Audiobook Review: The Magnolia Story

Read by Chip and Joanna Gaines
Length: 5 hours

Are you ready to see your fixer upper?

These famous words are now synonymous with the dynamic husband-and-wife team Chip and Joanna Gaines, stars of HGTV’s Fixer Upper. As this question fills the airwaves with anticipation, their legions of fans continue to multiply and ask a different series of questions, like—Who are these people?What’s the secret to their success? And is Chip actually that funny in real life? By renovating homes in Waco, Texas, and changing lives in such a winsome and engaging way, Chip and Joanna have become more than just the stars of Fixer Upper, they have become America’s new best friends.

The Magnolia Story is the first book from Chip and Joanna, offering their fans a detailed look at their life together. From the very first renovation project they ever tackled together, to the project that nearly cost them everything; from the childhood memories that shaped them, to the twists and turns that led them to the life they share on the farm today.
They both attended Baylor University in Waco. However, their paths did not cross until Chip checked his car into the local Firestone tire shop where Joanna worked behind the counter. Even back then Chip was a serial entrepreneur who, among other things, ran a lawn care company, sold fireworks, and flipped houses. Soon they were married and living in their first fixer upper. Four children and countless renovations later, Joanna garners the attention of a television producer who notices her work on a blog one day.

In The Magnolia Story fans will finally get to join the Gaines behind the scenes and discover:

-The time Chip ran to the grocery store and forgot to take their new, sleeping baby -Joanna’s agonizing decision to close her dream business to focus on raising their children -When Chip buys a houseboat, sight-unseen, and it turns out to be a leaky wreck -Joanna’s breakthrough moment of discovering the secret to creating a beautiful home -Harrowing stories of the financial ups and downs as an entrepreneurial couple -Memories and photos from Chip and Jo’s wedding -The significance of the word magnolia and why it permeates everything they do -The way the couple pays the popularity of Fixer Upper forward, sharing the success with others, and bolstering the city of Waco along the way

And yet there is still one lingering question for fans of the show: Is Chip really that funny? “Oh yeah,” says Joanna. “He was, and still is, my first fixer upper.”

Goodreads

My thoughts: I love this couple! I fell in love with them when I first watched Fixer Upper. They were such a genuine, loving couple! So of course I had to listened to this book. The best part was it was narrated by both Chip and Jo!

In the Magnolia Story, we get to learn how Chip and Jo met and created their successful business. We get to hear about Jo's side of the story on how she struggled at school for being different and how devoted she was to God. Chip also told his side of the story on how he struggled to make ends meet and explained the reasons behind him jumping between jobs. The best part was when they finally met and begin a life together. I have to say, I give Jo lots of credit. She had/s lots of patience!!! I don't know how I would have reacted if my hubby did the certain things Chip did. Let's just say that Jo and Chip's life was not dull at all. 

The narration between Jo and Chip was fantastic. It made the audiobook very special because it felt more intimate. They read each of their parts as if they were just remembering fun times in their lives at the dinner table versus listening to professionals trying to bring characters to life. Jo read her parts clearly and a fast pace while Chip read slower but a goofiness that we see on the show. I was highly entertained listening to these two.

Overall, I highly enjoyed this audiobook. I'm not sure if I would have experienced the same feelings that I did listening to this book if I read the physical book instead, so I recommend you listened to it instead. I give it: