A wonderful read. We can’t change history but we can learn from it and embrace the truth.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

From the start I cant seem to grasp what the story is about. I like the second half better than the first half. I cant seem to wrap my mind with all the misunderstanding and the secrets the family has. The last few chapters were messy, drama and more drama. Felt like the ending with Nona, Julia and Kat has ended quickly. Im expecting more than just phone call. Lots of nasty characters here but I like Jayden,after all that’s happened, he seems to have the one with more sense here..

Thanks NetGalley for my ARC copy.

I definitely have mixed feelings on this book as I was close to DNFing purely because of the story. I’m giving this 2.5 stars.

Let’s start with the positives:
- I thought the book was well written
- The overall message about making amends and leaving the past behind is something we can all learn
- I was happy that the characters grew at the end

I don’t read blurbs and the cover intrigued me. As I read the opening chapters, I thought to myself, what grudge would you have to not talk to your family for 20 years? It’s got to be something particularly bad right? When it was about halfway through the book (or more), that we find out Nona’s grandmother and Ruby that meddled with Nona’s plan to elope, only for Nona to blame her dad and sister, I was like whaaat? I thought to myself, why wouldn’t Nona just take the time to listen to her dad when he came to Chicago? Why would she not talk to her family because of that? Also, why didn’t she contact Marcus and figure it out when he didn’t meet with her? It just doesn’t make sense. For grandma Opal to not reveal the truth over all the time they talked on the phone… it just all could have been avoided without miscommunication and misunderstanding. I’m not sure I particularly like this trope. It makes the characters come across as immature.

There was too much back and forth of - should I / shouldn’t I talk to her and should I avoid them between the sisters. Some parts of the story felt repeated because of it. The ending felt rushed and it was left open ended in parts. It would have been good for Julia to see Cat and for the sisters to meet their brother Ben together as I think it would have wrapped up the story a little better.

I’m still trying to get over the fact Nona wouldn’t speak to her sister for 20 years because she thought Julia revealed her elopement secret to their dad, which didn’t happen. It seems too far fetched to me. I definitely understand Julia’s point of view of feeling abandoned and that’s why she couldn’t pick up the phone, but because it impacted Nona THAT much, she could have unleashed her anger through a conversation and realised what she knew was wrong.

Nona Moved away as soon as she could and was forced to return when her father passed away. Her sister, Julia stayed behind, and holds resentment towards her sister. With unknown secrets neither of them knew, will they ever be able to forgive each other and mend their broken relationship.

As I started reading this book, in my mind, I thought it was going to go a certain way. Boy was I wrong, and I am so happy about that. This story was such an exciting ride with several twists and turns that I was not expecting. The family dynamics, as well as the growth of the characters made this story even more interesting to me. I did not want this story to end, nor could I put it down. I can't wait for the next book from this author.

Families especially southern families are not only complicated but have deep roots and tangled weeds. A death brings sisters together after decades apart. Feeling we’re hurt, unresolved. Each sister has reasons for the lives they have chosen. The familiar brings feelings to the surface. Southern heat has been the catalyst for many a confrontation. It is no different here.

Where the Wild Peaches Grow is the story of a family and the struggles they face around miscommunication. I didn't love all the characters but I did love the setting the family ties. Sometimes I just wanted to say you all just need to talk and listen to one another but isn't that real life too?

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Setting is absolutely gorgeous. Not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope and how simple conversation could solve all issues but it never happens. The characters make some questionable decisions which took me out of the narrative a little however I still enjoyed it.

A beautifully written book about life and how things happen sometimes. Nona reunites with the man who broke her heart many years ago. Will there be a chance for romance between them. Enjoyable.

The amount of miscommunication between pretty much every character in Where Wild Peaches Grow left me wishing the story had gone in a different direction. I went into this story expecting more of a mystery around the history of the family. While there was a lot of drama, there wasn't a lot else to keep the story going. If you are a fan of character driven novels over plot driven, this might be one I would recommend.

I did find the historical aspects included in the story interesting and found myself often googling about the history of Mississippi.

There were some characters I thought we could do without, which might have also moved the story along a bit more. I am not sure why Sangenette was included, except to perhaps provide an avenue for historical lessons. But I also wanted to someone to tell her how it is.

Overall, I would say I enjoyed Where Wild Peaches Grow in that I read it quickly and held my attention.

A really enjoyable story around the Davenport family. It's quite unbelievable and sad to know that many might recognize themselves in Peaches, Julia, Cat, Jasper, Opal, Marcus, Eli, Ruby, Sanganette, or anyone in this family. So many family members or family friends hold secrets that some have stopped talking ro one another and hold grudge for the wrong reasons. You think you know why your mom left, why your sister stopped talking to you, why your ex boyfriend is this and that, but you are actually wrong. Whatever grudge you hold on to, prevents you from being around the people who matter most and who really love you, and that prevents you from growing as a person; blossoming.
A great tour-de-force by this author I just discovered and look forward to reading more of. Great story!

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for this free e-ARC in exchange of my honest review.

Oh this was such a great book! I loved the historical aspect of this. It is filled with some great characters. I also loved the family dynamics that take place in this book. I also have to say the cover of this is so pretty. I can't wait to read more by this author.

(this review was posted on Goodreads October 17, sent to Bookbub and accept on Amazon the same day)

"All families have secrets and and most times they were best if they stayed buried"

This is a story of an estranged and very flawed family coming together for the patriarch's funeral.

Julia and Nona Davenport are sisters separated for 15 years aafter Nona left home. However, Julia has no idea as to why Nona felt the need to leave her family behind and cut off ties. Nona blames Julia for destroying her chance at happiness. Nona moves to Chicago and is now a professor of African American Studies. It is the death of her father that brings her back.

What we see is a look at the layers of family: parents, sisters , old friends, neighbors in Natchez Mississippi mostly through Nona's eyes. Who's telling the truth and how nuanced is it?

I love Cade Bentley no matter what pen name she uses. Her ability to spin a nuanced tale is astounding. I'm looking forward to the next book she writes. Highly Recommended 5/5

[Disclaimer: I recieved this book from Netgalley. How I recieved it was not influenced in this review which is my own opinions]

This was absolutely beautiful. I loved the writing and the setting, and while I didn't always like the characters, they were incredibly realistic and relatable. Will definitely be reading everything this author writes.

Peaches return home seeking to help her Grandma who is not doing very well with her own health, but Peaches was not really ready to reconnect with her family, she feels like she has been betrayed enough to even consider having a relationship with her sister but sooner or later her plans will change and things will start to really come forward until finally peaches and her sister will find the truth and forgive and forget everything that ever hurt them.

Where the wild peaches grow is a story that will make your heart sing with these beautiful characters that are trying to survive their own problems and demons that society or even their own secrets are not helping them to move forward.

Julia hasn't moved on she is still angry with peaches after all these years for leaving the way she did, both sisters had an idea that is not the truth and they will find eventually a common grown that will show them how wrong and mistakenly they were to think and assume things about each other without even asking questions or setting the record straight.

Where the Wild Peaches grow is a story about a family, of two sisters seeking for redemption, forgiveness, and unity. it is a story that for me in some ways the message was very clear dont make assumptions and ask questions before making any conclusion I believe if peaches and Julia had a conversation before many of the situations that went through would have been fixed soon.

I really enjoy this story and all the things that Peaches went through as it really made me feel like I was walking and living every experience with her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy of Where Wild Peaches Grow in exchange for an honest review.

I had fun reading this book. I have a thing for books with family histories and people navigating their own past, present and future, both contemporary and speckled with history. Where Wild Peaches Grow certainly has this.

There were some downsides that did not make it as enjoyable a read as I had hoped it would be though. To me the plot fell short, because it was so hung up on people not talking to and with each other. Like, if some of them had had a good conversation in the past or even at the start of the book it would have resolved most of the problems they faced. Another one thing I found hard to take on face value was Julia having Sanganette as a best friend. Someone who downplays your family and people's history like that in your face (or even if it's not in your face) is not a friend. It might be my own privilege, but I cannot imagine staying around and trusting someone like that.

⭐⭐⭐ -- Pretty cover!

This one was just okay for me. There was something about the writing that rubbed me the wrong way. I am also really not a fan of the whole "misunderstanding" trope, especially when a simple conversation would clear the air and there was SO much of that in this book that it got ridiculous. On the positive side, the author did a good job with the setting and descriptions of the different places.

**ARC Vias NetGalley**

Final rating: 3.5/5. The writing was beautiful but the plot was not interesting enough for a full novel. Would have worked better as a short story. Good character development though.

This is a story of people who leave and the people who are left behind. The synopsis grabbed me and had me excited, but the opening didn't engage me. It's very well-written but personally, I found the book was too descriptive and hard to follow. While most people will likely love the strong imagery and the pacing, this was not the style of writing that I gel with and I could not finish it.

One stays and the other decides to go then down the road resentment kicks in. A lot of secrets are revealed which brings about a lot of pain and healing at the same time. Reading about this family was very enjoyable and it was just a good book to relax with while enjoying some wine. Thanks to the publisher and NetGally for the opportunity to read this book and provide my unbiased opinion.

Nona "Peaches" Davenport left Natchez, Mississippi when her life turned upside down. Her family fooled her and the man who had her heart discarded her. She left fifteen years before and never thought she would return but news that her father has passed has her taking this unwanted trip. Upon her return she learns that the man who left her has been taking up with her sister since she's been gone. The sisters must learn to listen to each other to figure out where everything went wrong. Can they find the love they once had for each other as a family or will old.hurts break them further apart. This was an emotional read about family who has broken apart trying to bring the fractured parts back together and heal.