Gone South – A Novel by Meg Moseley

Blurb

The charm of the South drew her back to her family’s roots. But when the town’s old resentments turn the sweet tea bitter, can Tish find a welcome anywhere?

Leaving frosty Michigan for the Deep South was never a blip in the simple plans Tish McComb imagined for her life, dreams of marriage and family that were dashed five years earlier in a tragic accident. Now an opportunity to buy her great-great-great-grandparents’ Civil War era home beckons Tish to Noble, Alabama, a Southern town in every sense of the word. She wonders if God has given her a new dream— the old house filled with friends, her vintage percolator bubbling on the sideboard.

When Tish discovers that McCombs aren’t welcome in town, she feels like a Yankee behind enemy lines. Only local antiques dealer George Zorbas seems willing to give her a chance. What’s a lonely outcast to do but take in Noble’s resident prodigal, Melanie Hamilton, and hope that the two can find some much needed acceptance in each other.

Problem is, old habits die hard, and Mel is quite set in her destructive ways. With Melanie blocked from going home, Tish must try to manage her incorrigible houseguest as she attempts to prove her own worth in a town that seems to have forgotten that every sinner needs God-given mercy, love and forgiveness.

My Perspective

This is the fourth book I read from my post Credit Where Credit’s Due. I read about Gone South – A Novel by Meg Moseley from Ionia at Readful Things Blog. You can read her thoughts on the book here.

Gone South is the story of Letitia “Tish” McComb. Proud of her McComb heritage, she moves back to the house of her ancestors. However much to her surprise she isn’t welcomed by the locals and no one will tell her why.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Not everything went how I wanted it to and some of the characters were terribly frustrating however the way it was written and the general storyline was interesting and enjoyable to read.

I liked Tish however I did find her a little bit slow on the uptake. I was really rooting for her though and I admired her resolve. Mel was very frustrating and she did get on my nerves a little bit. She grew a lot throughout the book though and I enjoyed seeing her mature. I really liked George. He was a great romantic love interest. Daisy made me laugh a lot and I appreciated the detail in which the author went.

I enjoyed the mystery aspect in the book however I found that it kind of fell flat. It wasn’t properly resolved in my mind and I was hoping that there would be more.

The book was considered Christian fiction however it wasn’t preachy at all. I didn’t think there was enough “Christian” content to consider it in that genre (apart from the blurb) however it is what it is.

Overall I really enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it to those who like lighthearted romance/drama with a little bit of mystery thrown in.

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Upside Down Inside Out by Monica McInerney

Blurb

Ever been tempted to pretend you were someone exotic, someone adventurous … someone different?

Set in Ireland, England and Australia, this is the funny and heartwarming story of two people whose lives are about to turn upside down and inside out.

Eva is off to Australia on a break from her job in a Dublin delicatessen, hoping to forget a fizzled romance and find inspiration for a new career. Joseph is taking a holiday from his stressful London job. Each is on a search for some answers about life. Then something quite unexpected happens. They meet each other.

Upside Down Inside Out is a novel about love, adventure, honesty and discovering that the person you’ve always wanted to be might just be the person you already are.

My Perspective

This wasn’t the best book that i have ever read, but oh how i enjoyed it.

I feel like all I’ve been reading lately are books that people have lent to me. Don’t get me wrong, i have wanted to read them and i have enjoyed a lot of them but there’s nothing quite like reading a book from one of your favourite authors – and a book that you have been wanting to read for awhile.

I have two stacks of books by my bed; all the books that people have lent to me, and all the books that i have bought. After finishing Wait For The Dawn by Jess Foley a few nights ago, i was like, i need to read a book that i know i will like. And this book was it. I did feel that because of this though, i inhaled the book and didn’t enjoying it leisurely as such, which isn’t the greatest, but I’ve learnt my lesson not to leave it so long before reading a book that i really, really want to read.

The story follows Eva, a failed artist who has a break in Australia from her job in her uncle’s delicatessen because of an ended romance and some rather large questions she has to answer; and Joseph, who is a successful business man on a business trip in Australia, questioning whether he’s really living ‘The Dream’. Their paths intercept and they are swept up in an unusual, frustrating romance where the truth feels like it might break them apart.

From page one of this book, i was hooked. The story was lighthearted, romantic and yet kept me on edge. I couldn’t read it fast enough – a definite page turner. It was refreshing to not read something completely predictable (i mean, the gist of it might be but there are some books that you just know every twist and turn that’s going to happen, like every twist and turn). And Monica writes really well. It was really nice to read a book where you aren’t faulting the author on their writing skills. I might sound like i am being really bias here, however these are the reasons why she is one of my favourite authors. I knew i could rely on her for a great read. And what’s more she has her more in depth books if you want some more hardcore emotion and then she has her lighthearted books, which was just what i needed. I read this in less than a day, and it’s not like The Lord of The Rings but it wasn’t ridiculously short either (forty chapters).

There were some sexual references, however i didn’t find them too much. They got to the line and then didn’t cross it (another reason why i like Monica McInerney).

I do admit that the story was frustrating at times – at one point i exclaimed, “Just tell the truth already!” however it didn’t go past the point where you couldn’t handle it anymore. Almost, but not quite.

I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a funny, lighthearted romance.