413 books
—
925 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Summer of New Beginnings (Magnolia Grove #1)” as Want to Read:
The Summer of New Beginnings
(Magnolia Grove #1)
by
One family learns that love is the greatest miracle of all.
Aspiring journalist Meghan Briggs has always been the responsible one in the family. So when her father passes away unexpectedly, leaving behind his at-risk business, she steps up to save his legacy—even if that means putting her own dreams on hold.
Tracy couldn’t be more different from her sister. She’s always been ...more
Aspiring journalist Meghan Briggs has always been the responsible one in the family. So when her father passes away unexpectedly, leaving behind his at-risk business, she steps up to save his legacy—even if that means putting her own dreams on hold.
Tracy couldn’t be more different from her sister. She’s always been ...more
Paperback, 284 pages
Published
March 27th 2018
by Lake Union Publishing
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Summer of New Beginnings,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of The Summer of New Beginnings (Magnolia Grove #1)
3.5 Stars.
Megan has always been the level headed, responsible one in the family. Her Sister Tracey has always been the impulsive and party loving one. Both sisters reacted to their father's death in her own way. Megan decided to put her college education on hold to continue running her father's business, while Tracey followed her heart and left for Philadelphia to live with her boyfriend. Both have a lot of change and growing to do and the reader watches (reads) as they do so. One becomes a Mot ...more
Megan has always been the level headed, responsible one in the family. Her Sister Tracey has always been the impulsive and party loving one. Both sisters reacted to their father's death in her own way. Megan decided to put her college education on hold to continue running her father's business, while Tracey followed her heart and left for Philadelphia to live with her boyfriend. Both have a lot of change and growing to do and the reader watches (reads) as they do so. One becomes a Mot ...more
![[Shai] Bibliophage](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1517936499p2/11854153.jpg)
The Summer of New Beginnings
is a marvelous women's contemporary fiction. It tells the story of the Briggs family, notably of Meghan, and how they try to deal with several problems after her father died. One of the reasons why I've requested for a reading copy of this novel is because of the dog,
"Sox"
, in the story. Although the dog was not immensely mentioned because the story centers on Meghan, dog lovers such as I will be deeply moved by how huge the part of our furry friends plays o
...more
I can never ever fault this authors work in 100% bringing out emotions in me that I actually “feel” for real long after I close the book.
It soon became apparent to me that I was going to be drawn right in, I was right. I read a lot of psychological thrillers/thrillers and some of those reads have kept me from putting the book down but for different reasons to this one.
I felt I couldn’t close the book on these all too real people, George who had such a brief journey in this story but impacted gre ...more
It soon became apparent to me that I was going to be drawn right in, I was right. I read a lot of psychological thrillers/thrillers and some of those reads have kept me from putting the book down but for different reasons to this one.
I felt I couldn’t close the book on these all too real people, George who had such a brief journey in this story but impacted gre ...more
The unexpected passing of George Briggs, husband to Lila and father to sisters Meghan and Tracy started a chain of events which altered the course of their lives considerably. Meghan's love of words had set her on a course for university and a degree in journalism. But with her father's passing, Meghan's direction changed as she took the reins of her father's business.
Tracy on the other hand stepped up her rebellion, and without her husband's influence, Lila found herself unable to change the co ...more
Tracy on the other hand stepped up her rebellion, and without her husband's influence, Lila found herself unable to change the co ...more
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
The Summer of New Beginnings by Bette Lee Crosby has got to be one of the sweetest books I have ever read. There is so much Southern charm in this book, and Crosby takes some very heavy topics and tells them in an impeccably light manner.
The Summer of New Beginnings is the first installment in the Magnolia Grove series, and tells the story of a family that is going through a lot. After their father passes away suddenly, Meghan and her sister Tracy are left making some tough decision ...more
The Summer of New Beginnings by Bette Lee Crosby has got to be one of the sweetest books I have ever read. There is so much Southern charm in this book, and Crosby takes some very heavy topics and tells them in an impeccably light manner.
The Summer of New Beginnings is the first installment in the Magnolia Grove series, and tells the story of a family that is going through a lot. After their father passes away suddenly, Meghan and her sister Tracy are left making some tough decision ...more
Bette Lee Crosby never fails to draw me into caring about the families that populate her stories. The Summer of New Beginnings is no exception. I was immediately drawn to Lila Briggs and felt for her when her husband George died. Also with their daughter Meghan, who despite her own dreams puts them on hold to help the family maintain her dad’s business. Unlike Meghan, her sister Tracy uses he father’s absence as a license to pursue her own plans and rebellion. No matter who gets hurt in the proc
...more
Sometimes I go looking through reviews to try and work out what's going on.
Why something has an especially high or low rating.
This book currently has a rating of 4.63 Stars and I'm just not seeing it.
I don't know.
I'm struggling.
I imagine this book will appeal to a certain type of reader.
I personally struggled. It's not bad for what it is, it just feels .... #FFFFFF. ...more
Why something has an especially high or low rating.
This book currently has a rating of 4.63 Stars and I'm just not seeing it.
I don't know.
I'm struggling.
I imagine this book will appeal to a certain type of reader.
I personally struggled. It's not bad for what it is, it just feels .... #FFFFFF. ...more
The Summer of New Beginnings
Bette Lee Crosby
Received from Netgalley
THE SUMMER OF NEW BEGINNINGS is the first book in the Magnolia Grove series. No one writes Southern fiction like Bette Lee Crosby does. She tugs at the reader's heart and never lets them go as they are falling in love with all of her characters. Bette Lee puts her readers on such an emotional roller coaster and pulls them right in to the story. That is exactly what happened as I was reading THE SUMMER OF NEW BEGINNINGS. I have re ...more
Bette Lee Crosby
Received from Netgalley
THE SUMMER OF NEW BEGINNINGS is the first book in the Magnolia Grove series. No one writes Southern fiction like Bette Lee Crosby does. She tugs at the reader's heart and never lets them go as they are falling in love with all of her characters. Bette Lee puts her readers on such an emotional roller coaster and pulls them right in to the story. That is exactly what happened as I was reading THE SUMMER OF NEW BEGINNINGS. I have re ...more
First, I want to say thank you to Bette Lee Crosby and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book. Full disclosure - Bette is a good friend and I have read and reviewed most if not all of her novels. There has not been one that I did not love.
All that being said, The Summer of New Beginnings is another beautifully written novel crafted by this amazing author. Bette has continued to write in the Southern tradition of her previous books, but has added a more dynamic plo ...more
All that being said, The Summer of New Beginnings is another beautifully written novel crafted by this amazing author. Bette has continued to write in the Southern tradition of her previous books, but has added a more dynamic plo ...more
This is a beautifully penned story, a story of loss, hope, the struggles of life and love, when George Briggs passes away suddenly he leaves behind his wife Lila and two daughters Tracy and Meghan. Tracy is working in a bank and Meghan is just about to go off to college to become a journalist but losing her father changes all of that she decides to stay home and run the business that her father started, this is a story that will have you turning the pages to join this family on their new path in
...more
My Review of “The Summer of New Beginnings” by Bette Lee Crosby
Kudos to Bette Lee Crosby , Author of “The Summer of New Beginnings”, for writing such a heartwarming, captivating and intriguing story about the importance of family. I appreciate that Bette Lee Crosby stresses the importance of family, friends, emotional support , love and hope. The author magically tells her story with wonderful detail and vivid descriptions.
Life isn’t simple, and the ups and downs can be complicated and stressful ...more
Kudos to Bette Lee Crosby , Author of “The Summer of New Beginnings”, for writing such a heartwarming, captivating and intriguing story about the importance of family. I appreciate that Bette Lee Crosby stresses the importance of family, friends, emotional support , love and hope. The author magically tells her story with wonderful detail and vivid descriptions.
Life isn’t simple, and the ups and downs can be complicated and stressful ...more
The summer of new beginnings is a story of a family whose lives were changed when George, Lila’s husband & Meghan & Tracy’s Dad suddenly passes away the day before Meghan was leaving for college ; Life as they all knew changed for ever. Meghan decides to put going to college on hold and run her father’s business snip and save, it was the one way to help financially and keep her father’s memory( while her sister Tracy runs off with a Dominic a boy who did not love her the way she deserved to be l
...more
The thing I enjoy most about ALL of Bette Lee Crosby books are that she writes about ‘real’ people. People whose lives you become part of as you read the book. You can laugh with them, grieve with them, worry about things together and share their joys as well. And even though there are some tough issues dealt with in THE SUMMER OF NEW BEGINNINGS such as death, sacrifice, disability and domestic abuse; these are counter-balanced by love, support, selflessness and laughter.
At the start of the stor ...more
At the start of the stor ...more
I have to thank NetGalley and Lake Union for the honor of reading this awesome book.
I never expect anything but the best from Bette Lee Crosby and she has never let me down.
This is a very sweet, emotional story of loss, love, laughter and family.
It starts out a bit on the sad part then it gets better and better all the way through.
Meghan has plans to go to college to be a writer/journalist but when her father dies she puts her plans on hold to continue running his small business, Snip N Save. ...more
I never expect anything but the best from Bette Lee Crosby and she has never let me down.
This is a very sweet, emotional story of loss, love, laughter and family.
It starts out a bit on the sad part then it gets better and better all the way through.
Meghan has plans to go to college to be a writer/journalist but when her father dies she puts her plans on hold to continue running his small business, Snip N Save. ...more
Mar 10, 2018
Cindy
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2018-netgalley,
2018
This was such a beautiful book, starting with the cover! I was excited to see a new series by Bette Lee Crosby and once again she did not disappoint. I've never read one of her books that I didn't love. There is almost something magical in her writing.
Magnolia Grove is one of those towns you'd love to live in. And the author gives such a descriptive writing of the town, you feel as if you live there.
The characters were well developed and very easy to like. The author manages to bring them to li ...more
Magnolia Grove is one of those towns you'd love to live in. And the author gives such a descriptive writing of the town, you feel as if you live there.
The characters were well developed and very easy to like. The author manages to bring them to li ...more
I love the cover of this book. thought this was a cute story. 3 stars from me. I want to thank Netgalley for this book. All reviews and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read a advanced reader's copy of this book
The Summer of New Beginnings by Bette Lee Crosby. A Magnolia Grove Novel. A heartwarming story about family, conflicts, and romance. A little bit of everything. The author pulls you in from the first page and it's a book you keep going back too. Great characters, dialogue and storyline. I've read other books by Bette Lee Crosby and she never disappoints I look forward to reading more books by her. ...more
The Summer of New Beginnings by Bette Lee Crosby. A Magnolia Grove Novel. A heartwarming story about family, conflicts, and romance. A little bit of everything. The author pulls you in from the first page and it's a book you keep going back too. Great characters, dialogue and storyline. I've read other books by Bette Lee Crosby and she never disappoints I look forward to reading more books by her. ...more
Bette I just want to sip tea with you and give you a great big hug.
This is a family oriented extravaganza that will enrich everyone's lives simply by reading it.
The Summer of New Beginnings is truly a kickstart into what's most important or as her latter book suggest 'What Matters Most' also a top pick that I loved reading.
The characters are mainly two sisters who truly never seen eye to eye but in their fathers eyes it probably never mattered because they were his.
They worked so far, aimed to ...more
This is a family oriented extravaganza that will enrich everyone's lives simply by reading it.
The Summer of New Beginnings is truly a kickstart into what's most important or as her latter book suggest 'What Matters Most' also a top pick that I loved reading.
The characters are mainly two sisters who truly never seen eye to eye but in their fathers eyes it probably never mattered because they were his.
They worked so far, aimed to ...more
This is not a book to read on the train or at lunch in the office. It’s a book to read curled up on the couch at home with a warm blanket, cup of tea and box of tissues, where you can laugh and cry without feeling conspicuous.
Every family has its rough times and the Briggs family is working through a lot of issues - the death of beloved husband and father George, rebellion by older daughter Tracy and the abandonment of Meghan's dream of attending journalism school so she can take over producing ...more
Every family has its rough times and the Briggs family is working through a lot of issues - the death of beloved husband and father George, rebellion by older daughter Tracy and the abandonment of Meghan's dream of attending journalism school so she can take over producing ...more
You can always depend on Bette Lee Crosby to give the reader a great book and this one is no exception. It's a story about a family that works through many hardships as they continue to love each other.
Lila and George have the perfect family with daughters Tracy and Meghan. George has a small news flyer that he publishes weekly called Snip 'N Save and his daughter Meghan frequently helped him with it. The summer before she was due to go to college, there was a tragedy in the family when George d ...more
Lila and George have the perfect family with daughters Tracy and Meghan. George has a small news flyer that he publishes weekly called Snip 'N Save and his daughter Meghan frequently helped him with it. The summer before she was due to go to college, there was a tragedy in the family when George d ...more
I enjoyed this book because it had 3 main women characters all in different stages in life in the same family. I thought they all were very strong women though I believe they didn't think so. Meghan the youngest daughter on the cusp of going to journalism school has to put it on hold to run the business Snip and Save that her father created after he suddenly passed. Tracy the wild child up and moves to Philadelphia with her boyfriend wanting nothing to do with the business. Lila (Mom) who has to
...more
Meghan and Tracy Briggs and their mom Lila live together after the unexpected death of the girl’s father and Lila’s husband George. Tracy is a ‘wild child’ and Lila is not the disciplinarian that her husband was. One day Tracy announces she is leaving to go live with her boyfriend in another state. Meghan has taken over her father’s newsletter instead of going to college to follow her dream of journalism. She rescues a dog from a lake and then is afraid it belongs to someone else. She has alread
...more
Lila and George Briggs have a wonderful life with their two daughters Tracy and Meghan.
When George Briggs dies his family has to move forward without him. Meghan takes over her fathers newsletter instead of going to college. Tracy is the wild child that decides to move with her boyfriend to another state.
Conflicts, mistakes, domestic abuse, are all issues that could pull this family apart, yet they grow stronger. The child with a disability really hit home for me. This story made me laugh and c ...more
When George Briggs dies his family has to move forward without him. Meghan takes over her fathers newsletter instead of going to college. Tracy is the wild child that decides to move with her boyfriend to another state.
Conflicts, mistakes, domestic abuse, are all issues that could pull this family apart, yet they grow stronger. The child with a disability really hit home for me. This story made me laugh and c ...more
A boy, a dog and family dynamics brought me to tears many times during the story. The characters are full of distinct personalities and opinions. When life changes drastically for each person, the ability to handle the changes and possible outcomes are found through major decisions and risks. Each story I read from this author is amazing. Tissues needed for this one. I received a copy of this story from the author and this is my own personal honest opinion.
What can be said about the book I just read by Bette Lee Crosby? “The Summer of New Beginnings” had a mix of emotions that I experienced just as the characters had felt in this heartwarming book. The family in the story stay glued together, a bond like no other. Plus, a sweet dog to top it off makes this book a beautiful story written by a gifted writer. But, a tissue-alert is an absolute necessity.
The character, Meghan, is so sweet and would do anything for her family. After the family deals wi ...more
The character, Meghan, is so sweet and would do anything for her family. After the family deals wi ...more
A story of healing from grief, family, a lost dog, love, and a little bit of magic through one summer was a gently-paced, sparkling tale that warmed my heart and left me wanting to return back to Magnolia Grove as soon as I can.
The Summer of New Beginnings is only my second book by the author, but like the first one, I found it a lovely, sunny reading experience even if the author allowed sadness and loss to touch characters' lives. Like the first book, the laid back writing style was cozy and e ...more
The Summer of New Beginnings is only my second book by the author, but like the first one, I found it a lovely, sunny reading experience even if the author allowed sadness and loss to touch characters' lives. Like the first book, the laid back writing style was cozy and e ...more
I don’t know why I thought this was going to be a small town romance, but once I adjusted I enjoyed the book. Meghan is like the back bone to the family and takes on a lot after the death of her father.
Her sister and mother are at odd because they just don’t see things eye to eye. SO there is that tension but there really wasn’t much drama.
The story is about these three women in a roundabout way but with most of the focus on Meghan. There is a romance but it’s not the center of the book by any ...more
Her sister and mother are at odd because they just don’t see things eye to eye. SO there is that tension but there really wasn’t much drama.
The story is about these three women in a roundabout way but with most of the focus on Meghan. There is a romance but it’s not the center of the book by any ...more
Every now and again I hear about books by authors that I've heard of, but really have never come across their books to read. Today's post is about exactly that kind of book. I've heard of author, Bette Lee Crosby, and I have actually seen her books out there, but invariably, I have 10 or 20 books in my "to be read" pile, and I think to myself, "oh, I'll have to read one of her books when I have a spare weekend" and then it never happens. I've finally been able to put on the breaks, push some of
...more
After the sudden death of her father, Meghan decides the best way to honor him is to take over his "Snip and Save" business. But, would her father really have wanted her to forego college and her dreams of becoming a journalist? Meanwhile, Meghan's older sister, Tracy, deals with the loss by testing the limits and engaging in rebellious behavior. Who and what will help the sisters grieve the loss of their father and start anew?
If you're having a bad day, this sweet, wholesome, and heartwarming s ...more
If you're having a bad day, this sweet, wholesome, and heartwarming s ...more
Great, emotional story.... first in a two book series.... on to the next!
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN HISTORIC...: One last word... | 1 | 7 | Jun 09, 2018 03:10PM |
Readers also enjoyed
USA Today Bestselling and Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby's books are "Well-crafted storytelling populated by memorable characters caught up in equally memorable circumstances." - Midwest Book Review
The Seattle Post Intelligencer says Crosby's writing is, "A quirky mix of Southern flair, serious thoughts about important things in life and madcap adventures."
Samantha from Reader's Favorite ...more
The Seattle Post Intelligencer says Crosby's writing is, "A quirky mix of Southern flair, serious thoughts about important things in life and madcap adventures."
Samantha from Reader's Favorite ...more
Other books in the series
Magnolia Grove
(2 books)
News & Interviews
Happy Women's History Month! One of the undisputedly good things about modern scholarship is that women’s history is finally getting its due....
100 likes · 17 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“The sad thing is, regardless of what children do or say, they’re still your children, and you don’t stop loving them. Yes, there may be occasions when you scream and yell until you’re blue in the face, but even then, you don’t stop loving them.”
—
1 likes
“I simply don’t understand how the same parents can have two children who are so totally different. The girls were raised in the same household, and we didn’t make a bean of difference in how we treated them, but look at how it turned out.”
—
0 likes
More quotes…
