Friday, December 20, 2013

Summer Girls

Summer Girls
Mary Alice Monroe

The Summer Girls

Genre: Women's Fiction

Summary (from Goodreads):  Three sisters reunite on Sullivan’s Island off the coast of South Carolina after years of separation in this heartwarming first novel in a new trilogy from a beloved author.Eighty-year-old Marietta Muir is a dowager of Charleston society who has retired to her historic summer home on Sullivan’s Island. At the onset of summer, Marietta, “Mamaw,” seeks to gather her three granddaughters—Carson, Eudora, and Harper—with the intent to reunite them after years apart. Monroe explores the depths and complexities of sisterhood, friendship and the power of forgiveness. The Summer Girls is a perfect beach read and anyone who “enjoys such fine southern voices as Pat Conroy will add the talented Monroe to their list of favorites” (Booklist).

Review: First of all, you should know that this is the first book in a planned trilogy.  While it does stand alone, telling the story of the granddaughter Carson, the ending leaves a lot to be desired with regard to the other sisters.  I imagine that the next two books in the trilogy will tell the stories of the other two sisters in more detail, and wrap up Carson's and Marietta's stories as well.

I have enjoyed Mary Alice Monroe's stories in the past, and this one was no exception.   My biggest complaint is that the author got a little preachy when it came to how to treat wild dolphins.  Her books often have a strong environmental or animal protection message, but this one came across  too strong, in my opinion.  Also, the three main characters weren't very likable - they were awfully spoiled and selfish - and so I didn't connect with them as much as I usually do in women's fiction about sisters.  It would make for a light and moderately entertaining beach read, but isn't my favorite in that genre.

Rating: 3 stars

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