Book cover of The People We Keep

Book description

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…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

3 authors picked The People We Keep as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

April is the kind of character everyone roots for. She’s sixteen and fending for herself after her crappy father abandoned her in a motor home with no engine.

Teens who grow up like April have grit built into their DNA, and when she takes off for a new life, she soars. The problem is, our past has a way of dragging us backward, and seeing April fight to keep the life and friends she’s built is what makes you keep turning the pages. Oh, and also, she has a beautiful skill. April can sing. 

Reading this book is akin to…

From Jamie's list on loving what makes you different.

This novel was extremely moving and emotionally gripping.

The major lesson that stood out to me was that even tragedy can lead to blessings. This resonated with my personal life, and how through all the chaos, the protagonist finds a sense of community and village members she can hold on to. The character was brought to life in a way I have never seen before, and every moment of this book felt so vivid and genuine.

An emotional rollercoaster but beautifully told story. I highly recommend this book.

I loved this novel about chosen family.

April, the young woman at the center of the book, strikes out on her own without a mother to guide her. She finds surrogates in some older female friends, but even as she seems to settle down with a found family you can see she doesn’t understand herself as worthy of unconditional love.

Faced with becoming a mother herself, April doubts she is up to the task. She also doubts she deserves the friends who stand ready to support her. This is a moving story about the people who will love us no…

If you love The People We Keep...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Want books like The People We Keep?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The People We Keep.

Browse books like The People We Keep

Book cover of Little Fires Everywhere
Book cover of Slay
Book cover of The Magic Fish

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,366

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The People We Keep, you might also like...

Book cover of The Duke's Christmas Redemption

The Duke's Christmas Redemption by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke who has rejected love, a Lady who dreams of a love match, an arranged marriage, a house full of secrets, a most unneighborly neighbor, a plot to destroy reputations, an unexpected love that redeems it all.

Lady Charlotte Wyndham, given in an arranged marriage to a man she…

Book cover of Coyote Weather

Coyote Weather by Amanda Cockrell,

Coyote weather is the feral, hungry season, drought-stricken, and ready to catch fire. It’s 1967, and the American culture is violently remaking itself while the country is forcibly sending its young men to fight in a deeply unpopular war.

Jerry has stubbornly made no plans for the future because he…

5 book lists we think you will like!