The proposed idea behind gated communities is that they keep the horrors out; but all too often people overlook that those gates can also hide horrors within.

Normally, I’d take you through the plot of this story just a little bit, but I honestly believe this book is best going in blind. The official blurb isn’t 100% accurate but it’s accurate enough to get you started.

One thing the blurb does get correct is that this isn’t your usual haunted house story. The ghosts that haunt the Maxwell siblings are numerous: historical, generational, parental, personal, and maybe even supernatural. The lion’s share of the family’s burdens fell on Ezri, the eldest Maxwell sibling, who was different even apart from being black in a white-as-snow neighborhood. Even as kids the Maxwell siblings knew it wasn’t a good idea to be the only black spot on a white canvas in the suburbs of Dallas. It made for an unhappy childhood and an unhappy family.

Rivers Solomon writes about race, queerness, childhood, and trauma in a very raw, almost poetic way. The prose in some passages reminds me of early Pahalnuik (think Invisible Monsters), with these repetitive phrases containing slight word changes that seem to hit harder each time they land. Model Home isn’t polite or refined. It isn’t pretty or kind. This book is about a horrible mother, discontented sisters, parental alienation, racism, homophobia, mental illness, child abuse and predation, pride in being black, but so much internalized hate for who you are apart from being black and where you came from.

One of the main differences between a thriller and a horror is that horror asks us “what” is causing the conflict. In the case of Model Home, Rivers Solomon is asking us, “What isn’t causing all of this horror?”

(Last note: So many snaps to Solomon for excellent LeGuin allusions and references! I swooned.)

I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Disability Rep/Ghost Fiction/Horror/LGBTQ Horror/Literary Fiction/Supernatural Horror

3.5 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!

It was hard to get into Model Home at first, and I think that was mostly because Ezri was such an unreliable narrator. They were fascinating and interesting, especially their relationships with their sisters, but I had a hard time getting a read on them. I think the hardest part about it was the fact that the narration skipped time and POV without much warning. It made it equally hard to get a feel for when and where we were.

With that in mind, it was truly a spooky book. The little we got in the way of information about the house was enough to send chills down my spine. Ezri's anecdote about kids taking bets to spend time in the house with one going missing was chilling.

All in all, it was a truly creepy look into the way race, gender, and family in an affluent white neighborhood.

Rivers Solomon's Model Home is an unrelentingly haunting tale centered on the Maxwell siblings - Ezri, Eve, and Emmanuelle. Their childhood in a gated community outside Dallas, where they were the only Black family, was marred by strange and terrifying events in their home at 677 Acacia Drive. This traumatic past has kept them at a distance from both the house and their parents in adulthood. The siblings' forced return home following their parents' mysterious deaths sets the stage for a confrontation with their history. As they delve into family secrets and attempt to unravel the truth behind the house's disturbing occurrences, Solomon crafts an atmosphere of intense unease and palpable dread.

I already love reading about the complex dynamics between the siblings, and Solomon's portrayal of the family kept me invested throughout. I found myself particularly drawn to Ezri's perspective, though it was often a difficult and heartbreaking place to be. Spending time in Ezri's head was truly horrifying at times, as their trauma and struggles were so vividly portrayed. Model Home was not anything like I expected. Solomon doesn't pull any punches when it comes to dark themes and disturbing scenes - it's a brutal read, no doubt about it. But I found myself unable to put it down, even when it made me uncomfortable. If you're up for an intense, unsettling read, this book offers a bold, unconventional take on the haunted house story. It'll make you think, and it'll take you deep into the heart of family secrets and hidden horrors.

This was my first experience reading Rivers Solomon's writing and this book was fantastic! It wasn't sure what to expect when I was reading the story. I love the take on the haunted house theme. This book will definitely keep you on your toes and keeps you guessing. I can't wait to read more from Rivers.

Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC!

This literary horror features a wry and wise narrative voice and an intriguing premise: the main character is summoned home because both parents have died, and it's clear that it’s not from natural causes. But only the siblings think to wonder if the causes might have been supernatural, because of the weird things that happened in that house during their childhood.

4.5 stars
Model home was not what I expected, but it was so good. Rivers Solomon had a beautiful way of writing and it’s always so impactful.
The timeline was a tad hard to follow at the beginning with flashbacks and POV changes, but after a while it was easier especially since all the characters were so distinct.
These characters were very complicated and real. The story follows a family that is very dysfunctional and traumatized and very real.
The ending was not what I saw coming at all and was hard to read but done so well.

Please read trigger warnings

*thank you NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A harrowing horror story. This one knocked the wind out of me. It spooked me. It sent goosebumps up and down my arms. And it still got more horrifying than I expected. It sent me to this dark, dank place of silence. That was simultaneously all too loud.

This book was so different. The author, incredibly talented, with a writing style that was like a painted picture. It was velvet, raw, and horrifying. There was so much wisdom and depth packed into this book. It touched on social justice, social awareness, what it means to be someone “other” in this world. It truly makes you question who, or what, the monster really is.

This is your warning, though. There are heavy trigger warnings. I go into most books blind, and the turn this one took nearly brought me to my knees.

All of that said: this was terrifyingly beautiful. Wow. Rivers Solomon is one to watch for.

This book definitely turned out to be not what I expected at first, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it.
On one hand, I liked what I got from it - it is a haunted house story, just not in the most conventional way. And the siblings dynamics was appealing to me.
On the other hand, for the exact reason that this book wasn't not 'haunted' in the most traditional way, I felt disappointed.
Gotta say: I'd never read a book by this author before, so I had really no idea what to expect from their writing or mannerisms.
Somethings I liked, some others I didn't.
I can easily see other readers enjoying this book more than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux for allowing me to read a free arc copy of this novel.

Rivers Solomon’s new book, Model Home, is a rip tide of a psychological horror novel. It sucks you in and once you’re in there’s nothing to hold on to--no safe ground. If you’re familiar with their work, this book has almost all the things you remember loving about An Unkindness of Ghosts, or Sorrowland. (Personally, I’m missing the fungus, but that's a personal preference thing, not a comment on quality.) I’ve been following Solomon’s career with interest since the days of An Unkindness of Ghosts, and the quality of their language has only gotten better. The sentences in Model Home are whips and nooses, cutting off my breath, and making me wince with pain.

Ezri’s and their siblings grew up the only black family in a white enclave in Texas. It wasn’t easy even in the best of circumstances, and this is not the best of circumstances. Ezri is neurodivergent, and troubled, and their house is DEFINITELY haunted. Then Ezri’s parents die in what looks like a murder suicide. But the siblings know that the house definitely killed their parents....or did it.

The story unfolds non-linearly, and borderline experimental prose, as we learn about trauma, family, and resilience. If you like Solomon’s other work, you’ll like this, though I had to read it in small doses as it feels too claustrophobic, raw and personal to take in all at once. I’ve given up trying to predict where they will go next, but I for one will be eagerly awaiting Solomon’s next book.

I received an ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Model Home follows the Macwell siblings, who return to their childhood home to reckon with their past and their parents' death.

Rivers Solomon continues to demonstrate an absolute mastery of thematic richness, and it's this mastery that keeps me coming back to their books. Model Home is a haunted house tale that doesn't always feel like a haunted house tale, but unwinds the nuanced dynamics of racism and modern life in the south in a manner which is marvelously haunting and thought-provoking. It's an intense read, often a difficult one, but remarkably clever and incredibly gripping. Perhaps it is not the most traditional Horror Season read, but I think Model Home is a book I will be revisiting and recommending annually around this time of year.

So creepy. So eerie. The perfect, quick haunt to start your October off right! Highly recommend to anyone looking to set the tone for the spooky season!

Thanks to NetGalley and MCD for the digital ARC!!!

Model Home by Rivers Solomon- ebook ARC from NetGalley

Ever read a book and feel like you need a Ph.D. just to understand the metaphors? Welcome to Model Home! With its creepy house and haunting pasts, this is the perfect book to read when you want to feel spooked *and* slightly inadequate. 😂

Rivers Solomon’s writing is so stunning that I found myself staring at the page, squinting, and wondering if I was missing some deep, hidden meaning. (Spoiler: I probably was.) But that’s part of the charm, right? You’re swept away by this eerie atmosphere, sinister secrets, and then—boom—the last few pages hit you with a gut punch that leaves you blinking like you just emerged from a dark cave.

It’s unsettling, it’s mysterious, and it’s definitely *not* a book you casually read with one eye on your phone. If you’re looking for a spooky season read to keep you up at night and leave you questioning your own intelligence, Model Home delivers. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it, but hey, sometimes feeling unsure is all part of the experience!

Would I recommend it? Sure! But only if you’re ready to be haunted… by both the story and the nagging suspicion you missed something brilliant. 😅

Model Home is a terrifying look at trauma and the way it shapes our lives and family dynamics. Ezri's memories from their childhood home are awful and inexplicable. Along with their sisters, Eve & Emmanuelle, Ezri became estranged from their parents for many years. All three siblings had known evils from which their parents didn't protect them. That initial ominous text that reunites the trio and cracks open their trauma forces them to heal together -- even as it simultaneously tries to tear them apart.

This disturbing and heavy book had me riveted from the start. Solomon is definitely one of the best literary horror authors and Model Home only cemented that fact. The only reason this wasn't a five-star read for me was that I felt that the storyline and POV of Ezri's daughter Elijah was disjointed. I understand that Elijah was most likely included in order to demonstrate the cyclical nature of trauma. However, her POV arrived late enough in the story to leave me feeling like it didn't quite fit the rest of the narrative.

This was a solid 3.5 star read for me. I found the description to be deceiving and i kept waiting for the horror part of the book to kick in. I think I would have enjoyed this more if the description was clearer that it is not a horror story of a haunted house, but more a dissection of family traumas and dynamics. When I read I like to be in the right headspace and anticipate the genre of the book, which this did not match. With that being said, I did enjoy the overall storyline but felt it could have been less disjointed, which made it somewhat difficult to follow.
I do think the articulation of an African American family living in an affluent neighborhood that is prominently Caucasian was well done, and actually I would have liked Solomon to dig in more on that and flush that out more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar,Straus, & Giroux publishing for an advanced digital reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A fabulous book that explores generational trauma, race, sexuality, gender, etc. While the house in this book is a character, it's really the relationship between the siblings that kept me going.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

An absolutely chilling short novel about a house tormenting a family of 5 but not in the way you might expect. Unputdownable, this is the story of family, trauma and what it means to be a person.
Rivers Solomon writes in such a way that you feel it, you feel it all, right down in your bones. This was my first time reading from this author but it certainly won't be the last.

For a more in-depth review please find my spoiler free YouTube review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIPeZq-4KSY

This is a tough book to rate. I truly loved so much about it: the prose, the eerie blurry story, the themes of the book..but it sadly ended up being a miss for me in the end.

Model Home shows siblings Ezra, Eve and Emmauelle as they return to their childhood home after their parents death.

This book is marketed as a haunted house story but it truly was so much more. The themes discussed are relevant and important. The writing is poetic and beautiful.

I probably would’ve liked it better in the end if it didn’t take it so far in one direction just to fully and completely pivot in the opposite direction. I wish I loved it more but based on other reviews, most did!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

This is a tough one and I don't think I can give it a rating...

I love Rivers Solomon's writing style. It's beautiful and complex and evokes so many emotions, no matter the plot. That worked so well with this particular story since it dealt with incredibly heavy themes of abuse, grief, and racism. With that said, I didn't particularly wanted to feel all of those feelings at this time.

There was also a bit of mismatched expectations when it came to my reading experience. I initially wanted to pick this up due to the haunted house premise and, while this did fit that trope, it wasn't in the way I was looking for. This dealt very much with the element of human monstrosity and the horrifying things human beings are willing to do to each other. I wish I had known that before reading this so I could have better prepared myself.

A big spoiler and content warning for the novel: <spoiler>the twist at the end, when we find out about what really haunts the house/characters, is childhood sexual abuse. I tend to avoid books that have that as a significant plot point. That wasn't possible to do here because the eARC had no warnings of any kind about sensitive subjects.</spoiler>

With that said, if the above is not a problem for you: the non-linear narrative with an unreliable narrator + the very tense and eerie moments were very well written! You might want to give this a try.

I’m embarrassed to admit that this is my first Rivers Solomon book; but I *have* been aiming to read them for many years. Glad to report that this was an excellent place to start.

*Model Home* is a spooky, unsettling read; I felt unmoored for most of it, and that’s because readers are guided through the story by a rather unreliable narrator. It’s not their fault, we can tell immediately. They come from a family that looks amazing on the outside: super successful Black parents decide to move from New York to Dallas, Texas, where they buy what was a model home in a gated community. From the start, weird things happen in that house, quite as if it’s haunted; but then, with everything else that’s going on, it’s hard to know what’s true.

And then the parents die.

I could not put this down. The pacing was perfect; the reader doesn’t really get a chance to breathe. I had to know what the real deal was, because why was everything happening, and…so confusing?! This isn’t horror, even though there are ghosts; the surrealness of it fits much more neatly into weird fiction. And all of these characters are wonderfully realised (boy, I *really* thought that one character would turn out to be the villain twice over).

Beyond that, there’s the emotional heft of *Model Home*. The main character is non-binary, and they’ve been through a lot as a result of that (think Type A mom who doesn’t get them, in addition to, well, everyone else out there); and then so much more on top of that when they move into that house. And then now, as an adult, they have a child, and Solomon’s exploration of how bewildering that would be if you were only just barely hanging on yourself is wrenching.

Solomon is an exceptional writer. This’ll be one of my favourite reads of 2024; highly recommended!

Many thanks to FSG and to NetGalley for early access.

This isn’t your typical haunted house story. We follow a group of siblings are who coming together to figure out what killed their parents after leaving a home they felt was not safe years before.

This was such a unique story. Delving into so many important issues like racism and segregation while also giving the eerie creepy feeling, this book was packed with interesting dialogue and realistic characters. I felt like I knew the mom by the end of this and feel we can all relate to some degree. I love when a book is so much more than it appears!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Rivers Solomon, and Macmillan Audio for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review. This publishes today on October 1st!

I have posted my review on Goodreads, my Facebook book club, and will make a TikTok to post before the pub date raving about this book!