Folly Beach - Review

Title:  Folly Beach
Author:  Dorothea Benton Frank
Publisher:  William Morrow

Goodreads Summary:

Home is the place that knows us best. . . . 

A woman returns to the past to find her future in this enchanting new tale of loss, acceptance, family, and love. 

With its sandy beaches and bohemian charms, surfers and suits alike consider Folly Beach to be one of South Carolina's most historic and romantic spots. It is also the land of Cate Cooper's childhood, the place where all the ghosts of her past roam freely. Cate never thought she'd wind up in this tiny cottage named the Porgy House on this breathtakingly lovely strip of coast. But circumstances have changed, thanks to her newly dead husband whose financial—and emotional—bull and mendacity have left Cate homeless, broke, and unmoored. 

Yet Folly Beach holds more than just memories. Once upon a time another woman found unexpected bliss and comfort within its welcoming arms. An artist, writer, and colleague of the revered George Gershwin, Dorothy Heyward enjoyed the greatest moments of her life at Folly with her beloved husband, DuBose. And though the Heywards are long gone, their passion and spirit lingers in every mango sunset and gentle ocean breeze. 

And for Cate, Folly, too, holds the promise of unexpected fulfillment when she is forced to look at her life and the zany characters that are her family anew. To her surprise, she will discover that you can go home again. Folly Beach doesn't just hold the girl she once was . . . it also holds the promise of the woman she's always wanted—and is finally ready—to become. 


My thoughts: 


I have been hit and miss with Dorothea Benton Frank lately- this one however hit all the right notes!  Ever since reading Vixen, it seems so many books I have picked up or want to read are set in the 1920s, or have backstory from the 20s.  Which is fine by me - I have always loved the excitement and drama of the roaring 20s.  Folly Beach has a storyline in the present day, but every other chapter is part of a play about the Heywards, who worked with Gershwin to turn Heyward's Porgy and Bess into a musical.  

I have to admit, at first these chapters bothered me - I would just get into what was going on in the main story line  and would be interrupted within the book, like a commercial.  But as I read on, the more I enjoyed the Heyward's story line just as much.  I liked all the characters in this book, especially Cate's love interest John, who reminded me a tiny bit of Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre.  And wow Cate has a terrible start in this book - I was riveted, what else could have gone wrong for her?  Apparently everything!  The tragedy of it all forced her to become her own person though, and find actual happiness in the end.