REVIEWS+

The Peach Keeper

by Sarah Addison Allen
Random. 2011. 288p. ISBN 9780553807226. $25. F
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Allen writes books of romance, friendship, family, and magic. Discounting the magic, she makes a fine companion to de los Santos for her strong writing, matching the poetic voice of Falling Together, her brilliantly built worlds full of detail, and her emotional stories of redemption and finding one's way. Here, Allen tells the story of multiple friendships as they teeter over the course of decades. Willa Jackson runs a shop in Walls of Water, NC, where queen bee Paxton Osgood reigns. Paxton's twin, Colin, travels home to aid Paxton with her crowing achievement, the restoration of a grand historic home, while Sebastian Rogers, a dentist living a bit outside the cream of Walls of Water society, finally forges his own life. Connections run deep in Walls of Water-Willa's and Patxon's grandmothers were friends in their girlhood and currently reside in the same nursing home. Now, Sebastian and Paxton as well as Colin and Willa are reforging their ties and finding more than they expected, while the grandmothers are hoping their own past ties stay hidden. — Neal Wyatt, "RA Crossroads" Booksmack! 9/1/11
Her marriage a shambles, Willa Jackson returns home to Walls of Water, the town where she grew up, and tries to fit in. There she discovers an extraordinary feud that has divided two sisters for decades. Hmm, Allen's standard small-town charm, maybe not the usual flights of fantasy—but then I haven't read it yet. Lots of promotion, including to libraries and cooking/foodie websites.
The Jacksons were among the most influential families in Walls of Water, NC, until the mountain forests were declared a national park and the Jackson Logging Company went under. Georgie Jackson was 17 and pregnant when her family left town, but she stayed and became a maid in the house of her best friend, Agatha Osgood. Seventy-five years later, Georgie's granddaughter, Willa, watches while Paxton and Colin Osgood, Agatha's grandchildren, restore the old Jackson family home, the Blue Ridge Madam. Colin has always found Willa intriguing—her outward predictability covering an inner prankster—and working on the Madam gives him a way into Willa's life. But the Madam has been keeping secrets of her own. Will skeletons unearthed from the past ruin the present? Peppered with Allen's () trademark Southern charm and magical foretelling, this novel will keep readers turning the pages to see what happens. This author is sure to find a place in the hearts of most popular fiction readers; her latest is a must read for fans of Alice Hoffman. [See Prepub Alert, 11/1/10; five-city tour; library marketing.]—Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH
The Jacksons were among the most influential families in Walls of Water, NC, until the mountain forests were declared a national park and the Jackson Logging Company went under. Georgie Jackson was 17 and pregnant when her family left town, but she stayed and became a maid in the house of her best friend, Agatha Osgood. Seventy-five years later, Georgie's granddaughter, Willa, watches while Paxton and Colin Osgood, Agatha's grandchildren, restore the old Jackson family home, the Blue Ridge Madam. Colin has always found Willa intriguing—her outward predictability covering an inner prankster—and working on the Madam gives him a way into Willa's life. But the Madam has been keeping secrets of her own. Will skeletons unearthed from the past ruin the present?
VERDICT Peppered with Allen's (Garden Spells; The Sugar Queen; The Girl Who Chased the Moon) trademark Southern charm and magical foretelling, this novel will keep readers turning the pages to see what happens. This author is sure to find a place in the hearts of most popular fiction readers; her latest is a must read for fans of Alice Hoffman. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/10; five-city tour; library marketing.]—Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH
Reviewed by Stacey Hayman , Sep 01, 2011
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