Gone South

I confess. I committed the cardinal sin of judging a book by its cover and that's why it took me so long to start reading "Gone South" by Meg Moseley. I'm not particularly into Southern or Western themed-romance novels so when I picked what was the best option out of my blogging for books list, I didn't rush to start this book. I also thought it was a period novel because I neglected to see the jeans under ye old gown on the cover of the book. I told you I came, I saw, I judged.

I've never read anything by Ms. Moseley so was very open-minded when I actually began reading this Southern book. Main character Tish McComb has decided to make a major change in her life and purchase her family's historic home in Alabama. Unbeknownst to her, her heritage is not the shining example of family that her father characterized during her childhood and she finds herself as the new Yankee outcast.  Too bad for Tish, she doesn't learn this until she's signed away her life to her new mortgage and her new life in rural Alabama.

Because Tish doesn't have enough bad luck, she finds herself taking in a stray young woman, Mel, who seems incapable of making a wise decision. Mel has been ousted by her family, partially because of her inability to admit she makes poor decisions and partially because of a very unforgiving father and a doormat of a mother. Long story short, "Gone South" follows both women as they try to fit in with anything but Southern Comfort.

All in all, I was a little disappointed that the "Christianity" of this book was so understated. Aside from 3 characters saying prayers under their breath, there was very little mention of God or spirituality. It goes without saying that anyone of any religious persuasion could read this and not be offended.  There were some slow parts, and some overreaction on the part of the characters that I just couldn't relate with. Maybe it's just me, but I don't necessarily care that much about proving my deceased family members were great people in order to be accepted.

All that aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this book once I got into it. It was a relaxing read, and it was nice to escape to the South, a place I've never been. I recommend!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

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