Folly Beach by Dorothea Benton Frank
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: 03rd January 2012
Rating: 4/5
Source: Received from the publisher via TLC Book Tours for review. Thank you!
Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | BookDepository
Publishers Summary:

Folly Beach, South Carolina, with its glistening beaches, laid-back Southern charm, and enticing Gullah tradition, is the land of Cate Cooper’s childhood, the place where all the ghosts of her past roam freely. Now, thanks to a newly deceased husband whose financial and emotional perfidy has left her homeless and broke, she’s returning to this lovely strip of coast.

Once, another woman found comfort here: an artist, writer, and sometime colleague of the revered George Gershwin. With her beloved husband, DuBose, Dorothy Heyward enjoyed the greatest moments of her life at Folly. Though the Heywards are long gone, their passion and spirit linger in every ocean breeze.

To her surprise, Cate is about to discover that you can go home again, for Folly holds the possibility of unexpected fulfillment—not just the memories of the girl she was, but the promise of the woman she’s always wanted to become. . . .

Like a scene from the tabloids and popular movies Cate Cooper’s life has come crashing down around her. Having recently discovered her husband’s death and subsequent betrayal, Cate is now destitute living out of boxes and making her way home to her Aunt in Folly Beach. What she didn’t expect was John Risley, the power of family connections and a little house on the beach called “The Porgy”. After a lifetime of living in the shadows Cate finally discovers there’s more to life than relying on someone else for happiness and makes her own way.

Folly Beach is exactly the type of charming Southern novel readers will enjoy on a lazy afternoon of reading. From the first few pages of Cate Cooper’s story I was hooked. It was much like watching a collision from the sidelines, for some reason you simply can’t turn away no matter how horrible the situation. All while reading her situation you keep thinking there is no way it could get much worse for this seemingly lovely main character, but one thing after another keeps popping up. Cate’s journey to Folly Beach and her Aunt Daisy & Ella was precisely what she needed and what I enjoyed most about the story, perhaps because I’m a huge fan of Southern fiction. It’s relaxing ways, charming characters, enjoyable dialogue and breezy setting make for some of my favorite indulgent reads and Folly Beach by Dorothea Benton Frank was no exception.

Throughout the story an alternate story line is portrayed which at first seemed incredibly confusing to me. Having some background in musical theater I was familiar with the Gershwin play Porgy & Bess, but wasn’t clear on the details and certainly had no idea how they connected to a scorned widow. As the story progresses the story of Dorothy, DuBose and Gershwin became much easier to understand, but initially I had no idea what to make of the two very different story lines. What I did appreciate over the course of the portrayal of Dorothy’s life was her love for DuBose and how it countered the negative aspects that came from Cate Cooper’s relationship with her now deceased & evil husband Addison. In the end, the account of Dorothy and her interactions with her husband DuBose and composer Gershwin become an integral & enjoyable part of the plot even if initially it was somewhat confusing.

One of the aspects of the story I valued the most was Cate’s relationships with her family, especially the one she shared with her sister Patti. Myself coming from a family of three girls I know the power that comes from a sister you love and rely on. It was wonderful to be able to see how Cate and Patti relied on each other for so many things and yet lived their own separate lives. Of course I also loved the banter back and forth between the two sisters as well as that between Aunt Daisy and Ella. Each and every member of this remarkable extended family, including John Risley, made up people that I’d love to be surrounded by in my own life and propelled the story forward.

For readers who love Southern fiction Folly Beach by Dorothea Benton Frank is a perfect choice. Beginning with the salacious story of a betrayal of the worst kind and then moving to the slow relaxed life in Folly Beach including a look back in time to the lives revolving around the classic musical Porgy & Bess, readers will find something for everyone. For me it wasn’t only the plot that grabbed me, but the characters and the theme of family that warmed my heart. As you settle into Folly Beach you quickly fall in step with this fabulous leading lady who lands on her feet after each and every blow that would knock even the strongest down. Cate Cooper’s story from betrayed widow to successful play-write with a healthy love life is one readers will absolutely enjoy and will soon be looking for more by author Dorothea Benton Frank.