Shallow. Forced. Sophomoric. I'm not sure this would interest anyone not familiar with Sullivan's Island and even then, there is not much here. It is a speed read. I've read several of Frank's other books and was dissapointed in this. ( )

Return to Sullivan's Island is the sequel to Frank's 2004 Sullivan's Island. While I was waiting for RTSI from the library, I decided to read Sullivan's Island first, though that isn't necessary to read the sequel. I did not like it. I thought the characters were too colorful, over the top, and the main plot boring. Spoiler- Married women with teenage daughter discovers husband having an affair, he leaves her, she loses weight, gets make-over, new job, perfect relationship with teenage daughter, ex-husband gets prostate cancer, her first love proposes to her the first time they see each other in 20 years. Cue happy ending music.
I decided to still read Return to Sullivan's Island and try to keep an open mind. Beth, the teenage daughter from Sullivan's Island, now a college graduate, returns to her family home to house-sit for a year while her mother is teaching in Paris. Beth is less mature as an adult, than she was as a 14 year old in the first novel. She makes bad decision after bad decision and the characters are too black and white. I felt the author was trying too hard to make me care about the characters, but I just could not. The dialogue did not ring true to me. I made it 3/4 of the way through the book and then just could not take it anymore. I am sure though that it has a happy ending, with everything tied up neatly.
I know Dot Frank has a loyal following, but I discovered that even they are not happy with this book. It sounds that while this book was not for me, it also is not for her fans. ( )

Beth Hayes is determined to prove that she is finally an adult. Now that she's graduated from college she plans to go to graduate school in Iowa. A place far away from her family. Those plans come to a screeching halt when the very people she wishes to escape chooses her to stay in the family home on Sullivans Island. She is to stay in the house for a year while her mother is in Paris and her Aunt Maggie, Uncle Grant, and her stepfather are in California. She is beside herself with frustration. Will she never be able to make decisions for her own life without their constant meddling. They always treat her like a child. Beth will soon learn the importance of family as she experiences love and heartbreak. She very nearly loses her inheritance because she is so bound and determined to make her own decisions. How will she face her family when the truth comes out about all she has done? During her year of growing up she learns the true value of love and family.

What a wonderful book. I was yelling at Beth to wake up and smell the coffee the whole time she was involved with Max. The added mysteries of the house and the setting of Sullivans Island brought the whole "tight-knit family" concept together.
There's nothing more important than the love and support of your family. Beth is such a "real" character. I would really love to read more adventures of the Hamilton and Hayes clan. Each member of this family would make great stories themselves. This is a great book to take on vacation to the beach. Just kick back in the sand and enjoy! ( )

I've read all of Dottie Frank's previous books and loved them. I actually live in the Lowcountry so it's fun to read about local places. However, I was very disappointed in Return to Sullivan's Island. In fact, I got half way through it and am so disgusted I can't finish it. The main character Beth is very unlikeable, shallow and not nearly so smart as she likes to think she is. Maybe being 40, I find it hard to relate to a 20-something now. However, given how wonderful and smart her mother is, it's just too painful to read on about all the stupid and selfish things Beth does and continues to do throughout the book. Unfortuntely, this book was a waste of money. ( )

beth returns to sullivans island to house sit while her mother goes to paris and her aunt maggie to california. She falls in love with Max, a scheming cheat. Woody handles her trust and falls in love with her. THey lost money, the family is devasteted but all go on with their lives. ( )