Sweet Pea by Kit de Waal
ARC from Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an honest review
Book Blurb:
When Paulette arrived in England 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’s twenty-nine and within reach of her a wedding, a baby, and a little house. She’s got the man, handsome Denton, and a good job as an assistant nurse. But when tragedy strikes, her baby comes from Denton’s friend, a relationship that can’t last. Soon it’s just Paulette, grieving the life she almost had, and her son, Bird. It seems like enough, until another boy, the same age as Bird, appears. Now, there’s someone new to take under wing and worry about, someone who calls her Sweet Pea and makes her laugh. Through friendships, motherhood, and connections that emerge in the most unexpected places, Paulette discovers strength in everyday acts of kindness.
My Review: 4 stars
Sweet Pea by Kit De Waal was an absolute joy to read and also simultaneously listen to. I loved the narration from Macmillan Audio while in the car, while reading it in book form at home. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and it certainly won’t be the last!
Paulette, commonly known as “sweet pea” was a character aching for her homeland in St. Kitts, while living in England. Her aspirations are to have a perfect family, perfect husband and basically, an idyllic life. That’s not how life works, yet she’s dreams of this scenario on the regular.
After her man’s motor vehicle accident, Sweet Pea’s circumstances and dreams are crushed, yet she ends up getting her baby through Denton’s best friend. None of this is how she imagined her life, yet she loves her little boy, Bird, and finds solace in being his mother.
When she gets the chance to meet the driver of the accident, all hell breaks loose and Sweet Pea is all about getting revenge until she isn’t. Over time and deep thought, her anger wanes and she finds friendship through a grandfather and grandson that no one saw coming.
This book focuses on the way we cope, our ability to create found family, learning to forgive and getting through the grieving process. Well written and the cover is absolutely stunning!
Quotes I liked:
The landscapes of our youths create us, and we carry them with us, storied by all they gave and stole, in who we became.”
“…love is a matter, to be nurtured, and even mourned, between two beings alone.”
“Sorrow tried but did not claim me.”
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