The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison AllenCopyright 2011
Bantam - Fiction
273 pages
What's it about?
Willa Jackson's family used to be wealthy but met with disaster when the logging industry failed. Now their former mansion, the Blue Ridge Madam, is being restored by none other than Paxton Osgood, the annoying socialite who used to drive Willa nuts. Willa stays on the touristy side of town running her sporting-goods store while Paxton puts on a false smile and plays the socialite. Everyone thinks Paxton has a charmed life. The truth is . . . Willa's jaded and Paxton's sad.
But circumstances will throw Willa and Paxton together. There's a whole mess of stuff I can't seem to stick into a coherent sentence, so here are some of the ingredients you'll find in The Peach Keeper: A long-buried secret, a nasty ghost that can only be put to rest when Willa and Paxton find some answers, a cherished long-lived friendship and an unlikely new one, a little haunting, a touch of magic, and a good dollop of romance.
That book description was longer than expected:
It is always very difficult to summarize a book by Sarah Addison Allen. There are so many strands to her books.
What did Bookfool think?
I am totally convinced there's no such thing as a bad book by Sarah Addison Allen. I absolutely love the blend of magic and Southern life, the gradual unfolding of mysteries from the days of Willa and Paxton's grandmothers' younger years, the slow-building romance. In this case, Willa and Paxton's friendship added a really sweet touch. I adore the way relationships are built slowly in this author's novels; they're believable and real. The relationship between Willa and Paxton's grandmothers is also quite touching in The Peach Keeper.
The bottom line:
If you like a magical Southern story with a touch of mystery, a dash of the paranormal, sweet, slow-building romance and a very lovely friendships, buy this book.
Many thanks to TLC Book Tours and Bantam Books for the review copy.
©2011 Nancy Horner. All rights reserved. If you are reading this post at a site other than Bookfoolery and Babble or its RSS feed, you are reading a stolen feed. Email bookfoolery@gmail.com for written permission to reproduce text or photos.
I really want to read this book after having heard a lot of good things all over the place about it, and I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it so much. Great review, as usual :)
ReplyDeleteZibilee,
ReplyDeleteI get all gushy about Sarah Addison Allen's books. I think they're wonderful! Hope you love it,too. And, thanks. :)
I absolutely adored this book! I reviewed it about a week ago, and I'm inclined to agree that there isn't such thing as a bad Sarah Addison Allen book! Great review!
ReplyDeleteI've got two of her books here begging to be read. I need to make the time to get to them!
ReplyDeleteWereadtoknow,
ReplyDeleteAren't her books wonderful? I've read them all and will probably reread the ones I own.
Kathy,
Oh, lady, what are you waiting for? They're must-reads!!
I enjoyed this book too even though it is outside my normal reading genres. Sometimes you need something different. :)
ReplyDeleteBrittanie,
ReplyDeleteI don't even know how I'd classify her books. They are all very similar in that there is a lot going on, the characters are really likable and there's always a touch of magic. And, they're set in North Carolina. Now that I've pondered a bit, I think you'd like them all.
My Mom has Garden Spells so I borrowed it from her. :)
ReplyDeleteBrittanie,
ReplyDeleteWahoo! I hope you love it!
I thought I had commented! I really look forward to this one. :)
ReplyDeleteI really love Sarah Addison Allen's books, and this one was good too! The worst thing about them is waiting for the next one!
ReplyDeleteCare,
ReplyDeleteSecond time's the charm? LOL It's a good one.
Marg,
The waiting is awful!!! Her books are such lovely, upbeat reads.
So glad that you enjoyed this as well, and I feel the exact same way about Sarah Addison Allen - she never, ever lets me down!
ReplyDeleteCoffee and a Book Chick,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you agree! I think she's wonderful. I love all of her books!
Yup. I agree 100%. Now if she would just hurry up with the next 10 books. :-D
ReplyDeleteAnother one for the TBR
ReplyDeleteMystica,
ReplyDeleteThumbs up.
Softdrink,
ReplyDeleteThe waiting definitely sucks.
Loved, loved, loved this one! I think it's my favorite, but I say that about every book of hers! I'm glad you enjoyed it too.
ReplyDelete2 Kids and Tired Books
Holly,
ReplyDeleteI tend to say that, too. There hasn't yet been a SAA book I haven't fallen in love with. The Sugar Queen was the only one I was hesitant about, at first. I don't like to read about people gorging on food of any kind. It turns my stomach. But, then it became the typical sweet, magical book and I loved it.
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