Return to Sullivans Island

Dorothea (Dottie) Benton Frank’s first novel, the New York Times bestseller Sullivan’s Island, tells a story of love, loss, family, and history as it follows the life of Susan Hamilton Hayes, both in the present time (1999) and during her childhood (1963). The location, Sullivan’s Island, the real-life setting of the book and the author’s hometown, becomes a character in the story itself. Located seven miles off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, it comes alive through the pages of the novel.

Now, the author returns to the magical landscape of South Carlina to tell the next generation’s story: “Newly graduated from college and an aspiring writer, Beth Hayes, the protagonist’s daughter from the first novel, craves independence and wants to conquer the world. But her notions of travel, graduate study, and writing the great American novel will have to be postponed. With her family leaving town, Beth is elected to housesit. Buoyed by sentimental memories of growing up on this tiny sandbar that seems to be untouched by time, Beth decides to give herself over to the island’s force and discover the wisdom it holds. She will rest, rejuvenate, and then reenter the outside world. Yet she comes to realize there is so much about life and her family’s past that she does not know. Her ignorance and naiveté nearly cost her both her inheritance and her family's respect. But Beth finds unexpected friends to help her through the disaster she faces. If everything happens for a reason, then Beth's return to Sullivan’s Island teaches her that betrayal and tragedy are most easily handled when you surround yourself with loyal people in a magical place that loves you so much that it wants to claim you as its own.”

Here's what MotherTalk reviewers are saying about Return to Sullivans Island:

Diary of a SAHM's Product Reviews says: "There is an amazing mixture of friends and loyal family and new relationships mixed with Dorothea's wonderful way of describing the island and it's beauty. I think it's the perfect summer read, I enjoyed every single minute of this book."

Fractured Toy says: "Since I hadn't read the first, I was hoping I wasn't going to have to guess and feel my way around for the storyline. This is a book that can be read without having reading the previous as Ms Frank introduces the characters as graciously as if you were at the family reunion. I thought the book moved along very quickly, following Beth's new life on the island with all it's twists and turns."

A Bookish Life says: "My favorite thing about Sullivan's Island was the way Ms. Frank wrote about family and particularly the mother-daughter bond. As the new mama of a daughter, I found myself longing for a relationship with C. that links us through all the irritations, similarities, differences, and history. As the old daughter of a mama, I very much understood those post-college years of finding your own way..."

Counterfeit Humans says: "The book deals gently with fundamental issues such as celebrating family and misplaced trust and unabashedly desires to rouse the sentimentality in all of us. It’s easy to root for such amiable intentions."

Flying Giggles and Lollipops says: "If you are looking for a book that tells a story of love, family, loss and history, Return To Sullivans Island is a book you will want to read. You will feel a mix of all emotions as Beth takes you on her personal journey to find what everyone is looking for, wisdom."

Gotcha Baby says: "Return to Sullivans Island is actually a sequal, to, you guessed it, Sullivan's Island. I've not read the first book, but have added it to my reading list. This books stands on it's own, and I had no problem following the story line or characters...Return to Sullivans Island is a good summer read, peppered with romance, coming of age and enough twists to keep you interested."

All Because Two People Fell In Love says: "I loved how Frank was able to bring the magical place of Sullivan Islands to life for me. Her ability to create colorful characters and her vivid descriptions of island life really keep me interested in this amazing novel. I really enjoyed how Frank was able to bring out surprise after surprise which kept me totally guessing about the resolution up until the very end."

Harvest of Pearls says: "Let me just say this: "go get this book." It's out, in stores, get thee gone people. I love her writing style. So many times she hits on the true emotions and thoughts a person has. Sometimes crazy things happen to her characters, but that's true to real life. And then she uses a fantastic setting, the coast of South Carolina, a place steeped in history and salt water. It's just fantastic!"

5 Minutes for Books says: "Being a Southern gal myself, I completely enjoyed Frank’s references to Southern icons like sweet tea, hush puppies and rocking chairs on the porch. Her characterization of Beth’s Aunt Maggie is hilarious in its spot on depiction of the Southern matriarch..."

Wendi's Book Corner says: "This is a follow-up book to Sullivans Island, but works great as a stand-alone book. From the opening lines of the book I was hooked. Ms. Frank has way of writing that completely engaged my attention... She uses a good blend of familial emotions (love, loyalty, frustration) and light humor to supplement life's ups and downs as Beth returns to Sullivans Island from college to be the "Dutiful Daughter" and watch over the family estate for the year."

Life as Lou says: "Well written and expertly unfolded, the story will keep you captivated and turning pages until the end, and does so without being terribly creepy or sensationalized. It is simple, yet quirky, comfortable yet unexpected, and a fantastic summer read!"

Hip Mama's Place says: "Ms. Frank definitely captivated her readers by the lightheartedness, if at times quirkiness- of this tale about Southern island life. I love the way she vividly describes the characters- clever and unexpected."

One House Schoolroom Reviews says: "The beauty of Sullivans Island is difficult to describe in words, but Frank does a great job of sharing her love of the Island with her readers. All in all I truly enjoyed this read and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good, easy summer read- truly a book to enjoy on the beach or in a hammock under a beautiful blue sky."

Boojoos & Aprilcots says: "I thought Benton nailed  the Hayes family dynamic. They spoke to each other just like my family does. The expectations, resentments and gossip were very familiar. The relationships were artfully created."

My Little Patch of Sunshine says: "This novel is the 2nd in a series, and the waiting list at our library was longer than the time it took for this second novel to arrive at my home. The book stands on its own, and I will probably read the first one as soon as it becomes available. I would like to learn more about the family this series is based on, and find out more about the various personalities of the characters."

Here We Go Again says: "When I was about a third of the way through this book, I had totally figured out exactly what was going to happen. And then it didn't. The book took several different twists that I didn't expect at all. I didn't feel like the author was cheating either- the plot turns still made sense within the world that existed."

From Frank to Frivolous says: "Frank does an excellent job of evoking local color in her novel. She refers to actual people and places, weaving them seamlessly into her narrative, creating a verisimilitude that must be the hallmark of all her novels, given their popularity with the locals. Her acknowledgments revealed even more real people than I had suspected were mentioned in the novel."

Busy Mom Reviews says: "Dorothea Benton Frank is one of my favorite authors. Her books are set in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, in places I vacationed for years. I love that her books incorporate the landmarks and traditions of the area."

Dragonflies n' Daydreams says: "I really enjoyed reading this book. I had previously read Frank's first book Sullivan's Island - so it was nice to "visit" with this family again. Return to Sullivan's Island is a great sequel - and one thing I loved was even if you hadn't read her first book you could pick this one up and not have missed anything (other than a great first book :oP) It is such a touching story that draws you into the area of Sullivan's Island and makes you feel a part of it all."

A Wrestling Addicted Mommy says: "Return to Sullivans Island takes you back to the magical landscape of South Carolina to tell the next generation's story. I’m a little backwards reading the sequel first, but I’ll be sure to check out the first book Sullivan's Island so I can wrap them together. It was a great relaxing read and I'm sure the first story will be just the same."