On Folly Beach by: Karen White

***Received an advance copy courtesy Penguin Group

Synopsis

Folly Beach, South Carolina, has survived despite hurricanes and war. But it's the personal battles of Folly Beach's residents that have left the most scars, and why a young widow has been beckoned there to heal her own. 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, which is why Emmy Hamilton's mother encourages her to buy the local book store, Folly's Finds, hoping it will distract Emmy from the loss of her husband. Emmy is at first resistant. So much has already changed. But after finding love letters and an image of a beautiful bottle tree in a box of used books from Folly's Finds, she decides to take the plunge. But the seller insists on one condition: Emmy must allow Lulu, the late owner's difficult 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, wanting to learn more. 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, sixty years apart, have brought them together, here on Folly Beach. And it is here that their war-ravaged hearts can find hope for a second chance.

My review comments:

I personally love this author and her books never seem to disappoint me. This one was very special since to me it took on a Nancy Drew element in tracking down secrets and figuring out old mysteries from the past all through hand writing messages in the margins of famous books, then putting them all together like a puzzle piece one at a time, until it takes shape and shows the picture underneath. The story is also told in two different perspectives. The main character Emmy is trying to get over the loss of her husband, who died in the war in Afghanistan 2009, by trying to find a new way to go on and live her live without him. She moves to Folly Beach and takes over a book store business. She is then introduced to the other character Lulu that is holding keys to a story that has many secrets that happened during WWII, that she is trying to hide from her family so that there is no chance it will tear them apart. But after all the truths come out, you are left with a sense of relief and much needed forgiveness with southern grace. I loved the imagery and discovery of bottle trees thoughout the book, the little messages that were placed there to be discovered and the beautiful sounds the bottles would make by the wind blowing through them. Lastly, this is a great beach read, which would be perfect for summer. This book is sprinkled throughout with mystery, romance, forgiveness, friendship, and perseverance.