Kim Boykin (1)

Palmetto Moon by Kim Boykin whisks readers back to the late 1940s where times might changing in the rest of the world, but in South Carolina? Longstanding traditions and values continue to be deeply entrenched and previous transgressions always remain in the forefront of people's memories. But recent college graduate Vada Hadley is about to challenge many of the things her old moneyed family hold dear and, most surprisingly, she finds love when she least expects it. But will her loyalty to a show more beloved childhood friend destroy her chance at happiness? And will she ultimately allow her parents to decide her fate?

Vada is on the verge of what amounts to an arranged marriage when she grabs hold of her future by both hands and flees to the small town where she has been recommended for a teaching position. Unspoiled by her parents' wealth and her pampered childhood, Vada settles into her new life and quickly becomes close friends with war widow Claire Greeley and her three young children. But it is her budding romance with local diner owner Frank Darling that proves to be the most illuminating as she experiences desire, passion and love for the first time in her young life.

Vada is a very interesting young woman who thinks for herself, but she is a little naive due to her very sheltered upbringing. She is feisty and headstrong but she is also kind and compassionate. Her loyalty to her childhood friend is admirable but it is also frustrating because it leads her into making rash and foolhardy decisions. Her college years have given her a new perspective on her parents' expectations and when her protestations about her upcoming marriage fall on deaf ears, Vada has no choice but to strike out on her own.

Frank is the complete opposite of Vada. His life has been full of disappointment and loss and he feels stuck in a life that is not of his choosing. He is immediately drawn to Vada and he quickly begins courting her. Haunted by a disastrous mistake in his past, Frank is careful to keep their romance above reproach and his strong desire for her in check. He is definitely a product of the times, and while he has the utmost respect and admiration for Vada, Frank does not always understand her need for independence.

Frank and Vada rush headlong into a relationship and there is a bit of an insta-love feeling to their romance. A love at first sight storyline can be tricky and in Frank and Vada's situation, it is a little difficult to believe. Their relationship is full of stops and starts and when they are together, the story is crackling with sexual tension. But instead of trying to solve their problems together, Vada's default mode is to push Frank away. They reunite several times, only to have misunderstandings come between them. Their emotions and passion are believable, but getting them together permanently is an exercise in frustration (for them and the reader).

The secondary cast of characters is superb and their interactions with one another are delightful. Claire is still grieving the loss of her husband and she is desperate to find a better life for her children. While she is genuinely happy for Vada's romance, it is also quite bittersweet for her because it reminds her of what she has lost. Reggie Sheridan is an absolute breath of fresh air and his introduction lightens the overall story. Frank's relationship with Tiny is also quite refreshing and their banter is quite humorous.

Palmetto Moon is an insightful novel with a charming cast of characters. Although it is written from different perspectives, the story flows nicely with smooth transitions between the various points of view. Kim Boykin's descriptive prose easily brings the setting and the characters vividly to life. All in all, it is a very engaging novel that has depth and substance and a wonderfully heartwarming romance. show less

This is the first book that I have read by Kim Boykin, but it certainly will not be the last. This book grabbed my attention from page one and took me on an exhilarating thrill ride till the end. It is full of mystery, crime, redemption and love. I know , that is a lot. I loved the descriptive details of the Lowcountry that this book has. I felt the breeze of the trees, the smell of the marshes and I was transported there. The characters are well developed and there are many strong female show more characters, especially, Miss Sadie and Billie. The story flows at a fast pace and you will not be able to put this book down. I know I couldn't. I hope that Billie Warren will be in more of the authors' books in the future. I highly recommend this quick read. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, and honestly, I loved this ride! show less

4.5 stars.

A Peach of a Pair by Kim Boykin is a delightfully charming and heartwarming story about family, friendship and forgiveness.

Set in 1953, the novel begins with lead protagonist Nettie Gilbert looking forward to college graduation and her return home to her close-knit family and fiancé Brooks Carver. After not hearing from her family for several weeks, she suddenly receives an unexpected invitation to a surprise wedding. Reeling from the news and feeling betrayed by her loved ones, show more Nettie makes an impetuous decision to take a leave of absence from school and takes a job as caregiver for a pair of elderly sisters, Emily and Lurleen Eldridge.

Neither Emily nor Lurleen ever married and they have lived with one another their entire lives. Lurleen's health has been declining and under advisement of their physician, Dr. Remmy Wilkes, they hire Nettie to help take care of them. Lurleen is accepting of the news that she does not have long to live, but Emily absolutely refuses to believe her beloved sister is, in fact, dying. After a newspaper article sparks a desperate plan, Emily talks Lurleen into making a bus trip to Texas and although it is against both Remmy and Nettie's better judgment, the three women embark on a journey that brings unexpected changes to their lives.

Nettie is very close to her family but after learning about the upcoming wedding, she finds the strength to stand up to her mother and forge a new path for herself. She has been betrayed in the worst possible way but she is surprisingly drawn to Remmy and their quiet friendship soothes her battered heart. But an unexpected spark of attraction scares her and despite her reservations about the trip with Emily and Lurleen, she is relieved for the opportunity to put some distance between her and Remmy. Will the old adage about absence making the heart grow fonder prove to be true for Remmy and Nettie? Or will Nettie continue to hold Remmy at arm's length due to her fear of getting her heart broken again?

Emily and Lurleen are quite the pair and while Lurleen is a big sweetheart, Emily is cantankerous and determined to drive Nettie away. There is never any doubt that the sisters love one another dearly but their shared history is full of unexpected heartache. Their story provides Nettie with a different perspective about her current situation but will learning the truth about the sisters' tragic past help her mend the rift in her own life?

A Peach of a Pair by Kim Boykin is a captivating novel with a cast of quirky but lovable characters and a storyline that is heartfelt and engaging. Full of surprising twists and turns, this beautiful journey of healing and friendship will stay with readers long after the last page is turned. show less

Background: Zora needs to get away from her mother and has the chance to leave home and go to beauty school. With the help of a teacher, she moves to Davenport and lives in an apartment on the property of a very hot man, all she has to do is cook and leave him dinner every night. Zora starts to fall for this mysterious and sad man through her time leaving him plates but also makes a new friend in beauty school. All things seem to be going alright, ntil she realizes that she is falling for show more Winston.

Review: My grandmother taught me 2 important things growing up: 1. Always wear matching bra and panties in case you are in an accident and 2. Always look your best, because even if you are feeling like crap, looking nice will make you feel a little better. The reason that I bring these up is because The Wisdom of Hair is a self-searching journey with Zora all through the experiences she has in beauty school...making people look their best.

Zora is a nineteen year old who has already gone through a lot in her life. Her mother is an embarrassment of a woman, who is narcissistic and Zora is all she had left. Zora is just done dealing with her schemes. I think that when Zora move away she digresses a little, starts acing more like a teen again since she doesn't have to care for mom and I feel like that may have been harder to accomplish by any person.

I really like this book and it is rare that I read a book geared toward New Adult or Adult and this one really hit the mark. It kept me reading with its wit and charm on every page. Zora can be a bit of a prude but she is equally balanced by her friend Sara Jane.

I have been reading that the plot is a love story, and it is, but not in the romantic love kind of way. More like the love of those around you, your family, friends, and partners. I think it is a relief to read a book where it isn't all about the main character swooning over someone and trying to get in their pants...yes there is swooning but not like most books. Zora is a strong woman who is trying to understand what is best for herself and the love those around her are willing to share.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good/quick read and surprises every other page. show less