SYNOPSIS-
Sweet tea, corn bread, and soup beans—everyday fare for eight-year-old Alix French, the precocious darling of a respected southern family. But nothing was ordinary about the day she met ten-year-old Nick Anderson, a boy from the wrong side of town. Armed with only a tin of bee balm and steely determination, Alix treats the raw evidence of a recent beating that mars his back, an act that changes both of their lives forever.
Through childhood disasters and teenage woes they cling together as friendship turns to love. The future looks rosy until the fateful night when Frank Anderson, Nick's abusive father, is shot to death in his filthy trailer.
Suddenly, Nick is gone—leaving Alix alone, confused and pregnant. For the next fifteen years she wrestles with the pain of Nick's abandonment, a bad marriage, her family and friends. But finally, she's starting to get her life back together. Her divorce is almost final, her business is booming, and she's content if not happy—until the day she looks up and sees Nick standing across the counter. He's back…and he's not alone.
Once again Alix is plunged into turmoil and pain as Nick tries to win her love, something she resists with all her strength. Only one thing might break the protective wall she's built around her emotions—the truth about Frank Anderson's death. But when that truth comes out and those walls crumble, neither Alix nor Nick is prepared for the emotional explosion that could destroy as well as heal.
Renee's Review
The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred, is a truly a southern gem. I felt like I was stepping back into my childhood. Allred certainly got the dialect correct, although I didn't see them say y'all. Surely it's not just an Alabama thing, I know I've head it here in Texas, or have I rubbed on some of my friends (I'll ponder that a while). She was so descriptive on the food, I can really cook some good ole southern food. This remained growing up, my Granny and my Aunt Donia they were they cooks in the family. So the mention of the cornbread and beans, fried potatoes, and sliced tomatoes right out of the garden, spoke to this Bama girl's heart. She also described the town so beautifully, I grew up in a small town, where everyone knew everyone else's business, and you think that's just a okay until it's your business. That is what is book is son much about, Katherine Allred got it all right! Even the bless his heart!! :-)
Her character development on all of her characters was really off the characters. I felt like this was my hometown and these were the people I went to high school with, I knew them. My heart ached for them. I wanted to comfort them. Give them my words of wisdom. This story really wrapped me up. It's endearing, sweet, heart breaking, emotionally intense, frustrating wonderful read. It is a mix between The Notebook and To Kill a Mocking Bird. This book needs to be on your tbr list. Go ahead, do it right now,, you will thank me later.
The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred receives 4 Platypire
Bama Love, Roll Tide!!, and Keep Reading Y'all!!
Her character development on all of her characters was really off the characters. I felt like this was my hometown and these were the people I went to high school with, I knew them. My heart ached for them. I wanted to comfort them. Give them my words of wisdom. This story really wrapped me up. It's endearing, sweet, heart breaking, emotionally intense, frustrating wonderful read. It is a mix between The Notebook and To Kill a Mocking Bird. This book needs to be on your tbr list. Go ahead, do it right now,, you will thank me later.
The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred receives 4 Platypire
Bama Love, Roll Tide!!, and Keep Reading Y'all!!
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