What do you think?
Rate this book
Magnolia Lake
Popular and beautiful, Cora Stephens has it all - including the perfect football-star boyfriend - until one fateful afternoon. Facing heartache and betrayal, Cora turns to long-time friend, Landon, for comfort. While his love for her grows, she does everything in her power to avoid getting hurt again - including flinging herself into the arms of another boy.
Then, just as Cora’s shattered world starts putting itself back together, life throws something her way that’s more horrific than she ever could have imagined. Through the emotional and physical pain, she begins to lose hope and abandon her faith. Will this once light-hearted, happy prom queen find her way back home?
Then, just as Cora’s shattered world starts putting itself back together, life throws something her way that’s more horrific than she ever could have imagined. Through the emotional and physical pain, she begins to lose hope and abandon her faith. Will this once light-hearted, happy prom queen find her way back home?
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2013
4 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 27, 2017
I was given a copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
This is the first title I have read from Emily Page Skeen and Magnolia Lake was a very enjoyable read. The plot was understandable from the beginning and the main characters were very believable. To me, it read more like a YA novel, because of the subject matter and characters, but is suited for adults as well. The story is centered around the life of Cora, a young high school student, and how she goes from a young teen into a more mature young lady.
The main character, Cora, is from a loving Christian family. I felt the Christian values were introduced into the story very well without appearing preachy. The story is a very sweet one, but is laced with heartbreak and healing. I don't want to go into too much detail or it would create spoilers. Cora, is torn between two different boys, Landon & Rex, and comes to a surprising realization in the end..
The story had some unsuspected turns and the author wrapped up the ending of the story very well. The story kept me engaged and I would definitely read more from this author.
This is the first title I have read from Emily Page Skeen and Magnolia Lake was a very enjoyable read. The plot was understandable from the beginning and the main characters were very believable. To me, it read more like a YA novel, because of the subject matter and characters, but is suited for adults as well. The story is centered around the life of Cora, a young high school student, and how she goes from a young teen into a more mature young lady.
The main character, Cora, is from a loving Christian family. I felt the Christian values were introduced into the story very well without appearing preachy. The story is a very sweet one, but is laced with heartbreak and healing. I don't want to go into too much detail or it would create spoilers. Cora, is torn between two different boys, Landon & Rex, and comes to a surprising realization in the end..
The story had some unsuspected turns and the author wrapped up the ending of the story very well. The story kept me engaged and I would definitely read more from this author.
April 22, 2016
The girl who has everything gets more than she bargained for. The last year of high school is fraught with nerves and romantic tension as one girl becomes a young woman with all the responsibilities and choices involved.
Cora is the girl with it all—looks, car, money, captain of the football team boyfriend, and two parents intact who love her and her boyfriend. Those who aren’t friends, well…they have their own cliques, and those who are friends get to have lunch together, plan prom, parties, and dates. And one of those so-called friends wants something Cora has, and does her best to grab it.
At the start of the school year in which Cora has it all arranged to share every moment with her boyfriend Jeff, an unusual creepy feeling and some out of the ordinary actions cause her to wonder at the underlying tension. When the tension becomes an act of betrayal, Cora’s real friends rally around her, helping her learn who to trust, who to rely on, and how to read the signs of true love and respect. When betrayal turns criminally dangerous, Cora and her friends and parents walk in faith to try to save her.
The story of developing relationships and practical friendship, even some lessons on parenting thrown in, Skeen’s debut novel for the young adult set is a good read. Told in southern belle charm from Cora’s side, Magnolia Lake is a charming story for readers both looking forward to the end of high school and those looking back.
Cora is the girl with it all—looks, car, money, captain of the football team boyfriend, and two parents intact who love her and her boyfriend. Those who aren’t friends, well…they have their own cliques, and those who are friends get to have lunch together, plan prom, parties, and dates. And one of those so-called friends wants something Cora has, and does her best to grab it.
At the start of the school year in which Cora has it all arranged to share every moment with her boyfriend Jeff, an unusual creepy feeling and some out of the ordinary actions cause her to wonder at the underlying tension. When the tension becomes an act of betrayal, Cora’s real friends rally around her, helping her learn who to trust, who to rely on, and how to read the signs of true love and respect. When betrayal turns criminally dangerous, Cora and her friends and parents walk in faith to try to save her.
The story of developing relationships and practical friendship, even some lessons on parenting thrown in, Skeen’s debut novel for the young adult set is a good read. Told in southern belle charm from Cora’s side, Magnolia Lake is a charming story for readers both looking forward to the end of high school and those looking back.
March 14, 2016
As her senior high school year begins, Cora Stephens has it all, great friends, a football star boyfriend, and an amazing year planned. When her boyfriend betrays her, Cora’s existence spins into turmoil.
Having her life set back into balance through long talks with Landon, the boy she’s been friends with since third grade, Cora meets Rex, a new neighbor from across the street. When spring arrives, she and Rex attend the prom, but Cora realizes she’s missing something and her life just doesn’t seem as it should. A series of tragic incidents the final week of school changes all their lives.
Ms. Skeen reveals a compelling look into a year of a remarkable teenage girl. The main character is faced with hard decisions and the emotional backlash. The characters in the story are well written and draw the reader to love them. The final scenes in the book are laced with gripping drama and a heartwarming ending. Great job!
Having her life set back into balance through long talks with Landon, the boy she’s been friends with since third grade, Cora meets Rex, a new neighbor from across the street. When spring arrives, she and Rex attend the prom, but Cora realizes she’s missing something and her life just doesn’t seem as it should. A series of tragic incidents the final week of school changes all their lives.
Ms. Skeen reveals a compelling look into a year of a remarkable teenage girl. The main character is faced with hard decisions and the emotional backlash. The characters in the story are well written and draw the reader to love them. The final scenes in the book are laced with gripping drama and a heartwarming ending. Great job!
April 12, 2016
Magnolia Lake is a beautiful story. Even though it was young adult fiction it was able to capture and hold my attention until the very last page. I love the way the author was able to show how high school can be a very important time in a teenagers life and how they can experience a wide range of emotions on their journey into adulthood. Also, I thought the story was very believable when it came to how obsessed one of the characters were with Cora and the way the obsession made them behave.
May 21, 2020
Spoilers? There's a possibility it'll be a bunch splash here and there if not it'll be less.
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2020...
This book was even though I thought Cora was very stubborn and didn't see the way Landon felt about her. When her family and friends knew how he felt. Even Rex knew that she had a thing for Landon, she didn't figure it out until Prom night. Which I thought was a good thing, because I was like finally.
They got together after everything Landon proved and showed her how he felt. Not only that, what I came to realize before the tragedy happened to Cora when she got kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend Jeff was she was very oblivious to a lot of things, but she also was very gullible. She didn't see or believe in a lot of things that others saw. I mean very naïve too. Just like when Landon told her she needed to go to the cops when he found out about the bruise on her own, Jeff left after he grabbed her without her permission.
She assumes that Jeff wasn't going to do anything. Until he did. Which lead to her getting kidnapped at the mall. Was in Jeff's family barn for ten days. I felt so bad for her because he had an obsession with that girl. I was like he needs to realize that when someone doesn't love you, "let it go."
Like he cheated on her with her best friend Lacey and then tried getting her back. On to apologizing, then since that didn't work for him, he started to stalk her every move, which was by far scary as heck like jheeze Louise. I was glad when Landon came to her rescue (as always) since he cared for and loved her. But I became really sad when I learned he was paralyzed from the waist down. I was like nooooooo, not Landon crying 😢... I was rooting for them (he and Cora) and wanted him to play baseball.
But learning that they locked up Jeff and threw away the key made my dad. But what made my day was Landon being 20% able to walk again. With a lot of therapy. He even stood up during Cora's birthday party at the end.
Even if he was fully paralyzed (though he wasn't), I thought. Even though he would've been, it's a lot he could do even if he were paralyzed from the waist down. I was like he could coach baseball, among other things.
But in the end, everything turns out good for both he and Cora. Even though they been through the worse but they came out of it, especially Cora.
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2020...
This book was even though I thought Cora was very stubborn and didn't see the way Landon felt about her. When her family and friends knew how he felt. Even Rex knew that she had a thing for Landon, she didn't figure it out until Prom night. Which I thought was a good thing, because I was like finally.
They got together after everything Landon proved and showed her how he felt. Not only that, what I came to realize before the tragedy happened to Cora when she got kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend Jeff was she was very oblivious to a lot of things, but she also was very gullible. She didn't see or believe in a lot of things that others saw. I mean very naïve too. Just like when Landon told her she needed to go to the cops when he found out about the bruise on her own, Jeff left after he grabbed her without her permission.
She assumes that Jeff wasn't going to do anything. Until he did. Which lead to her getting kidnapped at the mall. Was in Jeff's family barn for ten days. I felt so bad for her because he had an obsession with that girl. I was like he needs to realize that when someone doesn't love you, "let it go."
Like he cheated on her with her best friend Lacey and then tried getting her back. On to apologizing, then since that didn't work for him, he started to stalk her every move, which was by far scary as heck like jheeze Louise. I was glad when Landon came to her rescue (as always) since he cared for and loved her. But I became really sad when I learned he was paralyzed from the waist down. I was like nooooooo, not Landon crying 😢... I was rooting for them (he and Cora) and wanted him to play baseball.
But learning that they locked up Jeff and threw away the key made my dad. But what made my day was Landon being 20% able to walk again. With a lot of therapy. He even stood up during Cora's birthday party at the end.
Even if he was fully paralyzed (though he wasn't), I thought. Even though he would've been, it's a lot he could do even if he were paralyzed from the waist down. I was like he could coach baseball, among other things.
But in the end, everything turns out good for both he and Cora. Even though they been through the worse but they came out of it, especially Cora.
September 26, 2020
Intense
I couldn't put the book down. I was frustrated by Cora and her refusal to see what was in front of her. Telling someone they don't know how they feel is just insulting. And I hate love triangles. But by the end of the book, It didn't even matter.
I will say I am highly disappointed that there wasn't an epilogue. I would have loved to see how they're doing a few years after.
I couldn't put the book down. I was frustrated by Cora and her refusal to see what was in front of her. Telling someone they don't know how they feel is just insulting. And I hate love triangles. But by the end of the book, It didn't even matter.
I will say I am highly disappointed that there wasn't an epilogue. I would have loved to see how they're doing a few years after.
May 31, 2020
Been meaning to read this one for a while. So glad got to it. The story of Landon and Cora was a familiar one but I really enjoyed the twists and surprises. I look forward to reading more by this author. Awesome cover!
May 23, 2016
Cora had it all. Catching her boyfriend with one of her friends, though, shatters it all. She must find some way to regain her own sense of self-worth and trust in love once again.
For me, this seemed to encompass the drama and difficulty of being in high school. The heartache of betrayal was spot-on and expressed very well. Cora was an enjoyable character, and Landon was a sweet guy.
The problem I had was the 'love-triangle' between Cora, Landon, and the new boy across the street. Well, maybe it was more of a square because her ex-boyfriend doesn't want to let her go either. I didn't feel a connection with the situation Cora found herself in, and couldn't suspended my belief to really enjoy it.
Readers who enjoy contemporary YA story lines and drama would no doubt appreciate this one.
I received a free copy in exchange for a free review. My full review can be found at MoreThanAReview.come where I rate the content of books.
For me, this seemed to encompass the drama and difficulty of being in high school. The heartache of betrayal was spot-on and expressed very well. Cora was an enjoyable character, and Landon was a sweet guy.
The problem I had was the 'love-triangle' between Cora, Landon, and the new boy across the street. Well, maybe it was more of a square because her ex-boyfriend doesn't want to let her go either. I didn't feel a connection with the situation Cora found herself in, and couldn't suspended my belief to really enjoy it.
Readers who enjoy contemporary YA story lines and drama would no doubt appreciate this one.
I received a free copy in exchange for a free review. My full review can be found at MoreThanAReview.come where I rate the content of books.
April 18, 2016
Never has a book pulled me in so many different directions before. ‘Magnolia Lake’ made me laugh in many places, while also making me gasp with shock while shedding shed a tear. Emily Paige Skeen’s tale reached from one extreme, starting with the life of a princess and ending in a girl’s worst nightmare. It was wonderful to see the world through Cora’s eyes and I was able to connect easily with each of the characters, with Jeff being the obvious exception. I very much enjoyed this book and recommend ‘Magnolia Lake’ to teenage and adult readers who enjoy a great romance, served with a side of action, drama, comedy... and real life social issues which pack a real punch.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
- Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
March 20, 2016
Magnolia lake
This is the first book by Emily Paige Skeen, this one was very good and look forward to her next book. The books involves Cora, a senior in high school and she definitely goes thru a lot. Love the closeness of her family and friends. The characters were so real to me, could feel their joy and pain. This is a young adult book but I am definitely older and still loved it. I did received this book in exchange for a honest review from the Prism Group.
This is the first book by Emily Paige Skeen, this one was very good and look forward to her next book. The books involves Cora, a senior in high school and she definitely goes thru a lot. Love the closeness of her family and friends. The characters were so real to me, could feel their joy and pain. This is a young adult book but I am definitely older and still loved it. I did received this book in exchange for a honest review from the Prism Group.
May 26, 2016
Magnolia Lake is a sweet story of love and obsession. It's a great story for teenagers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews