Lily’s best doesn’t feel good enough when her young teen daughter is caught with a joint and her not even a teen yet son is smoking and drinking himself.
At the end of her rope Lily decides to put her foot down and really lay down the law with the kids before things get even worse. First go all of their electronics and in order to get then out of the big city environment and away from the bad influence “friends” Lily decides to move back to Comfort, Texas where she was raised. The one catch, Lily owns her mothers home in Comfort inheriting it after she passed but she’s rented it to Mack Cooper who she grew up with so hopefully there will be room for them all.
Right off the bat I couldn’t help but root for Lily when her focus was on her children and what would be best for them, a little tough love that went a long way. Finding a journel in the old house added an extra layer to the story showing family bonding across the generations. Then add an extra good guy into the mix to make a whole family and this was one heart warming read.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
December 9, 2019
DNF
You know, lately I shelved more books under DNF especially with Christian theme. I have nothing against Christian romance book. It just I can not find a good match with me. So, Family Journal sadly also end up on DNF shelve. I thought this book is more like Little Women that type of book. But I was wrong.
The single parent thing is actually OK and I found it a bit fun. The journal has been boring. And its dragging. It just bad boring. I do not want to waste my time finishing this book while I still have many other books to read.
2 stars
You know, lately I shelved more books under DNF especially with Christian theme. I have nothing against Christian romance book. It just I can not find a good match with me. So, Family Journal sadly also end up on DNF shelve. I thought this book is more like Little Women that type of book. But I was wrong.
The single parent thing is actually OK and I found it a bit fun. The journal has been boring. And its dragging. It just bad boring. I do not want to waste my time finishing this book while I still have many other books to read.
2 stars
November 14, 2019
Single mom, Lily Anderson decides to move her kids back to her little hometown of Comfort, Texas after catching them on the wrong path. Tough love in the form of taking all electronic devices away from them along with moving from the city to a small town is drastic and doesn’t win her any popularity contests with her twelve and fourteen-year old. But getting back to her roots proves to be a smart move for their family. Mack Cooper, the renter at her family home is a stabilizing force for both Lily and her kids. His support and company are an unexpected gift, but it’s the spark of attraction that’s surprising to both Lily and Mack, since both had resigned to facing the future alone.
Five years since her husband left her Lily was sort of on autopilot with work taking up much of her time, but her kids getting into trouble was a wakeup call. Lily struggles with that knowledge as well as guilt over not taking more time with her mom before she passed away. Coming back to Comfort helped her stand back and take stock of what’s important in life. The discovery of an old family journal chronicling the struggles and challenges of her ancestors provides a view into the lives of women spanning decades into the past. The journal touches Lily’s heart and bolsters her in her efforts to put her family back on the right path.
I just loved Carolyn Brown’s 100th novel! The Family Journal touches on situations and feelings a lot of women can relate to. Lily’s struggles, and self-doubt are the kind most mother’s have felt at one time or another. I loved the idea of simplifying and focusing on what’s important in life, and I appreciated that Lily stuck to her guns and made her kids learn the lesson of consequence for actions. She did it in a loving way, though, and I think that helped win her kids over quicker than anything.
A copy was kindly provided by Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review.
Five years since her husband left her Lily was sort of on autopilot with work taking up much of her time, but her kids getting into trouble was a wakeup call. Lily struggles with that knowledge as well as guilt over not taking more time with her mom before she passed away. Coming back to Comfort helped her stand back and take stock of what’s important in life. The discovery of an old family journal chronicling the struggles and challenges of her ancestors provides a view into the lives of women spanning decades into the past. The journal touches Lily’s heart and bolsters her in her efforts to put her family back on the right path.
I just loved Carolyn Brown’s 100th novel! The Family Journal touches on situations and feelings a lot of women can relate to. Lily’s struggles, and self-doubt are the kind most mother’s have felt at one time or another. I loved the idea of simplifying and focusing on what’s important in life, and I appreciated that Lily stuck to her guns and made her kids learn the lesson of consequence for actions. She did it in a loving way, though, and I think that helped win her kids over quicker than anything.
A copy was kindly provided by Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2019
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE FAMILY JOURNAL by Carolyn Brown is her 100th novel and it is my favorite to date! This is a wonderful, heartfelt and endearing story of a divorced mother who has decided to make a new start with her children in her childhood home in rural Texas.
Lily Anderson has had enough. She caught her disrespectful teenage daughter smoking a joint and has found out her preteen son is sneaking out to drink beer and smoke cigarettes with his friends. Her ex-husband gave Lily full custody in the divorce, so she has taken all their electronic devices and is packing up and moving out of Austin to her rural childhood hometown of Comfort, Texas. Lily is desperate to get her children back on the right path.
Mack Cooper has been renting Lily’s home since the death of her mother and raising goats on the property while also teaching ag classes at the high school. Lily is willing to share the house with Mack until she decides if they will be staying or moving back to Austin when the school year is over. Never married and having been cheated on not once, but twice Mack is happy with the company, but wary with his heart.
As Lily and her children begin to find a new normal, friends and reconnect, Mack plays an active part in their lives. Lily is also able to bond with her daughter over an old journal found in her mother’s desk. Passed down in her family for generations from mother to daughter, Lily and her daughter learn of all the strong women in their family’s past in their own words.
Will Lily be able to make this move work for herself and her children? And will she stay in Comfort to take a chance on a new man to make her house a home?
I curled up on my couch to start this book after lunch and I could not stop reading until the end. Having raised my son as a single mom, I could easily empathize with the trials Lily was going through with her children. Mack was a strong and steady hero for both Lily and her children and I feel the cozy romance was written perfectly for their situation. All of Lily’s childhood friends in Comfort added depth to the story. The most intriguing parts for me were reading the journal entries. I had to keep turning the pages because I was as interested in the women’s stories as Lily and her daughter.
This is an all around wonderful story of family love that I can highly recommend!
THE FAMILY JOURNAL by Carolyn Brown is her 100th novel and it is my favorite to date! This is a wonderful, heartfelt and endearing story of a divorced mother who has decided to make a new start with her children in her childhood home in rural Texas.
Lily Anderson has had enough. She caught her disrespectful teenage daughter smoking a joint and has found out her preteen son is sneaking out to drink beer and smoke cigarettes with his friends. Her ex-husband gave Lily full custody in the divorce, so she has taken all their electronic devices and is packing up and moving out of Austin to her rural childhood hometown of Comfort, Texas. Lily is desperate to get her children back on the right path.
Mack Cooper has been renting Lily’s home since the death of her mother and raising goats on the property while also teaching ag classes at the high school. Lily is willing to share the house with Mack until she decides if they will be staying or moving back to Austin when the school year is over. Never married and having been cheated on not once, but twice Mack is happy with the company, but wary with his heart.
As Lily and her children begin to find a new normal, friends and reconnect, Mack plays an active part in their lives. Lily is also able to bond with her daughter over an old journal found in her mother’s desk. Passed down in her family for generations from mother to daughter, Lily and her daughter learn of all the strong women in their family’s past in their own words.
Will Lily be able to make this move work for herself and her children? And will she stay in Comfort to take a chance on a new man to make her house a home?
I curled up on my couch to start this book after lunch and I could not stop reading until the end. Having raised my son as a single mom, I could easily empathize with the trials Lily was going through with her children. Mack was a strong and steady hero for both Lily and her children and I feel the cozy romance was written perfectly for their situation. All of Lily’s childhood friends in Comfort added depth to the story. The most intriguing parts for me were reading the journal entries. I had to keep turning the pages because I was as interested in the women’s stories as Lily and her daughter.
This is an all around wonderful story of family love that I can highly recommend!
March 9, 2021
Wow! One hundred books released and dare I hope for many more to come? Carolyn Brown’s The Family Journal was a fitting book for hitting her century mark with its unique look back at the distant past through the maternal family journal, to the present where things are at a low for the heroine before she takes her life by the horns, and into a future if she can trust that all men aren’t like her cheating, manipulative ex. Carolyn Brown’s country charming style full of family, friendship, wry humor and no-nonsense romance is a feel-good moment that I’m ever eager to experience.
Review
The Family Journal starts with appalled and stressed out Lily Anderson getting a wake-up call. She caught her fourteen year old daughter smoking a joint in the library restroom and her twelve year old son has been sneaking off for beer and cigs with his friends. Time to get out of the city and head home to those simple country roots that she was so eager to escape when she finished high school. Back to the old stone family home with its shared bathroom and lack of wifi, her best buds, small town gossip, and a man who has the same loneliness and broken-hearted past in his eyes just like she.
I love this author’s books and this one was no exception even with the challenge of misbehaving teenagers included. It was an interesting story of family heritage when Lily found the journal that went back six generations of women to connect her to others who had to deal with hardships and came through them and also connected her with her daughter, Holly, who needed to get in touch with her family roots. Mac and Lily’s romance is one of friendship to love, building trust that this person won’t hurt them as they were hurt before. Lily’s domineering husband cheated and left her while Mack’s two ex fiancees left him for his handsome, suave twin brother because anything Mac has Adam tries to take.
Through a montage of daily life scenes and events, The Family Journal shows people healing and coming together. It was sweet and a little sassy with its gentle pacing. It was a crossover between women’s fiction and romance the way it focused on several feminine relationships in the story: Lily with her daughter, Lily coming to peace with her deceased mother, the connection to the women in the journal, Lily and her friends, Holly attempting to make friends, and Holly with Granny Hayes.
But, that romance was just the thing to weave through the women’s story. Mac is stalwart, quiet and very humble after growing up the twin of a flashy brother who dominated their high school scene and was the seeming golden boy so that not one, but two of Mac’s loves fell for his tinsel charm. He fears that Lily will do the same until she shows him that she knows the difference between the player and the real thing. He’s no fancy bank president wearing thousand dollar suits and driving a sports car. He’s an agricultural teacher and runs the 4-H club, he raises goats, wears beat up boots and drives an old truck. But, he is just the guy to fill in the wounds that Lily and her kids have after Wyatt does his number on them for years. I envy Lily her Mac.
All in all, it was another golden story for me and I can recommend it to those who enjoy contemporary western romance or small town women’s fiction.
The narration work was as superb as usual since I've heard Brittany Pressley voice Carolyn Brown books before and enjoyed her work. She's in tune with the tone of the book, great with her voice work from oldster down to teen, Texas drawls, and just the right amount of emotion. Makes the book even better.
Review
The Family Journal starts with appalled and stressed out Lily Anderson getting a wake-up call. She caught her fourteen year old daughter smoking a joint in the library restroom and her twelve year old son has been sneaking off for beer and cigs with his friends. Time to get out of the city and head home to those simple country roots that she was so eager to escape when she finished high school. Back to the old stone family home with its shared bathroom and lack of wifi, her best buds, small town gossip, and a man who has the same loneliness and broken-hearted past in his eyes just like she.
I love this author’s books and this one was no exception even with the challenge of misbehaving teenagers included. It was an interesting story of family heritage when Lily found the journal that went back six generations of women to connect her to others who had to deal with hardships and came through them and also connected her with her daughter, Holly, who needed to get in touch with her family roots. Mac and Lily’s romance is one of friendship to love, building trust that this person won’t hurt them as they were hurt before. Lily’s domineering husband cheated and left her while Mack’s two ex fiancees left him for his handsome, suave twin brother because anything Mac has Adam tries to take.
Through a montage of daily life scenes and events, The Family Journal shows people healing and coming together. It was sweet and a little sassy with its gentle pacing. It was a crossover between women’s fiction and romance the way it focused on several feminine relationships in the story: Lily with her daughter, Lily coming to peace with her deceased mother, the connection to the women in the journal, Lily and her friends, Holly attempting to make friends, and Holly with Granny Hayes.
But, that romance was just the thing to weave through the women’s story. Mac is stalwart, quiet and very humble after growing up the twin of a flashy brother who dominated their high school scene and was the seeming golden boy so that not one, but two of Mac’s loves fell for his tinsel charm. He fears that Lily will do the same until she shows him that she knows the difference between the player and the real thing. He’s no fancy bank president wearing thousand dollar suits and driving a sports car. He’s an agricultural teacher and runs the 4-H club, he raises goats, wears beat up boots and drives an old truck. But, he is just the guy to fill in the wounds that Lily and her kids have after Wyatt does his number on them for years. I envy Lily her Mac.
All in all, it was another golden story for me and I can recommend it to those who enjoy contemporary western romance or small town women’s fiction.
The narration work was as superb as usual since I've heard Brittany Pressley voice Carolyn Brown books before and enjoyed her work. She's in tune with the tone of the book, great with her voice work from oldster down to teen, Texas drawls, and just the right amount of emotion. Makes the book even better.
June 13, 2020
This was kind of cute.
The Family Journal will introduce you to Lily Anderson. She is recently divorced and is raising her two kids by herself. Honestly, good for her because her cheating ex of a douche husband didn't deserve them one bit. I felt really bad for all involved because he just showed up whenever he wanted and didn't care about them once he was gone. Definitely self-centered and not a big fan of his.
Unfortunately, that isn't the only problem in her life. Nope, her kids aren't acting or behaving how they used to. Which is pretty common when a divorce happens. So I wasn't completely surprised that they were both caught smoking or drinking something. Not that I'm saying I did this from experience but my parents also divorced when I was pretty young.
So, she moves them back to her home - good ole Texas! I was all for this decision because she was doing what her ex wasn't - putting her kids first. She wanted to help them through whatever before their bad decisions got worse. Once they set foot on her mother's land, I just knew good things were going to happen for them all.
In the end, this book was really cute. I really enjoyed everything that happened and how this family got closer to one another.
The Family Journal will introduce you to Lily Anderson. She is recently divorced and is raising her two kids by herself. Honestly, good for her because her cheating ex of a douche husband didn't deserve them one bit. I felt really bad for all involved because he just showed up whenever he wanted and didn't care about them once he was gone. Definitely self-centered and not a big fan of his.
Unfortunately, that isn't the only problem in her life. Nope, her kids aren't acting or behaving how they used to. Which is pretty common when a divorce happens. So I wasn't completely surprised that they were both caught smoking or drinking something. Not that I'm saying I did this from experience but my parents also divorced when I was pretty young.
So, she moves them back to her home - good ole Texas! I was all for this decision because she was doing what her ex wasn't - putting her kids first. She wanted to help them through whatever before their bad decisions got worse. Once they set foot on her mother's land, I just knew good things were going to happen for them all.
In the end, this book was really cute. I really enjoyed everything that happened and how this family got closer to one another.
February 24, 2020
Unbelievable!!! The 100th book by Carolyn Brown has been my most favorite book of hers yet! I hate picking favorites as I have loved each of the dozens I’ve read of this amazing author this book is a pure celebration in many ways! The Family Journal is a true heartfelt written book that grabbed my heart immediately! These amazing characters are so relatable as is their story. Lily moved back home after her kids have left her no choice with their actions and no help from her ex husband. Hoping being home helps herself and her kids she settles in with a few surprises. One being a family journal dating back to the civil war era that brings this family back together in the most touching ways. Grab your tissues for this amazing and beautifully written book that reminds me of all the things that matter most of all! I loved the history in this book!!! Amazing and In love with this! A must read and can totally see this turned into a fabulous movie!!! Best book to date and can’t wait to read the next book Carolyn Brown Writes!
November 18, 2019
Four and a half stars: A heartfelt novel that focuses on the importance of family and roots.
After Lily catches her fourteen year old daughter, Holly, smoking a joint and her twelve year old son drinking, she decides it’s time for some tough love. Lily takes away all their electronic devices and moves them from Austin to the small town of Comfort, Texas where she grew up. Lily heads back to her family home, only there is a small problem, she will have a roommate. After her parents died five years ago and her marriage ended, Lily didn’t have the time or the energy to deal with her parent’s house. When Mack, a local man offered to rent it from her as is, she jumped at his offer. Mack being a true gentleman, has no issue with Lily and the kids moving in. Once back in Comfort, Lily discovers a family journal in her mother’s things. The journal begins during the Civil War, with one of Lily’s ancestors. As Lily and Holly read the journal they learn more about the family and their roots. Will they be able to repair their own relationship along the way?
What I Liked:
*I was delighted to get to read The Family Journal, Carolyn Brown’s one hundredth novel. Once again, Mrs. Brown delivers a heartfelt story all about family. This was a joy to read.
*At the beginning of the novel, Lily is a frazzled single mother who missed the warning signs in her own children. I loved that Lily made some hard choices, and that she showed her children tough love. It is a rocky road early on, but once the three of them settle back into Comfort, they rediscover what it means to be a family. Once Lily starts reading the old family journal, she begins to reevaluate her own life, and she learns some important lessons. I loved watching Lily grow. I especially enjoyed seeing her reconnect with her children.
*The family journal was a fascinating part of the book. Lily discovers an old family journal that was started by one of her ancestors during the Civil War. The journal is passed from one female descendant to the next. Over the years, each woman adds her own narrative to the journal. I thought the journal snippets were an amazing addition to the story.
*Mack, Lily’s renter, is an absolute joy. He is kind, caring and he ends up being a stabilizing force in Lily and the kids’ lives. I loved his big heart. Even though his own twin brother kicked him in the teeth again and again, Mack still is a great guy.
*The romance is wonderful. I liked that it started as a friendship with sparks of attraction. It isn’t hurried. It takes it’s sweet time to unfurl. I loved that it was established with trust, respect and kindness.
*I love that this book is all about family and family roots. This day in age, many of us are too busy to take time to appreciate the small things. This book is a reminder to take time to explore your family roots, and enjoy the simple things in life.
*After the ugliness between Lily and her ex husband, I was pleased to see positive progress in their relationship.
*After a few revelations, a few tears and smiles, the book closes in a nice happy spot. I closed the book content. Loved this one.
And The Not So Much:
*I have to admit, when the journal opened with a Southern woman in the midst of the Civil War, I was excited. I was disappointed though to find that there were only one or two entries from each woman through the years. I wanted a few more entries in the past, as I loved learning about each woman.
*Grandma Hayes was a fascinating character. She is a ninety seven year old woman who lives by herself in a small cabin. She rides her mule every week to church and keeps to herself. I loved her tenacity and the way she took care of herself. I wanted more of her story.
The Family Journal is a heartwarming story that gently reminds us the importance of family and taking time to enjoy the small things in life. I loved that this was a story about a woman reconnecting with her family roots as she struggled to redirect her children. This is a delightful book for those who want a heartfelt story. Congratulations to Carolyn Brown for publishing this as her hundredth novel. Here is to many more!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
After Lily catches her fourteen year old daughter, Holly, smoking a joint and her twelve year old son drinking, she decides it’s time for some tough love. Lily takes away all their electronic devices and moves them from Austin to the small town of Comfort, Texas where she grew up. Lily heads back to her family home, only there is a small problem, she will have a roommate. After her parents died five years ago and her marriage ended, Lily didn’t have the time or the energy to deal with her parent’s house. When Mack, a local man offered to rent it from her as is, she jumped at his offer. Mack being a true gentleman, has no issue with Lily and the kids moving in. Once back in Comfort, Lily discovers a family journal in her mother’s things. The journal begins during the Civil War, with one of Lily’s ancestors. As Lily and Holly read the journal they learn more about the family and their roots. Will they be able to repair their own relationship along the way?
What I Liked:
*I was delighted to get to read The Family Journal, Carolyn Brown’s one hundredth novel. Once again, Mrs. Brown delivers a heartfelt story all about family. This was a joy to read.
*At the beginning of the novel, Lily is a frazzled single mother who missed the warning signs in her own children. I loved that Lily made some hard choices, and that she showed her children tough love. It is a rocky road early on, but once the three of them settle back into Comfort, they rediscover what it means to be a family. Once Lily starts reading the old family journal, she begins to reevaluate her own life, and she learns some important lessons. I loved watching Lily grow. I especially enjoyed seeing her reconnect with her children.
*The family journal was a fascinating part of the book. Lily discovers an old family journal that was started by one of her ancestors during the Civil War. The journal is passed from one female descendant to the next. Over the years, each woman adds her own narrative to the journal. I thought the journal snippets were an amazing addition to the story.
*Mack, Lily’s renter, is an absolute joy. He is kind, caring and he ends up being a stabilizing force in Lily and the kids’ lives. I loved his big heart. Even though his own twin brother kicked him in the teeth again and again, Mack still is a great guy.
*The romance is wonderful. I liked that it started as a friendship with sparks of attraction. It isn’t hurried. It takes it’s sweet time to unfurl. I loved that it was established with trust, respect and kindness.
*I love that this book is all about family and family roots. This day in age, many of us are too busy to take time to appreciate the small things. This book is a reminder to take time to explore your family roots, and enjoy the simple things in life.
*After the ugliness between Lily and her ex husband, I was pleased to see positive progress in their relationship.
*After a few revelations, a few tears and smiles, the book closes in a nice happy spot. I closed the book content. Loved this one.
And The Not So Much:
*I have to admit, when the journal opened with a Southern woman in the midst of the Civil War, I was excited. I was disappointed though to find that there were only one or two entries from each woman through the years. I wanted a few more entries in the past, as I loved learning about each woman.
*Grandma Hayes was a fascinating character. She is a ninety seven year old woman who lives by herself in a small cabin. She rides her mule every week to church and keeps to herself. I loved her tenacity and the way she took care of herself. I wanted more of her story.
The Family Journal is a heartwarming story that gently reminds us the importance of family and taking time to enjoy the small things in life. I loved that this was a story about a woman reconnecting with her family roots as she struggled to redirect her children. This is a delightful book for those who want a heartfelt story. Congratulations to Carolyn Brown for publishing this as her hundredth novel. Here is to many more!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
April 24, 2021
I have listened to The family journal on Audible. At the beginning was a bit suspicious as I got it on sale. However, to my surprise, I liked most of the story of how a divorced mother living in the big city had teenage children and a job, because of which she couldn't have spent enough time with them. After caching a daughter smoking a pot and getting to know about her twelve years old son drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette with his pears, she decided to relocate to her home town, a small town. Eventually, all sorts out in a good way for her and her new husband, their children.
July 5, 2021
بین دوست داشتن و عاشق شدن فرق زیادی هست. عشق چیزی شبیه شهوته و چند روز بعد از عروسی تموم میشه. دوست داشتن عمیقتر از عشقه. بهتره دوستش داشته باشی، چون اونوقت تا آخر عمرت باقی میمونه، این تنها رازیه که یک زندگی مشترک رو زنده نگه میداره.
January 6, 2021
The Family Journal is about a single mom who moves her children back to her childhood home in small town Comfort, Texas. I really enjoy Carolyn Brown’s books but this one was missing something that I just can’t put my finger on. It also didn’t make me laugh as much as I have laughed when reading her other books. Don’t get me wrong, it was still an enjoyable read and I’m glad I read it.
November 11, 2019
Book Info
Paperback, 298 pages
Expected publication: November 12th 2019 by Montlake Romance
ISBN 1542015375 (ISBN13: 9781542015370)
Other Editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Buy book from
Amazon
B&N
Join the millions who have fallen in love with New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown in her landmark hundredth novel.
At the end of her rope, single mom Lily Anderson is determined to move her rebellious children in the right direction. That means taking away their cell phones, tablets, and computers—at least temporarily—and moving to the house where Lily grew up in the rural town of Comfort, Texas. But Lily has a bigger challenge than two sulking kids.
The house comes with Mack Cooper, high school teacher and handsome longtime renter. The arrangement: just housemates. But Mack’s devoted attention to the kids starts to warm Lily’s resistant heart. Then Lily finds an old leather-bound book in which five generations of her female ancestors shared their struggles and dreams. To Lily, it’s a bracing reminder about the importance of family…and love.
Now it’s time for Lily to add an adventurous new chapter to the cherished family journal—by embracing a fresh start and taking a chance on a man who could make her house a home.
Once again one of my favorite contemporary authors proves to be a veritable fount of knowledge about what a family should be, regardless of blood or not.
Everyone deserves a second chance so when faced with rebellion from her two teenaged children, Braden and his older sister Holly, Lily Anderson gives them that chance by leaving behind temptations causing their behavior and moving her little family to Comfort Texas where she grew up.
A wise parenting choice of tough love that at first results in cold shoulders from both teens but turns into one of the greatest times of all their lives!
New start, new school, new friends and more importantly newly adjusted better attitudes are the results that Lily was hoping for all along.
Not only new beginnings for Braden and Holly however because there are some wonderful benefits to moving home again for Lily as well.
Old friends are reconnected, new friendships start and most unexpected of all a second chance at lasting love is something Lily cannot let pass her by.
Along with all these comes an extra gift, the chance to meet long gone generations within the pages of an old journal passed down from mothers to their daughters that Lily finds to read.
The journal contains even more than just a look into these past events, it creates a deeper understanding between Lily and Holly than they have ever had and gives them both hours of pleasure in reading the book together.
Filled with angst, drama, family time, humor and just plain old realistic look at life and what we make of it this is a read for all ages to enjoy.
I could not have been happier than reading this eloquent testimonial to not only one modern woman’s ability to overcome her circumstances but that of those gone before her in time from the recounting of her families history as well.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early read opportunity of this particular tale, it was enjoyable, heartwarming, infuriating and most of all very well thought out and carried out very realistically from start to finish.
Paperback, 298 pages
Expected publication: November 12th 2019 by Montlake Romance
ISBN 1542015375 (ISBN13: 9781542015370)
Other Editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Buy book from
Amazon
B&N
BOOK BLURB
Join the millions who have fallen in love with New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown in her landmark hundredth novel.
At the end of her rope, single mom Lily Anderson is determined to move her rebellious children in the right direction. That means taking away their cell phones, tablets, and computers—at least temporarily—and moving to the house where Lily grew up in the rural town of Comfort, Texas. But Lily has a bigger challenge than two sulking kids.
The house comes with Mack Cooper, high school teacher and handsome longtime renter. The arrangement: just housemates. But Mack’s devoted attention to the kids starts to warm Lily’s resistant heart. Then Lily finds an old leather-bound book in which five generations of her female ancestors shared their struggles and dreams. To Lily, it’s a bracing reminder about the importance of family…and love.
Now it’s time for Lily to add an adventurous new chapter to the cherished family journal—by embracing a fresh start and taking a chance on a man who could make her house a home.
My Thoughts
Once again one of my favorite contemporary authors proves to be a veritable fount of knowledge about what a family should be, regardless of blood or not.
Everyone deserves a second chance so when faced with rebellion from her two teenaged children, Braden and his older sister Holly, Lily Anderson gives them that chance by leaving behind temptations causing their behavior and moving her little family to Comfort Texas where she grew up.
A wise parenting choice of tough love that at first results in cold shoulders from both teens but turns into one of the greatest times of all their lives!
New start, new school, new friends and more importantly newly adjusted better attitudes are the results that Lily was hoping for all along.
Not only new beginnings for Braden and Holly however because there are some wonderful benefits to moving home again for Lily as well.
Old friends are reconnected, new friendships start and most unexpected of all a second chance at lasting love is something Lily cannot let pass her by.
Along with all these comes an extra gift, the chance to meet long gone generations within the pages of an old journal passed down from mothers to their daughters that Lily finds to read.
The journal contains even more than just a look into these past events, it creates a deeper understanding between Lily and Holly than they have ever had and gives them both hours of pleasure in reading the book together.
Filled with angst, drama, family time, humor and just plain old realistic look at life and what we make of it this is a read for all ages to enjoy.
I could not have been happier than reading this eloquent testimonial to not only one modern woman’s ability to overcome her circumstances but that of those gone before her in time from the recounting of her families history as well.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early read opportunity of this particular tale, it was enjoyable, heartwarming, infuriating and most of all very well thought out and carried out very realistically from start to finish.
[EArc from Netgalley]
November 16, 2019
The Family Journal by: Carolyn Brown
Brown takes a snapshot of the heart at it's most vulnerable and then puts it in our hands for safekeeping. The Family Journal dares to expose every emotion we're too afraid to face, but determined to conquer anyway. Lily and Mack are evidence that there is beauty in the heartache and wisdom in the lessons we learn from the experience.
Brown takes a snapshot of the heart at it's most vulnerable and then puts it in our hands for safekeeping. The Family Journal dares to expose every emotion we're too afraid to face, but determined to conquer anyway. Lily and Mack are evidence that there is beauty in the heartache and wisdom in the lessons we learn from the experience.
November 20, 2019
The Family Journal by Carolyn Brown is a powerful story about the love of a single mom for her kids. Lily Anderson is at the end of her rope. Her two kids are out of control, so she has packed up and moved her family back to Comfort, Texas. Her parents’ house comes with Mack Cooper, a high school teacher and a handsome longtime renter. Arrangements: housemates. But Mack’s devoted attention to the kids begins to warm Lily’s heart. She discovers a journal written by five generations of her female ancestors who shared their struggles and dreams. Through it, Lily rediscovery the importance of family and love. The journal itself will make you laugh or cry along with Lily and Holly as their fragile bond heals and brings them closer than ever. Carolyn Brown’s characters come to life on the pages with strengths and weaknesses we can all recognize. The Family Journal is a powerful story about the importance of family, love, healing, and trust. I've won this book in a giveaway, and this is my honest review.
October 20, 2019
The Family Journal by Carolyn Brown is a stand alone, contemporary romance novel.
Meet Lily Anderson. She's a divorced mother of two and is at the end of her rope. She's had enough and to change her life she packs her kids and moves to rural somwhere.
Mack Cooper is her tenant, new roommate. The 41 year old teacher has his own issues with his family. He's better off alone, so he thinks.
These so different people have to settle in, rebellious teenagers, adults who're still finding their way and parenting is no small task it seems.
I started reading and was sucked into the story. I connected with the characters and the story gave me all the feels. I loved the writing, the storyline and the characters. I loved their struggle and the well deserved hea. 4,5 beautiful Stars.
Meet Lily Anderson. She's a divorced mother of two and is at the end of her rope. She's had enough and to change her life she packs her kids and moves to rural somwhere.
Mack Cooper is her tenant, new roommate. The 41 year old teacher has his own issues with his family. He's better off alone, so he thinks.
These so different people have to settle in, rebellious teenagers, adults who're still finding their way and parenting is no small task it seems.
I started reading and was sucked into the story. I connected with the characters and the story gave me all the feels. I loved the writing, the storyline and the characters. I loved their struggle and the well deserved hea. 4,5 beautiful Stars.
March 31, 2020
Family Love
This is the second book I have read by this author and she didn’t disappoint. I love family stories and this one contained everything that covered from love to hate to tears to happy endings.
Lily takes both her children, Holly and Braden, out of their environment after they got into trouble. Without their electronics they return to Lily’s home town, the quaint town of Comfort, Texas. The house comes with renter Mack Cooper and after moving in Lily finds a journal that dates back over 100 years.
Between learning about her past and dealing with her future we find a loving story of people who help each other, love each other and stories of generations of lives well lived. #KindleUnlimited. #4stars.
This is the second book I have read by this author and she didn’t disappoint. I love family stories and this one contained everything that covered from love to hate to tears to happy endings.
Lily takes both her children, Holly and Braden, out of their environment after they got into trouble. Without their electronics they return to Lily’s home town, the quaint town of Comfort, Texas. The house comes with renter Mack Cooper and after moving in Lily finds a journal that dates back over 100 years.
Between learning about her past and dealing with her future we find a loving story of people who help each other, love each other and stories of generations of lives well lived. #KindleUnlimited. #4stars.
August 3, 2020
Carolyn Brown out did herself with the story! I just added it to my favorite shelf... it was filled with hope and love... just what I need in a time like this!
November 11, 2019
Another wonderful story by one of my favorite authors. The characters are relatable and real. There are flaws and mistakes mixed in with their accomplishments and achievements. The emotions are strong and so well described that you know exactly where the characters are coming from. It was well edited, which is so infrequent these days that it's notable. The journal part of the story was fascinating. I found myself wishing my family had something of the sort. I really loved how the current characters' lives were mirrored in their ancestors' lives. I wish there had been more in the story, just small things really. Like I would have loved to know who the daughter chose to do her project on and I would have enjoyed seeing the other girls get in trouble for their antics. It would have been fun to see the son take Warlord to a show and maybe see if the heroine got her intimate wedding this time. Just things like that. All that being said, I still loved the book and was happy with how it all played out.
August 18, 2023
I love and enjoyed every book I've read by Carolyn Brown. I've read many amazing novels/books by many different authors, but the one thing that stands out is that Carolyn Brown can write just as well as all the other authors I've read but she can do it without taking the Lord's name in vain, it's really mind blowing, Thank You Carolyn!
April 7, 2025
Easy to read; lovable characters; beautiful themes of friendship, family, doing what's right.
October 21, 2020
When a single mom, Lily, sees that her two kids, 12 & 14 year olds, are getting into the wrong crowd and doing things they shouldn’t she realizes that she’s been too involved in her own troubles, after her divorce and focusing on work instead of her children. She decides on tough love to get through to them. She moves them from big city life in Austin, TX, to her small home town of Comfort Texas, amidst the complaints, tears and tantrums from her kids. She still owns the house she grew up in as her parents left it to her after their deaths. It is rented out but she strikes a deal with the renter, which turns out to be the best thing she could have done. Brown never disappoints in character development, and this has plenty of colorful and interesting characters. Her witty dialogue has us chuckling out loud. I needed a break from heavy, depressing times and dark subjects, this filled the bill for me.
Main character Lily discovers an old secretary (a desk, not a person) that was left behind when she moves back into the house she grew up in, and in it was an old family journal. It indeed was a focal point of the novel. It had been started by ancestors, all women, over a hundred years before, by great-greats, etc., Even though there were gaps where no entries were made, Lily and her daughter Holly got caught up in the fascinating story of the women in their family and what they were experiencing at their point in time, during the Civil War, when women didn’t have a right to vote, and many other historical events. They realized that they would soon be next in line to add their stories of what they were experiencing now, that is why the journal was left behind. Holly would be next after her mother Lily to write in it and pass on to her own daughters.
Lily’s 12 yr old son, Braeden was a joy and having raised 3 sons of my own I could definitely relate to his thoughts and actions. I so admired Lily and how she handled the tough love when she needed to, not an easy thing to do. For Lily and her family, the decision to go back to Comfort TX was the answer to saving her family, bonding with old friends, realizing that good men do exist, and starting over.
I sure liked the idea of having a family journal and wished our family had one. It was like pulling teeth to get anything out of my mother, Annie, before she passed on. I even gave her a recorder, a journal, and did whatever I could to get background. Unfortunately her childhood was so sad and difficult that she just didn’t want to talk about it, so we never learned much, except that she and her siblings were mistreated.
Although the romance part of the novel was predictable, I enjoyed it immensely, the ending worth the wait. Recommended to lovers of historical romance, domestic romance, and small town coziness.
Main character Lily discovers an old secretary (a desk, not a person) that was left behind when she moves back into the house she grew up in, and in it was an old family journal. It indeed was a focal point of the novel. It had been started by ancestors, all women, over a hundred years before, by great-greats, etc., Even though there were gaps where no entries were made, Lily and her daughter Holly got caught up in the fascinating story of the women in their family and what they were experiencing at their point in time, during the Civil War, when women didn’t have a right to vote, and many other historical events. They realized that they would soon be next in line to add their stories of what they were experiencing now, that is why the journal was left behind. Holly would be next after her mother Lily to write in it and pass on to her own daughters.
Lily’s 12 yr old son, Braeden was a joy and having raised 3 sons of my own I could definitely relate to his thoughts and actions. I so admired Lily and how she handled the tough love when she needed to, not an easy thing to do. For Lily and her family, the decision to go back to Comfort TX was the answer to saving her family, bonding with old friends, realizing that good men do exist, and starting over.
I sure liked the idea of having a family journal and wished our family had one. It was like pulling teeth to get anything out of my mother, Annie, before she passed on. I even gave her a recorder, a journal, and did whatever I could to get background. Unfortunately her childhood was so sad and difficult that she just didn’t want to talk about it, so we never learned much, except that she and her siblings were mistreated.
Although the romance part of the novel was predictable, I enjoyed it immensely, the ending worth the wait. Recommended to lovers of historical romance, domestic romance, and small town coziness.
December 2, 2019
Lily Anderson is a heroine! She has two kids that give her the worst headache, but she is a devoted mother! I had to get this out of the way… sorry!
Now, “The Family Journal” is such an amazing story. The warmth one feels when reading it, the feeling of Home, the family and love are all in these chapters, at every page turn. I very much enjoyed this book!
Lily Anderson is a single mom, whose kids have taken some very bad habits, at a very young age. The only resource she has left is to move back to her hometown in Comfort, Texas. Her house is rented at the moment, but she comes to an agreement with her tenant – Mack Cooper to live together and split the expenses. Mack is a high school teacher, that has seen his fair share of misbehaved kids. He soon understands that Lily has not had the best of luck when it comes to having a father figure around for her kids. They both set up into a comfortable routine and they quickly lean on each other. All these come naturally. Things just … settle. A beautiful relationship begins, between two mature people, with their own heartbreak to bare. Still this is not the main focus of the story.
The family aspect is present all throughout the book. Not only we see Lily dealing with her two very disobedient children, but we see her learning to say no to them. While this happens, they also go through a family journal that contains the history of the women in their family. Maybe the past will manage to bring mother and daughter together. I wish I had one of these journals.
All in all, this book was amazing to read and feel, because it made me feel so many things and it made me love the characters so much. We have the life in a small town of Texas, with the Southern spirit, we have family and love. “The Family Journal” is by far an intelligent story. It has so many levels and so many beautiful interesting things. I do advise you to read it, it’s actually a “must”. 5 bright shining stars!
Now, “The Family Journal” is such an amazing story. The warmth one feels when reading it, the feeling of Home, the family and love are all in these chapters, at every page turn. I very much enjoyed this book!
Lily Anderson is a single mom, whose kids have taken some very bad habits, at a very young age. The only resource she has left is to move back to her hometown in Comfort, Texas. Her house is rented at the moment, but she comes to an agreement with her tenant – Mack Cooper to live together and split the expenses. Mack is a high school teacher, that has seen his fair share of misbehaved kids. He soon understands that Lily has not had the best of luck when it comes to having a father figure around for her kids. They both set up into a comfortable routine and they quickly lean on each other. All these come naturally. Things just … settle. A beautiful relationship begins, between two mature people, with their own heartbreak to bare. Still this is not the main focus of the story.
The family aspect is present all throughout the book. Not only we see Lily dealing with her two very disobedient children, but we see her learning to say no to them. While this happens, they also go through a family journal that contains the history of the women in their family. Maybe the past will manage to bring mother and daughter together. I wish I had one of these journals.
All in all, this book was amazing to read and feel, because it made me feel so many things and it made me love the characters so much. We have the life in a small town of Texas, with the Southern spirit, we have family and love. “The Family Journal” is by far an intelligent story. It has so many levels and so many beautiful interesting things. I do advise you to read it, it’s actually a “must”. 5 bright shining stars!
October 10, 2019
A sweet heartwarming tale of generations of strong women.
Lily Anderson has reached the end of her rope. After getting divorced by her cheating ex Wyatt, who was an more interested in his rich new wife than his kids, she found out, to her dismay, she didn't know her kids as well as she thought.
Packing them up and returning to the small town in a desperate attempt to get closer and change their path was the best solution she could think of, one that they hated.
Since she had already rented her childhood home out to Mack Cooper, an old childhood acquaintance and didn't feel right about kicking him out, she offered to share the house and split the costs and he gratefully accepted the offer.
Mack along with her childhood girlfriends and a friend of her mother's helped her change the young teens' attitudes.
Among her mother's possessions was a family journal, written by some of the women in her family dating back to the civil war. The simple journal .. a few entries from each generation became an important tool, one that brought Lily and her daughter closer, and also helped Lily deal with some hard truths that she tried to ignore.
Skillfully written, you become deeply drawn into the lives in the family, as well as their friends. Filled with mostly good christian folk, living their lives, dealing with their own problems, but coming together to help one another out, making this a fantasy town. If it was real, I'd already be packed and on my way there.
I love how Ms. Brown brings her characters to life, realistically, we all have flaws, but focuses on the positive. Her descriptions of the places are so good, I could actually see them in my mind.
I requested this ARC from NetGalley as soon as I saw the author and blurb and was delighted to get it. I plan on buying it as a present for someone I know will absolutely love it.
Lily Anderson has reached the end of her rope. After getting divorced by her cheating ex Wyatt, who was an more interested in his rich new wife than his kids, she found out, to her dismay, she didn't know her kids as well as she thought.
Packing them up and returning to the small town in a desperate attempt to get closer and change their path was the best solution she could think of, one that they hated.
Since she had already rented her childhood home out to Mack Cooper, an old childhood acquaintance and didn't feel right about kicking him out, she offered to share the house and split the costs and he gratefully accepted the offer.
Mack along with her childhood girlfriends and a friend of her mother's helped her change the young teens' attitudes.
Among her mother's possessions was a family journal, written by some of the women in her family dating back to the civil war. The simple journal .. a few entries from each generation became an important tool, one that brought Lily and her daughter closer, and also helped Lily deal with some hard truths that she tried to ignore.
Skillfully written, you become deeply drawn into the lives in the family, as well as their friends. Filled with mostly good christian folk, living their lives, dealing with their own problems, but coming together to help one another out, making this a fantasy town. If it was real, I'd already be packed and on my way there.
I love how Ms. Brown brings her characters to life, realistically, we all have flaws, but focuses on the positive. Her descriptions of the places are so good, I could actually see them in my mind.
I requested this ARC from NetGalley as soon as I saw the author and blurb and was delighted to get it. I plan on buying it as a present for someone I know will absolutely love it.
January 3, 2020
I loved everything about this book. The characters, the plot, the setting....this is the one hundredth book for Carolyn Brown and she keeps outdoing herself. Each book is better than the last. The Family Journal centers on Lily Anderson. She is now a single mom since her husband left her to be arm candy for his stunning new wife. As part of the divorce agreement Wyatt, the ex, has given full custody of fourteen year old Holly and twelve year old Braden to Lily. In turn he will visit them when he can. His new wife does not like children so visits will be few and far inbetween.
Lily and her children live in Austin but she is losing control of them. They are acting out since the divorce. Holly has been caught smoking marijuana at school and Braden has been sneaking out at night and drinking beer and smoking cigarettes with his friends. At her wits end Lily decides to move back to her childhood home in Comfort, Texas. She has been renting the house there to Mack since her mother died five years ago. She told him the house is large enough for all of them to live there.
Holly being a teenager is cruel to her mother when she finds out they are moving. Braden isn't much better. On top of moving Lily has taken away all their electronics meaning no cell phone, no tablets and no computers. Yes, you can just imagine how happy these children are. This is where I will leave you and tell you to just read the book. Once I started reading I could not put it down. Actually deserves ten stars!
Lily and her children live in Austin but she is losing control of them. They are acting out since the divorce. Holly has been caught smoking marijuana at school and Braden has been sneaking out at night and drinking beer and smoking cigarettes with his friends. At her wits end Lily decides to move back to her childhood home in Comfort, Texas. She has been renting the house there to Mack since her mother died five years ago. She told him the house is large enough for all of them to live there.
Holly being a teenager is cruel to her mother when she finds out they are moving. Braden isn't much better. On top of moving Lily has taken away all their electronics meaning no cell phone, no tablets and no computers. Yes, you can just imagine how happy these children are. This is where I will leave you and tell you to just read the book. Once I started reading I could not put it down. Actually deserves ten stars!
November 22, 2019
I always enjoy the southern charm that exudes from the pages of this author's books.
Lily has had her problems in the past, but actions by her two teenage children land them back in Comfort Texas, a small town where she grew up and might be the answer to saving her children from traveling down a path that could be harmful to them. Mack is very different from his twin, in both looks and personalities. He is happy in his own skin but has yet to find love.
This book is more than just a romance, it is also about knowing your heritage and keeping a record for future generations. A family journal brings Lily and her daughter, Holly, together in more ways than one. Plus it is a connection to Lily's mother that she didn't expect to find. It is also a story about strength and doing the right thing. It doesn't matter how long it takes to find that inner strength, it is there and can be tapped at any time.
I really enjoyed every aspect of this book. The characters could be people I know, the setting is in Texas (always a winner), and love is just around the corner. I even appreciated Lily's punishment for her kids for misbehaving - losing access to their phones and electronics. More parents should do that when kids get out of control.
Lily has had her problems in the past, but actions by her two teenage children land them back in Comfort Texas, a small town where she grew up and might be the answer to saving her children from traveling down a path that could be harmful to them. Mack is very different from his twin, in both looks and personalities. He is happy in his own skin but has yet to find love.
This book is more than just a romance, it is also about knowing your heritage and keeping a record for future generations. A family journal brings Lily and her daughter, Holly, together in more ways than one. Plus it is a connection to Lily's mother that she didn't expect to find. It is also a story about strength and doing the right thing. It doesn't matter how long it takes to find that inner strength, it is there and can be tapped at any time.
I really enjoyed every aspect of this book. The characters could be people I know, the setting is in Texas (always a winner), and love is just around the corner. I even appreciated Lily's punishment for her kids for misbehaving - losing access to their phones and electronics. More parents should do that when kids get out of control.
December 22, 2019
The Family Journal
by Carolyn Brown
296 pages
Publication date: November 12, 2019
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
💜 MY REVIEW 💜
This is my first read by this author, and definitely won't be my last. I loved this beautiful heartwarming story. The author writes in such a way that you fell like you are there. It was well written with such great characters. I loved all of the characters. I loved how the character of Lily was such a strong. divorced, single struggling mom. When her kids get into trouble she makes the decision to take all of their electronics and move them from the city to her childhood home. Its a small town in the country. After moving there Lily finds and reads a family journal with her daughter that was written by some of the women in her family dating back to the civil war.
I loved how the past of this family was brought into the present through this family journal. It truly is such an emotional read that will give u all of the feels.
Many thanks to the Publisher , the Author , and NetGalley for a ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own.
#TheFamilyJournal #NetGalley
by Carolyn Brown
296 pages
Publication date: November 12, 2019
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
💜 MY REVIEW 💜
This is my first read by this author, and definitely won't be my last. I loved this beautiful heartwarming story. The author writes in such a way that you fell like you are there. It was well written with such great characters. I loved all of the characters. I loved how the character of Lily was such a strong. divorced, single struggling mom. When her kids get into trouble she makes the decision to take all of their electronics and move them from the city to her childhood home. Its a small town in the country. After moving there Lily finds and reads a family journal with her daughter that was written by some of the women in her family dating back to the civil war.
I loved how the past of this family was brought into the present through this family journal. It truly is such an emotional read that will give u all of the feels.
Many thanks to the Publisher , the Author , and NetGalley for a ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own.
#TheFamilyJournal #NetGalley
July 13, 2020
Picked this up because Carolyn Brown is one of those incredibly successful Amazon Publishing authors and I was curious to see what the deal was. Also, it promised goats. This is a sweet but not cloying family story that's almost more about a mom and her two kids falling back in love with each other than it is about the male/female romance. My favorite thing about it is the small town Texas local color (the MC thanks the hero for telling her "I'm pretty when I look like hammered owl shit"). I also appreciate a novel that has people going to church but not getting all pious about it (and in this case still fornicating without any apparent guilty qualms, even if it's off the page). Women with annoying exes will probably enjoy it all the more, because Lily's ex-husband is a real doozy. I'm still trying to figure out the difference between dinner and supper and why all these folks haven't developed Type 2 diabetes yet, but that's the only cultural difference I couldn't quite figure out. Also, bravo on serving milk with pie to grown-ups. When I ask adults up here in upstate New York if they want milk with dessert (as I do!) they look at me like I'm crazy.
October 4, 2019
The Family Journal is a beautiful story about roots and new beginnings. As Lily and her teenage daughter, Holly explore the entries in an old journal they each come to realize just how precious life its own self is. Readers will experience a whole range of emotions and perhaps shed a few tears. Parents everywhere can relate to Lily’s struggles as a parent as she stands firm in her tough love posture taking her children from a big city full of temptation back to her small town country roots. Readers will cheer as Lily’s son and daughter come to recognize the lessons she has given them. What resonates with this reader is that Carolyn Brown has so deafly summarized my own feelings about life partners. You can be in love or in lust, but most importantly you must actually like the person you choose to spend your life with. In this old reader’s view, this is a must read! I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.
November 7, 2019
The Family Journal by Carolyn Brown a noteworthy four-star read. This is my first read by this author, and I don’t know how as I will be going back and checking the huge back catalogue out as the writing style is very nicely done. The web of tales that are weaved in this novel will keep you hooked, it does wander a little at times and that’s why I only gave it a four, but it has the bones of a very good story. The characters all have a great role to play, Lily was a great character and one who made me think fondly of my mum when I read of her struggles with Holly, it reminded me of mine with my own mum many years ago. When you add the history with the journal it gave you a great grounding. When you add Mac and his trouble with his twin, it adds a sense of drama and passion that will whirl you up. If you like your romance with history then you wont want to miss this story.
August 21, 2020
My second Carolyn Brown book, and I really liked this one. It reminded me of Maeve Binchy, an all time favorite author ( I’ve read every one of her books!) Sometimes you just need the seemingly simple details to add up to a series of struggles overcome and a happy ending. Lily is a divorced mom of two with an immature jerk of a cheating ex-husband. Her two kids have been up to little good with questionable peers, so she moves them back to her small hometown of Comfort, Texas. There happens to be the kindest and most good hearted single gentlemen with trust issues perfectly available (once they both realize they are suited to each other and ought to let go of their previous romantic misadventures.)
No surprises or twists or turns. Just good people trying to move on together.
No surprises or twists or turns. Just good people trying to move on together.
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