If You Liked This, Try…#5

Hi guys!

Today’s post is another If You Liked This, Try…
To sum up the basic premise, I select a couple of books that are similar in the ways of X, Y and Z and it gives you a way of finding books that are similar to some of your faves while also giving you a rough guide of what I thought of the books too, without having to read a full review.
Here are the links to the rest of the series: 1, 2, 3, 4
Let’s hop right in shall we?

Today’s comparison is between Magnolia by Kristi Cook (A full review for this will be up very soon) and The Lake Series by Annalisa Grant (I have a review with this incredible and inspiring author HERE)

Similarities:
They are similar in the way that they are both Contemporary Romance’s set in America. Imagine both to be set in one of the southern states but I don’t know if that’s true, even if it isn’t both books give off a traditional southern vibe that I love!
They are both told from the first person, with Magnolia being from Jemma’s POV; while The Lake Series is told from Layla’s POV.
Both stories rely heavily on the fact the protagonists feel forced into a destiny they did not choose. In the case of Magnolia they attempt to rebel before realising they don’t really want to, however they refuse to give their parents that satisfaction but eventually cave into the destiny. The Lake is different that Will is determined to get out from under his fathers thumb and be his own better man and refuses to let anything pull him closer to his father’s idea of what Will’s life will be like. Layla also struggles with feeling like she is the reason for her families death after being told that for years and that she doesn’t deserve happiness, hence that her destiny is not to live her life to the fullest. Will and Layla bring out the fighters in both of them and make them better people.
Both books had me laughing at certain moments, they often lifted the serious moments with light and tasteful humour, and I thought it was very well done.

Their Goodreads Descriptions:

M- In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, the Cafferty and Marsden families are southern royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when a baby boy and girl were born to the families at the same time, the perfect opportunity seemed to have finally arrived. Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: They hate each other! Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn’t exist. But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over. 

TL-At 17, Layla Weston is already starting over. Having lost both her parents and grandparents, and with nowhere else to go, Layla is moving from Florida to a small town in North Carolina to live with the only family she has left: her estranged uncle and aunt.The last five years of Layla’s life were spent appeasing her lessthan-loving grandmother, followed by being her grandfather’s caretaker. Growing old before her time, Layla lost her identity. Now she must learn how to allow herself to be the one cared for and loved.Life takes an unexpected turn when Layla meets Will Meyer. His breathtaking good looks are enough to catch her eye, but his sincerity and passion are everything she needs to find the strength and confidence she lost — and lead her into love.When tragedy once again strikes Layla’s life, her hope is all but completely crushed. Through it all, Layla learns what it means to truly love and be loved.

My Goodreads Reviews:

M- It was a cute and quick read but nothing to write home about. The characters seemed well developed and the premise was sweet. I loved the hints to Romeo and Juliet. It lacked in substance i felt occasionally, especially as the blurb basically tells you the entire plot. 3 Out of 5 Stars.

TL- I actually didn’t write one, considering I read this in August 2016, well before I even considered blogging…and before I even knew what Goodreads was. But I can tell you that I remember adoring it! 5 Out of 5 Stars for the Entire Series including the very short novella which concludes the series.

If I picked one of these to read first this series is a no-brain winner in my book! It was so well written and the romance was so uplifting. It was the perfect balance between hard-hitting and serious, and joyous and romantic!! I hope you enjoyed this. See you tomorrow ❤