Return to Sullivan's Island

Lowcountry Tales #6

by Dorothea Benton Frank

Dorothea Benton Frank returns to the enchanted landscape of South Carolina's Lowcountry made famous in her beloved New York Times bestseller Sullivans Island to tell the story of the next generation of Hamiltons and Hayes.

Return to Sullivans Island

Whether you were away from the Lowcountry for a week or for years, it was impossible to remember how gorgeous it was. It never changed and everyone depended on that.

Newly graduated from college and an aspiring writer, Beth Hayes craves independence and has a world to conquer. But her notions of travel, graduate study, and writing the great American novel will have to be postponed. With her mother, Susan, leaving to fulfill her own dreams in Paris and her Aunt Maggie, Uncle Grant, and stepfather, Simon, moving to California, Beth is elected by her elders to house-sit the Island Gamble. Surrounded by the shimmering blue waters of the Atlantic, the white clapboards, silver tin roof, and confessional porch have seen and heard the stories of generations of Hamiltons. But will the ghosts of the Island Gamble be watching over Beth?

Buoyed by sentimental memories of growing up on this tiny sandbar that seems to be untouched by time, Beth vows to give herself over to the Lowcountry force and discover the wisdom it holds. She will rest, rejuvenate, and then reenter the outside world. Just as she vows she will never give into the delusional world of white picket fences, minivans, and eternal love, she meets Max Mitchell. And all her convictions and plans begin to unravel with lightning speed.

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: her wise and charming Aunt Sophie; Cecily Singleton, the granddaughter of Livvie Singleton; and Woody Morrison, the solid young investment banker.

This wonderful ensemble of characters could be your own family, but watch what unfolds as they succumb to the island's spell. If everything happens for a reason, then Beth's return to Sullivans Island teaches her that betrayal and tragedy are most easily handled when you surround yourself with loyal family and friends in a magical place that loves you so much that it wants to claim you as its own.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Southern, Beach Reads, Contemporary, Family

392 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2009

About the author

Dorothea Benton Frank was a New York Times best-selling American novelist of Southern fiction. She worked in the apparel industry from 1972 until 1985 and then organized fundraisers as a volunteer, before becoming a novelist.

She is best known as the author of twenty novels placed in and around the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am ashamed to even add this book to my list of books read. It is quite possibly one of the most poorly written books that I have ever completed. The dialog was ridiculous, the shifts in perspective was jarring and disruptive, the storyline was a hodgepodge with a rushed ending that felt contrived. The main character was annoying at best.

I don't understand how an editor could allow this book to be published. I am so glad I didn't spend a dime on this book and checked it out from the library (where the waiting list is hundreds long!). I absolutely do not recommend this book at all!

[Jessica Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow. This was pretty bad. The main character is an idiot. The supporting characters (and there are too many, esp since NONE of them have a storyline) are one-dimensional and hard to keep straight.

The worst part for me, though, was that this author probably writes for and appeals to women over 50 (which is fine), but this book is about a 23 yr old - and NONE of the dialogue was fit for a 23 yr old. The CONSTANT admonishments about not swearing and being lady-like and all that "Southern" crap were annoying as Hell. NO 23 yr old woman says "gosh," unless they are some sort of Fundamentalist Christian - period.

The ghost added nothing - and they were so fantastical at the end that it ruined even the little bit of haunting interest.

I finished it because I didn't abandon it early enough - LOL.

[Kristan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I absolutely adored the first 4 or 5 Dorothea Benton Frank novels. Couldn't get enough of them. One of the things I really enjoyed was how characters from previous books would sort of drop in later books. It was nice to see them again and get another character's take on them. I was so disappointed when she stopped doing that.

I saw Return to Sullivan's Island and felt that I just HAD to read it, that it would be like seeing old friends again. Um, no. It wasn't. I read a little over half of it and skipped to the end. After reading the end, I decided I didn't really care how they got there. It was hugely disappointing.

Perhaps it was my fault. Beth was a teenager in Sullivan's Island but I liked her and I loved her mother and her aunt. I didn't like Beth in this one, and I felt like her mom and her aunt were misrepresented. But how is that possible when it's the same author? I don't know but that's how I felt...

I'm bummed but I won't stop trying her again. Hopefully, for me, this was just a bit of a misstep.

[Janice · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you enjoyed Sullivan's Island, skip Return to Sullivan's Island; it's a disappointment. Where the Sullivan's Island characters are vibrant; Return's characters are lack luster and do not ring true; especially Beth. Rather than being written as a strong, educated, twenty something college grad who could have added to and carried the storyline, she's given the behaviors and mind set of a whiney, spoiled, head in the sand, thirteen year old. Beth's character is unbelieveable. Woody is unbelieveable. No ethical, golden boy, financial professional would exhibit his behavior. We are left hanging with the freezer and Allison's boyfriend; both unresolved. What was the point? Filler? And, the paranormal that had to be explained? Come on.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this on AudioBook CD while driving. Another great story of family, love, loss, betrayal by the queen of the LowCountry..

[Misfit · Rating 1 out of 5]

Heavens, where do I begin? I have read several of DBF's books in the past and loved them all, Plantation being my favorite. They are always filled with love, laughter, heartbreak, quirky characters and lots of southern food. This one, however is an unmitigated disaster of the first degree and leaves me wondering if the author phoned this one in.

**SPOILERS AHOY*

Basic plot run down - Beth Hayes has just finished college and she's roped into minding the family home on Sullivan's Island as her mother's taking a year to work in Paris, and the aunt is moving to California. Beth is none too pleased to be stuck in the back of nowhere, but she eventually bucks up and makes the most of it, especially when she meets the older and oh-so-handsome developer Max Mitchell and she's madly in love Just Like That. Or will quiet investment banker Woody be the man to make her dreams come true?

Actually, there's a bit more to it than that, but you will figure it all out just fine by yourself. You'll know who's the cad and what he's up to lickety split (so why Beth didn't notice...). You'll know who Mr. Right is from the get-go, although you will be scratching your head wondering why such a smart man doesn't spot a scam when it's staring him in the face. And yes, despite the incredibly stupid pickle Beth gets herself into you'll see that Perfectly Pat Bacon Saving ending coming a mile away. No need to worry about our oh-so immature and whiny heroine (really, she acts and talks like a fifteen year old) getting her just desserts and learning a valuable lesson in life. No indeedy.

As for the author's attempts at humor? Everyone of them falls flat as a pancake, and most especially the big ending to the big date wherein our intrepid heroine proceeds to barf (yes, I said barf) all over her man's shirt before the big kiss. Eewww. With such a unlikeable TSTL heroine, insipid dialogue, shallow characters as well as none of the quirky humor that DBF is known for, I really can't recommend this for even her die-hard fans.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. I have always been somewhat of a fan of Frank's - - - while I don't believe she ranks up there with Anne River Siddons or Pat Conroy, I DO have a great love for the lowcountry of South Carolina, and that's where she sets most of her novels. So up until this novel, I've always found them to be pleasant beach reads that carry me back to one of the places I love best in the world. This book, however, just turned me off. The main character, Beth, was so painfully immature that I truly doubted the age given to her by the author. She was also painfully stupid. The supporting characters were one-dimensional and shallow. I really, REALLY disliked Frank's portrayal of the so-called "gentry" of Sullivan's Island and Charleston, which dwelt on their exclusivity, their hatred of anything new and their painful pride in living there since before the bombing of Fort Sumter. If I had to read one more "y'all" in the dialogue, I thought I might possibly barf. I just think the people of South Carolina and readers in particular deserve better than this book. I can't tell you how glad I am that I waited to take this book out of the library as opposed to purchasing it!

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the unabridged audiobook version of "Return To Sullivan's Island" by Dorothea Benton Frank.

I was unaware when I borrowed this from the library that it was part of a series, however, it works fine as a stand alone book.

Beth Hayes has just graduated from college and has been roped into spending a year housesitting the family home on Sullivan's Island.

At first Beth comes across as a reasonably intelligent young woman and a generally likable character. However, this does not last long. She meets an older man, named Max Mitchell, who she falls in love with.

I am at a loss to explain how anyone could possibly think it would be believable that Beth would just brush off and excuse his bad behavior towards her and his obviously shady character. I know that a woman who believes herself to be in love can delude herself into thinking the best of a person, but this was just too much. It was like the author took a sledgehammer to the reader to ensure that he/she would know that Max Mitchell was a jerk. This could have been achieved with much more subtlety and if that had been the case it might have seemed more realistic that Beth would still fall for him despite his faults.

As this ill fated love affair is taking shape there is an additional sub-plot which centers around Beth's identical twin aunts. This storyline is much more interesting and believable. If this was the central story, this would have been a much better read.

There is also a supernatural element to the story that includes the family home being haunted by departed family members and friends. Again, this is too over the top to have any credibility at all.

I do not like to give any book a low rating, but I find that the best rating I am able to give this book is 2.5 out of 5 stars.

[Sue]

Enjoyed the continuing saga of Susan, Beth and the family. Although, I think this one a bit far fetched, it was still a quick and easy read.

[Kathe Ingle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great beach read especially when at a SC beach

[The Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in the lowcountry of SC. It was nice reading a story based close to home.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again I very much enjoyed the Low Country setting on the beach of Sullivan's Island in South Carolina. This is the type of story that you either enjoy or you don't, and I did!

[T.Y. Mazer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kitabı hasta yatağımda kafa dağıtmak için okudum. Ama keşke okumasaydım, cidden sinirimi bozmaktan başka işe yaramadı. Hikayedeki herkes mi aptal olur? Cidden!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to Sullivan’s Island: A Novel: Lowcountry Tales Book 6 is by Dorothea Benton Frank. It has been a while since I have visited Sullivan’s Island with the Hamilton family. This was a great time to visit as all the family was together to visit and then to say Bon Voyage to Susan who was leaving for Paris for a year. The tales they told when together were like being part of a big family. Dorothea Frank managed to make the reader become part of the family in a beautiful way.
Susan was going to Paris to teach for a year while her sister Maggie and her husband went back to California and Susan’s new husband went with them. Meanwhile, Susan’s daughter Beth had come home after graduating from college to care for the house while everyone was gone. She resented it somewhat and yet it was expected by the family to make the sacrifice so she did it. She and her dog, Lola, came home and put off grad school. She set out to find a job and ended up with two- as a hostess and as a journalist. As her writing took off, so does Beth’s social life. She began dating Max Mitchell, a businessman who was bringing change to the Island. She also met Woody, a friend of her cousin Mike and they became good friends. He was also in charge of her trust fund.
Beth was helped at the house by Cecily, the granddaughter of Livvy, the original maid of the house. Even after everyone in the family left, Beth wasn’t alone. The house was haunted; but by family. The ghosts let people know if they were accepted or not. It was fun to see which people the house accepted and which ones they warned Beth to watch out for.
The book started out a little slow; but it made up for it in the end. Twists and turns show up through the entire book. You never knew what would happen next.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

To say the least this book was a disappointment compared to the previous Sullivan's Island. Dorothy Benton Frank stretched herself to even get a story out of this book. On the positive side the same characters that we loved in the previous book were present minus Livve. What I missed most was the character development. I never really got into Beth's character, she was not believeable and as many critics describe she was immature and childish. I agree with that but we were all childish at that age but I don't think Frank can relate and never unleashes what it is like to be in her early twenties. The books best parts were the beginning and the end. When all the characters were together at the Island Gamble it was fun to read. Frank really does have a sense for creating some unique characters in her books. Sophie and Allison are unique. She fills them will emotion and best of all deceit. Also her ability to make the reader feel at home on Sullivan's Island was even more appealing. It is almost like when you are watching a sitcom on TV and the characters leave to tape an episode somewhere else it is not as appealing to the audience. The actors feel out of place and uncomfortable and that is what happens in this book. Beth does not understand Sullivan's Island the way her mother does. When Beth's mom Susan was present I was entertained. Frank seems to have a much better grasp on Susan's character and feelings. The first Sullivan's island revolved around Susan and it was comical, fun to read and believable. I will continue to read Frank because of her undying love of the lowcountry, but this book seemed forced in a way.

[Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of those books that makes you both relieved to have finished it and surprised that you got through the whole thing. This is the last time I take a recommendation from the Doubleday Book Club. "Return to Sullivan's Island" is what every aspiring writer should read as an example of what not to write. Incredibly bad dialogue that sounds even worse when read aloud, annoying characters that no one can possibly care about, haunted houses, and a ridiculous, drama-packed ending all await you on Sullivan's Island where the moral should be: Mom, don't ever jet off to Paris and leave your idiot daughter in charge - the typical white, rich, moronic damsel-in-distress. This is the same book where a woman can make a joke about getting raped on a date, yet her mother frowns upon her using the word "hell." And where another woman can die and be chucked into a freezer, and her brother says that an act like that is "unforgivable." Really? Oh, then the entire family will attend her funeral and demand that the closed casket be opened while ass-pinching is going on, then head out to the car for some whiskey afterwards. But don't worry, all of the major problems that occur in the last three chapters or so (including literal insanity and major fraud) are forgivable, and everyone manages to get their happy ending. Ugh - I hope I never read a book this bad ever again.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was definitely the worst one of Dorothea Frank's I've read. Many of the characters from the first Sullivan's Island that return in this one seem to have different personalities, in many cases less likable. Beth returns as an extremely immature 23-year-old and makes some of the most ridiculously ignorant decisions I can imagine. For someone who seemed so dead-set against marriage at the beginning of the book, she sure fell head-over-heels for a clearly insensitive & highly suspicious Max pretty quickly. She seriously thinks that giving Max the money he needs is going to convince him to fall in love with her? Puh-lease. I can't imagine being so incredibly naive at 23...she's old enough to know better at that age. It was hard for me to even finish this book, but I was curious to see how it ended. Unfortunately, Beth was never forced to face any consequences for her juvenile, not to mention illegal, actions. Save yourself the time and frustration and skip this book.

[Judy Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first read by Dorothea Benton Frank and enjoyed it. It took me a while to get into it; and listened to the audio and Robin Miles did an outstanding job with the narration. As a native of NC, and spent most of my adult life in Atlanta (been in Florida for years), and having worked in Charleston, SC area--love the southeast and the mentions of the places I have visited in the Lowcountry area. I enjoyed the humor of the southern women and Beth a young college grad who returns to SC to housesit for her mother and family. My favorite character was Cecilia as though she could be your best BFF! Some history, fun, ghost, Ponzi schemes, romance, and learning to trust. I look forward to reading more from Dorothea!

[Janie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll be so glad to be finished with this. I feel like I'm back in high school teenage drama and want to stick a needle in my eye. More when I'm finished (or they finish me) reading all the Frank books I have. I'm too old for most of this stuff but too resolute and determined for my own good to move out-and-on books I have developed a dislike for.

One redeeming quote: "For years books had been her world....And libraries were such a wonderful thing, she thought. The very idea that you could wander through thousands of books and just choose whatever you wanted to read."

[jennyreadit · Rating 2 out of 5]

I REALLY wanted to like this book, because I truly enjoyed Sullivan's Island. I have read most all of DBF's books. Unfortunately, this one was so slow in the plot with shallow characters, that I didn't even finish it. This is a work of fiction, but DBF's style is she creates characters like people we know...Sorry, DBF....RtSI is a bomb.

[Caitlyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Main character was spoiled, privileged and obnoxious. She constantly whined about having to spend a year living in a beach house (and getting paid for it!). I was rooting for her to get her comeuppance- which never really happened. I also found the discussion of race to be pretty cringey.

[MajorBedhead · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so poorly written and had such a lousy plot that if I hadn't recieved the book for free, I would have sent back to the publisher for a refund.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started it -- couldn't stomach it. Abandoned before I reached page 50. May try again sometime. Sorry Dot. Won't be the first time I come back to a novel and like it better the second go-round.

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the worst books I have ever read.

[chels marieantoinette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want so badly to love this low country series… but I just can’t. This one specifically has the worst, most childish, red-flag-ignoring, stupid main character, I couldn’t speed the audio fast enough to get through the nonsense. The writing is cheesy and the whole “love story” is so obvious. I’m not sure who I’d recommend this to… it’s not even like a “summer read,” just so surface-level and eye-roll-inducing.

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more like it. After graduating from college Beth returns to Sullivan Island. The characters from the preceding stories are interlaced with the new stories. Lots of excitement, love, crime and death.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The humor in this story was so enjoyable!!! Couldn’t put this book down. Getting to the end of this story is full of many surprises.

[Cindy Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book lots of surprises and happy ending

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series - this author - very enjoyable

[Ally Krizka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn’t figure out if this book was a romance or a ghost story for the majority… turns out it’s neither 4/10