Friday Favorites: Sarah Addison Allen

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some non-YA books I love.

Yes, I realize that today's favorite "book" is actually an author. But since I hands-down wholeheartedly adore every single book she's written, I decided to post about them together.

Which book?
"Garden Secrets," "The Sugar Queen," "The Girl Who Chased the Moon," "The Peach Keeper"--all by Sarah Addison Allen

Genre?
Contemporary women's fiction

When did I first read it?
The first Sarah Addison Allen book I read was "The Sugar Queen." I read it in 2010. After I finished that one, I went back and read "Garden Secrets" almost immediately. Then I read "The Girl Who Chased the Moon" and "The Peach Keeper" as they were released (2010 and 2011, I think).

Why did I first read it?
I was introduced to Sarah Addison Allen's books by a review of "The Sugar Queen" on Angieville. She just made it sound so good that I knew I had to read it. Then once I read "The Sugar Queen," I was thoroughly addicted, and I knew, come hell or high water, I would be reading her other books.

What did I think about it then?
When I finished "The Sugar Queen," I knew I was in love. Allen's just such a talented writer, and her stories are these perfect blends of magical realism, Southern charm, and gentle romance that made me smile and swoon as I read them. I stayed up way past my bedtime reading each book.

What do I think about it now?
I still love these books as much now as I did when I first read them. I think they top my list of comfort reads that I go back to again and again. And I've gotten a bunch of other people addicted to them too, because I recommend them all the time. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd probably go with "The Girl Who Chased the Moon," but they're all perfectly lovely.

Have you read anything by Sarah Addison Allen? What did you think?