The Peach Keeper in Crazy Challenge Connection

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

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

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

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.
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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

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Aug 16, 2011 Elle rated it really liked it

Read this one in less than a day. Loved it. Somewhat predictable, but still very cute and fun.

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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

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Mar 02, 2015 Mary Bronson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, women-fiction, romance, magical-realism, contemporary

I thought this was a great book. I really enjoyed reading it. I loved all the plot and characters and the story. I thought they both were very well written. I love how Sarah Addison Allen jumps around from one character to another so we can get their point of view, but it ties in with the other characters and overall plot of the story. I also love the "magic" that happens in all of her books. They have such a great feeling when I read them. ...more

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Apr 16, 2011 Amy rated it really liked it

Shelves: happy-ending, magical, ghosts, family-saga, coming-of-age

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Apr 21, 2011 Diana S rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2011

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May 04, 2011 Amanda marked it as to-read

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Jun 09, 2011 Maria rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, library, 2011

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Aug 15, 2011 Jessie Marie marked it as to-read

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Aug 18, 2011 Sandy marked it as to-read

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Oct 08, 2011 Nancy rated it liked it

Shelves: 2011-books

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Nov 15, 2011 Traci marked it as to-read

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Nov 20, 2011 Danie marked it as to-read

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Nov 30, 2011 Amanda rated it really liked it

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Dec 06, 2011 Courtney rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: magical-realism, southern, listened

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Jan 16, 2012 Jackie rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal-romance

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Apr 16, 2012 Jessica marked it as to-read

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Apr 23, 2012 Sue marked it as to-read

Shelves: z1-to-read-2011, fiction, zl-crpl-ebook-avail, z5-list, zl-crpl-print-2, zl-crpl-mp3-new-read, romance, southern, magical-realism, north-carolina

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