The People We Keep by Allison Larkin – 368 pages
ARC from Gallery Books and Netgalley for an honest review
Book Blurb:
Little River, New York, 1994: April Sawicki is living in a motorless motorhome that her father won in a poker game. Failing out of school, picking up shifts at Margo’s diner, she’s left fending for herself in a town where she’s never quite felt at home. When she “borrows” her neighbor’s car to perform at an open mic night, she realizes her life could be much bigger than where she came from. After a fight with her dad, April packs her stuff and leaves for good, setting off on a journey to find a life that’s all hers.
As April moves through the world, meeting people who feel like home, she chronicles her life in the songs she writes and discovers that where she came from doesn’t dictate who she has to be.
My Review: 4 stars
The People We Keep was a heartwarming and at times heartbreaking journey through the eyes of a 16-year-old April. April is a character that will have you wanting to wrap your arms around her – to protect her, love her and assure her that she’ll be okay.
April was dealt a rough hand with a mom who walked out on her and a dad who leaves her to basically raise herself, as he shacks up with his girlfriend. She lives in a motorless motor home with little chance of following her dreams. Her only escape is through her singing and songwriting – so she takes to the road in a stolen car as its her only chance of happiness.
Through April’s trek from gig to gig, she meets a myriad of characters. Some allow her to grow, some make her feel safe and from some she learns the horrible hurt that comes from broken trust. Most importantly though, she finally has the opportunity to meet the people that stay, people worth keeping and creating a family out of broken pieces. Nothing comes easy, yet good people, are worth the effort to find.
This gorgeous cover has an equally beautiful story inside. I highly recommend this tender and quick read.
Quotes I liked:
We have people we get to keep, who won’t ever let us go. And that’s the most important part.”
“Funny what we’re drawn to, isn’t it? What it fixes?”
“It’s funny how there’s sex naked and doctor’s office naked and they’re not at the same thing.”
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