Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

5 reviews

_mor06_'s review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction and Domestic abuse

Minor: Rape

madelinedalton's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

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

2.5

I hate that literally every single man in this book, regardless of if they were “good” or bad, was trying to fuck her. The only one who didn’t was gay. This feels really icky to me. I also got really sick of the constant trauma bonding and relationships with much older men. (To be fair, Robert’s age isn’t specified, but I would imagine he’s much closer to Ethan’s age than April’s.)

Also, you’re telling me that a man who was raped by his stepmother at 14 and therefore is nervous about sex doesn’t see ANY issue with dating a 19-year-old when he’s 27? Even though he believed April to be a legal adult, I can’t possibly believe he wouldn’t have strict age gap preferences after that. I don’t fault him for not knowing she was 16, but dating a homeless 19-year-old as an established 27-year-old is still cause for concern. The author was clearly trying to paint him as a safe and sympathetic character, and while I do think he was very kind-hearted, I never stopped feeling uneasy while reading about their relationship.

I personally wanted a lot more focus on the songwriting and performing aspects of April’s life, but that’s a me problem because I myself am a performer. I also found the Asheville section of the book to be rushed, which lessened the emotional payoff of her bond with Ethan and Robert. The way that everyone came back together in Ithaca felt a little *too* serendipitous, but it was sweet. 

All this criticism aside, I did really enjoy April's unique narrative voice, the present tense first person narration, and the loving way in which the loose ends were tied.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Violence

Minor: Rape

isabell's review

challenging hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Grief, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Death of parent

Minor: Vomit, Dementia, Rape, and Cursing

theonlybaillie's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Child abuse, and Grief

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug use, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Cursing, Dementia, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape

gabgeh's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

I would not recommend this book if high-quality writing is a priority for you. A somewhat cute, sad, self-insert story with very few character motivators and very little plot development. Tolerable only because I was reading it for a book club and would be able to trash-talk it after reading it. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Death of parent, Dementia, and Drug use