Which Romanic Novel set in Alabama did The N.Y. Times choose?

Just in time for Valentines Day, the newspaper story identified a romantic novel set in each state and headlined it

 

50 States of Love

"From sea to shining sea, here’s a tour of unforgettable fiction that explores matters of the heart."

For Alabama:

"Winston Groom, “Forrest Gump”

Forrest Gump and Jenny Curran meet in their first-grade class in Greenbow, Ala. They walk home from school together and quickly become the best of friends — but Forrest (later to be played by Tom Hanks in the movie) will carry a torch for Jenny (Robin Wright) for the rest of his life. As he puts it, “I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is.” And that’s smart enough for us."

     Another novel the newspaper could have chosen for Alabama?      

     How about the state's best known Whistle Stop Cafe?