Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - The People We Keep

As a journey through the life of someone who gets lost and tires desperately to find where they belong, this book unexpectedly touched me deeply. Its a story about how pain can come from different places but leave the same scar, learning how to choose your own family, when to run and what's worth staying for (and an ode to how fathers can be quite terrible). If you can suspend your disbelief to endure a few hundred pages of a minor/adult relationship, it will sweep you off your feet.

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leahrosiee's review

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challenging emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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emotional reflective

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The People We Keep is a pretty undemanding read - although there are some content warnings to watch out for - with a nice feel good ending. Found family for the win.

Sixteen year old April is sick of living in a run down motorless motorhome, sick of her negligent, mostly absent and sometimes abusive father, and sick of trying to survive in a small judgemental town. So she steals a car (one her father bought for his girlfriend while failing to provide food for April) and heads out on the road to live on her terms. Along the way she forges some special connections but something always happens that causes her to take to the road again.

April is a character who tugs at the heartstrings. She’s quite fragile and vulnerable, yet gives out strong, independent vibes. She’s a real survivor but also her own worst enemy, pushing away or fleeing from good people in order to protect herself from possible hurt. The damage done by those who weren’t there for her but should have been blinds her to those who are there for her or would be if she would give them half a chance. The mother in me really wanted to provide her with some good food, a warm bed, a big hug and a little advice, although sometimes I did want to shake her for making some bad decisions and being her own worst enemy. I loved her voice and her song lyrics. Really want to buy the album or at least listen to a gig.

This is a book you read for the characters, especially the protagonist. The general theme and plot points aren’t new, but April is well drawn, easy to become invested in and to root for.

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