Unfortunately I had to DNF this one.

I normally do like a good family drama but this one was just not for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, as they all were very dysfunctional and hard to like and relate to. I wasn’t drawn to the story either. Maybe I was just wasn’t in a right mood for this book, I am not sure. I may return to it later but for now, I am going to leave it unfinished.

Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This story was hard to put down. I really enjoyed reading it. I liked the character driven feel and reading each character grow both stronger and weaker as the story progressed. Death of a family member is never easy and it was heavy to read at times how each child processed it.

I will be recommending this book to other readers.

Long After We Are Gone is a family drama. Once their father dies, four siblings must come together to save the land that has been passed down to them by heir property inheritance and try to stop it from being stolen right from under them.

Listen, I loved Terah Shelton Harris' "One Summer in Savannah" and I fully expected to love this one, as well. It DID NOT DISAPPOINT! If you give me a multi-generational, sibling or family, messily drama... sold. I loved it.

Each of these characters are so deeply flawed and human, I related to each one of them and their struggles. How difficult it was to come together as a family because when you're an adult and you have your own life, things aren't as simple as they used to be.

The author is able to write about grief, love, romance, connectedness, mental health in such a powerful way.

I thought this book was beautiful and shows how strong a family bond can be. I also particularly liked the author's note in the beginning explaining why heir property is an important topic to learn about.

East 5 star read. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

A beloved ancestral plot of land. A legal loophole. A fractured family.

LONG AFTER WE ARE GONE follows the Solomon family as they fight to keep “The Kingdom”, the land their ancestors were former slaves on and later inherited during reconstruction. The novel is inspired by the story of two North Carolina residents who went to jail for eight years after refusing to leave the land their great-grandfather purchased more than a century ago.

The story explores the concept of heir property and how Black people can be exploited by corporations using loopholes to involuntarily strip them of land that has legally been in their possession for generations.

Told in four alternating POVs, we meet each adult sibling as they grapple with their own personal crisis. With the theme of breaking the chains of intergenerational trauma, morally gray characters you can’t help but root for, and complicated sibling dynamics there is so much to unpack.

Terah Shelton Harris explores retribution, legacy, and familial expectations in a unique and thought-provoking way. As with her debut, ONE SUMMER IN SAVANNAH, this story lends itself so well to book club discussions. Don’t miss LONG AFTER WE ARE GONE out May 14th!

RATING: 4.5/5 stars (rounded up to 5)

READ THIS IF YOU:
-are interested in little known issues brought to light through fiction
-can root for flawed but endearing characters
-appreciate a complicated family legacy

I first read One Summer in Savannah, the author's debut work published in 2023, about 5 weeks prior to reading this, her sophomore novel, Long After We Are Gone. That makes it a little difficult to write this review. One Summer In Savannah was so incredibly and beautifully written and will probably be one of my favorite books I read in 2024! So, Long After We Are Gone had a lot to live up to with reading it so shortly thereafter.

Long After We Are Gone tells the journey of the four Solomon siblings - sisters CeCe and Tokey and brothers Junior and Mance. We learn in the very first sentence of the book that their father, King Solomon, is dying. And the first chapter ends with his instructions to his children: "Don't let the white man take the house." The house mentioned lies on a large amount of land that comprises 200 acres known as "The Kingdom", which has been owned by the Solomon family for 230 years. What follows is the story of each sibling navigating the history of The Kingdom and their individual desired plans for it. However, others outside the family have their own ideas for the estate. Additionally, each sibling is battling their own demons and temptations, all while trying to live up to their father's expectations.

I appreciated the uniqueness of every single chapter containing the perspective of each sibling. The author does a good job of adding depth to her characters and relaying their personalities and motivations to the reader. I enjoyed the path the siblings took with regard to their relationships with each other, as well as the inner growth each embarked upon.

What didn't work for me was that I didn't feel particularly invested in one of the storylines and just kept wishing the sibling would make different decisions, and how the sentence structure felt stilted in several instances, along with awkward transitions in some cases. That being said, there are still lyrical sentences throughout.

"It will take a long time, perhaps a thousand good mornings from now, when it's all over, to understand the impact of King's death. The Solomons will rearrange the pieces they know, question what they will never understand, and reimagine the events in their minds. How it was the best and worse thing for them as a family. How it changed them individually, for the better and for the worse. They will think of King often, what he worked for, instilled in them, believed in."

Please do not fail to read the Author's Note preceding the book. It is informative and necessary, and provides the entire context surrounding the plot of the novel. Historically, many Black families bought land following the Reconstruction, which was then passed down generationally without a will, and was known as heir property. However, this does not constitute a clear title possession of the land. The Kingdom in the novel was heir property.

I would give a personal rating of 3.75 stars, which has been rounded to 4.0 stars for NetGalley purposes.

Trigger warnings for: death of parent, eating disorder, homophobia, murder, physical abuse, sexual assault, and violence

Terah can do no wrong in my eyes. The author is a STORY TELLER. You get pulled in & engrossed with each and every character. I really enjoyed the messiness & complicated relationships. Each sibling was battling something heavy and I felt for each and everyone of them. The bulldozer scene? Incredible.

Terah Shelton Harris has a favorite fan

A big ol mess of tangled generational family drama!

The Solomon family has lived on a piece of land, including an old majestic house, called The Kingdom for generations.

When the current patriarch dies, his children gather back in their hometown only to learn part of the Kingdom was sold without their knowledge and they have to vacate the house.

While they fight to keep The Kingdom whole, they’re also fighting their own personal battles and discovering long held secrets that can offer a healing path forward.

I love the imperfection of the characters, even the (spoiler) happy ending has threads of reality running through it.

This authors writing is phenomenal and her thought and consideration for the reader is amazing. I loved how she starts the book with historical background that I believe many Americans are not aware of, and also a beautiful message about trigger warnings and how she wants the reader to take care of themselves and not continue to read if they are unable. I read the first chapter and again think the writing is phenomenal. I want to know what happens with these characters however, there are some triggers for me and I’m not able to finish the book at this time. That doesn’t mean I won’t read it again in the future. And I do think readers should check it out.

I wanted to like this so much but my dislike of the characters got in the way. I can handle some unfavorable characters but this set of siblings just drove me crazy. I was interested in (and appalled at) the issue of land being taken from African American families. Unfortunately it added to my confusion because I had just read Wanda Morris's book with a similar issue.

This is an incredible book for fans of contemporary and historical fiction. I could see us using this for a black history exploration, economy study, and so much more. There are so many layers!

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝕃𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝔸𝕗𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕎𝕖 𝔸𝕣𝕖 𝔾𝕠𝕟𝕖
𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀
Southern Fiction
432 pictures

Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs
After a father’s death, four siblings fight to save the home and land that has been in their family for generations. Each has their own angle as they move forward. Will they put their differences aside to work towards a common goal?

Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀ
First off, make sure to read the author’s note at the beginning. It explains what heir property is and how Black families have lost billions of dollars worth of land in the US. I am so glad I didn’t skip this, as it made the story come to life, teaching me about this horrendous situation in preparation for the Solomon family’s story.

I don’t even know how to describe this book. The character development is superb. Each of the siblings' personalities jumps right off the pages. I’d say family relationships are as meaningful as the land issues.

Personal growth is another central theme. Each character had their demons. By the end, they were all changed in some way.

This is such a unique, well-written story. I couldn’t put it down. At first, I kept picturing it happening in the past, but it is in the present. Some things come to the surface at the end, helping fill in the missing pieces. I can’t put into words how much I enjoyed this.

💕Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing this ebook for me to read and review.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this book.

What a roller coaster ride. The Solomon family is a wild one! Lies, secrets, sex, violence, addiction, and betrayal are just rampant.

Just when things are calming down a bit they vamp up! What a messed up bunch.of characters. Your going to love this one.

Recommend.

This book did not end the way I expected, but I am glad it ended the way it did. Harris creates an ending that brings everything full circle but maybe isn't the stereotypical happy ending. Long After We Are Gone tells the story of four siblings (somewhat estranged) coming together after their father's death to save their family home, the Kingdom. Each sibling is hiding secrets and as the story unfolds these secrets are revealed and maybe the siblings aren't as different as they appear.
The story started a little slow for me but picked up quickly after I learned more about each sibling. Harris expertly develops each character as the siblings learn to be the people their father wanted them to be. The siblings' relationships with each other are essential yet secondary to their individual development. I enjoyed watching their connection with each other grow as they became more confident in themselves.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy novels focusing on relationships and character development.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader of Long After We Are Gone

🎧Song Pairing: Still In America - Lecrae

💭What I thought would happen:

I really enjoyed One Summer in Savannah so I’d guessing it’s going to be a hot button topic in regards to black inequality (Twas right!)

📖What actually happens:

Junior, Cece, Mance & Tokey just lost their father and their about to lose the land their family built and maintained for the last 200+ years from slavery to land owners.

The Kingdom is land rich but cash poor, thought to be cursed. Will the siblings who are facing their own moral dilemmas and emotional traumas be able to escape the dreaded curse and avoid repeating history?

🗯Thoughts/sassy musings:

WOOF! I am DEPRESSED! If you’re not in the best headspace maybe prolong this one. Just know it was depressing in a very realistic, such is life way.

Just like the title loooooong…long chapters that is and I an a short chapter forever girlie!

I had never heard of heir property until reading this book and in no way does it surprise (yet still saddens/angers) me that so much land was sneakily taken from the black community.

Loooooved the ending. I think it would be a crime not to turn this into a film. It would be absolutely brilliant as a motion picture. Its like I had anxieties throughout the entire book only to get me to the end to enjoy the kaboom of is all

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 4.5 stars

When I learned that the author is going to be signing at the annual PLA conference this week and that the galley was available from NetGalley, I knew I had to read this book before I meet her. I am so glad that I did because I found it to be highly intriguing and could not put it down.

The story is told in multiple POVs from each member of the Solomon family, and because it's so well written and structured in such a fluid way, it's incredibly easy to follow and makes for a totally immersive reading experience.

The patriarch has died and now the siblings must come together to save their family's ancestral land from the greedy hands of developers. But each of the siblings are facing deep personal struggles of their own and they must learn to come together to save not only what's rightfully theirs, but themselves as well.

If you've never heard of Heir Property and the plight of so many black families who have had billions of dollars worth of land stolen from them due to legal loop holes associated with this form of inheritance, then let this book open your eyes as it did mine and cultivate a desire to learn more about it.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks, and the author for this digital Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

A powerful tale of one very complicated family, and how they came back together. The four Solomon siblings are drawn back home after the death of their father, when they discover that the family home, The Kingdom, is at risk of being taken from them. At the same time, each sibling has their own unique problems to contend with.

I often enjoy stories with multiple protagonists, as long as they don't go overboard and the characters have distinct voices. This one did that well. It was a bit exasperating at times how unlikable each of the main characters were though. They make so many poor decisions. I do think that the author does a pretty good job of slowly building the reader's connection to each character. Tokey was definitely the easiest to connect with. I really enjoyed the romantic plotlines (mainly Cece and Ellis, but also Mance's). I had never heard of heir property; it's terrifying to imagine losing your home in this way. Watching the siblings finally come together and fight for their home was such a relief.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Terah Shelton Harris is quickly becoming one of my favorite and must read authors. I loved this book, although not quite as much as One Summer in Savannah. The story was compelling and the characters felt so raw and real. I definitely recommend- I think this one will be a great summer read!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC

This sweeping family story will grab readers from the very beginning through the end as the Solomon siblings react to the death of their father and wrestle with their family legacy. Each with their own troubles and reasons for what they believe is the best outcome, each character is well developed and intriguing. With an interesting focal point on the topic of heir property and Black Southern land ownership, this is a memorable and immersive story.

I was not sure what to expect when I received the ARC of Long After We Are Gone to read. It sounded interesting but little did I know how much it would draw me into the story of the Solomon family. I love a family drama and Long After We Are Gone did not disappoint. There is intrigue, love, romance, sex and violence. The characters are sharply drawn and although many make questionable decisions I still found myself rooting for them and caring about them. I also learned about "heir property", something I was not well aware of. The author explores many hot button topics like crime, prejudice, homophobia, overeating and blackmail.

The book is extremely well-written and given that it includes multiple characters and points of view, it is a testament to the author and editors who kept everything clear and easy to follow. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in family relationships, history and law. Terah Shelton Harris is an author to watch. I have heard of her first novel, One Summer in Savannah, now I will seek it out!

4.5 stars
As intergenerational trauma grips the Solomon family, Harris weaves a tightly woven tale focused on the four children of recently deseased King Solomon.
The story involves the Solomon children fight for their rights to the Kingdom, 200 acres, which has been passed down as heir property. I had only heard of heir property once before and Harris gave a description in her Author's Notes prior to starting the novel. This was very helpful. It really is a way for modern laws to continue to "legally" steal property and wealth from Black families.
As the siblings fight for their land and legacy each one takes their turn in narrating the chapters. It can be difficult to read with multiple narrators, but Harris handles the writing with ease. There were times where I didn't like most of the characters, but Harris kept the story going and by the end you were routing for all four of them.
The novel does include plenty of trauma scenes, but again Harris gives an eloquent explanation before you start reading.
My only complaint was that the story took awhile to develop and I was about 2/3s of the way through before I was really vested in the outcome (about the time we started learning about Hazel.)