Long Gone, Come Home

By: Monica Chenault-Kilgore

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

GoodReads, Time Travel with Summer's Biggest Historical Fiction Novels
The Root, June 2023 Books By Black Authors We Can't Wait to Read
Ms. Magazine, June 2023 Reads for the Rest of Us
88 Upcoming Books the Goodreads Editors Can't Wait to Read
SheReads, Most Anticipated Historical Fiction of Summer 2023
Thoughts from a Page, Most Anticipated Historical Fiction of Summer 2023
BookBub, Best Historical Fiction of Summer 2023
Audiofile's Best Audiobooks of July 2023 and Earphones Award Winner

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 smooth-talking Jimmy Walker. Jimmy makes big promises for an exciting life together, and Birdie is quickly swept off her feet. But some short years after they marry, Jimmy disappears without a trace, leaving Birdie hurt and alone with their two toddlers. Out of money and out of options, Birdie moves back home with her overbearing mother.

Just as she's settling into her new life, Birdie witnesses a gruesome murder and is urged to flee Mt. Sterling to avoid questioning. With nothing but a borrowed suitcase and a questionable note about a house in Cincinnati promised to Jimmy, she travels to the big city just as she and Jimmy dreamed, determined to put her life back together. Plunged into the bustling jazz scenes of the hottest nightclubs and backwoods juke joints, Birdie learns that finding her place among criminals and saints is tough—but she is tougher. Even when some harsh lessons threaten the life she’s created on her own terms…

©2023 Monica Chenault-Kilgore (P)2023 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Phenomenal Story

The character development in this story was exceptional, the storyline touching and relatable for many who know someone whose experiences mirror those of the characters.

Evocative Story, paints a picture we all need to see

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.

Lingering today

The harsh realities of living under Jim Crow laws is sobering. Even thought we have crossed into new centuries, unfortunately, the residual still lingers here in America. Sad. Really enjoyed listening to another narration from Bahni Turpin.

Love It

Beautiful easy story.. happy I absorbed this book. I look forward to hearing author’s next novel.

One women’s perseverance

I enjoyed the prospective from one woman living in the city through the depression & great migration. Her belief in others and finally her belief in herself are refreshing.

Beauty through pain

The author manages to capture so much optimism and positivity through Birdy, the main character. Despite the times and the suppression, poverty and the darkness of America in the 30s and 40s, a rich, beautiful tale of perseverance and survival shines through. Simple descriptions mirror the straight talking women in this story, which was just like poetry listening to them. The attempts to make Jimmy likeable were more than successful despite him being a dog, and I felt like I was growing and maturing with the young Birdy as she navigated the obstacles presented to her, and throughout all the struggle, never complained and just kept on keeping on. Lovely. Highly recommend this book

family and love

I love everything about this book the Narrator did a excellent job. I try ti listen to all the books

Is this a series?

This definitely needs to be a series! I'm so invested in the characters that I didn't want to stop listening. Great performance by the narrator!

This books brings out the beauty in trashed and heartache.

I loved every aspect of this book, the characters details their progression and growth. The way the author was able to illustrate such beauty from trashed and heartache in multiple characters was incredible. A solid story and solid performance!

Excellent story!!

This was a great story, well paced and well narrated! Couldn't stop listening! It left me wanting more.