I have a feeling this is going to be a rough week for me, just as last week was and I'll talk about that tomorrow, but I'm going to start this week with a book review. And not just any book review, a review from an author that is the epitome of summer- Dorothea Benton Frank.
New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank returns to her magical Lowcountry of South Carolina in this bewitching story of marriage, love, family, and friendship that is infused with her warm and engaging earthy humor and generous heart.
One enchanted summer, two couples begin a friendship that will last more than twenty years and transform their lives.
A chance meeting on the Isle of Palms, one of Charleston’s most stunning barrier islands, brings former sweethearts, Adam Stanley and Eve Landers together again. Their respective spouses, Eliza and Carl, fight sparks of jealousy flaring from their imagined rekindling of old flames. As Adam and Eve get caught up on their lives, their partners strike up a deep friendship—and flirt with an unexpected attraction—of their own.
Year after year, Adam, Eliza, Eve, and Carl eagerly await their reunion at Wild Dunes, a condominium complex at the island’s tip end, where they grow closer with each passing day, building a friendship that will withstand financial catastrophe, family tragedy, and devastating heartbreak. The devotion and love they share will help them weather the vagaries of time and enrich their lives as circumstances change, their children grow up and leave home, and their twilight years approach.
Bursting with the intoxicating richness of Dorothea Benton Frank’s beloved Lowcountry—the sultry sunshine, cool ocean breezes, icy cocktails, and starry velvet skies—Same Beach, Next Year is a dazzling celebration of the infrangible power of friendship, the enduring promise of summer, and the indelible bonds of love.
One enchanted summer, two couples begin a friendship that will last more than twenty years and transform their lives.
A chance meeting on the Isle of Palms, one of Charleston’s most stunning barrier islands, brings former sweethearts, Adam Stanley and Eve Landers together again. Their respective spouses, Eliza and Carl, fight sparks of jealousy flaring from their imagined rekindling of old flames. As Adam and Eve get caught up on their lives, their partners strike up a deep friendship—and flirt with an unexpected attraction—of their own.
Year after year, Adam, Eliza, Eve, and Carl eagerly await their reunion at Wild Dunes, a condominium complex at the island’s tip end, where they grow closer with each passing day, building a friendship that will withstand financial catastrophe, family tragedy, and devastating heartbreak. The devotion and love they share will help them weather the vagaries of time and enrich their lives as circumstances change, their children grow up and leave home, and their twilight years approach.
Bursting with the intoxicating richness of Dorothea Benton Frank’s beloved Lowcountry—the sultry sunshine, cool ocean breezes, icy cocktails, and starry velvet skies—Same Beach, Next Year is a dazzling celebration of the infrangible power of friendship, the enduring promise of summer, and the indelible bonds of love.
I feel like I say this every time I read and review one of her books but it's true- it just isn't summer until I have the newest Dorothea book in my hands. I can't lie to you and say that I have them all, but I have quite a few and I love them. I think in one of my posts from last week I mentioned that it's my dream to go to a book festival? Well it's also my dream to do an entire vacation around the Lowcountry settings of Dorothea's books. I can't help it, of all of the books I have ever read, I think the setting of these books is perhaps my absolute favorite. The way she describes the area, the homes, the people, the food, and the lemonade- it makes you want to grab a chair and head to the beach. Even if it is hotter than the bottom floor of Hell. HA! My second favorite thing about her books are always the characters. There is always at least one loon in the bunch and in this book we have Cookie, but Clarabeth is a close second. (And if you're a mom who has been stuck watching The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for hours on end, you'll appreciate her because I kept saying her name as Clarabelle and picturing that character in my head and it made her even better. You're welcome.)
Anyways.
So in this story we have two couples, Adam and Eliza, and then Eve and Carl. Way back in the day Adam and Eve had a bit of a first love fling that neither ever talked to their respective spouses about. Fast forward to present day when they run into each other, on vacation in Lowcountry. Adam invites Eve and her family over for drinks and Eliza- the good wife that she is, though annoyed, goes along with it. This begins a 20+ year friendship which, though awkwardly strained, is valued because of the longevity. They vacation each year together and Adam and Eve secretly pine for each other. Eliza deals with it because she knows Adam loves her, appreciates what he has.
Until Carl and Eliza walk in on something. Adam and Eve swear up and down it isn't what they think. Is it? Isn't it? Nobody knows and everyone needs to cool down, gain perspective. Everyone takes some distance, takes some time to look at their own relationships for what they are. Is the grass greener on the other side? Can young love be rekindled?
Overall? This book comes in at just under 400 pages and I finished it in one afternoon, that's how much I enjoyed it. One sitting, lambs. Perfect summer read. I have a hard time finding fault with books by this author because I really enjoy her writing, her stories always feel like you're sitting at the table getting the gossip from your friends and that's just what this story is. I was starting to feel like Eliza was a little harsh with Adam and I wasn't sure how the author was going to turn it around but when Adam get sick.. perfect. The ending? OK, that's the fault. Can I just say I feel like Max could do SO MUCH BETTER? So much better for a wife?! Ugh. I feel like he's going to end up just like Carl and it makes me sad for him. That's my only gripe. I'm definitely giving this book 5 stars because even with that gripe.. I loved this book. The fact that I couldn't put it down all afternoon is worth that extra star. Absolutely.
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Thanks for being a part of the tour!
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