A Girl's Guide to Having it All: Read an Excerpt + Enter to Win

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Girl's Guide to Having it All by Leslie Kirby DeVooght, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Girl's Guide to Having it All 
Series: Magnolia Bluff #3 
Author: Leslie Kirby DeVooght 
Publisher: Lanier Price Publishing 
Release Date: April 30, 2026 
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction with Romance

She mastered her career. Finding a husband? Not so much. 

High-powered political lobbyist Carleigh Chastain turns thirty-five with an impressive résumé, a packed calendar, and no love life to speak of. When her longtime friend—and former marriage-pact partner—Lawson announces he’s marrying a woman he barely knows, Carleigh does what any sensible best friend would do: she drops everything in DC and jets to Magnolia Bluff, Georgia, determined to save him from a costly mistake. 

Instead, her plans unravel, forcing Carleigh to confront the choices she’s made—and the ones she’s avoided. 

Meanwhile, Spencer MacDowell, her steady, loyal best friend since law school, is done waiting in the friend zone. 

As faith, friendship, and romance collide, Carleigh wonders if she’s been too busy chasing success to notice where God—and her heart—have been pointing all along. Funny, heartfelt, and romantic, this story asks what “having it all” really means.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

More in This Series

 

Book Excerpt

“It’s my birthday! My thirty-fifth birthday!” I waved my phone, adrenaline pumping through my veins like it was preparing my body for battle.

With his brows tugging together, Spencer retreated a few steps. “I know. Generally that’s why people light candles and put them in cupcakes.” He said the words haltingly, as if he was speaking a different language and I needed time to interpret each word.

Normally, his patronizing pace would’ve frustrated me, but in this moment, time needed to slow down and not just in the metaphorical sense. Actually, time needed to stop and reverse. If anyone still had a clock with hands, I’d have grabbed them and slung them in a counterclockwise direction. Instead, I zeroed in on the candles’ taunting flames and puffed them out.

“I’m surprised you’re this upset about being a year older. You seemed fine earlier.” Spencer reached out slowly and clasped my arm. “Let’s sit down.” He guided me to the couch and placed the offending cupcake with its accursed candles on the coffee table. “I know thirty-five is sort of a milestone birthday, but what about it—”

“It’s not the age thing.” I collapsed against the couch, covering my face with my hands.

“Ohh-kaay,” he drew out the syllables, adding an extra one to the end.

“Sorry, you don’t understand.”

“I’m really trying to.”

“I have to marry my best friend.” 

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About the Author

Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling author Leslie Kirby DeVooght writes women’s fiction with faith, love, laughter, and a lot of Southern charm. Her stories are inspired by romcoms, coastal Georgia, and fried okra! When Leslie isn’t writing, she’s cheering on her three children, and enjoying date nights with her husband, who loves that she researches kissing.

In addition to writing her own stories, Leslie co-owns Spark Flash Fiction, an online magazine that publishes short, short romance collections four times a year. 

 

Connect with Leslie by visiting lesliedevooght.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a bookish tote bag with all three books from the Magnolia Bluff series (A Girl's Guide to Having it All, How to Sparkle, and Stealing Magnolias)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 6, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 13, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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