By Invitation Only: A Novel by Dorothea Benton Frank

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

The Lowcountry of South Carolina is where By Invitation Only begins at a barbecue engagement party thrown by Diane English Stiftel, her brother Floyd, and her parents to celebrate her son’s engagement. On this gorgeous, magical night, the bride’s father, Alejandro Cambria, a wealthy power broker whose unbelievably successful career in private equity made him one of Chicago’s celebrated elite, discovers the limits and possibilities of cell phone range. While the mother of the bride, Susan Kennedy Cambria, who dabbles in the world of public relations and believes herself deserving of every square inch of her multimillion-dollar penthouse and imaginary carrara marble pedestal, learns about moonshine and dangerous liaisons.

Soon By Invitation Only zooms to Chicago, where the unraveling accelerates. Nearly a thousand miles away from her comfortable, familiar world, Diane is the antithesis of the bright lights and super-sophisticated guests attending her son Fred’s second engagement party. Why a second party? Maybe it had been assumed that the first one wouldn’t be up to snuff? Fred is marrying Shelby Cambria, also an only child. The Cambrias’ dearest wish is for their daughter to be happy. If Shelby wants to marry Frederick, aka Fred, they will not stand in her way—although Susan does hope her friends won’t think her daughter is marrying more than a few degrees beneath her socially. At the same time, Diane worries that her son will be lost to her forever.

By Invitation Only is a tale of two families, one struggling to do well, one well to do, and one young couple—the privileged daughter of Chicago’s crème de la crème and the son of hard -working Southern peach farmers.

Dorothea Benton Frank offers a funny, sharp, and deeply empathetic novel of two very different worlds—of limousines and pickup trucks, caviars and pigs, skyscrapers and ocean spray—filled with a delightful cast of characters who all have something to hide and a lot to learn. A difference in legal opinions, a headlong dive from grace, and an abrupt twist will reveal the truth of who they are and demonstrate, when it truly counts, what kind of grit they have. Are they living the life they want, what regrets do they hold, and how would they remake their lives if they were given the invitation to do so?

By Invitation Only is classic Dorothea Benton Frank—a mesmerizing Lowcountry Tale that roars with spirit, humor, and truth, and forces us to reconsider our notions of what it means to be a Have or a Have Not.

my thoughts:

As a fan of Dorothea Benton Frank's novels - they are always chock full of interesting characters, family dramas, and engaging story lines - I just knew that I was in for a treat with her latest work, By Invitation Only.  Especially, since it has to do with weddings - a topic that is on the brain lately due to my little sister getting engaged a few weeks ago (we are all about wedding planning now).  Plus, I was in the mood for some chick lit and knew that DBF's latest story would be just the ticket for some fun reading.  Let me just say, DBF did not disappoint.  By Invitation Only was a delightfully sweet read. 

Love, marriage, family - oh my! Sometimes its all good and sometimes it can be oh, so bad.  Yep, this is a story about a young couple in love and eager to get married. Coming from different backgrounds, their families don't exactly mesh well.  Fred's mom is a hardworking peach farmer and lives in the lowcountry of South Carolina, while Shelby's parents are a part of the elite crowd of Chicago.  As the two families begin celebrating their children's impending nuptials, their vast differences begin to show up as they start to plan, plan, plan. However, at the end of the day, the only thing each mother wants is for their kid to be happy.  DBF has written a funny and charming story that will have you laughing, smiling, and cheering on these characters you can't help but befriend. Her writing is top notch - you can't help but enjoy each minute you spend with this story.  I absolutely LOVED it.

I would happily recommend By Invitation Only to fans of DBF and fans of chick lit - you will fall in love with this book!!


Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: By Invitation Only

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!