The Peach Keeper: A Novel (Random House Reader's Circle)

Purchased two books. Both were in great condition, as described by the seller. I am very happy and would recommend WonderBooks without hesitation.

In the town of Walls of Water everyone has secrets, some more elicit and passionate than others, but a few stray to the other end of the spectrum...deadly. When Willa returned to establish a life in Walls of Water after her father's death it was never in the hopes that she would rekindle old friendships and possibly even old mischief, but it nonetheless finds her in the form of a familiar face, Collin Osgood. For Paxton, the opposite is the case, her desire to cement herself in the town has become an obstacle that could cost her the love of her life and possibly an opportunity to discover who she is. With each striving to lose themselves they quickly learn it could take a trip into the ancient pasts of their grandmothers, Georgie and Agatha, to truly learn what it means to have lasting love and friendships.Whoa! I'm not exactly sure how I write about this book without turning into a complete fangirl. Sarah Addison Allen is one of those authors that I know will have me instantly hooked into a book. Her settings are gorgeous, not only because of the surroundings, but also because of how she writes in a way that allows you to use all of your senses to experience it. You see it, feel it, you can nearly touch it, there's always some sort of sound to be heard be it music or the wind, and of course there are the tastes... Which I have to say are my favorite of all the senses you experience. In every way imaginable, even magical, Sarah Addison Allen's books leave something behind when you've closed the pages and I always have a lingering desire to reopen them and start all over again. The Peach Keeper was no different.There's something to be said for reading a book that makes your heart race and has you giddily smiling like a school girl within nearly every chapter. It's that incredible "I've just fallen in love" feeling and I adore that about this book. The relationships between the four main characters, Willa & Collin and Paxton & Sebastian, are wonderful. The timing of how their relationships play out is absolutely perfect. I don't want to give anything away, but I'll just say you will not be disappointed. I adored the romantic side of the story so much so that I'm tempted to read it through again tonight.Now, of course the story wasn't all romance and feelings, though I obviously enjoyed those parts. I thoroughly enjoyed the story revolving around the pasts of Georgie and Agatha. The death and circumstances surrounding Tucker Devlin weren't anything surprising to me, but it was how Willa and Paxton handled the discoveries that made the story. The friendship that blooms between Willa and Paxton is so similar to that of Georgie and Agatha, but also different in many ways. What it helped me to remember was what's truly important, not the accomplishments or things we acquire, but our friendships and lasting relationships.Again, I feel as though there's no way to do this book justice. From page one to the very end you can't help but fall in love with the magic of The Peach Keeper. To smell the sweet scent of peaches in the air, feel the misty foggy breezes of Walls of Water and of course taste every last coffee brownie Rachel makes is beyond delightful. Please do make sure to enjoy this wonderful book and be reminded of what it feels like to truly love and have unbelievably good friendships. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen is a gorgeous book I'd recommend to anyone!

Ever since i read my first SAA novel, i've craved the next book to the next and i've had to wait a year or more to receive them!I wont go into lots of detail, because others already have. But what i do have to say is that this story doesn't disappoint in keeping you interested and entertained. I loved the characters in this book and about 3chapters in, i started thinking that i wuold love to see this book developed into a film!I could imagine Sandra Bullock as Willa, for sure!I ached for the Paxton and Sebastian storyline. I loved their tangled relationship and i was routing for them all the way!There are a few things i was disappointed in though. The first is that i always love the aspect of food and magic playing quite a prominant role in her books, but this one was different. I had the magical realism i so love, but food wasn't really a big part -i know, i know it's called the Peach Keeper! But read it and you will know what i mean!The other aspect that i was a bit put off with was there were some quite disturbing truths that the protagonists had to go through or discovered and when those things did happen, they didn't seem phased in the slightest! For example: Paxton is about to get attacked and possibly raped by a bunch of men and Willa shows up. My heart was RACING whilst reading this part of the story. But as they're escaping, Paxton turns to Willa to ask something random that happened to them in highschool. In a moment like that, i wouldn't care about anything but getting away! It was quite unrealistic to me.Then in the car, whilst they're escaping, Willa thinks Paxton is crying-which would be understandable-but she's not, she just got pepper spray in her eye and she seems quite blase' over what happened. None of them call the police afterward and they keep it a secret!Another example is when Paxton's grandmother confesses to something quite pivotal to the storyline and at the time the two women seem a bit shocked, but then seem to just be ok with it. I would never see a family memeber in the same way if tehy had told me what had happened!Last of all, grandma Georgie. She is quite the main character but aside from being visited 2 times (shes in a carehome), she's never visited again. I know that she was suffering from memory loss and couldn't comprehend a lot of things. But the whole while reading, especially towards they end, i was thinking "where is the grandmother!?!?!? What about her!? " She didn't even get to go to the Gala!All in all, those MINOR disappointments didn't spoil the book for me, they were just , as i say, the MINOR issues i had with the book!So, at the end of my review, i give it 4 stars, but i absolutely LOVE her books and i can't wait for the next one :)

Wills is going forward with her life when suddenly the past from high school is knocking at her door. It's not only her past to show up but also of her grandmother with her secret. Mystery, friendship and love embrace the reader , feeling for each character. Sarah Addison Allen has been a discover for me, I loved her writing and her plot. I really suggest this book to anyone.

I am a fan of Sarah Addison Allen, I enjoy the quirkiness of her stories, which sets them apart, for the moment, from other author's books. I have always had a great imagination and so for me the element of dark fanciful magic running through all her novels, keep my attention and imagination fed. This is an engaging tale of four women, from two generation, two grandmothers and two granddaughters all strong but vulnerable. the older pair having held a dark secret since their friendship in their youth, bring about events that will change all their lives, in the end, for the better. The grandmothers are both living in the same Care Home though not together, one far down the road of dementia, so their secret is locked away in the remnants of her memory. The other, is protective of her and as sharp as tacks, so their secret past is always with her. Through this secret, the granddaughters who lives hugely different lives from each other, forge a bond that is quite touching. The story takes place in New England, in a small tight-knit town, where social standing is all. Not a book for pragmatists, but let your imagination have reign and is it a very engaging quick read.

I've read a few of Sarah's books now and enjoyed them all but I think this is my favourite up to now. I love the element of magic in them and have to say they've transported me to another world whilst going through a bit of a tough time.

When I started reading this book I kept thinking Magic?? I want a good story that could actually happen. However as I read on i realsied that the friendships in the book can actually happen and little bit of magic in everyday life just adds to it. It made me look for more of Allen's books and I read The Sugar Queen after and was glad when the magic re-appeared.

I enjoyed this book, I always enjoy Sarah Addison Allen's books, but it fell flat. It was simple and nice but not as magical as I would have liked it to be. Good for a summer read but not much substance. I did like the message about women sticking together though. And Allen always rights steamy love interests!