This book was just not for me. The writing style was a bit too all over the place for me and I just could not connect to the characters. I really enjoyed the foreword but it is as if the writing style completely switched up after that. I was unable to finish it sadly after getting about 20% through.

A Powerful Story of Endurance and Legacy
This story resonates deeply because it encapsulates the enduring struggles that African Americans have faced for over 350 years. It isn't just another tale of a powerful corporation seizing land for their own exploitative purposes; rather, it's a narrative woven with the threads of pure greed and the fight to preserve one's heritage and identity. The plot centers around four siblings returning home to save their family land, honoring their father's steadfast instruction to never sell to any white man. This directive is laden with historical significance and highlights the ongoing battle against systemic oppression and exploitation.
Complex Characters and Personal Demons
Each sibling in the story is grappling with their own personal demons, adding layers of complexity and depth to the narrative. One sibling is struggling with accepting their sexual identity, another is battling uncontrollable anger leading to frequent incarcerations, the third has committed theft from the family business, and the last sibling has always felt like an outsider within their own family. These personal conflicts are interwoven with the larger theme of familial duty and the fight against external threats, making for a gripping and emotionally resonant tale.
A Riveting Cliffhanger
The story's climax features a significant cliffhanger, leaving readers on the edge of their seats and eager for more. This twist not only adds excitement but also emphasizes the unpredictability and tension inherent in the struggle to maintain one's heritage in the face of adversity.
A Masterful Writing Style
The writing style is described as "off the chain," indicating it is vibrant, engaging, and perhaps unconventional. This approach enhances the storytelling, making the narrative both compelling and relatable. The blend of family dynamics, deceit, and the historical context of land barons and exploitation creates a rich tapestry that mirrors the complexities of real-life struggles.
A Story for the Ages
This book is more than just a story—it's a reflection of history and a reminder of the resilience of those who have fought to protect their legacy. It's a narrative that should be read widely, offering insights into the ongoing battle for justice and equality. Through its powerful themes and intricate character portrayals, it serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who refuse to be silenced.

King Solomon, a black landowner in present day North Carolina, dies, charging his four children with keeping the family's waterfront home in the family. The four is told by turns from the viewpoint of each adult child.

Each of Solomon's children has difficult problems and secrets of their own to deal with: one is a closeted (and married) gay man, one has anger management issues and has been in and out of jail. One daughter, an attorney, has embezzled thousands of dollars and is worried about being caught, and the youngest daughter just doesn't feel she belongs with her siblings. Of course, none of them want to share their own secrets with siblings and try to work their way through their own as well as family issues.

The book is a good study of family issues and how they can grow and fester. And of how family can 'be there' for one another even when it's unexpected.

Recommended for those who like to read about family drama.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Long After We Are Gone
By: Tarah Shelton Harris
Publisher: 5/14/24
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
This story is set in North Carolina it tells the tale of 4 siblings and their secrets while their home called the kingdom is being stolen from them after their fathers death. You learn more and more of the kids' secrets as the book moves towards the end and the kind of people they each are.
I felt like the story moved too slowly. I was rooting for good to win at the end and was left unsatisfied.

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I became a fan after reading One Summer in Savannah. This story didn’t disappoint either . The Solomon siblings take us on a trip of pain, addiction, heartbreak and redemption. This Tory helps to explore the hurt we feel and pass on to our children without healing. This is a a must read

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Four siblings, one huge legacy, and a racist system that hurts families trying to pass on wealth to the next generation.

King Solomon has died and now the four children need to keep their home/property from being bought out from underneath them. Each sibling is carrying a secret and secrets have a way to hurt everyone involved and ripple out. Can they save the family legacy when the system and these secrets are fighting against them?

Amazing read - I did not know about heirs property - however, I am not surprised and completely understand why this was/is done.

DNF - I attempted to start this book and it just did not hold my interest. This may be a book I come back to in the future.

Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris is a book that hit me on a deeply personal level. From the moment I started reading, I felt an emotional connection to the Solomon siblings, each of whom was grappling with their own struggles, all while trying to hold on to their family’s land and legacy. The book explores generational trauma, identity, and the weight of family bonds in such a raw and intimate way that I found myself not just reading about their lives, but feeling them.

As someone who values family and the ties that bind us, I immediately resonated with the tension between the siblings. Junior’s struggle with his sexuality, Mance’s battle with anger and fatherhood, CeCe’s financial missteps, and Tokey’s painful fight with her body felt so real to me. It was almost like I could feel their pain and their yearning for understanding. I found myself reflecting on my own family relationships, the things we don’t always talk about but that shape us nonetheless.

The way Harris weaves in the issue of heir property was eye-opening for me. I had never truly considered how systemic issues like this have shaped Black communities and their connection to land. It made me think about the importance of heritage and history and how easy it can be to lose that connection—something I know many people, myself included, take for granted.

What really stood out to me, though, was the heart of the book—the sense of love, even in the midst of all the dysfunction. The Solomons’ fight to keep their land wasn’t just about property, but about preserving their family’s history, the love that had been passed down through generations, and a sense of belonging. It reminded me that, even when things get messy, family is where you come from and sometimes, all you have to hold onto.

Reading this book was an emotional journey for me. It made me think about my own family’s history, the unspoken stories that are passed down, and the weight of carrying on what we inherit. Long After We Are Gone is a beautiful reminder of what it means to fight for something you believe in—whether it’s a piece of land, your identity, or the people you love. It’s a book I won’t forget anytime soon, and one I’ll be thinking about long after I’ve put it down.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a really important book and it was told in a way that was informative and engaging. Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC!

I enjoyed One Summer in Savannah, so I was excited to receive a copy of Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris. This is a story of siblings coming back home to their childhood home after their father passes. Each one having their own life challenges. I enjoyed the story line, would recommend.

Thanks to the publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this arc with me.

If Black Cake was your jam, you need to pick this one up ASAP!

The Kingdom—a sprawling 200-acre North Carolina property—has been in the Solomon family for generations. But when King Solomon passes away, his final words send his four children reeling: “Don’t let the white man take the house.” Turns out, developers are circling like vultures, eager to exploit heir property loopholes to snatch up Black-owned land—including the Kingdom.

But the Solomon siblings have their own baggage to unpack. Mance, fresh out of prison, is trying to stay clean and provide for his deaf son. Junior has the perfect suburban life… except for the secret relationship he’s hiding. CeCe is caught in a web of financial crimes and blackmail, while youngest sister Tokey seeks comfort in food, trying to fill the void of a mother she never knew. Oh, and their uncle? He’s siding with the enemy.

This book is everything—historical fiction meets family drama, with an emotional punch and razor-sharp social commentary. It shines a necessary spotlight on the injustices of heir property, a system that has stripped countless Black families of their land. And Terah Shelton Harris delivers it all through rich, complex characters you can’t help but root for (even when they’re making questionable choices).

With multiple POVs and a timeline that weaves the past and present seamlessly, this story grips you from the start and doesn’t let go. And just when you think you know how it’ll all end? Think again. By the last page, the Solomon siblings learn that King left them something even more valuable than land—whether they realize it or not.

This book was sooo good! I initially requested this book through NetGalley and received an early copy, but didn’t pick it up lol. So shout out to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for giving me an early e-copy. One day I was scrolling on Libby and seen that the audio was available immediately so I checked it out. And omg I am so glad that I did, I loved this book.

This book follows a family after the patriarch dies. Not only are the siblings grieving the death of their father, but they also are dealing with the possibility that they might lose their family’s ancestral land. In addition to the that all of the siblings have issues— real messy issues.

If you like a book about sibling relationships and family relationships then this is your book. The siblings are all extremely flawed and some have made some questionable decisions, but I found myself rooting for them. This author has such a poetic pen and has mastered the art of imagery. Some of the scenes were so vivid that I felt like I was transported to the scene. I also enjoyed learning about heir properties and the injustices behind the repossession of it.

I think that my favorite thing about this book was the love story, it was a side storyline and I loved it. I won’t divulge too much to avoid spoiling it, but I loved the male love interest. He oozed of BDE— Good Lord lol. The chapters were a little long, which took me out of the book at times, but that was my only gripe.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read, “Long after we are gone” by Terah Shelton Harris. This was a sweet book and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Long After We Are Gone is a powerful and resonant story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. It's a testament to the enduring power of love and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with those we hold dear. This is a must-read for anyone who appreciates beautifully written, character-driven narratives that explore the complexities of family and the enduring legacy of the past.

If you’re looking for a light read, this is not the police book. Please don’t take that as me saying this book is not an absolute gem, because it definitely is. Shelton explores generational trauma with a complex set of characters. The Solomon siblings are each experiencing their own battles that others may not be fully aware of. They returned to their family estate in North Carolina after their father‘s death in an attempt to save the estate from developers. The plot felt fresh and original and covers a topic that I’m not sure I’ve ever seen before in a novel. The Solomon siblings are all deeply complex characters with incredible character development. Incredibly well written follow up to One Summer in Savannah.

“𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲. 𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧.”

Terah Shelton Harris crafts another enthralling story of family in Long After We Are Gone.

I knew nothing about heir property, which has been common for black families in the United States, nor the legal laws and loopholes that get exploited to take said land away from families; Harris opens her book with an author’s note that touches on this, which I appreciated. It helped give me a basic understanding of what one of the main conflicts in the book was going to be, and I hope its call to action (ensuring there is a will) will help others not experience what the characters in this book do. The Solomon family consists of siblings Junior, Mase, Cece and Tokey, all of whom have drifted apart and are equally hiding their own secrets of their lives. Each of their individual stories were interesting, and they are all flawed; redemption at the end does not mean perfection, which may be controversial but is also very realistic. The chapters are on the longer side, but are broken up by each sibling’s story and point of view, making them easy to read (or if necessary, put down part way through and not feel like you were stopping in the middle of a chapter). I loved how Harris combines family drama, mystery and romance (there are some SPICY moments), with having the siblings discover themselves and each other, while also creating a mystery around the selling of the land and what past generations have done to keep the Kingdom.

Long After We Are Gone is a richly absorbing poetic story that is devastating, but ultimately hopeful. It is another five star read from Harris for me. Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC!

Long After We Are Gone is a five-star Southern fiction set in North Carolina that delves into the rich tapestry of family and memory. It is a powerful tale of love, loss, and legacy. The Solomon siblings and their journey will linger in your heart long after the final page.

I so welcome you to also discover Terah’s lyrical work. You can’t go wrong with either One Summer in Savannah or Long After We Are Gone in my humble opinion.

Long After We Are Gone is a poignant, reflective novel that explores family, identity, and the echoes of the past. It’s a beautifully written story that sticks with you long after you’ve finished.

This book started off slow but once it got going I really liked it. I liked the story of the 4 siblings and the differences between them. I look forward to more from this author.

Over the past year (!!) I've tried a few different times to read this book, and each time I just don't feel interested at all so I'm finally DNFing. I was really excited for this one, but for some reason I can't feel a connection to the characters or family so I need to admit I can't force this. Thanks anyway for the ARC.