Reviews tagging 'Medical content'

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

9 reviews

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

clo_l's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Sexual assault, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Car accident, and Vomit

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

kaitlinlovesbooks's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Sexual content

Minor: Blood, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Medical content, and Grief

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

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

thenovelbookshelf's review against another edition

emotional 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

April's mum left and her dad has a new ready made family with his new girlfriend and her son. What does April have? She lives in her dad's motorless motorhome, a boyfriend who wants to plan to marry April and get out of their small town, and a substitute mum in the local diner's manager, Margo.
  
When April's dad smashes her guitar and her future dreams, she steals her dad's girlfriends car and goes on an unexpected soul searching journey across America.
  
You fall in love with April and her journey, with a raw and emotional story full of characters that are just right for that time they meet April. Your heart will break, laugh, cry and cheer as April discovers who she is and what friends and family mean to her.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Drug use, Abandonment, Alcohol, Medical content, Pregnancy, Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

leahrosiee's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug use, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Eating disorder

Minor: Death of parent and Cancer

thewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Pregnancy, and Medical content

Moderate: Cancer, Homophobia, and Drug abuse

Minor: Addiction and Vomit