In "The Peach Keeper" by Sarah Addison Allen, the past and present collide in the small town of Walls of Water, North Carolina. The story revolves around two women, Willa Jackson and Paxton Osgood, who could not be more different, but are connected by a historic home, the Blue Ridge Madam, that has been in Willa's family for generations. Willa, a successful businesswoman, has returned to her hometown after years of being away, and Paxton, a member of the town's founding family, is the president of the historical society, which is working to restore the Blue Ridge Madam to its former glory. As the restoration begins, secrets from the past start to emerge, and both women must come to terms with the history of the Blue Ridge Madam and the role it has played in their lives. Allen's writing style is enchanting and whimsical, with a touch of magic realism that adds an extra layer of depth to the story. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the small-town setting is charming and vividly described. The themes of family, friendship, and the power of secrets to shape our lives are woven throughout the novel, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read. Fans of Allen's other works, such as "Garden Spells" and "The Sugar Queen," will enjoy "The Peach Keeper" and its blend of magical realism, small-town charm, and complex characters. It is a perfect book for those who enjoy contemporary fiction with a touch of magic and a strong sense of place. Overall, "The Peach Keeper" is a delightful and engaging novel that explores the complexities of family, friendship, and the past, and how they shape our present. It is a must-read for fans of Sarah Addison Allen and anyone looking for a charming and thought-provoking contemporary fiction novel.
Sarah Addison Allen
Garden Spells
If you enjoyed the magical realism and family dynamics in 'The Peach Keeper', you'll love 'Garden Spells'. This book also revolves around a quirky family with secrets of their own, and a touch of magic that adds a sprinkle of delight to their lives.
Learn MoreSue Monk Kidd
The Secret Life of Bees
Fans of 'The Peach Keeper' will appreciate the strong female bonds and Southern setting in 'The Secret Life of Bees'. This novel tells the story of a young girl who finds refuge with a group of beekeeping sisters, and learns about love, loss, and the power of sisterhood.
Learn MoreVanessa Diffenbaugh
The Language of Flowers
Like 'The Peach Keeper', 'The Language of Flowers' explores the themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery. The novel centers around a young woman who has aged out of the foster care system and finds solace in the Victorian language of flowers, using them to communicate and heal her emotional wounds.
Learn MoreKathryn Stockett
The Help
Readers who enjoyed the small-town Southern setting and complex relationships in 'The Peach Keeper' will appreciate 'The Help'. This novel tells the story of a young white woman and two African American maids in Mississippi during the Civil Rights era, and their efforts to expose the racism and injustice they face.
Learn MoreKate Morton
The Distant Hours
Fans of 'The Peach Keeper' will enjoy the gothic atmosphere and family secrets in 'The Distant Hours'. This novel tells the story of a young woman who inherits a crumbling English estate and uncovers a decades-old mystery involving her mother and the estate's reclusive inhabitants.
Learn MoreKathleen Grissom
The Kitchen House
Readers who appreciated the historical setting and complex racial dynamics in 'The Peach Keeper' will enjoy 'The Kitchen House'. This novel tells the story of a young Irish girl who is sent to work in a Virginia plantation and forms a bond with the slaves, navigating the dangerous world of race and class in the antebellum South.
Learn MoreKate Morton
The Lake House
Fans of 'The Peach Keeper' will appreciate the dual timelines and family secrets in 'The Lake House'. This novel tells the story of a young woman who discovers a mysterious letter that leads her to a crumbling English estate and uncovers a decades-old mystery involving a vanished child and a web of family secrets.
Learn MoreSarah Addison Allen
The Girl Who Chased the Moon
If you loved the magical realism and Southern charm of 'The Peach Keeper', you'll enjoy 'The Girl Who Chased the Moon'. This novel tells the story of a young woman who returns to her small Southern town to confront her past and uncovers a family secret involving a magical garden and a mysterious stranger.
Learn MoreAmanda Coplin
The Orchardist
Readers who appreciated the pastoral setting and family dynamics in 'The Peach Keeper' will enjoy 'The Orchardist'. This novel tells the story of a solitary fruit grower who takes in two abandoned girls and forms a makeshift family, navigating the dangers of the frontier and the secrets of their past.
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