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Regreso al café de los corazones rotos
Veintitrés años atrás, la reina de belleza Peach Rondell había dejado Misisipí a sus espaldas y jurado que no regresaría nunca más. Ahora está de vuelta, divorciada y con el corazón roto, e intenta entender por qué la vida le ha ido tan mal. Para escapar de la mirada acechante de su madre, pasa el día en el pequeño Heartbreak Cafe, sentada a una de cuyas mesas va escribiendo en su diario, a la espera de algo que la ilumine. En lugar de eso, Peach conseguirá algo incluso mejor: la amistad inesperada de un insólito grupo de personas que le enseñarán que averiguar adónde vas suele implicar aceptar de dónde vienes.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
16 people are currently reading
634 people want to read
About the author
Penelope J. Stokes
44 books181 followersIt’s often been debated whether a person’s destiny lies in genetics or environment, but either way, I suppose I was destined to be a fiction writer. A Baby Boomer with an English teacher and a social worker for parents, I grew up being challenged to develop my imagination, and to seek out for myself the meaning and significance of life. I learned early both the magic and mystery of stories and the importance of people–their dreams, their hopes, their longings, their struggles.
From the age of four, when I first learned to read and discovered that words had incredible power, I dreamed of being a writer. But the fulfillment of that dream was a long time in coming. Ten years of university study, culminating in a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature, led me to a career as a college professor. I loved teaching, loved the students and the challenge and the interaction, but the longing for full-time expression of my creativity never died. Finally, after twelve years of college teaching, I left the classroom and turned my energy toward my life’s passion–writing fiction.
In the process, I discovered another passion–the magnificent grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina.
I was raised in Mississippi, and as a child I remember family vacations to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I loved the undulating layers of blue and purple and green, the rushing streams coming down over the rocks, the cool glades and misty mornings. And now I live here—in the shadow of the Blue Ridge near DuPont Forest, where rare and remarkable white squirrels chatter wisdom to me from the trees outside my office window.
White squirrel in TamaracBut scenery can only take you so far. Fiction is about people. Not just what happens to them, but about what happens in them–the spiritual, emotional, and psychological passages that lead people to an understanding of their inner selves, and of one another. That’s what I like to write about: the heart, the mind, the soul. Authenticity of character and profound spiritual transformation. I want to draw my readers into a different kind of world–one marked by purpose, significance, and hope. Most importantly, hope.
Some readers have criticized me for dealing with uncomfortable subjects in my fiction–subjects which do not lend themselves to easy answers. The truth is, there are no easy answers in life. There are not even any easy questions. Over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that our character is determined not so much by the certainties we cling to, but by the uncertainties we are courageous enough to face.
At the end of the day, only a few things in life really matter: Love. Insight. Growth. Grace. When we’re committed to going deeper, to following the unknown path, our journey can lead us to an understanding of our own our inner being, to a connection with a power that is both within us and beyond us. And that understanding, that connection, gives meaning and purpose to our days.
From the age of four, when I first learned to read and discovered that words had incredible power, I dreamed of being a writer. But the fulfillment of that dream was a long time in coming. Ten years of university study, culminating in a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature, led me to a career as a college professor. I loved teaching, loved the students and the challenge and the interaction, but the longing for full-time expression of my creativity never died. Finally, after twelve years of college teaching, I left the classroom and turned my energy toward my life’s passion–writing fiction.
In the process, I discovered another passion–the magnificent grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina.
I was raised in Mississippi, and as a child I remember family vacations to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I loved the undulating layers of blue and purple and green, the rushing streams coming down over the rocks, the cool glades and misty mornings. And now I live here—in the shadow of the Blue Ridge near DuPont Forest, where rare and remarkable white squirrels chatter wisdom to me from the trees outside my office window.
White squirrel in TamaracBut scenery can only take you so far. Fiction is about people. Not just what happens to them, but about what happens in them–the spiritual, emotional, and psychological passages that lead people to an understanding of their inner selves, and of one another. That’s what I like to write about: the heart, the mind, the soul. Authenticity of character and profound spiritual transformation. I want to draw my readers into a different kind of world–one marked by purpose, significance, and hope. Most importantly, hope.
Some readers have criticized me for dealing with uncomfortable subjects in my fiction–subjects which do not lend themselves to easy answers. The truth is, there are no easy answers in life. There are not even any easy questions. Over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that our character is determined not so much by the certainties we cling to, but by the uncertainties we are courageous enough to face.
At the end of the day, only a few things in life really matter: Love. Insight. Growth. Grace. When we’re committed to going deeper, to following the unknown path, our journey can lead us to an understanding of our own our inner being, to a connection with a power that is both within us and beyond us. And that understanding, that connection, gives meaning and purpose to our days.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
August 7, 2017
«Borrar elimina las palabras, pero su huella permanece en la página. Desaprender es la lección más difícil de todas».
Esta es la historia de Peach, una mujer que tuvo (y tiene) un vínculo conflictivo con su madre, y que a sus cuarenta y cinco años empieza un camino personal para lograr su felicidad. Esta historia habla de la familia que nos toca, y de la familia que elegimos, del amor, de los sueños, del sufrimiento y del miedo. Habla sobre perdonar y perdonarse, sobre la manera de afrontar la vida. Y habla de esperanza.
«El amor no consiste simplemente en impulsos irresistibles y en sentimientos efusivos a la luz de la luna. Consiste en encontrar personas que valoren tu forma de ser, que te ayuden a mantenerte centrado, que te pidan cuentas, que reafirmen tu valor intrínseco. Consiste en hacer lo mismo con ellas y en encontrar reciprocidad en la relación».
Con su estilo narrativo sencillo, maduro y reflexivo, Penelope J. Stokes tiene la capacidad maravillosa de conmover con sus historias y generar una empatía inmediata con sus protagonistas. Una historia de vida preciosa. ❤
Esta es la historia de Peach, una mujer que tuvo (y tiene) un vínculo conflictivo con su madre, y que a sus cuarenta y cinco años empieza un camino personal para lograr su felicidad. Esta historia habla de la familia que nos toca, y de la familia que elegimos, del amor, de los sueños, del sufrimiento y del miedo. Habla sobre perdonar y perdonarse, sobre la manera de afrontar la vida. Y habla de esperanza.
«El amor no consiste simplemente en impulsos irresistibles y en sentimientos efusivos a la luz de la luna. Consiste en encontrar personas que valoren tu forma de ser, que te ayuden a mantenerte centrado, que te pidan cuentas, que reafirmen tu valor intrínseco. Consiste en hacer lo mismo con ellas y en encontrar reciprocidad en la relación».
Con su estilo narrativo sencillo, maduro y reflexivo, Penelope J. Stokes tiene la capacidad maravillosa de conmover con sus historias y generar una empatía inmediata con sus protagonistas. Una historia de vida preciosa. ❤
February 16, 2024
"Regreso al café de los corazones rotos" de Penelope J. Stokes nos sumerge en una cautivadora historia de segundas oportunidades, amistad y autodescubrimiento en el pintoresco escenario de Misisipí.
La protagonista, Peach Rondell, regresa a su ciudad natal después de veintitrés años, enfrentándose a un divorcio y al desengaño amoroso. Decidida a encontrar respuestas y un nuevo comienzo, encuentra refugio en el Heartbreak Café, un lugar que evoca recuerdos del pasado pero también ofrece la promesa de un futuro diferente.
Mientras Peach se sumerge en la tranquilidad del café y se entrega a la tarea de escribir en su diario y de descubrirse a sí misma, encuentra algo aún más valioso: la amistad de un grupo diverso de personas que, a pesar de sus diferencias, comparten un lazo especial en el café. A través de sus encuentros y conversaciones, Peach comienza a comprender que el camino hacia adelante implica reconciliarse con su pasado y aceptar quién es realmente.
En esta novela, el café no es el centro de la novela, de hecho hasta casi la mitad del libro no aparece, pero es el nexo de unión de los personajes que ayudan a Peach a encontrar su camino.
La autora, Penelope J. Stokes, teje una narrativa encantadora y emotiva que captura la esencia de la comunidad sureña y la calidez de las relaciones humanas. Con personajes entrañables y un ambiente evocador, la novela nos invita a reflexionar sobre el perdón, la esperanza y el poder sanador de la amistad.
"Regreso al café de los corazones rotos" es una historia reconfortante y conmovedora que nos recuerda que, a veces, es en los lugares más inesperados y entre las personas menos probables donde encontramos la verdadera felicidad y el verdadero sentido de pertenencia. Una lectura perfecta para aquellos que buscan una historia con corazón y un toque de magia sureña.
La protagonista, Peach Rondell, regresa a su ciudad natal después de veintitrés años, enfrentándose a un divorcio y al desengaño amoroso. Decidida a encontrar respuestas y un nuevo comienzo, encuentra refugio en el Heartbreak Café, un lugar que evoca recuerdos del pasado pero también ofrece la promesa de un futuro diferente.
Mientras Peach se sumerge en la tranquilidad del café y se entrega a la tarea de escribir en su diario y de descubrirse a sí misma, encuentra algo aún más valioso: la amistad de un grupo diverso de personas que, a pesar de sus diferencias, comparten un lazo especial en el café. A través de sus encuentros y conversaciones, Peach comienza a comprender que el camino hacia adelante implica reconciliarse con su pasado y aceptar quién es realmente.
En esta novela, el café no es el centro de la novela, de hecho hasta casi la mitad del libro no aparece, pero es el nexo de unión de los personajes que ayudan a Peach a encontrar su camino.
La autora, Penelope J. Stokes, teje una narrativa encantadora y emotiva que captura la esencia de la comunidad sureña y la calidez de las relaciones humanas. Con personajes entrañables y un ambiente evocador, la novela nos invita a reflexionar sobre el perdón, la esperanza y el poder sanador de la amistad.
"Regreso al café de los corazones rotos" es una historia reconfortante y conmovedora que nos recuerda que, a veces, es en los lugares más inesperados y entre las personas menos probables donde encontramos la verdadera felicidad y el verdadero sentido de pertenencia. Una lectura perfecta para aquellos que buscan una historia con corazón y un toque de magia sureña.
March 11, 2013
The tag line on the back of The Book of Peach says it is "hilarious and heartwarming". It should have said whiney and witless. To be fair to author Penelope Stokes, I only read three-quarters of this book when I finally decided that I either needed to stop reading it or I might poke my eyes out in a sad attempt at self-preservation.
The Book of Peach tells the story of Peach Rhondell, a forty-something, ex-beauty queen. After separating from her husband, she returns to her family home in Mississippi where her mother still resides. The book uses Peach's journal entries to chronicle her self-discovery. Unfortunately, the journal entries are whiney diatribes targeting her controlling mother, her manipulative female ancestors, her almost ex-husband, her poor decision making...enough already! Pair that with a disjointed story line, unbelievable characters, and flat dialog and what you end up with is this self-indulgent pity party.
I am a huge fan of southern writers so I really wanted to like this story. But after slogging through most of the book, I finally hit my '40-year old crybaby' limit and gave up on this read. The Book of Peach was truly a dissapointment and a waste of my time.
The Book of Peach tells the story of Peach Rhondell, a forty-something, ex-beauty queen. After separating from her husband, she returns to her family home in Mississippi where her mother still resides. The book uses Peach's journal entries to chronicle her self-discovery. Unfortunately, the journal entries are whiney diatribes targeting her controlling mother, her manipulative female ancestors, her almost ex-husband, her poor decision making...enough already! Pair that with a disjointed story line, unbelievable characters, and flat dialog and what you end up with is this self-indulgent pity party.
I am a huge fan of southern writers so I really wanted to like this story. But after slogging through most of the book, I finally hit my '40-year old crybaby' limit and gave up on this read. The Book of Peach was truly a dissapointment and a waste of my time.
October 21, 2010
Whiny, overly inspirational chick lit
October 7, 2020
This is a story about a daughter (Peach) and her mother (Donna). Peach comes back home to stay with her mother after she’s almost divorced and heartbroken.
I was leaning towards giving this either 3 or 3.5 stars. At times, I was uncomfortable reading this book. Then it dawned on me why I felt this way. Peach and I have a lot in common....we both feel as though we fall so short in our mother’s eyes. Although Peach’s family is quite well off, mine wasn’t. I could feel each and every blow (mentally) that Peach’s momma aimed her way. Growing up, Peach could never do anything right or make her Mom proud...every decision was the wrong one. I could so identify with that. We (Peach and I) just wanted to feel loved and appreciated.
Although things turned out well towards the end, I have to say this book gave me a greater understanding of not only Peach’s mom, but my own mother.
Definitely recommend for daughters who may not understand their moms or want a little more insight as to why they are the way they are.
I was leaning towards giving this either 3 or 3.5 stars. At times, I was uncomfortable reading this book. Then it dawned on me why I felt this way. Peach and I have a lot in common....we both feel as though we fall so short in our mother’s eyes. Although Peach’s family is quite well off, mine wasn’t. I could feel each and every blow (mentally) that Peach’s momma aimed her way. Growing up, Peach could never do anything right or make her Mom proud...every decision was the wrong one. I could so identify with that. We (Peach and I) just wanted to feel loved and appreciated.
Although things turned out well towards the end, I have to say this book gave me a greater understanding of not only Peach’s mom, but my own mother.
Definitely recommend for daughters who may not understand their moms or want a little more insight as to why they are the way they are.
October 22, 2019
2,5 estrellas
Guardo un recuerdo tierno de El café de los corazones rotos pero desde que comencé a leer las primeras páginas de este libro supe que la lectura iba a ser totalmente diferente. Primero porque pensaba que esto era una continuación del primer libro (no lo es) y segundo porque Peach es una narradora horrible. Su visión de lo que le rodea es bastante simplista y reducida, además de que resulta bastante irritante en ocasiones.
Guardo un recuerdo tierno de El café de los corazones rotos pero desde que comencé a leer las primeras páginas de este libro supe que la lectura iba a ser totalmente diferente. Primero porque pensaba que esto era una continuación del primer libro (no lo es) y segundo porque Peach es una narradora horrible. Su visión de lo que le rodea es bastante simplista y reducida, además de que resulta bastante irritante en ocasiones.
February 13, 2014
I can't review this book because I didn't finish it, but I can tell you why I didn't finish it.
The first chapter has "true southern lady" Peach Rondell returning to her Mississippi home to once again live with her mother. Her husband, one day after celebrating Peach's 45th birthday tells her he no longer loves her. Left with no home, no finances, and no job, there is nothing more Peach can do. Besides, her therapy convinced her that to move forward in her life, she must revisit her past.
Ok, not a bad beginning. I like books about the South and about Southern women--the strong, quirky, sometimes over-the top characters that are portrayed in Fannie Flagg, Dorothea Benton Frank, and Denise Hildreth Jones books. I was expecting that from Stokes. Not so much.
After 75 pages of what I came to think of as "The Monologue of Peach", I was done. Peach, raised by a "true Southern lady", oh excuse me...as Peach would have corrected me that cabbages are raised and the ladies of the South are brought up, starts relating all the horrors she has experienced of being brought up Southern. And I mean, she starts by remembering the time she defied her mother in the high chair by spitting out strained spinach as her first rebellion. By page 75 I was reading about Peach, aged 6 1/2 being sent to spend the summer with her grandmother, also a "true Southern lady" who wasn't about to give Peach the free reign to fish, play baseball, go to the movies, etc. that her older brother was given. No. Peach was to learn the niceties of being a lady--like steering clear of the family's "black folk" help; making small talk at tea and smiling vacantly even when you weren't enjoying yourself; to set a lovely table; to appear interested in the company of others even when you weren't; to talk nicely to someone and then talk about them later.
I just could not get past page 75. I was done. There was no spark of character in Peach except complaining. Her mother and her grandmother were mean-spirited; and not, I hope, what true Southern ladies are actually like. If that is Stokes's belief, she is going to have a huge group of lovely Southern ladies protesting; as they should.
There was no action to those first pages--only the voice of Peach venting anger and resentment through her memories. Hey, don't blame me. I'm just the innocent reader, here. And guess what? I would rather you get up and do something truly rebellious (and maybe you will after page 75) to demonstrate that you are a strong woman with a will of your own.
If you go ahead and read the book and enjoy, then I am happy for you. Perhaps I should have kept going. But for me, I will stick to Flagg, Benton Frank, and Hildreth Jones for my funny, poignant, and full of action and emotion reads about Southern women. Wait...maybe that's it. I like Southern women and not Southern ladies.
The first chapter has "true southern lady" Peach Rondell returning to her Mississippi home to once again live with her mother. Her husband, one day after celebrating Peach's 45th birthday tells her he no longer loves her. Left with no home, no finances, and no job, there is nothing more Peach can do. Besides, her therapy convinced her that to move forward in her life, she must revisit her past.
Ok, not a bad beginning. I like books about the South and about Southern women--the strong, quirky, sometimes over-the top characters that are portrayed in Fannie Flagg, Dorothea Benton Frank, and Denise Hildreth Jones books. I was expecting that from Stokes. Not so much.
After 75 pages of what I came to think of as "The Monologue of Peach", I was done. Peach, raised by a "true Southern lady", oh excuse me...as Peach would have corrected me that cabbages are raised and the ladies of the South are brought up, starts relating all the horrors she has experienced of being brought up Southern. And I mean, she starts by remembering the time she defied her mother in the high chair by spitting out strained spinach as her first rebellion. By page 75 I was reading about Peach, aged 6 1/2 being sent to spend the summer with her grandmother, also a "true Southern lady" who wasn't about to give Peach the free reign to fish, play baseball, go to the movies, etc. that her older brother was given. No. Peach was to learn the niceties of being a lady--like steering clear of the family's "black folk" help; making small talk at tea and smiling vacantly even when you weren't enjoying yourself; to set a lovely table; to appear interested in the company of others even when you weren't; to talk nicely to someone and then talk about them later.
I just could not get past page 75. I was done. There was no spark of character in Peach except complaining. Her mother and her grandmother were mean-spirited; and not, I hope, what true Southern ladies are actually like. If that is Stokes's belief, she is going to have a huge group of lovely Southern ladies protesting; as they should.
There was no action to those first pages--only the voice of Peach venting anger and resentment through her memories. Hey, don't blame me. I'm just the innocent reader, here. And guess what? I would rather you get up and do something truly rebellious (and maybe you will after page 75) to demonstrate that you are a strong woman with a will of your own.
If you go ahead and read the book and enjoy, then I am happy for you. Perhaps I should have kept going. But for me, I will stick to Flagg, Benton Frank, and Hildreth Jones for my funny, poignant, and full of action and emotion reads about Southern women. Wait...maybe that's it. I like Southern women and not Southern ladies.
February 23, 2017
This is my third book reading Penelope Stokes and I really loved the first two. This is a book about a character from the book The Heartbreak Cafe, and it is not anywhere in the caliber of that book . Instead of being uplifting, this book moves slowly and it's rather depressing. In short, it is about a woman who is trying journaling for depression after a divorce, but at the same time also dealing with the mother that she never thought loved her. I was disappointed in this book, but the next one I'm going to start today is still by Penelope Stokes.
February 5, 2012
This is an excellent book with great truths in it for any woman who has ever been misunderstood by her mother. It is a good story about loss, redemption, family, and finding out the truth about who you really are.
January 25, 2019
Bueno... Tengo muchos sentimientos encontrados. Es un libro lleno de muchos clichés y estereotipos? Totalmente sí. La trama es un poco irrelevante? Puede ser. Pero no sé si es que la autora lo hace bien o si yo logré tener demasiada empatía con el personaje O AMBAS. El punto es que me gustó, y es un poco guily pleasure que ya sé que es absurdo. Pero creo que lo que más me gustó de esta segunda versión son las constantes reflexiones. El personaje es demasiado real. Está muy bien hecho. Es una mujer que siente, vive, se equivoca, se cuestiona, que se está conociendo a sí misma y el proceso de introspección es real. Las conclusiones a las que llega y lo que va sintiendo es genuino. Y por eso quieres seguir leyendo, o al menos yo. Más que para saber su versión de la historia, para acompañar y comprender al personaje en el proceso. Y creo que todo el libro sigue esa línea. No es la trama lo que importa porque es un cliché tras otro y es predecible. Pero la manera en la que el personaje analiza y siente se me hace muy real y muy bien desarrollado y eso tiene bastante mérito.
El final... Ay. El final. Las últimas páginas y el acontecimiento final fue predecible y además apresurado. Todo pasó de repente y era un cliché constante, no puedo dejar de repetirlo porque es así. Quería un caos y un final feliz a juro. Eso no me gustó. Pero cómo la protagonista de la historia enfrentó las desgracias como un ser humano. Insisto, de admirar. Y me quedo con eso.
Obviamente no es un libro que volvería a leer. Ya está terminado. Pero es un libro que al menos llegó en un momento muy particular de mi vida y me hizo reflexionar y me dejó pensando mucho (igual que el primero. Con tiempo diferencia). Así que creo que eso me deja un buen recuerdo. Es de esos libros que sabes que en calidad literaria o trama no es lo mejor que vas a encontrar pero que disfrutaste y que le sacaste provecho. Es exactamente así. Y para mi de eso se trata la lectura.
El final... Ay. El final. Las últimas páginas y el acontecimiento final fue predecible y además apresurado. Todo pasó de repente y era un cliché constante, no puedo dejar de repetirlo porque es así. Quería un caos y un final feliz a juro. Eso no me gustó. Pero cómo la protagonista de la historia enfrentó las desgracias como un ser humano. Insisto, de admirar. Y me quedo con eso.
Obviamente no es un libro que volvería a leer. Ya está terminado. Pero es un libro que al menos llegó en un momento muy particular de mi vida y me hizo reflexionar y me dejó pensando mucho (igual que el primero. Con tiempo diferencia). Así que creo que eso me deja un buen recuerdo. Es de esos libros que sabes que en calidad literaria o trama no es lo mejor que vas a encontrar pero que disfrutaste y que le sacaste provecho. Es exactamente así. Y para mi de eso se trata la lectura.
November 20, 2025
I was really hoping for a book about a southern woman that would have some quirky southern characters, perhaps a nice romance, and some feel good vibes. Well, aside from being set in the south, that's all I got. I just finished this book and set it aside feeling depressed because I got to the end and I didn't feel like I had been on a journey, but more of a ramble through a woman's thoughts. One could say that her journal entries that comprised a good portion of the book were self-indulgent and I would argue that most of us write that way privately; however, a good story, it doesn't make.
Peach Rondell has returned to her childhood home after a divorce (which is rarely described, we never really see the ex husband) to try and find where she wants to go in life. We meet her very controlling mother and a few characters at a diner, but that's about it. No one particularly quirky, when her mother tells her that she was named after Purdy, I thought "Hey, we'll get some character development or back story here!", but nope, that's all and on to the next page.
I think this book could have been better, but it just seemed to ramble on without having much of an idea where it was going until 3/4 of the way through when the author decided she better put some actual conflict in, but then dropped it after.
Peach Rondell has returned to her childhood home after a divorce (which is rarely described, we never really see the ex husband) to try and find where she wants to go in life. We meet her very controlling mother and a few characters at a diner, but that's about it. No one particularly quirky, when her mother tells her that she was named after Purdy, I thought "Hey, we'll get some character development or back story here!", but nope, that's all and on to the next page.
I think this book could have been better, but it just seemed to ramble on without having much of an idea where it was going until 3/4 of the way through when the author decided she better put some actual conflict in, but then dropped it after.
August 6, 2019
I'm a bit ambivalent about this book. This is one of those times where I wish there were more than 5 stars. The book is somewhere between 2 and 3 stars for me, but I rounded up.
Priscilla, "Peach", Rondell has returned home to temporarily live with her mother following a divorce from her husband. Peach has a long history of being in therapy and much of the root cause of her issues seem to stem from her relationship with her mother. While at home, she makes some selfish mistakes, develops new friendships, and examines her relationship with her mother.
One of my issues with this book is that Peach is not a very sympathetic character. She is critical of others, but doesn't look in the mirror to see her role in her difficulties. She magically develops a new "family" of friends while spending time at a local cafe, but we don't really see a true progression or development of this friendship, so it seems very hollow (the book is less than 300 pages, so not much is fully developed).
So why did I round up? Penelope J. Stokes does have a nice writing style and injects some dry humor into her story. She did a nice job with the setting. I'd probably give the author another chance and I guess I just feel like being positive today, so I rounded up.
Only so-so for me.
Priscilla, "Peach", Rondell has returned home to temporarily live with her mother following a divorce from her husband. Peach has a long history of being in therapy and much of the root cause of her issues seem to stem from her relationship with her mother. While at home, she makes some selfish mistakes, develops new friendships, and examines her relationship with her mother.
One of my issues with this book is that Peach is not a very sympathetic character. She is critical of others, but doesn't look in the mirror to see her role in her difficulties. She magically develops a new "family" of friends while spending time at a local cafe, but we don't really see a true progression or development of this friendship, so it seems very hollow (the book is less than 300 pages, so not much is fully developed).
So why did I round up? Penelope J. Stokes does have a nice writing style and injects some dry humor into her story. She did a nice job with the setting. I'd probably give the author another chance and I guess I just feel like being positive today, so I rounded up.
Only so-so for me.
July 19, 2021
Antes que nada quiero comentar que NO es la segunda parte del Café de los corazones rotos, el título original es "El libro de Peach", el café aparece hasta el capítulo 12 página 137 (para que no les pase como a mí).
Una vez que entiendes ese dato la lectura se disfruta mucho, es ágil , divertida perfecta para el verano o unas vacaciones o una convalecencia.
Si eres mujer que fue criada en una ciudad pequeña donde las buenas formas y los apellidos son más importantes que tu desarrollo personal y cognitivo es perfecto para tí.
Peach regresa a su pequeña ciudad de origen en el sur de los Estados Unidos después de un inesperado divorcio para vivir en casa de su mamá donde se había prometido nunca volver.
A partir de la convivencia con sus raíces y por sugerencia de su psicoanalista va escribiendo un diario donde abre sus heridas para sanarlas a fondo.
Una vez que entiendes ese dato la lectura se disfruta mucho, es ágil , divertida perfecta para el verano o unas vacaciones o una convalecencia.
Si eres mujer que fue criada en una ciudad pequeña donde las buenas formas y los apellidos son más importantes que tu desarrollo personal y cognitivo es perfecto para tí.
Peach regresa a su pequeña ciudad de origen en el sur de los Estados Unidos después de un inesperado divorcio para vivir en casa de su mamá donde se había prometido nunca volver.
A partir de la convivencia con sus raíces y por sugerencia de su psicoanalista va escribiendo un diario donde abre sus heridas para sanarlas a fondo.
June 21, 2021
I liked it. Some people have criticized the author’s description of the character that all she did was complain and moan and groan. The whole point of this is to look back at her complaints and she if she can change herself. It doesn’t talk about the conversations she had that are normal, everyday talks about life or about the strength she needs to make the changes. Her family certainly doesn’t add positive things to her character and even her sister is a drain. Why they even have the brother talked about is beyond me. The character she had the relationship with seemed pointless. The timing of what happened to the character and when seems totally off the timing. Overall, I liked this book and am trying to decide what book of hers is next.
March 11, 2019
2019 Reading Challenge #6: A book with a plant in the title or on the cover
Por fin pude terminar con este libro, me costó demasiado. UN MES ENTERO. Al menos puedo decir que terminó mejor de lo que empezó.
Lo peor, y más intolerable de todo el libro, es nuestra narradora. Peach es de las mujeres más insufribles que he tenido que leer, todo el tema de las “damas sureñas” me pareció tan dramático e innecesario.
Los primeros dos tercios de la novela son insoportables, de verdad insufribles, una cosa más estúpida que la otra. En la última parte, , es que la historia (y la narración, increíblemente) comienza a cambiar hacia algo mucho más agradable.
El final deja un lindo mensaje, y he allí las dos estrellas, pero de resto fue una tortura esta lectura.
Por fin pude terminar con este libro, me costó demasiado. UN MES ENTERO. Al menos puedo decir que terminó mejor de lo que empezó.
Lo peor, y más intolerable de todo el libro, es nuestra narradora. Peach es de las mujeres más insufribles que he tenido que leer, todo el tema de las “damas sureñas” me pareció tan dramático e innecesario.
Los primeros dos tercios de la novela son insoportables, de verdad insufribles, una cosa más estúpida que la otra. En la última parte, , es que la historia (y la narración, increíblemente) comienza a cambiar hacia algo mucho más agradable.
El final deja un lindo mensaje, y he allí las dos estrellas, pero de resto fue una tortura esta lectura.
January 15, 2023
Peach vuelve a casa de su madre llamada "Belladona" tras el divorcio. Lo malo es que la madre es estirada, perfeccionista y vividora de apariencias como también el que dirán los demás y para colmo Peach trata de complacerla en todo.
Solo al final, la madre enferma por lo que Peach vuelve a quedar encerrada.
Lo que rescato es el crecimiento del personaje Peach pero que pesado que se vuelve...
El libro es una mezcla entre descripción de lo que pasa tipo novela y diario íntimo.
Solo al final, la madre enferma por lo que Peach vuelve a quedar encerrada.
Lo que rescato es el crecimiento del personaje Peach pero que pesado que se vuelve...
El libro es una mezcla entre descripción de lo que pasa tipo novela y diario íntimo.
February 14, 2020
Good but better as a corollary to Heartbreak Cafe. It delves into the character of Peach Rondell. While some of the events of Heartbreak Cafe occur in this book, they aren't explained and you'll be left wondering about "plot holes" that aren't really holes because it was fully treated in Heartbreak Cafe.
April 6, 2020
Al principio es un poco tedioso, sin embargo me gustó cómo aborda el tema de introspección, de la amistad, del amor y sobre todo, de las cuestiones familiares complicadas.
Tiene bonito mensaje, sería bueno que lo leyeran aquellas personas que al día de hoy, tienen problemas no resueltos con alguno de sus padres.
“Como todas las demás personas de este mundo, lo hago lo mejor que puedo.”
Tiene bonito mensaje, sería bueno que lo leyeran aquellas personas que al día de hoy, tienen problemas no resueltos con alguno de sus padres.
“Como todas las demás personas de este mundo, lo hago lo mejor que puedo.”
June 9, 2019
No es la mejor historia, pero te entretiene, es super fácil y rápido de leer.
November 23, 2019
Retrato de una vida truncada i busca el camino para continuar i vivir el presente
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October 31, 2020Love Southern books. Very good, she'd tears at the end
February 1, 2021
La historia del café de los corazones rotos narrado por otra protagonista
February 28, 2021
Quick read. Sweet . Didn't grab me. I wanted more. Felt like it could have been more detailed and gone deeper .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2022
A quick read of a woman trying to figure out her purpose in life…not my favorite, but liked how she used journaling for reflection.
March 4, 2024
What a hoot!!!
March 7, 2024
I really enjoyed this story and I loved Peach, the main character. Her life kind of blew up in front of her at age 45 and this story is her way of finding herself, confronting old demons and learning to live again.
May 16, 2024
45 yo woman coming to terms with her relationship with her mother and her southern upbringing. Insightful at times, low key, enjoyable
July 27, 2025
Fluixet.
September 30, 2025
Historia interesante. Para quiénes han realizado terapia se vuelve una reflexión
October 17, 2025
This book was a no go. It was so hard to stay engaged with, to want to keep reading. The mother was quite a character though.
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