A Peach of a Pair by Kim Boykin

Summary:

Boykin writes “the kind of book that makes you want to lock the door, turn off the phone and read every page straight through to the end.” The Huffington Post

March, 1953. Nettie Gilbert has cherished her time studying to be a music teacher at Columbia College in South Carolina, but as graduation approaches, she can’t wait to return to her family—and her childhood sweetheart, Brooks—in Alabama. But just days before her senior recital, she gets a letter from her mama telling her that Brooks is getting married . . . to her own sister.

Devastated, Nettie drops out of school and takes a job as live-in help for two old-maid sisters, Emily and Lurleen Eldridge. Emily is fiercely protective of the ailing Lurleen, but their sisterhood has weathered many storms. And as Nettie learns more about their lives on a trip to see a faith healer halfway across the country, she’ll discover that love and forgiveness will one day lead her home.

My Review:

This charming, southern historical novel had me captivated from the first couple of pages, but by the end of the first chapter, I was hooked. In fact, I couldn’t put it down. It’s a story of betrayal, sisterhood, growing up, and ultimately, finding your strength. And, there’s romance too!

Nettie is close to graduating from university when she finds out her sister and fiance have betrayed her. Almost worse than that, her family, instead of becoming outraged on Nettie’s behalf, want to sweep the scandal under the rug by insisting Nettie support the family and attend the wedding – a wedding that was meant to be hers! A heartbroken Nettie makes the impulsive decision to drop out of school, move to a small South Carolina town, and take a job as a caretaker to two old spinster ladies, one of whom is very ill.

In Camden, South Carolina, Nettie meets Remmy, the small town doctor who cares for the two spinsters. She develops a friendship that soon turns into attraction, but she’s afraid to open her heart again. As the story unfolds, we explore the past and learn more about the complicated relationship between the two sisters, Lurleen and Emily.

What I really love about this book is that, although there’s a sweet romance within these pages, it isn’t the typical romance where the hero swoops in and saves the girl. Our romantic hero is a genuinely supportive nice guy, but it’s Nettie who saves herself by finding her inner strength with the help of her new friends. They show her it’s okay to rely on a sisterhood when needed. They also give her the love and support she needs to learn to trust herself.

This is for sure a 5 star book I would recommend to anyone looking for a good, page-turning read!