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hannasaurus_rex's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
arykalden's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
4.5
Wow, been a while since I sped through a book in a day. Unexpectedly loved it. There is one character and section I think the story could do without. I understand, I think, the author’s reasons, but it did its job and had me frustrated.
Still the end and bits in between had tears pricking my eyes! Oof. Had the whole run of emotions on this one.
Still the end and bits in between had tears pricking my eyes! Oof. Had the whole run of emotions on this one.
aeo1116's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this book! Such a sweet, heartbreaking at times, story about a young girl coming into herself, and finding the people she considers family. This one will stay with me a long time! Five stars with an exclamation point. I loved the feel good ending!
birdyinthewild's review against another edition
2.5
Dear The People We Keep,
I feel like I’ve read this before?
Predatory men
Abusive parents
Trauma response
Young girl struggling
This isn’t a bad story. I just could not feel April’s growth or change. She just was. And the men, ugh. She went from one predatory and awful guy to the next.
I was not amused.
And the ending, motherhood and giving birth is what fixes her and all the trauma………. 😑🙄
Review Breakdown:
Characters: 3⭐️
Setting: 3⭐️
Plot: 2⭐️
Themes: 2⭐️
Emotional Impact: 2⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 2⭐️
Welp.
I feel like I’ve read this before?
Predatory men
Abusive parents
Trauma response
Young girl struggling
This isn’t a bad story. I just could not feel April’s growth or change. She just was. And the men, ugh. She went from one predatory and awful guy to the next.
I was not amused.
And the ending, motherhood and giving birth is what fixes her and all the trauma………. 😑🙄
Review Breakdown:
Characters: 3⭐️
Setting: 3⭐️
Plot: 2⭐️
Themes: 2⭐️
Emotional Impact: 2⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 2⭐️
Welp.
rebkleem32's review against another edition
4.0
This is MUCH better than Demon Copperhead, which is what it reminded me of throughout. Another book about parents who don’t want to be parents (another reason why pro-choice and access to birth control is so important) and their child rising above. I do love how April kept finding communities to lift her up and how even though she kept leaving them, true friends never leave
rjleamon11's review against another edition
2.0
I wish we could give half stars! This one is a 2.5 for me. The reader was excellent, creating a strong sense of the main character's personality. I thought Larkin did a good job showing how the young woman (yup, forgot her name)'s upbringing shaped her personality,
BUT BUT BUT most of the men in the book AND the narrator's relationships with men:
a 16.5 year old and a 27 year old? No no no no no--I was hugely uncomfortable with that, given the whole "I would've sworn she was 18" trope AND the narrator's decision to lie about her age. AND
Matty?
Justin?
her dad?
the guy after Justin?
Bodie?
Bodie was the only one who was at all developed as a character and at all likable.
The women were, for the most part, interesting and carefully developed, but the men were wooden and vacant.
AND I didn't feel that April (AHA! I REMEMBERED!) grew or learned anything in the various events and developments in the book, even the major one at the end.
A lot of it just felt undeveloped and unconsidered. I'm interested that so many people loved it!
BUT BUT BUT most of the men in the book AND the narrator's relationships with men:
a 16.5 year old and a 27 year old? No no no no no--I was hugely uncomfortable with that, given the whole "I would've sworn she was 18" trope AND the narrator's decision to lie about her age. AND
Matty?
Justin?
her dad?
the guy after Justin?
Bodie?
Bodie was the only one who was at all developed as a character and at all likable.
The women were, for the most part, interesting and carefully developed, but the men were wooden and vacant.
AND I didn't feel that April (AHA! I REMEMBERED!) grew or learned anything in the various events and developments in the book, even the major one at the end.
A lot of it just felt undeveloped and unconsidered. I'm interested that so many people loved it!
cristensbooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 - 4 ⭐️ Book club pick. Quick read, interesting characters. My heart ached for April, the main female character, and all the family trauma + neglect she suffered. In the end she finds a way to balance sadness with joy and her chosen family really shows up for her.
utmom2014's review against another edition
4.0
I was born and raised in Ithaca, NY so this book was so fun to read. I love how the author talked about real places that exist, made up some places, and described places without naming them, which led me on a trip down memory lane.
BTW…. If your reading these comments, you described Guitar Works to a “T” which is in a building that used to be a high school and happens to be next door to where I currently work!
Despite the location, the story itself started out ok but got better and better with each chapter. I enjoyed how the relationships intertwined at the end and how the message came across that you don’t have to be “family” to actually be family
BTW…. If your reading these comments, you described Guitar Works to a “T” which is in a building that used to be a high school and happens to be next door to where I currently work!
Despite the location, the story itself started out ok but got better and better with each chapter. I enjoyed how the relationships intertwined at the end and how the message came across that you don’t have to be “family” to actually be family