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Amity
A gripping story about a brother and sister, emancipated from slavery but still searching for true freedom, and their odyssey across the deserts of Mexico to finally reunite, all while escaping a former master still intent on their bondage
New Orleans, 1866. The Civil War might be over, but formerly enslaved Coleman and June have yet to find the freedom they’ve been promised. Two years ago, the siblings were separated when their old master, Mr. Harper, took June away to Mexico, where he hoped to escape the new reality of the post-war South. Coleman stayed behind in Louisiana to serve the Harper family, clinging to the hope that one day June would return.
When an unexpected letter from Mr. Harper arrives, summoning Coleman to Mexico, Coleman thinks that finally his prayers have been answered. What Coleman cannot know is the tangled truth of June’s tribulations under Mr. Harper out on the frontier. And when disaster strikes Coleman’s journey, he is forced on the run with Mr. Harper's daughter, Florence. Together, they venture into the Mexican desert to find June, all the while evading two crooked brothers who'll stop at nothing to capture Coleman and Florence and collect the money they're owed. As Coleman and June separately navigate a perilous, parched landscape, the siblings learn quickly that freedom isn't always given—sometimes, it must be taken by force.
As in his New York Times bestselling debut The Sweetness of Water, Nathan Harris delves into the critical years of the Civil War’s aftermath to deliver an intimate and epic tale of what freedom means in a society still determined to return its Black citizens to bondage. Populated with unforgettable characters, Amity is a vital addition to the literature of emancipation.
New Orleans, 1866. The Civil War might be over, but formerly enslaved Coleman and June have yet to find the freedom they’ve been promised. Two years ago, the siblings were separated when their old master, Mr. Harper, took June away to Mexico, where he hoped to escape the new reality of the post-war South. Coleman stayed behind in Louisiana to serve the Harper family, clinging to the hope that one day June would return.
When an unexpected letter from Mr. Harper arrives, summoning Coleman to Mexico, Coleman thinks that finally his prayers have been answered. What Coleman cannot know is the tangled truth of June’s tribulations under Mr. Harper out on the frontier. And when disaster strikes Coleman’s journey, he is forced on the run with Mr. Harper's daughter, Florence. Together, they venture into the Mexican desert to find June, all the while evading two crooked brothers who'll stop at nothing to capture Coleman and Florence and collect the money they're owed. As Coleman and June separately navigate a perilous, parched landscape, the siblings learn quickly that freedom isn't always given—sometimes, it must be taken by force.
As in his New York Times bestselling debut The Sweetness of Water, Nathan Harris delves into the critical years of the Civil War’s aftermath to deliver an intimate and epic tale of what freedom means in a society still determined to return its Black citizens to bondage. Populated with unforgettable characters, Amity is a vital addition to the literature of emancipation.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2025
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24740 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
August 29, 2025
New Orleans 1866
The Civil War has ended, slaves have been emancipated…but June and her brother Coleman have lived their entire life with their owner Wyatt Harper and his family. They can’t think of anywhere to go or how to survive if they leave.
Wyatt decides to leave for Mexico.. thinking he will strike it rich building railroads and mining for silver… he takes only June with him, as he wants her above all else.
Leaving behind his wife and grown daughter. Coleman is now alone without June.
So this story becomes a real adventure..first a ship accident as Coleman and Mrs Harris and daughter Florence leave for Mexico.
Then it becomes as a dangerous western as it goes back and forth from Wyatt and June in Mexico… to Coleman’s journey with Florence through Mexico to reunite the siblings.
Loved this as much as the author’s first book The Sweetness of Water!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Available soon!
The Civil War has ended, slaves have been emancipated…but June and her brother Coleman have lived their entire life with their owner Wyatt Harper and his family. They can’t think of anywhere to go or how to survive if they leave.
Wyatt decides to leave for Mexico.. thinking he will strike it rich building railroads and mining for silver… he takes only June with him, as he wants her above all else.
Leaving behind his wife and grown daughter. Coleman is now alone without June.
So this story becomes a real adventure..first a ship accident as Coleman and Mrs Harris and daughter Florence leave for Mexico.
Then it becomes as a dangerous western as it goes back and forth from Wyatt and June in Mexico… to Coleman’s journey with Florence through Mexico to reunite the siblings.
Loved this as much as the author’s first book The Sweetness of Water!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Available soon!
July 28, 2025
3.5 stars
A book that chose me... and came with a little NetGalley confession.
Confession time: I snagged this from Camp NetGalley partly out a little publishing pettiness. This publisher used to approve me and now I’m stuck in auto-decline purgatory.
Seriously—why??
So when Amity popped up, I snatched it, read it, and now I’m reviewing it and hoping to no longer be a ghost from the past.
Then I realized it was by the same author as The Sweetness of Water, which I still haven’t read (yet), but this one instantly nudged it higher on my TBR. I'm a sucker for slow, carefully written, haunting stories especially those with an atmosphere that soaks into your bones.
What Lit my mood
The haunting quiet tone that lingered over every page
The setting in New Orleans, 1866. The Civil War is over, but formerly enslaved Coleman and June have yet to find the freedom they’ve been promised.
The unforgettable bond and quiet ache for each other between siblings Coleman and June, torn apart when their former master, Mr. Harper fled to Mexico with June. Coleman is left behind in Louisiana to serve Mrs. Harper and her daughter Florence, now on a journey to Mexico after being summoned by Mr Harper.
Where my Mood Flickered
This story asks you to sit in the hush and just feel and at times I did that but the pacing felt off. Just as something would catch my attention, it would slow again, and I’d find my focus would flicker, breaking the spell.
Witchy Mood Meter Rating
🕷️ Almost Aligned -The vibes were there, but my energy was too restless to fully settle into the story’s quiet spell.
My recommendation
Add it to your altar if you crave quiet, poetic prose and aching, character-driven storytelling. So summon it when your energy is calm, and you're ready to sit with sorrow, longing, and the ghosts of history.
I received a copy from the Camp NetGalley selection.
A book that chose me... and came with a little NetGalley confession.
Confession time: I snagged this from Camp NetGalley partly out a little publishing pettiness. This publisher used to approve me and now I’m stuck in auto-decline purgatory.
Seriously—why??
So when Amity popped up, I snatched it, read it, and now I’m reviewing it and hoping to no longer be a ghost from the past.
Then I realized it was by the same author as The Sweetness of Water, which I still haven’t read (yet), but this one instantly nudged it higher on my TBR. I'm a sucker for slow, carefully written, haunting stories especially those with an atmosphere that soaks into your bones.
What Lit my mood
The haunting quiet tone that lingered over every page
The setting in New Orleans, 1866. The Civil War is over, but formerly enslaved Coleman and June have yet to find the freedom they’ve been promised.
The unforgettable bond and quiet ache for each other between siblings Coleman and June, torn apart when their former master, Mr. Harper fled to Mexico with June. Coleman is left behind in Louisiana to serve Mrs. Harper and her daughter Florence, now on a journey to Mexico after being summoned by Mr Harper.
Where my Mood Flickered
This story asks you to sit in the hush and just feel and at times I did that but the pacing felt off. Just as something would catch my attention, it would slow again, and I’d find my focus would flicker, breaking the spell.
Witchy Mood Meter Rating
🕷️ Almost Aligned -The vibes were there, but my energy was too restless to fully settle into the story’s quiet spell.
My recommendation
Add it to your altar if you crave quiet, poetic prose and aching, character-driven storytelling. So summon it when your energy is calm, and you're ready to sit with sorrow, longing, and the ghosts of history.
I received a copy from the Camp NetGalley selection.
May 14, 2025
Nathan Harris proves once again that he is one of the greatest literary minds of our generation. The appropriately titled Amity is a mightily engrossing tale, filled with magnificently realized and unforgettable characters in a world that is so thoroughly imagined. Harris employs such careful, balanced storytelling, crafting a novel that is at once harrowing and gentle, dangerous but romantic. Readers will find that for every sorrow there is a joy and for every fool there is a lesson. And it is all woven together with such impeccable prose. Amity is a deeply adventurous and astonishingly beautiful book.
July 29, 2025
"A gripping story about a brother and sister, emancipated from slavery but still searching for true freedom, and their odyssey across the deserts of Mexico to finally reunite, all while escaping a former master still intent on their bondage."
It is just after the Civil War when Coleman leaves with New Orleans with his master's daughter and wife to find his master and sister, June. Although emancipated, they find their harrowing journey proof that they must take their freedom in hopes of being reunited. June's experience is expertly threaded in with Coleman's adventure.
The writing is absolutely exquisite with perfect pacing, and I found this to be a riveting, vital read. What could have been a boring travelogue through the Mexican desert is a captivating and essential addition to emancipation literature. The bond between siblings is quietly revealed and imprinted on your heart as well as the bond between human and animal. The strangers they meet along the way that come to their aid restore your faith in humanity after seeing those who exploit and hurt others for gain. I was captivated from start to finish and will be thinking about Coleman, June, and Florence for a very long time. Nathan Harris is a brilliant voice in literature, and I can't wait to see what he writes next.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Little Brown and Company, and Nathan Harris for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.🐎🌵
It is just after the Civil War when Coleman leaves with New Orleans with his master's daughter and wife to find his master and sister, June. Although emancipated, they find their harrowing journey proof that they must take their freedom in hopes of being reunited. June's experience is expertly threaded in with Coleman's adventure.
The writing is absolutely exquisite with perfect pacing, and I found this to be a riveting, vital read. What could have been a boring travelogue through the Mexican desert is a captivating and essential addition to emancipation literature. The bond between siblings is quietly revealed and imprinted on your heart as well as the bond between human and animal. The strangers they meet along the way that come to their aid restore your faith in humanity after seeing those who exploit and hurt others for gain. I was captivated from start to finish and will be thinking about Coleman, June, and Florence for a very long time. Nathan Harris is a brilliant voice in literature, and I can't wait to see what he writes next.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Little Brown and Company, and Nathan Harris for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.🐎🌵
August 29, 2025
It's 1866, and formerly enslaved Coleman is a servant in the home of the Harper family. There is little difference between life as a slave and being free. Wyatt Harper had taken his older sister June to Mexico, which was under French rule, with dreams of making a fortune. Coleman had been left with Mrs. Wyatt and his daughter, Florence. They soon travel to Mexico to reunite with Mr. Harper and help him locate June, whom he informs Coleman, by letter, has been abducted.
Through June's storytelling, we learn of the dangers encountered in Mexico and her desire to escape Wyatt. When June meets Isaac, a Black Seminole, she wonders if he could be her chance at real freedom and possibly love.
Coleman, who had spent his life reading, is unprepared to be a protector. The journey across the Mexican desert to find Wyatt and June is fraught with mishaps, including run-ins with a pair of criminal brothers and a Mexican gang. June finds hope in a town named Amity, and Coleman never gives up the search for his sister.
If you read Nathan Harris' 2021 debut, The Sweetness of Water, it was clear that we were being introduced to an exceptional talent. In Amity, we are again treated to his beautiful writing and another unforgettable book. It is a captivating and emotional tale featuring complex characters, especially Coleman, who finds a strength and maturity he didn't realize he possessed. His bond with the Harper family's dog, Oliver, who also travels to Mexico, was incredibly heartwarming. The storytelling, especially Coleman's narrative, takes its time and requires some patience, which is richly rewarded.
Many thanks to Little, Brown and Company for the advance. This was one of my most highly anticipated books of the year, and it did not disappoint.
4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Through June's storytelling, we learn of the dangers encountered in Mexico and her desire to escape Wyatt. When June meets Isaac, a Black Seminole, she wonders if he could be her chance at real freedom and possibly love.
Coleman, who had spent his life reading, is unprepared to be a protector. The journey across the Mexican desert to find Wyatt and June is fraught with mishaps, including run-ins with a pair of criminal brothers and a Mexican gang. June finds hope in a town named Amity, and Coleman never gives up the search for his sister.
If you read Nathan Harris' 2021 debut, The Sweetness of Water, it was clear that we were being introduced to an exceptional talent. In Amity, we are again treated to his beautiful writing and another unforgettable book. It is a captivating and emotional tale featuring complex characters, especially Coleman, who finds a strength and maturity he didn't realize he possessed. His bond with the Harper family's dog, Oliver, who also travels to Mexico, was incredibly heartwarming. The storytelling, especially Coleman's narrative, takes its time and requires some patience, which is richly rewarded.
Many thanks to Little, Brown and Company for the advance. This was one of my most highly anticipated books of the year, and it did not disappoint.
4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
September 5, 2025
5 stars. I loved this book for all the different emotions that it showed. This was such a heartfelt and inspiring story and so beautifully written with rich characters who evolved throughout the story so you feel like you are there. Is one of the best stories I’ve read this year. I would recommend the audio as the readers did an exquisite job telling this story. 🎧 Pub. 9/2/25
dnf
September 5, 2025Dull and boring both in writing and content.
July 16, 2025
3.5 stars (per Goodreads, 3 stars = "I liked it")
This is a work of historical fiction taking place in the American South and Mexico in the years immediately post-Civil War. POVs alternate between siblings Coleman and June, servants of the family who owned them as slaves before the North's victory freed them. Still stinging from the Confederacy's loss, the patriarch of the family takes June with him as he joins a group of other disgruntled Southerners who travel to Mexico in order to establish a new mining town and get out from the under the laws of the Union. Later, the man's wife and daughter, along with Coleman and the family dog, strike out to join them. The journey presents a multitude of dangers and interesting characters - criminals, Mexican soldiers, Black Seminoles, and others.
What I liked about this book included the setting and atmosphere. There is the harsh beauty of the desert, the chapparal and mesquite trees beneath the baking sun, but also the towns strung along their path south, which reminded me of being ensconced in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. This video game takes place about 30 years later, but I could easily picture Arthur Morgan and his outlaw companions riding their horses through the territories of this book.
Also enjoyable was the character of Coleman, a former slave and current servant who is happiest lost in the pages of his books, taught himself academics and proper comportment both from the books assigned to the daughter of his employers for her education, and who has a sweet bond with the book's canine character, Oliver. Additionally, there is a side character who exhibits some nice personal growth.
What didn't work so well for me is a bit harder for me to name. I just wasn't that engaged in the plot, which meandered at times (particularly during June's page time) without a real sense of urgency or expected destination, figuratively speaking. In this way I suppose the pacing was a bit off, and I certainly wouldn't use the word "gripping" to describe my own reading experience. At the conclusion of the book I thought to myself, "Well that's nice," but it really isn't anything that I anticipate staying with me for long now that I have finished reading. I guess I appreciated the vibes more than the story. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This is a work of historical fiction taking place in the American South and Mexico in the years immediately post-Civil War. POVs alternate between siblings Coleman and June, servants of the family who owned them as slaves before the North's victory freed them. Still stinging from the Confederacy's loss, the patriarch of the family takes June with him as he joins a group of other disgruntled Southerners who travel to Mexico in order to establish a new mining town and get out from the under the laws of the Union. Later, the man's wife and daughter, along with Coleman and the family dog, strike out to join them. The journey presents a multitude of dangers and interesting characters - criminals, Mexican soldiers, Black Seminoles, and others.
What I liked about this book included the setting and atmosphere. There is the harsh beauty of the desert, the chapparal and mesquite trees beneath the baking sun, but also the towns strung along their path south, which reminded me of being ensconced in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. This video game takes place about 30 years later, but I could easily picture Arthur Morgan and his outlaw companions riding their horses through the territories of this book.
Also enjoyable was the character of Coleman, a former slave and current servant who is happiest lost in the pages of his books, taught himself academics and proper comportment both from the books assigned to the daughter of his employers for her education, and who has a sweet bond with the book's canine character, Oliver. Additionally, there is a side character who exhibits some nice personal growth.
What didn't work so well for me is a bit harder for me to name. I just wasn't that engaged in the plot, which meandered at times (particularly during June's page time) without a real sense of urgency or expected destination, figuratively speaking. In this way I suppose the pacing was a bit off, and I certainly wouldn't use the word "gripping" to describe my own reading experience. At the conclusion of the book I thought to myself, "Well that's nice," but it really isn't anything that I anticipate staying with me for long now that I have finished reading. I guess I appreciated the vibes more than the story. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
May 5, 2025
This is a brilliantly rendered Western, adventure story, love story, and quest for freedom.
I’m going to think for a long time on how it is that Nathan Harris can write so truthfully and delicately about the complexity of the relationships between white people and Black people affected by slavery. How he does it is a wonder.
I’m going to think for a long time on how it is that Nathan Harris can write so truthfully and delicately about the complexity of the relationships between white people and Black people affected by slavery. How he does it is a wonder.
September 9, 2025
A few years ago, I read Nathan Harris' debut book The Sweetness of Water and I loved it so much it made my top ten for the year. When I read that Harris had a new book coming out, I knew that I would have to read it.
While the time period is much the same the story of Amity is quite different than Sweetness of Water. Amity merges two historical events, the settlement of the Black Seminoles in Mexico and the resettlement of former southern slave owners in Mexico.
The book shifts in perspective between former enslaved siblings, Coleman and June. It begins:
"I had few pleasures to call my own. There was the peace found in the attic where I was made to board, the transporting comfort of the books in Mrs. Harper’s library, the deliciousness of the sweet bread I purchased with my allowance from the bakery down the road each Sunday of rest. But all of it paled in comparison to the joy brought upon me by Oliver, the terrier I considered my own and the most intelligent, loyal companion one could ask for."
Coleman is a unique character an erudite, talkative and yet anxious and fearful young man who is exceeding loyal to both Oliver, his dog and June, his sister.
Amity is a story of a quest and journey which highlights family ties of many kinds. I didn't feel the emotional impact in this one as I did in Sweetness of Water, but I really loved the characters and have a soft spot in my heart for Oliver.
While the time period is much the same the story of Amity is quite different than Sweetness of Water. Amity merges two historical events, the settlement of the Black Seminoles in Mexico and the resettlement of former southern slave owners in Mexico.
The book shifts in perspective between former enslaved siblings, Coleman and June. It begins:
"I had few pleasures to call my own. There was the peace found in the attic where I was made to board, the transporting comfort of the books in Mrs. Harper’s library, the deliciousness of the sweet bread I purchased with my allowance from the bakery down the road each Sunday of rest. But all of it paled in comparison to the joy brought upon me by Oliver, the terrier I considered my own and the most intelligent, loyal companion one could ask for."
Coleman is a unique character an erudite, talkative and yet anxious and fearful young man who is exceeding loyal to both Oliver, his dog and June, his sister.
Amity is a story of a quest and journey which highlights family ties of many kinds. I didn't feel the emotional impact in this one as I did in Sweetness of Water, but I really loved the characters and have a soft spot in my heart for Oliver.
May 3, 2025
Absolutely terrific. Gorgeous prose from cover to cover. Loved it. Highly recommend.
June 4, 2025
As powerful and as beautiful as The Sweetness of Water. Nathan Harris’ writing is gorgeous. Added joy, there’s Oliver the dog! I just loved this book as much as his debut.
Thank you to my fabulous Lewes DE Public Library for an ARC of this book, out on September 2nd.
Thank you to my fabulous Lewes DE Public Library for an ARC of this book, out on September 2nd.
August 26, 2025
This was my first book by Nathan Harris, but it certainly won’t be my last. From the very first page, I was drawn in by his lyrical prose and masterful character development. Harris has a remarkable gift for capturing both the beauty and the menace of the haunting deserts of Texas and Mexico, where danger seems to linger at every turn.
At its heart, Amity is an adventure story, following siblings Coleman and June as they struggle against all odds in their quest to be reunited. The narrative is suspenseful, yet it’s also infused with tender moments of love, hope, and connection, brought to life by a rich and memorable cast of characters.
Beyond the gripping storyline, Harris illuminates the profound challenges faced by newly freed slaves, weaving in themes of resilience, survival, and humanity. It’s both an engaging journey and a poignant reflection on a pivotal moment in history.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, and Nathan Harris for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
At its heart, Amity is an adventure story, following siblings Coleman and June as they struggle against all odds in their quest to be reunited. The narrative is suspenseful, yet it’s also infused with tender moments of love, hope, and connection, brought to life by a rich and memorable cast of characters.
Beyond the gripping storyline, Harris illuminates the profound challenges faced by newly freed slaves, weaving in themes of resilience, survival, and humanity. It’s both an engaging journey and a poignant reflection on a pivotal moment in history.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, and Nathan Harris for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 28, 2025
This story of struggle and perseverance took me away to a harsh yet beautiful time and place after the turmoil and devastation of the Civil War.
In Amity, alternating story lines and the memories of separated siblings Coleman and June told of their individual journeys as former slaves living in unfamiliar "freedom." The book seemed a bit jumpy and confusing at times, but more than midway through the story, when a new sense of home and community arrived for June, the confusion eventually settled. The possibility of a reunion of brother and sister kept me swiping toward the well thought out and satisfying conclusion.
Mr. Harris provided a piece of American and Mexican history in a setting new to me and is a story that will remain with me long after his book has been tucked away on my Kindle.
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing me the opportunity to read the advanced e-copy of; Amity by Nathan Harris.
In Amity, alternating story lines and the memories of separated siblings Coleman and June told of their individual journeys as former slaves living in unfamiliar "freedom." The book seemed a bit jumpy and confusing at times, but more than midway through the story, when a new sense of home and community arrived for June, the confusion eventually settled. The possibility of a reunion of brother and sister kept me swiping toward the well thought out and satisfying conclusion.
Mr. Harris provided a piece of American and Mexican history in a setting new to me and is a story that will remain with me long after his book has been tucked away on my Kindle.
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing me the opportunity to read the advanced e-copy of; Amity by Nathan Harris.
July 26, 2025
I am so grateful to the publisher, Little, Brown and Company, and the author, Nathan Harris, for the privilege to read this advanced copy through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. I highly recommend this novel that is well researched and enjoyable to read. The author has a fantastic writing style that captures the reader's attention right from the start. I didn't want to put the book down.
The story is set in Louisiana right after the Civil War. The reader travels with the protagonists, June and Coleman, who are black slaves. Their treatment by their "owners" (Wyatt Harper and his family, Mrs. Harper and Florence are difficult. I loved the relationship of Coleman and Oliver, Florence's terrier, throughout the story. Oliver brings comfort during challenging times.
This is not just another book about slavery. It is a story about the two separate journeys of Coleman and June with hardships, abuse, and survival. While it sounds heavy, there are also times of rewards and joy. There is courage, happiness, love, support, and joy during challenging situations. Character development is outstanding. Amity is a place that brings hope.
The book ends like it begins. I loved it and highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed. Well done, Mr. Harris, and thanks for a great read!
The story is set in Louisiana right after the Civil War. The reader travels with the protagonists, June and Coleman, who are black slaves. Their treatment by their "owners" (Wyatt Harper and his family, Mrs. Harper and Florence are difficult. I loved the relationship of Coleman and Oliver, Florence's terrier, throughout the story. Oliver brings comfort during challenging times.
This is not just another book about slavery. It is a story about the two separate journeys of Coleman and June with hardships, abuse, and survival. While it sounds heavy, there are also times of rewards and joy. There is courage, happiness, love, support, and joy during challenging situations. Character development is outstanding. Amity is a place that brings hope.
The book ends like it begins. I loved it and highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed. Well done, Mr. Harris, and thanks for a great read!
July 28, 2025
If this could be a 3.5 star book, it would! I really wanted to like this book but parts of it fell flat for me. I struggled with the tenses changing between characters a bit, and it felt like the entire book was in service to what happens at the end.. which isn’t terrible, but it felt noticeable to me which I didn’t love. The writing was good and I did like the characters, but overall it didn’t quite hit all the marks.
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC :)
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC :)
July 16, 2025
I received a temporary digital copy of Amity from NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Despite the United States outlawing enslavement, siblings June and Coleman are still very much enslaved by the Harper family. June is forced to follow her master, Mr. Harper, in search of a more prosperous life in Mexico. Coleman stays in New Orleans with Mrs. Coleman and their daughter, Florence, until Mr. Harper sends a letter and a highway man demanding Coleman's presence in Mexico so that his sister may return to Mr. Harper. Will the family survive the journey to Mexico? Will Coleman and June be reunited? Will the Harper family find the prosperity they are looking for?
Five stars for Amity - I loved Harris' characters, especially Coleman, Florence and Oliver. I was thoroughly engrossed in the Coleman's POV chapters and although June's chapters weren't as thrilling, they provided so much depth to understanding Coleman and the siblings experiences as enslaved persons.
Despite the United States outlawing enslavement, siblings June and Coleman are still very much enslaved by the Harper family. June is forced to follow her master, Mr. Harper, in search of a more prosperous life in Mexico. Coleman stays in New Orleans with Mrs. Coleman and their daughter, Florence, until Mr. Harper sends a letter and a highway man demanding Coleman's presence in Mexico so that his sister may return to Mr. Harper. Will the family survive the journey to Mexico? Will Coleman and June be reunited? Will the Harper family find the prosperity they are looking for?
Five stars for Amity - I loved Harris' characters, especially Coleman, Florence and Oliver. I was thoroughly engrossed in the Coleman's POV chapters and although June's chapters weren't as thrilling, they provided so much depth to understanding Coleman and the siblings experiences as enslaved persons.
July 14, 2025
This historical novel is quite an interesting and breathtaking read. It tells the story of the struggles of the confederacy after the civil war. It is interesting because even though the slaves were free some of the plantation owners were trying to find a loophall in keeping their slaves. One of the former slaves Coleman will stop at nothing to make sure his sister returns safe and sound. Even if it means having to follow his former slave master to the silver mines of Mexico. From there he will learn the true spirit of freedom and for fighting for what is right.
June 30, 2025
I'm a sucker for journeys, and this story has an amazing one.
August 9, 2025
Amity is a gripping story from beginning to end and almost impossible to put down and will no doubt be many a Book Club choice.
The book is beautifully written with unforgettable characters that will steal your heart.
It is a story of love, a quest for freedom, family, adventure, joy along with sorrow and so much more that my review could never do this book justice.
Coleman departs on a journey to find his sister June and things dont always go smoothly. Its an ardouous journey that will have you feel you are there as well.
I have had The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris on my TBR list for a long time so I am getting it off the shelf and bumping it up on the list as I so love his writing and story telling.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the absolute privilege of reading and reviewing Amity.
The book is beautifully written with unforgettable characters that will steal your heart.
It is a story of love, a quest for freedom, family, adventure, joy along with sorrow and so much more that my review could never do this book justice.
Coleman departs on a journey to find his sister June and things dont always go smoothly. Its an ardouous journey that will have you feel you are there as well.
I have had The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris on my TBR list for a long time so I am getting it off the shelf and bumping it up on the list as I so love his writing and story telling.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the absolute privilege of reading and reviewing Amity.
July 30, 2025
This is a beautifully written story of 2 siblings-Coleman and June, who are separated during the post slavery world of 1864. Although freed, they say with their owners out of comfort and familiarity. June would like to get away from Mr. Harper, while Coleman is content to work for Mrs. Harper and spend time with his dog Oliver. When Mr. Harper takes June with him to Mexico, fleeing the Union Soldiers, Coleman is bereft. He is then summoned by Mr. Harpers man, to help find June, who had run off with her Indian boyfriend.
The action scenes are written expertly. As the ship sinks that they sail on to Mexico, flames rising from the bow, you are reminded of the Titantic. Once Cameron arrives, he struggles to adapt to this new changing world. June, however, is drawn to her freedom, and is excited to escape the claws of Mr. Harper. They will both eventually converge but the journey there is the best part of the story. The terrain, the danger, the heat, it's as if you feel the sand of the desert in your pores. The hardship, the abuse, and the exhaustion they suffer is a testament to their will to survive, and reunite with each other.
I never read this author's first book but now am inspired to do so. An amazing story!
The action scenes are written expertly. As the ship sinks that they sail on to Mexico, flames rising from the bow, you are reminded of the Titantic. Once Cameron arrives, he struggles to adapt to this new changing world. June, however, is drawn to her freedom, and is excited to escape the claws of Mr. Harper. They will both eventually converge but the journey there is the best part of the story. The terrain, the danger, the heat, it's as if you feel the sand of the desert in your pores. The hardship, the abuse, and the exhaustion they suffer is a testament to their will to survive, and reunite with each other.
I never read this author's first book but now am inspired to do so. An amazing story!
July 28, 2025
June and Coleman are siblings...raised as slaves in Louisiana by the Harper family. As the Civil War ends, both siblings should be considered as free persons, but the master of the house Wyatt Harper is not accepting of this fact. He decides to take June (whom he is obsessed with) with him to Mexico and create a fortune through silver mining.
When Muriel Harper and daughter Florence are shown a letter from Wyatt that requests Coleman to come to Mexico to help retrieve June whom is reported as abducted by Indians, the three (plus adorable dog Oliver) begin an odyssey that will take them through the Mexican desert.
Mexico at this time (1865) is a land in turmoil: the French army (currently in control of the government), Juaristas are Mexican rebels that are trying to regain control of their country, and slave traders sent from the US to recapture and return slaves all make the country a very dangerous place.
Both Coleman and June will experience many horrible things as they remain hopeful in reuniting. Will they also find the freedom and security of a home that they can call their own? INCREDIBLE adventure scenes in this book. This is a must read.
Thank you Netgalley/Little Brown and Company for this eARC.
When Muriel Harper and daughter Florence are shown a letter from Wyatt that requests Coleman to come to Mexico to help retrieve June whom is reported as abducted by Indians, the three (plus adorable dog Oliver) begin an odyssey that will take them through the Mexican desert.
Mexico at this time (1865) is a land in turmoil: the French army (currently in control of the government), Juaristas are Mexican rebels that are trying to regain control of their country, and slave traders sent from the US to recapture and return slaves all make the country a very dangerous place.
Both Coleman and June will experience many horrible things as they remain hopeful in reuniting. Will they also find the freedom and security of a home that they can call their own? INCREDIBLE adventure scenes in this book. This is a must read.
Thank you Netgalley/Little Brown and Company for this eARC.
August 2, 2025
Beautiful story! Loved following Coleman & June’s storylines. Enjoyed the author’s writing style. Great book! Thank you NetGalley!
July 16, 2025
Many thanks to Camp NetGalley Book Review Edition 2025 for the opportunity to choose an advanced eARC for my honest opinions (and to receive a Camp NetGalley badge).
This story was set during the Civil War right after slaves were given their freedom. We follow Coleman & his sister June on their travels & experiences trying to reunite with each other after spending so many years apart. June heads from Louisiana with her master to Mexico, with plans to send for the rest of his family & Coleman once he is established there. We learn of the atrocities that June goes through spending time with him. Then a few years later, Coleman and the rest of the family make their way west via water travel, when the ship is taken down and he & their master's daughter are forced to get there on foot. We experience all that they went through during their travels. The author is an excellent writer and vividly portrayed the landscapes and what these two went through to try & reunite with each other.
This story was set during the Civil War right after slaves were given their freedom. We follow Coleman & his sister June on their travels & experiences trying to reunite with each other after spending so many years apart. June heads from Louisiana with her master to Mexico, with plans to send for the rest of his family & Coleman once he is established there. We learn of the atrocities that June goes through spending time with him. Then a few years later, Coleman and the rest of the family make their way west via water travel, when the ship is taken down and he & their master's daughter are forced to get there on foot. We experience all that they went through during their travels. The author is an excellent writer and vividly portrayed the landscapes and what these two went through to try & reunite with each other.
July 23, 2025
It's 1866 in New Orleans. Two years ago, brother and sister, Coleman and June, were separated when their old master, Mr. Harper, took June away to Mexico, where he hoped to escape the new reality of the post-war South. Coleman stayed behind in Louisiana to serve the Harper family which consists of Mrs. Harper and her daughter Florence.
When an unexpected letter from Mr. Harper arrives along with a mysterious man, Coleman thinks that finally his prayers have been answered. Mr. Harper wants Coleman brought to Mexico. When disaster strikes Coleman’s and the Harper's journey, he is forced on the run with Mr. Harper's daughter, Florence. Together, they venture into the Mexican desert to find June, all the while evading two crooked brothers who'll stop at nothing to capture Coleman and Florence and collect the money they're owed. For now, Coleman and June are fighting their own battles in the desert. Can they make their way back to each other?
Amity is historical fiction AND a western. It's so unique and I was all over the place with it lol. The writing and setting pulled me in immediately, as well as the characters. I love a journey through a desert. The story kept slowing down and then picking back up. There was some crazy action, a bit surreal but interesting! Then it slowed again. Coleman talks so much! I thought I wanted a break, said no just read a few more pages. Suddenly I was at 70% and I didn't want to put the book down. I got so invested I tried to finish before bedtime.
There is a lot of blood and violence and action near the end. The dog, Oliver, has his own journey along with the other characters. You have to read this for yourself. The story is worth it. And Amity has the best of this one type of scene I've ever read. Don't skip the epilogue. It's long but important.
When an unexpected letter from Mr. Harper arrives along with a mysterious man, Coleman thinks that finally his prayers have been answered. Mr. Harper wants Coleman brought to Mexico. When disaster strikes Coleman’s and the Harper's journey, he is forced on the run with Mr. Harper's daughter, Florence. Together, they venture into the Mexican desert to find June, all the while evading two crooked brothers who'll stop at nothing to capture Coleman and Florence and collect the money they're owed. For now, Coleman and June are fighting their own battles in the desert. Can they make their way back to each other?
Amity is historical fiction AND a western. It's so unique and I was all over the place with it lol. The writing and setting pulled me in immediately, as well as the characters. I love a journey through a desert. The story kept slowing down and then picking back up. There was some crazy action, a bit surreal but interesting! Then it slowed again. Coleman talks so much! I thought I wanted a break, said no just read a few more pages. Suddenly I was at 70% and I didn't want to put the book down. I got so invested I tried to finish before bedtime.
There is a lot of blood and violence and action near the end. The dog, Oliver, has his own journey along with the other characters. You have to read this for yourself. The story is worth it. And Amity has the best of this one type of scene I've ever read. Don't skip the epilogue. It's long but important.
September 2, 2025
I loved the setting Nathan Harris picked for his new book. I thought the writing was very immersive, richly descriptive, and atmospheric. I felt like I was right behind the main characters following their arduous journey.
This book is told by two point of views, siblings who were separated and now the brother - our main character -is on a journey to reunite with his sister.
It's hard to read sometimes, especially because the characters read in a very realistic way that you can't help but empathise with and root for them. Or, in some cases, against other characters. But there are some lighter scenes (especially the ones with a lovely dog) and the promise and hope to see the two siblings united once again.
This is the second novel Harris writes and, even though I believe his writing skills have improved since his first novel (but he already was great), I personally prefer his previous novel, The Sweetness of Water. The brothers' relationship in that book appealed to me a little more.
However, Amity has a more dense and richer atmosphere that I truly enjoyed spending some time with.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who has read The Sweetness of Water and enjoyed, and to readers who are into historical fiction with some adventurous journey.
Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is told by two point of views, siblings who were separated and now the brother - our main character -is on a journey to reunite with his sister.
It's hard to read sometimes, especially because the characters read in a very realistic way that you can't help but empathise with and root for them. Or, in some cases, against other characters. But there are some lighter scenes (especially the ones with a lovely dog) and the promise and hope to see the two siblings united once again.
This is the second novel Harris writes and, even though I believe his writing skills have improved since his first novel (but he already was great), I personally prefer his previous novel, The Sweetness of Water. The brothers' relationship in that book appealed to me a little more.
However, Amity has a more dense and richer atmosphere that I truly enjoyed spending some time with.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who has read The Sweetness of Water and enjoyed, and to readers who are into historical fiction with some adventurous journey.
Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 1, 2025
There’s a certain kind of story that feels like wandering through a garden at dusk—soft, slow, blooming in shadows. Amity by Nathan Harris is one of those books. Set against the evocative backdrop of 1860s Mexico and New Orleans, it’s a tale dipped in dusky amber light and woven with threads of loss, longing, and complicated love.
Told through the alternating perspectives of separated siblings June and Coleman, the story explores life under the household of Wyatt Harper. When June is whisked away to Mexico under Wyatt’s obsessive gaze, Coleman remains behind with the Harper family, only to be later summoned south with a cryptic note that stirs more questions than answers.
What warmed my teacup:
The setting is lush, rich, and rare—like stumbling upon an old, forgotten greenhouse. I was enchanted by the atmosphere Harris created. The post-Civil War timeline felt like an untapped chapter of history brought vividly to life.
Where the candle dimmed:
This story moves slowly—like molasses on a winter morning. While the writing is undeniably beautiful, I often found myself wishing the plot would stir itself a bit more. It felt like I’d packed a picnic for a stormy day: lovely in theory, but hard to fully enjoy with the chill.
A Sugarplum Sentiment:
Amity is best sipped slowly, like lavender tea on a gray afternoon. If you delight in character-driven novels where the journey matters more than the destination, this may nestle perfectly onto your bookshelf. But if you need a spark of action to light your reading fire, this may flicker too faintly.
Final Whimsy:
For readers who love historical fiction with emotional depth and atmospheric prose, this book is a wistful bloom. Just know it may take a while to fully unfold.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 sugarplums — a thoughtful, tender tale that whispers instead of shouts.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Told through the alternating perspectives of separated siblings June and Coleman, the story explores life under the household of Wyatt Harper. When June is whisked away to Mexico under Wyatt’s obsessive gaze, Coleman remains behind with the Harper family, only to be later summoned south with a cryptic note that stirs more questions than answers.
What warmed my teacup:
The setting is lush, rich, and rare—like stumbling upon an old, forgotten greenhouse. I was enchanted by the atmosphere Harris created. The post-Civil War timeline felt like an untapped chapter of history brought vividly to life.
Where the candle dimmed:
This story moves slowly—like molasses on a winter morning. While the writing is undeniably beautiful, I often found myself wishing the plot would stir itself a bit more. It felt like I’d packed a picnic for a stormy day: lovely in theory, but hard to fully enjoy with the chill.
A Sugarplum Sentiment:
Amity is best sipped slowly, like lavender tea on a gray afternoon. If you delight in character-driven novels where the journey matters more than the destination, this may nestle perfectly onto your bookshelf. But if you need a spark of action to light your reading fire, this may flicker too faintly.
Final Whimsy:
For readers who love historical fiction with emotional depth and atmospheric prose, this book is a wistful bloom. Just know it may take a while to fully unfold.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 sugarplums — a thoughtful, tender tale that whispers instead of shouts.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
September 1, 2025
Nathan Harris has done it again. He has blessed us with richly drawn characters interwoven among a dangerous and unforgiving landscape. Amity takes place in post-Civil War Louisiana and Mexico. Enslaved people have been granted freedom and yet we see how bondage runs deeper than mere laws. Siblings, June and Coleman, have been fortunate to remain in the same household until their former master, Mr. Harper, decides to seek his fortune in Mexico taking June with him. Coleman later follows with Mrs. Harper and their daughter, Florence. Through the lenses of both June and Coleman we witness their harrowing experiences and their incredible tenacity and determination to find each other again. This is not a novel to be devoured quickly, but to savor and appreciate the journey.
September 7, 2025
4/4.5 stars. I read this via Whispersync and the narration was great.
August 29, 2025
Pretty good but just didn’t meant my expectations. Based on the synopsis and the time period (my personal fave to read about) I had really high hopes. I was hoping for a more high stakes adventure novel. I still enjoyed some parts of it. Would recommend to some but not everyone.
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