Model home takes us through the lives of the Maxwell siblings as they continue to navigate their distance from the white suburbia they were raised in outside of Dallas. Being the only Black family in the neighborhood, the neighbors were nice enough, but upon moving scary unthinkable things began to take place within the home. Was it ghosts? Demons? Whatever held power, the Maxwells heeded their mother’s word to stay put and not abandon their home. 

Upon becoming adults, the siblings fled leaving their parents to dwell alone in the home. The siblings are called back home and soon realize the demise of their parents. The death wasn’t natural but was it supernatural? Ezri their sisters Eve and Emanuelle reckon with these passing determined to uncover their horrors and trauma being held in the home. 

This is not your average haunted house story, this is the commentary that the dark history of segregation and deep seated racism of southern suburban America holds. It is elevated horror. This is a visceral, raw, heartbreaking story of a queer family trying to survive the traumas they’ve endured. This is the story of what lengths your mind will go through in order to protect you. This is story that is full of discomfort and disassociation as a means of protection. It’s compelling, poetic, horrifying and complex. I cannot even begin to imagine how painful and cathartic processing this story must have been. Solomon is so intelligent and concise in their writing this story will stay with me long after reading.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoyed Bad Fruit, Bitter is the Heart, and lovers of elevated horror. Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this arc!