Sunset in the Lowcountry: Bohicket

by Margaret Simons

For far too long it has been assumed that women over the age of 55 just fade away. They buy wine, adopt cats, fight depression, or discretely buy vibrators. The stars do not align for middle-aged women. The world largely ignores these accomplished women who have endured five decades of education, work, marriage, divorce, the trials of motherhood, and years of celibacy. But being overlooked is decidedly not in Rosie's future. After her divorce, Rosie is learning how to navigate middle age alone. She finds excitement on the small barrier island of Seabrook, just south of Charleston, with an attractive sailor whom she meets at Bohicket Marina. Before long, an old Yankee boyfriend reappears. Despite Rosie's active love life, a gnawing feeling of depression and self-doubt lingers and manifests into a presence she calls, The Hag. The Hag is always belittling Rosie, leaving her feeling insecure. But Rosie has an ally in her pet Chihuahua, Hades. With Hades unconditional love, Rosie is empowered to make the most of life. Infused with humor and warmth, Sunset in the Bohicket, illustrates how with a little wit, self-exploration, and perhaps some vodka, women can survive and even thrive in middle age.

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2022

About the author

A retired schoolteacher, Margaret Simons called the South Carolina Lowcountry home for thirty years. She raised her daughters in Mount Pleasant and taught at Charleston County Schools. She lives in Hartsville, South Carolina, with her husband and pet Chihuahua. "Sunset in the Lowcountry: Bohicket" is her first novel.

Reviews

[Big Time Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book recently after it was recommended by a member of a group I'm in. I loved the setting, especially Bohicket Marina.

Rosie was quite the character and I loved her dog Hades. I did thing the mind-voice of The Hag was a little overdone, but it was made clear that The Hag preyed on Rosie's insecurities and that's understandable.

The male characters were definitely characters - each in their own way and there were some genuinely funny parts.

All in all, this was a good debut novel and I'd like to see a sequel to this book to see how Rosie's life changes and where she goes with it.

[Marianne Roser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in one sitting. Loved the main character and was able to sympathize with her trials and tribulations. The setting in the Charleston, South Carolina area was well done and reminiscent of an area with which I am familiar. I look forward to more writings from this author.