Where Wild Peaches Grow

A Novel

By: Cade Bentley

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

In a deeply emotional novel of family, cultural heritage, and forgiveness, estranged sisters wrestle with the choices they’ve made and confront circumstances beyond their control.

Nona “Peaches” Davenport, abandoned by the man she loved and betrayed by family, left her Natchez, Mississippi, home fifteen years ago and never looked back. She’s forged a promising future in Chicago as a professor of African American Studies. Nona even finds her once-closed heart persuaded by a new love. But that’s all shaken when her father’s death forces her to return to everything she’s tried to forget.

Julia Curtis hasn’t forgiven her sister for deserting the family. Just like their mother, Nona walked away from Julia when she needed her most. And Julia doesn’t feel guilty for turning to Nona’s old flame, Marcus, for comfort. He helped Julia build a new life. She has a child, a career, and a determination to move on from old family wounds.

Upon Nona’s return to Natchez, a cautious reunion unfolds, and everything Nona and Julia thought they knew—about themselves, each other, and those they loved—will be tested. Unpacking the truth about why Nona left may finally heal their frayed bond—or tear it apart again, forever.

©2022 Shondra C. Longino. (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narrator Bahni Turpin gives a stunning performance as both Nona and Julia, two women who follow different paths but are, ultimately, alike. Turpin brings out the emotion in the story as both women work together to learn the truth about the past and work toward reconciliation. This novel is perfect for fans of The Vanishing Half or books by Edward Kelsey Moore and Kimberly Lawson Roby.”—Library Journal

“Bentley…has written a captivating story of miscommunication, secrets, lies, and forgiveness, beautifully told with rich descriptions of Black culture and history.”—Booklist (starred review)

Anticlimactic

I will agree and say I had high hopes for this book. The narration did have occasional odd pauses. The narrator was easy to follow. I was hoping for more in regards to the plot and wish that the outcome of the relationships had been elaborated on- definitely finished the book desiring more.

A beautiful story, the truth of slavery will be revealed regardless of all the obstacles placed in its path.

I loved the different version of each character’s interpretation of the same event. The length, duration that the individual family members were able to stay apart, was daunting

The wild peaches was interesting

The story the Wild Peaches was very interesting a big mixture or names,plot twist an at times confusing,,,, I really enjoyed it.

A bit anticlimactic

Overall, the book was okay, but it was pretty anticlimactic. It had all the makings of a pretty intriguing story, but in MY opinion, we learned all of the family’s “secrets” at the beginning and then pretty much watched at the sisters learned them. Even when they both learned of what was being kept from them, there was no real peak of the story that it was working up to. Bahni Turpin’s performance was great (per usual) but I did find myself listening on 1.5 because I felt she was narrating a bit slower than usual. Either that, or I was a bit bored. Again, not a bad story, I just think it gives away too much too early leaving little to work up toward.

A story of reconciliation

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I know there must be a part 2 coming because there were too many unanswered questions.

Nice, lessons in self-awareness and forgiveness

This book was a really good listen. The performance and story line were interesting. I would listen to it again.

A Juicy Mess

This book is a hot mess: family members leaving, sisters stealing the other’s man, women seducing a man to hide a pregnancy from another man, secret son/brothers, it was all a bit much. It was certainly a juicy read and I appreciated how the author unfolded all the secrets. And I like the author’s focus on personal history.

Disappointed

The beginning of the book seemed intriguing. But, I found it to be bland family drama and not much more. The performance was good though

Touching Family Story

The story of lost family was riveting and engaging! The plot kept me wanting more. Excellently written!

All Roads Lead to Home

I really enjoyed the book and the way the author read it. We can’t pick our family but we can try to make the best of it. I also love the black history portions of the book. I’ll read more books by this author.