People Watching

A Novel

By: Hannah Bonam-Young

Narrated by: Victoria Connolly, Brandon Francis

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this sexy and emotional romance from the acclaimed author of Out of the Woods and Out on a Limb, a small-town woman’s journey to spread her wings intertwines with the arrival of an adventurous newcomer who brings out the best in her.

Prudence Welch has found solace in her introverted life in Baysville, a charming tourist town in Northern Ontario. Despite once dreaming of a life beyond its borders, she now finds contentment in her routines: working at her father’s gas station, writing poetry, and caring for her mother, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease shortly after Prue’s nineteenth birthday. But as her mother’s condition worsens and her father’s concerns about her own future intensify, Prue feels her world slipping further out of control.

Enter Milo Kablukov, an enigmatic wanderer whose beat-up van covered with ill-advised bumper stickers rolls into town just when Prue needs a change. It’s all too easy to let go with him, and Prue can’t help but strike up an unlikely friendship with Milo, which leads to a wild and sexy agreement between them.

Milo, a man of many adventures and countless stories, is not one to settle down. However, his brother’s urgent need for help has brought him to Baysville, and now the intriguing Prue has given him more reason to stay—especially once they start spending more time together, their chemistry intensifying, and casual-sex lessons begin at Prue’s request.

But as their temporary arrangement blossoms into something deeper, Prue and Milo discover that getting out of their comfort zones is one thing . . . taking that leap together is something else entirely.

Critic reviews

“I blew through this! Bonam-Young blends gritty reality, family, and passion to create a powerful story about acceptance and the power of opening up to love. I loved this!”—Abby Jimenez, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“You feel her passion on every page, and the result is a novel that brims with heart, heat, and real emotion—a warm hug and a passionate kiss all in one.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune

“Bonam-Young has done it again with this deeply emotional story about love, family, and what it really means to grow.”—New York Times bestselling author Talia Hibbert

“A book that you’ll be longing to savor but helpless to devour…an absolute triumph.”—Lyla Sage, New York Times bestselling author of Lost and Lassoed

“A celebration of love in all its forms! I adored every second of this read!”—Naina Kumar, USA Today bestselling author of Flirting with Disaster

“People Watching is the epitome of satisfyingly emotional, real, steamy romance—Milo and Prue’s journey tugged at my heartstrings in its loving portrayal of hard-won growth, trust, and healing.”—USA Today bestselling author Chloe Liese

“The delicious initial push-and-pull between Milo and Prue gives way to touching connection as the characters navigate what it means to truly show up for one another. These two had me kicking my feet and giggling from the first moment they’re on-page together.”—Ivy Fairbank, author of Morbidly Yours

“A memorable and satisfying romance, full of sexy and sensitive moments.”—Library Journal, starred review

“Bonam-Young builds great chemistry between her leads, and the familial subplots—especially the tender scenes between Milo and his estranged siblings—add heart. This is a keeper.”—Publishers Weekly

People watching

I loved these characters! It was such a sweet hot and sexy relationship. I loved the contrast and their experience.

What a book, what a romance, what a life lesson. A

"You know where to find me."
“Love waltzed into my tiny town, found my very doorstep, let himself in, and miraculously managed to find me in a home I’ve never left.”

What a book, what a romance, what a life lesson. A new favorite.

I read this one for Prosed: a Romance Book Club and it was amazing.

This is my first book by Hannah Bonam-Young and if the rest of her books are like this one I think I just found one of my new favorite authors for sure. I loved every second of this story.

The romance was just incredible, they're so good for each other and the banter was great. And please Hannah give us the romance of certain side characters! I need it!

Also the cover?! It's simply gorgeous, I love the fall vibes!

I love how important family is in the story. Milo's family with his siblings, his sister-in-law and his nephews and nieces were all amazing. And Prue's parents were so sweet. I won't give away much but both main characters have been through a lot.

When the title made sense was so perfect. I love when they give us a good explanation for that.

I shed a few tears near the end and it was partly of sadness and then of joy, the best kind.

I can't wait to read more books by this author. I have Out on a Limb on my shelves, I want to read it soon!

Beautifully written story

I was anticipating this book for months, which could have quickly led to disappointment, but I have yet to pick up a HBY book and not be smitten with her characters and the dialogue. This was an easy five-star read. I was enamored with Prue and Milo from their very first meeting all the way until the last page. They had witty banter for days, it was how they treated each other beyond words.

Milo comes across as a wanderer, someone who is more carefree who doesn’t set down roots. Then there’s Prue, who is as settled as you get. She wants to stay put with her parents to take care of her mom, who has Alzheimer’s, despite her father’s wishes that she take a leap and find more for her life.

These opposites were meant to attract and help each other in ways neither of them expected. HBY is a beautiful storyteller. The way she weaves a tale with such raw emotion, taking care to accurately represent real issues lovingly, while capturing authentic human interactions is remarkable. This is yet another gem of a book!

All of the perfect pieces for a really really good book!!

I LOVED this book. It was all of the perfect makings of a truly good book. It had me laughing from chapter 1 all the way to the epilogue. It was emotional and made you FEEL something without being overly so. It was just the right amount of spice, without taking away from the overall plot. Highly recommend if you want a fun and genuinely good book!!

Surprisingly Disappointed

I absolutely loved the author’s novel Out on a Limb. However, I did read that one as opposed to listening. The tones used for the characters felt very corny and cringey to me. The trope of the virgin adult woman being taught by the more experienced man is just not for me.