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A review by kelly_e
The People We Keep by Allison Larkin
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Title: The People We Keep
Author: Allison Larkin
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: August 3, 2021
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Slow β’ Nostalgic β’ Repetitive
π S Y N O P S I S
Abandoned by her mother as a child, April is living in a run-down motorhome her father won as part of a bet, and picking up shifts at the local diner. Her father who is rarely ever home, prefers to spend time with his girlfriend and her child. To make matters worse, April's failing at school and barely scraping by. Sick of it all and with dreams of pursuing her music, she steals a car and leaves Little River behind.
π T H O U G H T S
After seeing several glowing reviews and reading the synopsis, I was convinced The People We Keep would be a book I'd love. Unfortunately, I was wrong (it happens).
What I like:
β’ part one. It started out so strong. I was intrigued. I was engaged. I wanted to keep reading.
β’ the singer/songwriter aspect. I wish there'd have been a bigger focus on this element.
β’ the secondary characters. April meets some wonderful and endearing people along the way.
β’ the audio narration. It's Julia Whelan. Enough said.
What I didn't like:
β’ part two on. After starting with so much potential, it really lost it's footing as I progressed and my attention waned considerably.
β’ the pacing. It felt longer than it actually was. And yet, the entire story spans only four years of April's life, and I wanted felt as though it should have been longer.
β’ the repetitive nature of April's behaviour. The same thing happens over and over again. April's behaviour felt like a broken record, making the narrative highly predictable and giving it YA vibes. Honestly, it didn't feel like she grew all that much from start to finish.
β’ the sexual encounters. The story didn't need this and would likely have been better without.
β’ the redemptive power of motherhood. It all just felt so unrealistic and clichΓ©.
β’ entering a relationship under false pretenses. Just. A. Hard. No.
In summary, The People We Keep had so many of the elements I love in a character-driven story, but it just ended up not working. I definitely understand why this book is so beloved by many readers, it was just not the right fit for me.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ fans of the found family trope
β’ readers who like character-driven narratives
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"I wonder if maybe all you do is meet people and lose them and your smile fades the further you go because you have to carry the space they leave. Maybe it just all turns into old pictures on a bookshelf, engraved rings, memories of sticking stars to a ceiling, and maybe the space gets bigger and heavier every year."
"I want to believe there will still be newness in the world for me. That it's not all faded and dusty."
Author: Allison Larkin
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: August 3, 2021
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Slow β’ Nostalgic β’ Repetitive
π S Y N O P S I S
Abandoned by her mother as a child, April is living in a run-down motorhome her father won as part of a bet, and picking up shifts at the local diner. Her father who is rarely ever home, prefers to spend time with his girlfriend and her child. To make matters worse, April's failing at school and barely scraping by. Sick of it all and with dreams of pursuing her music, she steals a car and leaves Little River behind.
π T H O U G H T S
After seeing several glowing reviews and reading the synopsis, I was convinced The People We Keep would be a book I'd love. Unfortunately, I was wrong (it happens).
What I like:
β’ part one. It started out so strong. I was intrigued. I was engaged. I wanted to keep reading.
β’ the singer/songwriter aspect. I wish there'd have been a bigger focus on this element.
β’ the secondary characters. April meets some wonderful and endearing people along the way.
β’ the audio narration. It's Julia Whelan. Enough said.
What I didn't like:
β’ part two on. After starting with so much potential, it really lost it's footing as I progressed and my attention waned considerably.
β’ the pacing. It felt longer than it actually was. And yet, the entire story spans only four years of April's life, and I wanted felt as though it should have been longer.
β’ the repetitive nature of April's behaviour. The same thing happens over and over again. April's behaviour felt like a broken record, making the narrative highly predictable and giving it YA vibes. Honestly, it didn't feel like she grew all that much from start to finish.
β’ the sexual encounters. The story didn't need this and would likely have been better without.
β’ the redemptive power of motherhood. It all just felt so unrealistic and clichΓ©.
β’ entering a relationship under false pretenses. Just. A. Hard. No.
In summary, The People We Keep had so many of the elements I love in a character-driven story, but it just ended up not working. I definitely understand why this book is so beloved by many readers, it was just not the right fit for me.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ fans of the found family trope
β’ readers who like character-driven narratives
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"I wonder if maybe all you do is meet people and lose them and your smile fades the further you go because you have to carry the space they leave. Maybe it just all turns into old pictures on a bookshelf, engraved rings, memories of sticking stars to a ceiling, and maybe the space gets bigger and heavier every year."
"I want to believe there will still be newness in the world for me. That it's not all faded and dusty."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
child neglect