All the Single Ladies

A Novel

By: Dorothea Benton Frank

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

The perennial New York Times best-selling author returns with an emotionally resonant novel that illuminates the power of friendship in women's lives and is filled with her trademark wit; poignant and timely themes; sassy, flesh-and-blood characters; and the steamy Southern atmosphere and beauty of her beloved Carolina Lowcountry.

Few writers capture the complexities, pain, and joy of relationships - between friends, family members, husbands and wives, or lovers - as beloved New York Times best-selling author Dorothea Benton Frank. In this charming, evocative, soul-touching novel, she once again takes us deep into the heart of the magical Lowcountry, where three amazing middle-aged women are bonded by another amazing woman's death.

Through their shared loss, they forge a deep friendship, asking critical questions. Who was their friend, and what did her life mean? Are they living the lives they imagined for themselves? Will they ever be able to afford to retire? How will they maximize their happiness? Security? Health? And ultimately their own legacies?

A plan is conceived and unfurls with each turn of the tide during one sweltering summer on the Isle of Palms. Without ever fully realizing how close they were to the edge, they finally triumph amid laughter and maybe even newfound love.

©2015 Dorothea Benton Frank (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

Delightfully Decadent

Sometimes a book finds you at just the right time; this was that book for me. DBF transported me to a lovely town with heart-warming characters who I enjoyed following their journey through the ups and downs of life. While I loved this book, reading too many books like this will ruin the feeling. Novels like this are meant to be enjoyed like truffles, only one or two every now and then. Too many too often and the decadent richness turns sour.

Tried to like it.

I really wanted to like it as this author was recommended to me by a friend. I had to make myself finish it. I thought I could relate as the ladies were approximately my age. What I found was a group of judgemental, self-righteous gold diggers. Not the strong independent southern belles we hear so much about. I just couldn't like any of the characters and had predicted the end by the third chapter. Just wasn't for me.

If you love the Lifetime Movie Channel....

What would have made All the Single Ladies better?

At least a somewhat plausible storyline and better editing.

What was most disappointing about Dorothea Benton Frank’s story?

Audible needs a subcategory or label for books that would be great for straight-to-Lifetime Movie Network (or Hallmark Movie Channel, or whatever) stories, so that I can avoid them in the future. This was just dreadful. I found myself rolling my eyes all the time. Can't believe I stuck it out to the end. Too predictable. Too silly.

What does Robin Miles bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narration was the only thing that saved this audiobook. I'm sure I would have given up early on if I had been reading the print version. She did a great job with all of the various characters, saving them from becoming complete stereotypes. The only reason I didn't give her five stars was that she read some parts as if she were constantly winking at the reader. The story didn't need any more sweet winking, so that was overkill.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from All the Single Ladies?

Why all the inexplicably detailed recipes? They interrupted the flow. And the timeline was ridiculous. Felt like everything happened in a matter of weeks (editing would have been helpful!). Also, the author annoyingly felt the need to explain the obvious way too often. (I actually found myself wondering out loud if there was any editing at all with this book.)

I tried

Would you try another book from Dorothea Benton Frank and/or Robin Miles?

If you are from the south this narrator will not impress you. Story slow, I waded through chapter 6 and had to quit. very disappointed, first time with this author and I didn't listen to the sample.

What could Dorothea Benton Frank have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

faster story and a better narrator

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

narrator
tooooooo slow

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointed

So so so boring

I tried to get into it... I ended up skipping chapters hoping something would actually happen... But the endless dead woman and funeral details were so dull, and it never got better.

Save yourself - pass this one by!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A totally different story written by a totally different author. This was embarrassingly, stereotypically anti-feminist. All of the characters were literally "saved" by men - all were married off by the end. The protagonist was judgemental, martyr-ish, and pretty much unbearable. I believe I purchased this as one of those "oh, you'll love this!" sales. I'll be a bit more discerning next time...

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

no.

Thought I was going to be able to relate

I was disappointed with this book. It took me 17 chapters to get into the story. I don't enjoy all the "she said, he said". The last few chapters were the best but felt the storyline was lacking. Sorry.

Great summer read!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book on my vacation. I LOVE Robin Miles - She is a wonderful narrator!

Enjoyable!

It was fun listening to this book. The main character told the story in her own words. The four single ladies have their own stories and their affection for each other brought their stories together. The reader did a great job with the personalities of each one. thoroughly enjoyable.

Perfect for Lady Baby Boomers

The characters were well developed, excitement in places and thoroughly delightfully predictable. Narrator was very good and enjoyable. A great low country romantic story. A pleasure to hear!