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thenovelbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
April's mum left and her dad has a new ready made family with his new girlfriend and her son. What does April have? She lives in her dad's motorless motorhome, a boyfriend who wants to plan to marry April and get out of their small town, and a substitute mum in the local diner's manager, Margo.
When April's dad smashes her guitar and her future dreams, she steals her dad's girlfriends car and goes on an unexpected soul searching journey across America.
You fall in love with April and her journey, with a raw and emotional story full of characters that are just right for that time they meet April. Your heart will break, laugh, cry and cheer as April discovers who she is and what friends and family mean to her.
When April's dad smashes her guitar and her future dreams, she steals her dad's girlfriends car and goes on an unexpected soul searching journey across America.
You fall in love with April and her journey, with a raw and emotional story full of characters that are just right for that time they meet April. Your heart will break, laugh, cry and cheer as April discovers who she is and what friends and family mean to her.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Abandonment, Alcohol, Medical content, Pregnancy, Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
martamae77's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault and Death of parent
martachbc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
After teenaged April’s deadbeat dad disappoints her for the last time, she takes off in his car with the only thing of value he ever gave her - a guitar. Determined to start a new life for herself, she settled in a New York college town before beginning a nomadic, troubadour life up and down the East Coast. With just enough professional success to eke out a living, April doesn’t want for much - just a home, and a family, to call her own.
I loved this heart-aching story - though it certainly left me emotionally bereft quite a few time. April was such a strong but sad character, and I so desperately wanted things to go her way. Of course, this is a 300-plus page book, so be prepared for a lot to go wrong in her journey. But the glimmers of hope, which Allison Larkin carefully bread-crumbs along the way, teach April - and us - powerful lessons about what it means to love and be loved in return.
What’s holding me back from giving this five stars is a *totally personal preference* regarding what makes a satisfying story arc. Ultimately, I thought the climax and conclusion fit the characters and story.
It’s easy to see why this book made so many “best of” lists last year - I can’t recommend it enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Alcohol
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Drug use, Blood, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer
ryannredinger's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Allison Larkin's The People We Keep was such a refreshing read. After reading books like Normal People or Perks of Being a Wallflower, TPWK was such a sweet book about found family and trying to find home.
I found the characters (most of them haha) really fun and lovable, and the characters you aren’t supposed to like, you definitely don’t. The setting and overall vibes of the book are immaculate. I could really envision the setting and character which makes the story come to life for me.
My favorite part of the book was the writing style. Larkin has some absolutely stunning lines and observations about relationships and life that put words to abstract concepts of thought of and experienced before. There were some lines or passages that stopped me in my tracks to sit and think. The writing really elevated the story, and the observations made by the main character made me relate to her on a deep level.
I gave TPWK a 4 out of 5 stars because I think it is just such a fun, sweet story that was a truly enjoyable read. If you feel like you need a more light-hearted story about finding family and growing up on the road, I highly recommend The People We Keep.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
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