Pretty as a Peach: Your next favorite book club pick – for fans of charming, small-town emotional reads in 2026!

by Grace Helena Walz

A rising star in Southern fiction, Grace Helena Walz returns with Pretty as a Peach, another story full of charm, sass, wit, and characters you'll want as friends.

When a new beauty company threatens everything she holds dear, Delilah must find the courage to speak up and reveal the truth.

Delilah Thomas has a stellar track record of avoiding conflict. Her life mantra? Keep the peace. Born to a family she has never fit in, Delilah learned early that no matter what it costs her, it's best to keep quiet, nod, and agree. Now in her late thirties, she has mastered the art and employs it daily with the preschoolers she teaches.

Then Peach Pit sets up shop in her small hometown and infiltrates every female relationship, including Delilah's lifelong best-friend group. A direct sales business, Peach Pit claims its beauty products are organic and all-natural and recruits women to become "Darlings" who host parties to sell products to friends and family. Delilah's friend Betsy is ecstatic to join, drawn by promises of sisterhood and easy income. But something seems off to Delilah.

When customers, including her pregnant friend Eliza, start reporting rashes, Peach Pit refuses to take responsibility. Then Betsy lets an unsettling secret slip, and Delilah can't hold her tongue any longer. With the help of her retired neighbor, Mrs. Chopra, and travel journalist Jasper--Delilah's longtime pen pal and childhood crush, finally in town for a visit--Delilah investigates the company and uncovers the grim truth. She is faced with a Stop pushing and keep the peace, or find her courage and expose Peach Pit's shady business practices, even if it costs her the unthinkable.

A story about enduring friendship, Pretty as a Peach paints a vivid portrait of choosing bravery in the midst of uncertainty and reminds us that the sweetest things in life are worth fighting for. Perfect for fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey, Lauren K. Denton, and Joy Callaway.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Friendship, Chick Lit, Adult Fiction, Womens Fiction, Literary Fiction

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2026

About the author

Grace Helena Walz is a former (forever) social worker with a passion for heartfelt, down to earth stories. She resides outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two children. She writes in the moments between covering scraped knees in bandaids and chauffering carpool.

Reviews

[Amber (amberreadsitall) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up for Goodreads

Genre: Southern Fiction
Format: Audio 🎧

Pretty as a Peach is a Southern fiction novel about a preschool teacher named Delilah. Delilah heads an amateur investigation into a multi-level marketing beauty company called Peach Pit, after many customers, including some of her friends, get rashes and become sick after using their products.

This novel explores themes of friendship, courage, loyalty, and choosing between keeping the peace and doing the right thing.

I really enjoyed reading about the friendships the women in this book had. I also loved the southern, small town vibes.

The audio version of the book was very well done. The narrators, Brittany Goodwin and Natalie Duke, really brought these characters to life with their southern accents.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A story about enduring friendship, Pretty as a Peach paints a vivid portrait of choosing bravery in the midst of uncertainty and reminds us that the sweetest things in life are worth fighting for."

Delilah is a preschool teacher in Pearl, Georgia, a close-knit Southern community where her family and group pf lifelong friends live. When The Peach Pit, an MLM business with aggressive practices gains several Pearl consultants, Delilah teams up with her neighbor Mrs. Chopra and her best friend Jasper, to vet the company and verify their claims. What she finds exposes secrets about her family, friends and the community itself.

The audiobook performance by Brittany Goodwin and Natalie Duke (11 hours 11 minutes) makes the characters come to life with authentic Southern accents.

I recommend this for fans of the author. It explores business practices and loyalty, testing the bonds of friendship and family with a little romance thrown in. It's about being true to yourself even when those closest to you don't agree.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, UpLit Reads and Grace Helena Walz for the gifted advance reader's copy, advance listening copy and finished copy. All opinions are my own.🎧📚

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am SO HAPPY TO WRITE THIS REVIEW!!
Well Heaven's To Betsy Sugar, wasn't this book just what your grandmama ordered??
Pour yourself a cold glass of lemonade (or sweet tea, pick your vice) and take a stroll down to the city of Peach. There you will find "The Five" -five woman fiercely loyal to one another and with good reason. So what happens when a MLM wedges a divide between them like if they were served sugar in their grits?

Grace Helena Walz writes with the smooth southern drawl we have come to love in her previous two novels, the character development and deep connections to each of them make you feel like you have found your "found family". The way she perfectly captures the Southern Culture in a small town in 100% accurate. She explores the complexities women face as they start to face their 40s but also gives us hope in a budding relationship.
I found myself eagerly turning the pages and looking forward to each time I could open my book.
If you are looking for a wonderful way to enjoy a Evening on your front porch (ceiling painted blue of course) reading a book, this one will capture your heart, pull on your emotions, have you on the edge of your seat, swoon over the love story and still have time to laugh!
This book is truly Pretty As A Peach

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to review this advanced copy of Pretty As A Peach. I was not paid or influenced for my honest review.

[Abby | Life-Giving Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for both an advanced reader copy and advanced listener copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The atmosphere of this story reminded me of a blend of Sweet Magnolias and Hart of Dixie with its charming southern setting and focus on the friendships between "The Five."

When a new MLM cosmetics company, Peach Pit, takes over the small town of Pearl, Delilah is not impressed. She owns her own small business, and this new and popular company with their "all natural and organic products" is overshadowing all her hard work. Worse than that, one of her best friends Betsy is now a Peach Pit "Darling," recruiting more women by hosting product parties and making promises of easy sales.

When several women begin reporting reactions to Peach Pit's products, Delilah decides she can't stay silent about her suspicions with this company. As she begins to uncover the lies and secrets of Peach Pit, she must decide whether to speak up and tell the truth-and risk her lifelong friendships-or stay silent and allow this corrupt company to continue wreaking havoc in her community.

I really resonated with Delilah's character. I have a deep dislike for MLM's and have firsthand experience with acquaintances who have viewed my friendship as a transaction, one that is disposable if I don't agree to buy their products. In fact, I've even had a friendship dissolve over my own speaking up about the inconsistencies I saw in her MLM, which promised "health and wealth" while I watched my friend continue to struggle financially under the debt of hundreds of dollars of fees and required purchases every month. I empathized with Delilah's hesitancy in speaking up in order to preserve her friendship with Betsy.

While I disagreed and even felt secondhand anxiety over some of the choices Betsy made, I also felt empathy for her character. I've seen how certain MLM companies prey on those who just want to earn extra money for their families, promising financial freedom, a new identity, and even a built-in sisterhood. While a select few people certainly do well in these companies (Betsy, for example), most do not, as we see with other characters in this story. I felt for Betsy in her dilemma in recognizing the corruption in Peach Pit while also finding her identity in the company.

All in all, I thought Grace Helena Walz did a great job tackling the complexity of adult friendships and the struggles they face. Even for those who have had lifelong friendships, like those of The Five, there are still disagreements and conflicts that need to be faced for the sake of the relationship. While Peach Pit is a fictional MLM, Walz unpacks some of the truth behind many real-life companies that operate similarly, which I genuinely appreciated.

I would recommend this if you want a fun spring or summer read or listen! The book is well-written, and the audio is well-narrated by both Brittany Goodwin and Natalie Duke.

Content considerations:
-Mild, infrequent language
-No spice; just a couple kisses
-References to "the universe" influencing events, which was a little unexpected for a Thomas Nelson title.

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟
Pretty as a Peach by Grace Helena Walz was a warm, heartfelt and surprisingly emotional book. I listened to the audiobook that was narrated by Brittany Goodwin. As a narrator, Brittany Goodwin, used her warm Southern delivery that brought so much warmth and personality to the characters she portrayed.

It was easy for me to feel a connection with Delilah Thomas, a preschool unmarried woman who had a soap making business. Delilah had lived in the same small town in Georgia her whole life. She had lived her entire adult life avoiding conflict and always giving in to keep the peace. Her lifelong friendship with “The Five” continued to be such an integral part of her daily life. “The Five” were always there for each other. Their friendship was real, complicated and deeply rooted in years of shared history.

When a company called Peach Pit arrived in their small town, a wedge began to form between “The Five”. Peach Pit was in direct competition with Delilah’s soap making business. All the Peach Pit products were produced from natural organic ingredients, at least they claimed to be. When Eliza, one of the”The Five” had a bad allergic reaction to one of the Peach Pit products, Delilah was no longer able to stay silent. It was bad enough that Eliza had had an allergic reaction to one of the products but she was in the final stages of her pregnancy. Delilah felt compelled to get to the bottom of the reason for the allergic reaction even if it threatened her friendships. I also loved the romance between Dllilah and Jasper, her longtime penpal since fifth grade. I was rooting for Delilah and Jasper to find their happily ever after.

Pretty as a Peach by Grace Helena Walz was a charming story about friendship, family, courage, finding one’s voice and realizing that sometimes keeping the peace isn’t worth the consequences. I recommend Pretty as a Peach if you enjoy a book with a bit of romance, lots of friends and a mystery sprinkled in.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio through NetGalley for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Pretty as a Peach by Grace Helena Walz in exchange for my honest review.

[Ava Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Doing the right thing sometimes requires feather ruffling."

3 stars!

This was such a fun southern contemporary novel! Pretty as a Peach follows the story of Delilah, a preschool teacher and soap business owner among a group of friends from Georgia who have stuck together since childhood. When a new, "shiny" body care and cosmetics business opens in the small town, Delilah not only has to face a competitor, but also is forced to watch as this multi-level marketing business consumes the women of the town. Despite the company's claims that their products are all natural, reactions are breaking out all over town--including Delilah's pregnant friend Eliza. Delilah's penpal, Jasper (a journalist), soon visits the town, and together, they plot ways to expose the company before the products can hurt anyone else. However, speaking the truth could ruin, not only her friendships, but also her already messy relationship with her family. But as more reactions are reported, Delilah is certain that something is going on behind the scenes, and she isn't willing to watch another friend fall for the lies about aging and beauty that the new company markets.

I have mixed feelings. It kind of felt like three random tropes were mixed together, and they didn't exactly fit? Each one would have been perfectly fine on its own, but the penpal romance, mystery of the business, and friend troubles were kind of a lot? The characters were great, and there were so many parts that I was fully engaged, but there were also parts that felt like they were just there for the trope, and some of the dialogue was a bit unrealistic. Also, the whole The Five concept felt almost cultish? Like I know that was never the intention, but it struck me as a little odd sometimes.

"Isn't that how friendships work? They can endure a little banging up, a bit of a rough ride, and they'll still be standing."

There really were some great themes in this book. Especially the power of friendship and the importance of standing up for what is right. I loved Betsy, especially, and her journey of finding the truth and owning up to her mistakes.

Even though I didn't love the penpal romance trope, I did like Jasper; he was a sweet mmc. And the ending was really good! I enjoyed watching the progression of Delilah's relationship with her family and how she was able to realize that it's okay to walk away from something that isn't fruitful.

That's what I always would've done: kept the peace. But now I've come to realize that their peace isn't the same as real peace.

The last thing that I really wanted to touch on was the content in this book. Being that it's published by Thomas Nelson, I was expecting it to be Christian fiction, but it definitely...wasn't? There was nothing inappropriate, but there was a lot of alcohol and some cursing and mentions of "the universe" rather than God. I was just a little confused on that and thought it would be worth mentioning.

Overall, though, this book is perfect for readers 15+ (though it is written for adults) who enjoy:
- a southern theme
- country club vibes
- redemption arcs
- a penpal romance
- the theme of friendships
- lots and lots of peaches
It reminded me a lot of Katie Ganshert's No One Ever Asked, as well!

"If you can't respectfully tell the truth to a friend without things being ruined, I'm not sure you had a friendship to start with."

Content to note:
- occasional mild cursing
- scenes with alcohol (though it is never abused)
- mentions of "the universe"
- very clean romance

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty as a Peach is a Southern fiction novel that’s a fun summer read. I was invested in the friendships and struggles of the main characters throughout the book. I continue to be puzzled as to why Thomas Nelson books (at least the ones I’ve read) have absolutely zero Christian content. I think that was a missed opportunity for this book.

I also recommend reading this in print or on Kindle. I tried the audiobook and could not handle the overdone Southern accent of one of the narrators. As someone who has grown up in the South, it’s grating to hear someone take it way over the top. No one talks like that.

Thank you, Thomas Nelson for the complimentary e-ARC! All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Jamie Brandenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a great story for learning to love who you are and standing up for believe in, even if it ruffles feathers.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

**ARC REVIEW!**
2.5⭐️

pretty as a peach, but sadly boring as…..🤐🤫

i wanted to like this one so much more; and don’t get me wrong, there were parts i did enjoy!! but overall, this book just didn’t make much sense to me. it felt like there were multiple tropes at play contributing to the plot, but they didn’t work or become a cohesive story. also, because of the many tropes, none of them ever really seemed to become fully developed.

i liked the characters, and i liked the setting. and the theme of strong female friendships was lovely! other than that… there wasn’t much else that stood out to me. i felt like i was dragging my feet through reading this, and didn’t really love the time i spent in this book.
i also felt a lot of redundancy throughout, and things really didn’t pick up speed until almost 75% of the way through. unfortunately, i’m not sure if i’d personally recommend this one!!

thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing this ARC for me to read and review!! 🍑

[Ania · Rating 3 out of 5]

I previously read Helena's The Good Hair Day. I was hoping to get a similar type of story - Southern Charm, witty banter, and a close-knit group of friends. This book definitely delivered on those elements, but I felt the story dragged a bit in places.
There was one twist that genuinely caught me by surprise, which I really appreciated. However, I struggled with the characters. Based on their ages, I expected them to approach their problems with a bit more maturity. Instead, their decisions and attitudes often made them feel like they were in their early 20s rather than their mid-to-late 30s, which made it harder for me to connect with them.

[Katrina (at)FlirtingWithFiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up.

Pretty As a Peach is a patchwork quilt of a novel that comes together to create something much greater than its pieces. It's literary fiction about friendship, belonging, and society's expectations blended with mystery, a little bit of thriller, and a swoon-worthy romance. At first I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into, but by the end I was completely invested and crying in my car 5 minutes before I had to go into work.

The story follows Delilah and Betsy, two members of a tight-knit friend group "the five" who have had each other's backs since they were kids. When a new cosmetic mlm shows up in town, it threatens to tear the friend group apart.

Structurally, this story is really interesting because it's told from Delilah's first person pov and then a 3rd person narrator from Betsy's point of view. This seemed like a somewhat strange choice at first, but ultimately, I think it worked well. The dual perspective/pov allows us to connect immediately with Delilah since the story is really about her and her growth. We're kept arms distance from Betsy as first, which is almost like she wants it that way. But as the story progresses and Betsy develops as a character, the two characters and their stories intertwine more. The structure of the story kept me guessing and really made this story even more engaging. Additionally, the narrator Brittany Goodwin, did a fantastic job of differentiating the two different perspectives. I honestly thought that it was two separate narrators because they were so distinct.

While the cast of characters isn't incredibly diverse, much of the story centers around the theme of "keeping up appearances" in the small-town South, so it works. And Walz is able to turn mlms into the true villains that they are. Reading this book, you'd think that Peach Pit is some crazy idea dreamed up by a horror author. Except-- no. We see it every single day in our society, and women especially, are preyed upon. Walz does a great job with this commentary without hitting us over the head with it.

As a romance fan, I also really loved the romance subplot between Delilah and Jasper. I'm glad that they got the full arc they deserved amongst so much else going on. The ending in general left me satisfied and fulfilled. This story wasn't at all what I was expecting, and I wasn't sure it was for me at first, but I'm so glad that I stuck it out. This is well worth the read.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for the chance to listen to this alc of Pretty As a Peach. This is my personal review.

[Kassandra Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars ⭐️

I really wanted to love this one because the premise had so much potential. A group of women in a picture-perfect Southern town taking on an MLM? Sign me up! Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t quite deliver for me.

My biggest issue was that the story felt like it was trying to do too much. There were so many different plotlines and tropes woven throughout that none of them ever felt fully developed. Instead of building on the original premise, it seemed to lose focus as the story went on, leaving everything feeling a little scattered.

I also struggled to connect with the characters. While I appreciated the strong female friendships and the found-family dynamic, most of the cast felt a bit one-dimensional, and I never became fully invested in their journeys. The pacing didn’t help either, it was pretty slow for most of the book before finally picking up near the end. The women also seemed much more immature for being in their 30’s, which made some of the life choices they chose and ways they carried themselves seem strange.

I also did the audiobook for this one and that was another area I struggled with as well. The narration for Delilah and the southern accent used for her, came across very forced and not authentic, which made for it be hard to listen to. The voices and accents added to the “over flowery” vibes of the characters, and made them come across as cheesy and sometimes hard to understand if you sped it up unfortunately.

I will say the small-town setting was charming, even if it leaned a little too picture-perfect at times. There were definitely moments I enjoyed, and I can see it possibly working for readers who love quirky Southern fiction and stories centered around female friendships. I just don’t think this style of southern fiction may be for me.

Overall, this one just wasn’t the hit I was hoping for. It had a fun concept, but I wanted more depth, stronger character development, and a tighter, more focused plot with believability.

Thank you to NetGalley, Uplit Reads and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with an advanced copy of both the book and audiobook in exchange for my honest review. 🍑

[Christina Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

🍑Book Review 🍑- Pretty As A Peach by Grace Helena Waltz
I loved this southern women’s fiction novel! I was hooked from the first chapter. This was a book about the tight bond between “The Five” - five women who became friends as children and remained friends throughout the their lives. This book had real depth and had a great storyline and subplots.
I highly recommend the audiobook- the narrators, Brittany Goodwin and Natalie Duke were amazing and their southern kilts were so engaging.
The book is a multiple POV but focused on Delilah- who is a preschool teacher who has a side natural soap business and really relies on her friendship in The Five due to her strained relationships with her own family. Several of her friends have gotten involved in a beauty company called Peach Pit. Women who join selling Peach Pit products are called Darlings and the group seems to have become cultlike. As she learns more about this company and its shady business practices, more and more of the women in her town seem to be caught up in the multi-level marketing scheme and don’t seem to realize the predatory practices. She decided she is going to investigate this shady company it what she finds may change her relationships with her family and friends forever.
There is also a sweet relationship subplot with Delilah and her long term pen pal Jasper.
I highly recommend this book for those who love Southern fiction or women’s fiction. It is a real peach of a read!

Thank you to Uplit Reads, Thomas Nelson Books, Zondervan Fiction Audio, NetGalley, and Grace Helena Waltz for an advance copy of this book for review.

[Leslie Oberhaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Review for both the print and audiobook versions)

This book was a joy! I got so frustrated with certain characters and situations (especially on Delilah's behalf) but that was just part of the great experience of reading it. You really feel like you get to know the characters and the story arcs all develop and resolve in ways that make sense and are satisfying (that's as close to a spoiler as I'll get!). Being from the South, I had many moments of smiling knowingly at the Southern phrases and vernacular which only added to the charm.

There are so many good themes woven seamlessly into this story -- staying true to yourself, living up to expectations (or feeling that you have to), friendship, family dynamics, and romance, as well as less explicitly explored topics such as being childless by choice, being a working parent, marital dynamics, being the 'single friend', and much more. I looked forward to getting back to the story every time I had to stop reading.

I'm glad I listened to the audiobook (for most of the read anyway). Even though I loved it, I thought the book could have been a bit shorter but listening instead of reading with my eyes made it seem shorter. I also loved hearing all the Southern vernacular instead of just reading it. The narrators both did a wonderful job embodying the characters and had lovely accents. I'm from a different part of the South than this story is set in and grew up with a different accent but Southern is Southern to a large extent. :)

I will recommend this book to everyone but especially fans of friendship stories and Southern fiction.

My personal rating is 4.5 stars.

I received gifted copies of the paperback, digital, and audiobook formats of this book. I'm leaving my review voluntarily; all views are my own.

[Sarah Crumley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of copy received from Goodreads Giveaways:

3.5 Stars
This was such a fun summer read filled with southern charm, female friendship, and a warm cozy feeling throughout. Delilah, a pre-school teacher and aspiring soap maker, has always felt out of place in her town and especially in her family. But, when the Peach Pit cosmetics company, a pyramid scheme meets adult sorority, begins to hurt those she cares about, Delilah takes action with the help of her elderly neighbor. Her character development is beautifully crafted to allow her to grow into a more confident woman without sacrificing hope along the way! I would definitely be interested in reading more books by Grace Helena Walz!

[Amy Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all 3 of Walz’s books to date, and she is now an auto-read author for me! She always blends the complicated lives of Southern women with family drama, societal expectations, humor, and warmth. This take on MLM’s and small-town, lifelong friendships had me glued to my Kindle. Jasper was the perfect addition to this fun and relatable crew of characters. So well done! ❤️🍑❤️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my advanced copy which has not affected my review.

[Lauren Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delilah is perfectly content with her cozy lifestyle. She lives in her own home in the town she grew up in, works as a preschool teacher and has her own natural soap business. But she’s always been the black sheep of her family - not quite what her parents expected, and so different from her sister Darcy. Luckily she has The Five - a group of women that she’s been friends with since elementary school who are more like family. And then there’s Jasper - a pen pal she’s had almost as long as The Five, who she’s finally going to meet in person. But when Peach Pit, an MLM selling “all-natural” beauty products, rolls into town, it causes a massive shakeup. Can The Five survive?

This was my first read by this author and I would love to go read her backlist now. This was funny and heartfelt. There was growth amongst the characters, but no one was perfect - they were all so real. These women went THROUGH IT. This was so much more than I was expecting and I’m so happy I read it.

[Alexis Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the Southern setting and vibes. Could picture the scenes clearly! This novel wasn’t awful by any means. Just slow in certain parts. Great overall though!

[Skye Pestana]

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Very cheesy, but I can think of a good handful of people in my life this book is going to be a hit with. Moms in their 30s/40s, especially from the South, especially who know anyone who has been victimized by an MLM. The romance in this is extremely to the side of the main story and doesn’t feel necessary at all, but the main love story of friendship works!

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Pretty as a Peach, bestselling author Grace Helena Walz delivers a delightfully witty, heartwarming, and razor-sharp Southern women's fiction mystery. The story hinges on an unconventional preschool teacher and her quirky retiree neighbor navigating immense societal and interpersonal hurdles to expose a toxic, multi-level marketing scheme taking over their community. 

The Hook
Small-town sisterhood solidarity vs. predatory corporate greed.
A peaceful suburban sanctuary turns into an active neighborhood investigation when a predatory beauty company threatens the safety and lifelong bonds of a close-knit circle of friends. 

Elevator Pitch
A captivating, sun-drenched Southern drama following an independent preschool teacher in Georgia who teams up with her elderly neighbor to dismantle a deceptive MLM beauty empire that is weaponizing sisterhood, bankrupting local families, and fracturing her lifelong friend group.

Review Breakdown

Intro
Thirty-something preschool teacher Delilah Thomas has always been the carefree "black sheep" of perfectly manicured Pearl, Georgia. Her life mantra is to keep the peace and avoid conflict, but her internal alarm bells ring when a sketchy direct-sales direct marketing craze called Peach Pit sweeps through the town's high-achieving moms. Promising miraculous skincare made from peach pits, the company recruits Delilah’s best friends into hefty investments. When local women begin breaking out in severe rashes and a close friend drops an unsettling secret, Delilah abandons her peace-keeping ways, launching an undercover investigation to take the toxic organization down. 

A standalone Southern contemporary women's fiction novel focusing on consumer advocacy and female friendship. 

Setting
The lush, hyper-traditional, and meticulously manicured small town of Pearl, Georgia, moves between colorful preschool classrooms and the polished living rooms hosting toxic direct-sales cosmetic parties. 

Vibe
Heartfelt, sassy, and deeply empowering.
It perfectly channels the sun-drenched coastal sisterhood of The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey, colliding with the sharp, funny neighborhood scheme-busting of The Sweet Magnolias.  

Genre
Southern Women's Fiction / Contemporary Drama. 

Themes
~The Courage to Resist Social Conformity
~The Predatory Nature of Multi-Level Marketing Schemes
~The Enduring Power of Female Solidarity
~Finding Your Voice over People-Pleasing Restraint 

Standout Characters
~Delilah Thomas: A conflict-avoidant, thrift-store-loving preschool teacher whose deep devotion to her friends forces her to find her backbone and speak up.
~Mrs. Chopra: Delilah’s sharp, fiercely independent retired next-door neighbor who brings elite strategic wit and comedic charm to their amateur sleuthing.
~Jasper: A travel journalist, childhood crush, and long-time pen pal whose timely return to Pearl provides Delilah with a grounded ally and slow-burn romantic chemistry. 

Author Writing Standout
Grace Helena Walz displays an elite gift for building down-to-earth, vibrant Southern communities full of characters you desperately want as real-life friends. Her background in social work shines through in the compassion with which she writes about vulnerable women falling for financial scams, balancing serious real-world issues with delightful, laugh-out-loud humor. 

Takeaway
True peace isn't kept by remaining completely silent; the sweetest communities are protected only when you find the courage to fight for them. 

Title Significance
"Pretty as a Peach" acts as a brilliant piece of irony—playing on the classic Southern compliment while exposing how a predatory cosmetic company uses that exact obsession with outward perfection to mask a toxic interior. 

Metaphor
The "Peach Pit" beauty creams serve as a flawless metaphor for the town itself—polished, sweet-smelling, and highly marketed on the surface, but concealing a hard, highly dangerous core that can poison relationships if digested blindly. 

Why You Should Read
Having read all of her books and the pleasure of interviewing Grace previously, I can confidently tell you that this is her most charming, confident, and socially sharp novel yet.

My Thoughts
The narrative pacing is an absolute joy. Charming and sassy, Walz builds a fantastic, deeply relatable dynamic around Delilah's lifelong friend group, making the sting of corporate manipulation feel incredibly personal. Watching a lifelong people-pleaser systematically dismantle a multi-million-dollar scam with the help of an elderly neighbor is peak comfort reading.

Audio🎧 Standout
Listening to the audiobook co-narrated by Brittany Goodwin and Natalie Duke is an absolute treat. Goodwin and Duke establish a phenomenal vocal chemistry, capturing the soft, melodic rhythms of Georgia prose while drawing clear, distinct lines between the bubbly, corporate MLM "Darlings" and Delilah’s grounded, witty internal thoughts. Their dual narration effortlessly amplifies the natural humor and emotional depth. 

Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
"A stellar, five-star triumph of Southern women's fiction that will make you cheer out loud for small-town bravery."

Recs
Read this if you devoured Southern by Design or Good Hair Days by Grace Helena Walz, The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey, Sing Me Home to Carolina by Joy Callaway, or The Hideaway: A Southern Story of Family, Secrets, and Second Chances by Lauren K. Denton. 

Special thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading and listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date July 14, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars
July Newsletter
July 2026 Must-Read Books

[sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Grace Helena Walz, Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

*Pretty as a Peach* is an absolutely delightful Southern novel that perfectly balances heart, humor, mystery, and meaningful social commentary. Grace Helena Walz has crafted a story that feels warm and inviting on the surface while tackling surprisingly complex themes beneath it. Filled with lovable characters, genuine friendships, small-town charm, and an empowering message about finding your voice, this is one of those books that leaves you smiling while also giving you plenty to think about.

From the very first chapter, I was completely drawn into Delilah Thomas's world. She is such an easy protagonist to root for. Her lifelong habit of avoiding conflict isn't portrayed as weakness but as a survival mechanism shaped by years of feeling like she never truly belonged within her own family. Watching Delilah slowly realize that keeping the peace often comes at the expense of her own happiness and values made for an incredibly satisfying character arc. Her journey toward confidence and self-advocacy felt authentic, emotional, and inspiring.

One of my favorite aspects of the novel was its portrayal of female friendships. Delilah's lifelong friend group feels wonderfully realistic, showing both the joy and the complications that come with relationships that have lasted decades. Their love for one another is undeniable, but so are the misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and differing life choices that naturally arise over time. Rather than presenting friendship as perfect, Walz embraces its messy, imperfect reality, making every interaction feel believable and heartfelt.

The storyline surrounding Peach Pit was fascinating. Instead of simply using the MLM as a backdrop, the novel thoughtfully explores how companies like these prey on trust, community, and financial vulnerability. It examines how easily promises of friendship, empowerment, and financial freedom can become tools for manipulation. What I appreciated most was that the story never judged the women who became involved. Instead, it approached them with empathy, recognizing that many were simply searching for connection or a better future. That compassionate perspective added an important layer of nuance to the story.

The mystery element was another pleasant surprise. As Delilah begins uncovering Peach Pit's increasingly disturbing secrets, the novel transforms into an engaging investigation filled with just enough suspense to keep the pages turning. I found myself eager to discover what would happen next, and each revelation raised the stakes without overshadowing the novel's emotional core. The balance between cozy mystery, women's fiction, and contemporary drama was handled exceptionally well.

The supporting cast truly shines throughout the book. Mrs. Chopra quickly became one of my favorite characters. Her wisdom, humor, and unwavering encouragement make her the kind of mentor every reader wishes they had. She steals nearly every scene she's in, offering both practical advice and heartfelt support while never overshadowing Delilah's own growth. Jasper was equally charming. His history with Delilah and their long-standing pen-pal friendship creates a romance that feels mature, gentle, and rooted in genuine affection. Their relationship develops naturally and provides a lovely thread of hope throughout the novel without ever dominating the story.

Grace Helena Walz also captures small-town Southern life beautifully. The setting feels vibrant and authentic, full of welcoming neighbors, community gatherings, local gossip, and the complicated dynamics that come from living in a place where everyone knows everyone else's business. The Southern charm never feels stereotypical—instead, it adds warmth and personality while highlighting both the strengths and challenges of close-knit communities.

The writing itself is effortlessly engaging. Walz's prose flows beautifully, blending humor with emotional depth in a way that makes the novel incredibly easy to read. The dialogue feels authentic, the pacing remains steady throughout, and the emotional moments land because they're earned rather than forced. There were several scenes that made me laugh out loud, while others genuinely tugged at my heart.

What impressed me most was the novel's message about courage. At its heart, *Pretty as a Peach* is about discovering that kindness doesn't require silence and that standing up for what's right often means risking relationships, comfort, and certainty. Delilah's journey reminds readers that bravery isn't about being fearless—it's about choosing to speak up even when it's difficult. That message resonated deeply and gave the story a lasting emotional impact.

The only reason this wasn't quite a full five-star read for me is that a few plot developments resolved a little more neatly than I expected, particularly toward the end. While the conclusion is immensely satisfying and emotionally rewarding, I found myself wishing a couple of the conflicts had been explored with slightly more complexity. Even so, it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the story or its heartfelt message.

Overall, *Pretty as a Peach* is a wonderfully uplifting novel filled with memorable characters, meaningful themes, and just the right amount of mystery and romance. It's a celebration of friendship, community, resilience, and finding the courage to use your voice when it matters most. Grace Helena Walz has written a story that is both comforting and empowering, making it the perfect choice for readers who enjoy Southern fiction with heart.

If you love character-driven stories, strong female friendships, small-town settings, gentle romance, and novels that blend warmth with meaningful social commentary, *Pretty as a Peach* is one you won't want to miss. It's charming, thoughtful, emotionally satisfying, and would make an excellent book club pick with plenty to discuss long after the final page.

**⭐️ 4.75 stars — A heartwarming Southern story full of friendship, courage, charm, and unforgettable characters that reminds us sometimes the sweetest thing we can do is finally speak up.**

[Michelle Dsouza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't struggle with confrontation. I never have. So Delilah Thomas, a woman who has spent her entire life keeping the peace at the cost of herself, should have been a protagonist I found difficult to root for. She wasn't. She was one of the most human characters I've read this year.

Delilah learned early, inside a family she never quite fit, that staying quiet was the price of belonging. She got so good at it that it stopped feeling like a strategy and started feeling like personality. Now in her late thirties she teaches preschoolers, keeps a lifelong friend group of five women called The Fives, and does not make waves. Then Peach Pit, a direct sales beauty company, moves into her small Southern town and starts pulling her friends in different directions. Something feels wrong. Delilah says nothing.

What Grace Helena Walz gets exactly right is that Peach Pit is not the villain. The silence is. The company works the way these things actually work: not through obvious manipulation but through hope. The promise of income, belonging, and self-improvement. It attaches itself to insecurity and ambition and the deep need to be chosen, and it turns friends against each other along the lines of who believes whom and who needs the dream to be real badly enough to defend it. Betsy, Delilah's closest friend, is the one who joins. Her loyalty to Peach Pit is frustrating and completely believable, because she has tied her identity and her hope to it. You don't like her choices. You understand every single one of them.

The Fives are where the book earns its place. Delilah, Betsy, Eliza, Virginia Kate, and Sloan have twenty years of shared history, and Walz writes them as women whose friendship is loving and complicated and not immune to jealousy, silence, or the slow discomfort of outgrowing old roles. These are not women cheering each other on over sweet tea. They are women trying to stay connected while life, fear, and denial start changing the shape of the group. That felt true.

Mrs. Chopra is the standout of the supporting cast: warm, eccentric, and fully alive beyond her function in the plot. She carries much of the book's humor and momentum and is the kind of character you'd follow into a story of her own without hesitation. Jasper is quieter but earns his place. The pen-pal history between him and Delilah gives their connection something real to stand on.

Delilah's growth doesn't arrive in a rush. She doesn't suddenly become fearless. She simply starts choosing honesty even when confrontation still frightens her, and that restraint is what makes the payoff land. The line that stayed with me: "True peace, one that lasts, doesn't come from shrinking yourself and staying silent." She figures this out slowly. By the time she gets there, you've earned it with her.

The tone stays warm and wholesome throughout. The MLM angle could have gone sharper and at moments I wanted it to. But for a book about girlhood bonds, loyalty, and the quiet bravery of finally using your voice, it does not need to be anything other than what it is.

"Life might not always be pretty, but it sure is sweet."

That's the last line. It's also the whole book.

3.5 stars, rounded to 4 on Goodreads.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars:
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for the advanced audio copy of **PRETTY AS A PEACH** by Grace Helena Walz. Brittany Goodwin and Natalie Duke narrate this delightful Southern story.

“Pretty as a peach” is a distinctly Southern expression used to describe someone---or something--as lovely, fresh, and appealing. It’s an apt title because this book is steeped in Southern charm from the get-go.

The story follows Delilah Thomas, a preschool teacher who has managed to hold firmly to her sense of self despite growing up in a family with very definite ideas about what a successful Southern woman should look like. Her mother is a consummate pearl-clutcher, while her sister has largely bought into the notion that women should always present their best selves in public--that appearance and social standing matter nearly as much as substance. Her grumpy businessman father, meanwhile, measures success in financial terms and has little patience for anyone unwilling to bend to his expectations.

What I found particularly interesting is the way Walz folds a critique of direct-selling and multi-level marketing culture into an otherwise lighthearted story. She explores how these businesses can take hold in close-knit communities, particularly when they appeal to people looking for a flexible way to supplement their income. Think of the sales structures associated with companies such as Mary Kay, Amway, Herbalife, or Nu Skin: friends selling to friends, recruiting others to join their teams, and personal relationships becoming entangled with business.

Delilah has been making handcrafted soap and selling it at local markets when a new company suddenly arrives in town with a competing product and an aggressive sales-team structure. Before long, several of her friends are drawn into the business. Then customers begin experiencing troubling reactions to the products, and Delilah's suspicions are raised. What exactly is this company selling, and what is really going on behind all that polished Southern charm?

Walz has fun exposing the less attractive side of a business model that thrives on personal relationships, social pressure, and the promise of financial independence. Placing it within a small Southern community makes it particularly effective: when your friends, neighbors, and family members are also your customers and potential recruits, saying “no” becomes considerably more complicated.

**PRETTY AS A PEACH** is ultimately feel-good Southern chick lit--warm, witty, clean fun with plenty of sass. It's the kind of story you could happily recommend to your momma, your grandmother, or a friend who needs something cheerful.

Brittany Goodwin and Natalie Duke elevate the novel with performances that capture both its humor and its Southern personality. At roughly eleven hours, this audiobook feels like **a warm hug in listening form**.

Sometimes that's exactly the kind of book you need. I definitely recommend **PRETTY AS A PEACH** for those moments when you want an entertaining story with a little substance underneath all that sweetness.

[Julianne Harkleroad · Rating 5 out of 5]

❕❕"Anything but peach" ❕❕

Grace Helena Walz's Pretty as a Peach is a scandalizing relational thriller that tests the limits of human connection and loyalty. The secrets! Deceit! Gaslighting! Subterfuge! Legal bindings! Don't you dare sign that NDA before diving into the Peach Pit!

Five best friends have relied on each other through thick and thin for decades now, but they may have finally found the test that will ruin their friendship. Delilah Thomas has always felt uncomfortable with the too good to be true MML her friends have all bought into. How can she support their career aspirations when she doesn't want to buy the products and doesn't believe pyramid schemes bring success to the bottom tiers? Their small community in Pearl, Georgia begins to pull back from the Peach Pit promises of grandeur, questioning the safety and efficacy of their products when women begin to have negative reactions and even hospitalizations from the products. Neither Darlings nor customers know who to turn to with complaints and no one is taking responsibility at the company. Deeply concerned about the business practices at Peach Pit, Delilah begins to investigate the company with her retired neighbor Mrs. Chopra and long time pen pan, Jasper.

This Southern tale of aspiration questions identity, friendship, morality, and what it means to be successful. Will queen bee Darcy, very pregnant Betsy, and fellow Darlings Sloane, and Eliza end their friendship with Delilah, putting this company, their promises of financial security and popularity above her value in their lives? Do they have a moral responsibility to "do the right thing" and what does that look like when they are tied to both NDA and the company that puts food on the table? These are just one off, personal reactions to the products... right? These women want to belong, be esteemed, and thrive in "their" prosperous buisness (isn't it fascinating how MML's create a sense of ownership with the individuals who buy into the scheme?!?) Relationship will crumble as these women are forced to decide where their loyalties and identities lie in the shocking twist ending!

If you have ever received a "Hey Girl!" message (looking at you, Rex!), side-eyed these too good to be true companies selling $6 mascara for $28, or felt pressured to support an estranged friend from college who's just trying to buy formula, this satisfying read will validate alllllll of your feelings!!

Troupes: MML, found family, identity, slow burn, surprising twist
Spice: 0/5 🌶️
Gore: 1/5 🩸
Language: 0/5 👀
Triggers: chemical reactions

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for this ARC!

[kellylikestoread · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this as an ARC.

Pretty as a Peach follows "The Five" through middle age turbulence. On the surface, this seems like a really intriguing book. And to some extent, it was!

I think my biggest issue is just how... pretty... it all was. From the town name to the street name to the daycare name to the MLM name... everything was written like it was a high schooler's first time creating a setting but making sure that everyone was aged up to entice a different audience than their peers. I found myself rolling my eyes every time another aspect of the setting was mentioned. It was just too perfect a town, too perfect a setting. The grittiest and most realistic thing was the cracked parking lot of the Waffle House. Do places like this exist? Sure! But I don't live there and, honestly, the people who do probably won't read a book like this.

"The Five" also felt rather juvenile. I personally don't know any group of friends who refer to said group by a nickname other than "the girls/boys." Their group chat may have a stupid name, but they're never "The Six" in conversation like what happens constantly throughout the book.

And then there was the dialogue. It was constantly interrupted by Delilah's thoughts, and everyone sounded the same. Sure, they grew up together, so they're likely to sound similar, but the only one who ever said anything different was along the lines of "super dooper" and Delilah made a point to mention how ~different~ that friend was because of Sunday school or something. I don't know. It was an off handed comment that I honestly don't remember at this point. That supposed cleanliness of this particular friend's vocabulary doesn't seem repeated, or even contrasted by any amount of vulgarity. There's no cursing, which is fine, but you can't really mention how especially squeaky clean someone is if you don't have dirt to contrast them to.

Even texting styles should be different! Maybe someone doesn't capitalize, or another drops punctuation, or someone constantly misspells a word as has to correct themselves. They all just felt the same in the end.

Thinking back on it, this book almost feels like if someone took Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, married it to every Hallmark movie ever, but tried to package it up more like Desperate Housewives. Just with less backstabbing.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)

Pretty as a Peach was a bit of a mixed bag for me, but ultimately one I’m glad I finished.

At its heart, this is a story about friendship, belonging, identity, and the pressure to maintain appearances in a small Southern town. It blends literary fiction with mystery, a touch of suspense, social commentary, and a sweet romance. While that combination sounds like it would be right up my alley, I struggled with the pacing for much of the first half.

The story follows Delilah and Betsy, lifelong friends whose close-knit circle is shaken when a new MLM rolls into town. I really appreciated the book’s commentary on predatory MLM culture and the way it explores how women are often manipulated under the guise of community and opportunity. It never felt preachy, but it definitely gave me something to think about.

One of the most interesting aspects of the novel is its dual perspective. Delilah’s first-person narration paired with Betsy’s third-person chapters felt like an unusual choice at first, but by the end I understood why the author structured it that way. Delilah immediately draws you in emotionally, while Betsy slowly unfolds as a more layered and complex character. The audiobook narrator also did a fantastic job making the two voices feel completely distinct.

That said, I did feel like the book was trying to juggle a lot. Between the mystery, romance, friendship dynamics, family relationships, and social commentary, some storylines felt underdeveloped. The pacing was also slower than I expected, and it wasn’t until around the last quarter of the book that everything really clicked into place. Once it did, though, I found myself much more invested and genuinely wanted to know how everything would resolve.

I especially enjoyed Delilah’s growth throughout the story and thought the romance between her and Jasper was a bright spot. Their relationship added warmth without overshadowing the main themes.

Overall, Pretty as a Peach didn’t completely live up to its potential for me, but it also left me with more to appreciate than I expected. If you enjoy slower-paced, character-driven Southern fiction with meaningful friendships, subtle mystery, and thoughtful social commentary, this one is worth picking up. Just be prepared to settle into the story before it really finds its stride.

[carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 / 5 stars - Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This is a fun summertime read about a pre-school teacher, Delilah, who is the owner of her all-natural small cosmetic business. In comes her competitor - Peach Pit - an MLM who claims they are an all-natural, organic beauty brand, that seemingly takes over Pearl, Georgia, The Five - Delilah plus her four childhood friends - suffer from the sudden rising of Peach Pit due to a difference in opinion between Delilah and her friends. Between allergic reactions and shady business schemes, Delilah takes initiative to investigate and learn more about her own family and friendships along the way.

One quick note - I wasn't a fan of the one scene where a mother gets a severe reaction on her face and Delilah says "That can't happen from all-natural organic products." (implying that Peach Pit isn't organic) to the person who was selling Peach Pit. Firstly, people can get reactions like burns from organic, all natural products. All it means is that their body isn't reacting well to a certain ingredient in it. But to be clear, I of course understand the main point of the issue is that Peach Pit is lying to their consumers about being all-natural and organic. If you don't properly disclose the ingredients in the formulation, people are being misled about what they are consuming which isn't okay.

Moving on from that point, I enjoyed how they portrayed the MLM and its unhingedness. I don't believe I've ever read a story centered around an MLM so this made it enjoyable for me to read about (i.e. the inner workings of an MLM, what it feels like to be forced to fit in, the financial struggles, etc). Especially in a setting where it disrupts a tight-knit friend group. The author gave an interesting premise on how to navigate tough periods in a friend group, no matter what the circumstance may be (MLM-related or not).

The cherry on top was Delilah and Jasper's relationship! I was a little close to giving up on the plot, but between The Five and Jasper - they managed to lure me back in and I was excited to find out what happened next.

If you like a feel-good, cozy novel about friendships, family drama, and falling in love with a childhood crush - this book is for you!

[Ifeanyi Omoike · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Friendship Meets Adulthood

Pretty as a Peach is, at its heart, a story about friendship—five women who have been friends since childhood and are now navigating the complicated realities of adulthood. As life pulls them in different directions, their friendship is put to the test, especially by an ambitious, cutthroat MLM called Peach Pit that threatens the bond they've built over the years.

I really appreciated the way Grace Helena Walz portrayed Betty. I couldn't be angry with her because I understood both her deep love for her friends and her unwavering commitment to Peach Pit. I could also understand her desire to maintain a certain lifestyle for herself and her family, especially in light of the insecurities she carried from childhood. It made her easy to empathize with, even when I didn't always agree with her choices.

Life can really get hard as we get older. When we're in school, it often feels like friendships are all we need, and it's much easier to stay connected. But adulthood brings responsibilities, competing priorities, and unexpected challenges that can slowly pull people apart. I loved seeing these realities explored through the lives of the five friends and watching them navigate those struggles together.

Grace Helena Walz writes in a way that feels authentic and relatable. Her characters feel like real people, and I found pieces of myself in some of them. Along the way, the story offers thoughtful lessons without ever feeling preachy.

Delilah was my favorite character. It was refreshing to see such an ordinary, relatable heroine at the center of the story. I also loved the romance subplot. Jasper was wonderfully swoon-worthy, and I enjoyed watching Delilah grow from someone who always tried to keep the peace into a woman who learned that sometimes doing what's right matters more than avoiding conflict.

If you enjoy stories about enduring friendships, relatable heroines, small-town life, and the challenges that come with growing older, this book is worth picking up.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting, and at times intense book!

Picture that you grew up in a small Southern town in Georgia. Southern Charm is present everywhere!
Your family has never really accepted or been happy with you. In fact, it seems quite the opposite…. You can never do anything right. But your sister? Well, she’s just perfect.
This is Delilah’s story. She always felt kind of ‘left out’… but, she had a tight friend group… one that still remains today. And the FIVE are true forever friends…

Delilah has a small business where she makes soaps. She LOVES it, but it’s small and cannot support her. So, she also teaches preschoolers. And she loves that too!
She has her steady customers and is well known in the town.

So imagine her surprise when a new company pops up…kind of like Tupperware in that they do home parties and recruit people to start their own business and sell. Well,that’s fine… except that all of Delilah’s friends are starting to sell the stuff! 😳. Basically becoming her competition!

I’ll stop it here, as this is just the tip of the iceberg… but know that there are a lot of people involved… and it’s very disheartening for Delilah.

This was a beautiful book about small towns, long friendships, friends that become family…and so much more!

4 1/2 bright, sweet, floating on air stars for me… happily rounded up to 5! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

#PrettyAsAPeach by @GraceHelenaWalz and narrated nicely by @BrittanyGoodwin.

This one has not been released yet. Please look 👀 for it starting July 14, 2026!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @ThomasNelsonFiction and @ThomasNelsonFictionAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
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And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷

[Amanda | Techabooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍑 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕪 𝕒𝕤 𝕒𝕤 ℙ𝕖𝕒𝕔𝕙
By Grace Helena Walz
-Available Now-

🔖 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞: Much appreciation to @thomasnelsonfiction and @uplitreads for the gifted copies.

📚🎧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: This was an immersive audiobook+physical book read for me. The narrator, Brittany Goodwin, did a great job of making Walz’s sweet, southern characters shine.

✨ 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Delilah’s small business, Bubbles and Suds, takes a hit when a network marketing style skincare business moves into town and, despite its shady practices, recruits some of her best friends. Will Delilah’s friend group survive the angst created by the company or is it all a wash?

📖 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Contemporary Southern

🕯️ 𝐀𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: Set in a fictional, small town in Georgia with southern ladies striving to live their best life. While the character’s grapple with big challenges in their little town, scenes emanating southern charm, like the farmer’s market, a pre-k classroom, and Easter brunch at the country club, set the tone. The friend group and the bonus romance thread add heart and humor.

🖤 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬/𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬: friends as family, familial expectations, realism vs optimism, perseverance, amateur sleuth, big corporation vs small town

⏳ 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠: There are multiple storylines going, which included a romance thread, an investigation into shady business practices, and a friend group trying to keep it together. That being said, I thought the storylines were well balanced and moved forward in a connected way, at a steady pace.

💭 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: This was a fun, feel-good read for me. At times, I felt plenty of righteous anger for Delilah and felt compelled to cheer her on and boo the antagonists but that was all part of the fun.

✨ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: This has definitely revived my appreciation of small town farmers markets. I can’t wait to visit my local market soon and SHOP LOCAL! Overall, this was a fun read. It will be a great fit for fans of southern women’s fiction and Kristy Woodson Harvey.