The Peach Keeper - Sarah Addison Allen

[goodreads]

Title: The Peach Keeper
Author: Sarah Addison Allen
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 3.5/5
# pages: 272
Date read: October, 2014

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.

"The Peach Keeper" is only the second book I've read by Sarah Addison Allen. The first was an instant favourite ("Garden Spells"), so I was slightly hesitant to pick up another of her books, as I was certain it couldn't live up to my expectations. And it didn't - quite. Still, it came close enough that I didn't feel too cheated and it is a lovely charming book. I wasn't too convinced by the romantic pairings, but LOVED the growing friendship.

Definitely a feel-good book, and while not an instant favourite, I liked it enough that I'll definitely continue to pick up more of her books.