A Magnolia Friendship

The Red Stiletto Book Club #3

by Anne-Marie Meyer

A story about unknown heroes, unexpected friendships, and finding the strength to move on.

Welcome to Magnolia

Shari has discovered that being a single mom is one of the hardest things she has ever done. With her job, strained relationship with Tag, and trying to keep her household from falling apart, she barely has time for herself, much less dating.

One night and out of an act of sheer stupidity, she allows Fiona, the new, young move-in, to convince her to go to a club across the bridge.

She didn't expect to find a guy who is easy to talk to. She didn't expect that he would quickly become her friend.

And she didn't expect him to be the little brother of the town's know-it-all mayor.

Victoria has lived her life protraying perfection. As the daughter of a senator and the mayor of Magnolia, everything she does has to be precise and calculated. She thought everything was going her way, until her campaign manager informs her that the city doesn't feel connected to her.

And suddenly, her re-election is on the line.

In order to turn the residents back into her favor, she has to fix the one thing she'd never been able to conquer--her personality.

A Magnolia Friendship with capture you from page one. It’s a story full of unexpected friendships, laughter, tears, and swoon-worthy romance.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Fiction, Clean Romance, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance

Audiobook

First published November 20, 2020

About the author

Anne-Marie Meyer is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives south of the Twin Cities in MN. She spends her days with her knight in shining armor, four princes, and a baby princess.

When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.

Join her newsletter at anne-mariemeyer.com

Reviews

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now we are getting more of Sheri's story. She is a single mom now. Although she's been taking care of the kids by herself, for the most part, now she is the only parent. Well, except for the jerk ex who has opinions about her lifestyle. She also is in a nonstop battle with her preteen son who misses his dad.
Finally dad comes through to spend a weekend with his children and Sheri gives into a night out with her friend. There she meets a handsome, younger man. What she doesn't know is that he is the younger brother of a member of her book club, Victoria.
We also get some of Victoria's story as the Mayor of Magnolia.

[Amanda Cobb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The inner thoughts of the characters were too repetitive and whiney.

[Maggie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book gave me strong Sheryl Wood Sweet Magnolia feels. Very quick books, the series together reads as one whole book.

[Rina · Rating 1 out of 5]

i think this book pissed me off more than the previous two did, so much so that i couldn't even start at an initial 2 star rating and make my way down to a 1 when i realized just how angry it made me. it pissed me off from the jump.

this rings true for the series as a whole, but this book in particular felt like an awkward journey through white feminism heavily threaded with gross internalized misogyny through shari's povs. like??? it feels like an insane description and i don't know how well i'll explain the sentiment, but shari upset me. she's a poorly written character, but i don't expect anything from meyer and her writing style. she's so incapable of writing any character with depth beyond a hormonal, moody, petulant teenager masquerading as a middle aged white woman. it's insane.

literally every fmc has the same copy and paste carbon copy personality because meyer is so terrible at making any unique distinction in her writing. the dialogue is all trite and boring and annoying and cringe. the internalized introspection is also trite and awful and just so obnoxious. like, hello, wattpad! she focuses so heavily on stupid mundane actions written in detail, like the steps it takes to get dressed and fully ready in the morning or before a date, but writes nothing of substance. i can tell she's trying to evoke emotional impact and tug at heartstrings with her storylines, but they're just so poorly written. like what sucks the most is that these plotlines could all be good if literally anyone else wrote them.

shari really pissed me off. why did it take the entire book to sign her divorce papers when she was the one who initiated the divorce with craig because he's a shitbag who cheated on her for months? like, she starts dating victoria's kid brother, who is 27, and shari is like, what.. mid 30s? almost 40? she calls herself middle-aged so let's say she's 40. like, her internal dialogue is so fucking cringey and it gave me a headache. every character is written like they're 15-18. it's so. awful. no one has depth. they all act the same. they all run in the same circles back and forth. they all whine the same.

and i need anne-marie meyer to keep the words "reverence, reverie, revel, whispered" whateverelsethefuck out of her vocabulary and learn to expand into the right details and pick up a thesaurus, and learn to use words in the correct scenarios. like every time she writes one of the women whispering, i just fucking roll my eyes because it's so plain and boring and makes these women seem so flat and like they're big crybabies.

like truly. i mean it. this book series is an insult to feminism and there's just something so heavily misogynistic about how they're written. like, especially where shari's story is concerned, it feels like it's supposed to be empowering and taking her life back, but it's an insult to feminism and women everywhere lol.

victoria was also embarrassing and cringe and acted like a petulant child, which was insane to me, because she was trying to get away from being treated and seen like a child by her parents, but then in her own head and actions, she's acting childishly despite being a grown ass woman magnolia's mayor? like, jesus christ bro. she pissed me off, but significantly less than shari.

anyways back to shari. she made me so mad like i don't know man lol. being jealous of other people's happiness. but like. there's just something about age gaps in contemporary romances that piss me off. obviously they're consenting adults and can make their own decisions, but realistically, what the fuck does a 27 year old have in common with someone in their mid-late 30s to 40s??? i'm 26 and i could not FATHOM dating someone even 5 years older than me because that's just a wide breadth of life experience and a world apart that i couldn't see myself getting along with.

shari is so embarrassing like get a fucking grip. you're too old to be acting like you're 16. hello??? she spends so much of the book whining like ohhh i need to feel the touch of a man so badly LIKE dude. i have 13 tabs marked in this book of places that exceptionally managed to piss me off but i'm so sick of this series LOL. catch y'all again for book 4. but. i'm gonna pause and read something i'm actually enjoying LMAO.

this shit is so bad. i'm convinced that anyone who thinks these books are good never evolved past wattpad and a 4th grade reading level. i don't understand how a grown ass middle aged woman is writing books this poorly. like this is literally like a 12-13 year old's depth of writing. hell, i was writing better fanfics at that age lol. man. i'm starting to realize that "usa today bestselling author" doesn't mean shit. just means your shit sells, doesn't make it good though. next!

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Magnolia Friendship by Anne-Marie Meyer
The Red Stiletto Book Club #3
5h 54m narrated by Liz Krane, 254

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Featuring: Small-Town Rhode Island near Newport, Book Club Ladies, Multiple POVs, MC Vice Principal, Mayor MC, Tricenarians, Family Drama, Island Life, Single Ladies, Salutes, Self-Realization Trope

Rating as a movie: PG-13

Artists for the soundtrack: "Slide" by Beyond Pink, "He Could Be the One" by Hannah Montana, "I'll Be There for You" by The Rembrandts, "Someone Else’s Dream" by Faith Hill, "Begin Again" by Taylor Swift

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½🫂👠

My thoughts: 📱55% 3:15:24 Chapter Twelve Victoria - I should be writing my review as we speak but I fell asleep so I have to start over tomorrow.

Sheri and Victoria are the narrators of this book. Sheri is still dealing with Tag now as a single mother and hitting the dating scene. Victoria is up for reelection and dealing with her parents' expectations, following tradition for this series Danny, the younger brother of Victoria, has a homecoming so you can just guess who he's interested in. Maggie seems to be the mother hen of the group and I'm noticing whoever the spotlight is on never has time to read the book. What I like about this book in particular is that instead of instant love you get realistic possibilities. I can't wait to see where this leads so I'm starting the next book right away.

Recommend to others: Yes. If you enjoy small-town comfort/beach reads these books are perfection.

Red Stiletto Book Club
1. The Magnolia Inn (2020)
2. A Magnolia Homecoming (2020)
3. A Magnolia Friendship (2020)
4. Magnolia at Midnight (2021)
5. A Magnolia Wedding (2021)
6. A Magnolia Move-In (2021)
7. A Magnolia Adventure (2021)
8. A Magnolia Christmas (2022)
9. A Magnolia Kiss (2020)

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* I have really enjoyed this series and was really excited for the rest of Shari's story, but I was disappointed. I wanted her to find herself and find a guy who valued her as a person and a woman. Danny is a great guy and I was impressed that he kept trying with Shari after all their awkward moments. I loved that about him. However, when it came to their actual relationship I felt it was more about lust than love. They didn't really talk to each other and then had hot make out sessions. I wanted more for Shari. I wanted to see them interact with her kids. I wanted more than a surface relationship. As sweet as Danny was, it felt more like a rebound for Shari than a real relationship.

However, I did like the Victoria part of the book. I enjoyed getting to know her better and join her on her journey to discover herself. I'm anxious to read her love story next.

[Kenz Lode · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m beginning to feel like these books all have the same MC with the same love story. First guy who looks at them, they fall for. Except they’re absolutely terrified about it. Anne-Marie is holding strong with the repetition of many words and phrases. Pinching lips, chewing on words, and the like

[Connie Haugneland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook. This one was not for me. I almost didn’t finish. There was so much of what’s happening in these 30 year old women’s heads rather than actual conversation. And what we were getting felt more like middle school thoughts. I think I may stop here and not finish the series.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the stories of Shari & Victoria in this #3 book of this series. Now on to #4!

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 ✨This series is just a very easy read with all conflict quickly wrapped up in a nice little bow… a little boring but a quick easy read when you just want to settle down in the evenings

[Ally · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book to sum it up was a disappointment from the first 2 books. While it had the same group of characters, the 2 main female leads in this book were just ANNOYING!!

OMG Shari could not have been a more annoying female in this book. In the past 2 books I always said I could see myself being a part of this group and being friends with them....Shari in this book - I could not be friends with her. I do not like a woe is me type person for an ENTIRE book it got very annoying really repetitive and I could not roll my eyes louder at the times she was like "I have no one!" Like shut up!

On the other hand, Victoria, whom I would like to point out N-O-B-O-D-Y seemed to like that much in the other books is suddenly in their "friend" group. She was also another annoying character with very very unrealistic expectations of other people....
The entire book I could not understand why she was sooooo mean. She even knew she was being mean but whhhyyyy. I felt like her character ark could have come sooner to maybe help the reader click with her more, but it didn't come til super late when I feel like she had already isolated herself and hurt people to the point that when they were doing the intervention and telling her they loved her I could NOT get behind. Like from what I know of these people from the past 2 books, they don't seem like your friends or that you even have any friends and now after you've been more mean to them they love you?? IDK did not make sense to me.

I will have a hard time continuing this series.... I may give it one more chance.

[Rachelle Oliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh my word. These just keep getting worse! Why am I still listening to them, you might ask? Because I like the format of following 2 storylines simultaneously, I love the small town, and once the characters get their HEA, they actually seem to turn into decent people.


Spoiler Alerts Ahead!



But this book finished the story of Shari, a recent divorcee with 2 kids who has zero self confidence. Zero. And she's the assistant principal of the elementary school. A guy falls in love with her at first sight for NO reason at all. She literally does nothing but stammer 2 sentences each time she sees him in person and barely makes eye contact. But he's all lovestruck. It makes no sense. They literally have no meaningful conversations the entire book.

Second character is Victoria. She is the current mayor of Magnolia and is up for reelection. This woman had no spine and is just a puppet for her parents. She still lives at home AS THE MAYOR. Her parents berate her and demean her at every corner and run every aspect of her campaign. She alienates every woman around her with her brisk demeanor yet they're all still nice for some reason. Oh, and I feel another instalove storyline coming.

Will I go for the next one? Yeah, probably. Could the author have done way better? 100%. It's disappointing. Yet kind of addicting, like a train wreck. Or telenovella.

[MLG · Rating 3 out of 5]

We get more of Shari's story as she takes care of her kids by herself. Her ex is a jerk. It kinda annoyed me that she had the unsigned divorce paper in her dresser till the end of the book. Girl, he cheated on you! You wanted the divorce. Her Ex still trying to tell you how to live your life through the book. He never respected her boundaries. She nonstop with her 9-year-old son who having issues with his dad not being around. Finally, Dad came around to spend a weekend with the kids. Shari meets a younger man who is her friend, Victoria, little brother.

The other main character is Victoria who is the mayor who is trying to get reelected. I was not a big fan of Victoria. She let her parents walk over her till the end of the book. She got mad because her brother had his own life and didn’t let their parents push him around. When she found out that her little brother was dating Shari she threw a fit. She is very whiney and self-centered. She is supposed to be in her 30s.

All the books are repetitive and are almost the same. I'm still going to read book #4 and hope it doesn't go downhill.

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Red Stiletto Book Club series. For the most part, I like the female characters in this series. However, Victoria was a hard one to like but I did like how all the other women continue to try and include her and make her their friend. She is rigid and insensitive. However, in this book, you learn a little more about some of the challenges that she faces and the difficulties in her life.

I also liked that Shari is realizing that she can still have a happy ending and that it might be with a younger man.

This series is like a group of women who have little in common but who have formed a bond and are there to support each other through challenging times in their lives. The story is clean and wholesome and uplifting and real.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

[Alicia Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really am enjoying this series. It’s super cute and a great read.
Shari is dealing with so much! The reality of her divorce, her sons anger issues, daughter emotions flip super easy, trying to keep it all together while her inner monologue is such a bully. And then there is Danny! He’s sweet, a little smug at first. I really liked reading about them.

Victoria….oh this girl…. Super strong willed, arrogance exudes from her pours, but all is not as they seem. Her campaign for reelection is quickly going down the toilet and she’s dealing with her over bearing, seemingly unloving selfish parents. I really wonder how her relationship with her parents are going to turn out in the next book. I’m also excited to hear more of Fiona but I’m hoping it’s not too similar to shari’s story.

[Janet Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is #3 in The Red Stiletto Book Club Book Series. It is a continuing story of a group of women who meet originally to discuss books but grow closer in friendship. Most of them live on Magnolia Island. This book is the continuation of the stories of Shari and Victoria. So far I'm seeing the stories to be HEA but not in any one book as they all continue. I think you really need to read this series from the beginning and in order for it to make sense but you will be so glad you did as these women are so much fun to read about. The series is going to have 9 books in it. I loved reading this book and am on to my next one now.

[Jen Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about Shari and her new love interest after her divorce. Not knowing how to be Shari, Shari is Mom, ex-wife, and vice principal. When Fiona drags the book club to the club across the bridge, Shari sets her eyes on a dark haired hottie.
Victoria is set for re-election as mayor of Magnolia. That is if she can get the small towns people on her side. The straight laced woman is all about perfection. They way she was brought up. With her brother back in town, Victoria is set to find out who is making her brother happy.
Danny is set to please his mom and get a job. He set it to work as a sub at the school. With his eyes on the vice principal what could possibly go wrong?

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was a wonderful story and love the character of victoria also she was mean at first that it shows because of the stress that give her that personalities and all because of her controlling parents and the most angry this in this how Craig he cheated on his wife and make her excuse that he work and when she knows about the truth he didn't seem to bother to fight for his children but the beautiful love story of Shari and Danny was a pure love he love her at first look even when he knows she was a divorce women and a mother to tow kid maybe because deeb down he knows she was divorce not because she did something wrong by saying “It’s his loss…” .

[Carissa Caulum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: I really enjoyed this book. This book follows Shari and Victoria . Shari is a newly single mom and does not have time for dating. Will that change when she runs into the towns most eligible bachelor. Victoria is a is the town Mayor and is trying to win re-election. I loved the writing. I loved the character development throughout the book. I love the female friendship on this book. I loved Shari and Danny’s story. We are left on a. cliff hanger as to how Victoria’s story is going to end. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

Favorite Quote: “I Want to be happy.” .. He tightended his embrace, “What does that look like?”

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed reading the Red Stiletto Book Club series! Each book is cute, heartwarming, and easy to dive into. While the plots are definitely predictable, they still deliver a cozy, feel-good vibe that makes them a fun and comforting read. There’s no spice to speak of, but the sweetness and charm more than make up for it.

If you’re someone who enjoys stories about friendship, romance, and happy endings, this series is a great pick—definitely gave me Hallmark movie energy (in the best way). Perfect for when you’re not sure what to read next or you want something light that won’t completely pull you under. A great in-between-books kind of series.

[Brittany Colley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to describe but as usual I wanted to keep reading but this book felt different. I felt like the story was over before it began. It moved lightening fast but also snail slow. I truly can't describe it accurately. I felt the story was slow to build and the book seemed to finish before the stories were done, even though they were done. Enjoyed seeing a different side of Victoria. Loved to watch Shari-s confidence grow. Wish there was more. Can't wait for the next book. It arrives tomorrow.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️

I wish the author would have let Sherry be single for a bit longer. Sherry was almost insufferable in her self-degradation and doubt.

I don’t even remember the MMC’s name, he was so one note and forgettable. I literally just finished the audiobook.

Victoria is immature and annoying. She’s selfish and entitled. I hope she gets a decent character arc in the next book.

The audiobook itself needs editing. There was a section in the middle that had a bunch of static and the words were garbled.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about Shari and Danny. One night out with the girls leads her to meeting a hot young man but her insecurities hold her back from giving him her name. But she keeps running into him when the meeting that does her in, is when he becomes a substitute teacher at the school, she's vice principal. Will her insecurities hold her back from love?
I love this series and would recommend it. I look forward to Victoria's story.

[Vicki Bennett · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring boring boring

The character of Shari was weak and frustrating. A grown woman unable to form a sentence when a man speaks to her, blushing not having a coherent thought in her head. Really?? I couldn’t stand her. And the character of Victoria was just as bad. The women in this book are unlikeable and weak, at the first quarter point of the book I just skimmed through the chapters until the end.

[Karen Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading A Magnolia Friendship, book 3 on the Red Stiletto Book Club. This book centered on Shari and Victoria. I loved their story. My heart went out to both of these ladies. They both finally realized that they were strong women. This was a great book. Looking forward to reading Magnolia at Midnight. Thank you Anne-Marie for another great book. This series is awesome. I love how you let us into the lives of the women in the book club. ❤️

[Caitlin Penrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I'm going with 4 stars for this because Shari feels SO relatable! Now, I'm not dealing with a divorce, but feeling like your kids are your whole world and wondering if there's room for anything for yourself feels like something lots of moms can relate to.

Victoria was really hard to like, let alone root for until like, the last 3 or 4 chapters of the book. I'm glad she got better and less of a robot, and I'm hoping to like her better in subsequent books.

[Dani Golladay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sherri and Danny are cute but like where was the build up? He’s just as young dude that meets this girl and is like instantly into her?? I’m not convinced. (I still believe Sherri deserves the world. Fuck you, Craig.) I also have trouble making Victoria main character because in the first book or so she’s not enjoyable. Why would I care to read about her story? that one is also a little depressing.

[Artina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore getting to know each of the members of the book club. My only complaint would be not completely finishing out the story within each of the books. My cousin mentioned "if you rated it 3 stars, it must not have been that good". I disagree. I love these cozy little books about small towns, old friends, rekindled love, finding new love, etc. This is the perfect fit for you. However, it is not gripping the edge of your seat with a thriller. Threes are good too.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shari is having to start over but is she ready for a new love? Loved Danny!!!! Victoria is facing a crisis - how will she handle the aftermath? Shari is probably one of my favorite characters in this series and I just get upset even thinking about her ex - UGH. Her feelings and internal thoughts regarding Danny are so funny. People aren't always how we perceive them or how they portray themselves to be. Loved the ending and looking forward to Victoria's book.

[Naomi Kovach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m very much enjoying getting to know Victoria. Danny and Sheri were cute but learning about Victoria who is learning about herself has been a bit of an adventure. 3 stars because the writing is becoming more repetitive and the same sayings and quips are constantly being used but still a cute story overall