Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - The People We Keep

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

22 reviews

elliptica's review

I didn't read the content warnings before choosing to read this book and I couldn't make it to the end not knowing how these actions were defended/justified/rectified.

I figure there is likely character development in the second half that I didn't get to. And I know that everyone reacts to trauma in different ways. But it's just not the right book for me.

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greenlivingaudioworm's review

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

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madelinedalton's review against another edition

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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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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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