The Peach Keeper

Happiness is a risk. If you're not a little scared, then you're not doing it right.

Yet another great story by Sarah Addison Allen! This one focuses on the bonds of women and friendship through the story of Willa and Paxton, two girls who grew up in the same town but never had anything to do with each other until the remodeling of the Blue Ridge Madam. Together, they discover family secrets and break through barriers that they didn't know were there.

Willa was the high school prankster who tried to grow up and calm down like she thought her family wanted her to. Paxton was the girl who did what everyone wanted her to for her entire life and never took any chances. They both finally embrace who they truly are and find a deep and lasting friendship, while also opening up to love.

I identified very strongly with Paxton as the girl who grew up being the person that people expected her to be. It was fun to see her journey and realize that I have been through some of the same. Mainly learning not to control every aspect of my life and not to worry.

The magic element is not as strong in this book as in Allen's other stories, but it was still a fun read because of the nostalgia it causes. It made me miss my mom and all of my high school and college girl friends. I have spent the entire day texting and catching up with all of them. It gave me hope to find those types of friendships as I move along in life wherever I am.

Overall, there are a lot of lessons learned in this book all wrapped up in a sweet happily ever after.

Oh... and Claire Waverley from Garden Spells makes an appearance!