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A satisfying tale of honor, chance, and star-crossed love infused with Southern wit, grace, and charm from the New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank

After twenty years, Elizabeth "Betts" McGee has finally managed to put her past behind her. She hasn't been home to beautiful South Carolina and untouched Bulls Island since the tragic night that ended her engagement to Charleston's golden boy, J. D. Langley.

And why is that? Really, this is the story of two old Southern families. The Langley family has more money than the Morgan Stanley Bank. And they think they have more class. The Barrett family made their nineteenth-century fortune in a less distinguished manner—corner grocery stores and liquor stores. It's no surprise that when J.D.

and Betts fall in love and decide to marry their parents are none too pleased. And when the love affair comes to an end, everyone is ready to place blame.

Now twenty years have gone by and Betts, a top investment bank executive, must leave her comfortable life in New York City to return to the home she thought she'd left behind forever. But spearheading the most important project of her career puts her back in contact with everything she's tried so hard to forget: her estranged sister, her father, J.D., and her past.

Once she's home, can Betts keep the secret that threatens all she holds dear? Or will her fear of the past wreck her future happiness? And what about that crazy gator? All will be revealed on Bulls Island.

2. The author named the main character Betts, "because she never backed away from a dare." Does the character fit her name?

3. Do you agree with their McGee family's anger at J.D. after Adrianna's death?

4. How have secrets shaped lives of Betts, J.D., Adrian, Betts's sister, Joanie, and Louisa?

5. One of the main themes is the notion of going home—the return of the prodigal child. Can we ever truly go back home? How do experiences outside of the home shape how we look at the place we grew up?

6. According to Betts, everyone looks at the world from their own point of view. How does the world look to J.D.? Betts? Sela? Joanie? Lousia? Valerie? How does their world look to you?

7. Betts is a woman with very discriminating, high-end tastes. Why would a woman like her get involved with a guy like Vinnie? Would it have happened if she wasn't in a state of near crisis?

8. Betts's boss tells her that Integrity is the stuff that makes and breaks lives. What do you think about this statement? What does integrity mean to you? Have any of the characters in the story behaved with integrity? Can integrity be regained once it's lost?

9. By keeping the secret of his birth from her son—and nearly everyone else—isn't Betts acting as manipulatively as Louisa?

10. "Love can work miracles." Do you agree? Are there instances in the book that support this?

11. J.D.'s maternal grandfather always told him: The pursuit of happiness is for the poor people. Do you agree with this? How is it true? How is it false?

12. The novel is told from two viewpoints. What insights does this format offer into each character? How do the stories overlap and how do they differ?

13. What role do the ideas of preservations and conservation play in the story?

This book is on these lists:

Atoy's Wish List by atoy

All lists >>

• January 2012 Indie Next List
• December 2011 Indie Next List
• November 2011 Indie Next List