Wow. Powerful characters, siblings fighting over the fate of their family "Kingdom" in this strong novel- "Long After We Are Gone" by Terah Shelton Harris. Much conflict, opposing forces, and trauma, playing out, being revealed, and slowly resolved. A good book! Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

This is a story of 4 siblings that return home upon their father's death They are all individually fighting their own battles Their house It's getting sold out from under them and they have to find a way to save it. The house is referred to as the kingdom and their father asked them not to sell to the big corporation that is trying to buy it for a 200 Room resort hotel.
This was an interesting book that was educational on heir property that is passed down with no will and testament. This is how many colored people lost land In the south for a long period of time.
Although educational this is not my normal read and I found it A bit boring and long winded It's not something I would pick up again but it's definitely something other people would probably enjoy

I think this book, is much too busy with character and situational drama. Some of it you could see coming a mile away. The basic setup is a family attempting to hold onto property that has been in their family for well over a century. The four siblings share turns as primary narrators and this helps keep the pacing even, but as each of their back stories gets filled in, the incredibility of their actions really damages the narrative and pushes the book into comic territory and gives it a YA feel. Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for an advanced DRC.

Terah Shelton Harris' "Long After We Are Gone" is a powerful exploration of family, legacy, and racial injustice set in post-Reconstruction America. The novel centers on the Solomon family, who are dealing with the death of their father, King Solomon, and the uncertain fate of their ancestral land, known as "the Kingdom."

Their revered yet enigmatic father leaves the four Solomon children without a will, sparking a struggle over the family’s 200 acres, vulnerable due to its status as "heir property." His final admonition—“Don’t let the white man take the house”—sets the stage for the siblings’ fight to preserve their inheritance and his legacy.

Junior, the eldest, struggles under the weight of his father's expectations while trying to balance his roles as a vice president, husband, and father. His brother Mance, a talented carpenter like their father, battles his own demons, including a volatile temper and the challenges of raising a deaf son. Their youngest sister Tokey is burdened by years of caregiving, and faces her own crisis manifested through an eating disorder. Meanwhile, CeCe, the estranged sister living in New York City, grapples with financial insecurity and moral compromises.

Unfolding through alternating viewpoints, each sibling's narrative contributes to the broader tapestry of familial and societal challenges. Harris expertly weaves themes of generational trauma, mental illness, and financial insecurity into the fabric of the Solomon family’s story, making their personal battles resonate with the reader. Harris's mastery in handling multiple viewpoints and intricate plotlines ensures that the story remains engaging and cohesive. The historical and emotional weight of the narrative, combined with Harris's beautiful prose and keen insight into human relationships, makes this novel a compelling and unforgettable read.

Harris’s portrayal of the Solomon family is rich with compassion and depth, making their struggles and triumphs feel both unique and universally relatable. The novel’s setting in the lawless, civilian-run town of Diggs, North Carolina, and its poignant exploration of racial relations add further layers of significance.

"Long After We Are Gone" is not just a story about a family's fight for land; it is a profound meditation on legacy, identity, and the enduring impact of the past.

I really love Terah Shelton Harris’ writing style! Her books are very character driven that help propel the story forward. Her characters are all fully realized and there are a lot in this book!
Four siblings come home after the death of their father to deal with over 200 acres of land that has been in their family for generations. Only problem is the lack of a will. This heir property could be stolen right out from under them all.
Each sibling has their own baggage they bring back to the Kingdom. I loved this family drama and will read whatever Harris writes next!

A story of family history and ownership of land from early slave days and how a family comes together to try to prevent the loss of their home despite all odds. Each family member has their own deep seated issues to deal with on this journey, coming together in this common goal.

Siblings try to save their home after their father dies---but each are fighting their own demons and have their own problems that must also be resolved. I found myself caring for each character and hoping they would find their way through their issues and problems.

3.5 stars

The Solomon family have owned 200 acres of former plantation land since their ancestors who were slaves on the plantation, were able to buy it once slavery ended. Now that King Solomon, the family patriarch has died, the Solomon siblings must come together to keep developers from taking part of their land. Each of the four siblings is also dealing with personal issues, secrets and conflicts amongst themselves.
As the saying goes, “ I really wanted to like this book” but it was definitely not for me. The premise of the book had so much potential but the characters were just so unlikable. The character development was overshadowed by too many unnecessary distractions such as their sexual exploits and petty disagreements that added nothing to the story. I lost interest quickly with this one.

Long After We Are Gone is an important story that needs to be told. All of the characters are flawed and it’s hard to decide who you’re rooting for, but the legacy of the Solomon family is felt from beginning to end.

Four siblings are brought back to their home estate after their father’s death. They are shocked to find out that because he did not have a will, their property is not secure. Part gets sold off by a relative and they must fight to keep the rest.

I thought the premise here was really interesting. I did not know about heir property and its history in our country. I enjoyed that part of it. The characters were all so flawed that it was hard to read for me. I also didn’t like how it would character shift multiple times within a chapter with just a small break to indicate it.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was the perfect summer vacation read! I highly recommend to all. The cover is also beautiful which is always a bonus!

I am so glad to say that I enjoyed this book. I picked it up on NetGalley just as I was embarking on One Summer in Savannah because the author and the topics she writes about seemed right in my wheelhouse. Unfortunately, One Summer in Savannah really did not work for me and I was afraid to start Long After We Are Gone. Thankfully, Long After We Are Gone really hit all the marks I was hoping One Summer in Savannah would hit. This is a straightforward family saga about four adult siblings trying to honor their father's land and legacy after his death. The siblings are characterized well and seem like real people who made logical choices for who they were. I loved following their journeys.

Torah Shelton Harris writes gripping family dramas that will leave your jaw on the floor. Long After We Are Gone is set in NC and we see the story unfold through four siblings after their father King dies. Family secrets, family legacy, sex, betrayal, and more… A riveting read.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC.

Another great read from my latest favorite librarian author! A well-rounded portrayal of modern family angst still navigating the waves of American racism. The struggles faced by each family member is nuanced and well thought out creating compelling individual narratives who learn about themselves and each other throughout this plot. I read this in one sitting and am excited for the next novel!

I am a huge fan of Terah Shelton Harris so I was thrilled when I received this ARC! Long After We Are Gone was different from her debut novel in that it wasn't so much a romance, but a family drama. I wasn't aware of the history behind the book but found it very interesting! I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in an ensemble book centering on family.

A family drama that is interesting, based on true events, and invokes many emotions. I did not read the first book by this author, and may go back and read her prior book not that I have read this one. I enjoyed her writing style, and I found it comfortable and inviting. Such that it made you feel like you wanted to sit under a comfy blanket with a cup of coffee and indulge in this story.
This is the story of 4 siblings trying to recover and lead the life they should after their father dies. Each sibling is struggling in some manner. Events from the past affect their future and they are all trying to live up to what they believe is their father's expectations for them.
There are 4 POVs and I think the author did a great job portraying each character and telling each sibling's story.
I would like to have seen more character development of the father and his relationship with each of his children, and there a few holes in the storyline that if filled, would have made a more rounded story.
Overall it is an engaging book, and I enjoyed reading this book.
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.

An important book about heir property and about how blacks were swindled out of their property for decades after gaining their freedom. The characters here are complex, with different motivations for what they do. The author does not pussyfoot around with rightful anger and angst that the characters have and even though the ending was a surprise, it shouldn’t have been. I loved all of the siblings equally and the book makes their actions understandable and justifiable. The book was a page turner even up to the very last page.
Thank you NetGalley for a ARC.

Thank you NetGalley & Terah Shelton Harris for the opportunity to read this book!

This book follows the story of 4 siblings all grappling with their own struggles and demons that have to band together when there’s a threat to take away their late-father’s property. Each sibling’s story could be its own novel, rich with drama, guilt, shame, romance and redemption. Harris does a fantastic job of telling each sibling’s story and weaving them together for one tear-jerking tale of familial love. This book made me angry at the many years of inter-generational trauma and systemic oppression the family experiences. Even though it’s a fictional story, I know that there must be so many stories like it that exist in real life. Thank you to Harris for shedding light on issues that we must continue to work on in our world today.

This book is a must read!

Thank you for allowing me to read this book as an ARC.
This book did not catch my attention and interest at all. The story fell flat for me and it appeared that nothing was really happening. I felt like it just went on and on without getting anywhere. The characters were unlikeable and their individual stories felt sad. Neither had anything exciting going on for them. I also did not like the continuous sexual content as, in my opinion, did not go well into the storyline. While I enjoy a good family drama, this one didn't do it for me. This is the first novel I read by this author so I am not sure if her other books are similar.

Thank you very much @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris. It's a family story that explored an area I knew nothing about-heir property. When black families were finally allowed to buy land, they were not informed about how to leave it to their children, and in many cases died without wills. Laws were set up so that these descendants were not protected, and could not inherit the property. This book is the story of 4 siblings who have grown apart, but come back together when their father dies and they realize that the heir property situation puts everything he had worked for in jeopardy. It's a great family story, and also a commentary on history and racism. Definitely worth reading. #longafterwearegone #terahsheltonharris #netgalley #advancedreadercopy #heirproperty #bookstagram #lovetoread #familystory #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #socialcommentary