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By Invitation Only
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
45 posts | 33 read | 17 to read
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 sons engagement. On this gorgeous, magical night, the brides father, Alejandro Cambria, a wealthy power broker whose unbelievably successful career in private equity made him one of Chicagos 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 Freds second engagement party. Why a second party? Maybe it had been assumed that the first one wouldnt 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 wayalthough Susan does hope her friends wont 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 couplethe privileged daughter of Chicagos crme de la crme and the son of hard -working Southern peach farmers. Dorothea Benton Frank offers a funny, sharp, and deeply empathetic novel of two very different worldsof limousines and pickup trucks, caviars and pigs, skyscrapers and ocean sprayfilled 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 Franka 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.
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Eggs
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Day 4: 3 more books finished, 5 in all

#Sharreads Readathon

TheSpineView Wow! Impressive job!💙📘💙📖💙 2y
Eggs @TheSpineView 🙏🏻📚😍 2y
EadieB Great Progress! 2y
See All 6 Comments
Eggs @EadieB Thank you 🙏🏻 2y
Andrew65 Brilliant 👏👏👏 2y
Eggs Thank you ♥️ @Andrew65 2y
54 likes6 comments
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Eggs
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Day 3 #Sharreads Readathon: finished AllSummer Long, The June Boys, and halfway through By Invitation Only.
For Sharon S

LibrarianRyan wasnt june boys interesting i kind of want to live in that castle 2y
Andrew65 Great 😊 2y
Eggs Yes @LibrarianRyan !!!! I would like to have heard more about that!!! 2y
Eggs Thanks @Andrew65 🙏🏻 2y
47 likes4 comments
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kelli7990
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Mehso-so

I‘m posting my review for a book I finished for #bookoplathon. This completes the prompt TBR Game: TBR Jar. I have a #tbrjar. Even though I didn‘t like this book very much, I still want to read other books by this author.

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MindyK59
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
Pickpick

This was my 1st book by this author but I have been wanting to read 1 of her books for a while. I really liked it. I didn‘t know how the story was going to proceed but I really liked how it ended. I hope to read more of her books in the future.

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BayouGirl85
By Invitation Only | Dorothea Frank
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Pickpick

This book was like sitting on my grandmas porch when all my aunts are gossiping. The Drama!!! The clash of two families that could be more different. The sparks and spats were great.

5 likes1 stack add
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Clwojick
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Oscar Meyer is not impressed to see I‘m heading out for my evening walk. It‘s been a great day for steps, and I‘m really enjoying this audiobook. ♥️
#BookFitnessChallenge @wanderinglynn

ItsAngel Oscar Meyer...love it. 😂 5y
Clwojick @ItsAngel 😂 We originally named him after Oscar the Grouch, seeing as how he was sleeping in the recycling bin in a Walmart flower center whenever it rained. It took us a few months to finally catch the little feral nugget, but when we finally did I would sing him the Oscar Meyer Weiner song to calm him down and familiarize him with my voice. That was 4.5 years ago. 😂 5y
ItsAngel Great name and story! 💜💙💜 5y
See All 8 Comments
BookwormAHN That's fantastic 💚 5y
marleed That‘s so sweet! 5y
Leftcoastzen 😻 5y
wanderinglynn Way to go! 🙌🏻 But clearly Oscar Meyer thinks he should be your priority. ❤️🐱😹 5y
BooknerdsLife Awww 🥰 5y
128 likes8 comments
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intothehallofbooks
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Pickpick

A standalone featuring the families of an engaged couple. The families come from opposite parts of the US and they clash on everything because of differing backgrounds. There are humorous moments in most scenes involving the moms; there are also tough scenes when each family has to regroup after major setbacks. I LOVE that Ms Frank infuses humor with the weighty parts of her story. She is a favorite!

Thanks to William Morrow for the review copy!

36 likes2 stack adds
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Judybskt
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Pickpick

Finished this cute book. I haven‘t liked a few of her recent books. I gave this a chance anyway. I really enjoyed it. It was a fun read. Got some gardening done after lunch.

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Judybskt
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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1. Maggie & her boyfriend at Easter. She graduates from Ole Miss in a week. He graduates from West Point in 3 weeks.
2. Tagged - just started it; so far so good.
3. Try to get some gardening done, relax, get ready for our trip to MS.
4. Dreary!!
5. Friday - who knows!!

#friyayintro
@howjessreads

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Judybskt
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Next up...for May book club

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hes7
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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#BookMail

“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.”

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Judybskt
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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🌼 Us Against You - have about 30 pages left
🌸 None - never listened to one
🌻 Tagged - my pick for book club

#weekendreads
@rachelsbrittain

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Judybskt
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Need to finish my current book so I can start this one.

@Ericalambbrown lilacs are blooming!

Ericalambbrown Yay!!!! They are lovely! 😍 5y
17 likes1 comment
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hdhubbard
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
Pickpick

Enjoyed it a lot more than I expected too. Hilarity, heartbreak, with a generous dollop of love and family ties. 8 out of 10, would definitely read again.

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Zelma
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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I have problems. Even though I have a library stack from last week and just started the next Fairyland book, I had to get more library books this week. I somehow needed the Nellie Bly RIGHT NOW and the other just jumped in my car too. 😳

Valink I do the same thing! And this is why I have towers of unread books at home. 6y
Zelma @Valink yeah, I am choosing to not comment on my unread books at home. 😆 6y
My_novel_obsession 🙋‍♀️me too - same thing 🤦‍♀️ 6y
Hooked_on_books I can‘t go to the library anymore because of my lack of self control. I understand your problem. 😉 6y
JennyM I have the exact same problem. It‘s a real issue 😂 6y
63 likes5 comments
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Sassy_Steph
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
Bailedbailed

Probably nothing wrong with this book it just got returned on my library app!!

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kstadt929
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Mehso-so

I struggled through the beginning of this one. It was hard to get into. Some of the writing is choppy. I struggle with bailing on books so I kept on trucking through. But then all of a sudden something happened that hooked me! Although I guessed the ending, it turned out to be better than I expected when I was pushing through the beginning. I wouldn‘t put it at the top of your TBR, but it turned out to be an okay read.

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kstadt929
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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🤣🤣🤣

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kstadt929
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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GUYS! I almost bailed on this book so many times. I wanted to love it. I knew it had to get better...and then I got so far into it I knew I had to finish it. But THEN! On page 265 it FINALLY hooked me. I have not finished it yet, but now I absolutely HAVE to know what happens! If you are reading this one and struggling like I was, just keep going! I‘ll update again when I finish! 😁

15 likes1 stack add
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kstadt929
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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I love this ❤️

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kstadt929
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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You never understand the truth of this until you are planning your wedding 🤣 64 days to go!!

15 likes1 comment
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JessLeigh
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
Bailedbailed

I really wanted to like this one, but it just wasn't the case. The writing was bad, the characters had no sense of differentiation, even though the chapters switched from character point of views. It just wasn't the book for me.

RadicalReader @JessLeigh completely utterly understandable and relatable your bio 6y
kstadt929 Ugh I‘m so close to bailing! I want to like it too so I‘m like it has to get better...right?!?! Totally relate to your post! 6y
18 likes2 comments
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JessLeigh
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Is it bad that as I read this, I mentally picked out where all of these items are in the retail store I work at?? I need a break😂😴

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TinaF
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is my first read by Ms. Frank. I really enjoy books set in the SC Low Country and this had an additional favorite setting, Chicago. The back and forth betwixt family members as a couple prepares to get married was very entertaining, with a few twists and turns along the way. Read it!

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TheBookgeekFrau
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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TheBookgeekFrau
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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JoScho So true. 6y
wanderinglynn Yes exactly. 6y
AmyG Yes 6y
DustiD67 Great quote! 6y
50 likes5 comments
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TheBookgeekFrau
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Pretty end-pages 😊

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JessLeigh
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Went to the library and just couldn't help myself! I'm very excited to get to all of these! Plus, Black Dove White Raven was on the cart of books they were selling so I picked it up for 50 cents! It was such a good deal😄

nikirtehsuxlol What is a 7 Day Book? 6y
JessLeigh @nikirtehsuxlol it's a book from the library that is due seven days after you take it out! Usually it's because the book is fairly popular, so they want it back on shelves asap 6y
TNbookworm I really enjoyed By Invitation Only😊 6y
24 likes3 comments
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kstadt929
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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116 pages in and I‘m boooooooored. Someone please tell me it gets better! Contemplating making this a DNF...

monkeygirlsmama Never even heard of it, I don‘t think. Sorry it‘s not so great. 6y
17 likes1 comment
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kstadt929
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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I was so excited when I found this on the Lucky Day shelf at the library today! Love the pretty blue cover ❤️

LiteraryinLawrence What‘s a Lucky Day shelf? It sounds fun, whatever it is! 6y
kstadt929 @LiteraryinLititz It is a shelf you can check out books/movies from that can‘t be put on hold and can‘t be renewed. They usually have newer and popular books there so it‘s awesome to walk in and check the shelf to see what‘s there. No waiting for the hold to come in! 6y
LiteraryinLawrence @kstadt929 Ahh. Cool! That‘s a smart idea! 6y
13 likes3 comments
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TheBookgeekFrau
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Pickpick

Fun and entertaining. Perfect back porch reading on a summer afternoon 🌞

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TheBookgeekFrau
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Lmao🤣

Love the clash of city sophisticate/southern farmer 😁

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TheBookgeekFrau
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Starting this one over lunch

#CurrentRead

42 likes1 stack add
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Lydiamansel
By Invitation Only | Dorothea Frank
Mehso-so

Bit slow at first, but a nice pleasant ending

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kristafred
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Pickpick

When you get the instinct that it's too good to be true and you're right..

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SheReadsAndWrites
By Invitation Only: A Novel | Dorothea Benton Frank
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Panpan

I wanted so much to like this book. It started out good - the couple getting married where the mother of the bride was a snobby nightmare and the groom is a small town boy with a "simple" upbringing and family. But in writing they say to show and not tell and there was way too much telling here. And I started out liking characters but by the end, just couldn't find the desire to care. Not bad writing, just not my kind of read.

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SheReadsAndWrites
By Invitation Only | Dorothea Frank
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Really enjoying this one. It's pulling me out of my reading slump. 🤓📖 #Saturday #readinghappiness

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Bostonmomx2
By Invitation Only | Dorothea Frank
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I often will stop reading and Google a business or place mentioned to see if it‘s real. You have NO idea how excited I am this place is real. I‘m so ordering! I would imagine this business is pretty damn excited their place was mentioned in a book so many people will read!

mabell I just googled it too. You really can order online! I'm intrigued! Please report back if you order! 😁 6y
61 likes1 comment
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Judybskt
By Invitation Only | Dorothea Frank
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@CoffeeNBooks is doing a fun giveaway! I would love to read By Invitation Only at the pool this summer!! #summerizegiveaway Thank you!!

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SheReadsAndWrites
By Invitation Only | Dorothea Frank
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1) Looking at Lake Tahoe
2) Not sure-a year? 😐
3) Not really, no. 😏
4) 7:45
5) Books, reading glasses, clock

#HumpDayPost

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Bostonmomx2
By Invitation Only | Dorothea Frank
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I hate to bail on books but I‘m going to set the other one aside and start this, hoping it holds my interest better.

64 likes1 stack add
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SheReadsAndWrites
By Invitation Only | Dorothea Frank
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I've had a hard time finding my reading groove-can't get into a book! Hoping this one gets me through my reading slump. 🤓📖

Stacy_31 I‘m in the same boat. Have a few new ones that sound interesting, but I can‘t really get into anything. Hope this one helped your slump. 📚 6y
SheReadsAndWrites Thank you! @SpaceyStacy It is helping. Now I just need to sit still long enough to read. 😂 6y
10 likes2 comments
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SilversReviews
By Invitation Only | Dorothea Frank
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Found this on Facebook.

Dorothea Benton Frank has a fabulous sweepstakes running with a prize package to throw the perfect summer party! The prize includes gifts from Double Cross Vodka, Vermont Shepherd, Crate and Barrel, Sur La Table, Williams Sonoma and more. And don‘t forget, the winner will also receive copies of her new book, BY INVITATION ONLY (on sale May 15). #ByInvitationOnly #YoureInvited

Enter here to win: http://a.pgtb.me/SmVjGb

Cinfhen Thanks for sharing 😍 6y
SilversReviews @Cinfhen 😍😍😍Of course. I hope one of the Littens wins. 😍😍😍 6y
DivineDiana I entered! Thank you! 6y
See All 10 Comments
wanderinglynn Thank you for sharing! 😀 6y
tammysue Thanks for posting!👍🏻 6y
SilversReviews @DivineDiana I hope one of us wins. 😍😍😍 6y
SilversReviews @wanderinglynn You are welcome. 😍😍😍 6y
SilversReviews @whatshesreadingnow You are welcome. 😍😍😍 6y
Mdargusch Thanks for the heads up! 6y
SilversReviews @Mdargusch You are welcome. 😍😍😍 6y
61 likes10 comments