Never has a novel ever made me thankful that I was not the executor of my mom's estate. Thank you for that gift, Mom. Besides that, I couldn’t not finish this book. While insightful, it also was dry and read like a personal journey that no one was enjoying.

Thank you NetGalley & TENZL for an advanced reader copy. #Estate #NetGalley

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I am quitting this at 34%, just after the narrator has explained in excruciating detail how (as executor) he has closed down his late mother's bank accounts. There are a lot of such descriptions. While I am intrigued by the missing marriage certificate - although will this be a mystery or just an opportunity for more bureaucratic detail?- and the hilarious brother Ethan who speaks in religious platitudes and wants to sue the estate, I can't get into this.

Five stars. As a 50-year-old avid enjoyer of fantasy and sci-fi, I was shocked when this moving work of realistic family fiction touched my heart. Shelley is a fantastic storyteller. This slowburn commanded my attention. After finishing the last page at 12:30 am, I placed the book down and sat in the dark of my apartment for an hour, contemplating Estate’s powerful messages.

Through the eyes of the main character Tim, I saw a complex journey unfold. This voyage made me feel. It made me cry. It made me laugh. And most importantly, it made me reflect about my own family, and our relationship. Estate made me contemplate how beautiful yet fleeting our time on this earth is. After reading, I have vowed to mend some of the rifts in my own family.

Drawing upon the high praise of Kirkus Reviews, Shelley truly is an “exceptional novelist.” Estate is a must read.

Tom Watts, the oldest son of the Watts family has been appointed executor of his later mother’s (Holly’s) estate. Holly was a gregarious and involved mother, who often guilt tripped her sons, Tim, Matt, and Ethan. Tim is the stabilizing force of the family, while Matt is happily married to his husband, Isaac. In contrast, Ethan feels as if he doesn’t fit in and makes that widely known. The youngest of the brothers (Jeff) was beloved by all, and died while saving a colleague. This novel cleverly explains the complexities inherent in settling an estate after a relative has passed. The story is complemented by well-developed characters, and it certainly feels authentic, as I’ve dealt with settling an estate. At times, the book was bogged down by intricate details, that did not keep my interest. At times, it was too detailed on estate management, and seemed like a how-to manual. The writing was easily understood, and the character development, I found enjoyable. Readers who enjoy family dramas will like this book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my review.

The synopsis of this book was very intriguing, however the book itself fell flat. It seemed as though the author couldn't get the traction to tell what, by all indicators, would have have been an interesting story.

As a probate solicitor (in the UK, not America, where the book is based) I was intrigued by the premise of this novel. It’s incredibly informative, and I learned an incredible amount about the - very different - process of winding up an estate in the USA.

The characters in the book are all very well-drawn and the story is tightly knit and persuasive and develops organically. I had to check twice that it wasn’t memoir as it seems so well informed and natural.

My reservation about this book was the fact that it felt slightly too much like a how-to guide, combined with a cautionary tale about how a badly planned estate can cause problems for family left behind. This is very true, but I started to feel that the story itself was becoming hidden behind the message. I also expected some of the leads to go further than they did (a missing marriage certificate was teased at least three times and I thought would have a juicy impact on the estate division, but no).

That said, it’s well written and punchy and it’s easy to read and enjoy. A solid 3.5 stars and I was pleased to have had the chance to read it.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A gritty family drama about closing out the estate of a mother who left a bit of a mess for her heirs.

such a thought filled and thought provoked novel written with such master skills. i was transported into the family and what they were going through. the legal process at such a time seems almost painful! its like on one hand you understand why it is the way it is but on the other you feel sorry for all involved not only the family or individuals. but it still never felt too heavy and it was still the story i was immersed in.
it was a step away from my usual book and i thoroughly enjoyed it.