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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
I love the focus on grief and being a good descendant or ancestor.
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It didn't take long for Wanda M. Morris to become one of my favorite authors, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on What You Leave Behind. I loved the basis of the story here, and it was all very mysterious. Deena was a very empathetic character and I got wrapped up in her sleuthing after the man she meets disappears. I learned so much through this book and it also made me think about things I knew nothing about going in. I was wrapped up in it from the very start, and there is plenty of suspense as the story goes on. This could easily be read in a day and is so gripping that it made for a bingeable read for sure.
I listened to the audiobook as per usual and thought Joniece Abbott-Pratt & Lynnette R. Freeman did a great job as narrators. Besides Deena's viewpoint, we also have another POV, and it took me a bit to figure out who/what that was supposed to be. The supernatural element to that was a little confusing TBH, and I almost wish that POV hadn't existed. I would have preferred to get full realization through Deena, but when I neared the end, I did appreciate it a bit more. What You Leave Behind left me feeling shook and was a heavier read with a bit of humor. I will also say that the author's note is a must-read, and if you enjoy learning about timely issues with your fiction I would definitely give this one a read!
I listened to the audiobook as per usual and thought Joniece Abbott-Pratt & Lynnette R. Freeman did a great job as narrators. Besides Deena's viewpoint, we also have another POV, and it took me a bit to figure out who/what that was supposed to be. The supernatural element to that was a little confusing TBH, and I almost wish that POV hadn't existed. I would have preferred to get full realization through Deena, but when I neared the end, I did appreciate it a bit more. What You Leave Behind left me feeling shook and was a heavier read with a bit of humor. I will also say that the author's note is a must-read, and if you enjoy learning about timely issues with your fiction I would definitely give this one a read!
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
I enjoyed this book so much I read it in less than 24 hours! I literally couldn’t put the book down and when I did all I could think about was what was gonna happen next. I love Wanda’s writing style and the way that each chapter ended on a high note meaning I absolutely had to keep going. This story felt a little different than most thrillers to me and after reading the Author’s Note taught me something new about the racism with property laws. The ending was a little underwhelming as I pretty much figured out who was behind everything by the halfway mark. There was only one person who caught me by surprise lol. Now I must read the authors other stories because I’M HOOKED!!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What You Leave Behind
by Wanda M. Morris
4/5 ⭐️
I was excited to read What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris as part of a traveling book swap. This book revolves around the characters, especially the strong-willed Deena, who is determined to overcome her obstacles. The way Deena puts her grief aside to help others shows her resilience. And it’s impossible not to love Jimmie and Duke. These two were the biggest teddy bears until you messed with them or Deena.
Rich themes of family and legacy run throughout the story. Morris’s research and incorporation of Gullah-Geechee culture, beliefs and historical detail enhances the plot. Read the Afterword carefully to learn more about the issue and the people who inspired this novel. While I enjoyed the inserts of Delilah’s inner thoughts (the audio was fantastic 🤩), I could have done without the paranormal activity, particularly during the ending. Wanda Morris is a new author to me, but I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
by Wanda M. Morris
4/5 ⭐️
I was excited to read What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris as part of a traveling book swap. This book revolves around the characters, especially the strong-willed Deena, who is determined to overcome her obstacles. The way Deena puts her grief aside to help others shows her resilience. And it’s impossible not to love Jimmie and Duke. These two were the biggest teddy bears until you messed with them or Deena.
Rich themes of family and legacy run throughout the story. Morris’s research and incorporation of Gullah-Geechee culture, beliefs and historical detail enhances the plot. Read the Afterword carefully to learn more about the issue and the people who inspired this novel. While I enjoyed the inserts of Delilah’s inner thoughts (the audio was fantastic 🤩), I could have done without the paranormal activity, particularly during the ending. Wanda Morris is a new author to me, but I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
Ugh! Wanda Morris does it AGAIN!! She knocked it out the park with this paranormal-esque mystery suspense that transfers between two different time periods! Entertain me, school me! Give me real life style thriller vibes! Dy-no-mite 💥
Deena is in limbo. She’s not loving her job, recently divorced, grieving her mother, and feels quite dejected. One day she goes out to where she feels her mother’s presence the most. There, an old man threatens her to get off his land because he’s not selling.
Excurse me, sir?! She hurries away, but she’s left intrigued. What is the deal with this man and this land? After doing some research and snooping, she finds out about a long seedy history of companies taking over properties from Blacks - even if they have to kill.
This shocked the shit out of me, because Heiress Property! Someone’s property can be sold or acquired if there’s no legally designated owner. I want to learn more about this for personal knowledge, and wish I’d known about this while my elders were still alive.
Is this real?! Yes! It’s happened to so many of my elders. So much of our land has been taken from us with no one knowing what to do, how it happened, or where to even start to get it back, if we can!!
Quite a few people commented that they figured out who was behind all the crime, but I had no clue. Totally blindsided, here!
This, coupled with some drama, family secrets, history, guidance from the ancestors, a little touch of romance, and Uncle Duke who stayed ready to “set it off in this MF”, topped with the Geechee style I’ve come to love made this another WM banger & my top read in July!
Gimme more, Wanda, give me more! Get yo hands on this one nowww!!
Gonna talk to my parents about this HP and make sure they sign them papers! ✍️
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes