Hannah Bonam-Young’s latest offering, People Watching, delivers a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the courage to embrace life’s uncertainties. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Baysville, a charming tourist town in Northern Ontario, this romance weaves together themes of caregiving, personal growth, and the transformative power of unexpected connections with remarkable sensitivity and depth.
The story centers on Prudence “Prue” Welch, a twenty-four-year-old woman whose dreams of college and adventure were derailed when her mother developed Early Onset Alzheimer’s. Working at her father’s gas station and serving as her mother’s caregiver, Prue has built a protective cocoon around herself, finding solace in poetry and the familiar rhythms of small-town life. Her world shifts dramatically with the arrival of Milo Kablukov, a wandering free spirit whose beat-up van and collection of questionable bumper stickers mask a deeper complexity.
Character Development That Resonates
Prue’s Authentic Voice
Bonam-Young excels in crafting Prue as a genuinely relatable protagonist whose inexperience never feels naive or underdeveloped. The author’s portrayal of a twenty-four-year-old virgin navigating her first romantic relationship avoids both condescension and unrealistic idealization. Prue’s internal monologue reveals a sharp intelligence tempered by genuine vulnerability, particularly in her candid reflections about missed opportunities and societal expectations.
Her journey from observer to participant forms the emotional core of the novel. The metaphor of “people watching” extends beyond her job at the gas station to represent her tendency to live vicariously through others rather than claiming her own experiences. This theme is woven throughout with subtle skill, making her eventual transformation feel both earned and authentic.
Milo’s Layered Complexity
Milo initially appears to fit the familiar archetype of the experienced wanderer, but Bonam-Young gradually reveals the emotional wounds driving his restless lifestyle. His relationship with his older brother Nik and the family brewery business adds depth to his character, moving him beyond the typical “bad boy with a heart of gold” trope. The revelation about the brewery’s name—MANS, an acronym for Milo, Aleks, Nadia, and Sef—provides a particularly touching moment that illuminates his self-imposed exile from those who love him.
The Art of Emotional Intimacy
The romance between Prue and Milo unfolds with refreshing honesty about sexual inexperience and the complexities of physical intimacy. Bonam-Young handles these scenes with both heat and heart, never exploiting Prue’s virginity for cheap drama while acknowledging the very real nervousness and excitement that accompany first experiences.
Their “casual sex lessons” arrangement provides a clever framework for exploring consent, communication, and the blurred lines between physical and emotional intimacy. The author skillfully demonstrates how their supposedly no-strings-attached agreement inevitably deepens into something more profound, making their eventual emotional reckoning feel inevitable rather than contrived.
Supporting Cast and Community
The secondary characters breathe life into Baysville, creating a genuine sense of community that grounds the central romance. Tom Welch’s patient devotion to his wife and daughter provides a touching portrait of long-term love tested by circumstances beyond anyone’s control. The portrayal of Julia’s Alzheimer’s progression is handled with remarkable sensitivity, avoiding both maudlin sentimentality and clinical detachment.
Nik and his pregnant wife Sef offer glimpses into settled domestic happiness that both attracts and terrifies Milo, while the brewery setting provides a tangible symbol of putting down roots. These relationships feel authentic rather than merely functional, contributing to the novel’s overall sense of place and belonging.
Writing Style and Pacing
Bonam-Young’s prose strikes an effective balance between accessibility and literary merit. Her dialogue crackles with authentic banter, particularly in the truth-or-dare scenes that serve as both relationship development and tension building. The alternating perspectives between Prue and Milo allow readers to experience their growing attraction from both sides, creating dramatic irony without frustration.
The pacing allows for both passionate encounters and quiet character moments, understanding that sustainable romance requires both fire and tenderness. The author’s background in crafting diverse, realistic characters shines through in her refusal to sanitize either the challenges of caregiving or the messiness of new relationships.
Areas for Improvement
While People Watching by Hannah Bonam-Young succeeds admirably in most areas, some plot developments feel slightly rushed in the final act. The resolution of Milo’s family conflicts, while emotionally satisfying, could have benefited from additional development. Additionally, certain secondary storylines—particularly those involving the brewery’s launch—occasionally feel underdeveloped compared to the richly detailed central romance.
The novel sometimes relies on coincidence to drive plot points, such as Milo’s previous connection to Prue’s mother, though these contrivances are generally well-integrated into the overall narrative fabric.
Connection to Bonam-Young’s Previous Work
Readers familiar with Bonam-Young’s earlier novels, including Out of the Woods, Out on a Limb, Next to You, Next of Kin, and Set the Record Straight, will recognize her commitment to representing diverse experiences and challenges. People Watching continues Hannah Bonam-Young’s tradition of addressing serious life circumstances—in this case, caregiving responsibilities and early-onset dementia—while maintaining hope and romance.
Final Verdict
People Watching stands as a mature, emotionally intelligent romance that treats its characters’ experiences with genuine respect. Bonam-Young has crafted a love story that acknowledges life’s complexities while celebrating the transformative power of human connection. The novel succeeds in making readers care deeply about both protagonists’ journeys toward self-acceptance and love.
This is ultimately a story about choosing to participate in life rather than merely observing it, about finding the courage to be seen and known by another person despite our fears and insecurities. For readers seeking romance that combines steamy encounters with genuine emotional depth, People Watching by Hannah Bonam-Young delivers on both fronts.
Similar Reads to Consider
If you enjoyed People Watching by Hannah Bonam-Young, consider these similar titles:
- Beach Read by Emily Henry – Features a writer protagonist and themes of creative awakening
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – Workplace romance with excellent banter and sexual tension
- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas – Academic setting with a fake relationship that becomes real
- People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry – Small-town settings and the courage to take romantic risks
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – Features a protagonist learning about intimacy and relationships
People Watching ultimately succeeds as both an entertaining romance and a thoughtful exploration of family, responsibility, and the courage required to build a life worth living. Bonam-Young has delivered a worthy addition to contemporary romance that will linger in readers’ hearts long after the final page.
