Dolly Parton once said, “The magic is inside you. There ain’t no crystal ball.” In Beginnings by Terri DePue, the characters learn that building a meaningful life comes not from knowing what lies ahead, but from choosing courage, honesty, and connection in the present. In this second installment, Annie remains an important presence, but the story pays more attention to Tom, her love interest from the first book. As they continue to build their life together, their focus shifts toward family relationships, personal history, and the conversations about what lies ahead for them. Tom is forced to confront long-held expectations while trying to balance his life as a father, partner, and community member. Some of the other characters from the first book also make appearances that reinforce the town’s close-knit feel. Will events and decisions from Tom’s past shape the future he’s working so carefully to build?

I really enjoyed the first installment of this series, and Beginnings by Terri DePue was a pleasure to read as well. It felt comforting to return to Magnolia Creek and spend more time with characters I’d already grown attached to. I also loved the cover art for the beautiful, vibrant flowers, which I think are a metaphor for how the people in the story grow as well. I liked how the story allowed Tom’s perspective to deepen while keeping Annie at the emotional center of their shared world. Just like in the first novel, the writing is warm and approachable. The dialogue is believable, and the pacing is just right. I appreciated how the relationships unfold in a way that could happen in real life. If you’re a fan of gentle romance, small-town settings, and character-driven stories, you will find this book especially enjoyable.

Beginnings by Terri Depue is a cozy, easy-to-read story set in Magnolia Creek, Virginia. It follows Annie Reed, who goes back to her late grandmother’s house, restarts the flower shop, and reconnects with people she knew growing up. Meanwhile, Tom Walsh leaves the rush of city life to live in town with his son Ryan, looking for a calmer, more meaningful life. Annie and Tom get engaged, creating a loving blended family. The story follows how they figure out their new life, form bonds with each other and those around them, and make their home feel welcoming. Tom works on repairing his relationship with his parents, Ryan adjusts to life with his new family and starts making friends, and Annie throws herself into turning old buildings into spaces where the whole community can gather and enjoy them. In the end, can Annie and her new family finally make Magnolia Creek feel like home?

Beginnings by Terri Depue is contemporary fiction that feels raw and candid, highlighting everyday life and real relationships. The writing is clear and honest, which makes it easy to follow. Annie, Tom, and Ryan all change in ways that feel very natural—they aren’t perfect, just people you might run into in everyday life. Themes like family, belonging, healing, and finding meaning occur naturally. The small-town setting makes the community feel alive, and the side characters add heart and personality. Reading it felt like sitting around with friends or family, noticing the little, everyday moments that quietly bring life together and create connections. If you enjoy women’s fiction about families, fresh starts, love, and neighborhoods where people care for each other, this is exactly the kind of story you’ll want to dive into today.

Beginnings is an uplifting and true-to-life story by Terri Depue, which follows the multiple destinies of a tight-knit community in a small town in Virginia. There’s never a dull moment in Magnolia Creek, and Annie, a local florist, is in the middle of it all. With her newfound family and on the brink of getting married to Tom, a promising architect, Annie learns with every passing moment what kind of treasure family and friends truly are. Surrounded by her strong support system of old and new family members and friends, she, Tom, and their son Ryan will soon embark on an even greater adventure, with new family members joining them, while their life situation is slowly turning their world upside down! They will all find out that starting their lives in Magnolia Creek has a whole new set of excitements.

Heartwarming, human, and fun, Beginnings will warm readers’ hearts from the very first page. Terri Depue describes life in the small town of Magnolia Creek with ease and such familiarity that the place itself soon becomes a new home for readers, pulling them inside this wonderful, and sometimes overwhelming, world of people’s destinies and intriguing life situations that everyone can relate to. The emotions that Depue skillfully describes with every character and dialogue are strong and vivid, which makes them come alive on the page and introduces a different level of experiencing the adventures of the Magnolia Creek residents. A truly satisfying read for everyone who loves women's fiction and the depiction of relatable and moving life situations with wholesome characters that quickly get under one’s skin.

Life in Magnolia Creek, Virginia, may seem idyllic at first glance, but the townspeople have their fair share of tragedies and misgivings. Tom, about to start a family with his fiancée, Annie, and his son, Ryan, tries to convince his high-flying father that a low-key, small-town life is ideal for him. Grappling with the loss of her beloved grandmother, Annie struggles to adjust to her new life, trying futilely to familiarize herself with their grumpy neighbor. Ryan befriends TJ, an enigmatic teenager who seems to have secrets. What invisible strings bind their lives together? How does the subtle magic of Magnolia Creek change their lives? Read Beginnings, the second installment of the Magnolia Creek series by Terri Depue.

Terri Depue has penned an atmospheric novel, thoroughly enchanting the reader with the small-town charm of Magnolia Creek. The feel-good vibe, slow pace, and dependable storyline instantly lifted my mood. Each character has a unique appeal that touched my heart. Some made life easier for others by selflessly sharing their kindness, while others put on a brave face despite their countless ordeals. As past secrets were revealed and broken bonds were mended, the story encourages us to heal old wounds, reinvent ourselves, and begin again with new hope. I recommend Beginnings to anyone who loves cozy, low-stakes novels. While readers can enjoy this novel as a stand-alone, reading the series in order will help them to better appreciate the wholesome nature of Magnolia Creek and its people.