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Estate: To my once darling child
Kirkus Reviews describes Estate as an “oddly enjoyable novel" and rates it a GET IT!
New York Book Festival—2025 Honorable Mention Book
PenCraft Literary Book Awards—2025 Runner-Up
Every family has its ghosts. For Timothy, they arise when he becomes executor of his Mom’s estate, the one she insisted would be “easy and kinda fun to manage.” Arriving in Atherton, North Carolina, he learns that the gifts from the grave will not inspire last-minute love. Instead, the Last Will and Testament might fracture the family he has left.
"Estate: To my once dear child is an emotionally intelligent, humorous literary gem that’s perfect for fans of dysfunctional family dramas with a twist. Five Stars."—K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
Estate speaks to anyone navigating the unfinished business of family. It is a novel of transitions: between generations, from love to resentment and back again, from a murky past toward a brighter future. Reality fiction at its best: unflinching, compassionate, demanding, but true.
"Shelley proves himself to be an exceptional novelist..."—Kirkus Reviews
New York Book Festival—2025 Honorable Mention Book
PenCraft Literary Book Awards—2025 Runner-Up
Every family has its ghosts. For Timothy, they arise when he becomes executor of his Mom’s estate, the one she insisted would be “easy and kinda fun to manage.” Arriving in Atherton, North Carolina, he learns that the gifts from the grave will not inspire last-minute love. Instead, the Last Will and Testament might fracture the family he has left.
"Estate: To my once dear child is an emotionally intelligent, humorous literary gem that’s perfect for fans of dysfunctional family dramas with a twist. Five Stars."—K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
Estate speaks to anyone navigating the unfinished business of family. It is a novel of transitions: between generations, from love to resentment and back again, from a murky past toward a brighter future. Reality fiction at its best: unflinching, compassionate, demanding, but true.
"Shelley proves himself to be an exceptional novelist..."—Kirkus Reviews
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2025
10 people are currently reading
1932 people want to read
About the author
J. Andrew Shelley
3 books10 followersJ. Andrew Shelley has lived a life in the extremes. He grew up in Tennessee and now adults in Massachusetts. He has toiled in technology and bathed in the world of words.
Since the 1990's he has worked too many hours in startups and corporations that have reshaped the ways people communicate and optimized everyone's processes. He feels some remorse when he recalls telling corporate boards, "Your future is online, and you must get on [social media]!" He now cares most about helping real people navigate this odd place we have made.
Shelley lives in Boston with his wife, two children approaching adulthood, and two cats that he expected to be dogs. One of them undoubtedly threw up this morning, and he thinks that oddly fortunate. Cleaning up after an animal, changing a diaper, or potting a plant reminds us of reality.
Over the years he has experienced the passage of dear family as a grandson, son, brother, cousin, and son-in-law. Many of the departures were needlessly tumultuous. Estate was birthed out of that tumult. It is his second novel.
Since the 1990's he has worked too many hours in startups and corporations that have reshaped the ways people communicate and optimized everyone's processes. He feels some remorse when he recalls telling corporate boards, "Your future is online, and you must get on [social media]!" He now cares most about helping real people navigate this odd place we have made.
Shelley lives in Boston with his wife, two children approaching adulthood, and two cats that he expected to be dogs. One of them undoubtedly threw up this morning, and he thinks that oddly fortunate. Cleaning up after an animal, changing a diaper, or potting a plant reminds us of reality.
Over the years he has experienced the passage of dear family as a grandson, son, brother, cousin, and son-in-law. Many of the departures were needlessly tumultuous. Estate was birthed out of that tumult. It is his second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 13, 2025
I got this book free from Library Thing for my review. I hate giving advance reads poor ratings but this book is basically a 240 page complaint about probate & being an executor. A lot of people may not know how horrible this experience is. He also has a non-fiction book about managing probate - just read that, don’t bother with this fictionalized version that’s basically just a rant.
June 20, 2025
*With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy*
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.
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.
August 13, 2025
Estate: To my once darling child by J. Andrew Shelley is a highly recommended dysfunctional family drama centered around the many complications experienced as a son, who was named executor, closes the estate of his late mother. This is the fictional, but true-to-life, well-written, and sometimes humorous tale of what not to leave behind or unplanned for your family to handle upon your death, as well as a warning that after a death someone will have hurt feelings over something.
Tim Watts is the eldest son of Holly Suter Hampton and was named the executor of her estate. His younger brothers are Matt and Ethan. Their youngest brother died earlier. His mother said handling her estate would be easy, but it was everything but easy. The even paced narrative follows Tim trying to wade through the paperwork, hurt feelings, and too much stuff involved.
Their mother was not a beloved character. She was a passive aggressive manipulator and a hoarder. One important lesson to take from this novel is to collect all your paperwork, will, and get your affairs in order early. Another is to get rid of your stuff before hand. You may love that collection of (insert knick-knack) but it will likely be a burden to the next generation. If you have everything in order it will reduce subsequent hurt feelings and arguments.
Having experienced the sudden, unexpected death of a family member and all the problems which followed, this story almost cut too close to home. Certainly it delineates everything involved that can makes a death a stressful time that will bring out the true character of everyone involved, including greed and entitlement.
Estate: To my once darling child is a great choice for those who enjoy dysfunctional family dramas with an underlying helpful message. Thanks to J. Andrew Shelley for providing me with an advance reader's copy via LibraryThing Early Reviewers giveaway. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/0...
Tim Watts is the eldest son of Holly Suter Hampton and was named the executor of her estate. His younger brothers are Matt and Ethan. Their youngest brother died earlier. His mother said handling her estate would be easy, but it was everything but easy. The even paced narrative follows Tim trying to wade through the paperwork, hurt feelings, and too much stuff involved.
Their mother was not a beloved character. She was a passive aggressive manipulator and a hoarder. One important lesson to take from this novel is to collect all your paperwork, will, and get your affairs in order early. Another is to get rid of your stuff before hand. You may love that collection of (insert knick-knack) but it will likely be a burden to the next generation. If you have everything in order it will reduce subsequent hurt feelings and arguments.
Having experienced the sudden, unexpected death of a family member and all the problems which followed, this story almost cut too close to home. Certainly it delineates everything involved that can makes a death a stressful time that will bring out the true character of everyone involved, including greed and entitlement.
Estate: To my once darling child is a great choice for those who enjoy dysfunctional family dramas with an underlying helpful message. Thanks to J. Andrew Shelley for providing me with an advance reader's copy via LibraryThing Early Reviewers giveaway. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/0...
August 21, 2025
Thank you to LibraryThing, the author, and the publisher.
What a tangled family that needed to be untangled after their mother's (Holly) death.
Timothy, is the eldest and the executor of her estate. She told him her estate would be "simple and fun to manage." How could that be possible with any estate? Her idea of fun was always suspect, i.e., She threw a surprise party for her first late husband's big 4-0 with life-size coffin. He was not amused.
Then there's Matt and Ethan. Jeffrey was unfortunately killed when he tried to save his friend from off a building. So sad that I didn't get to know him only via memories.
There's always conflict in wills, houses to be cleared out for sale and Timothy who basically did all this by himself was overwhelmed of how much stuff his mother collected. Sort of a hoarder but "normal" if that makes any sense. Yes, Tim was the executor of the estate and everything fell to him to do it. Ethan tried to petition the will when he had his own but finally pulled out of it.
When it came to the estate sale online, he started reminiscing about certain items and who his mother wanted them bequeathed to. When he reached out to them, they no longer wanted them for various reasons after all these years of wanting them.
Tim was trying to get the family together for a single weekend, cousins included, to bid their final farewell to Holly and to pick up their final gifts but does it happen? Yes, it did but with different circumstances. Matt and Tim couldn't attend so they gave the responsibility to his aunt--his mother's sister.
A few more deaths unfortunately to deal with and like Holly used to say, death comes in threes. I'm hoping no more deaths in this book. It was sad and complicated enough.
The book was sort of bogged down for me in the legal aspect sometimes.
Darn. Another death 20 or so years later at the end of the book. Why am I not surprised?
What a tangled family that needed to be untangled after their mother's (Holly) death.
Timothy, is the eldest and the executor of her estate. She told him her estate would be "simple and fun to manage." How could that be possible with any estate? Her idea of fun was always suspect, i.e., She threw a surprise party for her first late husband's big 4-0 with life-size coffin. He was not amused.
Then there's Matt and Ethan. Jeffrey was unfortunately killed when he tried to save his friend from off a building. So sad that I didn't get to know him only via memories.
There's always conflict in wills, houses to be cleared out for sale and Timothy who basically did all this by himself was overwhelmed of how much stuff his mother collected. Sort of a hoarder but "normal" if that makes any sense. Yes, Tim was the executor of the estate and everything fell to him to do it. Ethan tried to petition the will when he had his own but finally pulled out of it.
When it came to the estate sale online, he started reminiscing about certain items and who his mother wanted them bequeathed to. When he reached out to them, they no longer wanted them for various reasons after all these years of wanting them.
Tim was trying to get the family together for a single weekend, cousins included, to bid their final farewell to Holly and to pick up their final gifts but does it happen? Yes, it did but with different circumstances. Matt and Tim couldn't attend so they gave the responsibility to his aunt--his mother's sister.
A few more deaths unfortunately to deal with and like Holly used to say, death comes in threes. I'm hoping no more deaths in this book. It was sad and complicated enough.
The book was sort of bogged down for me in the legal aspect sometimes.
Darn. Another death 20 or so years later at the end of the book. Why am I not surprised?
August 11, 2025
If you want to know how to build tension in your writing this is how. Every page was a question on how much worse can it get for Tim the Executor of his mother’s estate? If you have been through this it will grab you. If you haven’t it’s just a matter of time before you’ll find yourself in the position of at least one of these characters; because you know the old saying about death and taxes. I have gone through this many times and all were different; from easy like my mom’s small estate, but she was a collector and I still have dolls I am dealing with. My stepfather with complications and un-communicated wishes, and entitlement issues by one member of the family who took what didn’t belong to them. My mother in law’s estate whose lawyer and privately hired executer did things wrong and cost the family to be taxed when they shouldn’t have been. And most recently my husband who was an artist and I’m still trying to secure his legacy while my house looks like a gallery. Definitely get this book, it’s a great story with a few laughs thrown in, and it’s less than 300 pages. The good news is the author has a follow-up called Estate: the Golden Rules to help you navigate through this and not leave a mess behind for your loved ones.
August 28, 2025
Estate is an excellent read. My review will not be centered on the characters as I am sure other reviewers will cover that aspect. My review will give you insight on how the author captured the feelings, the issues and trauma that everyone goes through. Everyone will when our time comes, will tie up loose ends and break with the past.
The author describes the relationship those of us have with past, and the people who need to coax their loved ones to let go. Ultimately, the appointed have the job of clean up. Having done this scenario myself many times it’s not easy.
The story talks about The Family. The Family, as the story unfolds, shows sides of his siblings when an estate is involved. It happens. Sides of your family have agendas that you cannot even fathom.
This novel could be written about any family with its issues and hurdles. I found myself saying “oh yes I’ve been there more than once.”
If you are lucky to have been an executor (trix) with a smooth transition, you lucked out. However, like most of us, being the executor (trix) the roadmap is paved with twists and turns.
This novel reminds everyone that as much as one hope’s it will go smoothly, you have to step lightly
before and after death.
I enjoyed this read very much.
The author describes the relationship those of us have with past, and the people who need to coax their loved ones to let go. Ultimately, the appointed have the job of clean up. Having done this scenario myself many times it’s not easy.
The story talks about The Family. The Family, as the story unfolds, shows sides of his siblings when an estate is involved. It happens. Sides of your family have agendas that you cannot even fathom.
This novel could be written about any family with its issues and hurdles. I found myself saying “oh yes I’ve been there more than once.”
If you are lucky to have been an executor (trix) with a smooth transition, you lucked out. However, like most of us, being the executor (trix) the roadmap is paved with twists and turns.
This novel reminds everyone that as much as one hope’s it will go smoothly, you have to step lightly
before and after death.
I enjoyed this read very much.
November 10, 2025
When Timothy's mother passes away, two years of tortuous times settling her estate begin. As the executor of his mother's estate, Timothy is left to navigate everything his hoarder mother accumulated over many decades.
While trying to be fair to his two brothers and a handful of his mother's grandchildren, Timothy is torn in far too many directions by the mother he now refers to as The Joker. Timothy feels like his mother did nothing to make her estate distribution go smoothly, and has actually made things more difficult to settle due to how many outstanding things she left behind.
Two years of brotherly infighting, his wife losing her patience over how much time he has to spend dealing with the estate, and the mounds and mounds of paperwork and certifications, and Timothy finally gets the estate settled.
Honestly, this is a nightmare of a tale for anyone who is going to have to deal with a similar situation at any point in their life. It definitely has made me think about how much can be clarified and closed out before my family gets into this situation.
I won this book from LibraryThing.
While trying to be fair to his two brothers and a handful of his mother's grandchildren, Timothy is torn in far too many directions by the mother he now refers to as The Joker. Timothy feels like his mother did nothing to make her estate distribution go smoothly, and has actually made things more difficult to settle due to how many outstanding things she left behind.
Two years of brotherly infighting, his wife losing her patience over how much time he has to spend dealing with the estate, and the mounds and mounds of paperwork and certifications, and Timothy finally gets the estate settled.
Honestly, this is a nightmare of a tale for anyone who is going to have to deal with a similar situation at any point in their life. It definitely has made me think about how much can be clarified and closed out before my family gets into this situation.
I won this book from LibraryThing.
July 16, 2025
Second novel of the author’s I’ve read, and again, he hits it out of the park. Estate reminds me of past conversations I’ve had with my family, and it accurately foreshadows conversations I’m going to have with family members.
It describes the difficult but necessary conversations we need to have in life… the conversations that make us think about our mortality, how we became who we are, and why some of our relationships with our closest family could, and often times, end up disfunctional.
I found myself nodding along as I read the author’s thoughts, his actions, and wishes for different outcomes. Estate made me realize that we all have a responsibility to step into arenas that make us feel uncomfortable and possibly provocative… both necessary for future personal growth and family preservation.
This novel is for anyone with avoidant parents or siblings, or for parents with uninvolved or “head in the clouds” children. It reminds me that life is not all
swing-sets and puppy dogs! Great Book!
It describes the difficult but necessary conversations we need to have in life… the conversations that make us think about our mortality, how we became who we are, and why some of our relationships with our closest family could, and often times, end up disfunctional.
I found myself nodding along as I read the author’s thoughts, his actions, and wishes for different outcomes. Estate made me realize that we all have a responsibility to step into arenas that make us feel uncomfortable and possibly provocative… both necessary for future personal growth and family preservation.
This novel is for anyone with avoidant parents or siblings, or for parents with uninvolved or “head in the clouds” children. It reminds me that life is not all
swing-sets and puppy dogs! Great Book!
July 13, 2025
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.
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.
August 10, 2025
This was an enjoyable and easy read, but it also made me think about my own family and experiences. The characters and family dynamics rang true for me because I've seen some of the same dynamics in my own family, having gone through a couple of deaths and probates over the past decade. This book reminded me of those experiences, better in some ways and worse in others. It was both comforting and troubling to see the main character go through those issues, and I found myself involuntarily thinking back on my own experiences, as this book revived those feelings. All in all, a good read, a cautionary tale and a reflection on death, family and legacy.
July 28, 2025
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.
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.
September 7, 2025
2 stars. I received this book in a LibraryThing giveaway. To me, this book was more like a fictionalized chronicling of managing a loved one’s estate, rather than a novel. It was all tell and no show, and it lacked characteristics typical of a novel like a coherent story arc, character development, and clear and developed conflict. Maybe the author’s non-fiction follow-up book will be worth reading, but to me this was not.
July 31, 2025
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
Thank you NetGalley & TENZL for an advanced reader copy. #Estate #NetGalley
September 7, 2025
I just couldn't like this book. It was like one big complaint with blah characters. The writing was a little odd too. There were one-sided conversations and characters never mentioned before that suddenly pop up with no context. The only saving grace is that it's given me a lot to think about in regards to getting my own affairs in better order for my son.
November 30, 2025
Quit at 41% and that 41 was a struggle. I just don’t understand what would be the appeal of this book. There’s hardly any back story so it’s hard to have feelings for anyone involved. And the emotions shown in the book feel contrived. I’m not one to quit in the middle of a book. Even when I don’t love a book I usually will still finish but my TBR list is way too long to continue
October 14, 2025
A must read
This is a must-read regardless of your experience with the topic. It's more than just a novel with a story to tell. It really will help you focus more on what really is important and taking care of what is important so you dont leave an unnessasary burden.
This is a must-read regardless of your experience with the topic. It's more than just a novel with a story to tell. It really will help you focus more on what really is important and taking care of what is important so you dont leave an unnessasary burden.
October 16, 2025
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for choosing me.
I honestly believed I would love this book, but I just couldn't get fully into it. I do hope it finds its audience elsewhere.
I honestly believed I would love this book, but I just couldn't get fully into it. I do hope it finds its audience elsewhere.
December 27, 2025
Excellent novelized description of the pitfalls to avoid (if you truly care about your descendants) as you plan. Thank you for making it all real--especially the Madame Alexander dolls, which as a child I too was admonished not to touch, only look.
June 6, 2025
How can we not love our children and the things we have cared for?
Estate is a beautiful story, needed by every family with loved ones sailing near the edge of the sea of life.
Estate is a beautiful story, needed by every family with loved ones sailing near the edge of the sea of life.
July 16, 2025
A lovely novel. Nothing better than enjoying a well-crafted story while also gaining insight into how to manage the future.
July 20, 2025
An easy read with lots of family drama!
October 8, 2025
Interesting book.
Valuable information to think about as one ages. Relayed in an interesting story.
I recommend this book for anyone. Thank you.
Valuable information to think about as one ages. Relayed in an interesting story.
I recommend this book for anyone. Thank you.
November 9, 2025
I skimmed it. A warning to get decluttered, and get will, marriage, and death certificates in order, and sell the house.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews