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Sweet Pea
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26The unforgettable story of a Black woman who creates her own chosen family after tragedy, in a “warm and wise” tale (Observer UK) of the enduring power of a mother’s love.
When Paulette arrived on English shores as a young girl, she left behind a grandmother in St. Kitts who called her “Sweet Pea,” taught her to cook, and admonished her to avoid temptation and embrace love and forgiveness, in that order. Now Paulette is twenty-nine and in love with Denton, who she hopes to start a family and have lots of children with. But then Denton is killed in a car accident, and Paulette is left to grieve, as Denton’s friend Garfield finds his way into her bed. Soon their son is born, Bird, and Paulette decides to give Bird the best of everything, even as she lets Garfield go. Then, in a twist of fate, she meets the man who was behind the wheel of the car that killed Denton, and the grandson who he is having trouble caring for, a young boy the same age as Bird. Despite her grief and anger, Paulette takes the boy under her wing, and soon she is cooking him meals, making sure his clothes are clean, and letting him call her Sweet Pea. As the years go by, Paulette begins to understand the value of forgiveness, and most of all, love, and how much allowing it to guide her life has provided the strength she needed.
Beautiful and profound, Sweet Pea is a tender and emotionally-compelling novel about the healing power of one woman’s love and care for her found family.
When Paulette arrived on English shores as a young girl, she left behind a grandmother in St. Kitts who called her “Sweet Pea,” taught her to cook, and admonished her to avoid temptation and embrace love and forgiveness, in that order. Now Paulette is twenty-nine and in love with Denton, who she hopes to start a family and have lots of children with. But then Denton is killed in a car accident, and Paulette is left to grieve, as Denton’s friend Garfield finds his way into her bed. Soon their son is born, Bird, and Paulette decides to give Bird the best of everything, even as she lets Garfield go. Then, in a twist of fate, she meets the man who was behind the wheel of the car that killed Denton, and the grandson who he is having trouble caring for, a young boy the same age as Bird. Despite her grief and anger, Paulette takes the boy under her wing, and soon she is cooking him meals, making sure his clothes are clean, and letting him call her Sweet Pea. As the years go by, Paulette begins to understand the value of forgiveness, and most of all, love, and how much allowing it to guide her life has provided the strength she needed.
Beautiful and profound, Sweet Pea is a tender and emotionally-compelling novel about the healing power of one woman’s love and care for her found family.
- GenresLiterary Fiction
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 3, 2026
2 people are currently reading
3491 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 13, 2026
I received this ARC from a Goodreads giveaway. I really enjoyed this story about the gifts of love and forgiveness. Paulette left behind her grandmother in St Kitts to move to England to find work and make a life. She meets Denton and dreams of a life with children, but her dreams are destroyed when Denton is killed in a car accident. She hooks up with his friend, Garfield and they have a son. Paulette meets the driver who killed Denton and his young grandson who is the same age as her own son. What conspires is a master class on love and forgiveness and finding the strength to power through difficult circumstances. Highly recommend!
December 19, 2025
Emotional, heartbreaking, touching, caring, forgiving and so glad I read it. Worth reading for sure!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved "Sweet Pea!"
It is a beautiful story of love and longing, of family and forgiveness, of race and resilience.
I fell in love with the characters despite their many flaws and complexities.
"Sweet Pea" would be a great book club read. There are a lot of themes throughout the book to think on and discuss. It is a book that wants to be examined on a deeper level. It is one that I would gladly reread.
I strongly recommend the book.
It is a beautiful story of love and longing, of family and forgiveness, of race and resilience.
I fell in love with the characters despite their many flaws and complexities.
"Sweet Pea" would be a great book club read. There are a lot of themes throughout the book to think on and discuss. It is a book that wants to be examined on a deeper level. It is one that I would gladly reread.
I strongly recommend the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Overall, I enjoyed the read. But I had a hard time at times relating at all to Paulette, and to understanding her choices and motivations. Still, the author drew me in as I couldn't stop reading and wanted to see how it ended. I'm still torn on if I enjoyed it or not, but I was glad to read it as it was a unique voice.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews