Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you are not reading Nathan Harris you are just missing out, plain and simple. In his sophomore effort, Harris brings us down to Baton Rouge a few years after the end of the Civil War, but our main characters Coleman and June, sibling slaves, were separated by their master and have yet to find out they're no longer slaves. When Coleman receives a letter summoning him to Mexico to reunite with his sister and their master, the rest of the scheme begins to unfold.

The setting, the characters, the depth of the historical accuracy...chef's kiss all around. This story was so compelling and you just feel the heat and the dust of this perilous landscape enfolding these characters. I absolutely loved this book and I think it will quickly become a top read of 2025 when it releases in September. I never read the Sweetness of Water but I am quickly adding to my TBR. Amity is an easy 5 star read.

Vivid, luminous, affecting: this book is absolutely terrific.

Told primarily from Coleman's perspective as he embarks on an epic journey to reunite with his older sister, June, the narrative also has periodic chapters that reveal how she has navigated their years apart. Both siblings endure so much--June, with nearly superhuman grit and endurance, and Coleman, with an optimism and intellect that keep him buoyed even in deeply distressing situations. (Seriously, the boy loves his dog, and that little mutt was imperiled way more than my heart could take.) The story does not flinch from addressing the cruelties these Black siblings face in the years leading up to and shortly after the Civil War, but it does not sensationalize them; Coleman and June's different forms of resilience are the focus of the story, even as their traumas are named.

Both Coleman and June experience transformative and often harrowing adventures before they are reunited. I was engrossed all the way, even when I felt like my blood pressure was rising from anxiety for Coleman and his travel companion, Florence, daughter of the household where they'd formerly served.

Truly a wonderful and absorbing tale, and one I'd recommend to anyone looking for a good historical that illuminates often unexplored aspects of the Reconstruction Era.

Beautiful story! Loved following Coleman & June’s storylines. Enjoyed the author’s writing style. Great book! Thank you NetGalley!

I have read thousands of Civil War stories, from battlefield journals, to history books about the war. But I have read very few post civil war stories. I found this story of a brother and sister, emancipated from slavery, still not really having freedom and the adventure that Nathan Harris takes us on across the Mexican desert fascinating.

The story begins in New Orleans, but quickly moves out to the country before their former master takes June (the sister) to Mexico to escape reconstruction and find new wealth. Coleman, along with the wife and daughter, head south looking for them. It is an amazing tale of resilience on the part of the siblings and they daughter.

I enjoyed Harris' writing style and found that the pacing (except for a few places) was excellent. It was a book I didn't want to put down. To be honest, when it ended, I wanted to know more!

I highly recommend this tale of harrowing adventure and the search for the meaning of real freedom.

Thanks to NetGalley, Little Brown and Company, and Nathan Harris for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited to read Nathan Harris' second book! The Sweetness of Water was one of my favorite reads earlier this year. Amity did not disappoint. This book was set during the reconstruction era, which is not talked about as much the civil war era when it comes to American History. Seeing black characters heal from and overcome the horrors of slavery was such a valuable perspective and honestly something we could use more of. Pick this up if you want a sensitive and nuanced look into the intersection of race and gender in a unique historical setting. A must read for any historical fiction lovers. (Also for anyone wondering, the dog lives!)

Amity is a deeply emotional and, at times, emotionally exhausting story. One that pulls you into its highest highs and lowest lows. The alternating POVs of June and Coleman create a unique push-pull rhythm that almost mimics a rollercoaster: June’s chapters are faster-paced and plot-driven, while Coleman’s slow-burning, character-focused perspective asks for your patience and introspection.

As an older sibling, I found myself identifying most with June—her urgency, her protective nature, her grit. But it was Coleman, who completely ran away with my heart. He’s softhearted, optimistic, and a people-pleaser—almost to a fault. There were moments I wanted to shake him, hoping he’d finally snap out of his need to appease and rise to meet the situation. But when he doesn’t change in the way I expected, I felt that was the point. Coleman’s journey isn’t about transformation through rage or rebellion. He holds it all in. He wears a mask because that’s the only survival tool he knows. And that is what broke me. His emotional endurance is quietly devastating.

This story will stick with me for a long time. Nathan Harris has created characters that feel deeply lived-in, and while the pacing may be uneven, it mirrors the unpredictable, often disorienting rhythm of grief, growth, and survival.

I started this book with very few preconceptions and was surprised many times over before the end. I suppose I expected an adventure. Brother sets out to reunite with sister, crossing wild desert filled with unsavory sorts and inhospitable terrain. And that’s certainly where it seemed to be heading in Coleman’s rambling, almost florid voice. But then June starts to tell her story with her frank, unimpressed voice and we begin to realize how much horror is hidden below Coleman’s mask of erudition. Each time the story reverts back to June, another layer is peeled away, over and over again, forcing the reader to confront the depths of corruption that slavery foments.

In contrast, Coleman encounters many men along his journey who wear their morality on the surface. These men don’t participate in slavery, per se, though that’s not out of any moral fortitude. Unlike Coleman and June, who are forced to bear cruelty and violence without any hope to power, these men seize some small measure of power by continuing the cycle of violence.

This was a deeply uncomfortable read. For most of the book, it wasn’t one I much liked either, though June’s journey from stoic despair to independence kept me engaged. The halting and sometimes roundabout storytelling is perfectly paired to our narrators’ characters, adding an imperfect, humanizing layer to the recounting. The story jumps ahead and back and sometimes never quite connects, showing us only what is important to the narrator. Everyone is this book is flawed, most irredeemably so. But it was INTERESTING. It was CHALLENGING. And in this present day, as we watch our American government tear at human rights on a grand scale, it was a RELEVANT reminder in a way I sincerely wished it didn’t need to be that deciding any individual or group of people is lesser is certain to end in evil.

Many thanks to Little, Brown and NetGalley for the ARC! The opportunity pushed me to read something far outside my usual comfort zone and I’m so grateful I did, as uncomfortable as it was.

Wow wow wow. The adventure and pacing of this are similar to that of “James.” Which, if you know, you know. The depth of character development and even the setting as a character completely immerse readers. I wanted to continue reading not only because of the plot, but I felt deeply for Coleman and June, and what happens to them. I literally haven’t been on the edge of my seat reading a novel since “James.”

What also made this fresh was the concept of freed slaves
In Mexico. This was a more unique exploration than what’s currently in the literary canon. The vivid descriptions and the experiences that each character has in Mexico could be a whole character study in and of itself.

I am so glad I read this. Thank you netgalley and the publisher!

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this second novel by Nathan Harris as part of Camp NstGalley. The story is told from 2 POVs, siblings and former slaves, June and Coleman and is set in post Civil War New Orleans, Mexico and Texas. As former slaves, June and Coleman have their freedom but continue to live with and work for the Harpers, a middle-aged couple and their adult daughter, Florence. June and Coleman are separated when Mr. Harper takes June to Mexico as part of a group to start a settlement that will keep Southern traditions. Eventually, Coleman is summoned to Mexico and boards a ship along with the Harper women and an incredible journey begins while June is having adventures of her own.
While the story is engaging and creative, the book is also very character-driven. The adventures described are fantastic and life-changing and the character development is superb. Like The Sweetness of Water, this story is very different from other historical fiction, the plot is unique and the characters are so interesting. The book is well written and a pleasure to read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

📖⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📖

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the E-ARC of this book. It was a wonderful Camp NetGalley read.

From the Author of The Sweetness of Water comes this beautifully put together work of historical fiction.

It’s 1866 in Louisiana. Though the Civil War is over and enslaved people have technically been emancipated from their enslavers, we know that it was not so simple. And neither were the lives of brother and sister, Coleman and June. When June is taken to Mexico by Mr. Harper with promises of a land of milk and honey, she has little choice but to do as she is told and Coleman is left behind to see to the rest of the family. After he receives a letter from Mr. Harper requesting Coleman’s presence in Mexico, he has no other option than to go and hopefully reunite with his sister. Tragedy after tragedy, Coleman is now fighting for both his life and the life of Mr. Harper’s daughter, Florence, as they make their way through the Mexican desert. They have no idea what they’re in for as they battle thirst, hunger, and thieves.
This book transported me right alongside Coleman and Florence as they fought for their lives on the dusty and suffocating frontier. Nathan Harris is an extremely talented young writer, and the research he puts into his novels is second to none. I highly recommend this book and you’ll have a hard time putting it down!

June and Coleman are siblings...raised as slaves in Louisiana by the Harper family. As the Civil War ends, both siblings should be considered as free persons, but the master of the house Wyatt Harper is not accepting of this fact. He decides to take June (whom he is obsessed with) with him to Mexico and create a fortune through silver mining.

When Muriel Harper and daughter Florence are shown a letter from Wyatt that requests Coleman to come to Mexico to help retrieve June whom is reported as abducted by Indians, the three (plus adorable dog Oliver) begin an odyssey that will take them through the Mexican desert.
Mexico at this time (1865) is a land in turmoil: the French army (currently in control of the government), Juaristas are Mexican rebels that are trying to regain control of their country, and slave traders sent from the US to recapture and return slaves all make the country a very dangerous place.

Both Coleman and June will experience many horrible things as they remain hopeful in reuniting. Will they also find the freedom and security of a home that they can call their own? INCREDIBLE adventure scenes in this book. This is a must read.

Thank you Netgalley/Little Brown and Company for this eARC.

"A gripping story about a brother and sister, emancipated from slavery but still searching for true freedom, and their odyssey across the deserts of Mexico to finally reunite, all while escaping a former master still intent on their bondage."

It is just after the Civil War when Coleman leaves New Orleans with his master's daughter and wife to find his master and sister, June. Although emancipated, they find their harrowing journey proof that they must take their freedom in hopes of being reunited. June's experience is expertly threaded in with Coleman's adventure.

The writing is absolutely exquisite with perfect pacing, and I found this to be a riveting, vital read. What could have been a boring travelogue through the Mexican desert is a captivating and essential addition to emancipation literature. The bond between siblings is quietly revealed and imprinted on your heart as well as the bond between human and animal. The strangers they meet along the way that come to their aid restore your faith in humanity after seeing those who exploit and hurt others for gain. I was captivated from start to finish and will be thinking about Coleman, June, and Florence for a very long time. Nathan Harris is a brilliant voice in literature, and I can't wait to see what he writes next.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little Brown and Company, and Nathan Harris for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

#Amity #NathanHarris #LittleBrownCompany #NetGalley #CampNetGalley #ARCreview #historicalfiction #bookreview #bookrecommendations #Bookstagram #2025TBR #anticipatedbooks #nytbestsellingauthor #OprahsBookClub #BestBooks #NetGalleyReviewer #bookinfluencer #booklover #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #EmancipationLiterature #booksbooksbooks

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!

This book drew me in right away. The characters were so well written and their affectations described so perfectly I could picture them in my mind. I liked that the story was told mainly from Coleman's POV, but we also heard his sister, June's, story in third person. I found myself feeling sympathetic for characters I didn't want to be, especially in the desert scenes. And I loved little Oliver!

Harris did an excellent job of creating a historical account with a ton of accuracy without losing the storytelling touches. I recommend this one. I bet it is great on audio, too. 4.5 stars rounded up.

I am so grateful to the publisher, Little, Brown and Company, and the author, Nathan Harris, for the privilege to read this advanced copy through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. I highly recommend this novel that is well researched and enjoyable to read. The author has a fantastic writing style that captures the reader's attention right from the start. I didn't want to put the book down.

The story is set in Louisiana right after the Civil War. The reader travels with the protagonists, June and Coleman, who are black slaves. Their treatment by their "owners" (Wyatt Harper and his family, Mrs. Harper and Florence are difficult. I loved the relationship of Coleman and Oliver, Florence's terrier, throughout the story. Oliver brings comfort during challenging times.

This is not just another book about slavery. It is a story about the two separate journeys of Coleman and June with hardships, abuse, and survival. While it sounds heavy, there are also times of rewards and joy. There is courage, happiness, love, support, and joy during challenging situations. Character development is outstanding. Amity is a place that brings hope.

The book ends like it begins. I loved it and highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed. Well done, Mr. Harris, and thanks for a great read!

Amity follows a brother and sister, Coleman and June, who were freed from slavery but are still chasing real freedom and each other across the rough terrain of the post Civil War South and the deserts of Mexico. Separated for years, their paths twist through danger, betrayal, and unlikely alliances as they try to reunite and outrun the people who still want to control them. It’s a powerful, emotional story about family, survival, and what freedom really means when the world keeps trying to take it back. Truly enjoyed taking a step back from fantasy and romance to devour this book

I loved his debut novel and was so excited to read this. I thought this book was beautiful. You will fall in love with these characters. I loved the relationship between the main character and his dog. This story will make you gasp, cry, and laugh. I loved this book a lot.

Amity, the second novel by Nathan Harris is a beautifully written story of historical fiction, telling the journey of Coleman and June, brother and sister, set in 1864. Enslaved to the Harper household, June must accompany Wyatt Harper to Mexico as he attempts to start a new life. Coleman then follows along with Mrs. Harper and her daughter Florence. Coleman’s goal is to reunite with his sister and start a new life.

This novel is very much about the journey, both physical and emotional, of Coleman, as he grows from a fearful young man to a man of courage and determination all the while staying true to his expressive nature. The writing is so descriptive and eloquent that the reader will want to savor each word even as they are experiencing a range of action from nearly drowning in the ocean to battling others in the desert. The end of the novel is perfect. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will want to read this novel, as well as readers of general literary fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

A strange, but heartwarming story of two siblings torn apart at the end of the Civil War and their journey to find each other.

I received a temporary digital copy of Amity from NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Despite the United States outlawing enslavement, siblings June and Coleman are still very much enslaved by the Harper family. June is forced to follow her master, Mr. Harper, in search of a more prosperous life in Mexico. Coleman stays in New Orleans with Mrs. Coleman and their daughter, Florence, until Mr. Harper sends a letter and a highway man demanding Coleman's presence in Mexico so that his sister may return to Mr. Harper. Will the family survive the journey to Mexico? Will Coleman and June be reunited? Will the Harper family find the prosperity they are looking for?

Five stars for Amity - I loved Harris' characters, especially Coleman, Florence and Oliver. I was thoroughly engrossed in the Coleman's POV chapters and although June's chapters weren't as thrilling, they provided so much depth to understanding Coleman and the siblings experiences as enslaved persons.

I couldn't put this book down, and I really tried so that the story would last longer. I tend to be cautious when reading books that involve slavery or the antebellum period, however, this touched on a part of our history that I rarely get to see in books. Set post civil war, Coleman sets off on a journey to reunite with his older sister, June, who travelled down to Mexico from Louisiana some time earlier. As the story unfolds, the true nature of this journey is revealed as both Coleman and his sister (as it is told in dual POV) must fight even harder for their freedom, happiness, and to each other.

I loved the character development in the FMC and MMC as they both had to address the traumatic life they once lived and needed to decide how they would move forward after they left it all behind. I truly appreciated seeing the Mexican exodus of formerly enslaved people as well as the journey West to freedom. The dual POV allows us to see how both Coleman and June's stories and triumphs are both significant and as well as their individual growths and changes as a result. Upon finishing the book, I had tears streaming down my face for the last chapter and epilogue. Absolutely loved this book. I truly hope it ends up as a film.

This historical novel is quite an interesting and breathtaking read. It tells the story of the struggles of the confederacy after the civil war. It is interesting because even though the slaves were free some of the plantation owners were trying to find a loophall in keeping their slaves. One of the former slaves Coleman will stop at nothing to make sure his sister returns safe and sound. Even if it means having to follow his former slave master to the silver mines of Mexico. From there he will learn the true spirit of freedom and for fighting for what is right.

This is the second stunning novel I have read by this author. The writing is beautiful, and the sad story about a family after the fall of the Confederacy, and two of their former slaves was absolutely gripping. The crazy white man decides that since he can't make enough money to keep his dysfunctional family living in the style to which they have become accustomed, he will go down to Mexico and get a silver mine. Oh, and he'll take the young woman ex-slave with him to take care of all of his needs. His plan did not end as expected. It's a complicated scenario with a lot of characters, good and bad. There is a great amount of heartache, but ultimately salvation and emancipation. It was a very emotional read for me, and I loved every bit of it.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.

This is a beautiful book. Based on a time that seems so hard to even comprehend now. Characters you love and some you downright loathe. This book has all the feels and you won’t regret reading it. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

In 1864 New Orleans, emancipated but not freed, brother and sister slaves Coleman and June have been separated. June went to Mexico with her master, Mr. Harper, while Coleman was left to take care of the abandoned family. Unexpectedly, a letter arrived from Mr. Harper ordering Coleman to come to him and June in Mexico. Coleman begins his journey to find June and freedom unprepared for what he is to endure.

I was drawn to this book by the cover and the description, and I was captivated by the prose, the plot, the characters, and the history. Living in the desert Southwest, Nathan Harris's depiction of this environment ran true to me. I could feel the dust, dirt, heat, and thirst. I LOVED everything about this book.

Thank you, Little Brown and Company and Net Galley for the advanced copy of this amazing book in exchange for my honest review. Ten Stars if I could.

I am new to Nathan Harris's works not having read his debut novel, but this new book's promise of an epic odyssey lured me in. I was thoroughly engrossed in the story of formerly enslaved siblings June and Coleman. While June is brought to Mexico with their former master -- for what both siblings hoped would not be forever -- Coleman remains with the master's family in New Orleans. One letter from the master, Mr. Harper, sets Coleman and the family he serves setting off for Mexico to reconcile with Mr. Harper. This trip to and across Mexico is fraught with challenges and colorful characters. Coleman narrates his journey first person and this alternates with third-person recountings of what has been happening to his sister June during the same time.

Obviously on the heels of the US civil war there's a complexity to race relations, and this is made even more complex by the fact of the characters in this book traveling to Mexico and interactions with both Mexicans and indigenous peoples. One thing that was a little hard for me to keep straight in my head were all the different races and ethnicities of the characters. June and Coleman and the Harper family were simple, but then we add the Turlow brothers, William, etc and it got a little hard for me to remember each person's unique background and context. Despite that being a little more challenging for me to keep straight, this was likely the reality of the time, and the author did really capture that complexity.

One thing I would have liked would have been an afterward in the book about the history of this time period. This was not completely fictionalized by the author, and it's not a period of U.S. history I am familiar with so I would have liked to have more context in which to set the story. I know the author did recommend some additional books about the time period, but I would have appreciated a page or two giving me some facts about that time period of U.S. history and any exodus to Mexico by both blacks and white families.

All in all though, this book was a singular read about a time period I knew next to nothing about. It was captivating and delivered on promise of taking the characters -- and the reader -- on an epic journey (both physically and emotionally!).

What a beautiful book. I have not read The Sweetness of Water, but will be adding it to my TBR! With powerful story-telling and well-developed characters, Harris has crafted an emotionally gripping tale set during the Reconstruction Era. Definitely a stand-out read for 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC!

This is one of those books that lingers — the kind you close slowly and sit with for a while before moving on. Amity is a sweeping, deeply human story about the unshakable bond between a brother and sister, and the way love endures through hardship, change, and time.

I’ll admit, there were moments where the pacing felt a little slow, and I thought I’d land on a 4-star rating. But then I read the epilogue — and it completely reframed everything. That final chapter was so moving, so perfectly in tune with the heart of the novel, that it elevated the whole reading experience.

Nathan Harris writes with such tenderness and precision, weaving a story that feels both timeless and intimate. The sibling relationship at the center is rendered with so much care — their love is protective, complicated, and unwavering, and I found myself aching for them in both their struggles and triumphs. The prose is lush without being overwrought, and the emotional beats land with quiet power.

This isn’t a book you race through for the twists — it’s one you sink into, letting the characters and setting wash over you until you feel like you’ve lived alongside them. By the end, I was grateful for every slow moment, every pause, because it made the payoff so much richer.

A truly beautiful, resonant novel that will stay with me for a long time.

Amity is a gripping story from beginning to end and almost impossible to put down and will no doubt be many a Book Club choice.

The book is beautifully written with unforgettable characters that will steal your heart.

It is a story of love, a quest for freedom, family, adventure, joy along with sorrow and so much more that my review could never do this book justice.

Coleman departs on a journey to find his sister June and things dont always go smoothly. Its an ardouous journey that will have you feel you are there as well.

I have had The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris on my TBR list for a long time so I am getting it off the shelf and bumping it up on the list as I so love his writing and story telling.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the absolute privilege of reading and reviewing Amity.

It's 1866, and formerly enslaved Coleman is a servant in the home of the Harper family. There is little difference between life as a slave and being free. Wyatt Harper had taken his older sister June to Mexico, which was under French rule, with dreams of making a fortune. Coleman had been left with Mrs. Wyatt and his daughter, Florence. They soon travel to Mexico to reunite with Mr. Harper and help him locate June, whom he informs Coleman, by letter, has been abducted.

Through June's storytelling, we learn of the dangers encountered in Mexico and her desire to escape Wyatt. When June meets Isaac, a Black Seminole, she wonders if he could be her chance at real freedom and possibly love. Coleman, who had spent his life reading, is unprepared to be a protector. The journey across the Mexican desert to find Wyatt and June is fraught with mishaps, including run-ins with a pair of criminal brothers and a Mexican gang. June finds hope in a town named Amity, and Coleman never gives up the search for his sister.

If you read Nathan Harris' 2021 debut, The Sweetness of Water, it was clear that we were being introduced to an exceptional talent. In Amity, we are again treated to his beautiful writing and another unforgettable book. It is a captivating and emotional tale featuring complex characters, especially Coleman, who finds a strength and maturity he didn't realize he possessed. His bond with the Harper family's dog, Oliver, who also travels to Mexico, was incredibly heartwarming. The storytelling, especially Coleman's narrative, takes its time and requires some patience, which is richly rewarded.

This was one of my most highly anticipated books of the year, and it did not disappoint.

I totally enjoyed the novel,Amity. It had several perspectives that all came together at the end. I found the historical info very informative too. The gist of the story:Brother and sister are slaves to a Louisiana family who are not nice people(no surprise),Civil War ends,all slaves are now free. June and Coleman,the sis and bro,have no place to go. Mr.Harris,owner, goes to Mexico,and makes June go with him,to find silver mines. Eventually Coleman,Mrs Harris and daughter,Florence are beckoned to join in Mexico. Many complications and disasters happen,Coleman and Florence with their dog,Oliver finally find June who is happy and Mr Harris who went totally insane, after two years of being apart.All ends well!
The story is full of adventure and is a fast read. I really wanted to get to the end to see what happened to the characters I felt close to,even Oliver,the dog.Thank you NetGalley,author,Nathan Harris and Little Brown and Co for the arc ebook.
Amity goes on sale,September 02,2025

This novel swept me into the heart of post-Civil War America, where freedom is promised but not easily claimed. Coleman and June’s story is both heartbreaking and inspiring—a vivid reminder that the end of slavery didn’t mean the end of struggle.

The author paints 1866 New Orleans and the Mexican frontier with such raw beauty and tension that I felt the dust, the danger, and the desperate hope in every chapter. What moved me most was the bond between the siblings—separated by cruelty, but never by love. Coleman’s unwavering faith and June’s quiet resilience shine through, even as they face betrayal, violence, and the harsh truths of a fractured nation. Florence, Mr. Harper’s daughter, adds unexpected depth, showing that redemption can come from unlikely places.

This is not just a historical tale—it’s a testament to courage, endurance, and the power of reclaiming one’s destiny. If you’re drawn to stories that honor the human spirit and illuminate forgotten corners of history, this one will stay with you long after the final page.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the privilege of reviewing this book.

This historical novel about a brother and sister, newly emancipated from slavery after the end of the Civil War, swept me up right from the first page. Most of the book focuses on Coleman, who has remained as a servant to the Harper family who used to own him. Coleman is smart, loves books, and is a little awkward with people. His sister June had been taken by Mr. Harper to Mexico, where he has dreams of getting rich with silver mines. June's story is interspersed with Coleman's, and I found both siblings equally compelling. Coleman's journey to find his sister in Mexico is filled with unexpected twists and turns, interesting characters, dastardly villains, and lots of heart. Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for a digital review copy.

This was my first book by Nathan Harris, but it certainly won’t be my last. From the very first page, I was drawn in by his lyrical prose and masterful character development. Harris has a remarkable gift for capturing both the beauty and the menace of the haunting deserts of Texas and Mexico, where danger seems to linger at every turn.

At its heart, Amity is an adventure story, following siblings Coleman and June as they struggle against staggering odds in their quest to be reunited. The narrative brims with suspense, yet it’s also infused with tender moments of love, hope, and connection, brought to life by a rich and memorable cast of characters.

Beyond the gripping storyline, Harris illuminates the profound challenges faced by newly freed slaves, weaving in themes of resilience, survival, and humanity. It’s both an engaging journey and a poignant reflection on a pivotal moment in history.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, and Nathan Harris for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

There's a lot about this historical fiction read that I loved - primarily the attention to details, the characters (especially Coleman and Oliver) and especially their resilience. Amity is als0 set in a time period I haven't read/seen much in the way of recent historical fiction set during, which also caught my attention.

[Also ... the cover art!!!]

I did struggle with the pacing at times - simply because I was reading this while under the weather!

4.5 stars rounded up ... I now want to snag this in audiobook form once released.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company for this ARC read!

I was enthralled.. no... i was immersed...no...i was captivated. This was an interesting story. It pulled me in right from the beginning i loved June and Coleman and this book will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you little brown and netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Amity is a well-written account of siblings Coleman’s and June’s journeys from New Orleans to Mexico post-civil war. It was told through a unique lens by mostly taking place in Mexico. There were memorable moments in which I was super locked-in, but also sections where I zoned out. Although some of the pacing was a bit slow, the ending was satisfying.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was gripping, adventurous, full of intrigue and suspense, and HEART. I loved it. The writing and the characters were top notch.

Nathan Harris has done it again. He has blessed us with richly drawn characters interwoven among a dangerous and unforgiving landscape. Amity takes place in post-Civil War Louisiana and Mexico. Enslaved people have been granted freedom and yet we see how bondage runs deeper than mere laws. Siblings, June and Coleman, have been fortunate to remain in the same household until their former master, Mr. Harper, decides to seek his fortune in Mexico taking June with him. Coleman later follows with Mrs. Harper and their daughter, Florence. Through the lenses of both June and Coleman we witness their harrowing experiences and their incredible tenacity and determination to find each other again. This is not a novel to be devoured quickly, but to savor and appreciate the journey.

June and Coleman are emancipated slaves who've stayed with their former owner. While they are legally free, they remain beholden to Wyatt Harper. Wyatt takes June on a journey into Mexico to make a fortune mining, while Coleman remains behind with Mrs. Harper and her daughter, Florence. Out of the blue, Mr. Harper sends a letter requesting that Coleman join him in Mexico. Mrs. Harper reads the letter as a request for her and Florence to also join Mr. Harper, and the three embark on a sea journey. Much will change for all three along the way, just as things have changed for Mr. Harper and June on their journey into Mexico.

Through the lens of the Civil War's aftermath, Nathan Harris explores what it means to be free and to belong.

New Orleans 1866
The Civil War has ended, slaves have been emancipated…but June and her brother Coleman have lived their entire life with their owner Wyatt Harper and his family. They can’t think of anywhere to go or how to survive if they leave.
Wyatt decides to leave for Mexico.. thinking he will strike it rich building railroads and mining for silver… he takes only June with him, as he wants her above all else.
Leaving behind his wife and grown daughter. Coleman is now alone without June.
So this story becomes a real adventure..first a ship accident as Coleman and Mrs Harris and daughter Florence leave for Mexico.
Then it becomes as a dangerous western as it goes back and forth from Wyatt and June in Mexico… to Coleman’s journey with Florence through Mexico to reunite the siblings.
Loved this as much as the author’s first book The Sweetness of Water!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Available soon!

Wow! This was my first book to read by this author but definitely not my last! This book will leave you wanting for more and the characters and storyline stick with you long after you finish it. Do yourself a favor and pick up this page-turner!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was so so good, and I am pleased to know that I have a copy of Harris’s previous book in my library already. Coleman is a character who I rooted for the entire time. He’s so mild mannered and in many ways just completely unprepared for a journey in the desert. I felt many things while reading and the prose was so engaging. If you’re on the fence about this, definitely pick it up.

Such an incredible book! I’ve been meaning to read this authors debut novel, The Sweetness of Water, so I was really excited to be able to read his new book. Amity is one of those rare type of books that will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading it. I didn’t want this one to end that I kept going back and rereading pages and taking notes. I was engaged the entire time and savored each page. The writing style is brilliant with descriptive and vivid imagery that makes the reader feel absorbed in the story. Such a unique and important subject matter and I highly recommend everyone read this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review and feedback.

Nathan Harris' The Sweetness of Water was my favorite read of 2021 so I was super excited for the opportunity to read his newest title.

Amity absolutely delivered on my very high expectations. Opening in antebellum Louisiana, Coleman and June are brother and sister and former slaves. Free, but with nowhere to go and no resources, they find themselves at the continued mercy of their former master. June was sent to Mexico by their master and Coleman has remained in a desperate hope of being reunited with his sister. When he realizes that his sister may never return he sets off, with his master's daughter, to find June.

A gorgeous, touching tribute to family and resilience, Nathan Harris' Amity is the best historical fiction I've read in sometime. Lush prose and beautiful characters fill the pages.

Nathan's novel is a poetic work of art about siblings Coleman and June, who were emancipated but still not free.
Ripped apart by their master who had no claim to them.

Amity is set in post civil war Louisiana and Mexico as we follow the siblings harrowing journey to find each other.

Harris shines a light on the challenges faced by newly freed slaves. It's definitely a story of resilience,courage, and survival in a poignant time in history.

Thanks to @littlebrown , Netgalley and @nathanharrisauthor for my advance copy.

Amazing! This book was stunning. The writing was poetic, descriptive, and emotional. The story an adventure.
Coleman and June are brother and sister and also slaves working for the same family. It's after the war and they are free, but don't have the resources to leave. June is taken to Mexico by her former master as he seeks land and fortune. Coleman is summoned by the former master and his journey begins.
I can't say enough good things about this book and it is a treasure - a story of grit, determination, survival, and June and Coleman's journey towards being reunited and going after their freedom.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

In 1866 New Orleans a newly-freed Coleman embarks on a perilous journey to find his older sister June, who was taken away to Mexico by her and Coleman’s former master. As Coleman is looking for June he is hunted by marauders who aren’t interested in the fact that he is no longer a slave. At the same time, June who hasn’t broken away from her master finds some peace in a small village. As they search for each other, they must also find a way to exist in a hostile environment. Amity is a story of strength and perseverance, of love and determination and, most importantly, of family and what people will do to get their family back

"What I knew-perhaps the only thing I knew-was that my heart still burnt like a flame at the prospect of who I might find at the other side of the sea. That if there were any chance I could reunite with my sister, the one person who would make me whole, there was not a single body of water I would not traverse to see her"

Tender. Traumatic. Promising.
That's the emotional rollercoaster I rode while reading the story of siblings Coleman and June. Their bond is so profound, so unshakably strong, it's the single force that keeps them moving forward, no matter what life throws their way.

Historical fiction is quickly becoming my guilty pleasure. It takes me a little longer to get through because every time I learn something new, I fall into a rabbit hole of research. I have to know more! Each character in this story has their own grueling journey through the Mexican deserts of the 1800s. The only promise they carry is that love and purpose will last only as long as the world allows it.

Coleman and June are sold and ripped away from their mother, then torn apart again for the sinister purposes of a man who, by law, had no claim to them. They were supposed to be free, but “freedom” proves to be just another lie.

This is a violent, yet soft portrayal of love. Richer than a seven-layer chocolate cake. You get lost in Coleman’s tenderness and are held upright by June’s unwavering strength. Coleman was my favorite. I loved his strangeness, which really wasn’t strange at all. Just someone too big, too complex, for a world determined to make him feel small, less than nothing.

As always, Nathan reminds us that we are not just readers we are witnesses. He threads each twist, each cruel turn of fate, with the tension of a suspense novel. But then the truth settles in like a slow ache: this isn’t just story. This is history. A history so brutal, so unbearably real, you find yourself wishing it were fiction.

He doesn’t just tell their story he lodges it in your bones. You carry their fear like a second skin, turn each page with breath held tight, chasing flickers of hope. And when you finally see them—truly see them—it feels like a kind of homecoming. Like they’ve been waiting for someone to remember.

I highly recommend you open this book and take the journey to Amity.