First published 2021
Isaiah and Samuel work together in the barn of a Deep South plantation, caring for animals while finding refuge in each other's arms. Their bond transforms the simple shed into a sanctuary where love flourishes despite the brutality surrounding them. The two young men belong to each other completely, creating intimacy and hope in a world controlled by cruel masters. Their peaceful existence shatters when Amos, an older enslaved man, begins preaching the master's religious teachings to gain favor with their owner. The other enslaved people start viewing Isaiah and Samuel's relationship as sinful and dangerous to plantation stability. As religious fervor spreads and the community turns against the lovers, centuries of pain and the voices of ancestors and future generations converge toward a final confrontation. The story reveals how love persists even under the weight of inherited suffering and systemic oppression.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, african-american-historical-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Deep South, Plantation
Period: 19th-century
388 pages · Hardcover · G.P. Putnam's Sons
Content warnings: abuse, racism, slavery