The Peach Keeper in Crazy Challenge Connection

Mar 04, 2011 ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) rated it liked it

Shelves: killeen-library-paper, women, magical-realism, fantasy, mystery, romance, contemporary-fiction, contemporary-romance, friendship, 2013

Edit 3/27/24: I read this again to see if I've changed since my last review. I am less bothered by the mystery reveal than I was the first time I read this, and I had no issue getting through the story and feeling like there was more of a point this time. I enjoyed the characters more this time around, as well. Raised rating from 2 stars up to 3 stars.

Original review, 2/18/2013:
I've read many analogies where this book is compared to something light and fluffy and insubstantial and they couldn't ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 20, 2014 Madge rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-books, romance, favorite-authors, magical-realism

I almost never read a book in one sitting anymore, which is sad, but a part of my life I’ve grudgingly accepted. Last night I picked up The Peach Keeper with the intention of reading a couple of chapters, and I didn’t put my Kindle down until I finished it. When this book came out, I ignored it because I thought “chick-lit” had no merit and wasn’t for me. I’m glad I’ve grown out of that, because this book was so good (I read another of her books a couple of weeks ago, and it was also wonderful). I almost never read a book in one sitting anymore, which is sad, but a part of my life I’ve grudgingly accepted. Last night I picked up The Peach Keeper with the intention of reading a couple of chapters, and I didn’t put my Kindle down until I finished it. When this book came out, I ignored it because I thought “chick-lit” had no merit and wasn’t for me. I’m glad I’ve grown out of that, because this book was so good (I read another of her books a couple of weeks ago, and it was also wonderful). Sarah Addison Allen’s writing has a unique magic that weaves around me until I feel like I’m part of the story and couldn’t leave it even if I wanted to.

The friendship of Georgie Jackson and Agatha Osgood—and the secret they’ve kept for 75 years—sets the stage for this story. Agatha’s granddaughter Paxton is in charge of restoring The Blue Ridge Madam, which was once the Jackson family’s home before they lost everything and moved away during the Great Depression. Pregnant seventeen year old Georgie Jackson was the only Jackson to stay behind in Walls of Water, and now it’s just her and her granddaughter Willa. The secrets unearthed during the restoration will bring together the granddaughters in ways neither could have imagined.

I think a couple of the “twists” were pretty easy to see coming, but the details made them a bit more shocking and my heart broke for Georgie. I kind of wish Willa had her “Aha!” moment a little sooner, regarding one of the secrets, but I can think of several reasons why she didn’t, so it’s understandable. I loved Rachel and her “coffeeology” so much. She was a great minor character that I would love to have gotten to know better. Colin, Pax, Willa, and Sebastian were interesting and something really funny, but I think Sebastian was my favorite. There was just something about him.

There’s no one thing I can put my finger on and say, “That’s the best part, and that’s why you should read this book!” For me, this book was like curling up with a glass of perfectly sweetened iced tea on an enclosed porch during a heavy summer rain. It was comfortable, refreshing, and just nice. I definitely recommend it. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 13, 2011 Anne (Booklady) Molinarolo rated it it was amazing

Shelves: womens-fiction, favorites, good-fiction, fall-2011, permanent-library

If anyone had been paying attention to the signs, they would have realized that air turns white when things are about to change, that paper cuts mean there's more to what's written on the page than meets the eye, and that birds are always out to protect you from things you don't see. These old Southern wives-tales come alive in Sarah Addison Allen’s beautifully written novel.

Willa Jackson –has lived in Walls of Water, North Carolina since her father died eight years ago. She has tamed her wild If anyone had been paying attention to the signs, they would have realized that air turns white when things are about to change, that paper cuts mean there's more to what's written on the page than meets the eye, and that birds are always out to protect you from things you don't see. These old Southern wives-tales come alive in Sarah Addison Allen’s beautifully written novel.

Willa Jackson –has lived in Walls of Water, North Carolina since her father died eight years ago. She has tamed her wild Joker nature. Her Friday night plan is to do laundry until her old family home The Blue Ridge Madam is close to being restored to its full glory. She believes she is mature at last and runs an apparel shop for those pesky tourists until the invitation and the Stick Man come into her life. She is also good with a taser.

Paxton Osgood – is beautiful in her own way. She is the president of the society club that her grandmother (and Willa’s) founded. She is rich and popular, but is suffocating under the weight of her domineering mother and her love for a man she believes she can never have, the Freak. All things are good for the Princess until a skeleton is found under the lone peach tree on the Blue Ridge Madam property.

Colin Osgood – is the Princess’s twin and has escaped Walls of Water. The incredibly good looking man is a renowned landscaping engineer whom is overseeing Blue Ridge Madam trees and lawn. His crew discovers the 75 year old bones. He also is greatly interested in the Joker much to Willa’s chagrin. He enjoyed the popularity of being known as the prankster of many high school pranks attributed to the Stick Man before Willa Jackson revealed herself.

Sebastian Rogers – is a painfully beautiful man. He has returned to Walls of Water only to discover that he still is the Freak. But he takes solace in Paxton’s long and loyal friendship. He is very comfortable living on the edge of the town’s society and being Paxton’s go to escort.

None of four paid any attention to the signs, especially the white sky. Things will change in Falls of Water and the four former friends. A long held secret of Willa and Paxton’s grandmothers is revealed and explained. Friendships will rekindle and long lasting ones will be made as the tale of the PEACH KEEPER is told in a magical and hilarious way.
...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 27, 2012 Connie N. rated it liked it

Shelves: chick-lit

Nice light easy-to-read, but ultimately kind of boring story of a small town and a group of misfits who grew up there and how they coped. A bit of a magical feel like her other books, but much more chick lit than magic in this one, which was somewhat disappointing. Friendship is the theme, and I liked the characters, but my overall impression was smoke and mirrors, no real substance.

Favorite quote about life and attitude: "If you make room in your life, good things will enter." ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 05, 2011 Helen Southall rated it really liked it

Lovely, whimsical, easy read. A nice mix of fantasy and romance.

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 25, 2011 Nell rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: gr-read, favorites, z2012, southern

A satisfying read. This is a story about friendship and reclaiming one's life. The main characters are 4 high school classmates reconnecting at 30 in the small town where they grew up. The story is built around a secret held by their grandmothers that is uncovered when a peach tree is removed from a property that Paxton is restoring to it's majesty. It was the ancestral home of Willa's family, lost when her grandmother was a teenager and left to decay.

There are light touches of magical realism ...more

Like · see review

Apr 23, 2012 Rusty rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-fiction

This is one of those predictable feel-good books that are nice to read occasionally. The story is about four people, all complex recognizable characters that could be in our own lives. Paxton is a wealthy young woman who tries to be perfect. In her mind she never succeeds but to others she is just that - always dressed perfectly with not a hair out of place. Wilma is a single young woman whose grandfather built a mansion for his bride. Known as The Joker in high school, she has become a shop own ...more

Like · see review

Mar 20, 2012 Nancy Brady rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book, e-book

A light read, definitely chick lit, but an enjoyable read about the friendships that can be sustained over a lifetime. Moreover, it is a story about breaking the pigeonholing of people, and allowing them to grow up and get on with their lives as they are meant to be lived.

Like · see review