“This and That” is a feature meant to showcase books that I think sound similar or have similar themes and would recommend to someone who is a fan of the “this book.” I may not have read the “that” book, but I think fans of the “this” book might like it.
About the Books:
The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred
Sweet tea, corn bread, and soup beans—everyday fare for eight-year-old Alix French, the precocious darling of a respected southern family. But nothing was ordinary about the day she met ten-year-old Nick Anderson, a boy from the wrong side of town. Armed with only a tin of bee balm and steely determination, Alix treats the raw evidence of a recent beating that mars his back, an act that changes both of their lives forever.
Through childhood disasters and teenage woes they cling together as friendship turns to love. The future looks rosy until the fateful night when Frank Anderson, Nick’s abusive father, is shot to death in his filthy trailer.
Suddenly, Nick is gone—leaving Alix alone, confused and pregnant. For the next fifteen years she wrestles with the pain of Nick’s abandonment, a bad marriage, her family and friends. But finally, she’s starting to get her life back together. Her divorce is almost final, her business is booming, and she’s content if not happy—until the day she looks up and sees Nick standing across the counter. He’s back…and he’s not alone.
Once again Alix is plunged into turmoil and pain as Nick tries to win her love, something she resists with all her strength. Only one thing might break the protective wall she’s built around her emotions—the truth about Frank Anderson’s death. But when that truth comes out and those walls crumble, neither Alix nor Nick is prepared for the emotional explosion that could destroy as well as heal.
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Sincerely, Carter by Whitney Gracia Williams
Just friends.
We’re just friends.
No, really. She’s just my best friend…
Arizona Turner has been my best friend since fourth grade, even when we “hated” each other. We’ve been there for one another through first kisses, first “times,” and we’ve been each other’s constant when good relationships turned bad. (We even went to colleges that were minutes away from each other…)
Throughout the years, and despite what anyone says, we’ve never crossed the line.
Never thought about it.
Never wanted to.
Until one night changed everything.
At least, it should’ve …
Just friends.
We’re just friends.
I’m only saying this until I figure out if she’s still “just” my best friend…
SINCERELY, CARTER
Release Date: April 30, 2015
Amazon: US • UK • CAN | GR
The Why:
When I read the synopsis of Sincerely, Carter, it got me thinking about some of my favorite friends-to-lovers kind of story and I immediately thought of The Sweet Gum Tree. Katherine Allred’s novel is a story about two people who grew up together and slowly fall in love and then life forces them apart.
I can’t wait to read Sincerely, Carter! It looks like a really fun read, especially with the guy chasing after the girl (I love those!).
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Do you have any This & That pairings that you’d like to share?
