By Invitation Only: A Novel

I'd stopped reading DBF books for a couple of years. Though I love the Low Country of SC more than anything some of her books seemed redundant. This one was different. More interesting plot, less endless details about 'pluff mud' etc. I'd highly recommend this book.

From the first book I read, Pawley's Island, I have never missed a book! I even went back and looked for earlier books and binge read them until I ran out of reading material and had to wait like the rest of the world for books to come out when they were released. I have always loved the feel and smell of a brand new hardback book. I love them from the moment that I write my name and the date I bought the book (and where I bought the book since I always fun out of reading material when on vacation. So keeping up with where I bought the book helped remind me of that years vacation memories). However, since I have my own private club of Southern Authors that I follow and love their books too, the day came where I literally was forced to resort to ebooks. Something I resisted as long as possible but it came down to my books and or a safe place to walk in my home or a closet to hang up my clothes...so I bought my first ebook and though I miss my "new book moment" and the actual act of turning a page, it has its perks too.I loved this book. There are some books I love more than others but this was one of those books that once I was engaged in the beautifully flowing narrative, putting it down became a hardship and yet I was sad when I read the last page. I was not ready for this visit into the Lowcountry to be over. So, I'm now seeking out my favorite moments in the book and rereading those chapters. This is my way of dealing with "End of the Book Blues"!

Another Home Run for Dorthea Benton Frank! This book was so different from all of the others I've read but I couldn't wait to have time every day to read it. I thought about King's Market on the way in to Edisto Island. Wonderful produce, key lime pie, etc. The characters were so interesting and going back and forth from Chicago to the Lowcountry was an interesting twist. Don't miss reading this one. It's a 5 Star +. Pie - you need pie!

Five stars is not enough to give this latest book by Dorothea Benton Frank. When I let the housework slide because I am totally engrossed in a book, it's a winner in my world and this is what happened when I purchased this book! The plot was fun, the characters were likeable (some more than others, but don't want to spoil the story). Thank you Dottie for this wonderful book....it was well worth the wait!!!!

Waiting for a new book by Ms Frank is like waiting for Christmas! One wants it to hurry up and get here but then one wants it to last as long as possible. Her stories never disappoint with great characters and plot lines. This current read was a doozy and I found myself so reluctant for it to end.

I was introduced to Dorothea Benton Frank some years ago, when a friend mentioned her and thought I might enjoy reading her books. So, over the years, I have enjoyed her, but, with By Invitation Only, I found a book I couldn't put down, and my sister, who's not been as much of a fan, called me when about 3/4ths of the way through her copy to say she was loving the book and, like me, couldn't put it down. The storyline...a wedding and one of the mothers not being fully onboard...or being onboard but insisting her daughter have the wedding to end all weddings...the story then moving back and forth between the Carolina Low Country and Chicago, where the wedding will take place...and the characters...so nicely developed, reflecting so well their circumstances and those areas where they make their homes. I think it's the pace of the book and the author's bringing her readers into all that's going so vividly that makes for this wonderful reading experience. If this book is an introduction to Frank's work, don't hesitate to check out the titles of so many others she's written. She's obviously very much in love with the Low Country, but as someone born in Chicago, living in the suburbs all my life, she also brings that area of the country very much alive. Here's wishing the author much success with this effort. I look forward to next year's release.

Being a fan of her books I looked forward to this one. I savored it when it arrived, I waited for the perfect day to read it under the cherry tree. I read it one day. I didn't see the end coming and although others have said one of the key players couldn't change the way she did well, it's fiction and I loved the way the epilogue pulled it all together. My only regret the book is gone.

This is my first Dorothea Benton Frank book and I loved it. Reading it was like a balm, soothing over all the turmoil in our current chaotic times. I agree with reviewers that it was a little predictable but it was such fun reading it that it hardly mattered. I read it in one day. I wish life could be like this - it envelops you with love and family. Warning to anyone on a diet - the food descriptions will make you want to cheat.

I took this on Holiday and thoroughly enjoyed this latest book by a favourite author. Dorothea Benton Frank really understands families and feelings . I can 'see' the characters and situations she portrays and the food descriptions are so interesting . The only problem was I read it so quickly and ran out of a good replacement!.Look forward to her next book .

Enjoyed this book. As usual, you are absorbed in the characters and the description of places. Maybe not quite as good as earlier books, bu still enjoyed.

I truly enjoyed reading this latest book by DBF. Although there are many characters in the story, it is not difficult to remember who is who. Well woven plot. Love the humor in all her books. Some unexpected twists which keep the reader riveted and ending up with a smile. Can hardly wait for her next book.

This author was recommended to me by a friend in Ontario and I had never read any of her books before. Really enjoyed it and will be buying more books by this author.

LOVED this book!