Sullivan's Island

Susan Hayes, newly divorced and raising her teenage daughter alone, returns to her family home on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. The story alternates between Susan's present-day life in 1999 and her memories of growing up on the island in the 1960s. As Susan navigates single parenthood and her new reality, she reflects on her childhood experiences with her siblings, parents, and their beloved African-American housekeeper, Livvie. The island itself serves as both setting and character, with its beaches, marshes, and tight-knit community playing central roles in both timelines. The narrative builds through parallel stories of family dynamics, cultural shifts, and personal growth across two distinctly different eras of American life. Through Susan's dual perspective as both child and adult, the novel explores themes of family bonds, racial relations in the South, and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.

Readers describe this as a light beach read that balances humor with serious family themes. Many reviews note the authentic portrayal of South Carolina lowcountry life and culture. Likes: - Strong sense of place and local detail - Relatable mother-daughter relationships - Balance of comedy and emotional depth - Southern recipes included throughout - Authentic dialogue and characters Dislikes: - Slow plot pacing in middle sections - Too many flashbacks that interrupt flow - Some found the ending rushed - Characters can be stereotypical - Occasional overuse of Southern colloquialisms Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (22,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,100+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings) One frequent comment from readers: "Makes you feel like you're sitting on a porch in Charleston with old friends." Multiple reviews criticized the numerous timeline shifts as "jarring" and "hard to follow."

The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews A generational story set in coastal Georgia follows a group of women uncovering family secrets while dealing with romance and complicated relationships in their beach community.

The Hurricane Sisters by Dorothea Benton Frank Three generations of women navigate life, love, and family dynamics in Charleston's Lowcountry while confronting their past decisions.

Sweet Tea Tuesdays by Ashley Farley Three lifelong friends meet weekly on their Charleston porches to share their triumphs and struggles through life's transitions.

The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank A woman returns to her Charleston roots and rediscovers herself after being the last first wife standing in her Atlanta social circle.

Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank A single mother returns to her coastal South Carolina hometown to rebuild her life and reconnect with her family heritage.

🌊 Sullivan's Island is a real barrier island near Charleston, South Carolina, where author Dorothea Benton Frank grew up and used as inspiration for her debut novel. 📚 The book launched Frank's successful "Lowcountry Tales" series, which eventually grew to include 20 novels set in the South Carolina coastal region. 🏠 Frank wrote this novel after her mother's death, when she discovered the family's beloved Sullivan's Island beach house had been sold. She vowed to earn enough money writing to buy it back. 🎭 The story alternates between two time periods - the 1960s and the present day - weaving together themes of family secrets, Southern culture, and personal growth. 👥 The character of Livvie, an African American domestic worker who helps raise the protagonist, was inspired by Frank's own childhood caregiver on Sullivan's Island.