Booklist
Stokes' second outing revolves around four 1969 graduates of Mississippi's College for Women, who reassemble their once-popular musical quartet for their twenty-fifth reunion. Each woman has had her share of adversity in the years following college. Deborah "Delta" Ballou questions the existence of God in the wake of her minister husband's murder. Aspiring blues singer Rae Dawn regrets sacrificing her relationship with life partner Noel for the sake of her career. Twins Lauren and Lacy Cantrell remain estranged after battling for the affections of dashing fellow collegian Trip Jenkins. Stokes (Circle of Grace, 2004) writes convincingly about female friendships, but her novel is overwhelmed by overwrought prose. Of lustful Lauren Cantrell, she writes: "Even the thrumming down rain could not stem the tide of her desire." The characters are a bit broad, too: Rae Dawn, for example, with her trailer-park upbringing (replete with alcoholic father and ineffectual mother), or a frank-talking counselor who bears a striking resemblance to Dr. Ruth. Still, for readers looking for light entertainment, this will fill the bill. Allison Block
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
