If you’ve seen the name Magnolia all over your For You page on BookTok, you might be intrigued by this series and its hype.
A so-called “toxic love story” without much spice, the Magnolia Parks series is the tale of a mutually destructive love that is as damaging to the characters as it is addictive to read about. Yet, glimpses of growth and healing continue to prompt the readers into hoping for a happy ending.
Jessa Hastings carefully crafted a gripping tale of delicious scandals and intriguing developments you can’t look away from—read more to find out everything about London’s most sordid elite.
- What is the Magnolia Parks Series About?
- The Magnolia Parks Series’ Original Covers Controversy
- The Magnolia Parks Series in Order
- Is the Magnolia Parks Series Complete?
- Who is the Magnolia Parks Series For?
What is the Magnolia Parks Series About?
The Magnolia Parks series is a contemporary romance, new adult series that many readers appropriately describe best as a British take on Gossip Girl.
The series’ setting is London, following the steps of the wealthiest and most privileged of its elite. At the heart of it all stands the titular Magnolia Parks, the city’s IT girl and most influential socialite. But all her beauty, elegance, and style do not grant her happiness—all thanks to her tumultuous relationship with fellow elite and notorious bad boy BJ Ballentine.
As the books progress, readers get insight into the lives and dynamics of more wealthy characters surrounding Magnolia—many of whom acquired their riches through questionable means and, therefore, face the dangers associated with them.
The relationships depicted within the series are anything but healthy. Toxic romances, relentless drama, and morally grey characters are the norm, painting a glamorous yet decadent picture that readers cannot get enough of.
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The Magnolia Parks Series’ Original Covers Controversy
Magnolia Parks began as a self-published book series, released in 2021. The original covers were designed by Emmy Lawless and featured a unique concept unheard of in novels within the contemporary romance genre.
In this first edition, the covers are collage-like illustrations featuring various items, locations, and Easter eggs that directly reference events within the book. This gives the books a somewhat enigmatic look, but fans of the series loved decoding the covers and exploring the significance of each item.
However, when Dutton Books picked up the series, the editorial felt the covers did not convey the books’ genre and romantic nature. Thus, the covers were redesigned to feature leg and shoe photos from a shoot directed by Jessa Hastings.
The reception for the new covers was mixed, to say the least. While the new cover designs convey the contemporary romance genre more efficiently, many original fans felt they lacked the originality and whimsy of the debut covers.
As such, you will find the Magnolia Parks series books in two collections, distinguished by their covers: The Original Collection and The Shoe Collection.
The Magnolia Parks Series in Order
The Magnolia Parks series has a strict reading order—skipping around could mean missing out on events from previous books.
Even if the Magnolia Parks and Daisy Haites stories follow different protagonists, they play a significant role in each other’s lives, and thus, what happens in every book is reflected in the next one.
Here are the books in order—but beware, the summary for each book could have minor spoilers for the endings of the previous ones.
Book # 1: Magnolia Parks (Original Version – Shoe Version)
Magnolia Parks is the diamond in the crown of London’s high society—she is wealthy, beautiful, and stylish. But the socialite is also somewhat neurotic and, most importantly, has a big problem.
That problem is BJ Ballentine, the man she has known for years and who she has always been meant to be with—the same man who cheated on her and broke her heart. Yet, nonetheless, they continue to orbit around each other, unable to be together but reluctant to let go.
However, their dysfunctional dynamic cannot last forever, and sleeping with others to avoid one another is not a solution. When the consequences of their actions begin to catch up, Magnolia and BJ must stop destroying everything on their path toward one another and ask themselves—how many loves do you really get in a lifetime?
Book # 2: Daisy Haites (Original Version – Shoe Version)
Daisy Haites has always known her life is far from ordinary, and much of it is the fault of her older brother, Julian. After all, she is the younger sister of a powerful gang lord who raised her himself after their parents were brutally murdered.
But the newest concern in Daisy Haites’ life comes from Christian Hemmes, a handsome yet emotionally unavailable man from a crime family with whom she has begun to fall in love. However, Christian does not seem to requite her feelings—after all, he is too busy being in love with his best friend’s girlfriend, Magnolia.
But as Daisy and Christian’s feelings begin to blossom unexpectedly, drama comes around—and it might be bloody.
Daisy Haites takes place at the same time as Magnolia Parks.
Book # 3: Magnolia Parks: The Long Way Home (Original Version – Shoe Version)
Beginning anew after the events with BJ has not been easy for Magnolia. However,
New York has brought her new life—and the sea separating her from BJ could be the final nail in the coffin of their relationship that, they feel, should be done for good by now.
However, emotions arose anew when both of them unexpectedly reunited in London. But even though Magnolia spends time with someone else, she knows she must face BJ once again—after all, how many loves do you get in a lifetime?
… And what if they are each other’s?
Book # 4: Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing (Original Version – Shoe Version)
Daisy Haites finally thought herself free—away from crime, danger, her family, and Christian.
However, danger is always lurking behind her shoulder, and when it finally catches up, she’s forced to return to the past she thought she left behind. Now, back to the protection of Julian and Christian’s watchful yet desperate gazes, she must face the feelings she thought she had left behind.
But her unresolved feelings for Christian may be the least dangerous thing to face—Magnolia Parks is back, and this time, her romantic entanglement could spell doom for everyone.
Once again, the events of Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing happen simultaneously with those of Magnolia Parks: The Long Way Home.
Book # 5: Magnolia Parks: Into The Dark (Original Version – Shoe Version)
After the events of the previous books and a life-shattering loss, Magnolia and BJ continue trying to balance grief with joy. Can the city celebrate the so-called “wedding of the century” while the pain is still raw?
Traveling through their past and future, Into the Dark wraps up Magnolia and BJ’s storyline as they navigate through the storm that has been their tumultuous relationship thus far.
But the clouds are dark, and it’s easy to fall into the abyss.
Is the Magnolia Parks Series Complete?
According to Jessa Hastings, yes and no.
The five published books wrapped up the journey of the titular Magnolia Parks. As such, that particular plotline within the books’ universe is complete.
However, Hasting has always expressed her desire to publish seven books within the Magnolia Parks universe, with the unpublished two novels starring Daisy Haites and wrapping up the storylines of the rest of London’s most scandalous elite.
Who is the Magnolia Parks Series For?
If you enjoy Gossip Girl, Euphoria, celebrity drama, and a look at the messy yet sophisticated lives of the 1%, this book series is for you.
The characters are grey and morally ambiguous, making bad choices and constantly testing the boundaries of what could make a healthy relationship. Nonetheless, fans of the Magnolia Parks series praise the three-dimensionality of the characters and the gripping drama that follows them.
For more stories that explore the lives of the rich and the famous, consider Danielle Steel’s novels. If you’d like romance stories that explore dark and toxic concepts, consider our list of best dark romances.
