“Perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber.”—Publishers WeeklyIn Magnolia, North Carolina, love might be waiting right next door… catnip to her soul. But even though Meredith is the youngest, scrappiest and single-est of Magnolia’s most famous sisters, she’s committed to expanding the animal shelter on her newly inherited farm. She can’t waste her energy on a man who’s only passing through town.
Ryan is hoping that after a month of small-town living he’ll be healed enough to return to his busy ER. His injured leg isn’t half as painful as his guilt from the tragedy he’s trying to forget. Yet somehow, helping feisty, tenderhearted Meredith care for her menagerie is making him question his career-first priorities. Here in this quirky small town another future is coming into view, but can he change his life, and open his heart, to claim it?
The Magnolia Sisters
Book 1: The Magnolia Sisters
Book 2: The Merriest Magnolia
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The story of Meredith and Ryan is just so wonderful! I love that the animal rescue is a big part of the story. When Ryan moves in, Meredith’s “rescue” instinct takes control and she is just so compassionate and loving. This entire series is wonderful! I highly recommend it!! Michelle Major is an amazing storyteller!
How do you say goodbye to a series you love? I have fallen in love with the town of Magnolia and the three sisters who live there. I was excited that this book would be Meredith’s story! She’s always spunky and helps animals with her rescue. There’s a lot more to her than everyone thinks and I loved that. Her book is my favorite of the series! Thank you Miss Major for creating such wonderful characters, along with a special town I long to visit.
This is a lovely series to read. It’s heartwarming and will have you wanting to take a trip to the town of Magnolia! I give this 5 stars.
Heartwarming and Engaging!
Michelle Major is my greatest addiction! She tells stories that capture your heart, and make you smile so hard your cheeks hurt.
I have to say, I have been completely head over heels in love with this series. I have been waiting for Meredith’s story, and Michelle Major did not disappoint! With laugh out loud moments, and a swoon worthy hero the book is sure to win your heart.
The Magnolia Sister Series has been an absolutely spectacular series! It has brought so much joy to my life. It will go down as one of my all time favorites.
Author : Michelle Major
The Last Carolina Sister: A Novel (The Magnolia Sisters Book 3)
5
The Last Carolina Sister by Michelle Major is the 3rd book in her Magnolia Sisters series and my favorite. This book was a page turner from the very beginning. Michelle Major is one of my favorite authors. I love the way she writes and her characters. The characters are all realistic and described so well I feel like i know them.
I loved the romance between Meredith and Ryan. Meredith and her animal rescue and Ryan the Er doctor. I enjoyed watching the relationships between each grow and develop. You just know these two were made for each other and it’s so fun to watch as they figure that out, too! I highly recommend this book and all of her other books if you love heartwarming small town romance. You really can’t go wrong no matter which book of hers you pick up. *******Disclosure*******
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.
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#MichelleMajor
#TheLastCarolinaSister #MagnoliaSisters
THE LAST CAROLINA SISTER is Book 3 of the Magnolia Sisters written by Michelle Major. A sweet tender romance between two tormented souls. Meredith Ventner knows a wounded creature when she sees one. Her temporary new neighbor is a successful, drop-dead gorgeous doctor. Ryan Sorensen is hoping that after a month of small-town living he’ll be healed enough to return to his busy ER. His injured leg isn’t half as painful as his guilt from the tragedy he’s trying to forget. Meredith is committed to expanding the animal shelter on her newly inherited farm and cannot waste her energy on a man who is only passing through town. Yet neither could ignore the attraction. Helping the feisty, tenderhearted Meredith care for her menagerie, Ryan questions his career-first priorities. THE LAST CAROLINA SISTER is not just about a romance but a journey where Meredith finds new self-confidence in herself and in her abilities to run an animal rescue, and the more Ryan spends time Meredith, the more he finds contentment. Can he change his life and open his heart, to claim it? Michelle Major’s characters and the small-town folks are genuine and lifelike with promises of new beginnings, second chances and a happily ever after. The bonus story, A CAROLINA VALENTINE, is short, yet sweet romance with Dr. Paul Thorpe and nurse Aimee Baker. I received this complimentary copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Read and enjoyed th entire series…..hope to see similar.
Loved Meredith and Ryan. Meredith is more than interested in running her wounded furbabies rescue but when her new neighbor moves in, who looks wounded her soul goes out to him. Ryan is an ER doctor whom is on a mental/physical break from his busy ER. He is only in Magnolia for a month, but soon a friendship develops between Meredith and him. Meredith is on the reserve side, she has had some bad luck in the dating scene, but soon they can’t deny the chemistry that they share. Ryan is holding out on a secret of his life and will it ruin their HEA?
Loved both of these characters, both are a little broken but perfect for each other. Loved all of the furry critters, but then I love all animals! A great small town romance with plenty of laughs. This is part of a series but the author ties in the other books perfect.
I listened to this on audiobook. The narrator was great, easy to listen to. The story tugged at your heart-strings at times then others had you laughing out loud. Entertaining tale about believable characters in a lush well described small town. I enjoy stories that make me feel included in the characters lives with a happy every after. I highly recommend this book!
I really liked getting to know more about Meredith and seeing what Ryan was all about. Both Meredith and Ryan had a lot to overcome from their pasts but especially Ryan with a recent tragedy. I liked seeing them build their friendship and of course seeing if there could be more between them. They both learned a lot from the other and I was so excited to be part of their journey. I liked seeing Avery and Carrie again and of course I always love seeing Meredith and her animals and how they took a liking to Ryan. There was a part of this story that something had happened and as I was reading, I was trying to figure it out and of course just when I thought I had it figured out, it went a different direction. I am glad that the individual got what he deserved. Of course, I loved how this story ended for Meredith and Ryan. A really great story!
Major’s latest will have you laughing and crying in equal measure. Meredith is the most-prickly or the three sisters, but she quickly became my favorite. She definitely deserves her HEA with the hot doc.
4.5 stars
After only reading a few pages of this book, I knew Meredith was going to be my favorite “Magnolia” sister. I loved Avery and Carrie’s stories, but Meredith is a broken soul and she is going to need a very special man to make her whole again. That man is Dr. Ryan Sorensen. Ryan is “vacationing” in Magnolia while recovering from a gun shot wound that happened at the hospital where he worked. He is also a broken because he is not only recovering from a physical injury, he lost a friend who was trying to protect him.Ryan and Meredith meet when she gets him to come give stitches to a friend who got a little too friendly with her. Ryan then gets introduced to Meredith’s passion, her animal rescue. He volunteers to help her with the animals. They grow closer, get to know each other, share confidences. He even goes back to work with a mobile medical clinic. Ryan starts to heal both physically and mentally and Meredith starts to finally believe in herself, that she can make the Rescue work, see herself the way her sisters do ( I love the bound the three of them have). But when Ryan fails to disclose A very important part about his family, can they get through harsh words spoken and hurt feelings to become whole?
Small town living at it’s best! With the third book in The Magnolia Sisters series Michelle Major brings us feisty sister Meredith in THE LAST CAROLINA SISTER, and I knew I was going to love her even before her story got here. The closeness these sisters have achieved after overcoming so much is such an inspiration. Endearing characters, laugh out loud moments and so much snarky goodness!
Meredith is loyal to a fault, kindhearted and speaks her mind like nobodies business. She also believes she’s not exactly worthy, so watching her accept the love that Ryan showers on her is a beautiful experience. Loved her!
Ryan is the perfect match for her. He starts out bitter and just wants to hide away while he heals until it’s time to go back to the job that is a trigger for his trauma. He isn’t expecting to meet anyone like Meredith, but once he’s hooked … it’s on!
I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves a dysfunctional family who learns to love along the way while having good times along with the bad. Lots of love and lots of heart live in this series.
The Last Carolina Sister is the last book in the Magnolia Sister trilogy. It’s the perfect ending to the series about love and family connections and support.
Avery, Carrie and Meredith are half sisters who never knew they were sisters until their father died and mentioned them in his will. Avery and Carrie found love in the first two books of the trilogy and now it’s Meredith’s turn.
Meredith runs an animal rescue and shelter on the farm that she inherited. She dreams of making it larger and offering classes but is so convinced that she is a failure at life and that everyone knows it, she just doesn’t try because she’s scared of failing again. When she meets, Ryan, an ER doctor from DC, she is drawn to him but knows that he couldn’t be interested in anyone like her. Ryan is taking a leave from his job to heal from a gunshot wound that happened in the ER. He can’t wait to get back to the big city but the longer he stays in Magnolia, the more he is drown to small city life and to Meredith. Can they both learn to forget their pasts and have a future together.
This is feel good romance with a happily ever after ending. It was interesting, easy and fun to read. I’ve enjoyed the series and getting to know more about these sisters in Magnolia. Great romance!
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
The Last Carolina Sister by Michelle Major is the 3rd book in her Magnolia Sisters series. Refresher: This series focuses on the town of Magnolia, North Carolina and three young women who discover that they are half-sisters (the same father). Carrie and Meredith lived all their lives in Magnolia, and Avery arrived after learning about her inheritance. After a short time, the three of them became friends, dealing with the betrayal of their father, with each willing to help each other
Meredith Ventner, our heroine in this final book of the series, finally gets her story. Meredith, who is always hard on herself, runs an animal shelter, Furhaven Friends, and has a hard time asking people for help. She has become very close to her two sisters, Avery and Carrie, and together they always find ways to help each other, as well as building up Magnolia to its original glory. Meredith loves all of her rescued animals, as well as the three dogs she has. She knows she needs to fix up the shelter, especially the roof, and has applied for a grant that will allow her to expand.
Ryan Sorenson, our hero, just moved in next door to Meredith’s place, to recover from a leg injury. Ryan is an ER doctor, who was loaned the place by a friend, and spends his time drinking, feeling sorry for himself, and is shocked to hear someone knocking on the door during a rainy windy night. He meets his next-door neighbor, Meredith who is desperate for help, since she knows he is a doctor, and a friend is injured at her place, and will not take ‘no’ for an answer. Ryan reluctantly goes to check out this person, which turns out to be a mild injury.
Ryan checks out the shelter, and offers Meredith help, which she reluctantly accepts, and in a short time he finds himself falling for her. Meredith also is attracted to Ryan, but knows he is leaving in a few weeks, and is determined to not get involved, as well as her lack of self-confidence. Ryan enjoys spending time with the dogs, and especially Rachel, the goat who loves him. He ends up spending all his friend time working at the shelter, and to help fix the roof and other things, before the people who decide on the grant come to visit.
Avery and Carrie also see the attraction between Ryan and Meredith, but she refuses to acknowledge any feelings she may have. I loved seeing the sisters together, how close they have become over these three books. We also get to see Avery’s wedding.
Both Ryan and Meredith have their own issues; with Ryan having problems with his family and the death of a friend (his injury was due to a gang attack at the hospital, where his friend was killed); Meredith’s issues are her inability to accept that people care about her, and is capable of love. I did love Ryan and Meredith together, as they started to act on their feelings, but Meredith was a pain at times not accepting what was real. There was a point closer to the end that blew up whatever relationship they had, due to issues with the grant, and his family. Will Ryan and Meredith find a way to a happy ever after?
What follows is a wonderful heartwarming story with both Meredith and Ryan, but will they be able to get past their issues? The bond between the sisters was great and they made a great team. The Last Carolina Sister was written so very well by Michelle Major, with a great couple, and so many wonderful characters, including Avery, Carrie, Gray, Dylan and many of the townsfolks. I especially loved the animals, who were so cute and added a sweet element to this story. This is the final book in this series, but I just learned that Michelle Major is starting a new series, taking place in Magnolia, and cannot wait to start that series.
I was really looking forward to this last book is the Magnolis Sisters series. You meet Meredith in the first book but don’t really get to know her. She’s kinda a mixed bag type of person. She’s sweet and snarky at the same time. You never know which Meredith you’ll get. I understand why she is the way she is but even with understanding why at times she’s tiring.
I think the reason Meredith is the way she is has to do with both her past and present. You really need to read the story to understand what I mean. I don’t want to get too much away also. Even with her switching back from happy to not I really like her. She might be a complicated person but she’s also a loving daughter, sister, and friend. Plus, anyone that is that good to animals has to be a good person.
My favorite is Ryan. I really think he’s a great guy who has tried hard to be a good person. I know he hides part of himself but understands why. I’m sure he has so many people that just want from him.
You’ll love these two together because he likes her snark and deals with it well. They just work well together. I was happy how Meredith dealt with her family on both sides and really stood for herself and finally worked out the emotions from her past.
It was the perfect way to end this series and I am looking forward to the next one. It’s called The Carolina Girls. I would mention that it’s best to read this series in order. It just works better that way. You really get to know the sisters that way.
I loved the town of Magnolia and all its people. The sisters were so entertaining to read about and I loved there men. I can’t wait to see what the author writes about next.
Terrific conclusion to the Magnolia Sisters trilogy. Avery, Carrie, and Meredith are half-sisters who discovered their connection after the death of their father. Left to deal with their father’s financial mismanagement, they’ve spent the last six months restoring stability to their properties and the town. Along the way, Avery and Carrie found love. Meredith’s inheritance was the farm where she runs her animal rescue. She barely makes ends meet, and the taxes on the property will be due soon. Meredith has big dreams for the property and applies to many places for grants to help her.
The story opens as Meredith shows up at a new neighbor’s house, looking for help with an injured man. Ryan is a doctor, temporarily staying in Magnolia while he recovers from an injury he received on the job. He doesn’t want to go with her, but she won’t take no for an answer. Neither one has any inkling of the impact they will have on each other’s lives.
I liked both Meredith and Ryan. Meredith leans toward the blunt end of the social skill set. After her mother left them, she was the only girl in the family with a somewhat gruff father and two older brothers. Her mother’s desertion and a traumatic event while in high school left Meredith with a very low opinion of herself and her abilities. Add in the shock of the revelations about her birth father and two previously unknown sisters, and Meredith struggles with figuring out who she is. She built walls around her heart and buries herself in her work with the animals to avoid thinking about her problems. One thing Meredith has going for her is a sensitive and kind heart. I love her devotion to her animals and her determination to give them the best she can.
Ryan came to Magnolia to heal, not just from his physical injury but also from the emotional trauma. He’s hiding out, wallowing a bit in the guilt he feels, but also going a bit stir-crazy. Though born to a wealthy family, Ryan’s father raised him and his sister to focus on service to others rather than personal pleasure. Even family vacations were spent on volunteer opportunities instead of any fun or relaxation. As a result, Ryan focuses on work and has no close friends or hobbies. He also puts distance between himself and the family’s wealthy side to avoid being judged for something he doesn’t want.
I loved the development of the relationship between Meredith and Ryan. Their first meeting, as Meredith practically kidnapped Ryan, was both funny and a little heartbreaking. It hurt to see Ryan so deep in his guilt that he was afraid to help. Once he was there, he was okay, though still trying to maintain his distance. But a funny thing happened, as Ryan found himself connecting with Meredith and her animals. That connection freaked him out a little, and it took a couple of tries before he became comfortable around her. As the attraction between them sparked and simmered, their friendship also grew. I liked Ryan’s protectiveness and support as he helped her with the rescue. I especially liked how Ryan refused to let Meredith put herself down around him and worked to show her how amazing she is. Working with Meredith and getting to know other locals showed Ryan what was missing in his city life.
The more time Meredith and Ryan spent together, the more their feelings for each other grew, though neither wanted to admit it. Meredith knows he doesn’t plan to stay, and she doesn’t see herself as appealing enough to keep him there. Ryan still insists to himself that he will return to his previous life and forget his time in Magnolia. But just as it looks like they might finally see the truth, a secret Ryan’s been keeping comes out and runs up against one of Meredith’s deepest insecurities. I hurt for Ryan as Meredith refused to listen to him, making him rethink his plans. Meredith’s feelings of betrayal drove her to say some hurtful things. I loved seeing friends and family get involved in bringing the two back together.
The family dynamics in the book added to the emotional journeys of both Meredith and Ryan. Ryan’s we mostly see through his memories of the past and the effects of his parents’ actions on his life. We get a brief introduction to his sister, Emma, who makes a quick visit to Magnolia. Their conversation reveals a lot about why Ryan distances himself from his family and shows how much he cares for his sister. Another meaningful relationship is that of Meredith with her family. Her relationship with her dad changed when the truth of her birth came out. The distance between them hurts Meredith. I liked seeing the beginnings of a return to normal after Meredith’s accident and her dad and brothers arrival to help. I also enjoyed seeing the continued closeness between Avery, Carrie, and Meredith. I especially enjoyed seeing Avery and Carrie work on Meredith’s self-worth and help her steer through her relationship with Ryan.
#netgalley
Meredith Ventner grew up disliking, yet envying the rich girl in town, Carrie Reed. Carrie’s father Niall Reed was a famous artist who put their little town of Magnolia, North Carolina on the map. Upon Niall’s death and the reading of his will Meredith discovered that Niall Reed was her birth father and left her property in his will. Meredith also discovered that in addition to having Carrie Reed as a half-sister, she also had another half-sister Avery Keller, who also had no idea Niall Reed was her birth father. Meredith soon came to respect and love her two new sisters. Together they plan to revitalize Magnolia along with supporting the animal rescue farm, Furhaven that Meredith established. But Niall left his estate in poor shape and taxes will soon be due on the Furhaven property. Meredith hopes that one of the grant applications she filled out would come through. In the meantime a handsome doctor, Ryan Sorensen moved in next door. They first met when Meredith went to his cottage looking for help for a man injured on her property. It was raining and the road was washed out so an ambulance wouldn’t be able to get through to her farm. Meredith basically forced Ryan to come to this injured person’s aid. What a way to meet… Ryan is only in Magnolia temporarily. But the attraction is strong. Will he end up staying in Magnolia?
Dr. Ryan Sorensen was shot in the leg when a gang confrontation erupted in his ER in the DC hospital where he worked. The injury was bad enough but what was just as devastating was the death of his friend that night. Ryan’s chief of staff at the hospital, Dr. David Parten offered Ryan the use of his vacation cottage in Magnolia, NC while Ryan healed. At first Ryan was going stir-crazy there. But then the crazy woman from next door came and banged on his door insisting he go with her right away to aid an injured person at her rescue farm. She wouldn’t take “no” for an answer and practically dragged him out his door and into her truck. What Ryan didn’t realize at the time was that this woman, Meredith Ventner was going to change his life. First Ryan found emotional healing helping Meredith with her rescue animals and then more emotional healing when he fell in love with Meredith.
The Last Carolina Sister by Michelle Major is the third book in her Magnolia Sisters series. This is a truly heartwarming story. Both main characters have so much baggage to overcome. Due to their pasts they both have built strong, high walls around their hearts and immersed themselves in suppressed feelings. So a very insecure Meredith and a closed-off and a little bit crusty Ryan find each other, find trust in each other and find love for each other. I liked the emotional growth of these characters in this story. I was heavily invested in them finding their HEA and that’s a very important element in my enjoyment of a book. I like Ms. Major’s writing style and enjoyed all three books in this series. Fortunately this author isn’t done with Magnolia, NC even though this is the last book in the Magnolia Sisters series. We get to visit Magnolia again later this year when Michelle Majors releases the first book in her Carolina Girls series, Wildflower Season.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.