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Not Far From The Peach Tree
Anxiety has become the only thing Abigail Hartley can count on. She's jobless, dreamless, loveless and stuck living with her parents—it's not exactly the 22 she had in mind. But when tragic news rattles the Hartley household and years of secrecy begin to surface, Abigail can no longer hide behind her fears. She joins forces with her sarcastic, pre-teen sister and heads to the only place that might have the answers she's looking for. One month in Georgia is all it takes to change everything Abigail knows about, well…everything.
258 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2019
2 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina Falk
1 book10 followersSABRINA FALK is a novelist, screenwriter and guest contributor on numerous blogs across North America. Her debut novel, Not Far From The Peach Tree was the Number 1 Best Selling Paperback Fiction at McNally Robinson Booksellers.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 16, 2019
What an interesting book title. Not far from the Peach Tree was not what I was expecting from the synopsis, but it’s a great read. Two sisters have an unexpected adventure to find out the secrets of their family’s past. The story is told from the older sister point of view. Abigail has lost her way. She has finished school but doesn’t know what direction to take her life in.
Her mother and grandmother are estranged. Abigail wanted to know her grandmother, but now it’s too late. Her mother is struggling to let go of old feuds. Abigail wants to know about her family. Against her mother's wish’s, the two sisters go to the home of their grandmother. What they find is a loveable quiet town with a great community. It’s a different world to the city they grew up in. As they uncover the secrets of their grandmother's house they find the town also holds so many memories. Will their mother come around when she discovers where the girls have gone? Can the secrets of a town come to life? And can Abigail find herself?
This is a fun story with a few hidden twists. It has a romance element and the sisters discover more than they bargained for. 4.5 stars out of 5. *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Chapter by chapter blog tour date 2nd February.
http://chaptersthroughlife.blogspot.c...
Her mother and grandmother are estranged. Abigail wanted to know her grandmother, but now it’s too late. Her mother is struggling to let go of old feuds. Abigail wants to know about her family. Against her mother's wish’s, the two sisters go to the home of their grandmother. What they find is a loveable quiet town with a great community. It’s a different world to the city they grew up in. As they uncover the secrets of their grandmother's house they find the town also holds so many memories. Will their mother come around when she discovers where the girls have gone? Can the secrets of a town come to life? And can Abigail find herself?
This is a fun story with a few hidden twists. It has a romance element and the sisters discover more than they bargained for. 4.5 stars out of 5. *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Chapter by chapter blog tour date 2nd February.
http://chaptersthroughlife.blogspot.c...
January 28, 2019
I loved this book! It’s really funny and yet so emotionally charged. Abigail, the 22 year old protagonist, is relatable and wonderfully endearing. Maddy, her younger sister, is one of the most likeable and entertaining characters I’ve ever read. The mystery element kept me turning the pages and the characters stuck with me long after putting the book down. The book is not afraid to tackle important issues (without giving anything away) in honest and at times heartbreaking ways. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in strong, funny, female protagonists who aren’t afraid to ask difficult questions. Five Stars!
April 25, 2019
Absolutely captivating. I could not put it down. Sabrina has a way of writing her characters in a way you can relate to them and imagine them right down to the finest details. Very clever and witty. I love the family drama and surprise twists the book takes you through . Love the sarcastic oneliners of Maddy she’s my favourite character. It’s a summer must read!!! Hang up a hammock, grab some peach ice tea and enjoy!!!!
February 6, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was funny and very relatable - bringing up memories of somehow always being embarrassed in front of your crush!
I couldn't put it down until I got to the end of the mystery. Very intriguing. Very well set up.
There's a lot of great story and it's a nice sized book to get through in an evening.
It's pleasant and sunny and a feel-good experience.
I couldn't put it down until I got to the end of the mystery. Very intriguing. Very well set up.
There's a lot of great story and it's a nice sized book to get through in an evening.
It's pleasant and sunny and a feel-good experience.
January 24, 2019
Unfortunately, this was not the book for me. It's not to say that other people won't like it but I just wasn't pulled into the story. The writing felt disjointed, the heroine seemed very young (well, I suppose she is 22), and the likelihood that her parents would let her and her little sister head out of state based on a lie was not realistic for me. That the parents wouldn't pry for more information about this "internship" Abigail created made the story feel unrealistic and hence hard for me to really immerse myself into the story. Because I kept thinking, this would never happen. We find out later that the father knew but still...it seemed quite blase to me and not quite realistic, which for me took away from the story.
I really liked the premise based on the blurb, and once you do get reading, there is some intrigue about why Abigail's mother refused to talk to her grandmother. So the mystery there unwinds. But to me, it didn't feel authentic, though it was interesting. This book was just ok, as the rating suggests. I know some people feel two stars are bad, but for me, it truly was just ok. Not bad, just ok. And again, others may love it. It just wasn't the story for me.
I really liked the premise based on the blurb, and once you do get reading, there is some intrigue about why Abigail's mother refused to talk to her grandmother. So the mystery there unwinds. But to me, it didn't feel authentic, though it was interesting. This book was just ok, as the rating suggests. I know some people feel two stars are bad, but for me, it truly was just ok. Not bad, just ok. And again, others may love it. It just wasn't the story for me.
February 4, 2019
"I wish that were true. I wish I would stop messing things up. I wish--I wish my fairy godmother were here, then all this wishing would be good for something" (chapter 19).
Thank you Sabrina Falk, Peasantry Press, and Chapter by Chapter for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally posted on my blog, June Reads Books.
I genuinely loved this sweet story about a lost city girl who learns about herself by following her history to a small town in Georgia. Welcome to your 20's, people. I have never related more to a character than I related to the feelings of despair when faced with the realization that you have no idea what you're doing with your life. It's like you're staring at a brick wall with all the possibilities just beyond it, but no energy to climb it. This is where Abigail is in life, and it doesn't help that she feels like her parents way of supporting her is by trying to push her, and suggesting she move out.
When Abigail's grandmother dies, she's faced with a wave of questions. Who was she? Why did her mother have a poor relationship with her? How come she never got the opportunity to get to know her? So Abigail decides to fake an internship that would please her parents, while including a junior program for her spirited sister who just got put on probation at school, so that the both of them can go to Georgia to learn what they can about this mysterious woman. While she and her sister get their late grandmother's house ready for an estate sale, Abigail uncovers family secrets set in motion before her mother was even born.
Abigail's character is so kind and unsure of herself. As she learns more about her grandmother, she starts learning more about herself, and it made my heart happy to see her grow in confidence. Her sister, Maddy, was probably my favorite character, though. She is so spunky, sarcastic, and always hungry! Every time she opened her mouth, I looked forward to what she would say. And of course, how can you write a story set in a small town in Georgia without introducing a swoonable country boy love interest? Lemme tell ya, he's a good one.
Falk writes an engaging, genuine story with humor from start to finish. The town is charming and full of secrets, the people are hospitable and gossipy, and the sun is just plan hot. I would definitely watch this story unfold in a feel-good movie.
January 29, 2019
What a delightful and unexpected treat this book was. Falks language and way with words immediately drew me into Abigail's world in New York, and just as quickly I could feel the smothering humidity emotionally descend, as she journey down South with her sister. I was fascinated by their relationship as I also have a sister, whose life is intertwined with mine in so many layers. The sisters' connection was so authentic and endearing. My heart took the ups and downs with Abigail, as she navigated self-discovery, disappointment, and reconnection with herself and those she loves. I laughed and cried, and was genuinely surprised by this adventure. I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a novel with genuine heart, authentic characters, who leave you reflecting, and thinking about things worth musing on, long after the last page has turned.
May 16, 2021
Read this for the D/FW UGA Alumni book club. A good read but not amazing. It is easy to be critical about some of the things in the book but those would be spoilers except I will say the ending was predictable. Had Falk wanted to make the book longer, I am pretty sure some of my critical concerns would have been addressed. On the positive side, I enjoyed the relationship between the sisters Abigail and Maddy and there were a couple of laugh out loud moments.
July 31, 2019
Georgia
If only life could be like this silly fairy tale. Too far-fetched for my taste. I couldn't find anything worth quoting. I did finish it, however, so there's that.
If only life could be like this silly fairy tale. Too far-fetched for my taste. I couldn't find anything worth quoting. I did finish it, however, so there's that.
June 29, 2020
I could not put this book down! It had me captivated from beginning to end and I missed the characters as if they were my real life friends as soon as it ended. Great read!
February 15, 2024
Such an amazing book!
Would definitely read it again, and recommend it to others! Also, great plot to the book.
Need more of your book! 💗
Would definitely read it again, and recommend it to others! Also, great plot to the book.
Need more of your book! 💗
September 16, 2019
Very good read ! 😀
February 16, 2021
Such a sweet and charming read! I loved the characters and the plot is so well written!
February 5, 2019
**4.5 Stars**
This was a very heartwarming, quirky story about finding yourself and really understanding your family- and finding unexpected happiness along the way. I thought that the story sounded interesting when I first read the synopsis, but I did not realize that the book snuck up on me, making me lost in all the feels until I reached the end. If you are looking for a feel-good story, look no further, because Not Far From the Peach Tree will be that book.
I loved the relationship dynamic between the two sisters Maddy and Abigail. They are a decade apart in age and have absolutely nothing in common, but this family mystery brings them together and unites them on a search for truth (all the while lying). While the book had many things going on, I loved the interactions between the two and how such a strong bond formed by the end. In general, I loved Maddy and her confidence and total lack of regret or filter- she helped Abigail be more herself. I had to share a few pieces of the banter between the sisters in my review because they were ridiculous and my favorite parts of the book.
At times you had to suspend your fact/reality meter for situations that a little to perfectly worked out, such as a internship opportunity at a law office for middle school up to adult candidates, but this is fiction so oh well. The fact that some of the scenarios that the main character found herself in were over the top did not distract from the overall cuteness of the story.
Overall, Under the Peach Tree was a cute, fast read that you can easily lose yourself in for an afternoon. It was full of feel good moments, family drama, the merits of southern charm and tons of heart. This is the first book by Sabrina and I look forward to more to come.
I am voluntarily reviewing a complimentary copy of this book. Come visit me at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/
This was a very heartwarming, quirky story about finding yourself and really understanding your family- and finding unexpected happiness along the way. I thought that the story sounded interesting when I first read the synopsis, but I did not realize that the book snuck up on me, making me lost in all the feels until I reached the end. If you are looking for a feel-good story, look no further, because Not Far From the Peach Tree will be that book.
Something rattles around behind me, then smashes on the ground. I jump and scream at the same time.
Maddy shouts, “I’m sorry!”
“What was that?”
“Just a vase. But don’t worry, it was ugly.”
I loved the relationship dynamic between the two sisters Maddy and Abigail. They are a decade apart in age and have absolutely nothing in common, but this family mystery brings them together and unites them on a search for truth (all the while lying). While the book had many things going on, I loved the interactions between the two and how such a strong bond formed by the end. In general, I loved Maddy and her confidence and total lack of regret or filter- she helped Abigail be more herself. I had to share a few pieces of the banter between the sisters in my review because they were ridiculous and my favorite parts of the book.
“Hold up. Did you just say I was right?”
“Trust me, I’m as surprised as you are.”
She smiles, I put my arm around her side, and we keep walking. I’ve lived with this girl for half my life, but it feels like I’ve only really known her these past few days.
At times you had to suspend your fact/reality meter for situations that a little to perfectly worked out, such as a internship opportunity at a law office for middle school up to adult candidates, but this is fiction so oh well. The fact that some of the scenarios that the main character found herself in were over the top did not distract from the overall cuteness of the story.
“Problem solving.”
“Oh? And how’s that working out for ya?”
“Not great. Everyone’s just so mean.”
She smoothes my statically lifted hair. “There, there Einstein. Maybe, if you look a little less crazy, they’ll take you seriously.”
Overall, Under the Peach Tree was a cute, fast read that you can easily lose yourself in for an afternoon. It was full of feel good moments, family drama, the merits of southern charm and tons of heart. This is the first book by Sabrina and I look forward to more to come.
I am voluntarily reviewing a complimentary copy of this book. Come visit me at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/
March 16, 2019
I have never been a reader , and for me to read a whole book is a “miracle “!! , but.... when I started to read Not far from the peach 🍑 tree , I found myself so into this story , as I was reading I could picture what was going on, like it was a movie playing in my head! I found myself laughing out loud! , crying, a lot of different emotions going on, wanting to keep on reading to find out what’s happen next!! It’s a great book to read!!🥰 👍👍 it’s a “GOODER”!!!!!
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April 17, 2019Sabrina Falk is a young, up and coming author, breathing a breath of fresh air into the literary community. Keep an eye on her folks. Not Far From The Peach Tree is a well written tale of a young 'twenty-something' finding her way in the world of today. It was good for this ol' hippie to see the world from that prospective. Like it or not, we live in the now, so lets do our part to improve what we have, instead of pining for what is gone.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews