Entertaining, although very predictable. It is often nice to get a female perspective regarding relationships. I have noticed the authors main characters are often quite bitchy and judgmental. Definitely true with many of the characters in this book.
Still the descriptions are always enjoyable. ( )

What just happened and why? ( )

Two couples become friends at a Charleston beach community, and the friendship lasts for decades. Although, two members of the couples already knew and loved each other long ago. . . Of course, complications ensue. Fun, easy read. ( )

Same Beach, Next Year by Dorothea Benton Frank is a funny and sometimes poignant novel about the close friendship of two couples who vacation together every summer.

Adam Stanley could not be more surprised when he runs into his old flame Eve Landers while on vacation with his wife Eliza and their twin sons,Luke and Max. Eve is also on vacation with her family, husband Carl and daughter Daphne and she issues an impromptu invitation for all of them to meet up later for drinks. Eliza is quite intuitive and she immediately realizes the Adam feels more than friendship for Eve, but she implicitly trusts her husband so she is not too overly worried. As the years go by and the families spend their summer vacations together, Eliza and Eve become close friends while Adam and Carl are friendly rivals at golf and tennis. Several years into their friendship, Eliza and Carl discover Eve and Adam in a somewhat compromising situation which leads to an uncertain future for both of the marriages.

Adam and Eliza are quite happy with their lives when they first begin vacationing with the Landers. However, by the time the Eliza learns the truth about her husband's long ago relationship with Eve, she finally decides to it is high time she puts her needs first. She impulsively arranges to fly to Corfu to reconnect with her extended family. Her marriage becomes more tenuous as days past without contact from Adam but she does not hesitate to return home for a family emergency. Quickly realizing Adam does not feel like he did anything wrong, Eliza returns to Corfu where she hopes to find much needed clarity about what she wants out of life and what comes next for her and Adam.

Eve has long believed her pediatrician husband has not been faithful to her. Her discovery of a co-worker's sexy texts to Carl are the final straw and she is considering her options when she and Adam unexpectedly run into each other. Both are stunned when Eliza and Carl jump to conclusions about their relationship and neither of them is willing to admit they have done anything wrong. The situation goes from bad to worse when Eve's unpleasant mom gleefully fills Eliza in on Adam's complete history with Eve. After Carl makes an unexpected decision in the aftermath of these revelations, Eve is ready to throw caution to the wind with Adam but will he go along with her suggestion?

Same Beach, Next Year is a mostly light-hearted novel but Dorothea Benton Frank skillfully incorporates a few serious elements into the storyline. Although her marriage is on very shaky ground, the situation is the catalyst Eliza needs to finally step out from underneath Adam's control and figure out what she wants for herself. The shake-up is also a turning point for Eve as she, too, makes a decision to stop using alcohol to deal with her problems. Although the marital discord for both couples is glossed over following an unexpected emergency, the novel's conclusion is quite heartwarming.
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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 ( )