“In this rugged and ravishing debut, a tragic car accident upends the lives of multiple Southern California families-particularly three teenage girls, whose lives and desires intersect in ways none of them could have imagined.” - Oprah DailyĪ bold, riveting debut novel of desire, betrayal, and loss, centering on three teenage girls, a horse ranch, and the accident that changes everything. And Kate Milliken knows her stuff when it comes to horses.” -Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle and Half Broke Horses “ Kept Animals is a darkly beautiful book, tender yet powerful, an exquisite exploration of hurt and desire, the why of wanting, taking, and giving.

Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.

A Reader’s Digest Quarantine Book Club Pick.

(Apr.Named a most anticipated novel by Oprah Daily, Vogue, Parade, The Millions, and Electric Lit Milliken’s electric tale keenly documents the power of first love and the lingering hurt of trauma.

Her attention to details of place and time, as well as the casual cruelties those of privilege can inflict on those who have less, provide astute undercurrents to the propulsive plot. Changing perspective throughout, Milliken excels at capturing each character’s unique voice and perspective-particularly Rory’s guarded quietness and Vivian’s performed jadedness. In a separate narrative, Rory’s daughter, Charlie, must untangle what actually happened between the group of friends 22 years earlier. But as wildfire season approaches, tensions rise among Rory and Vivian, until one fateful night changes Rory forever. After Gus inadvertently causes a car accident that kills the son of a famous actor who lives nearby, Rory becomes close with Vivian Price, the actor’s troubled older daughter, who begins carrying on a secret romantic relationship with Rory while dating June’s twin brother, Wade. Through the job she becomes friends with June Fisk, the daughter of a rich neighbor who comes for riding lessons, sparking feelings that make Rory confront her own sexuality. In 1993, 15-year-old Rory Ramos is a talented horseback rider working at Leaning Rock Ranch alongside her stepfather, Gus.

In Milliken’s moving debut, a California ranch becomes the stage for tense conflicts of class and family.

Kept animals kate milliken