Long Gone, Come Home

by Monica Chenault-Kilgore

Spanning from the joyous peak of the 1930s jazz era to the Great Depression and civil rights movement, Long Gone, Come Home weaves a poetic tale of love, life, and loss as one woman learns the true meaning of home.

Birdie Jennings dreams of a big life beyond her small town of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, beyond her mundane job tying tobacco leaves at Wrights Factory, beyond her position as the baby of the family. Her life changes when she meets Jimmy Walker, a smooth talker and dreamer. Jimmy makes big promises of a magical life filled with poetry, passion, and music, and Birdie is quickly swept off her feet. But some short years after they marry, Jimmy leaves for work and never returns, and Birdie is left behind with two toddlers and no explanation for her husband’s latest disappearance. With no support system, Birdie moves back home with her overbearing mother.

Just as she's settling into her new life, Birdie witnesses a gruesome murder and flees Mt. Sterling to avoid questioning. For the first time, Birdie is truly on her own. She travels to the big cities of Cincinnati and Chicago just as she dreamed, but with a new goal: find Jimmy and bring him home. Along the way, Birdie explores the bustling jazz scenes in the hottest nightclubs and backwoods juke joints. Finding her place among criminals and saints is tough, but Birdie is tougher, and she soon wonders if an independent life on her own terms is the better way forward.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, African American, Adult Fiction, Book Club

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 6, 2023

Reviews

[Maren’s Reads]

4-4.5⭐️ This is a gorgeous debut novel about one woman’s struggle to overcome adversities in search of a better life for her children. Told over several decades, from the age of Jazz through the Great Depression and beyond, Birdie’s struggles within her family, her intimate relationships, and in a pre civil rights society in which lynchings occurred daily, were heart wrenching; her unwavering hope so inspiring.

I did an immersive read of this one, listening to the audiobook while reading the physical book alongside it. The narrator, Bahni Turpin, did a masterful job at bringing Birdie to life. Her emotional portrayal was so powerful, I found myself tearing up at times.

Long Gone, Come Home is a very strong debut, and I cannot wait to read more from Monica Chenault-Kilgore.

Thank you {partners} Uplit Reads, Graydon House, and Harper Audio for my gifted copies.

[Jessica Paige (Exercise_Read_Repeat)]

A complex and movie story about a black woman chasing her dreams and finding ways to move forward in the face of adversity. Taking place during the 1930s jazz area through the civil rights movement, the author integrates historical facts beautifully and transports you right to the small town of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky and other neighboring cities. I really enjoyed the side romance storylines and the emphasis on family and survival. Definitely a debut to look out for!!

Read if you like:
-BIPOC rep
-US historical fiction reads
-Themes of family, love, loss and survival

Thank you HTP for the ARC. Pub date: 6/6/23

[Stacy Laue]

This story fell flat for me, unfortunately. What could have been a vibrant story of a woman's life spanning some truly historic times in our country [Great Depression, the Jazz Age, Civil Rights movement] felt like a bland rehashing that was missing all its best parts.

When I looked up the author, the choppy progression and surface levelness [is that a word?] made a lot more sense, as Monica has a background in journalism. The book almost has a news article flavor to it - a lot of facts, a lot of things told, not shown, resulting in a loss of richness and depth that good books have.

All in all, I found the story mostly compelling, if boring to read. I mourned the loss and the terribly hard journeys for the characters but felt disconnected from almost all of them. 2 stars from me for this.

Note - I received a free advance copy of this book from the Center for Fiction, to participate in their 2023 Novel Prize contest. Many thanks for this, in exchange for an honest review.

[Eliza Knight]

An extraordinary tale of resilience and determination, Monica Chenault-Kilgore’s, Long Gone, Come Home, takes us on a journey of the 1930s jazz era and civil rights movement through the eyes of a tenacious and unforgettable heroine. Birdie’s enduring story is one of love, loss, family and survival. Despite the unexpected twists her life path took, when tragedy and fear could have prevailed, Birdie never forgot her dream, nor did she stop fighting for it. I was blown away by this powerful, heart-wrenching and ultimately hopeful debut!

[Moonkiszt]

Birdie steals this show! No matter what knocks her down, she's up again - remembering something inspirational from her Mama or Jimmy, or some other supportive traveler she has met on her road. I particularly liked Michael. . .and those Amazon Aunts. . .!

Set in the Jazzy 30's, in the midwest and mid-Kentucky, Birdie has to negotiate her way between inspirational and terrifying. She's abandoned, and witnesses multiple acts of violence - including fatalities - and yet, she's able to pick herself up, dust herself off, find someone to watch the kids and go out there engaging the enemy once again.

There were moments when her choices gave me pause, but I stayed for the whole ride and am glad for it. Gave me context for the time period from a new perspective.

*A sincere thank you to Monica Chenault-Kilgore, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* #LongGoneComeHome #NetGalley

[Deb]

”You dressed me in Wildflower honey,
Dripping through my hair and fingers
Like Langston’s rivers and every musical note that God played
Over your back, while you danced
With you I flowed, tumbling into ebullient waves..”
Except from poem We All Fly Home by Monica Chenault-Kilgore in this books Epilogue.

I loved this book. It was beautifully written. I love Jazz-era historical fiction. Especially when it takes place African American community. Every character was full and round and interesting. Every reader must fall in love with sweet Birdie Jennings-Walker and her plight. I am sad end this book I felt so nestled or should I say, embroiled within its pages.

I listened to the audiobook and narrator Bahni Turpin was amazing.

I would gladly read more by this author and even welcome a novel where we can pick up with “Ms Bird”, as the novel lovingly calls her.

5 or more stars ⭐️ if I could give them. This book will continue to be on my mind. It may be one of the best reads for me this year.

[Sydney Young]

Evocative, real

I immediately fell in love with Birdie, and her innocent voice, (and even Jimmy!) and so wanted everything to be ok for them. Of course, I worried and worried, and was hooked. But I also fell in love with the writing and just the story, the story of a time in America that needs more spotlights on it, so that we can get more of an understanding of our none-to-distant past. I’m glad this story exists as I try to gain more knowledge and grow my empathy. I was fascinated with holocaust stories for years, thinking—if I read just one more book, surely I’ll wrap my head around this. I’m here to say that this—the Black American experience—this is my new holocaust. Oh, I can see that it happened. I know the truth. But I’m hungry for these stories that shine light on how it effected a woman and her children and her children and her men.

Birdie is a lovely young woman, evidently quite the looker, who knew of her sisters’ father but not her own. And her Mama is quite the force, and so strict—protective. But one night Birdie goes out on the town and in walks a handsome devil, Jimmy. I fell hard for him, too, with all his thoughts and dreams and knowledge. Can they possibly make it? What kind of life will Birdie make for herself, in the end?

Monica Chenault-Kilgore has a way with words on a page. Such evocative descriptions and emotions and just good story telling. I’m a fan! Also the narration lands just right.
Kudos to all involved in the publication of this book.

[Shelby (allthebooksalltheways)]

Thank you #partners Graydon House and Uplit Reads for my #gifted copy and for including me on this campaign.

Outstanding debut!! Long Gone, Come Home is a story of resilience, overcoming, and imperfect love. It's rich with the vibes of the 30s and 40s, with stellar characterization and gorgeous prose!

"...when life entered, when life exited, an army of women swept in to welcome, comfort, provide safe harbor, and bid farewells."

"Those beautiful American boys who melted into water bubbling with fire and heat. We all ran off to war to fight enemies that had no real faces or bodies. You didn't go, but you fought the war around you just the same. Your skin rubbed raw, irritated from a black man's life, only brought out it's pearly luster."

I was supposed to be buddy reading this with my friend Ash @eat.pray.decorate, but I couldn't stop reading. Unputdownable!

I read along with the audiobook courtesy of Scribd and Bahni Turpin delivers a wonderful performance, as always. ❤️

For fans of Sadeqa Johnson and Dolen Perkins-Valdez, you won't want to miss this one!
This would make an excellent book club pick, and includes discussion questions at the end.

Chenault-Kilgore has a gift, and I am so eager to see what she does with it. 🥰

[Booked.Shaye BWRT]

I am crying happy tears & sad tears all at the same time. This was 4.5 stars for me. I’m gonna round it up to a 5.

The authors writing is great. A true story telling vibe. The time frame in this book , needs more spotlights for sure. & it was great to read historical fiction that was traditionally not down south. It’s based in Ohio & Kentucky. This book gave me a better understanding & knowledge of our none-to-distant past.

Birdie is a young woman, maybe late teens & super pretty. She has 2 sisters & knew of her sisters' father but not her own. Told over several decades, from the age of Jazz through the Great Depression and years after. We follow Birdie as she’s falls in love & grows up. Her dreams , get crushed she experiences loss & horror time & time again. But she doesn’t give up.

I wanted to cry , I wanted some pages to be happy & not sad . But I knew that back in those days this was reality. & on the happy pages I was waiting for the foot to drop. Long Gone, Come Home is a very strong debut, I’d definitely read more from Monica Chenault-Kilgore.

My instagram : @Bwrt.bookclub. I have a bookclub for Black Women.

[Heather]

Thank you Uplit Reads for the opportunity to read Monica Chenault-Kilgore's debut, Long Gone, Come Home.

Pub date: June 6, 2023

What a complex, moving story that takes us to the tobacco farms of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky to the bustling cities of Cincinnati and Chicago in the 30's and 40's Jazz era.
Birdie Johnson dreams of a life outside of Mt. Sterling, and upon meeting Jimmy Walker, those dreams are set in motion. When Jimmy disappears one day, leaving Birdie and their two small children, they are forced to move in with her mother, despite their tumultuous relationship. When Birdie receives a tip of the whereabouts of her husband, she leaves her children under the care of her mother to go in search of him.
What follows is a complex look at Birdie's quest for answers, and a tale of resilience in the face of adversity.
I loved this moving story and am grateful for the chance I had to read it.

[Michaela Priddy]

I honestly don't have much, if anything, to say about this book. The story itself isn't bad, but it isn't great either - it's just a story following characters that I felt very little attachment to. I do think the blurb on this book is very misleading because this was not a Jazz Mystery seeing how there was little to none of either one of those things.

[Laura W]

I wanted to like this and it could have been worse, but could also have been much better. I almost think it was an editor issue.
The author had done her research on the time period bit felt the need to throw cultural references in there without much purpose, especially in the first few chapters. It was a lot of short lists of musicians and other categories.
The story itself was redeeming and ended with hope for the main character and her race, but I didn’t really feel she was safe in the neighborhood she ended up in because it wasn’t addressed beyond what a lawyer said.
The other negative was the conversations- they felt jilted or too long- too much said while also too much unsaid.

[Niatate]

This book was heavy. A story of a young woman who falls in love with a dreamer. Jimmy has good intentions but so much goes wrong. It was complex and moving. I recommend it.

****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

[Diana Wright]

This started off super promising but lost steam as it went along. In particular, the pacing felt off: some time periods were sped through while others seemed extremely slow.

[elder_millennialnitemar_reads (Ashley)]

Oh I love Birdie! This story about her struggles and searching for a better life was heart-wrenching. I received this eARC from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion. Thank you!

[Fay]

Long Gone, Come Home
Monica Chenault-Kilgore
Pub Date: June 6, 2023

“My girl, my sweet little bird. When I first saw you, all I saw was the best parts of me and I knew you would always fly.” (page 230)

Long Gone, Come Home by Monica Chenault-Kilgore is absolutely remarkable and captivating. From the moment I started, I was hooked. If you love historical fiction with characters who possess resilience and determination, then this book is for you!

Birdie Jennings lives in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and has big dreams beyond her current constraints of her tobacco factory town. One night, she meets Jimmy Walker at the Paramount Theater, where a band was performing. Jimmy steals her heart from the start, but disappears before she can learn more about him. Luckily, she knows where he works and is able to meet up with him again. Their relationship grows, much to the dismay of Birdie’s mother. Mama reluctantly gives her blessing for Jimmy and Birdie to marry, but does not offer the couple much support.

Birdie and Jimmy have two children together, and Jimmy disappears shortly after, leaving Birdie to care for her two toddlers. With no other choice, and no money, Birdie moves home with her mother. After witnessing a murder, Birdie leaves home in search for Jimmy. Along the way, her strength and resilience is tested as she searches for Jimmy and begins her life in Cincinnati, OH.

Long Gone, Come Home is about love, loss, survival, and family. Set in the 1930s and 1940s, the reader gets a glimpse of life during the jazz era and the injustices Birdie faced during her life. Birdie was such a strong character, despite many setbacks, and I love her tenacity. I think this book will stick with me for a long time!

Read if you like:
▫️Historical Fiction
▫️Books with unforgettable main characters
▫️BIPOC Representation
▫️Books centered around strength and resilience
▫️Themes of family, love and loss

As someone from Cincinnati, I loved all of the references to the city!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Grayson House and Monica Chenault-Kilgore, along with Uplit Reads for providing me with a #gifted copy of Long Gone, Come Home.

[Bianca Vandenbos]

Long Gone, Come Home
Birdie Johnson dreams of a life outside of Mt Sterling Kentucky. Birdie’s dream starts to come true when she meets smooth talking dreamer Jimmy Walker. Jimmy is full of promises for a better exciting life with her and their children. One day he disappears and doesn’t come back forcing Birdie and her two small children to live with her mother. Birdie resettling back into her life witnesses a brutal murder and to avoid questioning she gets out of Kentucky with a quest to look for Jimmy. Throughout the book we see Birdie in Chicago and Cincinnati and the jazz clubs that were popular in the 1930s and 1940s and meet all sorts of people. We also see Birdie go through highs and lows but not letting it stop her from chasing her dreams.

Pros
The descriptions were excellent and I felt as though while I was reading the book that I was in the story myself. Birdie is a character you root for because despite the hardships she went through she perseveres and never gives up. Another favorite character of mine was Birdie’s mother whose a no nonsense lady. I like that she encouraged her daughter to be independent and to explore the world outside of Mt Sterling Kentucky.


Cons
I think the ending could be a bit longer in my opinion.


Overall
Overall I enjoyed Long Gone, Come Home. I can’t wait to read more books from Monica Chenault Kilgore. If you are into historical fiction books and stories about not giving up no matter what life throws at you, pick this book up now. Thank you Leah Morse for the early copy. Thank you Monica for writing this story. I hope to do a Q&A with you soon.

[The Urban Book Nook]

Long Gone, Come Home is a moving historical novel about survival, reinvention, motherhood, and what it means to create a home for yourself when life keeps forcing you to begin again.

Birdie was the heart of this story for me. In the beginning, she doesn’t fully understand her own strength, but life quickly demands that she find it. After being abandoned by her husband and left to care for two young children, Birdie is forced to return home and rebuild. From there, her journey becomes even more complicated, pushing her into unfamiliar places and situations that test her in ways she never expected.

What I appreciated most was that Birdie’s growth felt gradual. She wasn’t written as fearless or invincible. She was scared, uncertain, and sometimes overwhelmed, but she continued moving forward anyway. That made her resilience feel much more meaningful.

Her relationship with her mother was also one of the strongest parts of the book. Their dynamic could be difficult, but Birdie clearly inherited much of her survival instinct from a woman who had already learned how to endure a hard world. That generational strength gave the story even more emotional weight.

The historical setting added another layer to the novel. Moving through the jazz era, economic hardship, racial injustice, and the changing landscape of Black life in America made Birdie’s personal journey feel connected to something much larger.

By the end, I felt completely invested in her. The final chapters were especially powerful, and watching Birdie finally reach toward the life she once imagined for herself gave me chills.

[Alex | reader_mama]

Birdie is a young black woman living in Kentucky in the 1930s. Segregation, racism, and poverty is all around when she meets Jimmy. The story follows Birdie as she navigates her life as she grows up, and how she has to find her inner strength to move forward.

This book caught me by surprise in a great way. I found myself cheering for Birdie with each triumph, no matter how small, and my heart ached for her with every tragedy she faced. I enjoyed the setting, and how the story moves chronologically through the late 1930s to the 1940s, moving from Kentucky to Chicago and Cincinnati. I recommend this novel to lovers of HF and strong female MCs.

Thank you uplitreads and NetGalley!

[Kristens.reading.nook]

Thank you @uplitreads and @graydonhouse for the #gifted copy.

“You all have been an anchor for me no matter where I am.”

I’ve only read a few novels set in the jazz era but I have enjoyed them every time. Long Gone, Come Home starts there and moves through the civil rights timeframe. Our protagonist, Birdie, is in love with a man who continues to leave. While he claims it is to provide for her and their kids, Birdie is left to do the providing on her own.

Monica Chenault-Kilgore has written an incredible debut novel that I hope many will pick up.

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you like:
Strong female protagonists
The jazz era
Civil Rights era
Historical fiction

[Cindy(groundedinreads)]

This was a fascinating read into the life of a young Black woman trying to hold her family together through troubling times. Birdie wants more out of life and when she meets her future husband, Jimmy, she is full of optimism. Unfortunately, Jimmy is not the provider Birdie was looking for so Birdie does her best to get by. When Jimmy disappears, Birdie looks into his business dealings and has questions and sets off to find answers. Along the way, she runs into some trouble and learns about the past. This novel had some unsettling moments that were hard to read but I appreciated the strength of the women to be supportive of one another.

[Kimberly Mavroides]

I really enjoyed this complex and riveting debut novel. I love historical fiction and it is nice to read one that isn't so focused around one big global war (don't get me wrong, WW1 and WW2 books are great, but there are so many!). In many ways this was tough to read because Birdie and her family just faces constant hardship and they can never quite make it out of their situation. But the characters and story were vivid and engrossing. I really felt for and rooted for resilient Birdie. This is not what I'd call an easy read, but so many great books aren't. Well done to this new author and congratulations!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and UpLitReads for this ARC!

[Parkway]

Yes!! Enjoyable and realistic. I loved the character development. Wonder why a couple of those men seemed kinda familiar? If, we are being honest. LOL!!!

[Anne Rightler]

Complex, often heartbreaking story of a young Black woman struggling to make a better life for herself and her children.

[Beena]

A novel about resiliency that takes place in small town Kentucky during the 1930's/1940's jazz era and civil rights timeframe.

[littlefoot_books]

Happy Pub Day to one remarkable and compelling debut! I was captivated right from the start. Kilgore takes us on a journey to the Jazz Age of the 1930s where we meet Birdie, a young woman with big dreams, living in small town Mt. Sterling, KY. She lives for the nights when she can lose herself in the music at the nightclub. She soon falls for a man who leaves her on her own to raise their two children. After witnessing a murder, she must flee to Cincinnati where she tries to pick up the pieces and create a life she always dreamed of.

This is a story about hope, love and determination of a woman to live life on her own terms. I love that the story is set against the backdrop of the great depression and the civil rights movement. Birdie’s character was amazing, as were her mother and two sisters. So many strong, independent Black women in this book!

I highly recommend this one for fans of historical fiction with strong female characters.

[Ally]

Bird grows up under a strict Mama, baking and walking a narrow path. When she falls in love with Jimmy, she throws all her future up in the air. Jimmy is a wanderer, who disappears, leaving her with two kids, who otherwise play very little parts in the story. She goes up to Chicago and Cincinnati looking for him, to discover the roiling jazz world of the 40s. The under the table liquor business, gambling, and partying are present. She bumps into Jimmy, cue the forgiveness, and all is well for a minute. No surprise, he has to finish a big deal first, from which he will never return. Bird then has to piece together a life for herself and her children, steer clear of violence, and come to terms with the hard secrets of her past and present.

I enjoyed this character and her travels, although I wanted to shake her for falling victim to the plays of smooth talking, high rolling “pairs of pants.” She could be smart and savvy, or gullible and naive.

I wanted her to find herself before she did, but I enjoyed the road with her.

This was a quick read. Easy and light, but at least some character development, which made it more enjoyable than most quick reads, or most books, these days.

[Jackalacka]

I was engrossed in the storyline and there was some really strong story moments but the writing sometimes was too brusque and things would just end suddenly and lurch into a new time. Needs better transitions. Of course we are also left with big questions at the end. What happens to Michael? What happened to Beamon? Was Beamon involved with what happened to Jimmy? Harrumph.

[Dannielle Tsang]

This book wonderfully captures the different relationships between Birdie and all
Of the different people in her life.

I found myself getting my hopes up for Birdie and Jimmy to work out even though he keeps leaving. I loved how Birdie’s relationship with her mother changes as she became a mother herself and she and her mother went through a traumatic experience that led them to both take that secret they shared to their graves. Birdie went from thinking her mother was a mean old lady as a teen but as an adult she realized how strong and caring her mother actually was.

One can be seen as a different type of person to the many people in their lives. Birdie was a daughter, a kind caring friend to a mentally ill childhood friend, a mother to her young children, a loyal wife, and so much more. I enjoyed this book for all of the relationships Birdie had along her journey of life.

[Kaitlyn Ratterman]

Loved this book! Birdie is a lovable character who is easy to root for. I understand what other reviewers have said about the pacing, there were a couple of things that felt slightly abrupt but I felt it actually added to the surprise factor of some of the events and made it possible to pack a lot of action into the 354 pages. Enjoyed the book, the setting, the characters, and the storyline. Lots of surprises that I didn't see coming. Bonus that this is a local author and Cincinnati was so exquisitely featured- made the story that much more fun for me.