Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
395th out of 1,229 books
—
6,469 voters
Return to Sullivan's Island (Lowcountry Tales #6)
by
Dorothea Benton Frank (Goodreads Author)
Dorothea Benton Frank returns to the enchanted landscape of South Carolina's Lowcountry made famous in her beloved New York Times bestseller Sullivans Island to tell the story of the next generation of Hamiltons and Hayes.Whether you were away from the Lowcountry for a week or for years, it was impossible to remember how gorgeous it was. It never...more
Return to Sullivans Island
Hardcover, 400 pages
Published
June 30th 2009
by William Morrow
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
I don't normally like to read the sequel to a novel unless I have read the first book, because sometimes feel that I've missed too much of the back story to truly enjoy the second book. When I saw that TLC Book Tours was hosting a Dorothea Benton Frank Hit the Beach tour, I enthusiastically joined in, even though I have yet to read one of her books.
Last year my husband and I visited Charleston, South Carolina, Frank's home and the setting for her Sullivan Island books. We loved our time there an...more
Last year my husband and I visited Charleston, South Carolina, Frank's home and the setting for her Sullivan Island books. We loved our time there an...more
Someone shoot me now. I started reading this as a break from the nonfiction and Young Adult I've been running through to stay on top of those markets, but I may have to go read some classics to get my 'good writing' sense back again. I know this was meant as a 'beach read' (and says just that in the quotes on the covers), but I hadn't realized it was best used to weight down the towel so it doesn't blow away.
For reasons that escape me, the narrative perspective wanders constantly and for absolu...more
For reasons that escape me, the narrative perspective wanders constantly and for absolu...more
I absolutely adored the first 4 or 5 Dorothea Benton Frank novels. Couldn't get enough of them. One of the things I really enjoyed was how characters from previous books would sort of drop in later books. It was nice to see them again and get another character's take on them. I was so disappointed when she stopped doing that.
I saw Return to Sullivan's Island and felt that I just HAD to read it, that it would be like seeing old friends again. Um, no. It wasn't. I read a little over half of it and...more
I saw Return to Sullivan's Island and felt that I just HAD to read it, that it would be like seeing old friends again. Um, no. It wasn't. I read a little over half of it and...more
Ugh. I have always been somewhat of a fan of Frank's - - - while I don't she ranks up there with Anne River Siddons or Pat Conroy, I DO have a great love for the lowcountry of South Carolina, and that's where she sets most of her novels. So up until this novel, I've always found them to be pleasant beach reads that carry me back to one of the places I love best in the world. This book, however, did nothing but turn me off. The main character, Beth, was so painfully immature that I truly doubted...more
view 1 comment
This book was definitely the worst one of Dorothea Frank's I've read. Many of the characters from the first Sullivan's Island that return in this one seem to have different personalities, in many cases less likable. Beth returns as an extremely immature 23-year-old and makes some of the most ridiculously ignorant decisions I can imagine. For someone who seemed so dead-set against marriage at the beginning of the book, she sure fell head-over-heels for a clearly insensitive & highly suspiciou...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Aug 10, 2012
Michael P.
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone who loves a good summer read.
Recommended to Michael by:
No one
I loved this book! It is a great summer/beach read! It is full of color about the lowcountry in South Carolina, and describes the pathos that Beth Hayes, a young college grad, who housesits while her mother goes to Paris. While mom is gone, Beth falls madly in love with a man named Max, along with other alias's, who is involved in a Ponzi scheme, and steals Beth's investment monies, along with that of her friend, Woody. Further, Beth went against her mother's wishes, by withdrawing much more mon...more
This is definitely NOT one of Frank's best books. I have all her previous novels and have to say I was totally disappointed with this. It is basically about recent college grad, Beth Hayes who gives up grad school for a year to housesit the family home on Sullivan's Island while her mom has an opportunity of a lifetime to spend a year in Paris teaching. I must say, for a young woman, Beth is very immature. She does not want to go to the island and makes that well known, but after settling in a b...more
To say the least this book was a disappointment compared to the previous Sullivan's Island. Dorothy Benton Frank stretched herself to even get a story out of this book. On the positive side the same characters that we loved in the previous book were present minus Livve. What I missed most was the character development. I never really got into Beth's character, she was not believeable and as many critics describe she was immature and childish. I agree with that but we were all childish at that ag...more
Wow. This was pretty bad. The main character is an idiot. The supporting characters (and there are too many, esp since NONE of them have a storyline) are one-dimensional and hard to keep straight.
The worst part for me, though, was that this author probably writes for and appeals to women over 50 (which is fine), but this book is about a 23 yr old - and NONE of the dialogue was fit for a 23 yr old. The CONSTANT admonishments about not swearing and being lady-like and all that "Southern" crap were...more
The worst part for me, though, was that this author probably writes for and appeals to women over 50 (which is fine), but this book is about a 23 yr old - and NONE of the dialogue was fit for a 23 yr old. The CONSTANT admonishments about not swearing and being lady-like and all that "Southern" crap were...more
3 likes · like · see review
Spoiler Alert (sort of)...
Had a hard time keeping up with all the relatives in this read - considering I read the original Sullivans Island several years ago. I didn't really warm up to Beth - she was a bit too angsty and whiny for my taste (actually I felt like slapping her upside of her head to snap her out of her delusions). The storyline was moving along - albeit a bit obviously - until around page 254 when the wheels came off. I was ready for closure on the original story line - perhaps a p...more
Had a hard time keeping up with all the relatives in this read - considering I read the original Sullivans Island several years ago. I didn't really warm up to Beth - she was a bit too angsty and whiny for my taste (actually I felt like slapping her upside of her head to snap her out of her delusions). The storyline was moving along - albeit a bit obviously - until around page 254 when the wheels came off. I was ready for closure on the original story line - perhaps a p...more
If you enjoyed Sullivan's Island, skip Return to Sullivan's Island; it's a disappointment. Where the Sullivan's Island characters are vibrant; Return's characters are lack luster and do not ring true; especially Beth. Rather than being written as a strong, educated, twenty something college grad who could have added to and carried the storyline, she's given the behaviors and mind set of a whiney, spoiled, head in the sand, thirteen year old. Beth's character is unbelieveable. Woody is unbelievea...more
I bought this in an airport, thinking it would get me through my flight delay...but all I can say is that I'd like my $8 back.
The main character wasn't interesting or even all that likeable, and the language and dialogue was really dated for the age of the characters using it. I don't think I've ever heard a twenty-something say "flibbertegibbet" or "gee whiz", even if she is trying to "speak like a lady". The parts of the book that described her romance were just ridiculous..."He had raised he...more
The main character wasn't interesting or even all that likeable, and the language and dialogue was really dated for the age of the characters using it. I don't think I've ever heard a twenty-something say "flibbertegibbet" or "gee whiz", even if she is trying to "speak like a lady". The parts of the book that described her romance were just ridiculous..."He had raised he...more
As Lisa wanted to do with another book, I would like to give this one a 3.5. It's slightly better than a 3, but not a 4!
I needed a good beach book to read after Mountains Beyond Mountains and since I've read all of DBF's books, I knew this one would be a quick & light read. I don't remember all of her books that well, but this is my least favorite.
It could be a generational gap. The story is primarily about a 23 year old recent college graduate who "has to house sit her family's Sullivans Is...more
I needed a good beach book to read after Mountains Beyond Mountains and since I've read all of DBF's books, I knew this one would be a quick & light read. I don't remember all of her books that well, but this is my least favorite.
It could be a generational gap. The story is primarily about a 23 year old recent college graduate who "has to house sit her family's Sullivans Is...more
Beth Hayes has just returned to Sullivans Island to her family's island home, which is complete with haints, and the most beautiful views....she is asked to come home by her Mom and Aunt to house sit for a year while they go to Paris.
During that time she meets a very charismatic older man who she falls head over heels in love with, also finds herself being hit up without even realizing it, to help him fund his business operation on the island. The house definately doesn't like him and lets her k...more
During that time she meets a very charismatic older man who she falls head over heels in love with, also finds herself being hit up without even realizing it, to help him fund his business operation on the island. The house definately doesn't like him and lets her k...more
Have you ever seen an outline for a story and seen much potential in it only to read the final draft and find that the author never fleshed it out.That is how I feel about this book. None of the characters are fully realized The story doesn't flow Thw ideas are all there but either the effort or the time wasn't put in to have it reach it's potential. I have read, enjoyed and recommended DBF's earlier works ie Sullivan's Island,Plantation,or Shem Creek but I have been disappointed in her last 3 o...more
Beth recently graduated from college. She returns to Sullivan island to house sit while her Mother is away. The story begins with a farewell family event for her Mother. Her Mother, Susan is going to Paris for a year.
Beth copes with the haunts and creaks of the house. There is fraud, deception and tragedy. Family becomes the most important of all.
The story ends with a farewell to an aunt that dies and Beth finds in a freezer.
The book has very interesting rapid moving parts and other parts that...more
Beth copes with the haunts and creaks of the house. There is fraud, deception and tragedy. Family becomes the most important of all.
The story ends with a farewell to an aunt that dies and Beth finds in a freezer.
The book has very interesting rapid moving parts and other parts that...more
This was not the best book by this author I have ever read. That being said; it was a good book to read during a relaxing time at the beach or for the afternoon. I read the previous book entitled Sullivan's Island and enjoyed it. This one was very predictable. You knew the heroine was going to get herself into trouble. You knew who the "bad guy" was. You knew there would be a terrible circumstance. And you knew it would all turn out OK in the end. There were plenty of loosely entwined story line...more
This was an enjoyable book about the adventures of a 23-year old for a few months on Sullivan's Island. It took us all back to the day when we made similar mistakes and had similar ambitions. The ending itself was a little perplexing. It kind of came out of nowhere. Also, in the tradition of a lot of authors, everything wraps up pretty neatly, and there aren't a lot of consequences for mistakes. I'd like to see all not turn out so well. I also don't think the occasion that required all to return...more
While not nearly as wonderful as its prequel, Sullivan's Island, Return to Sullivan's Island was still a good read. I found the main character, Beth, to be likable but so painfully immature that I wanted to shake her. I still loved Susan and Maggie (as Emily Post-like as she is...she'll always be a favorite), I enjoyed the cameo appearances of other Lowcountry characters, and, per usual, the setting was believable, vivid, and lovely. Not her best work, in my opinion, but I still finished it in 3...more
Another book by this author was recommended but this title was the one available. The book is a good beach read with great characterizations but an ending you could guess well before the end. Beth, fresh out of college and anxious for independence, is asked to home-sit the family homestead on Sullivan's Island while other family members are unavailable. Not thrilled, she hopes to make the best of it despite some unsettling situations (real and imagined?). The author was raised on Sullivan's Isla...more
Return to Sullivan's Island was OK for a quick summr read, but not at the level of DBF's previous books. The main character has just graduated from college, and it appeared the author was compelled to include a list of "current technology trends" throughout the book. Descriptions of Beth's dog were a bit much, including the fact that the dog was considered to be a "grand dog" by Beth's mother. I also got a bit tired of the descriptions of the house being haunted. Sullivan's Island is enchanted,...more
NO Language! Story is about a college graduate who is asked to come and house sit the family home on Sullivans Island, SC for a year so her mom can go to Paris to teach. She grudingly accepts the assignment putting her scholorship to graduate school on hold. She meets and falls in love with a man who is constructing a building complex in the small downtown on the island. Things begin to go south after she gives him money. She also finds her favorite aunt dead and the twin in complet mental break...more
I'n a big fan of Ms. Frank and have read the majority of her books. this one was not as good as some of the others. Beth as a good southern girl is obliged to babysit the family home while her Mother goes to Paris for a year and an Aunt and Uncle go to California. The scenic descriptions of the low country are awesome but the characters are not as well devloped. Beth is young, just out of college and lets her imagination run wild when she meets Max, the handsome older man. Pretty quick you see h...more
I can't wait. I am ready to go back to the Low Country
I am ashamed to even add this book to my list of books read. It is quite possibly one of the most poorly written books that I have ever completed. The dialog was ridiculous, the shifts in perspective was jarring and disruptive, the storyline was a hodgepodge with a rushed ending that felt contrived. The main character was annoying at best.
I don't understand how an editor could allow this book to be published. I am so glad I didn't spend a dime on this book and checked it out from the library (w...more
3 likes · like · see review
This is a sequel to the previous book. It's not as good. The plot is rather contrived. Susan's daughter, Beth, returns to Sullivan's Island after college to take care of the family home for a year. Her mother is going to Paris for a year, and her Aunt Maggie has moved to California. Beth falls for a charming?? older man who gets her to invest in a Ponzi scheme. Being 23, she, of course, doesn't ask anyone for advice. There are several twists and turns in the story. She has matured by the end of...more
This is the continuation of the first book, 'Sullivan's Island', which I thoroughly enjoyed. The first book was about Susan Hayes and her life as a child growing up and her present life. This second installment is about Beth Hayes, Susan's daughter, who is now a college-graduate and has agreed to house sit their family's beach home called the Island Gamble.
I had a difficult time even liking Beth in the first chapter of this book and actually started another book, finished that book, and came bac...more
I had a difficult time even liking Beth in the first chapter of this book and actually started another book, finished that book, and came bac...more
This is the sequel to Sullivan's Island. It focuses on the daughter, Beth, now graduated from college and tasked with staying at the family home for a year while her mom and aunt are traveling (mom to Paris, aunt to CA). I found her character very difficult to like- self centered, self absorbed and shallow. The plot had some challenges with some disparate storylines involving her twin aunts that have a fitness business and the main story of her relationship with Max Mitchell, a developer. I foun...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
2 likes · like · see review
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Dorothea Benton Frank is the New York Times best selling author of ten novels.
Dottie has appeared on NBC's Today Show, Parker Ladd's Book Talk and many local network affiliated television stations. She is a frequent speaker on creative writing and the creative process for students of all ages and in private venues as the National Arts Club, the Junior League of New York, Friends of the Library org...more
More about Dorothea Benton Frank...
Dottie has appeared on NBC's Today Show, Parker Ladd's Book Talk and many local network affiliated television stations. She is a frequent speaker on creative writing and the creative process for students of all ages and in private venues as the National Arts Club, the Junior League of New York, Friends of the Library org...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
