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On Folly Beach

4.02 of 5 stars 4.02 · rating details · 3,394 ratings · 551 reviews

Folly Beach, South Carolina, has survived despite hurricanes and war. But it's the personal battles of Folly Beach's residents that have left the most scars, and why a young widow has been beckoned there to heal her own...

To most people, Folly Beach is simply the last barrier island before reaching the great Atlantic. To some, it's a sanctuary for lost souls, which is wh...more

Paperback, 416 pages

Published May 4th 2010 by NAL Trade

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Lists with This Book

A Trip to the Beach by Melinda Blanchard

An Embarrassment of Mangoes by Ann Vanderhoof

Takes you away...to the beach

11th out of 133 books — 103 voters

Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans by Joanne DeMaio

Summer Beach Reads (all stories set in beach towns)

10th out of 58 books — 24 voters

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May 03, 2010 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

From my blog...[return][return]Filled with emotion, longing, secrets and hope, On Folly Beach by Karen White is a beautiful look at two women, brought together by circumstances unknown to the other, who learn they may not be as dissimilar as they each originally believed. The story is told alternating between present day Folly Beach 2009 and 1942 Folly Beach the year that changed so many lives. Emmy, at the urging of her mother, drives to Folly Beach to consider purchasing Folly's Finds from Abi...more

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Aug 01, 2010 Pam rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was awesome. We had a storm today in PA knocking out power which forced me to finish this book. I love all the historical facts, some which I was not even aware, shared and also the way it melded the present with the past. Plus it was set at my favorite book location, the beach. This book was a page turner for me.

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Sep 25, 2012 Regina Lindsey rated it 5 of 5 stars

U-Boat submarines off the South Carolina coast, bottle trees, Hurricane Hugo, Duquesne spy ring, the war in Afghanistan, and a book store...what more could you ask for?

Once the initial shock of news of her husband's death in Afghanistan subsides, Emmy Hamilton heads to her mother's hometown of Folly Beach, South Carolina to start anew. After purchasing a bookstore in Folly, Emmy discovers in the books therein a series of secret communications between a couple that range from the loving exchang...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Sue rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book and was sorry when I came to the last page. Karen White brought the characters to life and very cleverly entwined two stories into one. One based in 1940s and the other in more recent times 2009.

The complex story was a little slow to get going but once I got to know the characters I was quickly absorbed into their respective times. We jump from the different times frequently as the story unfolds and the mystery surrounding the love notes begins to unravel. I normally get frust...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Sheila rated it 3 of 5 stars

Emmy Hamilton's husband has been killed in Afghanistan. She is surviving by working in her mother's book store. Her mother encourages Emmy to move to Folly Beach, South Carolina, the town where her mother grew up. A book store is for sale and her mother believes the purchase of it and the soothing environment of the ocean will help Emmy heal emotionally from her husband's death. Emmy is reluctant but soon becomes entranced by the town and it's inhabitants. She discovers love notes written in the...more

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Jul 14, 2012 Rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars

Being as it is summer, I thought I'd pick a fun summer novel to read. This one, while sticking with the theme, wasn't exactly "fun." Interesting, yet, but I did not find it lighthearted.

The story flips back and forth between the present (well, 2009), and 1942. The present-day character, Emmy, moves to Folly Beach after an unfortunate event in her life, and after her mother urges her to move there in order to start fresh and find herself. When Emmy arrives, she immediately (and I mean immediately...more Being as it is summer, I thought I'd pick a fun summer novel to read. This one, while sticking with the theme, wasn't exactly "fun." Interesting, yet, but I did not find it lighthearted.

The story flips back and forth between the present (well, 2009), and 1942. The present-day character, Emmy, moves to Folly Beach after an unfortunate event in her life, and after her mother urges her to move there in order to start fresh and find herself. When Emmy arrives, she immediately (and I mean immediately) begins to meet the cast of characters in Folly. There are people who just walk in and around her rental house like she's not trying to move in!

Emmy gets sucked into a mystery of sorts when she begins to find notes written in the margins of the old books that she plans to sell at her new bookstore in Folly. She discovers that the notes are between a man and a woman in love, who are trying to communicate in secret. Emmy meets the family connected to these books, and learns about the people who may have owned them.

This, in turn, switches the book's focus to the characters in the 1940s. The main character, Maggie, is likeable enough. She's a bit shy and doesn't think of herself as beautiful, even though she's attractive enough (which seems to be a common theme in many novels). Her little sister Lulu is a strange, nearly unfriendly child obsessed with mystery novels and building trees out of sticks, wire, and bottles. Maggie's cousin, Cat, is odious. She's self-centered to the extreme, but you can tell that she has some serious underlying issues.

In 2009, Lulu is still alive and kicking, and she becomes Emmy's main source of information about the family and the love notes, despite still being strange and standoffish toward most other people. Emmy is forced to deal with Lulu, since Lulu's bottle tree business is in the back of Emmy's bookstore. They do start to form a relationship built on their mutual need for one another's business, but their personal relationship never felt quite right to me.

My main reason for giving the book three stars instead of four is that once I got even a little way into the main story, the whole thing became way too clear way too fast. (This next part is under a spoiler cut, but it's a huge spoiler.) (view spoiler)

This book was definately entertaining, but if you're looking for a "beach read" book, this is not it. However, if you want to read a little bit of a mystery mixed in with modern Southern Women's Fiction, then this is it.(less)

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Nov 01, 2011 Carolyn Hill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Having vacationed on Folly Beach, this book caught my eye on the shelf of new books at the library. Then I realized I had read a mystery by this author before about a realtor inheriting an old haunted house in The House on Tradd Street, set in Charleston. Old houses, Charleston - just my kind of thing. On Folly Beach has its own mystery from the past, this time set in World War II, but the books are very different. This one has a more somber atmosphere, and switches between two timelines, one pr...more Having vacationed on Folly Beach, this book caught my eye on the shelf of new books at the library. Then I realized I had read a mystery by this author before about a realtor inheriting an old haunted house in The House on Tradd Street, set in Charleston. Old houses, Charleston - just my kind of thing. On Folly Beach has its own mystery from the past, this time set in World War II, but the books are very different. This one has a more somber atmosphere, and switches between two timelines, one present day (2009) with its own foreign wars, and one during the war years of 1942-1943, when German U-boats were off the Carolina coast. Emmy, the contemporary character, has lost her husband in Afghanistan and, at the prompting of her mother, buys a bookstore in Folly Beach and leaves her home in the midwest. In 1942 the bookstore is owned by Maggie, who is generous, nurturing, and self-sacrificing, as well as a bit naive. Maggie, her ten-year-old sister Lulu, whom she is raising since the death of their parents, and their cousin Cat, who grew up with Maggie, all live in a small house on Folly. Maggie compares herself detrimentally to the beautiful and sexy Cat, who has her pick of the servicemen stationed nearby. When she falls for the mysterious Peter, who prefers her to Cat, she can't help worrying that he'll succumb to Cat's allure, like others before him. Cat is not content unless she has all the male attention, especially if any show an interest in Maggie. Lulu, the younger sister, watches people unawares and keeps their secrets. Meanwhile in 2009, Emmy discovers notes in two distinct handwritings in the margins of a collection of old books from the forties that belonged to the bookstore. The words are obviously between lovers arranging trysts, though no time or place are given. Emmy has no idea of the sequence and tries to puzzle out who the lovers were. This mystery, combined with the narrative of Maggie's chance at love during the dangerous and difficult war years, drives the story. The present day scenario is really only interesting in how it ties in with the past. While understandable, Emmy's sadness and reluctance to move forward lest she distance herself from the memories of her husband, is a less compelling, even dragging, plot line. The theme of loss and knowing when to move on from the haunting past seemed rather heavy handed. I had a quibble with the treatment of one character's parentage, as well. I thought it unlikely that it never would have been questioned over the years despite the unusual circumstances and timing of the parents' marriage and the birth. Despite these minor flaws, Karen White writes beautifully and evocatively, and the story sucks you in like the undertow off the end of Folly Beach.(less)

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Aug 30, 2010 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

Karen White has combined her lovely, lyrical writing with a beautiful setting and two intertwined and intriguing stories to make a very satisfying read.

The two stories alternate -- one of librarian and Midwesterner Emmy, a new widow whose husband has died in Afghanistan and who, at her mother's urging, has purchased a book store at Folly Beach, South Carolina. There her story intersects with that of Lulu and her now dead sister Maggie who owned the store during WWII. The author skillfully weaves...more

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Aug 08, 2010 Lisa-Buttery_Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is my first Karen White novel and I loved every minute of it! This intriguing novel is the perfect mix of mystery and history. The mystery begins when a young widow finds notes written in the margins of books. The notes take her on a journey to the 1940s as she discovers the secrets of a South Carolina family. This book is also about book lovers, which always immediately helps me identify with the characters.

This book was a great choice for our book club party, especially for the history bu...more

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Feb 06, 2013 Paula rated it 4 of 5 stars

On Folly Beach is a wonderful novel full of full-bodied characters that drag you in from the beginning and make you love them. Set in WWII era, this is the story of Maggie, a young woman who owns the local bookstore and is raising her little sister Lulu after they have lost their parents. The girls beautiful cousin, Cat, has lost both of her parents as well and is living with the sisters on Folly Beach. Cat has recently lost her husband, Jim, in the war but of all three girls she seems to be the...more On Folly Beach is a wonderful novel full of full-bodied characters that drag you in from the beginning and make you love them. Set in WWII era, this is the story of Maggie, a young woman who owns the local bookstore and is raising her little sister Lulu after they have lost their parents. The girls beautiful cousin, Cat, has lost both of her parents as well and is living with the sisters on Folly Beach. Cat has recently lost her husband, Jim, in the war but of all three girls she seems to be the one who is grieving the least for this terrible loss. Cat wants to go dancing on the pier and drags Maggie along in her wake. As Maggie sits at their table watching Cat dance with the soldiers, she is approached by a handsome man who introduces himself as Peter. Peter is a traveling salesman for his father's company in Iowa but makes it a point to come back often to Folly. As the two begin to spend more time together they fall in love but for Maggie, her sister always comes first, as well as a deathbed promise she made to her mom to always take care of Cat. Their have been rumors of German U-boats seen off the coast and American oil tankers have been sunk, so as the war continues the residents of Folly have to start using precautions such as blackout shades on their windows.

The story alternates between the WWII era of Folly Island and present day. Emmy has just lost her husband Ben, a soldier in Afghanistan and with the pushing of her own mother has purchased the old bookstore in Folly. As she goes through the books left by the previous owner, Maggie, Emmy starts to find notes written in the margins of the books. Some written in the delicate hand of a woman and others in the masculine fashion of a man. The notes intrigue her and as Emmy gets to know 77 year old Lula and her family, she begins to dig into the notes and try to find out who wrote them and what the story is. It seems that the grouchy old Lula does not want the past dug up and is holding on to it tightly. Emmy cannot help thinking that there is a mystery to unearth and it also is helping her to not focus so much on her own grief.

This is a richly written story with amazing characters. I really loved Maggie but cannot even say that the other less likable characters did not steal my heart in one way or another. I was intrigued by the history and did not know that a German spy ring had invaded our country or that so many American ships were sunk during the war. Where was this all in history class, or was I sleeping through that part? As the mystery unfolded, I could not put the book down and was actually late getting back to work after lunch two days in a row...oops!

Several big themes in this book, but my favorite was learning to recognize "when it's been long enough" in the context of getting on your life after a tragedy or life changing event. (less)

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Aug 07, 2012 Kaye rated it 5 of 5 stars

A quaint coastal town, bottle trees, and a long buried secret - all come together beautifully in Karen White's On Folly Beach, a story that weaves the past and present together, taking readers along a historic journey using the frame of wartime America and the women who became both its heroes and its victims. Though slightly resentful of the nudge that has pushed her from the cocoon she has pulled closely around herself following the death of her husband, Emmy gradually moves from being an emoti...more

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May 12, 2010 Meg rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010, historical-fiction, contemporary-fiction, sent-for-review

Emmy Hamilton arrives in Folly Beach, South Carolina with a heavy heart. Her beloved husband, Ben, has been killed while fighting in Afghanistan; her mother, though compassionate, can barely stand for the grief of it all. Devastated at having to watch her own daughter lose someone so dear to her, Emmy’s mother encourages her to travel to the East Coast and purchase an old bookstore — Folly’s Finds — after purchasing boxes of old books on eBay.

Sifting through the novels, Emmy begins to feel a kin...more Emmy Hamilton arrives in Folly Beach, South Carolina with a heavy heart. Her beloved husband, Ben, has been killed while fighting in Afghanistan; her mother, though compassionate, can barely stand for the grief of it all. Devastated at having to watch her own daughter lose someone so dear to her, Emmy’s mother encourages her to travel to the East Coast and purchase an old bookstore — Folly’s Finds — after purchasing boxes of old books on eBay.

Sifting through the novels, Emmy begins to feel a kinship to whomever owned the books before — especially after she begins finding handwritten notes in the margins, many of them with a loving or longing quality to the words. Since her mother has such fond memories of Folly’s Finds and Emmy is almost completely adrift, lost and without purpose, the idea of getting away — to another place, another time, a world about which Ben knows nothing — becomes . . . if not appealing, then not unappealing.

Life on Folly is a different animal. Emmy rents a cottage from Abigail Reynolds’ (no relation to the author!) son, Heath, a contractor with a past of his own. As Emmy adjusts to island time, meets the locals and is introduced to Lulu, Heath’s great-aunt, a tapestry of a story begins to unfurl.

Karen White’s On Folly Beach is, in fact, two stories skillfully told at once: Emmy, living in the present day and nursing her grief like a child; and Lulu, a woman who grew up during World War II and became quite adept at keeping secrets. Intertwined with Emmy’s portions of the novel in 2009 are stories from 1942, when Lulu was a child living with Maggie, her older sister, and Cat, their wild and recently widowed cousin. At 19, Cat was beautiful, seductive — and living dangerously, much to the anger of her cousins. All orphaned, the three girls lived on Folly Beach decades before Emmy arrived — but there may be more linking them than Emmy first realizes.

Take several love stories, plenty of intrigue, a giant mystery, some supernatural qualities — then shake it all up, pour it out and take a long drink. White’s novel, set in the South, has a small-town charm with plenty of questions lurking just beneath the surface of the text — and that’s what I loved most about it. Like Tradd Street and Legare Street, Emmy possess an almost metaphysical ability to “know” things before they happen — or while they’re happening, as the case may be. The fact that White doesn’t make A Big Deal about this reminds me of Sarah Addison Allen’s novels, which I love, in that characters are just . . . sort of magical. I love the unexpected touches so much that I don’t question them.

And Maggie’s romance. I loved it. I was absolutely, totally swept up in it — which is how I felt through the majority of the novel. Caught up in an age where ordinary Americans blacked out their windows, fearing German attacks, and young women were trained to spot enemy aircraft approaching the shores. When rationing kept silk stockings and sugar off store shelves, and thousands of young men left home and never came back. A lover of history and historical fiction, it’s hard for me to imagine what life was like in 1942 — and that’s why I read books. So I can feel like, even in a tiny way, I might begin to understand.

The interplay between sisters and family reminded me of Elizabeth Berg’s Dream When You’re Feeling Blue, another novel I adored. Lovers of historical and contemporary fiction will be taken in by the secrets, mysteries and questions in this atmospheric drama. And having closed the final page, I can still hear the siren song of the Atlantic Ocean calling me.(less)

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Aug 21, 2010 Mari Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book set on the beach in the SC lowcountry. The author used the very popular style of tying two related story lines... set 60 years apart... together into one cohesive novel. The book explores how the life of Maggie O'Shea in 1943 affects the modern day life of recent war widow Emma in 2009.

As is the case in most books written this way, one story line is infinitely more interesting than the other. In this book the life of Maggie, her little sister Lulu and their cousin Cat...more

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May 25, 2011 Judy Iliff rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

Two wars, WWII and Afghanistan, 60 years apart, bring together 2 women who both experienced loss because of the wars.

Emmy Hamilton, whose husband Ben was killed in Afghanistan, moves to Folly Beach, SC, the last barrier island before the Atlantic, at her mother's urging. She buys a book store, also recommended by her mother, with only one condition set by the current owner: Lulu must be allowed to continue to make and sell her bottle trees.

The current owner of Folly's Finds, the bookstore, is se...more

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Feb 21, 2011 Kristie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I just finished and I liked the book. I have some of the same questions that Kelly has. We never found out why Peter slept with Cat. Yes she found out about him being a spy but how does that equal out? I don't know about that one. But the story was so good. I looked up bottle trees, since I've never seen or heard of them before, and after looking at pages of pictures I was able to see the appeal and the beauty that everyone saw in them.

I found the parts of the book that were set in 1942 and 194...more

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Nov 26, 2010 Yolanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

I truly enjoyed this book.It is quite possibly my favorite so far of the books Karen White has written.

I am a huge fan of books set during the WWII era and this one is no exception as it deals with the threat of German Invasion during the war and the actual historical presence of U Boats off the Coast of South and North Carolina. I enjoyed reading about this era and its context in history to Folly Beach, SC.
Karen White has the unique gift of capturing and era in time and a setting so real that I...more

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Sep 02, 2011 Carolyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed how the author brought two plots together in the context of love, grief, and war. Due to the heavy subject matter the book never got as light as a beach read but I appreciated that. The plot focuses on the different ways two main characters had to deal with their men's involvement in WWII. Of course, that involved those women in the war as well.

I am glad this book gave me more information about the U-boats that were off the coast of Cape Hatteras during WWII, which I learned on a past...more

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May 07, 2010 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Karen White has a talent that shines and glitters like diamond chips, upon black velvet, in the sunlight. Her writing voice is amazing and never ceases to thrill me. For me, On Folly Beach was an intricate, intriguing and delicate blend of two stories interwoven into one. There is the story of Emmy Hamilton who has lost her beloved husband, Ben, to the war in Afghanistan. With his death, comes the end of Emmy's dreams and plans for the future. It is not until Emmy's mother gives her a push (as w...more Karen White has a talent that shines and glitters like diamond chips, upon black velvet, in the sunlight. Her writing voice is amazing and never ceases to thrill me. For me, On Folly Beach was an intricate, intriguing and delicate blend of two stories interwoven into one. There is the story of Emmy Hamilton who has lost her beloved husband, Ben, to the war in Afghanistan. With his death, comes the end of Emmy's dreams and plans for the future. It is not until Emmy's mother gives her a push (as well as the appearance of a box of books that hold mysterious and heart wrenching messages) that she ventures to buy a bookstore in Folly Beach. However, Emmy is soon to discover that with the bookstore, comes a not-so-easy-to-like elderly woman named Lulu. Enter the second story - sisters Maggie and Lulu and their story, which takes place in the early forties and during WWII. Maggie, with a heart of gold, has known heartbreak, love and patience. She is the owner of the store on Folly Beach, as well as caretaker of her little sister Lulu. With mysterious twists, turns and gripping events, the reader will fall into the lives of these women, become entranced and unable to resist continuing from page to page, until the very end.

As I mentioned, Karen White interweaves these stories and time periods together, in a seamless and perfectly timed way. Though the time periods and stories change from chapter to chapter, this is done in such a way that it is like a puzzle fitting snugly together. The past and present reflect perfectly upon one another as the story progresses. I also want to mention the slight hint of the paranormal, which Ms. White sprinkles throughout On Folly Beach, is a delightful added bonus to the story as well. Her ability to bring the South to life is breathtaking and makes reading the story of these women, all the more appealing.

Whether you are already a fan of Karen White or have yet to enter her magical world of words, On Folly Beach is an excellent read, that is sure to appeal to a vast audience. I have yet to be disappointed by one of this author's books and I am thrilled to say that this one is just as radiant as her previous works. I highly recommend On Folly Beach for anyone looking for a great story that will stick with them! I cannot wait for the next release from Karen White!

*overall rating 4.5/5(less)

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May 06, 2010 Staci rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Staci by: TLC Book tour

Shelves: 2010-reads, tlc-tour

This book has so much going for it...Southern location, bookstores, Nancy Drew, book lovers, loss loves, broken hearts, an intriguing mystery and strong family connections. There wasn't a page that I didn't enjoy reading and even though I wanted desperately to see how Emmy and Lulu's stories would end, I truly didn't want this book to run out of pages!!! I love how White took historical facts and weaved them into her story. It really made everything come alive and I could visualize each characte...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Angela rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this book, it was given to me as an anniversary present because my boyfriend knows how much I love Folly Beach. I've been visiting Folly since I was a child, and it is very special to me. This book picks up on lots of things I love about the beach and James Island, and shares some unexpected history I didn't know about World War 2 and threats to our eastern seaboard.

There are 2 stories that are woven together by the second story. Both are about love and betrayal, loss and what it...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Preethi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Hmmm....When I first picked this book, I didn't expect to like much.... But, it was certainly worthwhile!!! This book evoked a series of emotions in me... It is a book of love,loss,betrayal and acceptance, all delivered in a perfectly mysterious manner, which keeps one glued to the book till the end...

This book combines two stories, one from the past, and one of the present , and provides a seamless integration between the two.... Emmy has just lost her husband to war... Her mother sends her to...more

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Feb 03, 2011 JennEllen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-club-2010

There is just something about a book that jumps back and forth--between eras, characters, whatever--that keeps a reader turning the page. This reader, anyway. Just when I get completely pulled into Lulu and Maggie's story in 1942, I'm brought back to Emmy in 2009, only to get pulled into her story, too. Then it's time to go back to 1942 again, where I finally get to pick up where I left off in that story. The author does an excellent job of blending the two storylines, giving just enough informa...more

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Nov 11, 2010 Lyn M (readinghearts) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Lyn M (readinghearts) by: Marilyn Killilee

Shelves: 2010, borrowed, contemporary

I had never read a book by Karen White before, but if they are all like this one, I will be reading more. One of the things that I really like about my on-line book clubs is that I end up meeting people who can introduce me to wonderful new authors.

Folly Beach, South Carolina is a small island whose main population is summer tourists. In the 1940s, though, in the thick of WWII, it was a place for many soldiers to gather. This book tells two stories of Folly Beach, one current and one from the 1...more

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Oct 07, 2010 Linda Day rated it 4 of 5 stars

Hello ! Loved it !

I guess Karen White has written more than this book, but I had never read her. I certainly will again !

This is a story coming out of the early 1940's and now, 2009. The story alternates between the characters telling it ... Maggie (40's) and Emmy (2009).

It is a love story, a mystery, a war story, all handled in an entertwined, yet seperate manner. As to that I will say this : Emmy, recently widowed, buys a bookstore in South Carolina at Folly's Beach. Leaving her home (and mem...more

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May 13, 2010 Serena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Karen White’s On Folly Beach shifts between two time periods — 2009 and 1942 — and between two women’s lives — Emmy Hamilton and Lulu. Emmy lost her husband six months ago to the war in Afghanistan and loves solving mysteries with old documents and books, and Lulu is a complicated older woman with a lot of secrets and a penchant for bottle tree artistry.

“The shirt was a poor substitute for his arms, and wearing it in Ben’s absence was something her mother had told her was like swimming with a ra...more

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May 18, 2010 Wendi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Brave. That’s what people kept calling Emmy when she moved to a new town after the death of her beloved Ben. Renting a beautiful home in Folly Beach, South Carolina and purchasing a local bookshop, it’s everything Emmy can do just to make it through one day at a time. Yet, as Emmy uncovers several mysterious and achingly fervent messages left within the margins of some old books that had been boxed up by a previous owner, a spark of life is breathed into the embers of her soul.

Moving in tandem t...more

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May 09, 2010 Laurel-Rain rated it 5 of 5 stars

When Emmy Hamilton's husband dies in the war, she isolates herself in her hometown in Indiana, until one day, almost in an uncharacteristically unusual way, her mother pushes her to buy a bookstore in Folly Beach, South Carolina, where she herself grew up, and then offers her an additional incentive. A box of old books, shipped from the store Folly's Finds that contains a unique image of a beautiful bottle tree. Perusing the books leads to another discovery that seals the deal for Emmy.

She takes...more

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May 04, 2012 Brittany rated it 5 of 5 stars

On Folly Beach is a GREAT read. The book alternates back and forth between life in 1942 during World War II and 2009. In 1942 we meet Maggie, Cat, and Lulu. Maggie is a nineteen or twenty year old woman who has lost both her parents and is now the guardian of her nine year old sister Lulu. Cat, also nineteen, is Maggie and Lulu's cousin. Cat has also lost her parents so the three girls live together. Maggie's story is one full of heartbreak and loss, but her love for those around her prevails ov...more On Folly Beach is a GREAT read. The book alternates back and forth between life in 1942 during World War II and 2009. In 1942 we meet Maggie, Cat, and Lulu. Maggie is a nineteen or twenty year old woman who has lost both her parents and is now the guardian of her nine year old sister Lulu. Cat, also nineteen, is Maggie and Lulu's cousin. Cat has also lost her parents so the three girls live together. Maggie's story is one full of heartbreak and loss, but her love for those around her prevails over the losses. I found, as the reader, that I loved Maggie and just wanted her to be okay. I wanted her to be happy and I wanted all the people around her to stop hurting her and see what a beautiful soul she was. Fast forward to 2009, we meet Emmy who has just lost her husband Ben while he was fighting in Afghanistan. To try to help Emmy out of her grief, her mother strongly suggests she move to Folly Beach to start anew. Emmy is resistant to the idea until she finds love notes written in the margins of some books that came from the book store on Folly Beach. She becomes obsessed with finding out who wrote the notes and what happened to them. Emmy purchases the book store and moves to Folly Beach where she finds herself entertwined in the lives of the Reynold's family, including a now 77 year old Lulu. Lulu does not like the idea of Emmy trying to find the truth about the notes and wants to keep the past in the past. Through it all, Emmy and the rest of the characters learn that letting go of their ghosts does not mean that they are letting them down or giving up. They learn what it feels like to truly be set free. This is an awesome read that I could not put down. Every moment I was not reading, I was thinking about the characters and wishing I was there with them on Folly Beach. I love reading anything World War II related so it might seem I am biased. But even if this story took place in a different time I know I would still love it because this story line is so powerful that it will reach through the barriers of time, cling to you and not let go. I would most definitely read this book again.(less)

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Feb 17, 2011 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: the-ultimate-book-club

I found this to be an enjoyable read but it really was nothing new. It reminded me a lot of some books I've already read, such as The Postmistress and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, which also take place during World War II. On Folly Beach contains a good mystery, and I really didn't have it all figured out until the very end, which I like. But my criticisms of the book center around its characters and the fact that they were so gosh darn unlikable! Is it too much to ask to have one st...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Tiffany rated it 4 of 5 stars

In my recent quest to start reading more work by local authors from Atlanta/the South- I asked the owner of one of my favorite indie bookstores who she would recommend. Her answer- Karen White and more specifically that I should start with the novel On Folly Beach. Man am I glad that I asked!! On Folly Beach is a delightfully well-written and researched book that weaves together the lives of two women. It's narrated by Lulu, a young child who lived with her sister and cousin in Folly Beach, SC i...more

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Other Editions (6)

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Historical Fiction

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Book Club

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Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

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Mystery

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American > Southern

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Romance

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Adult

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Contemporary

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Quotes from On Folly Beach

“Mama?"

"Yes, Emmy."

She traced a rivulet of rain with her finger as it made its journey down the glass. "How do you know when it's been long enough?"

Emmy could sense her mother smiling into the phone. "When you relaize that love doesn't have a time span. Only pain does. I think sometimes it's hard to distinguish between the two, so we just hold on to both of them like they're inseparable.” — 5 people liked it

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7250052-on-folly-beach?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348986504l/7250052.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7250052-on-folly-beach?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]On Folly Beach by Karen White[/url]

On Folly Beach

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