Title: The Peach Keeper

Author: Sarah Addison Allen

Publisher: Bantam Books 2011

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 282

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Genre - Chick Lit; Monthly Key Word; Mount TBR; Book Bingo - 5 from TBR

How I Got It: I own it!

It’s the dubious distinction of thirty-year-old Willa Jackson to hail from a fine old Southern family of means that met with financial ruin generations ago. The Blue Ridge Madam—built by Willa’s great-great-grandfather and once the finest home in Walls of Water, North Carolina—has stood for years as a monument to misfortune and scandal. Willa has lately learned that an old classmate—socialite Paxton Osgood—has restored the house to its former glory, with plans to turn it into a top-flight inn. But when a skeleton is found buried beneath the property’s lone peach tree, long-kept secrets come to light, accompanied by a spate of strange occurrences throughout the town. Thrust together in an unlikely friendship, united by a full-blooded mystery, Willa and Paxton must confront the passions and betrayals that once bound their families—and uncover the truths that have transcended time to touch the hearts of the living.

This is my second Allen book, and I think I have fallen in love with her everything.  I loved the characters in this one so much.  I connected straight away to Willa and then about halfway through the book, I connected with Paxton.  I love how different and yet how similar their lives are.  Especially fun is the side character of Nana Osgood.  Love her!  She may be old, but don't count her out!  And the plotline is a lot of fun.  I put this in my Chick Lit category for the Genre Reading Challenge, but it's not all about the romance.  Instead we get a great story of two seeming opposite women finding their place in life and with each other.  Romance is the extra bonus here.  I think Allen's books focus more on finding yourself and your place in the world rather than a straight romance.  I love that!  Plus, her writing is beautiful.  Every once in a while, I just love reading a book where everything turns out okay in the end.  It's a nice pick me up.  And I have another Allen book (The Sugar Queen) just waiting to be read!

P.S. We get a cameo from Claire from Garden Spells.  Love it!