What do you think?
Rate this book
Peaches and Honey #1
Peaches & Honey: These Immortal Truths
A shapeshifting god,
an immortality granting peach,
and a woman gifted with forever.
England, 1184: Anna is used to hunger and hardship. Ever since she was seventeen, when the pale shadows of her vitiligo were spotted, she has spent more than a decade struggling to survive alone and in exile. Then a single act of kindness towards a beautiful stranger and the taste of a divine peach changes Anna's life forever.
Suddenly, her body is as untouched by Time as it by harm. As she watches the world change around her, knowing every human connection is only temporary, there is only one person she trusts to always return no matter the years or distance...
The shapeshifting god who gifted her with immortality.
an immortality granting peach,
and a woman gifted with forever.
England, 1184: Anna is used to hunger and hardship. Ever since she was seventeen, when the pale shadows of her vitiligo were spotted, she has spent more than a decade struggling to survive alone and in exile. Then a single act of kindness towards a beautiful stranger and the taste of a divine peach changes Anna's life forever.
Suddenly, her body is as untouched by Time as it by harm. As she watches the world change around her, knowing every human connection is only temporary, there is only one person she trusts to always return no matter the years or distance...
The shapeshifting god who gifted her with immortality.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2023
1,296 people are currently reading
37.4k people want to read
About the author
R. Raeta
11books612followersR. Raeta lives in Northern California with her husband and young son. When she isn’t agonizing over word choices, she enjoys telling the dog how handsome he is and sitting in on the nightly therapy sessions the cat so generously provides for her. She is a Trigiminal Neuralgia survivor and believes in living your best life day by day.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,935 reviews
July 15, 2024
it took 735 YEARS for them to finally kiss #REAL ROMANCE IS BACK
September 9, 2024
3.75 stars
I can definitely see why people would love this book.
The writing style was great, it drew me in from the first chapter, it was emotional, I liked the main characters and it was an easy read.
I think the reason why I didn’t love it mainly comes down to personal preference.
Now is probably a good time to mention that I don’t really like time jumps in books all that much. And this story starts in 1184 and ends in like 1942. So to pull all of this off, there obviously had to be time jumps, like a lot of time jumps. I don’t know why this didn’t occur to me before starting it, it’s a story about immortality after all, but here we are..
It started out great, I was invested and excited to see where this story was going after Anna was granted immortality and how Khiran was going to play into all of this. However, after a while, the chapters started to become repetitive, the only difference was that she had travelled somewhere else and some years had gone by. Like she just did the same thing (be a midwife/nurse) in every chapter while travelling around the world.
It felt like there was no real plot, just snapshots of Anna’s life strung together because every chapter was also a time jump. Because of that, I never really felt connected to this story or the characters.
Also, because the chapters felt so repetitive, I was bored in the middle there. But I made it to the 75% mark, and at that point things finally happened. I did really enjoy these last 25%, they saved the book for me.
Thank you again, Megan, for the recommendation! Even though I didn’t love this one, I still had a good time with it <3
___
I’ve never heard of this book before but I think that might be a good sign 🤭
Thank you Megan for the recommendation!🤍
I can definitely see why people would love this book.
The writing style was great, it drew me in from the first chapter, it was emotional, I liked the main characters and it was an easy read.
I think the reason why I didn’t love it mainly comes down to personal preference.
Now is probably a good time to mention that I don’t really like time jumps in books all that much. And this story starts in 1184 and ends in like 1942. So to pull all of this off, there obviously had to be time jumps, like a lot of time jumps. I don’t know why this didn’t occur to me before starting it, it’s a story about immortality after all, but here we are..
It started out great, I was invested and excited to see where this story was going after Anna was granted immortality and how Khiran was going to play into all of this. However, after a while, the chapters started to become repetitive, the only difference was that she had travelled somewhere else and some years had gone by. Like she just did the same thing (be a midwife/nurse) in every chapter while travelling around the world.
It felt like there was no real plot, just snapshots of Anna’s life strung together because every chapter was also a time jump. Because of that, I never really felt connected to this story or the characters.
Also, because the chapters felt so repetitive, I was bored in the middle there. But I made it to the 75% mark, and at that point things finally happened. I did really enjoy these last 25%, they saved the book for me.
Thank you again, Megan, for the recommendation! Even though I didn’t love this one, I still had a good time with it <3
___
I’ve never heard of this book before but I think that might be a good sign 🤭
Thank you Megan for the recommendation!🤍
September 9, 2024
writing? gorgina. character development? off the charts. romance? very good but not AMAZING, which was a little disappointing because the rest of the book is. I often see this book in “fantasy romance recommendations� but I would consider it much more historical fiction + magical realism + romance, I think if you go in with that mindset you’ll have a better appreciation for the story. this book is also frequently compared to one miss adeline larue and while these books do have similar starts and common plots *to begin with* I think peaches & honey did it waaaay better. we follow Anna through 800 years of learning how to live and love herself and help so many people through history all while falling in love with the shapeshifting god who cursed her…or did he? 10/10 recommend if you feel like crying 🤠
September 26, 2023
4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Anna, You will be the death of me.�
“You can’t die,� she reminds him.
“Yet you’ll have me begging for it.�
In my heart, this book is a 5⭐️!!
Peaches & Honey is an exceptional story spanning centuries following an English 12th-century woman gifted with immortality by a shape-shifting god� and thus she had become a spectator to the centuries as the unfolded and folded.
It was 1185, somewhere in England there was a 15-year-old outcast whose skin was marked with white splotches, but some found those splotches an omnious sign and so she was forced to live a life of solitude.
Years pass until Anna meets that one stranger she helps, and in return she was offered a peach.
Little did Anna know the stranger was a God, and the fruit she bit gifted her with immortality.
Anna learned early that lies can be kinder than truths, and that some fates are crueler than death.
The story unfolded beautifully, although I expected the romance to be more prominent but Anna's journey alone throughout the centuries was incredible.
Anna took on different identities and roles but one trait remains constant in her: her kind-heart.
She lived through horrors, plagues, famine, and cruelty and yet every role she took on was to offer help to whoever needed it.
The story depicts real historical events so I appreciate the author showcasing how Anna as a woman struggled with each century. The historical events may not be as accurate, but it captured the reality of how women were viewed.
I have to say what I also appreciate is how seamlessly the author transports Anna and the reader to each timeline, and how tangible the historical settings were from the 12th century to the 20th. Anna was actively involved and was not a mere witness to history, however even immortals cannot always interfere to history being written.
What truly emotionally wrecked me is the grief that comes with immortality. Anna cannot care for mortals or stay in one place for too long, she is a wandering soul without a forever home and that's the cost of immortality. If she cares for someone, it would be only a matter of time before they become ghosts of her past. If she stays in one place for too long, the people around her will suspect something nefarious.
The strength and perseverance it takes to keep your heart from caring and loving immortals whether it's platonic or romantic.
But fear not, there is a romance and it's with none other than the shapeshifting god and it's a slow, slowburn.
I notched down a star as I expected the romance to be more prominent, however things only started to develop steadily by the 70% mark. The romance will likely be more featured in the sequel, but you'll need to be patient with its development in this book.
There is also a point midway through when the story becomes a little bit stagnant but it eventually moved.
If you're a fan of books featuring immortality and journeys of women with their own strengths, I highly recommend this book.
This book features:
� Journey of an immortal 12th-century woman
� A slowburn romance with a shapeshifing god
� Events spanning 8 centuries (12th to 20th)
� Emotional and powerful story
� Vitiligo rep
Content warning: the book features violence and wars of different centuries including at one point a brief mention of the Nazis and their crimes, an attempted sexual assault, starvation, famines, plagues, deaths.
“Anna, You will be the death of me.�
“You can’t die,� she reminds him.
“Yet you’ll have me begging for it.�
In my heart, this book is a 5⭐️!!
Peaches & Honey is an exceptional story spanning centuries following an English 12th-century woman gifted with immortality by a shape-shifting god� and thus she had become a spectator to the centuries as the unfolded and folded.
It was 1185, somewhere in England there was a 15-year-old outcast whose skin was marked with white splotches, but some found those splotches an omnious sign and so she was forced to live a life of solitude.
Years pass until Anna meets that one stranger she helps, and in return she was offered a peach.
Little did Anna know the stranger was a God, and the fruit she bit gifted her with immortality.
Anna learned early that lies can be kinder than truths, and that some fates are crueler than death.
The story unfolded beautifully, although I expected the romance to be more prominent but Anna's journey alone throughout the centuries was incredible.
Anna took on different identities and roles but one trait remains constant in her: her kind-heart.
She lived through horrors, plagues, famine, and cruelty and yet every role she took on was to offer help to whoever needed it.
The story depicts real historical events so I appreciate the author showcasing how Anna as a woman struggled with each century. The historical events may not be as accurate, but it captured the reality of how women were viewed.
I have to say what I also appreciate is how seamlessly the author transports Anna and the reader to each timeline, and how tangible the historical settings were from the 12th century to the 20th. Anna was actively involved and was not a mere witness to history, however even immortals cannot always interfere to history being written.
What truly emotionally wrecked me is the grief that comes with immortality. Anna cannot care for mortals or stay in one place for too long, she is a wandering soul without a forever home and that's the cost of immortality. If she cares for someone, it would be only a matter of time before they become ghosts of her past. If she stays in one place for too long, the people around her will suspect something nefarious.
The strength and perseverance it takes to keep your heart from caring and loving immortals whether it's platonic or romantic.
But fear not, there is a romance and it's with none other than the shapeshifting god and it's a slow, slowburn.
I notched down a star as I expected the romance to be more prominent, however things only started to develop steadily by the 70% mark. The romance will likely be more featured in the sequel, but you'll need to be patient with its development in this book.
There is also a point midway through when the story becomes a little bit stagnant but it eventually moved.
If you're a fan of books featuring immortality and journeys of women with their own strengths, I highly recommend this book.
This book features:
� Journey of an immortal 12th-century woman
� A slowburn romance with a shapeshifing god
� Events spanning 8 centuries (12th to 20th)
� Emotional and powerful story
� Vitiligo rep
Content warning: the book features violence and wars of different centuries including at one point a brief mention of the Nazis and their crimes, an attempted sexual assault, starvation, famines, plagues, deaths.
December 27, 2024
5⭐️ | | |
This book is a gorgeously written sweeping epic that spans centuries. It weaves a beautiful narrative filled with heartbreak, hope, and love.
I could not put this down.
Don’t be like me, don’t wait to read this.
p.s. This book deserves a much better review from me and it will get it. Full RTC
This book is a gorgeously written sweeping epic that spans centuries. It weaves a beautiful narrative filled with heartbreak, hope, and love.
I could not put this down.
Don’t be like me, don’t wait to read this.
p.s. This book deserves a much better review from me and it will get it. Full RTC
April 21, 2024
HANDS DOWN BEST BOOK OF 2023 😭😭😭
NB - This has been compared to Addie and Divine Rivals.
I haven’t read either of them but I’ll say that it has an element of fantasy that verges on magical realism. It’s historical in the sense that it spans over 800 years of events that have occurred in our world, but it’s fantastical in the way that there are gods and immortality giving peaches (and so much more).
*I have now read Addie and yes - very similar but still its own story*
The love story that spans over the 800 years is absolutely, hauntingly, stunningly beautiful. I am so in love with their love.
But more than that, I loved the story of Anna. You witness how time changes the worlds perception of her, but you also witness how those first moments of life shape you and can be so difficult to overcome.
I can’t tell you how many times I cried now how many times the writing had me take pause. I have never, in my life, highlighted more than I did for this book.
The amount of brilliantly written threads in this story and the complexity in which they weave together is absolutely stunning.
if you’re looking for
- poetic, lyrical writing
- opportunities to cry
- an FMC who embodies the ‘surviving, but not living�, ‘always saving everyone but herself�
- an MMC whose love language is acts of service
- the pain of time
- the pain of the world
- a love story that spans centuries
- immortal gods and mysteries
- 🌶️🌶️.5
Add to your TBR immediately!!! Check CW’s though.
NB - This has been compared to Addie and Divine Rivals.
I haven’t read either of them but I’ll say that it has an element of fantasy that verges on magical realism. It’s historical in the sense that it spans over 800 years of events that have occurred in our world, but it’s fantastical in the way that there are gods and immortality giving peaches (and so much more).
*I have now read Addie and yes - very similar but still its own story*
The love story that spans over the 800 years is absolutely, hauntingly, stunningly beautiful. I am so in love with their love.
But more than that, I loved the story of Anna. You witness how time changes the worlds perception of her, but you also witness how those first moments of life shape you and can be so difficult to overcome.
I can’t tell you how many times I cried now how many times the writing had me take pause. I have never, in my life, highlighted more than I did for this book.
The amount of brilliantly written threads in this story and the complexity in which they weave together is absolutely stunning.
if you’re looking for
- poetic, lyrical writing
- opportunities to cry
- an FMC who embodies the ‘surviving, but not living�, ‘always saving everyone but herself�
- an MMC whose love language is acts of service
- the pain of time
- the pain of the world
- a love story that spans centuries
- immortal gods and mysteries
- 🌶️🌶️.5
Add to your TBR immediately!!! Check CW’s though.
December 8, 2024
10000/10 I LOVED THIS. Beautiful writing, characters, story, everything! I can’t believe I put this off for so long. Running to read book 2 lol will update with full review later
December 26, 2023
One day read! An excellent story I could not put down!
This book is what Addie LaRue was trying to do and failed at. This book excelled in all the right places, from the character intrigue, to the immortality. Every life lived was one of wonder.
Definitely going to read more from this author.
This book is what Addie LaRue was trying to do and failed at. This book excelled in all the right places, from the character intrigue, to the immortality. Every life lived was one of wonder.
Definitely going to read more from this author.
February 10, 2024
❤️🥰This book feels like the soul-sister to Addie LaRue.
Instead of a modern tale of a girl that lives for centuries, we have the centuries. We walk through history with Anna. We survive war, famine, then war again. We slow-burn fall for a shapeshifter god.
This feels like more of what immortality would feel like, the normal person just learning to survive as they brush against historical events. No special powers, just time. To say I was invested would be an understatement.
Instead of a modern tale of a girl that lives for centuries, we have the centuries. We walk through history with Anna. We survive war, famine, then war again. We slow-burn fall for a shapeshifter god.
This feels like more of what immortality would feel like, the normal person just learning to survive as they brush against historical events. No special powers, just time. To say I was invested would be an understatement.
January 8, 2024
Dare I say this is better than The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue? Because personally, I think it is!
A shape-shifting god who goes by many names gifts a young girl who has only known suffering yet shows kindness to a stranger with a peach that grants her immortality.
Starting in 1184, we follow Anna through witch burnings, the black plague, famines, pirates, slavery, civil war, the Soviet Union, the World Wars as she struggles to determine whether her immortality is a curse or a gift. She has an eternity to decide.
There is beauty in the struggle, the way life pushes when the world says pull. He sees it in the way she gasps, fumbles, chokes. Clothed in ashes and rebirth, he watches as the terror in her eyes slowly gives way to wonder.
This was one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. This is the kind of book that has imprinted on me and touched me every other page. The writing is not insufferable or indulgent, yet it forces you to slow down and let the words sink in to your soul.
"But I'm happy�"
"No," she interrupts, "You're not unhappy. It's not the same."
There is also a slow, century spanning love story that doesn’t dominate the story even though this has such a romantic tone.
It seems apparent that this will become a greater focus as the series continues.
”There are galaxies painted across your skin," he murmurs. "Nebulas and universes mapped out like artwork, designed solely for one to get lost in."
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a physical arc in exchange for a review - I have found a new favourite author!
A shape-shifting god who goes by many names gifts a young girl who has only known suffering yet shows kindness to a stranger with a peach that grants her immortality.
Starting in 1184, we follow Anna through witch burnings, the black plague, famines, pirates, slavery, civil war, the Soviet Union, the World Wars as she struggles to determine whether her immortality is a curse or a gift. She has an eternity to decide.
There is beauty in the struggle, the way life pushes when the world says pull. He sees it in the way she gasps, fumbles, chokes. Clothed in ashes and rebirth, he watches as the terror in her eyes slowly gives way to wonder.
This was one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. This is the kind of book that has imprinted on me and touched me every other page. The writing is not insufferable or indulgent, yet it forces you to slow down and let the words sink in to your soul.
"But I'm happy�"
"No," she interrupts, "You're not unhappy. It's not the same."
There is also a slow, century spanning love story that doesn’t dominate the story even though this has such a romantic tone.
It seems apparent that this will become a greater focus as the series continues.
”There are galaxies painted across your skin," he murmurs. "Nebulas and universes mapped out like artwork, designed solely for one to get lost in."
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a physical arc in exchange for a review - I have found a new favourite author!
March 19, 2025
4,5*
Oh my 😳😳 That was so damn delightful, emotional, and overall such a beautiful surprise.
First of all, my rating is probably unfair because Peaches and Honey genuinely feels like a five-star book. Unfortunately, near the end, I found myself in a bit of a slump, which was in no way the book's fault, but it did affect my overall enjoyment. Color me grumpy because of that 😑
Otherwise? Wow. I'm not a historical genre fan but this book makes me seriously reconsider that statement 😳 It's for Addie LaRue fans, definitely, because of the similar themes of immortality and its consequences, and the delicious romance. But most of all, it's also for readers disappointed by Addie who wanted something a little bit different.
Now, I love the story of Addie LaRue. And I also absolutely adored this story about Anna. She doesn't bear Addie's curse of always being forgotten, and that, in my eyes, was a major difference that changed the soul of the narrative. I loved the historical aspect of the book - even I recognized most of the historical milestones Anna happened to be there for (and when I didn't, it led me to a delightful Wiki rabbit hole - the female pirate captain Ching Shih?? QUEEN ❤️).
And the slowburn romance? Fucking hell I was gone on Anna and Khiran, the shapeshifting god who granted her immortality. Normally, I don't consider people getting together in one book a slowburn (I have my own standards 😏) BUT their relationship developed slowly first to friendship, then to something all-encompassing, in the span of literal centuries. So, here's my exception I guess 😅
Loving him came to her the way snow melts into creeks, then rivers, then oceans. Time has engraved him into her heart the way the rivers have carved canyons and glaciers have cut fjords.
I vastly prefer MM romances but every once in a while, I dip my toes back into FM. And sometimes I regret it, yes, but this time? It's a winner ❤️
I can't wait to read the sequel to this duology, I have a feeling the tone will be something completely else.
Now, please go read lovely Karin's review! She was not only way more eloquent, but her words were so magical she made me go and buy the physical copies of both books in the duology, that's how sure I was I'm going to love it ❤️
Karin's review
Oh my 😳😳 That was so damn delightful, emotional, and overall such a beautiful surprise.
First of all, my rating is probably unfair because Peaches and Honey genuinely feels like a five-star book. Unfortunately, near the end, I found myself in a bit of a slump, which was in no way the book's fault, but it did affect my overall enjoyment. Color me grumpy because of that 😑
Otherwise? Wow. I'm not a historical genre fan but this book makes me seriously reconsider that statement 😳 It's for Addie LaRue fans, definitely, because of the similar themes of immortality and its consequences, and the delicious romance. But most of all, it's also for readers disappointed by Addie who wanted something a little bit different.
Now, I love the story of Addie LaRue. And I also absolutely adored this story about Anna. She doesn't bear Addie's curse of always being forgotten, and that, in my eyes, was a major difference that changed the soul of the narrative. I loved the historical aspect of the book - even I recognized most of the historical milestones Anna happened to be there for (and when I didn't, it led me to a delightful Wiki rabbit hole - the female pirate captain Ching Shih?? QUEEN ❤️).
And the slowburn romance? Fucking hell I was gone on Anna and Khiran, the shapeshifting god who granted her immortality. Normally, I don't consider people getting together in one book a slowburn (I have my own standards 😏) BUT their relationship developed slowly first to friendship, then to something all-encompassing, in the span of literal centuries. So, here's my exception I guess 😅
Loving him came to her the way snow melts into creeks, then rivers, then oceans. Time has engraved him into her heart the way the rivers have carved canyons and glaciers have cut fjords.
I vastly prefer MM romances but every once in a while, I dip my toes back into FM. And sometimes I regret it, yes, but this time? It's a winner ❤️
I can't wait to read the sequel to this duology, I have a feeling the tone will be something completely else.
Now, please go read lovely Karin's review! She was not only way more eloquent, but her words were so magical she made me go and buy the physical copies of both books in the duology, that's how sure I was I'm going to love it ❤️
Karin's review
Want to read
April 5, 2025� ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ ρ𝕣ꫀ-𝕣ꫀꪖᦔ ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ �
What I'm expecting from it:
1. slow slow burn
2. I heard it takes them 500 years to kiss!
What I'm expecting from it:
1. slow slow burn
2. I heard it takes them 500 years to kiss!
March 3, 2025
Whoa.... it was really good. More than anything, I loved Anna’s personality. She’s tough as nails, but also so kind it hurts. Every life Anna lives feels like stepping into a whole new world—it just delivered perfectly. And then we meet Khiran. OH. MY. GOD. The shape-shifting god. (Swooning is mandatory.) Their chemistry? Insane. Like, they take the term "slow burn" to a whole new level... it’s 700 YEARS before they even kiss. SEVEN. HUNDRED. But every interaction is just crackling with tension. The angst? It’s EVERYTHING. Every single scene between them is so loaded, I was practically screaming at the pages.... “JUST KISS ALREADY!�.
And yes, this book's plot totally reminded me of "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue". I'm a huge fan of V.E. Schwab's writing style, no doubt about that. But honestly? This book nailed all the things I wanted from Addie's story but didn't get.
And yes, this book's plot totally reminded me of "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue". I'm a huge fan of V.E. Schwab's writing style, no doubt about that. But honestly? This book nailed all the things I wanted from Addie's story but didn't get.
August 13, 2023
4.5⭐️ OMG! This story was simply beautiful and absolutely heart wrenching. A slowburn love story that spans centuries. Anna is gifted a peach that gives her immortality. She spends 8 centuries seeing the horrors of the world, and spending this time helping and saving people from the brutality of it all. Every so often, the shape shifting god makes an appearance to help her a long the way. (There is a touch her and unalive scene that made me ABSOLUTELY WEAK IN THE KNEES!!) Raeta really knows how to write emotionally impactful scenes. The heartstrings were being plucked every chapter. I fell in love with this story, and I know many others will too! If you liked Divine Rivals, you will love this!! I can’t wait for book 2. Thank you to the author for sending me an e-arc. After Ladybirds, I knew that I would read anything she writes. Peaches and Honey confirmed it.
November 5, 2024
“You are everything I never knew to hope for.�
Why was I just on the verge of tears through this entire book
Why was I just on the verge of tears through this entire book
February 26, 2025
“Loving him came to her the way snow melts into creeks, then rivers, then oceans. Time has engraved him into her heart the way the rivers have carved canyons and glaciers have cut fjords.�
5 stars - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Where to begin?
The fact that this is just a duology is a crime, I want at least 5 more books with Anna & Khiran.
I was blushing and kicking my feet the entire time reading this book. 🤭
There's no words for me to really articulate how much I love these two characters and also how amazingly thoughtful their story was.
I was a little hesitant to begin with as I'm not a huge fan on time jumps. However, I was hooked from the beginning and a few moments where my heart broke for what Anna endured. I think that's what makes it so much more beautiful is that during the saddest moments, Khiran was there lifting her up again.
“She is everything he wants and better than he dreamed. A brush of her lips and the aching weight of the world is forgotten. A smile or a laugh is a balm to every bruise and fracture marring his soul. Then she looks up at him, begs him for the one thing he dares not give, and he is reminded of how fragile the peace they’ve found really is.�
I loved the little insights of his thoughts at the start of each chapter. Every time I read one, I was so excited to read on and discover what happened within that chapter. I thought that was such a nice little touch.
“It’s the drop of rain that breaks the dam; the subtle breeze that turns a flame into a blaze. She feels it, igniting her blood and spilling over her eyes. The words that leave her lips are liquid heat, cracking through the air between them like lightning.�
I can't believe that I have not read a single R.Raeta book until now. The writing, the plot, everything was so good. I feel like they can be on the fast track of becoming one of my favourite authors. I'm so excited to read their other works and hope they are just as good as Peaches & Honey.
I'm definitely planning on doing a reread sometime soon. This has become such a comfort series for me.
Edited 26.02.25
5 stars - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Where to begin?
The fact that this is just a duology is a crime, I want at least 5 more books with Anna & Khiran.
I was blushing and kicking my feet the entire time reading this book. 🤭
There's no words for me to really articulate how much I love these two characters and also how amazingly thoughtful their story was.
I was a little hesitant to begin with as I'm not a huge fan on time jumps. However, I was hooked from the beginning and a few moments where my heart broke for what Anna endured. I think that's what makes it so much more beautiful is that during the saddest moments, Khiran was there lifting her up again.
“She is everything he wants and better than he dreamed. A brush of her lips and the aching weight of the world is forgotten. A smile or a laugh is a balm to every bruise and fracture marring his soul. Then she looks up at him, begs him for the one thing he dares not give, and he is reminded of how fragile the peace they’ve found really is.�
I loved the little insights of his thoughts at the start of each chapter. Every time I read one, I was so excited to read on and discover what happened within that chapter. I thought that was such a nice little touch.
“It’s the drop of rain that breaks the dam; the subtle breeze that turns a flame into a blaze. She feels it, igniting her blood and spilling over her eyes. The words that leave her lips are liquid heat, cracking through the air between them like lightning.�
I can't believe that I have not read a single R.Raeta book until now. The writing, the plot, everything was so good. I feel like they can be on the fast track of becoming one of my favourite authors. I'm so excited to read their other works and hope they are just as good as Peaches & Honey.
I'm definitely planning on doing a reread sometime soon. This has become such a comfort series for me.
Edited 26.02.25
November 2, 2024
”When everyone else leaves, when they never come back, Khiran does. He flits in and out of her life like the seasons, but when he fades away from her life, it’s with the unwavering faith that she’ll see him again. Next spring, next fall. He’ll find her when she is falling to pieces or when she’s whole. There’s comfort in that. Comfort in knowing he’ll be there when no one else can be.�
”Alexa, play cowboy like me by Taylor Swift�
What a book. What a freaking book. If you liked The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab, or even the concept of that book, Peaches & Honey is Addie LaRue’s more interesting, shorter, and slightly better written younger cousin (coming from someone who loved the book mentioned).
This story follow Anna, a girl born in the 11th century cast out of society due to her vitiligo. She lives in the woods, hiding in fear. One day, Anna finds a woman in need of saving in the woods and Anna brings her to her home home. The strange woman gives her a fruit, and when Anna and is found and captured for hiding the mysterious woman, she’s burned at the stake. Anna however doesn’t die, and discovers that the strange woman is actually a god who granted her the gift—or curse—of immortality. Over centuries, Anna learns from other people, living among them and trying to save as many mortals as she can. The one constant in her life is the shapeshifting god who saved her all the years ago, Kieran.
This book is effortless in its ability to blend sweeping writing with historical fiction and light fantasy. The writing is both poignant and has a haunting purple prose that makes a great story as amazing as it is. I’m honestly so surprised this author is self published, especially on kindle unlimited because their writing is just incredible. The writing is definitely the highest high about Peaches & Honey.
But the characters are also the other highlight of this story. Watching Anna’s journey and her development was beautiful. She travels to many different places, learns new languages, integrates herself with different cultures, meets new people, tries new things. She goes from a naive and young girl who tries to hide herself in the shadows, to a woman unafraid to stand up for what she believes in and be herself. Kieran is also such a great love interest, and helps Anna in her endeavors to make the world better. Her protects her, consoles her, and loves her through every century their together, and keeps it all to himself until he knows Anna is ready to love him too. I’ve seen other reviews say their relationship wasn’t something they cared for, but I adored them together. They way they lean on each other, and Anna slowly realizing what it’s like to live forever brought them together in so many ways. I just find them to be so beautifully written (and also very poignant).
The only thing I will complain about is I wish this was longer. We do a lot of time jumps, which make sense for the story, but I just wish we got more. I loved Anna so much and I wouldn’t have minded 100 to even 500 more pages of Anna going through the centuries and growing. I just adore her character.
Don’t be fooled by the marketing for this book though. It’s tagged on here as fantasy romance, and I’ve seen it discussed as such in fantasy romance/romantasy spaces, but it’s really not one. It’s a historical fiction book with fantasy/magical realism elements and a romance on the side. Don’t let that deter you from this book though. I pretty much immediately realized this wasn’t fantasy romance as it was marketed, but I adored it all the same.
This was such a fantastic book, I’m so excited to continue on with book 2.
”Alexa, play cowboy like me by Taylor Swift�
What a book. What a freaking book. If you liked The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab, or even the concept of that book, Peaches & Honey is Addie LaRue’s more interesting, shorter, and slightly better written younger cousin (coming from someone who loved the book mentioned).
This story follow Anna, a girl born in the 11th century cast out of society due to her vitiligo. She lives in the woods, hiding in fear. One day, Anna finds a woman in need of saving in the woods and Anna brings her to her home home. The strange woman gives her a fruit, and when Anna and is found and captured for hiding the mysterious woman, she’s burned at the stake. Anna however doesn’t die, and discovers that the strange woman is actually a god who granted her the gift—or curse—of immortality. Over centuries, Anna learns from other people, living among them and trying to save as many mortals as she can. The one constant in her life is the shapeshifting god who saved her all the years ago, Kieran.
This book is effortless in its ability to blend sweeping writing with historical fiction and light fantasy. The writing is both poignant and has a haunting purple prose that makes a great story as amazing as it is. I’m honestly so surprised this author is self published, especially on kindle unlimited because their writing is just incredible. The writing is definitely the highest high about Peaches & Honey.
But the characters are also the other highlight of this story. Watching Anna’s journey and her development was beautiful. She travels to many different places, learns new languages, integrates herself with different cultures, meets new people, tries new things. She goes from a naive and young girl who tries to hide herself in the shadows, to a woman unafraid to stand up for what she believes in and be herself. Kieran is also such a great love interest, and helps Anna in her endeavors to make the world better. Her protects her, consoles her, and loves her through every century their together, and keeps it all to himself until he knows Anna is ready to love him too. I’ve seen other reviews say their relationship wasn’t something they cared for, but I adored them together. They way they lean on each other, and Anna slowly realizing what it’s like to live forever brought them together in so many ways. I just find them to be so beautifully written (and also very poignant).
The only thing I will complain about is I wish this was longer. We do a lot of time jumps, which make sense for the story, but I just wish we got more. I loved Anna so much and I wouldn’t have minded 100 to even 500 more pages of Anna going through the centuries and growing. I just adore her character.
Don’t be fooled by the marketing for this book though. It’s tagged on here as fantasy romance, and I’ve seen it discussed as such in fantasy romance/romantasy spaces, but it’s really not one. It’s a historical fiction book with fantasy/magical realism elements and a romance on the side. Don’t let that deter you from this book though. I pretty much immediately realized this wasn’t fantasy romance as it was marketed, but I adored it all the same.
This was such a fantastic book, I’m so excited to continue on with book 2.
August 7, 2024
pov: a shapeshifting trickster god (who talks like and sometimes looks like hozier) hands you a juicy peach with no context. are you eating it?
bc immediately yes i am. and so does anna, our fmc � a 12th century woman who has seen her fair share of trials and tribulations. this peach (and handsome unearthly god) grants her immortality � no matter the circumstance she finds herself in, she cannot die.
y’all. this. f*cking. book????? ruined my life? in the best way?? it’s the perfect cross of historical (spanning 800 years of time, anna gets to see the best � and worst, mostly worst � of humanity), romance, and fantasy, with meddling gods and magic and the most beautiful prose i’ve read in a while.
i literally could not set it down. read it in 24 hours. cried endlessly. loved every second of it and am immediately diving into book two for more of this exquisite agony.
each chapter of this book spans a new century, bringing with it the very real horrors that accompanied life in those times � wars, famines, disease, slavery and subjugation. anna experiences it all, trained as a healer to help where khiran � our trickster god who goes by many names � is unable to, bound by godly law. and undercutting anna’s 8 centuries? a deep sense of love, yearning, and connection for the only person she’ll never have to say goodbye to.
the loss! the angst! the grief! the joy! this book makes you feel all of it so acutely that you’re left feeling vaguely hollow and sickly, but in a way that makes you crave even more. one of the most beautiful and expansive romantasies i’ve read in a while. pick this up if you want to feel all of the things, have an interest in the more traumatic highlights of global history, and are craving a swoonworthy, angsty romance that spans hundreds of years.
bc immediately yes i am. and so does anna, our fmc � a 12th century woman who has seen her fair share of trials and tribulations. this peach (and handsome unearthly god) grants her immortality � no matter the circumstance she finds herself in, she cannot die.
y’all. this. f*cking. book????? ruined my life? in the best way?? it’s the perfect cross of historical (spanning 800 years of time, anna gets to see the best � and worst, mostly worst � of humanity), romance, and fantasy, with meddling gods and magic and the most beautiful prose i’ve read in a while.
i literally could not set it down. read it in 24 hours. cried endlessly. loved every second of it and am immediately diving into book two for more of this exquisite agony.
each chapter of this book spans a new century, bringing with it the very real horrors that accompanied life in those times � wars, famines, disease, slavery and subjugation. anna experiences it all, trained as a healer to help where khiran � our trickster god who goes by many names � is unable to, bound by godly law. and undercutting anna’s 8 centuries? a deep sense of love, yearning, and connection for the only person she’ll never have to say goodbye to.
the loss! the angst! the grief! the joy! this book makes you feel all of it so acutely that you’re left feeling vaguely hollow and sickly, but in a way that makes you crave even more. one of the most beautiful and expansive romantasies i’ve read in a while. pick this up if you want to feel all of the things, have an interest in the more traumatic highlights of global history, and are craving a swoonworthy, angsty romance that spans hundreds of years.
May 24, 2024
Have you ever read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E Schwab? Well, this gave me the same warm and fuzzy feeling that book gave me. I am also a history lover and really enjoyed the touch points of Anne's life lived through the centuries of history. R. Raeta has a very entrancing writing style that in my first sit-down of reading this book I blew through the first 150 pages... Now this book is pretty short from other books that I usually read. However, It didn't feel rushed! Thank goodness! That is a pet peeve of mine. Though that can also be credited to the fact that there is a second book in this series coming out in a couple months.
5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
5 stars because these characters had depth, flaws, and conversation that felt authentic and true to how we speak. The messages and themes were touching. The heart of Anne was valued and chosen for her deep care for peoples suffering. Her understanding of the world is still so little even after 800 years because how can we understand everything? But you feel her pain. You feel the understanding that we repeat patterns of war and suffering throughout history. But for how much there is, her efforts did matter. Even though it doesn't feel enough, her heart was true. I enjoyed every character in this book.
R. Raeta - I am a fan 💜
5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
5 stars because these characters had depth, flaws, and conversation that felt authentic and true to how we speak. The messages and themes were touching. The heart of Anne was valued and chosen for her deep care for peoples suffering. Her understanding of the world is still so little even after 800 years because how can we understand everything? But you feel her pain. You feel the understanding that we repeat patterns of war and suffering throughout history. But for how much there is, her efforts did matter. Even though it doesn't feel enough, her heart was true. I enjoyed every character in this book.
R. Raeta - I am a fan 💜
April 28, 2024
4 stars
Anna was given a gift one day in the woods, one that she would come to understand in time. Lots and lots of time. A shapeshifting God saw something in her no one else did, and he offered her immortality for her kindness. Over the years, the only constant she has, is him� and that makes things complicated.
WOW. First of all, this book is beautifully written. Think Addie LaRue, but make Luc the love interest and you get more from the romance aspect. Don’t get me wrong, the book has a lot of history as we follow Anna through the years, but the constant that is Khiran is an exciting thing. The slow burn was delicious in every way
I loved both of these characters. The unyielding love, I SWOON. They truly love each other in the deepest ways. I cannot believe I have to wait for the second book. I need it NOW!!!!
Anna was given a gift one day in the woods, one that she would come to understand in time. Lots and lots of time. A shapeshifting God saw something in her no one else did, and he offered her immortality for her kindness. Over the years, the only constant she has, is him� and that makes things complicated.
WOW. First of all, this book is beautifully written. Think Addie LaRue, but make Luc the love interest and you get more from the romance aspect. Don’t get me wrong, the book has a lot of history as we follow Anna through the years, but the constant that is Khiran is an exciting thing. The slow burn was delicious in every way
I loved both of these characters. The unyielding love, I SWOON. They truly love each other in the deepest ways. I cannot believe I have to wait for the second book. I need it NOW!!!!
March 29, 2024
DNF. Started out with promise and came recommended to me. But, it quickly became overwhelmingly redundant when I realized there was no plot. I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because I liked some of the good quotes. But, I realized this author just wants to jam as many wise fortune cookie quotes into the book to sound intelligent. No action. No driving plot. Just the same thing happens year after year. VERY VERY BORING. Romance is a 1/10 rating (aka pitiful stupid garbage). I DNF officially after reading chapter 14. I started hardcore skimming at chapter 10. And once I hit 14 I just couldn’t even attempt to read anymore even speed reading. I skipped ahead and read the final chapter. And THANK GOD I didn’t waste my time reading all this!!! By the last chapter still nothing changed!
SUMMARY: The whole entire book is this god who checks in on Anna every couple decades, keeps secrets from her, there’s zero romantic chemistry, and she lives alone in a cottage and collects herbs. That’s it. That’s the ENTIRE book. Garbage.
SUMMARY: The whole entire book is this god who checks in on Anna every couple decades, keeps secrets from her, there’s zero romantic chemistry, and she lives alone in a cottage and collects herbs. That’s it. That’s the ENTIRE book. Garbage.
November 8, 2024
This is basically Addie LaRue, if she made better use of her time and had superior taste in men.
December 19, 2024
I think if you’ve read and loved Addie LaRue, the similarities can be a bit hard to ignore, they would throw me out of the story occasionally, which is really more of a me thing, because once we set aside the premises, this story stands so well on its own. Anna and Addie’s stories are worlds apart. Where Addie is about love, legacy, and art - Peaches & Honey is entirely about time and humanity. The way this plays with history, immortality, love, and hope is honestly breathtaking. Without a doubt the best book I have yet to read on KU - I’m completely shocked this hasn’t been picked up for traditional publishing.
Immediately onto the second half of this duology - thank you to my queen bestie everything light of my life Faiza for this heart stopping recommendation 😭
Immediately onto the second half of this duology - thank you to my queen bestie everything light of my life Faiza for this heart stopping recommendation 😭
March 15, 2025
This had so much potential. Really great premise but very disjointed storytelling and definitely fell into the trap of some sort of pretty prose that just...was there to be noted as beautiful. So the whole thing felt a bit shallow to me. We never really dig in and explored a lot of concepts that were brought up which ultimately resulted in a vibes only read.
Want to read
October 22, 202410/21/24
Not technically dnfing more like putting it on pause until later on because it’s just not hitting and it’s too slow rn😔not sure if it’s the book or me
pre read:
seen people either hate this or love it, but I decided to still give a try
Not technically dnfing more like putting it on pause until later on because it’s just not hitting and it’s too slow rn😔not sure if it’s the book or me
pre read:
seen people either hate this or love it, but I decided to still give a try
April 25, 2024
“Every waking moment I’m not by your side feels like agony. The thought of never seeing you again, of leaving for good, fills me with such torment that Hell itself could swallow me up, and the distraction would be a relief.�
🍃
I don't even know how to describe how this book made me feel, I was sobbing throughout the entire book.
This book tells the story of Anna, a young woman with vitiligo who was exiled by her people for fear that she was cursed, however this does not prevent Anna from being a kind woman, for which a shapeshifting god gives her an immortality peach. Throughout the book we see Anna's journey, experiences and adventures for more than 800 years and how she meets people to whom she cannot connect emotionally since she knows that they are temporary and sooner or later she will have to leave them, there is only one person whom she can trust and return whenever she needs, the shapeshifting god who gave her the fruit of immortality.
Anna is a character that I will carry in my heart forever, her kindness and strength is something that filled my soul, her journey is extraordinary and being able to see her evolution is one of the most precious things I’ve ever read. I'm really speechless right now, it's been a long time since a book made me feel so full.🤧
I loveddd all the characters but let me give an honorific mention to my man Khiran, this gentleman here is my new obsession. I absolutely LOVED HIM, then there is my little Piers, I will carry him in my heart forever. 😭
I can't wait for the second book to continue this amazing story. ✨�
I don't even know how to describe how this book made me feel, I was sobbing throughout the entire book.
This book tells the story of Anna, a young woman with vitiligo who was exiled by her people for fear that she was cursed, however this does not prevent Anna from being a kind woman, for which a shapeshifting god gives her an immortality peach. Throughout the book we see Anna's journey, experiences and adventures for more than 800 years and how she meets people to whom she cannot connect emotionally since she knows that they are temporary and sooner or later she will have to leave them, there is only one person whom she can trust and return whenever she needs, the shapeshifting god who gave her the fruit of immortality.
Anna is a character that I will carry in my heart forever, her kindness and strength is something that filled my soul, her journey is extraordinary and being able to see her evolution is one of the most precious things I’ve ever read. I'm really speechless right now, it's been a long time since a book made me feel so full.🤧
I loveddd all the characters but let me give an honorific mention to my man Khiran, this gentleman here is my new obsession. I absolutely LOVED HIM, then there is my little Piers, I will carry him in my heart forever. 😭
I can't wait for the second book to continue this amazing story. ✨�
April 16, 2025
Is the gift of immortality a blessing or a curse?
In the woods of medieval England, Anna is given a magical fruit by a stranger which grants her immortality. She finds herself forced to bear witness to countless calamities and acts of human cruelty throughout the centuries, distraught at her inability to make a notable difference in the course of history.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. My heart broke for Anna, and I suffered with her through her deeply-rooted empathy and loneliness. Beautifully written. I will certainly be reading the second book in this duology.
In the woods of medieval England, Anna is given a magical fruit by a stranger which grants her immortality. She finds herself forced to bear witness to countless calamities and acts of human cruelty throughout the centuries, distraught at her inability to make a notable difference in the course of history.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. My heart broke for Anna, and I suffered with her through her deeply-rooted empathy and loneliness. Beautifully written. I will certainly be reading the second book in this duology.
September 2, 2023
4 ⭐️
I had a hard time coming up with a rating for this book due to the flow of the book. At times, especially in the beginning, I felt the book was closer to 3 stars. However, the author's plot and story telling came alive in the second half of the book and I do believe that is a must read portion of the book.
This is a historical fiction, with a subplot of romance that I believe will be more of the focus in the second book. The first half of the book focuses on Anna journey throughout the centuries with exploring her kindness over world disasters. I will be honest, I didn't love this portion of the book. I felt it dragged on at times, and felt repetitive. Anna showed kindness during tragedy, the world would turn on her.
The second half of this book focused more on Anna's relationships towards others. Themes of parenthood, loss & grief, happiness and friendship were explored while exploring world disasters. I found this captivating, I was highly intrigued to see Anna explore an immortal life with the limitations that came with it in regard to relationships.
The romance aspect of this book was slow burn with sprinkles of lust, love and respect. It speeds up rather quickly towards the end, and then as typical 3rd act breakups it dies for a bit. I didn't dislike the romance, and I didn't love it. I will say I am curious on how it unfolds in the second book especially with the introduction of a villain and a strong plot.
Overall, this book is more of a character journey exploring themes of kindness in times of tragedies throughout the world. I definitely recommend for those who enjoy character exploration in historical settings. I would not go in thinking of this book as a romance.
*Arc review, book given by author. Thank you for allowing me to review.
I had a hard time coming up with a rating for this book due to the flow of the book. At times, especially in the beginning, I felt the book was closer to 3 stars. However, the author's plot and story telling came alive in the second half of the book and I do believe that is a must read portion of the book.
This is a historical fiction, with a subplot of romance that I believe will be more of the focus in the second book. The first half of the book focuses on Anna journey throughout the centuries with exploring her kindness over world disasters. I will be honest, I didn't love this portion of the book. I felt it dragged on at times, and felt repetitive. Anna showed kindness during tragedy, the world would turn on her.
The second half of this book focused more on Anna's relationships towards others. Themes of parenthood, loss & grief, happiness and friendship were explored while exploring world disasters. I found this captivating, I was highly intrigued to see Anna explore an immortal life with the limitations that came with it in regard to relationships.
The romance aspect of this book was slow burn with sprinkles of lust, love and respect. It speeds up rather quickly towards the end, and then as typical 3rd act breakups it dies for a bit. I didn't dislike the romance, and I didn't love it. I will say I am curious on how it unfolds in the second book especially with the introduction of a villain and a strong plot.
Overall, this book is more of a character journey exploring themes of kindness in times of tragedies throughout the world. I definitely recommend for those who enjoy character exploration in historical settings. I would not go in thinking of this book as a romance.
*Arc review, book given by author. Thank you for allowing me to review.
January 23, 2024
This book was a poetic masterpiece. The love story was so heartbreakingly beautiful and the journey the FMC goes through had me in tears more often than not. There’s so much emotion poured into every page I couldn’t put it down. I’m not usually a historical fantasy reader but this made me want to read more of them! The FMC Anna is granted immortality by a god and you watch her live so many lives over 800 years while at the same time she ever so slowly falls in love with said God…� unlike anything I’ve ever read before. The writing was the epitome of lyrical, I’ve never highlighted so many paragraphs and sentences that will stick with me forever. I cannot recommend this enough!
The love story between the FMC and MMC is the definition of “you came�. you called�. It hurt so good
The love story between the FMC and MMC is the definition of “you came�. you called�. It hurt so good
March 17, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
I was intrigued with this book when someone described it as the story that everyone actually wanted from the Invisible Life of Addie Larue. If you know me, you’ll know it’s one of my favorite books of all time so I had to give this book a shot and I’m happy I did.
There was definitely more romance which I loved along with the underlying message that everything in the universe changes. I enjoyed seeing the main character grow and learn from the world. Anna had every right to hate the world but instead chose to love and help it.
Totally recommend, was a tearjerker too!
I was intrigued with this book when someone described it as the story that everyone actually wanted from the Invisible Life of Addie Larue. If you know me, you’ll know it’s one of my favorite books of all time so I had to give this book a shot and I’m happy I did.
There was definitely more romance which I loved along with the underlying message that everything in the universe changes. I enjoyed seeing the main character grow and learn from the world. Anna had every right to hate the world but instead chose to love and help it.
Totally recommend, was a tearjerker too!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,935 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.