Same Beach, Next Year

by Dorothea Benton Frank

[pagesbycyndy]

I was excited to receive this Hardcover copy from the publisher in the mail. I opened the package and started reading it and did not stop! Nothing says summer is coming and makes me want to sit by the beach that a book by Dorothea Benton Frank.

 

Review:

I thought the format of the book really worked, we heard both sides of this sometimes hilarious , other times serious  tale. Adam and his wife Eliza are the narrators of this story that spans about two decades. The formula for the book is typical Dorothea Benton Frank but that is all. The story is a departure from her usual books. I found this to be a very deep and moving story. Adam and Eve are first loves and they both seem to be caught in the past. I felt that Adam wanted to recapture his youth and Eve was just plain shallow and seemed unsure of her marriage to Stanley who is a successful Doctor and a huge flirt. I found myself wanting to smack Adam most of the book  for not truly appreciating Eliza. Adam kept manipulating ways to see Eve every summer and Eliza seemed to realize this but at the same time put up with it but kept an eagle eye on the situation. I found Cookie, Eve's mom, both mean and hilarious at the same time. Some of the things that Cookie came out with had me laughing out loud!

Eliza was of course the voice of reason in this story and my favorite character as well as an amazing cook. What more could Adam want? His youth that's what! Their was lots of side drama involving Cookie, Adams Father and his girlfriend, a larger than life character.

I also liked how the story follows the relationships of the two couples through their ups and downs. I really had no idea how it would all come to end but I thoroughly enjoyed going along on the ride and I absolutely hated for this book to end.

This book is more than just the authors' usual  "beach read" , it was a moving story about marriage and friendship.This review was originally posted on Cindy's Book Binge