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The Last Original Wife  By  cover art

The Last Original Wife

By: Dorothea Benton Frank
Narrated by: Robin Miles
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Publisher's summary

Leslie Anne Greene Carter is the Last Original Wife among her husband Wesley's wildly successful Atlanta social set. His cronies have all traded in the mothers of their children they promised to love and cherish - till death did them part - for tanned-and-toned young Barbie brides.

If losing the social life and close friends she adored wasn't painful enough, a series of setbacks shake Les's world and push her to the edge. She's had enough of playing the good wife to a husband who thinks he's doing her a favor keeping her around. Now, she's going to take some time forherself - in the familiar comforts and stunning beauty of Charleston, her beloved hometown. In her brother's stately historic home, she's going to reclaim the carefree girl who spent lazy summers sharing steamy kisses with her first love on Sullivan's Island. Daring to listen to her inner voice, she will realize what she wants...and find the life of which she's always dreamed.

Told in the alternating voices of Les and Wes, The Last Original Wife is classic Dorothea Benton Frank: an intoxicating tale of family, friendship, self-discovery, and love, that is as salty as a low country breeze and as invigorating as a dip in Carolina waters on a sizzling summer day.

©2013 Dorothea Benton Frank (P)2013 HarperCollinsPublishers

What listeners say about The Last Original Wife

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Love!

This book was awesome! Her writing is witty and sentimental at the same time… I literally laughed out loud at some of the things Wes said and did. I have loved her works and Sullivans Island years ago and look forward to reading everything she writes!

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Like my mother

Daddy treated mother like this except he did buy her new cars and jewelry. His vice was hunting and fishing. He didn't know what to do with us girls while he babysat us, so he taught us how to play poker on a Sunday even. That was scandalous in the south in the 50's. Anyway this book depicts what it's like to live with means in a social scene. So proud of Les for realizing that she didn't have to put up with her husband treating her like a slave. Good book!

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could not stop listening

the anazing reader made it come alive. I loved every minute of this wonderful book.

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Loved this book

Other reviewers talked about how bad the reader’s southern accent was and I almost didn’t buy it. But I listened to the sample and I personally have spent time with people who talk just like that.
I’m so glad I purchased this because I totally enjoyed it!

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Great read!

What did you like best about this story?

The laugh-out-loud humor

What didn’t you like about Robin Miles’s performance?

I do NOT like Robin Miles's southern accent. I am from the South. We do NOT sound like Miles when she performs "southern". I would prefer never to hear Miles's do southern again but I do like Dorothea Benton Frank.

Who was the most memorable character of The Last Original Wife and why?

Wes................he just doesn't get it.

Any additional comments?

Loved the book. Light and funny with just enough mystery to keep the reader guessing.

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6 people found this helpful

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A wonderful story!

Another captivating story by this author. I hated to stop listening when it was necessary, and was eager to return to it. I loved how it ended, and also how this fine narrator added even more to the story!

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Too southern

It took me a while to get into the story due to the readers very southern drawl. I live in NC my mother is from Mobile Alabama my father from Raleigh and my husband from Richmond VA and the readers southern drawl was too much even for me. There was not very much distinction between the voice of characters so sometimes it was confusing as to whom was speaking. But I pushed through it and loved it in the end.

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Most fun book I've read in a long time!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I actually recommended this book to all of my friends and can't wait until they get into it so I can talk about Les and her crazy husband and children with them. I

What other book might you compare The Last Original Wife to and why?

Wifey by Judy Blume

Which scene was your favorite?

When Les describes her son's dread locks and his smell after returning from Kathmandu.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud throughout the book.

Any additional comments?

The narration was just lovely.

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One of Dorothea Benton Frank's best! GREAT book!

This book was light, full of humor and grace, and well written. Although it was a bit predictable, the story was so well written and full of so many entertaining side stories/events that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will probably listen again just for the uplifting and joyful read. It is a positive and hopeful story. My credit was well spent on this one.

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  • Overall
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great listen

What a great story about a woman finally coming into her own!!! What a great listen!!!

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