The Last Original Wife
The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank
Paperback, 368 pages
Published April 1st 2014 by William Morrow & Company
Leslie Anne Greene Carter is The Last Original Wife among her husband Wesley's successful Atlanta social set. His cronies have all traded in the mothers of their children--who they promised to love and cherish 'til death did them part--for tanned and toned young Barbie brides.
If losing the social life and close friends she adored wasn't painful enough, a series of setbacks has shaken Les up and she's had enough of playing the good wife. Now, she's going to take some time for herself--in the familiar comforts and stunning beauty of Charleston, her beloved hometown. In her brother's historic home, she will reclaim the carefree girl who spent lazy summers sharing steamy kisses with her first love on Sullivans Island. Along Charleston's cobblestone streets, under the Lowcountry's dazzling blue sky, Les will indulge herself with icy cocktails, warm laughter and bittersweet memories. Daring to listen to her inner voice, she will realize what she wants . . . and find the life of which she's always dreamed.
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My thoughts about The Last Original Wife ~~
I know when I start one of Dorothea's books that I am going to go to a wonderful world with great characters. And The Last Original Wife did not disappoint. I loved it from the start.
The story starts with Leslie and Wesley visiting with their respective psychiatrists, so we know from the get-go that their marriage is in trouble. We get to sit in during their individual sessions and we learn a lot about how they feel about their marriage, their relationship, and each other. And the reader gets to form an opinion of both of them and begins to understand that there are some serious issues going on. Then we get to go back in time and we get a glimpse of how they got to that place and how they ended up 'on the couch'.
'On that day and in that very moment, the compliant little lamb I used to be died.'
Les takes some time off from her very needy family and goes to visit her brother in Charleston. While there, she does some extensive soul searching to try to figure out what she wants from life. I loved watching Leslie grow and become the strong woman she was meant to be. When things come to a head with her husband, I was yelling 'You go, girl! Give him what he deserves!' Yes, I admit it, I became that engrossed in their relationship.
'Dreams made your eyes sparkle over the possibilities of doing something new and exciting. Reality made the rest of you break a sweat in panic.'
Once again, I was thoroughly engrossed in Dorothea's wonderful Southern story. Loved the setting. Loved the characters. And loved that certain people got what was coming to them, both good and bad. I can't wait to read more of Dorothea's stories.
About the author
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 organizations and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She has also been a guest speaker at the South Carolina Book Festival, Novello, North Carolina's festival of books and the Book and Author annual event in Charleston, SC, sponsored by the Post & Courier.
Before she began her writing career, Dottie was involved extensively in the arts and education, and in raising awareness and funding for various non profits in New Jersey and New York.
Dottie, who was born and raised on Sullivan's Island in South Carolina, currently divides her time between South Carolina and New Jersey.
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The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank
