As far as Southern/low country fiction goes Dorothea Benton Frank is one of my favorites so I was excited to win this from Good Reads. As with her other novels, this is fun and quick and there are some quirky and interesting moments. Some of the people do come across as a little too “quippy” at times (it’s okay to have a real conversation!) and every single character uses some version of the word “humph” at least once per page. But the characters are likeable (Daisy and Ella were my favorites) and the intertwining of Dorothy and DuBose Heyward’s story is a nice departure from the usual “woman loses everything and moves to the simple life on a beach” conceit.

One thing that was interesting is there are people from all cultures in this book, but you don’t really know until pretty far into the book (or at least I didn’t notice). I thought this was unique and well-done and mirrors real life: everyday people doing everyday things and no matter our color/background we’re all just trying to live and love and have a happy life.

If you’re looking for something complex and dark and deep, this is not the book for you. It all ties up way too neatly (in regards to one character so neatly I started laughing) and there isn’t tremendous growth for the main character, Cate. Her feelings about her deceased husband or her life don’t really change at all from beginning to end, despite the dramatic change in her circumstances. Also it was surprising how quickly the romantic interest comes into (and stays) in her life. Alas, this is a nice summer read, just not one you’ll necessarily remember forever. But it is a fun ride. I do prefer some of her other books (e.g. Plantation and Sullivan’s Island) but all her works are well done if you’re in the mood for an engaging beach book with characters you can root for.