Reviews - What You Leave Behind

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434 reviews for:

What You Leave Behind

Wanda M. Morris

3.95 AVERAGE

serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

What You Leave Behind follows Deena Wood, who has returned to her childhood home in coastal Georgia following the death of her mother, the end of her marriage, and the loss of her prestigious job at an Atlanta law firm. While there, she meets a man who chases her from his land, believing she has been sent by developers who refuse to accept he doesn't want to sell. When he mysteriously disappears and his land is sold, she can't help but dig a little deeper. This book has got a little bit of everything. There are some very strong thriller vibes as well as a second-chance romance storyline, some family secrets, and a little supernatural element. What particularly interested me was its showcasing of the issues with heir's property, something which has been used to deprive primarily Black people of their land. Interestingly, this was a key plot point in another of my recent reads, a nice case of bookish serendipity.

Content Warnings

ssura's review against another edition

2.0

reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

tesia_5's review against another edition

5.0

Mind-blowing, thought-provoking, intense…

This book captured my attention from the beginning. From the plot down to the characters, the “OG duo” (Uncle Duke was hands down my fave). The author did a fantastic job with balancing everything that is covered in the book. Corruption, murder, racism, spirituality, and history are what you’ll encounter with this book. Alongside with grief, community ties, and legacy. I loved reading about the elements of the Gullah Geechee people. I have a friend that is Geechee and that made this that more interesting! Furthermore, I loved Deena’s character and following her story alongside her family.

This is my third book I’ve read by Wanda Morris, and she certainly did not miss!