Every girl dreams of her wedding and for some romantics planning for someone else's big day is just as rewarding and certainly lucrative. No doubt about it, weddings are big business. In THE BEST LAID WEDDING PLANS, Lynnette Austin is about following a dream and conquering even the most dramatic roadblock to attain your goal. THE BEST LAID WEDDING PLANS is the first book in a new series Magnolia Brides. Candidly, I was so happy to learn that this was to be a series. As usual Lynnette Austin captured the essence of a small town with amazing characters and quick, witty dialog.

THE BEST LAID WEDDING PLANS is about second chances. The town of Misty Bottoms desperately needs a boost in the economic department -- its second chance. If Jenni Beth Beaumont's idea of turning her home, Magnolia House, into a wedding destination doesn't pan out its failure will have a ripple effect throughout the entire town. Jenni Beth enlists the aid of two of her best friends, who also have a vested interest in the outcome of this very challenging project.

Jenni Beth and her parents are still reeling from the death of her brother Wes. His choice to join the military came with risks. The Beaumont's were hoping for the best -- instead the family received word of his passing. Wes's good friend, Cole Bryson, feels compelled to help in any way he can. Looking out for Jenni Beth comes almost second nature -- it's his attraction to her that causes him to keep a comfortable distance.

Hey, who said it's better to be comfortable? No one in love, for sure. Cole doesn't really think he is in love with his friend's sister but there is no denying an attraction.

Jenni Beth has had an on again, off again crush for Cole. Learning to trust Cole and lean on him was definitely going to forge a new relationship between the two. But the most important thing was knowing that Cole supported Jenni Beth's idea of the wedding planning business as a means to revamp the Beaumont's financial, as well as mental, well- being.

Once again we are treated to a story that revolves around a strong, determined, enterprising young woman in this newest book by Lynnette Austin. THE BEST LAID WEDDING PLANS doesn't skirt around the idea that resurrecting a business in a town on the decline is a major undertaking. But Lynnette Austin wisely employs an amazing cast of characters -- neighbors -- town folk that support the idea and infuse the effort with mass amounts of encouragement, hard work, love, tenacity and pride. THE BEST LAID WEDDING PLANS by Lynnette Austin is an engaging work by a very talented author who knows her stuff.

Book Summary

With love in their hearts and crafting the perfect wedding on their minds, the possibilities are endless for the ladies of Lynette Austin's new Magnolia Brides series.

SOME DREAMS ARE WORTH WHATEVER IT TAKES

Jenni Beth Beaumont left her broken heart behind when she took her dream job in Savannah. But after her brother's death, Jenni Beth returns home to help mend her parents' hearts as well as restore their beautiful but crumbling antebellum mansion. New dreams take shape as Jenni Beth sets to work replacing floors and fixing pipes to convert the family homestead into the perfect wedding destination. However, some folks in their small Southern town are determined to see her fail.

Cole Bryson was once the love of Jenni Beth's life, but the charming architectural salvager has plans of his own for the Beaumont family home. As the two butt heads, old turmoil is brought to the surface and Cole and Jenni Beth will have to work through some painful memories and tough realities before they can set their pasts aside and have a second chance at their own happily ever after.

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