Queen Bee

Holly Jensen returns to her childhood home on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, to care for her aging mother after the death of her beloved father. She takes a break from her work as a beekeeper to navigate family dynamics and small-town life. The story follows Holly as she deals with her difficult mother, a local widower and his children, and the complications of living in a close-knit coastal community. Her expertise with bees and honey becomes intertwined with the events and relationships that develop during her stay. Relationships evolve as Holly rediscovers her roots on Sullivan's Island while managing new responsibilities and unexpected challenges. The presence of her neighbors, the Westo family, creates both tension and possibilities in her life. The novel explores themes of family obligation, second chances, and the ways that nature - particularly the complex society of bees - mirrors human relationships and community dynamics.

Readers describe Queen Bee as a light summer read with family drama and Southern charm. Many praise Frank's humor and vivid descriptions of Sullivan's Island, with one Amazon reviewer noting "you can almost taste the sweet tea." Readers appreciate: - Authentic Lowcountry setting and culture - Strong female relationships - Blend of comedy and emotional moments - Beekeeping details and facts Common criticisms: - Slow plot pacing in the middle - Too many side characters and subplots - Main character comes across as judgmental - Predictable romance elements Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (2,000+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (400+ ratings) Several readers mention this isn't Frank's strongest work, with one Goodreads reviewer stating "it lacks the depth of her earlier novels." Still, most recommend it for fans of Southern fiction seeking a beach read.

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🐝 "Queen Bee" was Dorothea Benton Frank's final novel before her death in 2019, capping off a remarkable writing career that spanned two decades. 🏖️ The book is set in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, where the author herself lived and which served as inspiration for many of her novels, including her debut "Sullivan's Island." 🍯 Beekeeping, a central theme in the novel, has experienced a surge in popularity, with the number of backyard beekeepers in the U.S. increasing by 50% between 2008 and 2018. 📚 The novel reached #5 on The New York Times Best Seller list, marking Frank's 20th consecutive bestseller - a testament to her dedicated following among readers. 🌟 Though known for her humor, Frank incorporated deeper themes of family dynamics and Southern culture in "Queen Bee," drawing from her own experiences growing up in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.