"Model Home" by Rivers Solomon is a haunting and powerful novel that turns the traditional haunted-house story on its head. The story follows Ezri, Eve, and Emmanuelle - siblings, who grew up as the only Black family in a lily-white gated community outside Dallas. Ezri, raising their 14 year old daughter Elijah alone, suffers from depression, haunted by ghosts from the past that won't leave them in their peace. Meanwhile, their disciplined, controlled, high achiever sister Eve is raising her twins alone in Texas, and their youngest sister Emmanuelle is shining as a rising star on social media.

When their parents pass away, the siblings return to their childhood home, only to confront the dark and unexplainable events that plagued their family. The odd events from their childhood home left them with invisible and physically painful scars. They thought the house was haunted, but no one believed them when they tried to speak up. As the only black family and a wealthy, white, privileged neighborhood, they always felt like outsiders.

This a pretty dark and thought provoking thriller. There are multiple triggers (rape. mental health) to be aware of in reading. Please check those before diving in here. Solomon masterfully intertwines themes of segregation, racism, and family trauma, creating a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio for this audio copy. I thought the narration of Gabby Beans truly furthered my enjoyment of this book. This is a book that is going to divide readers into two camp - those who love it or those who don't. I liked it! Ultimately for me, this novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring impact of systemic injustices.

Great read for spooky season came at the best time and loved the take on this type of story and had some very surprising moments

Slay.

What an incredible book. I am a SUCKER for haunted houses and this one slapped. It was a bit on the heavier side and excellent.

It follows a Black family that moved to an all WHITE neighborhood in the suburbs of Texas. Dual time line with the kids coming back as adults because they haven’t heard from their kind of estranged parents in a while to find them both dead in the house that haunted their childhoods.

Deals with grief, abuse, transphobia and racism.

Thanks to netgalley and Macmillan audio for an alc

This book manages to deal with grief, abuse, trauma, racism, and family dynamics all within a haunted house story. I was genuinely scared and shocked throughout the story and the TWIST, OMG! Fans of Jordan Peele’s horror movies will absolutely devour this story.

Model Home tells the story of the only black, queer family that moves into suburbia and the horrors they eventually escape. At the news of their parents death, now adults themselves with families of their own, the children must go back and face what has happened to them in the house where they grew up.

Model Home subverts the haunted house trope—it is not the house that is haunted, but the people, by the life they are born into, by the stereotypes imposed on them, by the ingrained racism of suburban neighbourhoods and “perfect” cookie cutter houses. The insidious actions of abuse and hate that can take place within the cover of such a glossy, outwardly normal setting.

The book is beautifully written for horrific subject matter, and I often had to pause just to relisten to a particular sentence because it was such a masterstroke. The gruesome nature of the novel is made more evident in its absolutely masterful writing, these gorgeous literary descriptions of the lives these children have lived. There are many quotable moments throughout.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for offering a copy of the audiobook in return for an honest review.

Is it a Rivers Solomon book if it isn’t a doozy of generational trauma? This was such an excellent book and did so much with blending psychological horror and an unreliable narrator with a story of recollecting how the past shaped the present. I love how Ezri and Eve and trying to break generational cycles with their children, even if it’s not easy and not always a success. There’s also really great elements about how refusing to leave a place that you’re unwelcome in can cause lasting harm, as Ezri’s mom never wanted to move away from the white gated neighborhood they were never welcome in and experienced so much trauma by staying. The last quarter or so absolutely gutted me as things were revealed and pieces fell into place, but I also love that in the end the book has a note of hope and possibility.

I really loved the narration, though there were parts where it was hard to distinguish if it was a stream of consciousness or multiple people talking back and forth, which in some ways added to the enjoyment because of Ezri’s unreliability as a narrator and the ways they dissociated. It sometimes made the story feel distant and like a dream-nightmare.

What a unique and brilliant take on a haunted house story. I wasn’t sure what was going on at first, but the author kept me interested to hang in there and find out. I’m so glad I did.

A dysfunctional black family buys a house in an upscale, white privileged neighborhood. The children’s young lives in this house and neighborhood were things of nightmares. The siblings are now nearing middle age and are back at the house due to the unexplained death of their estranged parents. There is good LGBTQ representation in the story. There are also many social issues, racism and a ton of triggers you will want to check out if you have sensitivities.

I’d highly recommend listening to this one on audio since Gabby Beans is perfection as the narrator. This story will likely not be what you are expecting, but it’s so worth the read or listen. The writing is spectacular and the twist at the end is so well crafted and shocking.

Thank you to @maclillan.audio @netgalley and @rivers.solomon for an advanced
listening copy.

An enjoyable social horror. This was my first Rivers Solomon book and it lived up to what I expected to find in their novels. The question of course being are the monsters real or are they just part of us. A few things I saw coming - but isn't that the point of stories that explore generational trauma?

The narrator was fantastic.

Solomon's haunted house story is non-traditional, following the aftermath of the haunting and the cyles it's a part of rather than the immediate violence. While uneven, the narrator elevated the text and will bring it to a wider audience.

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.

“Children, I miss your screams. Come play.”

I read a few haunted house stories recently that have all been fresh and unique. Model House definitely fits that bill. A very well written and paced novel. The narrator did an equally excellent job. The tone and cadence were pitch perfect for the story.

Looking forward to reading more from this author.

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.
The audiobook, though, is very well done. The narrator has a perfect voice for it. I honestly liked the audiobook narrator better than the book itself. lol
I highly recommend the audio version.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for allowing me to listen to a free audiobook copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ezri is living their new life in London with their daughter when the death of their parents brings them back to their childhood home, a once model home in a very white Texas suburb. While Ezri and their sisters were growing up, horrific things happened to the three of them that they attributed to something supernatural in that house. Escaping it was the only way they could get away from the horrors. When their parents die, the three are forced to face the things that brought them unspeakable pain in their youth.

I had a hard time trying to rate this book. I don't want to leave any spoilers but finding out the truth at the end was the scariest thing about this modern day horror story. Solomon's prose is beautifully written, but the way Ezri talks about their sister at times sounds downright incestuous, and I can't say I've ever heard anyone talk about their family in such a weird way. That was not something I enjoyed reading. Maybe in the end this book just wasn't for me, which I totally get. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Gabby Beans was a great narrator and really brought the story to life.

This book was devastating in a way I doubt my ability to ever recover from. Definitely check content warnings, but do read it.

Genre: horror
Texas, present day

A creepy haunted house story, set in the Texas suburbs in a gated community. Adult siblings, Ezri, Eve, and Emanuelle Maxwell know something is amiss and return to the house that tormented them as children to discover their parents are dead. Is it a murder suicide? Or is it the house out to kill them, like the slow torture they all experienced when they were younger.

Told primarily from the perspective of oldest sibling Ezri, who has brought their daughter from England, the story traces the reckoning of growing up Black and trans/nonbinary in a world that didn't know how to label them. Each of the siblings has their own ghosts to face. It's a haunted house story, but also the story of racism in recent history in the south.

I'm a scaredy cat reader over any jump scare horror, so rest assured this book isn't that. There's creeping, looming horror and social horror, but it isn't particularly "scary" except on an intellectual level.

Rivers Solomon is a lyrical writer, which makes this book especially good on audiobook, and narrator Gabby Beans brings the right level of dramatics to the story.

3.75⭐️ rounded up

I am thankful to have gotten the ALC for free from Netgalley and Macmillan Audio so I can leave my voluntary review.

Well… this was way more than I bargained for. In reading the description of the book I thought I was getting a horror story but what I got was so much more!

I’ll mention that you need to be prepared to read this book. If you have trouble with LGTBQ content this isn’t for you. It would be a shame as maybe you would learn something about acceptance but everyone is at a different part of their life journey.

While it’s a horror story on his surface it delves into sexual and race dynamics and fully addresses it in detailed format. The writing style won’t be for everyone. It’s not an easy or fluffy read. It takes paying attention and even some self reflection.

I listened to the audio book which I think helped with the material. The narrator did a good job however it was absolutely necessary to speed up the rate to make it listenable as it was wayyyyy to slow.


As far as the story, o would make sure to check your personal triggers as the book is heart wrenching as you take the journey with the siblings as they age and deal with their life circumstances and past upbringing.

It comes out today! October 1 2024 so while deep, it’s perfect for spooky season reads.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Rivers Solomon continues to impress with their thought-provoking and emotionally charged writing. Model Home is a haunting horror novel that delves into complex themes such as abuse, grief, mental health, and racism. Solomon's ability to craft intricate narratives is on full display, as they weave a story that is both chilling and deeply resonant.

Gabby Beans's narration is a perfect complement to the novel. Her emotive voice brings each character to life, giving them unique personalities and adding depth to the story. The audiobook format enhances the listening experience, immersing the audience in the world of Model Home.

While Model Home is a powerful and impactful read, it's important to be aware of the heavy topics it addresses. The novel contains HEAVY stuff, and readers should check the trigger warnings before checking it out.

Overall, Model Home is an eery, captivating, and thought-provoking novel that will stay with me for a long after I’ve finish the last chapter.


Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Rivers Solomon for this ALC for my honesty review.

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!

This audiobook was narrated by Gabby Beans. She did an excellent job with the characters.

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!

Model home

Kicking off October with this haunted house read. This book follows the story of the Maxwell family. As one of the first black families in their neighborhood, they are weary but excited for a fresh start and entrance into an upper middle class society.

Growing up, the siblings remember strange things happening around the house, but they stuck it out. Flash to the future and the siblings have moved out, but are called to return when their parents are found dead in the home.

Ezri (who identifies as they/them) is one of our main characters, along with siblings Eve Emanuel. Ezri feels like the loner of their family, raising their child on their own while battling depression in contrast to Eve, single mom of twins who is thriving. Emmanuelle is popular and constantly trending on social media.

Ezri has constantly felt like the ghosts of his past childhood home stayed with him but feels ridiculous for speaking up. They weren’t believed then, why would them be believed now ? Do their siblings feel the same, too? And did their parents die the way it is presented or is there a more paranormal force at work?

The correlation between the events of this book and racism / homophobia is intense. I loved how these themes were tied in and the symbolism beyond a haunted house to American society as a whole was apparent for me.

The narrator was plenty spooky and filled with emotions as the main character describes their trauma and haunting of their ghostly experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC / ALC in exchange for an honest review. Out in 10/1/24!

Here is yet another darkly layered and trauma filled novel by Rivers Solomon - just in time for Halloween Reads Season!

Model Home follows three siblings: Ezri, Eve, and Emmanuelle, as they struggle through the shocking loss of their parents and are forced to return to the haunted house in the racist neighbourhood that they grew up in. As they grieve and simultaneously attempt to unravel their parent’s recent past, they uncover painful family secrets and are forced to confront all of the childhood trauma they endured.

While it’s heavy on grief and trauma, Model Home is also about the horrors of racism, classism and homophobia. I enjoyed so many aspects about this book; the haunted house in a racist gated community, the siblings bond, their sorted feelings towards their parents, and their battle to break their inherited generational trauma.

This was my third Rivers Solomon book. I read and loved both Sorrowland and The Deep last year. This one reminds me of Last House on Needless Street - steeped in trauma while keeping you guessing right until the very end.

I listened to the advance audiobook via #netgalley and @macmillan.audio It’s expertly narrated by Tony award winning actress Gabby Beans. It officially publishes tomorrow, October 1st and I cannot recommend it enough!