The Magnolia Story

Written by Chip Gaines, Joanna Gaines and Mark Dagostino

Narrated by Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines

An exclusive look at America's first family of renovation! Taking you behind the scenes, Chip and Joanna Gaines share the story of how they met, the ups and downs of being an entrepreneurial couple, and how they built a life they love.

The Magnolia Story is the first book from dynamic husband-and-wife team Chip and Joanna Gaines, stars of HGTV’s Fixer Upper. Offering their fans a detailed look at their life together, they share everything 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.

While they both attended Baylor University in Waco, their paths didn’t 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 garnered the attention of a television producer who noticed her work on a blog one day, leading to the incredible Fixer Upper phenomenon.

In The Magnolia Story, fans will finally get to join the Gaines family 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
• 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.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Oct 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9780718090111

Chip Gaines

Chip Gaines is the co-owner and cofounder of Magnolia and a New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Story and Capital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff. He is constantly reinventing the wheel on what we can achieve together and is always eager to give back to individuals and communities. Born in Albuquerque and raised in Dallas, Chip later graduated from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business with a marketing degree. An entrepreneur by nature, Chip has started a number of small businesses and has remodeled hundreds of homes in the Waco area. But more than any good adventure or hard-working demo day, Chip loves an early morning on the farm and a slow day spent with Jo and their five kids.

Reviews for The Magnolia Story

[Deanna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love hearing their story! And how fun that you can hear this audio in their own voices!!! It's a good read!

[Tarun Jeram · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After having watched the HGTV series Fixer Upper, I found this very inspirational. Thank you for sharing your story.

[Vicki Tucker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thought I knew Chip and Jojo pretty well, but this wonderful book gave a terrific view into their business and life. It was also their testimony, shared in a thoughtful and real way. A+

[Amy C. Badger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a great peek into the back story of this couple and what they went through to get where they are today. A beautiful faith promoting story.

[Shannon Kay McCoy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very much a God story! One word to describe Chip and Joanna is Faithful!

[gifford · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I can connect with their challenges as a Husband, farther and dreamer. The books is so real, I can almost substitute myself with Chip and Joanna.

[Dorrie Best · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this real and candid memoir of Chip and Joanna! Many good life lessons to be learned in this delightful narrative of a slice of their life.

[Sabrina Baker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So beautiful to listen and read their story! I never would've known the struggles of this beautiful couple before everything aligned for them! Excellent read!

[Taylor Brewis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed listening to Joanna and Chip recount their experiences from their early years of meeting, marriage, raising children and building their brand. Having already been a fan of their HGTV series because of their authenticity and their skilled renovation and design talents, it was especially nice to hear this audio version of the book in their own voices. It felt both personal and conversational, and provided more background to how the TV series came to be. Would love to have them do another that shares more insider details behind some of their favourite “Fixer Uppers”... The trials and tribulations ... the whys and hows behind their decisions. And would also really enjoy a book that is more about their family life and new ventures since leaving the series behind.

[Christian Lopez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent audiobook! They are as authentic and relatable as they are on their show. A beautiful testimony of what God can do as we put our faith and trust in Him.

[Gwen Lee McAlester · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Totally inspiring and uplifting. We all should look into our souls and work towards the best we can be in life!

[Tony · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very engaging and entertaining, just like they are on TV! Listening to them tell their own story is so interesting. Hearing their perspectives on things is enlightening and thought provoking. I couldn't help but feel uplifted and inspired as they share some deeply personal experiences and struggles, and it's impressive how they just continue to persevere with positive energy and optimism. Some really great life lessons we can all learn from and use. I really liked listening to this book.

[Tiffany · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love a good backstory and this is an amazing one. The same love able, humble personality and transparency from their show.

[Elizabeth Rundle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed hearing more about the personalities of joana and chip. They sound genuinely nice people.

[Gandi Rohmat · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

easy to digest yet inspiring story, so moved and in
loved

[Vicki Daugherty · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love finding out what makes people tick- how they figured things out to be successful and what they represent to others. This did not disappoint.

[Trent Teesdale · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was genuine and real and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Leeanna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great book; inspirational and motivational, just like Chip and Joanna, and just like their show.

I love Fixer Upper, and I love Joanna and Chip. (Hello, from Australia!)

[Chris Laverdiere · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed hearing there back story. Hard work and perseverance pays off.

[Dawn Coffey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely love it! Great getting to know about the intricacies of their life, struggles and successes!

[Maricela · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So genuine, so heartfelt, such a pleasure to listen

[Brit Kolo Dorman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

THE BEST book I’ve listened to this year, by far.

[mike · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Role models and it’s a blessing that they exist

[MaryAnn Mease · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Chip & Jo are such a fresh breath of air in a fast paced world. Real, funny and family & marriage priority pointing at God. Thanks Magnolia ❤️

[Nicolle Torres · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Its so easy to relate to them and their story. I'm 25 yust out of college and I'm making so many important decision and reading this book in this precise moment of my life it was ment to be!! I'm a huge fan of the show and now I'm a fan of their relationship!! 100% recomended!!!!

[Kali Gyau · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Authentic. Loved every bit of this book. Highly recommend reading it.

[meliagirl777 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love how real their story is and how God has blessed them so much! the life lessons in this book are gold!

[mjmaloneyjr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book! I am not sure if this book was ever intended to be a couple's book but every couple should read it!

[nicholas boelke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic people. They are truly inspirational. What a great story!

[Christina Hartman Criona · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was so “down home”! I loved their mix of God, family and business in that order. To emulate Jo and Chip is to emulate a happy life!