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Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Last Bathing Beauty” by Amy Sue Nathan, Lake Union Publishing, April 1, 2020
I loved everything about “The Last Bathing Beauty” by Amy Sue Nathan. Amy Sue Nathan is a wonderful storyteller, and the writing in this book vividly describes the characters, the events, and the landscape. This is an amazing book that puts so many things into perspective. The themes throughout this novel are the importance of friendship, family, second chances, acceptance, forgiveness, love, and hope. This story is written in the summer of 1952, and also is written in the present. The story takes place in the summer of 1951 at a family lake resort and revisits this in the present. The author describes her characters as flawed, loyal, supportive, each with their own set of problems.
In 1959, Betty Stern is enjoying her last summer, working for her Grandparents at the lovely resort, before she goes to college. Betty even decides to compete in a bathing beauty contest. She has her friends to support her, and there are young men who work and visit the resort that are looking to have a nice summer. Things don’t often go as planned.
In the present Betty, now called Boop, is at the house by the resort, and her former friends are visiting, as well as her granddaughter. Secrets from the past surface creating complex situations and problems. Friendships will be questioned, and so will loyalties.
I highly recommend this unforgettable and thought-provoking novel.
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