What do you think?
Rate this book
Flower Sisters #1
Magnolia: A Perfect Love
“Lennox spoke to a part of me that no man ever had.” —Magnolia
Magnolia Baker could be considered the matriarch of her four younger sisters. They’ve endured tragedy and heartbreak together, with Magnolia protecting them no matter the cost. Her heart was made of solid gold and under lock and key. Shielding the part of her that had been broken by the one man who should have guarded it with his life is a top priority for Magnolia. No one has ever been able to penetrate the barrier until a smooth-talking, college English professor by the name of Lennox Clarke steps in to take a shot.
Does Lennox have what it takes to secure the key to Magnolia’s heart or will his efforts be all for nothing?
*Please note, this is book one of a five part interconnected series. Though each book can be read as a standalone, some parts of the storyline are ongoing.
Magnolia Baker could be considered the matriarch of her four younger sisters. They’ve endured tragedy and heartbreak together, with Magnolia protecting them no matter the cost. Her heart was made of solid gold and under lock and key. Shielding the part of her that had been broken by the one man who should have guarded it with his life is a top priority for Magnolia. No one has ever been able to penetrate the barrier until a smooth-talking, college English professor by the name of Lennox Clarke steps in to take a shot.
Does Lennox have what it takes to secure the key to Magnolia’s heart or will his efforts be all for nothing?
*Please note, this is book one of a five part interconnected series. Though each book can be read as a standalone, some parts of the storyline are ongoing.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2020
392 people are currently reading
665 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
July 8, 2020
As expected, this was beautiful. I always feel so content and warm when I’m reading these books and I can’t get enough. Something about it sits right with me.
Asia Monique is one of my favourite authors I’ve discovered this year. I adore her stories wholeheartedly.
If you decide to venture into this romance series, I’d recommend reading them in this order, as per the author’s suggestion, since the books do have interweaving storylines.
• Confidently Lost
• Dancing For Your Heart
• Speaking of Love
• Magnolia (Flower Sisters 1)
• Lilac (Flower Sisters 2)
• Juniper (Flower Sisters 3)
• Playing For Your Heart
• Daisy (Flower Sisters 4)
• Blossom (Flower Sisters 5)
Asia Monique is one of my favourite authors I’ve discovered this year. I adore her stories wholeheartedly.
If you decide to venture into this romance series, I’d recommend reading them in this order, as per the author’s suggestion, since the books do have interweaving storylines.
• Confidently Lost
• Dancing For Your Heart
• Speaking of Love
• Magnolia (Flower Sisters 1)
• Lilac (Flower Sisters 2)
• Juniper (Flower Sisters 3)
• Playing For Your Heart
• Daisy (Flower Sisters 4)
• Blossom (Flower Sisters 5)
March 11, 2022
4.5 ✨
Well well, it looks like I’ve found another author to rave about!! Asia Monique writes just my type of romance. This story SPOKE to me y’all. I was really able to see myself as Magnolia due to my own Daddy issues, fear of being hurt etc..thank goodness my husband was so patient with me and showed me that not all men were like my Father. Same with Lia and Lenny. Now let’s talk about my man Len. Not only was he hot, and knew how to use his mouth in the commanding sense and *ahem* physical sense, he was so sensitive! A college professor, and a romance author undercover—insert dream man.
I love these characters. I am in love with all the sisters and can’t wait to read all their stories. I’m in love with the emotions in this book and vulnerability in which it was written. The journey that was Lia and Len—absolutely breathtaking!!
Onto the next!!
Well well, it looks like I’ve found another author to rave about!! Asia Monique writes just my type of romance. This story SPOKE to me y’all. I was really able to see myself as Magnolia due to my own Daddy issues, fear of being hurt etc..thank goodness my husband was so patient with me and showed me that not all men were like my Father. Same with Lia and Lenny. Now let’s talk about my man Len. Not only was he hot, and knew how to use his mouth in the commanding sense and *ahem* physical sense, he was so sensitive! A college professor, and a romance author undercover—insert dream man.
I love these characters. I am in love with all the sisters and can’t wait to read all their stories. I’m in love with the emotions in this book and vulnerability in which it was written. The journey that was Lia and Len—absolutely breathtaking!!
Onto the next!!
July 21, 2021
Magnolia was such a good book! I have to say I was a little worried because, I was not very impressed with the first book I read by Asia Monique but, she definitely impressed me with this one. When the book starts, Magnolia and Lennox have already established a friendship. But, because she struggles with rejection since her dad abandoned her and her sisters, Magnolia is very hesitant to move forward with anything more than friendship. Lennox, who himself is newly divorced, is extremely patient with Magnolia. He allows her to friendzone him, move at her own pace, and lets her come to him when she's finally ready to accept the love he wants to give her. Magnolia and Lennox together just worked. They had great chemistry and so much in common. I loved that there was absolutely no drama with this couple. They were two people who were attracted to each other but, one of them wasn't quite ready to jump the relationship broom. When Magnolia finally realizes Lennox is the real deal and he wasn't going anywhere, she let go of all her fears and they were able to just fall in love organically. But, Lennox's ex-wife tried it though. Homegirl was having some serious divorce remorse. If you don't miss what you have until it's gone was a person, it would definitely be Nina. Magnolia was a really sweet read. These two were just what the other needed. I couldn’t ask for more in a black romance.
September 9, 2020
Another amazing story by Asia Monique. I just love how she tells her stories and how connected I feel to her characters. I think Magnolia is my favorite characters in the story so far I just love how strong, smart, and loving she is especially towards her family. Lennox is also my favorite hero in the series so far which is a big statement to make as Asia Monique write the most amazing hero’s! I loved that he was a professor and I love how open and honest he was with Magnolia. They just had the sweetest relationship and I loved seeing Magnolia open up to him. Their journey was just absolutely beautiful! This is a series you can read as standalone however, I truly think you’ll miss out on how amazing these stories are if you don’t read them in order. I just love these characters so much! On to Lilac and Ezra’s story!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (technically 4.5 stars)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (technically 4.5 stars)
July 18, 2021
I really enjoyed getting to know the Baker Sisters….I love the relationship between the sisters as well as their circle of friends. The way the relationship developed between Lennox & Magnolia (His Lia) was actually beautiful….Lennox was able to help Magnolia come to terms with a few things in her life that she dealt with. The two of them were really good for one another. I’m so excited to see/hear what’s in store for the rest of the Baker Girls….
February 8, 2022
Beautiful, just beautiful. I loved this novel to the last page. A perfect love shines light on healing, learning to love and to be loved after childhood trauma. It is heartfelt, warming and just beautiful.
"love is love" 🤎
"love is love" 🤎
dnf
July 1, 2022If someone is interested in this, the author has put the audiobook up on youtube :)
DNF at 20%
DNF at 20%
March 19, 2025
A simple love story! First love yourself and everything will be well worth it….
Lilac I’ll be listening to you tomorrow
Lilac I’ll be listening to you tomorrow
November 26, 2023
"He'd shattered the wall in front of my heart and then politely asked for the key to remove the chains from around it. He deserved every part of me and I him."update: december 2020 - 5 stars
I was going through my shelves and decided to bump this to 5 stars because it's been months and I still think about Magnolia and Lennox.
first read: september 2020 - 4½ stars
I'll list some of the things I loved here because there's too much feeling for me to write a proper review:
- There's this calmness and softness I felt while reading this book that I loved that made Magnolia a beautiful reading experience.
- Magnolia, my sweet and caring queen who's like a mom to her sisters has kind of led her to close off to almost everyone. It felt so good to see her open up with Lennox and see her admit her doubts and fears and finally accept her feelings for him and the love he has for her.
- Lennox, my understanding and respectful king. What's there to say here? He's the man. That's it.
- The relationship between Magnolia and Lennox developed in such a natural way. We start with them already knowing each other and already have gone on dates so that was nice and I think a first for me.
- Magnolia and Lennox were so adorable and so hot. Their relationship was soft and nice but also steamy. There's one sex scene that made me 🔥. I loved them.
- I loved all the Baker sisters, they were amazing and I can't wait to get through all their books.
Asia Monique is definitely an author I need to read more. She won me over with this one.
April 20, 2022
Loved these sisters!! Cute romance read.
March 17, 2020
All the flowers
Magnolia: A Perfect Love by Asia Monique is the first book in the Love Language series about marine biologist Magnolia Baker and English Professor Lennox Clarke. We’ve previously met Magnolia and the other flower sisters in Confidently Lost, Dancing for Your Heart & Speaking of Love. You don’t have to read those books to start this series but I recommend you do because they’re beautifully written. Magnolia’s love language is words of affirmation and boy does Lennox affirm. I love the buildup of their love and relationship, their commutation is aspirational it leaves no room for drama or outside forces. I found Magnolia to be so relatable as the oldest sibling, protector and being guarded. Lennox is my dream guy, the consistency he offers is unparalleled. The sisterhood, brotherhood and romance, I couldn’t ask for anything else. Asia Monique does an amazing job weaving this interconnected world between Detroit, New York and New Jersey, I’ve been to these places before but never experienced them quite like this.
P.s. them love scenes tho 🔥 🥵 🔥
Magnolia: A Perfect Love by Asia Monique is the first book in the Love Language series about marine biologist Magnolia Baker and English Professor Lennox Clarke. We’ve previously met Magnolia and the other flower sisters in Confidently Lost, Dancing for Your Heart & Speaking of Love. You don’t have to read those books to start this series but I recommend you do because they’re beautifully written. Magnolia’s love language is words of affirmation and boy does Lennox affirm. I love the buildup of their love and relationship, their commutation is aspirational it leaves no room for drama or outside forces. I found Magnolia to be so relatable as the oldest sibling, protector and being guarded. Lennox is my dream guy, the consistency he offers is unparalleled. The sisterhood, brotherhood and romance, I couldn’t ask for anything else. Asia Monique does an amazing job weaving this interconnected world between Detroit, New York and New Jersey, I’ve been to these places before but never experienced them quite like this.
P.s. them love scenes tho 🔥 🥵 🔥
October 12, 2022
I loved Lennox and Magnolia. As expected this book was perfect. I am ready to read about the Baker sister love stories. I wanna see how to author ties each sister love language since Lias is words of affirmation her match with Lennox made sense.
May 27, 2024
3.75⭐️
August 14, 2023
Y’all know I’m stingy with my five stars, but I loved the love story of Magnolia and Lennox. & idk if it was my hormones, but I was a lil in my feelings as I read (insert Ciara’s love prayer here). Magnolia and her flower sisters grabbed my attention, & I can’t wait to explore this series more. And Lennox? A whole man, a professor, a famous pen name as an author, plus he treated Lia with such gentleness & care.
February 19, 2022
Magnolia has a lot of daddy issues she's very close to her sister they all named after a flower they are very bonded very homely when it comes to her sister she's the oldest. But what she's missing is love and she's not just looking to just be with anybody she wants that special someone.
Lennox has been hurt in his last relationship when it comes to his ex-wife so he's looking for that special someone and trying to get the ex out of his life at the same time but he's not used to his past as excuse to not move forward. But when he meets magnolia Sparks fly they become very close very quickly he's very smart and very intelligent and he's willing to wait when it comes to Magnolia he's not trying to push her too soon.
I enjoy the connection between these two it was a short story but I enjoyed their connection to their bond.
Lennox has been hurt in his last relationship when it comes to his ex-wife so he's looking for that special someone and trying to get the ex out of his life at the same time but he's not used to his past as excuse to not move forward. But when he meets magnolia Sparks fly they become very close very quickly he's very smart and very intelligent and he's willing to wait when it comes to Magnolia he's not trying to push her too soon.
I enjoy the connection between these two it was a short story but I enjoyed their connection to their bond.
August 16, 2022
This is better than I expected it to be. It is not great, but not bad either. The series follows the love stories of 6 sisters who are named after flowers' names. Here, we are following Magnolia who is still dealing with her internal struggles, trusting men, after her father abandons her and her sisters.
What I liked:
🍁 I love how the two protagonists develop strong and solid conversations in different topics. Seeing how short the book is, I feared that I'd hate it because it might be a surface level. But, seeing the two going through things in their real lives, trying their best to live life fully while learning more about each other, have made me appreciate the journey quite a bit😊 some might see this as a friends to lovers trope, and while it is quite that because we are thrown into the story immediately with the realisation that the two have already met and are familiar with their wants, needs, and likes.
🍁I also like how it has two POVs and is flowing so smoothly and effortlessly. This shows how beautiful the writing style is. Besides, for a short book like this, one might assume that nothing happens, but it felt for me that many things happened. It wasn't overwhelming or dramatic, but there is plot at least, which has given the story a bit of depth.
My complaints:
🍁Again, for a book this short, the smutt was unnecessarily too much. I would have passed it of it were one scene, but seeing that ever since the first one starts another one occurs, it made me feel cringe.
🍁I would have liked to see more details about the fucked up relationships the two have gone through, how they have contributed on shaping them the way they are and why they happened from the first place. It would have been interesting if we come to meet the parents a bit more.
What I liked:
🍁 I love how the two protagonists develop strong and solid conversations in different topics. Seeing how short the book is, I feared that I'd hate it because it might be a surface level. But, seeing the two going through things in their real lives, trying their best to live life fully while learning more about each other, have made me appreciate the journey quite a bit😊 some might see this as a friends to lovers trope, and while it is quite that because we are thrown into the story immediately with the realisation that the two have already met and are familiar with their wants, needs, and likes.
🍁I also like how it has two POVs and is flowing so smoothly and effortlessly. This shows how beautiful the writing style is. Besides, for a short book like this, one might assume that nothing happens, but it felt for me that many things happened. It wasn't overwhelming or dramatic, but there is plot at least, which has given the story a bit of depth.
My complaints:
🍁Again, for a book this short, the smutt was unnecessarily too much. I would have passed it of it were one scene, but seeing that ever since the first one starts another one occurs, it made me feel cringe.
🍁I would have liked to see more details about the fucked up relationships the two have gone through, how they have contributed on shaping them the way they are and why they happened from the first place. It would have been interesting if we come to meet the parents a bit more.
September 16, 2023
Meh, I liked Magnolia and Lennox’s chemistry as a couple, but there wasn’t much else that stood out in this book. At this point, I’m still reading these because I just like seeing all the characters in this world get their HEAs!
November 14, 2023
This book was so beautifully done that it covered so much to be such a short book. First off the sisterhood was beautiful to see I loved how they held it down for each other. Lennox was god sent he was so unbelievably patient for his beautiful lia & gave her time to figure out for herself how much she wanted him. For a first book in the series I was invested in their love story and also liked the sisters enough to keep going with the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2022
Black beautiful romances are such a joy to read about, and more importantly, y'all need to meet this man. Lennox knocked the socks off my feet. He was perfect! 😍
January 8, 2024
Another great love story. The scenes in this book alone had me thinking I was pregnant too. Highly recommend if you are looking for a love story with a little spice. Lol
July 28, 2024
4 ⭐
What an amazing start to a series. Loved the development of Magnolia and Lennox's relationship. Lennox was so patient and let Magnolia go at her own pace. Super sweet story.
What an amazing start to a series. Loved the development of Magnolia and Lennox's relationship. Lennox was so patient and let Magnolia go at her own pace. Super sweet story.
August 1, 2020
Since the death of her mother and having suffered from her fathers neglect, Magnolia has struggled with rejection and abandonment issues. She dates, but doesn’t allow men to get close. Lennox knows that Magnolia is interested but keeps him at a distance. He is determined to show her that he is indeed the man for her.
Lennox is definitely a sweet, caring patient book bae. What impressed me the most about him was the way he prioritized communication and words of affirmation(Magnolia’s love language) in their relationship all while dealing with family issues and an ex who wanted that old thing back. I really liked Magnolia. She has a calm protective spirit. She has a penchant for taking care of others while at the same time, unfortunately, neglecting herself. I felt her struggle because I also suffered due to not having the “fatherly support” I desperately needed in my life.
Magnolia and Lennox together just worked; it was so obvious they were the piece that was missing from each other’s lives. They had great chemistry and a clear understanding of one another due to their friendship. I found myself swooning over Lennox and how he just automatically KNEW what to do. I enjoyed reading about two people trying to find love again while dealing with personal issues and trauma. The author, for me, painted a realistic picture of the struggles we face as a family as a result of bad decisions from ourselves or others. However, I would have liked to see more of the developmental stages of Magnolia and Lennox’s relationship. While we know that the couple is good together, I would have liked to experience that process. Lots of scenes weren’t fleshed out and it took away from me feeling more connected to the couple. Also, the constant name dropping of every item was very irritating to me. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and I feel it’s a great start to the series. It was a very creative way to highlight different love languages . I can’t wait to meet the other sisters.
Lennox is definitely a sweet, caring patient book bae. What impressed me the most about him was the way he prioritized communication and words of affirmation(Magnolia’s love language) in their relationship all while dealing with family issues and an ex who wanted that old thing back. I really liked Magnolia. She has a calm protective spirit. She has a penchant for taking care of others while at the same time, unfortunately, neglecting herself. I felt her struggle because I also suffered due to not having the “fatherly support” I desperately needed in my life.
Magnolia and Lennox together just worked; it was so obvious they were the piece that was missing from each other’s lives. They had great chemistry and a clear understanding of one another due to their friendship. I found myself swooning over Lennox and how he just automatically KNEW what to do. I enjoyed reading about two people trying to find love again while dealing with personal issues and trauma. The author, for me, painted a realistic picture of the struggles we face as a family as a result of bad decisions from ourselves or others. However, I would have liked to see more of the developmental stages of Magnolia and Lennox’s relationship. While we know that the couple is good together, I would have liked to experience that process. Lots of scenes weren’t fleshed out and it took away from me feeling more connected to the couple. Also, the constant name dropping of every item was very irritating to me. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and I feel it’s a great start to the series. It was a very creative way to highlight different love languages . I can’t wait to meet the other sisters.
August 17, 2022
I absolutely ADORED Magnolia and Lennox!!! The audio book was everything!!! and I really don’t want to move on to the next sister if it’s not read by Eboni Flowers delivering as she always does!!
Lennox was a newly divorced college professor and Magnolia was a marine biologist or something like that lol don’t quote me! It was something amazing. Anywho they met and while they only had one physical date, bonded over the course of several months by way of the good old fashioned telephone. Lennox’ heart was broken by a wife that cheated and didnt want kids and Magnolia’s apprehension stemmed from her fathers abandonment.
Their journey to love was so sweet and oh so spicy! I really enjoyed how patient Lennox was with Magnolia. Despite the betrayal he experienced with his wife he did not allow his heart to become closed off. With 5 other sisters, I can’t wait to experience the next HEA from these “flower sisters”.
Lennox was a newly divorced college professor and Magnolia was a marine biologist or something like that lol don’t quote me! It was something amazing. Anywho they met and while they only had one physical date, bonded over the course of several months by way of the good old fashioned telephone. Lennox’ heart was broken by a wife that cheated and didnt want kids and Magnolia’s apprehension stemmed from her fathers abandonment.
Their journey to love was so sweet and oh so spicy! I really enjoyed how patient Lennox was with Magnolia. Despite the betrayal he experienced with his wife he did not allow his heart to become closed off. With 5 other sisters, I can’t wait to experience the next HEA from these “flower sisters”.
November 21, 2022
Listening to this on audiobook Eboni Flowers and Benjamin Charles have awesome voices. This was soft and sweet and sexy as hell. The way Lennox spoke to Magnolia both in and out of the bedroom gave me that tight feeling in my stomach. I think I’m going to have to add him to my secondary book boyfriend collection cause that was a man!This made me realize how much I enjoy stories where the fmc is the oldest. I also enjoyed the dynamic between the sibling groups and the message of healing and holding space for our inner child. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.
February 15, 2020
Mags was magnificent
Magnolia's edition was an excellent start to this new series. I loved the way she decided to give love a chance. Mags allowed a man to infiltrate her inner being. Lennox was the sheeeet! The way he allowed their relationship to move at her pace made me love him more. I did feel sorry for his Ex. But! She got what she put into the universe. Along the way Five flowers became six, and the bond between the siblings made for an amazing story!
Magnolia's edition was an excellent start to this new series. I loved the way she decided to give love a chance. Mags allowed a man to infiltrate her inner being. Lennox was the sheeeet! The way he allowed their relationship to move at her pace made me love him more. I did feel sorry for his Ex. But! She got what she put into the universe. Along the way Five flowers became six, and the bond between the siblings made for an amazing story!
February 11, 2020
Flowers Sister’s 💐
I enjoyed the book but I don’t think Lily needed to be added. I loved the Sister’s how they were
I enjoyed the book but I don’t think Lily needed to be added. I loved the Sister’s how they were
August 19, 2021
Devoured in a day ❤️😍😍😍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 31, 2022
I need Love
This read pretty slow, yet I enjoyed Magnolia and Lennox story. I also like the Flower sisters; their bond was so great to take in.
While I understood Magnolias reason for holding out on being in a relationship, I hate that she let her past or her father leaving and giving up his rights to her and her sisters, to seep so deeply into her life. Lennox was such a patient, good man, so I'm glad that all his time and effort put into his situation with Magnolia wasn't for naught. I love that Magnolia had this enate nurturing vibe when it came to her 4, now 5, younger sisters.
I loved Lennox. I'm glad that he saw his situation with his ex-wife for what it was; over. He didn't linger on what ifs with her and let her know that he'd moved on and she should follow suit. His care and words of affirmation for Magnolia, or Lia as he called her, were heart touching. I'm so glad he was careful with her heart and earned her trust and Love; I'm so eager to see how their relationship continues to bloom.
This was a good entry into the Flower Sisters and it was a nice read. Onto book 2.
This read pretty slow, yet I enjoyed Magnolia and Lennox story. I also like the Flower sisters; their bond was so great to take in.
While I understood Magnolias reason for holding out on being in a relationship, I hate that she let her past or her father leaving and giving up his rights to her and her sisters, to seep so deeply into her life. Lennox was such a patient, good man, so I'm glad that all his time and effort put into his situation with Magnolia wasn't for naught. I love that Magnolia had this enate nurturing vibe when it came to her 4, now 5, younger sisters.
I loved Lennox. I'm glad that he saw his situation with his ex-wife for what it was; over. He didn't linger on what ifs with her and let her know that he'd moved on and she should follow suit. His care and words of affirmation for Magnolia, or Lia as he called her, were heart touching. I'm so glad he was careful with her heart and earned her trust and Love; I'm so eager to see how their relationship continues to bloom.
This was a good entry into the Flower Sisters and it was a nice read. Onto book 2.
July 7, 2023
3.25 Stars.
I liked this sort of mid-angst, low-drama romance about 5 (or 6) sisters named after flowers coming to terms with their relationship with their father. In this first book in the series, oldest sister, Magnolia, is commitment phobic after seeing the ease with which her father abandoned she and her sisters as a child. Lennox meanwhile is smitten and willing to give her the space, time and opportunity (in his arms) to heal. This was adorable. Lennox was fabulous and Magnolia was likeable. I think I wish certain things had been a little more developed - for example, why was their father having 6 kids if he didn’t want any kids at all- why bring up Lily’s relationship with their father at all if it won’t be treated in this book. What was the end game with bringing up Lennox’s ex-wife at all if nothing would be done with it. I feel like even with a low-drama book, the author had lots of interesting threads I wanted pulled and fully woven into the story tapestry. That said, I liked this book and these sisters and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
I liked this sort of mid-angst, low-drama romance about 5 (or 6) sisters named after flowers coming to terms with their relationship with their father. In this first book in the series, oldest sister, Magnolia, is commitment phobic after seeing the ease with which her father abandoned she and her sisters as a child. Lennox meanwhile is smitten and willing to give her the space, time and opportunity (in his arms) to heal. This was adorable. Lennox was fabulous and Magnolia was likeable. I think I wish certain things had been a little more developed - for example, why was their father having 6 kids if he didn’t want any kids at all- why bring up Lily’s relationship with their father at all if it won’t be treated in this book. What was the end game with bringing up Lennox’s ex-wife at all if nothing would be done with it. I feel like even with a low-drama book, the author had lots of interesting threads I wanted pulled and fully woven into the story tapestry. That said, I liked this book and these sisters and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews