By The Book

You are going to love the debut novel Stealing Magnolias by Leslie Kirby DeVooght! It has so much to adore — great characters with sparking chemistry, sweetness and sass, fabulous southern small town vibes, and a spot on faith message that will speak to your heart. It releases 5/20/25, so don’t delay. Pre-order now!

When Wren Frazier heads south to honor her grandmother’s final wish, she finds five unexpected challenges, one grumpy (but handsome) neighbor, and maybe—herself.

Although an artist, Wren packed away her brushes and paints and sought a practical career as an interior designer in Chicago. She’s always put herself last, happy to please everyone around her. But with a team of dedicated co-workers and a small town of quirky characters supporting her, she’s forced to give herself a little attention. As her artistic heart starts to awaken, Wren finds herself rediscovering the joy of creation and living authentically.

But while she’s exploring the enchanting Georgia Low Country, creating beautiful paintings, and taking a chance on love, she uncovers a secret that shakes the foundation of her newfound happiness. With the revelation threatening to ruin the delicate balance Wren has only begun to realize, will she give up her fairytale and return to her reality?

Book 1 in the Magnolia Bluff series. Love is always blooming at Magnolia Bluff!

Leslie Kirby DeVooght writes women’s fiction inspired by romcoms, coastal Georgia, and fried okra! While Leslie and her family live in Jacksonville, Florida, they often visit her hometown of St. Simons Island, Georgia, where she loves to go for long walks on the beach. A graduate of Florida Southern College and Mercer Law School, Leslie is always revising her life from prosecutor to judge to PTA president to author of happily-ever-afters.

My Impressions:

Debut novel? I can hardly believe it. Stealing Magnolias is a fabulous first offering from Leslie Kirby DeVooght. I’m afraid this review is going to be gushing, because I loved everything about this book. Main character Wren Frazier is a people-pleaser with serious doubts that her interests and gifts are anything but frivolous. I loved that the grandmother who knew her and loved her so well, challenges her to fly. A talented artist and interior designer, Wren finds herself in her dream location — a small southern town complete with welcoming, and to be honest, a bit quirky residents, that just so happens to be the home of the man of her dreams. What else could Wren want or need? Well, grandma knows best, and DeVooght has crafted a lovely story full of heart. You get sweet and sassy with this book, the perfect combination for a contemporary romance. Plus there’s a strong faith thread that challenged the characters, and this reader) to examine just what God intends for their lives. Along the way there’s fun references to all things southern, which pleased this southern gal’s heart. Among the fun quotes, the sips of sweet tea, and all the cheese straws and fried okra consumed, the reader gets a story that is framed in faith and grace. Did I say I loved it?! 😉

I can’t recommend Stealing Magnolias enough and am looking forward to more adventures in love and laughter in Magnolia Bluff.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tags: contemporary romance fiction, Leslie Kirby DeVooght