On Tour: Folly Beach by Dorothea Benton Frank

Home is the place that knows us best. . . . 

A woman returns to the past to find her future in this enchanting new tale of loss, acceptance, family, and love. 

With its sandy beaches and bohemian charms, surfers and suits alike consider Folly Beach to be one of South Carolina's most historic and romantic spots. It is also the land of Cate Cooper's childhood, the place where all the ghosts of her past roam freely. Cate never thought she'd wind up in this tiny cottage named the Porgy House on this breathtakingly lovely strip of coast. But circumstances have changed, thanks to her newly dead husband whose financial—and emotional—bull and mendacity have left Cate homeless, broke, and unmoored. 

Yet Folly Beach holds more than just memories. Once upon a time another woman found unexpected bliss and comfort within its welcoming arms. An artist, writer, and colleague of the revered George Gershwin, Dorothy Heyward enjoyed the greatest moments of her life at Folly with her beloved husband, DuBose. And though the Heywards are long gone, their passion and spirit lingers in every mango sunset and gentle ocean breeze. 

And for Cate, Folly, too, holds the promise of unexpected fulfillment when she is forced to look at her life and the zany characters that are her family anew. To her surprise, she will discover that you can go home again. Folly Beach doesn't just hold the girl she once was . . . it also holds the promise of the woman she's always wanted—and is finally ready—to become. 

Folly Beach, filled with the irresistible charm, saucy wit, and lush atmosphere that have won her the devotion of fans and propelled her books to bestsellerdom, is vintage Dorothea Benton Frank. ~~synopsis from Goodreads

My thoughts on Folly Beach ~~ 

I thoroughly enjoyed my excursion/vacation to Folly Beach. Cate heads back home to Folly Beach after her husband commits suicide and she finds out the life she has been living with him is a lie. She goes home to regroup and to help her Aunt Daisy, who raised her and her sister Patti. I immediately found myself rooting for Cate to get past the awfulness in her life and to find some happiness.

The cottage where she lives is connected to Gershwin and the Heywards and their connection to Porgy and Bess. She ends up doing some research on them and as a result, finds some direction in her life. Learning all about that little piece of history was a lesson in itself. Isn't it amazing how much writers research in order to write their books?

Folly Beach is very well written and and a very enjoyable story to read. The author did stir up a few memories for me which made the book seem more personal. At one point, she talks about 'memory smells' (Chapter 14) ~~ I am a firm believer in them myself. One in particular for me is when she mentions 'the sweet rubber of your favorite toy'. That smell always takes me back to the year I got my favorite baby doll for Christmas. Ahhhh! Another comment that was personal for me was when she had Cate and Patti eating white cheddar Cheez-its ~ yummmm ~ one of my favs.

The setting of this book is the Lowcountry of South Carolina so if you like southern fiction, this would be the book for you. Also if you have an interest in the Gershwin era, this book will interest you too. Ms. Frank has written other books set in the Lowcountry which I discovered I enjoy reading so I will be adding them to my TBR list.

Let me leave you with this line from Folly Beach ~~

'But we should not have been surprised. After all, this was the Lowcountry, where impossible becomes possible every single day'. 

Love that line!

Author's website

Author on Facebook

I read and reviewed this book as part of the 
Folly Beach blog tour for TLC Book Tours. 

Other stops on the tour are listed here
 

I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.