4 out of 5 books
Casey Black is a former model and currently is a social media influencer with millions of followers. She often posts about her daily life and since she and her husband Drew have plans for a vow renewal, she sees her platform as the perfect opportunity. Casey’s life falls apart when Drew failed to show up for the ceremony, embarrassing her in front of her millions of fans. Guided by an overbearing mother who controls her life and career, Casey has really had to think about what she really wanted to do in life. The implosion of her social media account and negative comments she is receiving let her know it was time for a social media break.
She flees to South Carolina to find her long-lost relatives on her father’s side and reconnect with her roots. Her father died in a car accident before Casey was born, and her mother shared very little about his family. She enjoys the farm life, the Southern cuisine, and the friendship of Nigel, the farm manager. She also uncovers secrets about her family history from her grandmother and her great-grandmother’s journals. She realizes that she belongs to the Lowcountry and its rich culture.
I loved the premise of THE THING ABOUT HOME. Rhonda McKnight is an excellent storyteller, and this novel was engaging as well as inciteful. I enjoyed each character in the book except for Casey’s mother. The book was told in dual timelines: through Casey’s view and the journals of her great-grandmother. A lot of history was shared about the legacy of her family and the love that comes with it. A great novel with historical references, this was a great read.
Reviewed by Paula Smith
