Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

19 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, and Violence

snipinfool's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

4.5

Sixteen-year-old April Sawicki learned she had to look out for herself. Her father left her to go live with his girlfriend and their new baby. She had been alone in a motorless motorhome for some time. April was failing school and often cut classes or missed altogether to pick up shifts at the local diner, Margo’s. Margo was like a mother to her since her mother left when April was young. April’s prized possession was the guitar her father gave her on her last birthday. She spent as much time as she could writing songs and creating music. April decided to try singing at a local open mic night at the Blue Moon Café. She sang her heart out and the crowd loved her songs. After a fight with her father, April felt it was time to leave and find her own way. Her father had broken her guitar during the fight, but she hoped she could find a way to use her talent to make a living. The story followed April as she found friends who became family, found the courage and strength to forge her way alone, and found a life she never imagined.

This was such an interesting story. One could not help but feel for April. Her childhood was difficult. I could not imagine striking out alone at sixteen, but she kept going to get the life she wanted. Along the way, she met people who taught her to love and others who reminded her to be distrustful. I loved that she remained in contact with Margo. Margo was such a wonderful character. Even though April didn’t stay in one place very long before she moved on again, each person she connected with left a little piece behind in her. I loved meeting April and reading her story.

Content warning: April’s father was emotionally and physically abusive. April was also sexually assaulted while out on the road as well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, and Toxic relationship

amberlfaris's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Violence, and Toxic relationship

greenlivingaudioworm's review

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Car accident, Death, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Homophobia, Blood, Child abuse, Abandonment, Cancer, Grief, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Violence, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail

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

mdavis26's review against another edition

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Physical abuse, and Homophobia

sadiejericho's review

emotional funny hopeful sad tense 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

4.75

Really wonderful. Sad, moving and ultimately hopeful. All the characters are well drawn and complex. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Abandonment

Moderate: Pregnancy, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Medical content, and Physical abuse

Minor: Cancer, Classism, and Car accident

oodlesofbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective 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

The first half I was searching for the plot line but still felt very engaged. It’s truly a coming of age story and a finding your own family story. Cute, touching, and loved the setting in Upstate New York. Enjoyed it enough I’m going to seek out other books by this author. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Emotional abuse, and Pregnancy

emilylovesgoodbooks's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Violence

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship

redefiningrachel's review

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Medical trauma, Pedophilia, Addiction, Blood, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Terminal illness

Minor: Body shaming, Miscarriage, and Fatphobia