Reviews with content warning for Adult/minor relationship - The People We Keep

Reviews tagging 'Adult/minor relationship'

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

74 reviews

saradoxical's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

5.0

I'm not usually someone who pays attention to Content Warnings, but the underage/adult relationship in this book threw me, and made me severely uncomfortable. I believe that was the point, but before I review this book I wanted to mention that.

Otherwise, I loved it. Top ten, probably. A keep on my shelf for a reread book.

Book Riot included this book on a list of overrated classics as what to read instead of On the Road and as someone who's tried and failed to read Jack Kerouac's classic? I was intrigued.

I loved April, and cheered for her throughout the book, finding the narrative real and sometimes painfully honest. Again, I wasn't a fan of one of her relationships, but it was still strikingly honest writing. April's life as an independent musician just trying to survive traveling from town to town reflects on the decisions we make in our lives, the what ifs that could drive us mad, and the people who become part of our stories along the way. If I had one other complaint?

The narrative wraps up too neatly, however I don't mind too much. I was rooting for April.

(A note: The rating I've given this book has increased, from my initial reaction to how it's sat with me. 5 stars, all the way.)

Content Warnings

caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition

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When I DNF a book I usually only give it one or two stars but I'm feeling generous. I want to be fair, because this book is just too YA for my taste. I also had a lot of empathy for April because the adults in her life sucked. Unfortunately, that empathy did not translate to curiosity about how her story ended. The ick factor from the sexually inappropriate relationship was just too much for me. I still do not understand how many people in the book world are so offended by infidelity in fiction but so many who reviewed this book just ignored the fact that a 16yo lied to an almost 30yo man about her age and then shacked up with him.

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clo_l's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

4.0

This book was an emotional rollercoaster. The story of a young girl, left to fend for herself, never knowing love, companionship or security. April has lived a million lives in the span of this book. She has loved & left, over and over and over. Never feeling worthy enough to stay with the people she truly loves & who love her back. It was hard, reading about her falling into the same patterns and not allowing herself to settle down. I absolutely love the characters in this book, especially Margo & Ethan. The ending is bittersweet and hopeful, although I need MORE!

I need to know what else happens, does Justin come around? What about Robert? Who does little Max grow up to be? Ughhhh I seriously need more! I’m not ready to let go of April.

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martieliz's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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bethhop's review against another edition

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4.0

I sobbed through like 75% of this but in the best way

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skylover's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

This book was overall a good read, the side characters were lovable as hell and the road-trip lifestyle was a cool adventure to fictionally take part of. The MC I had a hard time rooting for when it felt like she wasn't always giving back to the people who were there for her, and I'm not a fan of time jumps, so a three-year gap felt pointless since she wasn't that much more grown up or wise since we saw April in Ithaca when she was 16. Margo, Adam, Carly, and Ethan were the real ones. I literally couldn't stand Justin so the ending felt a little disappointing.

Content Warnings

annaredanz's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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? Yes

2.0

Ending was mid but wasn’t worth struggling through reading about the 10+ age gap relationship with the 16 year old main character that comes in around 1/3 of the way though. That was frankly gross and I feel like didn’t add much to the story and should have been left out. I only finished this book because I felt like I was too far in to stop. I would not recommend this book solely based on that.

Content Warnings