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The Carolina Girls #1
Wildflower Season
She always followed the path of least resistance…until it leads her to a small town where she can follow her dreams.
When Emma Cantrell’s marriage imploded, she learned a fast and painful lesson about trusting her heart. Then, on a visit to Magnolia, North Carolina, to see her brother, an elegant, if dilapidated, mansion for sale presents the opportunity to start over. Risking everything on her dream of opening the Wildflower Inn, Emma buys the house…just as the storm of the century hits, severely damaging the structure. But a chance meeting with Holly, a bride-to-be in desperate need of a new venue, gives her hope…and the name of a contractor who’ll work fast and cheap, allowing Emma to repair the inn in time to host the wedding and save her investment.
A furniture builder who hasn’t picked up a tool in the five years since his wife died, Cameron Mitchell has no intention of agreeing to help this beautiful—and, he’d guess, entitled—woman insisting that he fix her inn. Until he learns that Emma was sent by Holly, the little sister of his late wife. Grudgingly, Cameron agrees to do the work, with one condition: that he be left completely alone. But the more time they spend together, the more Emma touches a part of his heart he was sure died long ago, forcing him to try making peace with his past.
When Emma Cantrell’s marriage imploded, she learned a fast and painful lesson about trusting her heart. Then, on a visit to Magnolia, North Carolina, to see her brother, an elegant, if dilapidated, mansion for sale presents the opportunity to start over. Risking everything on her dream of opening the Wildflower Inn, Emma buys the house…just as the storm of the century hits, severely damaging the structure. But a chance meeting with Holly, a bride-to-be in desperate need of a new venue, gives her hope…and the name of a contractor who’ll work fast and cheap, allowing Emma to repair the inn in time to host the wedding and save her investment.
A furniture builder who hasn’t picked up a tool in the five years since his wife died, Cameron Mitchell has no intention of agreeing to help this beautiful—and, he’d guess, entitled—woman insisting that he fix her inn. Until he learns that Emma was sent by Holly, the little sister of his late wife. Grudgingly, Cameron agrees to do the work, with one condition: that he be left completely alone. But the more time they spend together, the more Emma touches a part of his heart he was sure died long ago, forcing him to try making peace with his past.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2021
232 people are currently reading
773 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Major
284 books837 followersUSA Today and Top 5 Amazon Bestselling author Michelle Major writes swoon-worthy stories full of heart, heat, and guaranteed happily-ever-afters. When she’s not dreaming up romance, you’ll find her hiking the trails (or avoiding housework) in her home state of Colorado.
Connect with her at www.michellemajor.com or come say hi on Instagram and Facebook.
Connect with her at www.michellemajor.com or come say hi on Instagram and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
July 17, 2022
The story was okay. The difference in the characters personalities was interesting. I kind of lost interest in the story when about halfway through.
September 12, 2021
Emma Cantrell was a trust fund baby who worked for her family's trust and married a man who was only after her money. When they divorced and she was left penniless, she knew she wanted a new life, one that her mother was not going to influence. She went to visit her brother in Magnolia, North Carolina, when she fell in love with a dilapidated mansion. She bought the house with the intent to renovate it and open a B&B. Holly is a young woman who is marrying into a rich family, being engaged to an up and coming politician. Both women are in dire straits. The storm of the century that has just passed through has damaged Emma's new home and destroyed the venue where Holly is to be married. Emma offers her place to Holly for the wedding, if she can get it repaired in time. Holly, in turn, gives Emma the name of a man who used to be a contractor to fix her place. Both women set in motion, changes that will affect both their lives.
This is the first book in a new series by Michelle Major, but being set in Magnolia, you will run into characters from her Magnolia Sisters series. You do not need to read Magnolia Sisters to enjoy this series. I really liked Emma. She wanted to stand on her own two feet and not have her life run by her mother. She was willing to take the chances needed to do this, even if there were risks. Cameron Mitchell was a furniture builder, who used to do home construction/renovation. When his wife died, five years earlier, he packed it all in and began to take people out on fishing expeditions instead. He wanted no reminders of his previous life. He blamed himself for her death and so did her mother-in-law. Neither of them wanted to be attracted to one another, but the heart wants what the heart wants. I really liked watching their relationship grow and the beginning of trust develop. The setting was wonderful and added another dimension to the story. The secondary characters all added much to the story. I liked how they changed along with Emma and Cameron. The writing is wonderful and I loved the dialogue and banter between the characters. This is a sweet, romance with some serious themes (grief, infidelity, divorce, forgiveness) to pack a bit of a punch. I am definitely looking forward to the next Carolina Girls story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own. Carly Robbins narrated this book and others in the series. As expected, she did a wonderful job with this story. Her voices were very distinguishable and it was easy to identify who was speaking. The pacing, inflection and expression were right on. I very much enjoyed this listening experience.
This is the first book in a new series by Michelle Major, but being set in Magnolia, you will run into characters from her Magnolia Sisters series. You do not need to read Magnolia Sisters to enjoy this series. I really liked Emma. She wanted to stand on her own two feet and not have her life run by her mother. She was willing to take the chances needed to do this, even if there were risks. Cameron Mitchell was a furniture builder, who used to do home construction/renovation. When his wife died, five years earlier, he packed it all in and began to take people out on fishing expeditions instead. He wanted no reminders of his previous life. He blamed himself for her death and so did her mother-in-law. Neither of them wanted to be attracted to one another, but the heart wants what the heart wants. I really liked watching their relationship grow and the beginning of trust develop. The setting was wonderful and added another dimension to the story. The secondary characters all added much to the story. I liked how they changed along with Emma and Cameron. The writing is wonderful and I loved the dialogue and banter between the characters. This is a sweet, romance with some serious themes (grief, infidelity, divorce, forgiveness) to pack a bit of a punch. I am definitely looking forward to the next Carolina Girls story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own. Carly Robbins narrated this book and others in the series. As expected, she did a wonderful job with this story. Her voices were very distinguishable and it was easy to identify who was speaking. The pacing, inflection and expression were right on. I very much enjoyed this listening experience.
August 17, 2021
I was so excited that Michelle Major was writing another series is the town of Magnolia, North Carolina! I loved that in addition of some new characters, the characters from the last series blended in nicely. Wildflower Season pairs a woman, new to town, whose life was turned upside down by her cheating ex-husband and a local man who has done his best to hide out since his wife’s death four years prior. Working together to help his late wife’s younger sister the wedding of her dreams, they both begin to wonder if they can learn to trust and love again.
I truly enjoyed Wildflower season, Michelle Major has a way of sweeping readers up into a story and keeping their interest from start to finish. The heroine, Emma Cantrell, had a small part in The Last Carolina Sister when she visited the town to award a grant to her brother’s girlfriend. She felt immediately connected to the house once owned by a famed painter and decides to buy it and turn it into a bed and breakfast, but when a 100 year storm rolls through damaging the newly repaired inn along with many other homes and businesses in town, she can’t find anyone to help repair it. When she meets a soon to be bride while drowning her sorrows only to find out the bride’s venue has been severely damaged and the owners took off with her deposits, her dress, and invitations, she tells her they can use her inn if she can help her find someone to repair it.
The last thing Cameron Mitchell wanted was to work in Magnolia even 5 miles out is too close, but when Holly, his sister in law, asked for his help, he can’t deny her anything. Meeting the owner Emma puts him on high alert, there’s something about her that calls to him, but he’s just there to do a job and get out or so he tells himself.
Both Emma and Cam have some baggage and while Emma’s is newer, Cam’s runs deeper. As they work together on the house, we begin to see their layers peeled back and the sexual tension between them rise. I liked that Emma wouldn’t let Cam hide and that she fiercely stood up for him on multiple occasions, not that he couldn’t do it, he just didn’t see the point. I loved that Cam appreciated how hard Emma worked to make sure Holly’s day went off without a hitch and the way she drew people in and propped them up him included. Despite her own worries, her own troubles, she was a ray of sunshine in his life and those around her. They were really good together and while it wasn’t all smooth sailing, they had mutual admiration for one another as a strong foundation for more.
Heartwarming, emotional, and charming, Wildflower Season was a perfect start to this new series!
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
I truly enjoyed Wildflower season, Michelle Major has a way of sweeping readers up into a story and keeping their interest from start to finish. The heroine, Emma Cantrell, had a small part in The Last Carolina Sister when she visited the town to award a grant to her brother’s girlfriend. She felt immediately connected to the house once owned by a famed painter and decides to buy it and turn it into a bed and breakfast, but when a 100 year storm rolls through damaging the newly repaired inn along with many other homes and businesses in town, she can’t find anyone to help repair it. When she meets a soon to be bride while drowning her sorrows only to find out the bride’s venue has been severely damaged and the owners took off with her deposits, her dress, and invitations, she tells her they can use her inn if she can help her find someone to repair it.
The last thing Cameron Mitchell wanted was to work in Magnolia even 5 miles out is too close, but when Holly, his sister in law, asked for his help, he can’t deny her anything. Meeting the owner Emma puts him on high alert, there’s something about her that calls to him, but he’s just there to do a job and get out or so he tells himself.
Both Emma and Cam have some baggage and while Emma’s is newer, Cam’s runs deeper. As they work together on the house, we begin to see their layers peeled back and the sexual tension between them rise. I liked that Emma wouldn’t let Cam hide and that she fiercely stood up for him on multiple occasions, not that he couldn’t do it, he just didn’t see the point. I loved that Cam appreciated how hard Emma worked to make sure Holly’s day went off without a hitch and the way she drew people in and propped them up him included. Despite her own worries, her own troubles, she was a ray of sunshine in his life and those around her. They were really good together and while it wasn’t all smooth sailing, they had mutual admiration for one another as a strong foundation for more.
Heartwarming, emotional, and charming, Wildflower Season was a perfect start to this new series!
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
December 8, 2021
Wildflower Season was a heartwarming tale of love and hope. With an abundance of characters to fall for, and lots of small town charm, there was a lot going on in the pages. If you adore adult romance, with a strong presence of community and townspeople coming alive throughout the pages, then this book is definitely for you!
Emma Cantrell moved to Magnolia for a fresh start. But after buying a house, to turn it into a bed and breakfast, the storm of the century hit. And her new investment was plagued with a ton of repairs and work. Thankfully fate had her meeting Holly, who was in need of a new venue for her wedding. With lots of hope in the air, Holly had a plan to fix Emma's house and Emma had a plan to help Holly have her dream wedding. Yet there was just one hiccup. Emma had to convince Cam Arlinghaus to help repair her house, and from that first moment they met, there were sparks.
Cam had been married to Holly's older sister, but she had died years ago. And Cam still carried the guilt of her death with him. He was beyond jaded and had kept to himself. He completely changed his life and was now doing fishing tours, instead of his passion of furniture making. But with the push of Holly needing help, he agreed to fix Emma's house. And Cam was definitely book boyfriend material! He was thoughtful, kind, caring and looked out for others, even if he got wrapped up in his life at times.
There was a lot of characters in the pages from beginning to end, which I did struggle with. I don't ever do this, but I had to make a cheat sheet. I couldn't keep everyone in their town straight. Maybe it would have been different if I would have started with the The Magnolia Sisters Series. But on top of that, it didn't matter how much I liked Emma and Cam, I could never connect with them. And for me to truly enjoy and fall for a book, I desperately need that connection. My heart was so sad I wasn't able to.
Heart to hearts, guilt, redemption, hope, love and forgiveness filled the pages of Wildflower Season. There was sexual tension, the development of friendships and even a spicy scene or two in the pages. But at the end of the day, not being able to make that connection to Cam and Emma made me struggle. This story was easy to devour, so if you pick it up I hope you fall for this book!
For more of my reviews, please visit:
This might be a temporary detour on the path to the rest of her life, but she wasn’t about to turn back now.
Emma Cantrell moved to Magnolia for a fresh start. But after buying a house, to turn it into a bed and breakfast, the storm of the century hit. And her new investment was plagued with a ton of repairs and work. Thankfully fate had her meeting Holly, who was in need of a new venue for her wedding. With lots of hope in the air, Holly had a plan to fix Emma's house and Emma had a plan to help Holly have her dream wedding. Yet there was just one hiccup. Emma had to convince Cam Arlinghaus to help repair her house, and from that first moment they met, there were sparks.
Hope, Cam understood as Emma walked toward the house, was a blessed and blasted thing.
Cam had been married to Holly's older sister, but she had died years ago. And Cam still carried the guilt of her death with him. He was beyond jaded and had kept to himself. He completely changed his life and was now doing fishing tours, instead of his passion of furniture making. But with the push of Holly needing help, he agreed to fix Emma's house. And Cam was definitely book boyfriend material! He was thoughtful, kind, caring and looked out for others, even if he got wrapped up in his life at times.
“I don’t think you’re a mess.”
“Maybe that’s because you’re an even bigger one.”
“Could be,” he agreed with a smirk.
There was a lot of characters in the pages from beginning to end, which I did struggle with. I don't ever do this, but I had to make a cheat sheet. I couldn't keep everyone in their town straight. Maybe it would have been different if I would have started with the The Magnolia Sisters Series. But on top of that, it didn't matter how much I liked Emma and Cam, I could never connect with them. And for me to truly enjoy and fall for a book, I desperately need that connection. My heart was so sad I wasn't able to.
He closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, his gaze was so filled with desire it practically took her breath away. No man had ever looked at her the way he did.
Heart to hearts, guilt, redemption, hope, love and forgiveness filled the pages of Wildflower Season. There was sexual tension, the development of friendships and even a spicy scene or two in the pages. But at the end of the day, not being able to make that connection to Cam and Emma made me struggle. This story was easy to devour, so if you pick it up I hope you fall for this book!
For more of my reviews, please visit:
May 25, 2021
Wildflower Season is the first book in the Carolina Girls Series and follows the story of Emma and Cameron. After her marriage falls apart, Emma finds herself in North Carolina to visit her brother. But, this visit brought Emma more than she ever planned for. A dream opportunity has presented itself and Emma can’t pass it up. However, her dream is quickly looking like a nightmare. Everything that could go wrong does. She only has one hope, and that’s Cameron….Cameron hasn’t picked up a tool since he lost his wife 5 years ago. The last thing he wants to do is help Emma. But, when he learns who sent Emma his way, he can’t turn her down….
Wildflower Season is a quick and easy read. This story had small-town romance written all over it and I couldn’t resist checking it out. I liked Emma and Cameron. They were total opposites that shouldn’t work at all, but somehow did. I liked the push between them and was curious to see where their story would go.
Now for the things that didn’t quite work. While I enjoyed all of the side characters, it was a little overwhelming. There is a lot going on in this story and a lot of people to try and keep track of. Also, while I totally dug the opposites attract vibe from Cameron and Emma, it was also a little unbelievable at times. Like I said before, they shouldn’t have worked together at all, yet somehow in the end, the just did.
Overall, I thought this book was an ok read. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. This is definitely a read that I will categorize as one that works for some, but not others. Don’t get me wrong, this book has a lot of wonderful things going for it. It just felt unbelievable and overwhelming at times. Even though this book wasn’t a 100% hit for me, I’m still glad to have checked it out.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Wildflower Season is a quick and easy read. This story had small-town romance written all over it and I couldn’t resist checking it out. I liked Emma and Cameron. They were total opposites that shouldn’t work at all, but somehow did. I liked the push between them and was curious to see where their story would go.
Now for the things that didn’t quite work. While I enjoyed all of the side characters, it was a little overwhelming. There is a lot going on in this story and a lot of people to try and keep track of. Also, while I totally dug the opposites attract vibe from Cameron and Emma, it was also a little unbelievable at times. Like I said before, they shouldn’t have worked together at all, yet somehow in the end, the just did.
Overall, I thought this book was an ok read. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. This is definitely a read that I will categorize as one that works for some, but not others. Don’t get me wrong, this book has a lot of wonderful things going for it. It just felt unbelievable and overwhelming at times. Even though this book wasn’t a 100% hit for me, I’m still glad to have checked it out.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
June 1, 2021
3.5 stars
In a quick afternoon read, this was a nice escape. While the tale has been written many times, I do enjoy a trip to the south. Emma is in a situation and needs a change, and she decides to follow her dreams. Cam is the local handyman who helps her with her project. I enjoyed the progress their relationship took and how they supported each other to move on from the past. As with any small town, there are plenty of secondary characters, some familiar, and those we need to know better.
I look forward to more books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin – Romance(US & Canada) for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review
In a quick afternoon read, this was a nice escape. While the tale has been written many times, I do enjoy a trip to the south. Emma is in a situation and needs a change, and she decides to follow her dreams. Cam is the local handyman who helps her with her project. I enjoyed the progress their relationship took and how they supported each other to move on from the past. As with any small town, there are plenty of secondary characters, some familiar, and those we need to know better.
I look forward to more books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin – Romance(US & Canada) for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review
June 3, 2021
Emma comes from an affluent family and with that lifestyle comes expectations. After the demise of her marriage Emma decides to visit Magnolia to spend some time with her brother and is enchanted not only by the town but by a building she wants to convert into an Inn. Rather than her mother supporting her plan she now finds herself struggling financially to complete the renovations especially when a storm could threaten all the progress she has made.
Cam is still dealing with the guilt and regrets after his wife passed away five years earlier. Although his carpentry skills may be rusty when his former sister in-law asks him to help Emma so that she can use the Inn for her wedding he can’t say no. When he and Emma start working together he is conflicted as she is the first person to make him feel since his wife passed away and he must decide whether to embrace them or deny them.
Both Emma and Cam bear the emotional scars from their pasts that is causing turmoil in their present and they are both dealing with difficult family situations as well. This is a story about healing and forgiveness and Emma and Cam fight for the future they both deserve.
Cam is still dealing with the guilt and regrets after his wife passed away five years earlier. Although his carpentry skills may be rusty when his former sister in-law asks him to help Emma so that she can use the Inn for her wedding he can’t say no. When he and Emma start working together he is conflicted as she is the first person to make him feel since his wife passed away and he must decide whether to embrace them or deny them.
Both Emma and Cam bear the emotional scars from their pasts that is causing turmoil in their present and they are both dealing with difficult family situations as well. This is a story about healing and forgiveness and Emma and Cam fight for the future they both deserve.
June 11, 2021
[ I received physical copy for an honest review]
Wildflower Season is the first standalone in a small town romance series by Michelle Major called Carolina Girls. This is my first time reading Michelle Majors, but I really enjoyed the writing, so I plan to go back and read her Magnolia sisters series which I take place in the same town as this series and can't wait for more books in this one!
Emma had a bad divorce and has decided to start fresh in the small town of Magnolia. When the old mansion she bought ends up worse because of a storm, she might have to call it quits on her dream of opening it into an inn. A chance meeting with a bride in need gives her hope and a reason to try again. Cam has agreed to repair the Inn the bride, his sister-in-law, can have the wedding she deserves, even though he's less than thrilled to do it. Cam is a widower who has spent the past five years hiding from the world, but will Emmaand her joy at the Wildflower Inn bring him back to the world or decide he's better with the way he has become.
Both our lead characters have wounded hearts. Cam from losing his wife and Emma from her ex-husband destroying her trust. Yet they both deal with those wounds differently. Cam by shouting himself off from those he loves because of guilt, and Emma by starting over and being more herself than she's ever been. He is the definition of a romance novel grumpy crouch, and I was here for most of it except for his hot and cold back and forth with Emma. I absolutely loved how fierce Emma was. The woman had her heart stomped on and trust destroyed but she faces her new life head on. She was honest and upfront with Cam, and I loved that she called him out on his wallowing.
This is a low steam romance, but it still has some steamy lead up to their intimacy. It doesn't go into detail of the final act, only a few sentences each time, but that doesn't take away from being able to feel the sexual chemistry between them. My favorite part of their relationship was the flirty friendship the formed and there's a fishing outing, among other scenes, that was just really sweet and fun.
Emma befriends a couple of ladies in town who become her partners at the Wildflower Inn. Each looking for a fresh start in Magnolia and the Inn. I'm looking forward to the other two girls getting their own happily ever afters.
Wildflower Season is the first standalone in a small town romance series by Michelle Major called Carolina Girls. This is my first time reading Michelle Majors, but I really enjoyed the writing, so I plan to go back and read her Magnolia sisters series which I take place in the same town as this series and can't wait for more books in this one!
Emma had a bad divorce and has decided to start fresh in the small town of Magnolia. When the old mansion she bought ends up worse because of a storm, she might have to call it quits on her dream of opening it into an inn. A chance meeting with a bride in need gives her hope and a reason to try again. Cam has agreed to repair the Inn the bride, his sister-in-law, can have the wedding she deserves, even though he's less than thrilled to do it. Cam is a widower who has spent the past five years hiding from the world, but will Emmaand her joy at the Wildflower Inn bring him back to the world or decide he's better with the way he has become.
Both our lead characters have wounded hearts. Cam from losing his wife and Emma from her ex-husband destroying her trust. Yet they both deal with those wounds differently. Cam by shouting himself off from those he loves because of guilt, and Emma by starting over and being more herself than she's ever been. He is the definition of a romance novel grumpy crouch, and I was here for most of it except for his hot and cold back and forth with Emma. I absolutely loved how fierce Emma was. The woman had her heart stomped on and trust destroyed but she faces her new life head on. She was honest and upfront with Cam, and I loved that she called him out on his wallowing.
This is a low steam romance, but it still has some steamy lead up to their intimacy. It doesn't go into detail of the final act, only a few sentences each time, but that doesn't take away from being able to feel the sexual chemistry between them. My favorite part of their relationship was the flirty friendship the formed and there's a fishing outing, among other scenes, that was just really sweet and fun.
Emma befriends a couple of ladies in town who become her partners at the Wildflower Inn. Each looking for a fresh start in Magnolia and the Inn. I'm looking forward to the other two girls getting their own happily ever afters.
February 1, 2022
It’s no secret how much I love the town of Magnolia. I truly wish it was a real place to visit!
Emma decides Magnolia is a place for her start new. She has big goals for the huge mansion she’s bought. This is her chance to prove to everyone she can do this on her own. A chance meeting has her scrambling to bring her plans to fruition. She soon realizes she needs help. Enter Cameron.
I love the chemistry between Emma and Cameron. A little slow burn going at times which worked for me. New characters are introduced and I wanted to know more about them too! I really related to Emma right from the start. Her determination to prove herself combined with her ability to find solutions for any obstacle that came her way, was truly admirable!
A wonderful story from beginning to end! I highly recommend reading this series. They are feel good reads but have that extra something special that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. I give this 5 stars.
**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng**
Emma decides Magnolia is a place for her start new. She has big goals for the huge mansion she’s bought. This is her chance to prove to everyone she can do this on her own. A chance meeting has her scrambling to bring her plans to fruition. She soon realizes she needs help. Enter Cameron.
I love the chemistry between Emma and Cameron. A little slow burn going at times which worked for me. New characters are introduced and I wanted to know more about them too! I really related to Emma right from the start. Her determination to prove herself combined with her ability to find solutions for any obstacle that came her way, was truly admirable!
A wonderful story from beginning to end! I highly recommend reading this series. They are feel good reads but have that extra something special that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. I give this 5 stars.
**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng**
June 9, 2021
A new book by Michelle Major is the perfect antidote for a stressful day. Her books are relaxing and make you feel good about life. This is the first book of a new series called Carolina Girls and takes place in Magnolia NC.
Emma's marriage ended and she went to Magnolia to visit her brother. She enjoyed it so much that she decided to stay and convert an old house into a bed and breakfast. Her plans were on schedule until a storm and poor workmanship by the contactor caused considerable damage to the house. She needs to get the house ready to host a wedding for her new friend Holly. Holly convinces Emma to see if her brother-in-law can be hired to fix the house up. Cameron has become a recluse after the death of his wife (Holly's sister) but he'd do anything for Holly so he agrees to work on the house. What no one expected were the sparks that flew between Emma and Cam who were both avoiding relationships. Will they be able to forge a relationship that will allow them to forget the pain in their pasts?
Emma's marriage ended and she went to Magnolia to visit her brother. She enjoyed it so much that she decided to stay and convert an old house into a bed and breakfast. Her plans were on schedule until a storm and poor workmanship by the contactor caused considerable damage to the house. She needs to get the house ready to host a wedding for her new friend Holly. Holly convinces Emma to see if her brother-in-law can be hired to fix the house up. Cameron has become a recluse after the death of his wife (Holly's sister) but he'd do anything for Holly so he agrees to work on the house. What no one expected were the sparks that flew between Emma and Cam who were both avoiding relationships. Will they be able to forge a relationship that will allow them to forget the pain in their pasts?
June 16, 2021
New beginnings for Emma, when she leaves her socialite living after a nasty divorce and buys a dilapidated mansion in Magnolia. A chance meeting with Holly, a bride to be down on her luck in wedding preparations after a huge storm comes through. The mansion, soon to be Wildflower Inn needs a new contractor and Holly has the perfect person, Cam. Cam is Holly's ex brother in law. He lost his wife five years after a tragic accident. He has become a loner, as he blames himself for her death. He finally agrees to help from wants to be left alone. As they spend time together, sparks stat to fly but can they leave their pasts behind them.
I was so excited to return this town, and even catch up with a few previous characters. This is a story of starting over and making new friends. Loved how so many people came to together to help Holly have the perfect wedding. Plenty of emotions of letting go of the past and starting to live again. This is the first book in the series. I highly recommend this book.
I was so excited to return this town, and even catch up with a few previous characters. This is a story of starting over and making new friends. Loved how so many people came to together to help Holly have the perfect wedding. Plenty of emotions of letting go of the past and starting to live again. This is the first book in the series. I highly recommend this book.
June 18, 2021
I was in the mood for something I could breeze through and hear a good sorry, and this book was just that! I loved the setting and the characters as their lives weaved together. Each one had depth and their own baggage, but the story still remained light-hearted. Excited to see where this series goes as it’s released.
July 12, 2021
Because I typically read and review either Christian fiction or otherwise clean reads, it is important to note right off the bat that Wildflower Season is neither of these things. The steamiest romances I tend to read are that of Nicholas Sparks, so to put it into perspective based on that... this one had a few love scenes that I would say were perhaps just a bit steamier than that. They still weren't overly graphic compared to others on the market, but enough to make my modest self blush anyway! There was also a bit of language, but not a ton. Again, with my preference for clean reads the language and the love scenes are certainly things that I personally could have gone without... but I cannot hold them against the story too much as this doesn't claim itself to be anything but a contemporary romance! Still, certainly worth noting if you are a more conservative reader.
Taking those out of the equation, I actually really enjoyed the story itself. With a run down inn, a wedding on the verge of disaster and a widow with the weight of the world on his shoulders, this book truly is a book all about second chances... and I truly enjoyed getting to know each of the unique characters. To me, it felt very much like it could be the next great Hallmark movie... and I love a good Hallmark movie! It was a sweet story that really drew me in and had me rooting not just for the main characters but for the side characters introduced too. While it may not be the style of story that I typically prefer, I would certainly give the next books in the series a read too! If you love a good romance and don't mind a little language and a love scene or three, this is certainly one to check out.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
Taking those out of the equation, I actually really enjoyed the story itself. With a run down inn, a wedding on the verge of disaster and a widow with the weight of the world on his shoulders, this book truly is a book all about second chances... and I truly enjoyed getting to know each of the unique characters. To me, it felt very much like it could be the next great Hallmark movie... and I love a good Hallmark movie! It was a sweet story that really drew me in and had me rooting not just for the main characters but for the side characters introduced too. While it may not be the style of story that I typically prefer, I would certainly give the next books in the series a read too! If you love a good romance and don't mind a little language and a love scene or three, this is certainly one to check out.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
May 15, 2021
Wildflower Season is the first novel in Michelle Major's new Carolina Girls series, which is a spinoff of her earlier Magnolia Series, which I've not read, nor have I read anything by this author before, but the tone and setting of this novel is reminiscent of Sharon Sala's Blessings, Georgia series, which I am following. In comparison, I found Wildflower Season more jumbled, more than a tad overpopulated and extremely unlikely, which is the reason for my giving it 3 stars.
Emma, the heroine, is a divorcee, and daughter of a wealthy family. While visiting her brother who had moved to Magnolia after marrying (I'm assuming his romance was covered in the previous series), fell in love with the small town, and a large, dilapidated old house which once belonged to an artist who was Magnolia's claim to fame. She decides that if it was renovated, it would be the perfect bed and breakfast inn, so leaves her cushy job working for the family foundation, is then disowned by her mother, and with little money (her husband fleeced her in the divorce) and no experience in the hospitality industry, moves to Magnolia. She had recently paid a local contractor most of what money she had to work on the house, but a hundred-year storm severely damaged the house, and with no money, and no income, she must start all over again, and her original contractor isn't replying to her text messages.
Emma has heard that a local fishing charter/tour guide, Cam, a Magnolia native, is a qualified craftsman. Cam is a handsome widower and has been blaming himself for the death of his wife, Dana, in a car accident 5 years earlier, wallowing in guilt. Dana was working several jobs to support them while Cam was starting his career as a woodworking craftsman and carpenter, creating one-of-a-kind furniture pieces with repurposed wood. He wasn't in the car when she crashed, but blames himself anyway and has, over the past five years distanced himself from everyone in town, drinking heavily at the start, totally absorbed in his grief and guilt. He has tried to distance himself from everyone, but his wife's younger sister, Holly, has tried to break through his walls without much success, that is until she somehow manages to meet and fall in love with a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, 12 years her senior, and from a family comparable to the Kennedy's.
The storm that wrecked the inn, also destroyed Holly's wedding venue, the owners of the venue left town, taking her money with them, her gown and the invitations were ruined, and she decides that the new, and unfinished inn would be an ideal place for her wedding, if it can be made ready in 6 weeks. To make that happen, she convinces Cam to help her new friend, Emma, restore and renovate the house/inn. Has the likelihood of this series of events caused your eyes to roll yet? We're not done--Emma can't cook, so she needs to find and hire a caterer, she has no money coming in, so how is she going to find and pay a caterer, find a replacement for Holly's lost wedding gown, and furnish the inn in time to host the pseudo-Kennedy family? And that's just for starters, because just when Emma thinks she's got it together, something else goes wrong.
Additionally, there's Emma's attraction to and no-strings attached at first, sexual relationship with surly, closed-off, hot one minute, cold the next, Cam. Just when you think Cam has finally come out of his self-imposed isolation and is pursuing his relationship with Emma, he reverts back into the hermit he was as the novel opened--unfortunately, that happened once too often for this reader.
Unlike the aforementioned Ms. Sala's Blessings series, which introduced new local residents slowly, Ms. Major introduces almost every inhabitant of Magnolia is this introduction to the series--from a famous wedding dress designer, hiding out from something in Magnolia, to the surly grandson of the local florist who is keeping her business going for her, to he daughter/waitress of the owner of the local Italian restaurant, Angi, who wants to break away from the family business and go out on her own, and on, and on, and on, until you practically needed a scorecard to know who was who. Too much chaos, too many characters, and all too unlikely.
What I did like about this novel is the underlying subtext--this is a novel about loss, about grief, about guilt and self-blame, and about picking yourself up and moving forward despite whatever pitfalls and people are standing in your path. That subtext was what kept me reading this novel, and it was the main reason why I read it to the end, when I wanted to set it aside because so much of it was just too unlikely and too coincidental. Cam certainly needed to stop blaming himself. His former mother-in-law needed to stop blaming him for ruining her daughter's life, Emma needed to come to terms with her controlling matriarch of a mother, who disowned her when she moved to Blessings, Emma also needed to get over what her ex-husband did to fleece her from her savings, and the jury is still out on the dress designer and the caterer, both of whom I am quite sure will be at the center of upcoming novels in the series. I only hope that Ms. Major doesn't overpopulate her upcoming novels the way she did this one.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
Emma, the heroine, is a divorcee, and daughter of a wealthy family. While visiting her brother who had moved to Magnolia after marrying (I'm assuming his romance was covered in the previous series), fell in love with the small town, and a large, dilapidated old house which once belonged to an artist who was Magnolia's claim to fame. She decides that if it was renovated, it would be the perfect bed and breakfast inn, so leaves her cushy job working for the family foundation, is then disowned by her mother, and with little money (her husband fleeced her in the divorce) and no experience in the hospitality industry, moves to Magnolia. She had recently paid a local contractor most of what money she had to work on the house, but a hundred-year storm severely damaged the house, and with no money, and no income, she must start all over again, and her original contractor isn't replying to her text messages.
Emma has heard that a local fishing charter/tour guide, Cam, a Magnolia native, is a qualified craftsman. Cam is a handsome widower and has been blaming himself for the death of his wife, Dana, in a car accident 5 years earlier, wallowing in guilt. Dana was working several jobs to support them while Cam was starting his career as a woodworking craftsman and carpenter, creating one-of-a-kind furniture pieces with repurposed wood. He wasn't in the car when she crashed, but blames himself anyway and has, over the past five years distanced himself from everyone in town, drinking heavily at the start, totally absorbed in his grief and guilt. He has tried to distance himself from everyone, but his wife's younger sister, Holly, has tried to break through his walls without much success, that is until she somehow manages to meet and fall in love with a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, 12 years her senior, and from a family comparable to the Kennedy's.
The storm that wrecked the inn, also destroyed Holly's wedding venue, the owners of the venue left town, taking her money with them, her gown and the invitations were ruined, and she decides that the new, and unfinished inn would be an ideal place for her wedding, if it can be made ready in 6 weeks. To make that happen, she convinces Cam to help her new friend, Emma, restore and renovate the house/inn. Has the likelihood of this series of events caused your eyes to roll yet? We're not done--Emma can't cook, so she needs to find and hire a caterer, she has no money coming in, so how is she going to find and pay a caterer, find a replacement for Holly's lost wedding gown, and furnish the inn in time to host the pseudo-Kennedy family? And that's just for starters, because just when Emma thinks she's got it together, something else goes wrong.
Additionally, there's Emma's attraction to and no-strings attached at first, sexual relationship with surly, closed-off, hot one minute, cold the next, Cam. Just when you think Cam has finally come out of his self-imposed isolation and is pursuing his relationship with Emma, he reverts back into the hermit he was as the novel opened--unfortunately, that happened once too often for this reader.
Unlike the aforementioned Ms. Sala's Blessings series, which introduced new local residents slowly, Ms. Major introduces almost every inhabitant of Magnolia is this introduction to the series--from a famous wedding dress designer, hiding out from something in Magnolia, to the surly grandson of the local florist who is keeping her business going for her, to he daughter/waitress of the owner of the local Italian restaurant, Angi, who wants to break away from the family business and go out on her own, and on, and on, and on, until you practically needed a scorecard to know who was who. Too much chaos, too many characters, and all too unlikely.
What I did like about this novel is the underlying subtext--this is a novel about loss, about grief, about guilt and self-blame, and about picking yourself up and moving forward despite whatever pitfalls and people are standing in your path. That subtext was what kept me reading this novel, and it was the main reason why I read it to the end, when I wanted to set it aside because so much of it was just too unlikely and too coincidental. Cam certainly needed to stop blaming himself. His former mother-in-law needed to stop blaming him for ruining her daughter's life, Emma needed to come to terms with her controlling matriarch of a mother, who disowned her when she moved to Blessings, Emma also needed to get over what her ex-husband did to fleece her from her savings, and the jury is still out on the dress designer and the caterer, both of whom I am quite sure will be at the center of upcoming novels in the series. I only hope that Ms. Major doesn't overpopulate her upcoming novels the way she did this one.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
May 24, 2021
Wildflower Season by Michelle Major is the first book in her new Carolina Girls series. I loved Major’s last series, The Magnolia Sisters, and was thrilled to learn about this new series that will continue to take place in Magnolia, North Carolina.
We meet Emma Cantrell, who is Ryan’s sister (previous book hero); she has purchased the mansion that our previous Magnolia Sister’s deceased father owned. Emma has moved to Magnolia, to start a new life, away humiliating divorce and from her domineering wealthy mother, and plans to renovate the dilapidated mansion and make it into an Inn. She has limited funds, since her mother has threatened to disown her, if she does not return to the family business.
To help with the renovation, Emma meets Cameron Mitchell, a former contractor/carpenter, who is in seclusion and a loner, still grieving on the death of his wife 5 years ago. Cameron, though a very good carpenter/builder, has no plans to help Emma, but when he learns his sister-in-law, Holly is getting married, and is desperate for help, he will agree to work with Emma.
The Wildflower Inn is the name Emma gives her Inn, and slowly with working (saving expenses) with Cam, things start falling into place; and she decides she needs help to bring in others, to help make the inn successful and promote the wedding of the century. We meet along the way, Angi, who loves to cooks, but is stagnant working for her mother in a pizza place; Mariella, who is a former wedding dress designer, will agree to partner with Emma and Angi, to run the Inn.
Slowly, Emma and Cameron begin to have feelings toward each other, and a slow burn romance begins; but Cameron blames himself for his wife’s death, even though it was not his fault, but he is determined not to hurt Emma. They were great together, and Emma did wonders for Cameron’s confidence, as well as moving on from her own issues of the past. Will Emma and Cameron find a way to stay together?
What follows is a wonderful heartwarming story with both Emma and Cameron dealing with their past issues. Michelle Major also created a wonderful group of secondary characters, as well as giving us a glimpse at the ladies we loved from the previous series. Wildflower Season was written so very well by Michelle Major, with a great couple, and so many wonderful characters, many of the townsfolks, and the cute animals. I suggest your start this series, and if you have not read The Magnolia Sisters, you should start that one too, though this new series reads very well on its own.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
We meet Emma Cantrell, who is Ryan’s sister (previous book hero); she has purchased the mansion that our previous Magnolia Sister’s deceased father owned. Emma has moved to Magnolia, to start a new life, away humiliating divorce and from her domineering wealthy mother, and plans to renovate the dilapidated mansion and make it into an Inn. She has limited funds, since her mother has threatened to disown her, if she does not return to the family business.
To help with the renovation, Emma meets Cameron Mitchell, a former contractor/carpenter, who is in seclusion and a loner, still grieving on the death of his wife 5 years ago. Cameron, though a very good carpenter/builder, has no plans to help Emma, but when he learns his sister-in-law, Holly is getting married, and is desperate for help, he will agree to work with Emma.
The Wildflower Inn is the name Emma gives her Inn, and slowly with working (saving expenses) with Cam, things start falling into place; and she decides she needs help to bring in others, to help make the inn successful and promote the wedding of the century. We meet along the way, Angi, who loves to cooks, but is stagnant working for her mother in a pizza place; Mariella, who is a former wedding dress designer, will agree to partner with Emma and Angi, to run the Inn.
Slowly, Emma and Cameron begin to have feelings toward each other, and a slow burn romance begins; but Cameron blames himself for his wife’s death, even though it was not his fault, but he is determined not to hurt Emma. They were great together, and Emma did wonders for Cameron’s confidence, as well as moving on from her own issues of the past. Will Emma and Cameron find a way to stay together?
What follows is a wonderful heartwarming story with both Emma and Cameron dealing with their past issues. Michelle Major also created a wonderful group of secondary characters, as well as giving us a glimpse at the ladies we loved from the previous series. Wildflower Season was written so very well by Michelle Major, with a great couple, and so many wonderful characters, many of the townsfolks, and the cute animals. I suggest your start this series, and if you have not read The Magnolia Sisters, you should start that one too, though this new series reads very well on its own.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
May 15, 2021
The Wildflower Inn... where love blooms!
Emma Cantrell left her socialite life behind and started anew in Magnolia, South Carolina. While visiting Magnolia for her family's charitable foundation Emma fell in love with the town and fell in love with the rundown Niall Reed mansion as well. Emma ended up purchasing the mansion with the idea of turning it into an inn. She told herself she wasn't running away but her self-esteem had been shattered. A very ugly divorce and a very disapproving mother were best left behind. Then a hundred year storm wrecked a major part of the mansion and with not enough money for repairs Emma found herself in a very difficult situation. Her ex-husband took all her money in the divorce settlement and her mother had disowned her because she left her position at the family charitable foundation. When Emma heard Holly Adam's story about how the storm destroyed her wedding plans, Emma offered her place, the Wildflower Inn as a venue if she could find a contractor to make repairs in time and at a reasonable cost. And that's how Emma met Cam. The beginning of her new life!
Cam is a really, really messed up guy. He blames himself for the death of his wife, Dana in a car accident five years ago. He has closed himself off from family and friends, almost a recluse except for taking out fishing charters as a financial necessity. His dream of building custom furniture died with Dana's accident. But he would do anything for Dana's little sister, Holly. That's the only reason he agreed to do the repairs at the Wildflower Inn. Meeting Emma and opening himself up to love again was not part of his plan. But Emma is just what he needed. Now they have to find a way to make a relationship work.
Wildflower Season by Michelle Major is the first book in her new series, The Carolina Girls. Michelle Major always comes through with a heartwarming story including great characters and meaningful life-changing circumstances. She is spot on target with this story. Both Emma and Cam have major issues to overcome. They both have disastrous pasts that wrecked their self-esteem. Emma is a little less broken than Cam which is a good thing for their relationship. But it's both of them together who make it work for overcoming their pasts and moving on to happiness. I really liked how Ms. Major resolved all the conflicts in this storyline. I love this author's voice, her writing style which leads to how much her stories resonate with me.
Is it possible to move past life-changing disasters?
I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Emma Cantrell left her socialite life behind and started anew in Magnolia, South Carolina. While visiting Magnolia for her family's charitable foundation Emma fell in love with the town and fell in love with the rundown Niall Reed mansion as well. Emma ended up purchasing the mansion with the idea of turning it into an inn. She told herself she wasn't running away but her self-esteem had been shattered. A very ugly divorce and a very disapproving mother were best left behind. Then a hundred year storm wrecked a major part of the mansion and with not enough money for repairs Emma found herself in a very difficult situation. Her ex-husband took all her money in the divorce settlement and her mother had disowned her because she left her position at the family charitable foundation. When Emma heard Holly Adam's story about how the storm destroyed her wedding plans, Emma offered her place, the Wildflower Inn as a venue if she could find a contractor to make repairs in time and at a reasonable cost. And that's how Emma met Cam. The beginning of her new life!
Cam is a really, really messed up guy. He blames himself for the death of his wife, Dana in a car accident five years ago. He has closed himself off from family and friends, almost a recluse except for taking out fishing charters as a financial necessity. His dream of building custom furniture died with Dana's accident. But he would do anything for Dana's little sister, Holly. That's the only reason he agreed to do the repairs at the Wildflower Inn. Meeting Emma and opening himself up to love again was not part of his plan. But Emma is just what he needed. Now they have to find a way to make a relationship work.
Wildflower Season by Michelle Major is the first book in her new series, The Carolina Girls. Michelle Major always comes through with a heartwarming story including great characters and meaningful life-changing circumstances. She is spot on target with this story. Both Emma and Cam have major issues to overcome. They both have disastrous pasts that wrecked their self-esteem. Emma is a little less broken than Cam which is a good thing for their relationship. But it's both of them together who make it work for overcoming their pasts and moving on to happiness. I really liked how Ms. Major resolved all the conflicts in this storyline. I love this author's voice, her writing style which leads to how much her stories resonate with me.
Is it possible to move past life-changing disasters?
I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
February 1, 2023
I really enjoyed reading the Magnolia Sisters series. It's what really started me on reading Michelle Major's. I was looking for a small-town romance and that series called to me. I'm so glad that I read it. It leads perfectly into this series and adds to the small town and the people in it.
You met Emma in the prior series and only get to know a bit about her series. In Wildflower Season you truly learn what kind of person she really is. What I liked about Emma is that even though she came from a very wealthy family she isn't afraid of hard work. She's willing to get her hands dirty just like anyone else. It takes poor Carmeron a bit to figure that out.
For Cameron, it's easier to believe she's just some rich woman who has so much time on her hand that she starts up a new project. Quickly he learns her true strength of Emma and sees her in a different light.
I get that both these people have had it bad in the past with marriage and love. Emma's marriage was not the best and poor Cameron lost his wife. But sometimes your other half walks into your life and you have no choice but to hold onto them.
Wildflower Season is a wonderful romance that starts out with two very unhappy people. One trying to start the next step in their lives and the other trying to hide from life. But sometimes things don't always go as planned or smoothly. What I liked about this story is watching them both help each other out. Emma showed Cameron that he could love again and feel good about it and he helped her to see how strong she is and to help her find her dreams.
This story can be read without reading the prior series but I will say that for me it read better because I knew and read the prior series. Just more life to the town and the people who live there. Plus a lot of the town's backstory is told in the prior series. Either way, I know you'll enjoy Wildflower Season.
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May 25, 2021
Michelle Major has another hit on her hands. I loved this 1st book in her spinoff series of her Magnolia sisters, Carolina Girls.
The first book brings us Emma Cantrell, who has moved to Magnolia, NC to open an Inn she is refurbishing from the descendants of a famous painter Niall Reid. One of whom her brother Ryan is married too. She discovers this wonderful house when she came for a visit. After she buys it, mother nature has other plans and takes a toll on the house, when a hurricane hits and she has to start all over again. She has no idea that when a bride, Holly, in need of a new venue for her wedding, sets the wheels in motion just what Emma needs to open her Inn. This puts her in the path of Cameron Mitchell, who just happen to be the brother-in-law of Holly.
Cam Mitchell wants no part of this rebuild, he was now a fishing boat captain, taking out charter of people who wanted to fish and have a day out on the sea. But he would do anything for Holly, and he agrees to take over the renovations of the Wildflower Inn. What he did not know is that Emma would become more than just his customer, she would be the one who would help his start living again after being in a grieving state since his wife, Holly sister, had been killed in a horrific accident. Emma to is on a discovery journey of her own. Learning that she has what it takes to be successful despite what her mother thinks is going to be one of the biggest follies of her life. But the two are determined that each will succeed and give Holly the wedding of her dreams.
This book was a wonderful read. I loved how Michelle has introduced characters from the other series and give us more background on their lives. I especially loved Cam, how when he wanted to quit and go back to his sullen ways, Holly and Emma could bring him back. And how the town helped too to let him know that he is not to blame for what happened to his wife. It was just an accident. And Emma, how she is determined to live the life she wants and not the life her mother wants her to live, and she especially brings Cam to the world he once loved and how their relationship grows into to something that they both need, Love.
I give this book a 4.5 Star rating and I can’t wait for the next books in this new series.
Thank you to Michelle Major for giving me the opportunity to read and review her books.
The first book brings us Emma Cantrell, who has moved to Magnolia, NC to open an Inn she is refurbishing from the descendants of a famous painter Niall Reid. One of whom her brother Ryan is married too. She discovers this wonderful house when she came for a visit. After she buys it, mother nature has other plans and takes a toll on the house, when a hurricane hits and she has to start all over again. She has no idea that when a bride, Holly, in need of a new venue for her wedding, sets the wheels in motion just what Emma needs to open her Inn. This puts her in the path of Cameron Mitchell, who just happen to be the brother-in-law of Holly.
Cam Mitchell wants no part of this rebuild, he was now a fishing boat captain, taking out charter of people who wanted to fish and have a day out on the sea. But he would do anything for Holly, and he agrees to take over the renovations of the Wildflower Inn. What he did not know is that Emma would become more than just his customer, she would be the one who would help his start living again after being in a grieving state since his wife, Holly sister, had been killed in a horrific accident. Emma to is on a discovery journey of her own. Learning that she has what it takes to be successful despite what her mother thinks is going to be one of the biggest follies of her life. But the two are determined that each will succeed and give Holly the wedding of her dreams.
This book was a wonderful read. I loved how Michelle has introduced characters from the other series and give us more background on their lives. I especially loved Cam, how when he wanted to quit and go back to his sullen ways, Holly and Emma could bring him back. And how the town helped too to let him know that he is not to blame for what happened to his wife. It was just an accident. And Emma, how she is determined to live the life she wants and not the life her mother wants her to live, and she especially brings Cam to the world he once loved and how their relationship grows into to something that they both need, Love.
I give this book a 4.5 Star rating and I can’t wait for the next books in this new series.
Thank you to Michelle Major for giving me the opportunity to read and review her books.
May 25, 2021
Emma Cantrell is thinking she might have bit off more than she could chew when she bought a mansion with the hopes of turning it into an Inn. When a storm does major damage to the Inn, she is scrambling, but then when she also promises to help a distressed bride have her dream wedding, Emma needs help, and she needs it fast. Holly, the bride to be convinces Emma that all she needs to do is convince Holly’s brother-in-law to do the repairs, and everything will work out. When Emma meets the cantankerous brother-in-law, she is once again wondering if she can pull this wedding off.
Cameron Mitchell is a hermit. He blames himself for the death of his wife and has not spoken to friends or family in a few years. When a little sprite of a woman shows up on his doorstep begging for his help, he remembers a promise he made to his sister-in-law Holly years ago. A promise that if she ever needed him, he would be there. Can Cameron put the past aside and help Holly and Emma?
This was such a delightful book by Michelle Major. The characters were written brilliantly, and I loved how all the characters personality played off each other. We also get a little peek into the lives of some other women from Magnolia that I am hoping will be featured in future books. My favourite part was how cheeky Emma was and the banter between her and Cam. This book is part of a new series called Carolina Girls, but there are recurring characters from the Magnolia Sisters series where we first met Emma briefly. You could read this book on its own as the Magnolia Sisters background is mentioned in this book as well. Thank you so much to Harlequin Publishing, Michelle Major and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion. A fabulous new read!
Cameron Mitchell is a hermit. He blames himself for the death of his wife and has not spoken to friends or family in a few years. When a little sprite of a woman shows up on his doorstep begging for his help, he remembers a promise he made to his sister-in-law Holly years ago. A promise that if she ever needed him, he would be there. Can Cameron put the past aside and help Holly and Emma?
This was such a delightful book by Michelle Major. The characters were written brilliantly, and I loved how all the characters personality played off each other. We also get a little peek into the lives of some other women from Magnolia that I am hoping will be featured in future books. My favourite part was how cheeky Emma was and the banter between her and Cam. This book is part of a new series called Carolina Girls, but there are recurring characters from the Magnolia Sisters series where we first met Emma briefly. You could read this book on its own as the Magnolia Sisters background is mentioned in this book as well. Thank you so much to Harlequin Publishing, Michelle Major and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion. A fabulous new read!
May 26, 2021
Wildflower Season is a beautiful romance about finding hope and love when you least expect it. Michelle Major got off to a great start with her new series, Carolina Girls.
The story follows Emma and Cam. They have both ridden off love because they have experienced their fair share of heartbreak and heartache. Emma is new to the town of Magnolia and is starting over. She is turning an old estate into an inn that she is going to name Wildflower Inn. She has risked everything to make this work and it doesn't start off great after a storm leaves the building damaged. She needs to find someone to repair it but everyone is busy with other jobs. She heads to a local bar and meets a woman named Holly who is going through it too. Holly needs a wedding venue and Emma needs publicity. So, they team up to make this wedding memorable.
This is where Cam comes into the picture. He is Holly's brother-in-law and is a builder who can finish the repairs on the Wildflower Inn. But it takes some convincing. After his wife died, he hasn't been the same and has kept to himself, but he will do anything for Holly.
Emma and Cam have amazing chemistry. They are so alike and sometimes their stubbornness makes for some funny witty banter. After they begin to build a friendship, it becomes harder to deny their attraction. But they don't want to open up their hearts again. Will they be able to find and experience love again?
I give Wildflower Season 4 stars. It's such a heartbreaking and beautiful read. The main characters are broken and need some rescuing and their relationship provides them the healing that they deserve. This series is so heartwarming and hopeful. Wonderful start to the series.
The story follows Emma and Cam. They have both ridden off love because they have experienced their fair share of heartbreak and heartache. Emma is new to the town of Magnolia and is starting over. She is turning an old estate into an inn that she is going to name Wildflower Inn. She has risked everything to make this work and it doesn't start off great after a storm leaves the building damaged. She needs to find someone to repair it but everyone is busy with other jobs. She heads to a local bar and meets a woman named Holly who is going through it too. Holly needs a wedding venue and Emma needs publicity. So, they team up to make this wedding memorable.
This is where Cam comes into the picture. He is Holly's brother-in-law and is a builder who can finish the repairs on the Wildflower Inn. But it takes some convincing. After his wife died, he hasn't been the same and has kept to himself, but he will do anything for Holly.
Emma and Cam have amazing chemistry. They are so alike and sometimes their stubbornness makes for some funny witty banter. After they begin to build a friendship, it becomes harder to deny their attraction. But they don't want to open up their hearts again. Will they be able to find and experience love again?
I give Wildflower Season 4 stars. It's such a heartbreaking and beautiful read. The main characters are broken and need some rescuing and their relationship provides them the healing that they deserve. This series is so heartwarming and hopeful. Wonderful start to the series.
April 12, 2021
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
The Carolina Girls series is a spin-off of The Magnolia Sisters series. It's set in the same small town of Magnolia with nods to the original sisters, but can be read as a standalone romance.
Emma is a transplant to Magnolia. She fell in love with a house and wants to turn it into an inn. She's basically there to reinvent herself, but she quickly makes friends. Cam grew up in Magnolia, but has tried to avoid people since the death of his wife. When Emma approaches Cam to help her with construction at her inn, sparks fly. Cam and Emma's relationship was sweet. Their start at co-workers helped develop a strong friendship (with benefits). I loved how they influenced each other to accept the past and move on from it.
One of the fun things about this book was the small town setting. It made the connections between all of the characters fun. Everyone knew everyone. The couples from The Magnolia Sisters series popped up here and there. A bunch of new characters were introduced. I liked seeing possible relationships that could pop up in future books. Although, there were times that all these introductions felt like it slowed down Cam and Emma's story. I guess maybe that's understandable for a first book in a new series.
Overall, Wildflower Season was a good read. The North Carolina setting was beautiful. Both the main characters and the side characters had depth. I enjoyed that everything wrapped up nicely at the end. It was a good start to the series.
The Carolina Girls series is a spin-off of The Magnolia Sisters series. It's set in the same small town of Magnolia with nods to the original sisters, but can be read as a standalone romance.
Emma is a transplant to Magnolia. She fell in love with a house and wants to turn it into an inn. She's basically there to reinvent herself, but she quickly makes friends. Cam grew up in Magnolia, but has tried to avoid people since the death of his wife. When Emma approaches Cam to help her with construction at her inn, sparks fly. Cam and Emma's relationship was sweet. Their start at co-workers helped develop a strong friendship (with benefits). I loved how they influenced each other to accept the past and move on from it.
One of the fun things about this book was the small town setting. It made the connections between all of the characters fun. Everyone knew everyone. The couples from The Magnolia Sisters series popped up here and there. A bunch of new characters were introduced. I liked seeing possible relationships that could pop up in future books. Although, there were times that all these introductions felt like it slowed down Cam and Emma's story. I guess maybe that's understandable for a first book in a new series.
Overall, Wildflower Season was a good read. The North Carolina setting was beautiful. Both the main characters and the side characters had depth. I enjoyed that everything wrapped up nicely at the end. It was a good start to the series.
March 5, 2021
This was almost a DNF for me. So much of the story just wasn't plausible. Emma, an heiress, is willing to risk everything and be disinherited because she fell in love with a dilapidated house in a small town in North Carolina and wants to make it an inn. She has no experience running an inn, but hey, that's worth giving up your fortune for? Right? Cam i a former carpenter wallowing in self-pity because his wife died five years earlier and it's all his fault. Except, really it's not. It was a car accident and he was not involved. In the meantime, his wife's little sister, a nail tech with a high school education, is getting married to a U.S. Senator. She needs a wedding venue, Emma needs a carpenter to fix up the house, and Cam to the rescue.
There's a huge cast of supporting characters - just waiting for their own book. You can tell this is intended to be the start of a series. Got a little hard to keep track of them all - the wedding dress designer from New York that doesn't want anyone to know she's in town, the local waitresses turned chef, the dog rescue chick, the even-broodier-than-Cam florist.
The ending wasn't bad. I did like that the pieces didn't come together immediately, there was a little bit of resistance.
Anyhow, as always, I am grateful to NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.
There's a huge cast of supporting characters - just waiting for their own book. You can tell this is intended to be the start of a series. Got a little hard to keep track of them all - the wedding dress designer from New York that doesn't want anyone to know she's in town, the local waitresses turned chef, the dog rescue chick, the even-broodier-than-Cam florist.
The ending wasn't bad. I did like that the pieces didn't come together immediately, there was a little bit of resistance.
Anyhow, as always, I am grateful to NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.
March 7, 2021
We’ve definitely read this storyline before - probably more then once. Girl moves to new town, starts renovations, needs a handy man & it turns out he’s the love of her life. I liked how there was a broody background to Cam, the carpenter. Grief is different for everyone & I felt that his feelings of guilt were real & relatable in a sense.
There are many other characters in this book as “supporting cast” and it was somewhat difficult to keep track of them all. However, I did like that they all were dealing with their own struggles & insecurities.
It was extremely difficult for me to believe a US Senator fell for someone with a HS education & worked as a nail tech. It also seemed like the cemetery, as grounds for Cam & his mother in law “making up,” was very unlikely. Suddenly he decided to go for a run & just happened to end up there?
Overall it was a quick read. I like how the relationship progressed when Cam & Emma. The ending left me feeling satisfied because so many of the “issues” that came up along the story were resolved by the end.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.
There are many other characters in this book as “supporting cast” and it was somewhat difficult to keep track of them all. However, I did like that they all were dealing with their own struggles & insecurities.
It was extremely difficult for me to believe a US Senator fell for someone with a HS education & worked as a nail tech. It also seemed like the cemetery, as grounds for Cam & his mother in law “making up,” was very unlikely. Suddenly he decided to go for a run & just happened to end up there?
Overall it was a quick read. I like how the relationship progressed when Cam & Emma. The ending left me feeling satisfied because so many of the “issues” that came up along the story were resolved by the end.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.
May 28, 2021
I loved every glorious moment of this Magnolia spinoff! WILDFLOWER SEASON is the first book in Michelle Major’s brand new series The Carolina Girls that is taking place in her beloved town of Magnolia, North Carolina. For readers of the prior series, you will delightfully reconnect with several familiar faces and feel like you're home for a visit. The new characters have rich backstories, tantalizing secrets to uncover and loads of chemistry sparking off of each other. I'm looking forward to more to come in this cozy town.
Emma is a strong character. She used a turning point in her life as a catalyst to finally start living life on her own terms and going after her dreams for a change. I loved her kind heart and go-getter spirit.
Holly is a sweetheart, and though she is up to her eyeballs in turmoil, she doesn't despair, she just finds a way to cope as life throws her lemons.
Cam pulled on my heart the most as he agreed to help the person he still thinks of as his little sister. Watching him learn to live again was endearing.
I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a small town romance filled with hurdles to overcome as they dance towards that happily ever after.
Emma is a strong character. She used a turning point in her life as a catalyst to finally start living life on her own terms and going after her dreams for a change. I loved her kind heart and go-getter spirit.
Holly is a sweetheart, and though she is up to her eyeballs in turmoil, she doesn't despair, she just finds a way to cope as life throws her lemons.
Cam pulled on my heart the most as he agreed to help the person he still thinks of as his little sister. Watching him learn to live again was endearing.
I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a small town romance filled with hurdles to overcome as they dance towards that happily ever after.
June 27, 2021
WILDFLOWER SEASON by Michelle Major is the first book of the Carolina Girls series. She always followed the path of least resistance…until it leads her to a small town where she can follow her dreams. Emma Cantrell, while on a visit to Magnolia, North Carolina, to see her brother, an elegant, if dilapidated, mansion for sale presents the opportunity to start over. When a storm damages the structure, and Emma needs a contractor who’ll work fast and cheap, allowing her to repair the inn in time to host the wedding and save her investment. Cameron Mitchell has no intention of agreeing to help this beautiful—and, he’d guess, entitled—woman insisting that he fix her inn. Until he learns that Emma was sent by Holly, the little sister of his late wife. WILDFLOWER SEASON is a perfect balance of romance, heat, and drama. Mitchell Major create small-town romance of engaging characters, lifelike and emotionally compelling. A CAROLINA PROMISE: by Michelle Major, is a sweet, delighted bonus novella at the back of WILDFLOWER SEASON that tells how Holly Adams meets and falls in love with US senator Brett Carmichael.
January 14, 2022
Wildflower Season
Wildflower Season, Michelle Major’s first full book in her Carolina Girls series, is enjoyably captivating with a myriad of sweet and heartwarming moments…along with wickedly, laugh out loud banter and repartee that flies fast and furious. The characters are delightfully genuine and relatable, forming an emotional attachment was simply a given…it was quite difficult not to not form an instantaneous emotional connection to Emma, et al. from the opening paragraph.
A Carolina Promise
The introductory story in the Carolina Girls series is a delightfully tender-hearted novella. Holly and Bret’s story is like a warm hug, it leaves you with a not only a smile, but also sigh in your heart. This story sets the tone for the series, where you will find yourself falling instantly in love.
Ms Major has a genuine gift in creating stories that you are able to fully immerse yourself in, completely falling in love with the locale and the characters. I am looking forward to reading more stories in this series.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Wildflower Season, Michelle Major’s first full book in her Carolina Girls series, is enjoyably captivating with a myriad of sweet and heartwarming moments…along with wickedly, laugh out loud banter and repartee that flies fast and furious. The characters are delightfully genuine and relatable, forming an emotional attachment was simply a given…it was quite difficult not to not form an instantaneous emotional connection to Emma, et al. from the opening paragraph.
A Carolina Promise
The introductory story in the Carolina Girls series is a delightfully tender-hearted novella. Holly and Bret’s story is like a warm hug, it leaves you with a not only a smile, but also sigh in your heart. This story sets the tone for the series, where you will find yourself falling instantly in love.
Ms Major has a genuine gift in creating stories that you are able to fully immerse yourself in, completely falling in love with the locale and the characters. I am looking forward to reading more stories in this series.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
April 22, 2023
The first book I read from Michelle Major was Anything For His Baby. After becoming hooked on the book, I decided to check out more of the author’s work. Wildflower Season is a captivating book about second chances, letting go of the past, and learning to love again.
Emma is a newcomer to Magnolia whose dream of opening an inn faces challenges. When she agrees to host the wedding of her new friend Holly, Emma receives help from Holly’s brother-in-law Cam.
Emma and Cam are two people who’ve face heartache in the past. She’s coming off from a divorce and he’s still mourning his wife’s death, which made him a recluse. Both of them have stubborn tendencies, especially Cam. They both find it hard to move on, but slowly come out of their shells. You feel sorry for them and you hope they can overcome their fears to learn to love again.
Cak is someone who is set in his ways and you do get annoyed with him at times. But he’s the perfect guy for Emma, although he might not think it.
This was a lovely story that had heartwarming moments and some teary-eyed ones. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the stories in the series.
Emma is a newcomer to Magnolia whose dream of opening an inn faces challenges. When she agrees to host the wedding of her new friend Holly, Emma receives help from Holly’s brother-in-law Cam.
Emma and Cam are two people who’ve face heartache in the past. She’s coming off from a divorce and he’s still mourning his wife’s death, which made him a recluse. Both of them have stubborn tendencies, especially Cam. They both find it hard to move on, but slowly come out of their shells. You feel sorry for them and you hope they can overcome their fears to learn to love again.
Cak is someone who is set in his ways and you do get annoyed with him at times. But he’s the perfect guy for Emma, although he might not think it.
This was a lovely story that had heartwarming moments and some teary-eyed ones. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the stories in the series.
March 7, 2021
We’ve definitely read this storyline before - probably more then once. Girl moves to new town, starts renovations, needs a handy man & it turns out he’s the love of her life. I liked how there was a broody background to Cam, the carpenter. Grief is different for everyone & I felt that his feelings of guilt were real & relatable in a sense.
There are many other characters in this book as supporting cast and it was somewhat difficult to keep track of them all. However, I did like that they all were dealing with their own struggles & insecurities.
It was extremely difficult for me to believe a US Senator fell for someone with a HS education & worked as a nail tech. It also seemed like the cemetery, as grounds for Cam & his mother in law to make up, was very unlikely. Suddenly he decided to go for a run & just happened to end up there?
Overall it was a quick read. I like how the relationship progressed when Cam & Emma. The ending left me feeling satisfied because so many of the “issues” that came up along the story were resolved by the end.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.
There are many other characters in this book as supporting cast and it was somewhat difficult to keep track of them all. However, I did like that they all were dealing with their own struggles & insecurities.
It was extremely difficult for me to believe a US Senator fell for someone with a HS education & worked as a nail tech. It also seemed like the cemetery, as grounds for Cam & his mother in law to make up, was very unlikely. Suddenly he decided to go for a run & just happened to end up there?
Overall it was a quick read. I like how the relationship progressed when Cam & Emma. The ending left me feeling satisfied because so many of the “issues” that came up along the story were resolved by the end.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.
May 22, 2021
We first met Emma when she visited her brother Ryan who is an DR doctor recuperating from a gunshot wound. She fell in love with a house and dreams of opening an Inn , leaving her position on the board of her family's charitable foubdation, much to the chagrin of her mother.
A storm hits and much damage occurs to the house. Since her mother cut her off, finances are an issue. While drowning get worried at a local bar, she meets a woman whose wedding plans have imploded. Together they team up to renovate the Inn to hold her high profile wedding there.
Enter, Cam, a disgruntled carpenter/fisherman who's related to the bride to be. Both Emma and Cam are recovering from a broken heart. The sparks fly and the fun begins. They learn to open lines of communication and trust their instincts. But can their doomed pasts allowed them to embrace the future? A fun and entertaining story that I recommend.
I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.
A storm hits and much damage occurs to the house. Since her mother cut her off, finances are an issue. While drowning get worried at a local bar, she meets a woman whose wedding plans have imploded. Together they team up to renovate the Inn to hold her high profile wedding there.
Enter, Cam, a disgruntled carpenter/fisherman who's related to the bride to be. Both Emma and Cam are recovering from a broken heart. The sparks fly and the fun begins. They learn to open lines of communication and trust their instincts. But can their doomed pasts allowed them to embrace the future? A fun and entertaining story that I recommend.
I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.
July 3, 2021
Emma is still dealing with the aftermath of a failed marriage and starting over by being closer to her brother and revamping the Wildflower INN. Problem is a hurricane destroyed most of it and needs to fix that with the help of local recluse Cameron. On top of that shes hosting a wedding there so needs to rush through the repairs as well as helping the bride get her dress, find a caterer and other tidbits. There is so much to do in so little time.
Man, I devoured this book in one sitting. Not sure how I managed that but that goes to say that I really enjoyed this book. I love the idea of starting things over and there was so much going on to stress about but Emma was finding her way and I loved the journey of that. There was also the bit of romance in where Cameron was involved. Cameron was still hung up on the death of his late wife and was feeling a lot of guilt and it was interesting seeing him work through things and begin his life again instead of hiding from those who are around and close to him. Overall this was a pretty great book I really enjoyed it.
Man, I devoured this book in one sitting. Not sure how I managed that but that goes to say that I really enjoyed this book. I love the idea of starting things over and there was so much going on to stress about but Emma was finding her way and I loved the journey of that. There was also the bit of romance in where Cameron was involved. Cameron was still hung up on the death of his late wife and was feeling a lot of guilt and it was interesting seeing him work through things and begin his life again instead of hiding from those who are around and close to him. Overall this was a pretty great book I really enjoyed it.
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