The People We Keep

Written by Allison Larkin

Narrated by Julia Whelan

BOOK RIOT’S BEST BOOKS OF 2021

“This is a novel of great empathy, about connections and coming-of-age, built families and self-acceptance. It contains heartbreak and redemption, and a plucky, irresistible protagonist…[A] propulsive, empathetic novel.” —Shelf Awareness

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 a local 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.

Driving without a chosen destination, she stops to rest in Ithaca. Her only plan is to survive, but as she looks for work, she finds a kindred sense of belonging at Cafe Decadence, the local coffee shop. Still, somehow, it doesn’t make sense to her that life could be this easy. The more she falls in love with her friends in Ithaca, the more she can’t shake the feeling that she’ll hurt them the way she’s been hurt. 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.

This lyrical, luminous tale “is both a profound love letter to creative resilience and a reminder that sometimes even tragedy can be a kind of blessing” (Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Aug 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797124360

Allison Larkin

Allison Larkin is the internationally bestselling author of the novels Stay, Why Can’t I Be You, and Swimming for Sunlight. Her short fiction has been published in the Summerset Review and Slice, and nonfiction in the anthologies, I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship and Author in Progress. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, with her husband, Jeremy, and their fearful, faithful German Shepherd, Stella.

Reviews for The People We Keep

[Chenalin De Los Santos · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So heart wrenching to heart-warming. It squeezes my heart tightly how beautifulu written the true harshness of tbe world reflected on April's life. Living in a new city, this is very timely for me. I miss my friends and family. There are good people in the world worth keeping. :)

[Anise Deters · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The narrator was great. The story, however, was lacking in detail. It was challenging for me to finish this book that had Hallmark movie style ending.

[Andra Atteberry · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Shorter — moves too slowly. Nothing happens and it’s described in excruciating detail.

[Ramzy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I almost gave it 4 stars but it’s beautifully written so I had to give it 5.

Family is what you make and April made hers.

[Elysa · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Good narrator but I was bored by the story. It's all character and long descriptions. It's not plot-driven at all.

[Heather · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gorgeous writing and storytelling. I’d forgotten I read this last year until it came up as a recommendation here. I remember how I felt for her, rooted for her, and understood her. The book left its mark.

[Niki Drake · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of those stories that makes me miss the characters later. Excellent narration - so easy to listen to.

[Paris Acosta · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

absolutely twisted my stomach and squeezed my heart so many times, half way through the book you'll be rooting for her happy ending so hard it almost breaks your heart! such a good book!!

[Lisa Dwyer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book touched my soul. I can’t recommend it more highly.

[June Benedick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wasn’t sure at first. Then I started the audible rather than reading the book. I didn’t want to stop. A great story line, although a little sad.

[Tracey Combs · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heartbreakingly beautiful. A story that will stay with me. Wonderful narration.

[Shelby Ridgely · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I haven't felt this strongly about a book in a long time. I didn't want it to end. I adored the characters, was immersed in the plot and couldn't put it down once I started.

[Jennifer Adams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

DEFINITELY A FIVE STAR *****
The DIALOG! The FLOW! The STORYLINE! The CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!

April became my friend, my daughter, a loved one. This book ceased being a novel, but metamorphosed into actual lives.

I was sad for the book to end and yearn to read more of this highly talented authors’ books.

[Jan Brewington · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A novel with spirit, ups and downs, pleasant and unpleasant turns. A great coming of age story with a fantastic protagonist. Great story and an appropriate reader.

[Alexis Whatley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Articulate and descriptive explanations written simply. This book made me feel so much, I haven’t read such real raw characters in a great while.

[Chelsi Woods · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I didn’t want this book to end! It was like I was on this entire journey along with April.

[Marji Klein Finkel · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I just found this boring, repetitive, with no development of any characters and no chemistry between characters.

[danyelle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

WOW okay so I definitely just wanted so much for April at every point in this book! Whenever I thought this might be it this might be the happiness she wants I always felt disappointed that something else would happen! This was a good book some parts kind of fall flat since it's a little long so I kept going back and forth if I even wanted to finish it but I'm glad I did..I wish I got to read more about what April's future would be like.

[Therese Supple Kincade · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully story with interesting characters, but tough to listen to sometimes. It reminds me of Demon Copperhead but with a female protagonist. Very well read and performed

[Suzanne Dixon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Couldn't stop listening!! A total page-turner, even though I was listening and not actually turning pages ?

[Mahsana Sadegh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Who do we keep?
Who is worth is
Really worth it ....
This book will stay with me for the rest of my life

[Ann G Miller-Sobel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wanted to help April with every ache. Well written painful tale. Excellent ending.

[Troy Tate · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I want to give this book a 5+. I love the narrator, and the author took a deep into the hearts of so many, particularly April. I strongly recommend this book for those who understand what a joy it is to keep with us the people we love.

[Betty Bennett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was a slow starter. The main character scenario was improbable but by the end I was in tears. Lovely writing

[Lisa Martinez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So so good. Perfect story. And Julia Whelan delivers yet again.

[Elaine Hone · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It took my on a journey with the main characters. It was if I could feel their pain and their joy. I couldn’t guess what was going to happen from chapter to chapter. Hard to stop reading!

[Victoria Edelsbrunner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An uplifting coming of age story that has a lot of sadness and struggles but is ultimately very satisfying. Great narrator.

[Leigh Medeiros · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved spending time with this character. The writing style is easy breezy and accessible while being very well crafted. The ending was quite moving. (Although one thread felt a bit unresolved.)

[Kati Marienberg-Usher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lovely book and story is so real, vivid. Amazing spirit and hope and resilience.

[Dannie KJW · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was everything. I just loved the progressive storytelling.