Magnolia
Author: Kristi Cook
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Summary:
Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: they hate each other! Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn’t exist.
But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over.
First Sentence: Glancing out my window, I hold up my finger and thumb, creating a little frame around Ryder Marsden, who stands outside on the lawn below.
My Review:
At first, I wasn’t interested in reading Magnolia at all. In fact, I didn’t even know Magnolia existed – until all the positive “I adored this book!” reviews came pouring in. I was skeptical at first, even though I saw that Magnolia was a Romeo and Juliet retelling and I just have to get my hands on every single retelling in the world. The cover of Magnolia just didn’t do anything for me and the premise of Magnolia didn’t really catch my attention, but because of all the glowing reviews Magnolia had, I decided to give it a chance.
“Good!” I shout, tears burning behind my eyelids. “Go. I hate you, Ryder Marsden!”
“Yeah, well…the feeling’s mutual,” he throws back over one shoulder. (28)
The first couple of pages, specifically the first chapter of Magnolia, took me some time to get used to. In a word, the first couple of pages of Magnolia was awkward. I had to get used to Kristi Cook’s writing and Jemma’s world, including reading through some info-dump about Jemma’s life. However, after reading the first couples of pages and getting pass the info-dump, everything went smoothly.
Despite the fact that Magnolia is a Romeo and Juliet retelling, I didn’t really feel like it really was one. Don’t get me wrong, there were events that happened in Magnolia that had also happened in Romeo and Juliet, but it just didn’t click, if that makes any sense. I didn’t get that sense that Magnolia was truly a Romeo and Juliet retelling, even after I finished reading the book. I felt like the only real Romeo and Juliet retelling elements in Magnolia were the names used – Jemma being Juliet, Ryder being Romeo, Rosaline being Rosie, etc, despite some parallel events that happened between the two books/stories.
For a fleeting moment, Ryder was my friend. Maybe more. And now? He’s not.
When did my life turn into a tragedy? (236)
I did like how the romance between Jemma and Ryder was developed, including the twist Kristi Cook incorporated into their romance. Jemma and Ryder’s relationship definitely isn’t the insta-love type of romance like how Romeo and Juliet was – Jemma and Ryder’s relationship actually took time to develop. I enjoyed seeing how Jemma and Ryder slowly overcame their past and started to trust one another. I also liked how the book left their relationship – it was 100% cute and made me chuckle a bit. The best thing of all is that unlike Romeo and Juliet, Jemma and Ryder’s relationship never ended in a tragedy.
Overall, Magnolia was a cute fun read despite it’s awkward beginning, but it’s not one of my favorite retelling or my favorite Romeo and Juliet retelling by any means.
I really loved this book & how their relationship developed over the course of the book. I didn’t realize it was supposed to be a retelling, but now that you say that, I think it might be more “inspired by” than a retelling.
Daphne Trumps recently posted…Top 10 Tuesday #104
I liked Magnolia, but I wasn’t in love either. I hate that part at the beginning where Jemma says she hates Ryder. I couldn’t help roll my eyes at that. I also agree that it didn’t feel like a retelling of Romeo and Juliet – more inspired by.
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted…Audio Review: Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
I’m usually not too fond of R&J retellings, but this one doesn’t sound too bad! I have an advanced copy of this one, so I’ll need to pick it up. I’m glad the romance isn’t insta-love! I can’t stand the insta-love in the real R&J. I’m cringing a little at the awkward beginning, but I’ve read Cook’s books before so I hope it’ll be easier for me. Thanks for the wonderful review!
Jen recently posted…Series Review: The Program & The Treatment by Suzanne Young
Hm I’m not really a fan of R&J either way. Magnolia doesn’t seem to call to me in any way, and I’m not really into cute or fun right now. Although the slow burn does appeal to me… Thanks for the review!
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I’m actually looking forward to reading Magnolia :) I read those positive reviews too and they convinced me to give it a try. And the story sounds so cute! I’m glad you enjoyed it too and that it made you chuckle a few times. That’s what I like the most from stories :D
I’ve heard nothing but positive things about this book :D I can’t wait to read it!
EM @ Books and Iced Coffee recently posted…Book Review: The Rithmatist By Brandon Sanderson
I just posted my review for this, haha. I ended up really enjoying it. I liked the parallels, though I get what you’re getting with it not really being a “retelling”. I feel like it’s more just similar names and plot devices. I reaaaallly appreciated that Jemma and Ryder’s romance wasn’t insta-love! It’s actually one of the things that annoy me about Romeo and Juliet, haha.
Great review, Kelly!
Cyn recently posted…Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Magnolia by Kristi Cook
Good review, i’ll have to pick this up!
Can’t wait to read this book after all those positive reviews I keep seeing around! :) I’ll definitely pick it up when it’s released!
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The cover doesn’t appeal to me either. I mean, let’s face it, we do judge a book by its cover sometimes. I did become interested in it ever since I found out it’s sort of a retelling of Romeo and Juliet. And since you already gave a heads up that it’s not insta-love and that you liked how their relationship developed, I really do think it’s worth a shot.
Somehow, those snippets you quoted from the book convinced me of how I would feel about it.
Meaning, no thank you, no sappiness for me.
Aneta Augustine recently posted…REVIEW: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe – Benjamin Alire Sáenz
I’ve never heard of this book before. But unlike you, the cover caught my attention right away but maybe because I really love the country feel to it! I haven’t read too many retellings, but I’d love to start, so maybe I’ll pick this one up (:
Tina @ Pages of Comfort
Tina recently posted…[Review] The Goodbye Summer by Patricia Gaffney
I’ve been looking forward to this book since I’m a fan of Kristi Cook, but I’ll be honest, I wasn’t going to expect much from this book. So to see that you found it a fun read, that gets my excitment levels up a bit more. Thanks for this review! Can’t wait to read the book :)
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I’m definitely going to check this out at the library, I really like ‘hate-to-love’ relationships and I also like that it’s not insta-love either! Thank you for the review!
Even though I’ve never liked Romeo & Juliet because the ending was so silly to me, but I enjoyed their story. Don’t get me wrong, I like Shakespeare (love Midsummer’s Night Dream), but the ending of R&J never jived with me. Since that’s the case, I’m interested in Magnolia … and since the synopsis describes the families as “southern royalty.”
I’ve never heard of this book before. But I don’t think I read it, I like so much Romean and Juliet, but this reteling, mm, I don’t know, but don’t sound interesting to me. And the cover ir awful!
Thank you so much for to review! It’s very good!
I’m guessing the book was hard to adjust to. Aw, I had really high hopes. In a way I’m glad this isn’t like Romeo & Julliet, but I do understand that this was supposed to give off similar vibes.I do like the southern setting. I’m starting to doubt. Thanks for reviewing.
I didn’t really love this book. I agree with what you said that the book wasn’t able to smoothly hinge the Romeo and Juliet retelling with its own story. Though, I honestly think that this book has a potential but sadly that potential remained as it is and did not translate to actuality. Also, I was hoping that this retelling would be darker since the cover with the gloomy sky evokes something which, again, I did not find in the book. :)
It wasn’t like Romeo and Juliet to me, and it wasn’t a remarkable read. But it was definitely cute, especially during the hurricane :) The pets. I really wish i read your review first though :/
Your review intrigues me….better read it soon then
I’ve seen the glowing reviews, as well, and none convinced me to read the book. I agree the cover is completely uninspiring. I’m not a fan of Romeo and Juliet in the first place; tragedy just isn’t my thing. I have no desire to read depressing tales in my pseudo-spare time. I am glad to hear the author re-created the ending to make it happier for the young couple. That will make it much easier on me, should I ever change my mind and decide to read it. Thank you for the review.
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Hi Kelly,
Long time no see, huh? Well, I’m glad to say…I”m Back! And once again, I love your review of this, not so Romeo and Juliet retelling. Just like you, I hadnt heard about this book until fairly recently, and was thinking of giving it a try! I was wondering, you said it included elements from the original story like Rosaline and such, but are Mercutio, Benvolio, and Tybalt included? I must admit, Mercutio was my favourite character in the original tragedy by Shakespeare. Who was your favourite character in the original?
P.S: I guess I’m just in time for that giveaway huh? Thanks for having such an amazing giveaway Kelly.
Huh. Didn’t realize it was a Romeo and Juliet retelling until I read your review, but I guess it makes sense now. I’m not sure if I’m going to pick this one up.
Great review! This sounds like a cute summer book for contemporary lovers. <3
I love you reviews. I find them very helpful.
The cover is what drew me to the book in the first place. I loved the expressions on the models’ faces. they seem just a little creepy. The fact that it’s a retelling of Romeo and Juliet makes me a little nervous it read it though. We all know how that story ended. It doesn’t seem like a retelling, though. I’ll probably give Magnolia a try.
I’m not a big fan of romance, and I also didn’t like the cover of this book, but I got a little curious about the story. I like it when the couple actually develops a relationship, and it’s not just “hi-I-just-met-you-and-I-love-you-already”.
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Like you the cover and premise do not convince me. I am not a Romeo and Juliet fan (I’ve always thought that ending was stupid for many reasons) so even that does not sound good to me but… I am a sucker for developing relationships. My dilemma is to pick it up or to not pick it up. Let the struggle begin.
I’ve been kind of iffy about this book because of all of the mixed reviews I’ve heard about it.
I added this on my TBR shelf on GR but I didn’t know it was a contemporary retelling of Romeo and Juliet!? Now, that seems like an interesting book to read!
This sounds like a cute book and the two main characters seem like they would be interesting to read about. I’m not sure if I’ll go out and buy this book now, but I think it’s a definite possibility the story will catch my attention later on down the road.
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I haven’t really read Romeo and Juliet, and I don’t think I’ll ever do. I just can never fully overlook the insta-love going on that it bothers me so much. With Magnolia tho being somewhat of a retelling, I enjoyed it a lot and devoured the book within a day. It’s not the greatest but perhaps I was craving the right amount of cuteness at the right timing. (Oh, it was one of the contemporary books I was looking forward to just because Khanh’s review on goodreads months ahead had me sold. lol)
This review is helpful but ”Magnolia” is not my cup of tea. Haha.
GabrielaL45 recently posted…Tehnica quilling | Forme principale
I really want to read this book, but the mixed reviews people keep giving it is making me hesitant hmmmm
The cover of this book didn’t really catch my interest so I was curious to see what you thought of the story. Based on your comments, it sounds like a nice summer read – something light and fun. Maybe I’ll have to read it when it gets cold and pretend it’s still summer? Thanks for your feedback!
I’ve seen so many positive reviews of this one and it’s one of the newer books I’m looking forward to reading. I’m not a fan of Romeo and Juliet but since this is not-quite-Romeo-and-Juliet, I feel like I’ll enjoy it. :)
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I really hate Romeo & Juliet retelling. but with your review, i think i might read it because it’s not really an R&J review. haha. thank you for your honest review!
I want to read this book
Never heard of this book before. I think I might give it a try after your review, though. I also like it when the relationship takes time to develop.
Unfortunately i haven’t read this book but since the first time i saw the cover i fell in love and i don’t really know why. I was tempted to read it on ebook but i keep on my mind “don’t don’t READ IT! Wait till you have a personal copy!” So yeah here i am. And based on your review it doesn’t end tragically like Romeo and Juliet so yey! cheers i’m a sucker of happy endings! :)
A great review for sure. I haven’t read the book but I’ve come across it on goodreads and now that I read your review I might actually give it a try because I’m all in for ‘taking-time-to-fall-in-love’ romances. ^_^
‘Magnolia’ is a book I’ve added on my goodreads account but I’ve never found the time needed to read it but after reading your review I’m sort of intrigued and I think it’s time that I read it.