My Kind of People is all about the characters here and their relationships with each other while exploring home, family, loss and community. I enjoyed the dynamics between the knit community here that comes together after a tragedy to care for 10-year-old Skye after the loss of her parents. The characters are endearing, diverse and relatable, each with their own voice and conflict. Some with conflicts with each other and Lisa Duffy keeps the drama low between them. I cared about them and was invested in what happens to them from start to finish.

While Lisa Duffy explores themes here with loss, grieve, addiction, mental illness, belonging, judgement she keeps it light while creating depth, and growth in the characters. She writes with understanding and hope.

I loved the setting here and it brought a warm feeling to the story for me and added to the sense of community with the characters. I wanted to visit this community with a book and nothing to do but read on Ichabld Island and these characters who were my kind of people. I highly recommend for an endearing read

Sky was named after the hurricane that was raging over Ichobod Island (off the coast of Massachusetts) when she was born, bundled, and left on the table at the fire station. Now, 10 years later, her adoptive parents were both killed when their car went off a cliff, and she’s once again alone. An artistic and sensitive child, she often retreats to her tree house to be alone.

Her parents left her in the charge of her dad’s best friend, Leo, who also grew up on the island but moved away. Leo and his husband Xavier are back, trying to figure out how to balance this new normal. Xavier doesn’t want to live on the island, but Leo can’t imaging forcing Sky through another loss. Plus he’s happy to be back.

Maggie, a neighbor who’s always happy to help look after Sky, is dealing with her own problems. She’s finally able to express her anger at her husband, who’s the kind that is getting #metoo accusations. She blows up at her best friend Agnes, the local busybody and sanctimonious type, for inviting Sky’s adoptive grandmother to the island without checking with Leo. Agnes disapproves of Leo and Xavier and makes that very clear. But Lilian (the grandmother) is proving to be a more complex character than Leo gave her credit for. Leo only wants to do what’s best for Sky, but it’s hard to suddenly be a parent to a 10 year old.

My Kind of People is okay for a fast read. The sentences are very short. And often start with prepositions. You will see the supposed plot twists coming from a mile away. You will figure out who the mystery woman in italics is by about her second entry. But it’s not a bad read. It deals with good issues in a heavy-handed way (Be kind to people! It’s bad to be homophobic! Here’s a nod to mental illness!). It’s the sort of book that gets left in little free libraries and on the shelves of coffee shops with couches. It’s probably not the worst option there.

Sky’s adopted parents have been killed in a tragic car crash. So she is an orphan for a second time. Leo becomes Sky’s guardian. It takes the whole community to come together to help Leo and Sky.

Sky is a child which tore up my heart! She has had such a tragic life but that has not stopped her from being caring, and respectful. Then there is Leo! Oh, what a great guy! He takes Sky in at risk of his marriage and does his best to give her the love she needs. Plus, there is more to Sky’s story than what the reader is lead to believe.

On top of these great characters and this fantastic story is this setting. I had never heard of Ichabod Island but it is now on my bucket list!

To say I loved this book is an understatement! I devoured this story. I read it in one day and I have already purchased Lisa Duffy’s The Salt House.

Need a great summer read…oh my…THIS IS IT!

First, I loved the setting of this story! Set on an island off the coast of Massachusetts, Duffy created an evocative read perfect for summertime reading. Sky is 12 and has just been orphaned after her parents are killed in a car accident under questionable circumstances. They had named Leo as her guardian and he and his new husband have come from NYC to take care of her. Tensions begin to show between the 2 of them as Leo grew up on the island and loves it, his husband does not. Neither wanted kids either and with Sky grieving her parents and sneaking out during the night, there is drama to be had. I found these characters as well as the supporting characters to be so well developed, they felt like real people, especially Leo and Maggie who were my favorites. There's a small side mystery as well with a mysterious woman which I did figure out early on her place in the story. The pace, while at times felt a little slow, kept me turning the pages to find out how Leo and Sky would navigate their new lives together- or would it all become too much for Leo in the end? Overall, I enjoyed their journeys but did find the story fairly predictable.

Lisa Duffy does it again! The story pulled me in from page one. Leo returns to his home town of Ichabod Island when his best friend and his wife die in a tragic accident. Leo is named as Sky’s guardian. This turns Leo’s life upside down as he and his husband are city folks and know nothing about raising a child.. As with Duffy’s previous novel, Leo’s neighbors become their family. However, there is plenty of real life drama in the “family”. Maggie is making big decisions about her cheating husband and her marriage. Sky’s grandmother who she does not have a relationship with returns to the Island with intentions that are not clear. Underneath it all, there are lies and family secrets that are uncovered layer by layer. It is a sweet family drama with just enough mystery to make it a page turner.

I was really excited to read another Lisa Duffy book after loving the title that I read last summer. This story didn't disappoint! I really loved the island life part of the story and the sense of community in the story. I would definitely recommend this author!

I am here to tell you that this new book from @lisaduffywriter is SO GOOD. I read it in one afternoon and I’m now suffering the worlds worst book hangover. Which obviously means it’s an incredible book but it also means I’m pouting that I don’t have more of this story and these characters.⁣
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I gotta tell you guys, if you don’t put this on your summer TBR you are CRAZY. This is compulsively readable, utterly bingeable, insanely absorbing and wonderfully heartfelt. I can’t even genre this thing. It’s like a character drama....but with a little mystery.....and some gentle suspense....and also parts are so cute and funny.⁣
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I’m not going to tell you anything else about this book because I think it all just leads to spoilers for something that you should just (like me) pick up completely blind and dive on into.
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Thank you @atriabooks for reminding me why I’m such a big fan of @lisaduffywriter - I am so jealous of all the readers about to fall in love with this book like I am.⁣

My Kind of People by Lisa Duffy centers around a young girl, Sky, who lost both of her parents in a car accident and the community of folks who support her as she transitions to the care of her dad's best friend and his husband.

First off, I grew up spending summers in Cape Cod with my grandparents, both of whom have passed in recent years, so the coastal MA setting of Ichabod Island had my heart. Duffy writes her characters in such a way that you know everyone like you would a friendly neighbor. Sky is such a great character; sometimes authors struggle with child POV characters in adult fiction, but Duffy really nails it here. My Kind of People also has a quiet level of social awareness about it that I really appreciated.

The plot has the nice, easy pace of a relaxing summer read, though I would have loved another chapter at the end, which felt a little abrupt. Still, all's well that ends well! I definitely recommend this novel if you're looking for a beach read that focuses more on community than romance and has a good dose of "sometimes real life is hard."

This was a great character driven novel that had a great storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this one, as the author did such a great job in creating likable characters and the setting off the coast of Massachusetts was perfect.

Happy to say I'm with the majority on this one - good book, excellent characters and engaging story.

My kind of book. Fabulous well developed characters, quaint small town setting, uplifting heartwarming storyline. Lisa Duffy is a beautiful and vivid storyteller who touched my heart with her words. Leo has returned to Ichabod Island after the death of one of his closest friends. He is now guardian to a lively 10-year-old girl Sky. Leo is not sure he’s ready for fatherhood, and his husband Xavier definitely is not. Luckily neighbor Maggie is always there to lend a helpful hand. Maggie has known Sky all her life and now that her two boys are away from home she is more than happy to help with Sky. Maggie is also going through a bit of a personal crisis trying to figure out what she’s going to do about her cheating husband and her nosy Bestie. Leo, Maggie, along with another neighbor Joe are all charmed by Sky and want to make this transition as easy as possible for her. A gorgeous character driven story about love, loss, and community.

I loved every minute I spend with these wonderful characters on this charming island. The story is narrated from multiple perspectives: Leo, Sky, Maggie, and A mysterious narrator with a past connection. Sky was probably my favorite character I loved her friendship with Frankie and how wise yet innocent she was when it came to reading people. Leo was also a great character. Imagine being thrown into parenthood without a warning, I loved his character’s growth and how his relationship with his husband evolved. Maggie was a character I related to The Best as a mother with adult kids, I loved the decisions she made because she really deserved happiness. A wonderful assortment of characters who gave me all the feels. This was my first book from Miss Duffy but it will 100% not be my last.

This book in emojis 🏡 🐶 👨‍👨‍👧 🌳 🎨

*** Big thank you to Atria for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

The ensemble of characters in this book are terrific (well, Agnes was aggravating). While Sky's story is the core of this, there are larger stories of the individual characters swirling around her story. The balance is great - I never felt like we weren't focusing on the right parts of the story. I would have loved another 10 chapters about the little community that grows around Sky.

I did feel like the grief angle was underrepresented. While Sky is struggling with her new guardians and the living situation, I didn't feel like there was a lot of grief for her parents shown. It felt more like she had been adopted by them recently rather than being with them her whole life - there was a BIG emotional disconnect there for me. If that was a deliberate story choice, it should have been a red flag for one of the adults in the book to address.

Fans of ensemble stories or community stories should check this one out. I loved how the pieces all clicked together in the end. (LGBTQ+, gaslighting)

Ten year old Sky lives on Ichabod Island, off the coast of Massachusetts.
She is living with her guardian Leo, her mom's best friend, after her adoptive parents died in a car accident.
Leo;s husband Xavier still lives in their house off the island, but comes to spend the weekends with them. Things are a bit tense, Xavier never expected to have a child in their lives.
Neighbor Maggie is in an unhappy marriage, but she is always there to help Leo with Sky.
Another neighbor Joe, is recovering from a terrible fall, but is also part of the support system for Leo and Sky.
When a dying woman comes to the island to spend her final days, will she be able to carry out her last wish?
This was such an amazing and emotional story. The characters were so well drawn, they made me feel like I was right there with them. I loved the sense of community they had.
This book touches on many important issues, suicide, mental illness, race and sexuality.
a powerful and captivating read.
Thank you Atria Books for the e-ARC via NetGalley.

“...Sometimes the strongest friendships come from loneliest despair.”

My Kind of People is a character-driven story about a group of people who live on an island off of the New England coast who are brought together by a tragedy. Through their relationships, they not only heal but also discover the true meaning of love and self-acceptance.

Sky, a 10-year-old girl, lost both of her parents in a tragic accident. She now lives with Leo, her guardian, and Xavier, Leo’s husband. Sky’s neighbor Maggie, who also happens to be her school teacher, helps Sky and Leo, overcome their heartache, while at the same time deals with her own fractured relationships.

Told through the eyes of Sky, Maggie, and Leo, I enjoyed each of their narratives equally.

While the plot isn’t wholly original, I was talking to a friend who read a book recently with a similar plot, the characters have heart and bring this story alive.

The characters made this book for me; I loved all of the characters and enjoyed their narratives in different ways. In addition to the characters, I also loved the setting of Ichabod Island. Duffy transported me to New England, and I was able to escape while reading this. Overall, this is a heartfelt and emotional read with lovely characters and a lovely message!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Lisa Duffy is one of my favourite authors so I was excited to read her latest book. This is another character driven novel that is located in New England. Ten year old Sky has recently lost her parents. Surprisingly they have named Leo as her guardian. Leo and Sky’s parents had been best friends for years. The relationship between Sky and Leo is written so beautifully. The author’s characters are always so real and authentic which is one of the best aspects of her books. Unfortunately not everyone is happy Leo has uprooted his life to live on Ichabod Island. Leo was recently married and his husband wants them to return to their previous comfortable life in the city. Leo is pulled in different directions and the arrival of Sky’s grandmother further complicates things. I loved this book! Leo and Sky are amazing characters. The secondary characters play an important role in the story and they are are also so well written. If you love character driven stories that will stay with you long after you have read the book then this is the author and the book for you!

Terrific summer read whose story is centered on a view of the water, love, forgiveness and most of all family. Family defined differently by each person, yet bringing the same heartfelt sense of belonging to everyone. The story centers around a beautiful twice-orphaned 10 year old girl named Sky, and her self-made family of Leo, Xavier, Joe, Maggie, Lillian, Frankie and Agnes. Each in their own way grows within the story to understand themselves and others around them better. A story rich in finding our own sense of belonging among people who accept us for who we are, and who we strive to become. Beautifully told and lovingly felt, My Kind of People is a keeper!

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

After an accident takes the life of her parents, Sky becomes an orphan again. Her parents best friend is named guardian and upends his life to bring stability to his new daughter. How do the neighbors and friends help this little girl through the toughest summer of her life?

This was a good book and I enjoyed the island life aspect and seeing the community come together to help. I did like some of the mysteries and secrets about each character. At times it was a little slow and I think the ending might have been wrapped up a little too nicely, but overall a good read.

Ichabod Island is an insular island off the coast of Massachusetts, where the residents, while they may keep to themselves, know and care a great deal about one another and their neighbors' lives. It's a terrible tragedy when they lose two beloved residents, Brian and Ann, who leave behind their ten-year-old daughter. Former Ichabod resident Leo returns to the island to care for Sky, per the will that named him her guardian. Leo is grieving the death of his best friends and Sky that of her parents. Leo quickly finds himself struggling to balance raising Sky along with performing his mainland job and maintaining his marriage to his husband, Oliver, who is wary about their newfound parenthood and life away from Boston. Leo must rely on Brian and Ann's neighbors: Maggie, Sky's teacher, who helps watch her for Leo, even as she finds her own marriage to the local police chief dissolving and Joe, a builder who knows more about Sky's parents' relationship than most.

"She thinks about it all the time. Wonders if her parents are gone because they never belonged to her in the first place."

This novel cemented Duffy as one of my absolute favorite writers. This is a lovely and touching read, bringing to life the group of islanders who come together to care for Sky. Duffy builds her worlds so perfectly: I was lost on Ichabod Island with these characters--all of whom are so uniquely them. This book will go straight to your heart.

I fell immediately for sweet Sky. We learn that Brian and Ann are Sky's adoptive parents, so she's basically been orphaned twice. She is troubled as her parents were fighting a lot right before they died--going against the town view of them as the "perfect couple." While this novel is mostly a deep dive into its characters, there is a touch of mystery here. Why were Sky's parents fighting, and did it have anything to do with the car crash that caused their death? Also, a mysterious woman arrives in town--what is her role to play in the story? Duffy weaves together all of these plot points so well; I was captivated by the book and even though I wanted to slow down and savor it, I also wanted to know what had happened, to find out what would happen to Sky and Leo.

"A fearless girl who doesn't just think she's safe alone in the dark on an island in the Atlantic. She knows it."

I love that Duffy included a gay couple in her novel--and treats them like regular people. Leo is a wonderful character: complex and struggling with new parenthood. In the end, you feel like you know the entire neighborhood block, from sweet Joe; to Maggie, who is coming into her own in her '50s; to longtime resident Agnes, who is set in her ways; to Sky's tough best friend Frankie; and Sky's newly found grandmother, Lillian. All of these characters play a real role in this story: not an easy feat when the focus is on Leo and Sky.

Overall, this is a wonderfully written novel that covers family, marriage, tragedy, love, and so much more. Duffy's characters are beautiful, and she has an amazing way of bringing you right into the world she has created. I will always read anything she writes. 4.5 stars.

Thank you Atria Books {partner} for my gifted copy of My Kind of People by Lisa Duffy in exchange for my honest review. Publication date 5/12/20. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I certainly never saw my life taking this turn; back home on the island and raising someone else’s child. In many ways it feels complete, and in others, utterly foreign. All I know is I have to make this work. I am grateful to have this community. I can’t think of better people to share in this endeavor. They certainly are my kind of people.

Leo returned home to Ichabod Island to care for the daughter of his best friends. They died in a tragic accident, and now he is entrusted with a responsibility that proves to threaten the life he has built for himself.

He quickly sees he won’t have to do this alone. He has a neighborhood of friends that embrace him and his situation, offering their support in anyway he needs.

It doesn’t take long for Leo to discover that there are secrets on this island no one is talking about. Choices made long ago that will change everything, shifting the fabric of what he thought he knew, and what he never saw coming. He can only hope that in the end, the pieces will fall back together in something that resembles a life worth living.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming story about community, and the bonds between people in that tight-knit society, then My Kind of People by Lisa Duffy is the book for you. Set on a small island off the coast of Massachusetts, this beautiful story dissects the bonds and relationships that form when one of their own experiences life-changing events. It shines as a loving example of how people can be different, but come together for a common goal.

Reading this book feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket on a cool day. As I read I truly related to the realness of the storyline; the complex and natural emotions it provoked. I was entranced by the place, the people, the friendships. At some point through the story I had this feeling come over me that I was somehow a part of this place, that the characters were my kind of people. Living every day the best we can, helping others while somehow still taking care of ourselves.

Relating to this story, truly investing in its characters, and desperately trying to rectify the turn of events in my mind, definitely spoke to the wonderful job Duffy did in creating a book teeming with numerous rich qualities. There was mystery, intrigue, domestic drama, and a coming-of-age theme that wrapped this book up with a beautiful bow at the end. A definite feeling of coming full circle, and satisfaction that these characters were going to be okay. The alternating points of view allowed for a complete and full understanding of each character’s plight, and how each was related to the other.

So, grab that blanket, cuddle up, and be sure to have a box of tissues. It’s the feel-good book you’ve been needing. You’ll be so glad you did!!

5 Heartwarming Stars!

Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you might just happen to read a book at the exact perfect moment. It’s a book that brings you comfort and peace and makes you feel completely content. A book you just want to curl up with. (My cat, in fact, did exactly that!)

For me, that book was “My Kind of People” by Lisa Duffy. As soon as I started reading it, a calmness enveloped me, almost like the warmth of a cozy blanket on a cold snowy day.

“My Kind of People” centers around a community: family, friends and neighbors, who live on Ichabod Island in New England. People whose lives who’ve been torn apart by tragedy and secrets.

First, there’s Sky, whose life is in shambles after her parents are killed tragically. Though life has dealt Sky the worst possible cards in the deck, somehow, Sky is able to believe. Then there’s Leo, Sky’s Legal Guardian. Kind, intuitive, sweet Leo who simply wants to make everything ok, for Sky and for his husband Xavier. If only it were that easy. Maggie, Leo and Sky’s next door neighbor, has recently had a few struggles of her own. Marital troubles - which Maggie’s best friend Agnes seems happy to fixate on. Tsk, tsk. Then we have Joe, neighbor to both Leo and Maggie, who has troubles of his own, though he is always there for everyone in their time of need.

“My Kind of People” is a character driven novel which includes a stellar cast. Each character is multifaceted and full of heart and incredible depth. I loved the characters of Sky, Leo, Maggie, Joe and Frankie (Sky’s best friend) and felt completely engulfed in the storyline from the get go. I could say that it’s because I grew up in New England and could imagine myself in the picturesque town, though in truth it’s entirely due to Lisa Duffy’s writing style and her brilliant characterizations.

Even before I started this book I had a feeling. I mean, how could I not? The title itself made me think the book would be pretty darn special. “My Kind of People” - what’s not to like? When I meet someone, I can tell almost immediately, if they are “My Kind of People” so I was pretty sure this was my kind of book! That said, last year when I had read Lisa Duffy’s “This is Home” and I felt much the same way. That book made it on to my Goodreads Best of List for 2019 and this book struck a chord with me early on and from that point, I knew that this book was just as special and would appear on this year’s Best of List. For those of you who wonder if you should read this, the answer is a resounding yes! It will fill your heart with peace and love and give you that warmth that you so desperately need.

Thank you so much to Lisa Duffy for filling that Void.

Thank you to Maudee Genao at Atria Books for the Galley, NetGalley for the e-arc.
Happy Publication Day!
Published on Goodreads and NetGalley on 5.12.20.
Excerpt to be published on Insta.