From the New York Times bestselling author of the Tradd Street novels comes a story of old wounds and second chances, set in the small South Carolina town of Folly Beach. To most people, Folly Beach is simply the last barrier island before reaching the great Atlantic. To some, it’s a sanctuary for lost souls… When Emmy Hamilton’s mother encourages her to buy the local book store, Folly’s … encourages her to buy the local book store, Folly’s Finds, she hopes it will distract her daughter from the loss of her husband. But the seller has one condition that changes everything: Emmy must allow Lulu, the late owner’s difficult elderly sister, to continue selling her bottle trees from its back yard.
For the most part Emmy ignores Lulu as she sifts through the love letters she finds in a box of used books. But the more she discovers about the letters, the more she understands Lulu. As details of a possible murder and a mysterious disappearance during WWII are revealed, the two women discover that circumstances beyond their control have brought them together, here on Folly Beach. And it is here that their war-ravaged hearts can find hope again…
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This story is set in Folly Beach, South Carolina and goes back and forth from 1942/43 to 2009.
It gives us a history of what was going on in war time in the 1942/43 years and the paranoia the people had about Germans submarines being off shore along the southern coast of the USA and that of German spies trying to infiltrate the local population to gain insight of the area.
In this section we follow Maggie, her younger sister Lulu and cousin Cat, and the people they are close to.
The story in both time periods revolve around a bookstore, Folly’s Finds, its books and its bottle trees.
In the 2009 sections we meet Emily, who lives in Indiana and who works at her mothers book shop. She has just lost her husband while he was fighting in Afghanistan, and cannot get over her sorrow. Emily’s mother had lived on Folly Beach, when she was young and when she heard that the owner of Folly’s finds was going to sell the store she bought some of their books for her own store. Within these books Emily finds notes written in the margins of some of the books, as if notes were being sent between lovers.
The notes, peeking her interest and deciding on a change of scenery to help her get over her loss, Emily with a push from her mother decides to go to Folly Beach and buy the book store, still owned by the same family as in the 40’s. The discovery of more note both in books and in Bottle trees, is a very fun part of the book and how we hear about what is going on.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is set in 2 different time periods which sounds confusing but due to this author’s talent of weaving the individual stories in alternating chapters that are connected in such a way that as the reader keeps you reading long after you should be sleeping! I highly recommend this book.
Love Karen White books. In this one I also learned about WWII and events along the coast as well as what a bottle tree is. Jumped back and forth in time, a little confusing, but figured it all out. Love a good beach book.
I love Folly Beach, but I didn’t know some of the history that was in this book ~ so i found it fascinating!
A young widow tries to come to terms with the death of her soldier husband in Afghanistan while attempting to solve a mystery from World War II. Author Karen White has created an intriguing read.
Karen White is absolutely my favorite author. I have read all her books and can’t wait until the next ones come out. She is so talented. I love her Charleston books as well as any she has written about the South.
I liked this book. It wasn’t so predictible, kept my interest from beginning to end. My only complaint if I had one was going back and 40 years in past to present, it was an important part of the story but I sometimes had to stop to reaclimate myself as to when I was reading. Enjoyed it very much!
Loved the parallel lives been past and present characters. I don’t know much about WWII so the 1940’s story line kept my interest. Old memories, new beginnings it’s all there!
Characters were interesting and the stories of each one kept your attention – wondering what would happen next. Sometimes it was difficult to keep track of the flashbacks, but all in all, it was fairly easy to follow.
I love visiting Folly Beach every fall, so it was fun to learn some history as well as recognize current sites.
I really enjoyed this book. I must admit I’m a big fan of most books that take place near the ocean or beach. I liked that this book captured all the things I like most about a beachy read.
Great beach read!!!
I am a fan of anything Karen White writes. Never disappointed.
Karen White never fails me. This book gets your attention and keeps it until the very end. Always sad when the book is finished.
Very good change of pace.
It was a slow starter, but eventually ended being a worthwhile read.
Karen White has a special talent when she creates her characters and very original plots. I love to delve into her wonderful stories.
Karen White is great, her books just take you in. I spent my youth/teen years on Folly Beach. The familiarity was wonderful.
I like reading books set in the low country
On Folly Beach by Karen White. This is only the second book I have read by KW, and I will be looking into more from her. I enjoyed this book sooo much! The dual time lines are a treat to read, the historical tidbits were interesting, and the characters pull strong emotions from the reader. The small town feel was evident and the references to WWII on the home front were great.