The Peach Keeper
Sarah Addison Allen
March 2011
273 pages
Published by Bantam, who sent me an ARC, so that I could participate in a TLC tour…thank you!
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I’ve gushed over Sarah Addison Allen in the past, and I’m going to do it again. There’s just something about her books. They’re sweet, but they also have little hints of darkness. They’re realistic, but they also have hints of magic strewn about (my favorite will always be the magical books in The Sugar Queen). They’re just damn good reads, and they always come along at a time when I need them. They’re the type of book you can sink into, and not surface from until you’ve finished…feeling both happy from the story and sad that it’s all over.
Allen’s latest focuses on the importance of friendship. Paxton and Willa went to high school together, but were never friends. They exist in totally separate social classes and circles. Paxton has spent the past year overseeing the renovation of what was, at one time, Willa’s grandmother’s home, back when Willa’s family was The Family in town. When a long buried secret surfaces, Willa and Paxton find themselves tossed together. And as all sorts of other secrets and desires come tumbling out around them, the two women start to forge a friendship. At the same time, the strong friendship between their grandmothers is slowly revealed. And everyone learns some Valuable Life Lessons in the best possible way. I know, it doesn’t sound all that special when I try to describe it, but Willa and Paxton (and Colin and Sebastian) really come to life, with their insecurities and their desires. I loved them all.
Also. Be sure to stare at the cover when you’re finished, like I just did, and you’ll find the tree that is easily overlooked when you just glance at the picture. I love that ghostly image, especially since there’s a peach tree and an oak tree that play important roles in the story.
Also also. Pleeeeeeeeease go check out this essay on Allen’s website, and you’ll get a sense of why I love her writing so much.
Many thanks to Lisa at TLC for thinking of me when she was putting together this tour, because she remembered how much I adore Allen’s books! Be sure to stop by the rest of the tour stops and see what everyone else thinks about The Peach Keeper…
- Wednesday, April 13th: Knowing the Difference
- Friday, April 15th: Peeking Between the Pages
- Monday, April 18th: Bewitched Bookworms
- Tuesday, April 19th: Book Reviews by Molly
- Wednesday, April 20th: A Few More Pages
- Thursday, April 21st: Sara’s Organized Chaos
- Friday, April 22nd: Life in Review
- Monday, April 25th: The Broke and the Bookish
- Tuesday, April 26th: Life in the Thumb
- Wednesday, April 27th: Crazy for Books
- Thursday, April 28th: A Fair Substitute for Heaven
- Monday, May 2nd: Fizzy Thoughts
- Tuesday, May 3rd: Coffee and a Book Chick
- Wednesday, May 4th: Jenn’s Bookshelves
- Thursday, May 5th: Alison’s Book Marks
- Friday, May 6th: Bookfoolery and Babble
- Monday, May 9th: A Library of My Own
- Tuesday, May 10th: Teresa’s Reading Corner
- Wednesday, May 11th: Unabridged Chick
- Monday, May 16th: A Bookshelf Monstrosity
- Wednesday, May 18th: Two Kids and Tired
- Friday, May 20th: In the Next Room
I’m planning on reading this one on my vacation, I think. I hadn’t seen the hazy backdrop of this picture. Thanks for pointing it out. This one seems to be speaking to so many people. Can’t wait.
Kay´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday 5 – May 2nd
*kick kick kicking* myself for not being on this book tour…. it sounds so good! I have never read Sarah Addison Allen.
I haven’t read Addison yet, but do have one of her books on my shelf. This book has been getting a lot of good press, and I am very curious about it, so that’s reason enough to add it to my wish list. Great review and glad you liked it!
I have never read anything by this author before but I have seen this book around and it has piqued my interest.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..April 2011 Reading Recap
Ok, I had to run upstairs and grab my copy off the nightstand because I DID NOT SEE THE GHOSTLY TREE on the cover!! And now I’m asking myself how I can possibly be so unobservant !?!
You will forever be the person who turned me on to SAA. Thank you.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the book! Thanks so much for being on the tour.
Lisamm´s last [type] ..Saturday Snapshots
Oh! Wanted to let your readers who are in book clubs know that a new contest started today for book clubs- they could win up to ten copies of The Peach Keeper:
http://tlcbooktours.com/2011/05/book-club-of-the-month-contest-for-may-2011/
Lisamm´s last [type] ..Saturday Snapshots
Sweet, dark, real, and magical? Sounds awesome.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Wishlist April
LOOOOOVE her books. I feel damn sure I’m gonna end up downloading this one.
Andi´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon – The Quick Version!
This is my first Sarah Addison Allen, but I absolutely LOVED IT. I just finished it today, after barely looking up from it all weekend. Not only did Walls of Water sounds like the perfect little town (especially since one of my not-so-secret goals is to own my own coffee shop one day!) but I was absolutely enamored with Sebastian – I’m all for sexual ambiguity – as well as Paxton, as I think there is something so interesting about the “plight” of those who are often thought to have not a care in the world. Also, isn’t that cover just so beautiful! Anyway, I’m gushing on your blog and not on mine, so I’m off, but thanks for a great review of a doll of a book!
I can’t wait to read this one. I didn’t notice the tree until you pointed it out.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday
I really must stop procrastinating and read this author.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Four Reasons To Read Non-Fiction
Oh this one sounds goooood!
Amused´s last [type] ..April Review Book Giveaway Winners!
I haven’t read this author either — silly me. I didn’t notice the tree on the cover either.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Todays Read- The Bird House by Kelly Simmons
I loved this book as well as I have all of hers. My favorite still is Garden Spells. You know I did not notice that ghostly image of the peach tree until you mentioned it. That looks so cool.
I loved Garden Spells. Looking forward to this one. (The magical books were my favorite part of The Snow Queen).
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..Monday Movie Meme- Flight
I didn’t read much beyond your first paragraph here; so very glad that this book will likely not disappoint. SAA is on my list of favorites.
Care´s last [type] ..Boats Boats Boats Boats
Can you believe that I haven’t read anything by this author yet? The least I can do is read the essay you linked to.
Vasilly´s last [type] ..Weekend Cooking- The Library Loot Edition
I haven’t yet read anything by Sarah Addison Allen (I did put GARDEN SPELLS on my wish list a few years back, but haven’t yet bought it … so many books, so little time …).
THE PEACH KEEPER was one of the books recommended by a blogger panelist at the Newburyport Lit Fest last weekend; I really must read it.
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..The Newburyport Literary Festival- What a Weekend!
Loved, loved this book! I’m always going to be a fan of Sarah Addison Allen no matter what, I think. I’m off to check out the essay!
Coffee and a Book Chick´s last [type] ..The Peach Keeper- by Sarah Addison Allen
I can’t wait to read this! I had the joy of getting to meet her at a signing/reading in 2010, and she’s every bit as charming as her books.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Breaking Night- Liz Murray