With her devastating marriage behind her, Raylene Hammond is truly thankful for her best friends, the Sweet Magnolias. They’ve taken her in, shielding her from the world. Then she meets sheriff’s deputy Carter Rollins, and suddenly Raylene’s haven no longer feels quite so safe. Carter understands why Raylene is trapped inside. He’s even taken to bringing the outside world to her. But with two kid sisters to raise, just how much time can he devote to this woman who’s stolen his heart? Raylene knows Carter is a man worth loving, but she may never be strong enough to accept what he’s offering. How long can she ask him to wait? Maybe they’ll never have more than this one sweet summer.
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"I really loved this one. I think it had a good mix of previous characters, and new characters. I loved the Walter and Rory Sue storyline as well. Definitely interesting. As for the main characters, I really liked Carter. He was such a good guy that it was hard to find any faults in him. When he was trying to take care of his sisters and also relate to Raylene was so sweet to watch. Raylene was also a very interesting character. Despite her background, she ended up becoming a very strong character and it was nice to watch her progress through this book. The one thing that irked me was the storyline with Carrie. I mean... can I just say it. Been there done that? Total repetition of the Annie plot, and I just don't really get the purpose of it. Besides that, I enjoyed the book."
— Jess (4 out of 5 stars)
" Raylene deals with her issues. Good read. "
— Kitty, 2/11/2014" Raylene deals with her issues. Good read. "
— Kitty, 2/11/2014" This was the 7th book (final) in the Sweet Magnolia Series. The first three books in this series were really good. The 4th, 5th and 6th books were not as good. They were a little to predictable and boring. This last book redeemed itself. Although it follows the same pattern as the other books in the series the story in this book was much more interesting. "
— Jasmin, 2/2/2014" I really liked how this book got to me. even i waned to help the main character. I couldn't put it down. "
— Mel, 2/2/2014" This was the 7th book (final) in the Sweet Magnolia Series. The first three books in this series were really good. The 4th, 5th and 6th books were not as good. They were a little to predictable and boring. This last book redeemed itself. Although it follows the same pattern as the other books in the series the story in this book was much more interesting. "
— Jasmin, 2/2/2014" I really liked how this book got to me. even i waned to help the main character. I couldn't put it down. "
— Mel, 2/2/2014" I really loved this one. I think it had a good mix of previous characters, and new characters. I loved the Walter and Rory Sue storyline as well. Definitely interesting. As for the main characters, I really liked Carter. He was such a good guy that it was hard to find any faults in him. When he was trying to take care of his sisters and also relate to Raylene was so sweet to watch. Raylene was also a very interesting character. Despite her background, she ended up becoming a very strong character and it was nice to watch her progress through this book. The one thing that irked me was the storyline with Carrie. I mean... can I just say it. Been there done that? Total repetition of the Annie plot, and I just don't really get the purpose of it. Besides that, I enjoyed the book. "
— Jess, 1/28/2014" MUST get the rest of the series! Thanks Sandy! ;) "
— Laura, 1/20/2014" MUST get the rest of the series! Thanks Sandy! ;) "
— Laura, 1/20/2014" Again, a continuation of previous story but highlighting a different character. "
— Carol, 12/30/2013" Again, a continuation of previous story but highlighting a different character. "
— Carol, 12/30/2013" I loved this book and can't wait to read the others in this series. Not only was it entertaining, but it was very educational and inspirational. I really like the way Sherryl adds the romance with real life situations and issues. Excellent book. "
— Becky, 12/18/2013" I loved this book and can't wait to read the others in this series. Not only was it entertaining, but it was very educational and inspirational. I really like the way Sherryl adds the romance with real life situations and issues. Excellent book. "
— Becky, 12/18/2013" A sweet summer read with likable characters, interesting issues and happy ending. "
— Mary, 12/13/2013" Since it only took me a day to read this you know it was good. I liked the message the author gave in this story that anyone can overcome their fears, with love and support of friends and family. "
— Cindy, 12/13/2013" Since it only took me a day to read this you know it was good. I liked the message the author gave in this story that anyone can overcome their fears, with love and support of friends and family. "
— Cindy, 12/13/2013" A sweet summer read with likable characters, interesting issues and happy ending. "
— Mary, 12/13/2013" This was the best book out of the last 3. I enjoyed seeing Raylene conquer her fears and must admit that Walter and Rory Sue have been my favorite characters even if they were minor characters they made me laugh. "
— Chiara, 12/10/2013" This was the best book out of the last 3. I enjoyed seeing Raylene conquer her fears and must admit that Walter and Rory Sue have been my favorite characters even if they were minor characters they made me laugh. "
— Chiara, 12/10/2013" I am really sad to see this series end. :( "
— Holly, 11/11/2013" I am really sad to see this series end. :( "
— Holly, 11/11/2013" can't get enought of this series "
— Kelly, 11/9/2013" can't get enought of this series "
— Kelly, 11/9/2013" Loved this as I did love all the others. Loved the mix of main characters and characters from the other books. Carter the main male character was so sweet, patient and so trying to do the right thing, especially for his sisters. Sad to see series end! "
— Ellen, 10/6/2013" Loved this as I did love all the others. Loved the mix of main characters and characters from the other books. Carter the main male character was so sweet, patient and so trying to do the right thing, especially for his sisters. Sad to see series end! "
— Ellen, 10/6/2013" thanks to good reads I got an copy of this book. I really enjoyed it. Not only did I enjoy Raylene and Carter's story but enjoyed how she had a couple of additional story lines to follow "
— Laura, 7/20/2013" This final volume of the Sweet Magnolias was much more interesting than the last two. Raylene, a minor character in the last two books is an abused wife who suffers from agoraphobia. Her struggle to overcome this condition with the help of a "too good to be true" man makes for inspiring reading. "
— Lynda, 7/20/2013" thanks to good reads I got an copy of this book. I really enjoyed it. Not only did I enjoy Raylene and Carter's story but enjoyed how she had a couple of additional story lines to follow "
— Laura, 7/20/2013" This final volume of the Sweet Magnolias was much more interesting than the last two. Raylene, a minor character in the last two books is an abused wife who suffers from agoraphobia. Her struggle to overcome this condition with the help of a "too good to be true" man makes for inspiring reading. "
— Lynda, 7/20/2013" Really good book. Just disappointed I didnt know this was a series before I started reading it. It was still easy to follow and will certainly go back to read the rest! "
— Sandyc, 6/5/2013" Really good book. Just disappointed I didnt know this was a series before I started reading it. It was still easy to follow and will certainly go back to read the rest! "
— Sandyc, 6/5/2013" This is one in a series of books which I didn't realize when I started it. It held it's on but I would have still liked to have read the other books first. "
— Jane, 1/30/2013" This is one in a series of books which I didn't realize when I started it. It held it's on but I would have still liked to have read the other books first. "
— Jane, 1/30/2013" Enjoyed the book for the most part, but Carrie got on my nerves. and there's a lot of fluffy language. But, that shouldn't stop you from reading the book. It's sweet, and Carter is so genuine and patient, I smiled everytime he was with Raylene. "
— Sarah, 8/2/2012" Enjoyed the book for the most part, but Carrie got on my nerves. and there's a lot of fluffy language. But, that shouldn't stop you from reading the book. It's sweet, and Carter is so genuine and patient, I smiled everytime he was with Raylene. "
— Sarah, 8/2/2012" Enjoyed this one. Spousal abuse is the jist of the story. All ends well, and the characters were interesting. "
— Linda, 7/17/2012" Enjoyed this one. Spousal abuse is the jist of the story. All ends well, and the characters were interesting. "
— Linda, 7/17/2012" I have loved this whole series and I'm sad it's coming to an end. "
— Jennifer, 12/26/2011" I have loved this whole series and I'm sad it's coming to an end. "
— Jennifer, 12/26/2011" Love this series - easy reading. "
— Allison, 10/28/2011" Love this series - easy reading. "
— Allison, 10/28/2011" "You will want to read all Sherryl Woods collection of masterpieces - her old works and new will leave you wanting more! " "
— Judy, 10/27/2011" "You will want to read all Sherryl Woods collection of masterpieces - her old works and new will leave you wanting more! " "
— Judy, 10/27/2011" Loved the 7th book in the sweet magnolia series, author listed this as the final book, though hope she reconsiders. "
— Karan, 8/22/2011" Loved the 7th book in the sweet magnolia series, author listed this as the final book, though hope she reconsiders. "
— Karan, 8/22/2011" I sped through this romance. I was intrigued by the heroine's battle with agoraphobia though her resistance to the main romance plot line got a bit old. Still happy endings are my favorite! "
— Emily, 4/20/2011" I sped through this romance. I was intrigued by the heroine's battle with agoraphobia though her resistance to the main romance plot line got a bit old. Still happy endings are my favorite! "
— Emily, 4/20/2011" Again, a continuation of previous story but highlighting a different character. "
— Carol, 2/16/2011" Again, a continuation of previous story but highlighting a different character. "
— Carol, 2/16/2011" Love those Sweet Magnolias this storyline was good. Agoraphobia is very debilitating but can be overcome. I liked the author's treatment of the subject with her romantic characters. Looking forward to the next book in this series. "
— Patricia, 1/30/2011" Love those Sweet Magnolias this storyline was good. Agoraphobia is very debilitating but can be overcome. I liked the author's treatment of the subject with her romantic characters. Looking forward to the next book in this series. "
— Patricia, 1/30/2011" This author makes you feel that you are right in the city where the story takes place. "
— Randi, 12/31/2010" This author makes you feel that you are right in the city where the story takes place. "
— Randi, 12/31/2010" can't get enought of this series "
— Kelly, 11/19/2010" can't get enought of this series "
— Kelly, 11/19/2010" thanks to good reads I got an copy of this book. I really enjoyed it. Not only did I enjoy Raylene and Carter's story but enjoyed how she had a couple of additional story lines to follow "
— Laura, 10/5/2010" thanks to good reads I got an copy of this book. I really enjoyed it. Not only did I enjoy Raylene and Carter's story but enjoyed how she had a couple of additional story lines to follow "
— Laura, 10/5/2010" Loved the 7th book in the sweet magnolia series, author listed this as the final book, though hope she reconsiders. "
— Karan, 8/27/2010" Loved the 7th book in the sweet magnolia series, author listed this as the final book, though hope she reconsiders. "
— Karan, 8/27/2010" Good but predictable. Nice to get updated on characters from previous books. "
— Kathleen, 8/3/2010" Good but predictable. Nice to get updated on characters from previous books. "
— Kathleen, 8/3/2010" Loved this as I did love all the others. Loved the mix of main characters and characters from the other books. Carter the main male character was so sweet, patient and so trying to do the right thing, especially for his sisters. Sad to see series end! "
— Ellen, 7/15/2010" Loved this as I did love all the others. Loved the mix of main characters and characters from the other books. Carter the main male character was so sweet, patient and so trying to do the right thing, especially for his sisters. Sad to see series end! "
— Ellen, 7/15/2010" I really liked how this book got to me. even i waned to help the main character. I couldn't put it down. "
— Mel, 7/7/2010" I really liked how this book got to me. even i waned to help the main character. I couldn't put it down. "
— Mel, 7/7/2010Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia and has lived in Ohio, Florida, and California. A graduate of Ohio State University, Woods spent more than ten years as a journalist and television critic. Since 1982 she has written more than one hundred romance and mystery novels. When she’s not writing or reading, Woods loves to garden, play tennis, and attend the theater and ballet. She also loves baseball, and claims anyone who has ever seen Kevin Costner in Bull Durham can understand why.
Stina Nielsen is an actress and audiobook narrator. Her reading of Kevin Henke’s Junonia earned her a 2011 Best Voice from AudioFile magazine. She is the winner of three AudioFile Earphones Awards.