Romance Book Annotation

Magnolia Parks Annotation

Author: Jessa Hastings

Title: Magnolia Parks

Genre: Romance

Publication Date: July 13, 2021

Number of Pages: 499

Geographical Setting: London, England

Time Period: Present Day

Series: Book 1 in the Magnolia Parks Universe

Plot Summary:

This book takes place in London, with frequent vacations to nearby countries. It is a dual point-of-view novel with Magnolia Parks and BJ Ballentine being the two main characters. This novel follows the ups and downs in their relationship, which is quite a rollercoaster. 

Everyone believes Parks and Ballentine belong together, yet they try their hardest to get over one another. Magnolia begins fake-dating one of the most famous bachelors in England, and BJ sleeps with every girl he lays eyes on. He also drowns himself in drugs and alcohol. 

Even though they are trying to move past their relationship, they continue to find their way back to one another. 

Their weird, confusing, up and down relationship begins affecting everyone around them. They come to a crossroad of either having to completely move on and put their relationship behind them, or they can try to make their relationship work. This may seem like an easy conclusion to the average person, but Parks and Ballentine are so in love that they there is a possibility of them destroying one another. 

Subject Headings:

• Contemporary Romance
• Love Triangle
• Found Family
• Second Chance Romance
• Fake Dating

Appeal:

• Characterization
• Magnolia Parks is a young woman who is going through her first heartbreak, which is relatable to a lot of young women. Parks deals with her father's cheating scandal, which is also relatable for women and men. BJ Ballentine struggles with substance abuse when he is faced with adversity. These characters have a lot going on, but the traumas they face allow readers to sympathize with them. 
• Sexuality
• This novel contains sexual content. A lot of readers enjoy this content in the books they read, therefore this is an appeal for this novel. 
• Storyline
• The storyline in this book is very up and down, constantly changing. Even though the summary may not make it seem like there is a lot that goes on in this novel, there is. There are numerous subplots in this book - hence the series - and these background plots make this novel enticing and exciting. 

3 terms that best describe this book: 

• Fake dating
• Emotional
• Romantic

Similar Authors & Works: 

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works & Authors:

A Rendezvous to Remember: A Memoir of Joy and Heartache at the Dawn of the Sixties by Terry Marshall and Ann Garretson Marshall

• This romance non-fiction novel contains a love triangle, just as Magnolia Parks does. This story takes us along the journey of her love with these two men and the decision she ends up making. 

Dyscalculia: A Love Story of Epic Miscalculation by Camonghne Felix

• This story takes place after Felix goes through a complete and total heartbreak. Camonghne Felix writes about the trauma she works through, as well as the post heartbreak mental health journey she goes on. 

A Beautiful, Terrible Thing: A Memoir of Marriage and Betrayal by Jen Waite

• In this memoir, there is talk of lying, cheating, and betrayal. In Magnolia Parks, there is a common theme of infidelity. This story goes between before and after Jen Waite stumbles upon a series of lies that her partner has been trailing behind. 

3 Relevant Fiction Works & Authors:

Too Safe by Abby Millsaps

• In this story, the main character finds herself in a love triangle, plus one. She is there for her education, but quickly gets distracted by the men surrounding her. 

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

• Similar to Magnolia Parks, Shannon Lynch wants to leave the past behind her, yet it keeps following her around. She finds safety in Johnny Kavanagh, just as Parks does with BJ Ballentine. 

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

• Similar to Magnolia Parks, this story follows along with characters who are trying to avoid love. Also, these two novels share the common theme of the poor timing that love comes along, yet the fear of missing out.