People Like Us

by Sally Piper

After Tina Lamb loses her family home in a bitter divorce, she finds herself living in a caravan on the city' s fringes. Having raised four children and nursed her dying mum, she was not anticipating making a new start alone or from scratch. And while some of her new neighbours are welcoming, she soon finds herself getting far more attention than she bargained for. When Tina finds work caring for a wealthy elderly woman, it is a welcome break from an ageist, sexist job market. But Mrs Bell is anything but predictable. Highly educated, acerbic and intimidating, she is not the straightforward charge that Tina had hoped for. As the two women form an unlikely friendship, they soon discover that financial security is about more than having money. Topical and absorbing, People Like Us celebrates the power of female friendships and the promise of new beginnings found in unexpected places.

Genres: Fiction, Book Club, Australia

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2026

About the author

Sally Piper is a former nurse who lives and writes in Meanjin/Brisbane.

Her debut novel GRACE'S TABLE (UQP 2014/Legend Press UK 2019) was shortlisted in the 2011 Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards and in 2013 she was awarded a Varuna Publishing Fellowship for her manuscript.

Her second novel THE GEOGRAPHY OF FRIENDSHIP (UQP 2018/Audible Audiobooks 2018/Legend Press UK 2019) was shortlisted in the 2019 Australian Book Industry Awards.

Her third novel BONE MEMORIES (UQP 2022/Bolinda Audiobooks) was a finalist in the 2023 Queensland Literary Awards for a Work of State Significance and the Courier-Mail People’s Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award, was longlisted for the 2023 International Dublin Literary Award and longlisted for the 2023 Sisters in Crime Davitt Award.

Sally's fourth novel PEOPLE LIKE US was published by UQP in July 2026. The audio book is available through Audible.

She holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from Queensland University of Technology. She has had short fiction and non-fiction published in various print and online publications to include an award-winning short story in the first One Book Many Brisbanes anthology, Griffith Review, The Saturday Paper, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Weekend Australian and other literary magazines and journals in Australia and the UK.

You can learn more about Sally by visiting her website http://www.sallypiper.com/ or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sallypiperw... or Twitter https://twitter.com/SallyPiper

Reviews

[Sheree | Keeping Up With The Penguins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blurb for People Like Us would have you believe (as I did) that the book is “about” their friendship, but I found that Mrs Bell actually plays a much smaller role than I expected. When she does appear on the page, she’s intriguing and sharp, and I would’ve loved to read more about her. Instead, the story focuses more on Tina’s ex-husband and children, and her caravan park cohabitants.

Tina’s story seems to be one that’s only becoming more common, and hopefully People Like Us can stimulate conversations about long-term solutions.

My full review of People Like Us is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to UQP Books for sending us a copy to read and review.
Sometimes a book that’s wasn’t on your reading radar ends up in your hands and turns out to be a gem of a read.
People Like Us is that book.
Sally Piper has cleverly crafted a wonderful story of mature friendship, battling money problems and demanding children, home issues and coming out on top.
Tina has lost her home in her divorce.
Her adult children are a concern and she has just looked after her dying mother.
Living in a caravan, starting again and working part time has its moments.
Trying to get another job to make ends meet she finally finds work caring for a wealthy couples mother.
Mrs Bell is sharp, switched on and aware of everything.
Her son and his wife believe otherwise.
But a rare friendship is born and sometimes this is needed in a world of uncertainty.
A delight to read.
I love how Sally spotlights women of a certain age and gives them a starring role as when you get up there you often become invisible.
Wonderfully written, smartly plotted and beautifully executed.
A big applause for this book.

[kaitlyns_library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was this book well written? Absolutely. Is this the sort of story I would willingly want to read? Probably not. This is because my biggest fear as a 27 year old woman is being screwed over by a man and raising ungrateful children. Unfortunately for our FMC Tina, she was screwed over by her now ex husband and one of her children was ungrateful and the others, not as close with her. I also really don’t like when the FMC is also being horribly and unfairly treated by others as a trope throughout the book, it just upsets me. While everything worked out in the end, I just couldn’t enjoy this as much as what was intended.

⭐️⭐️.5

[Robyn Mundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

2026 has been a cracking year for powerful, provocative novels. I’m adding People Like Us by @sally.piper.author to my list of recommended reading. Sally reaches the heart of how excruciatingly tough and awful it is to be middle-aged without financial freedom or formal work skills, where living is reduced to an aged, mould-ridden caravan and where the constant struggle to pay caravan park rental and abide by police-state rules, escalates vulnerability to an off-the-scale pitch. A reduction in working hours, the dread of losing a job, the cost to put petrol in a car, an unanticipated expense, shame and self-identity, all deftly play into this disquieting story. (Not to mention needy adult children, one of which is as self absorbed as a blood sucking leech.) And yet, amid all despair, comes self-redemption and glimmers of hope. A huge Bravo, Sally on a worthy accomplishment 👏🙏 @uqpbooks

[Alison Wootten · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Sally Piper writes a lot like Anne Tyler, in that an everyday, ordinary person living an ordinary life can become so readable, interesting and no longer 'ordinary'.
Tina is living temporarily in a caravan, after a crap divorce. She gains strength, friendships and support. She is becoming visible again.
An enjoyable read.

[Graham Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's no denying that Tina Lamb has it tough, having lost her home in a bitter divorce and currently living in a caravan. But did we really have to be told, over and over again, how tough? I almost succumbed to the depression that it engendered and penned a DNF.

Her life improves when, about half-way through, she responds to some attention from a male living in the same caravan park. But it seems that in her world (and probably in the the world of the writer), most males are inherently bad.

That's a shame; the book could have been so much better.

[Book My Imagination · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful and thought provoking read this is.
I went into it expecting a book all about female friendship and came out with so much more.

I could not stop thinking about so many elements of this book, and found myself placed within the pages, right alongside Tina Lamb.
Being the same age as Tina, I wondered how I would cope with being left with no husband, no family, no money....
It is a truly terrifying thought.
Having to start again at this age with no means to live comfortably.
This is how good the writing and story are, it draws you in and before you know it, you ARE Tina Lamb.

I also loved Mrs Bell.
Her wit and sassiness even at her age was sharp and a joy to read.
Showing the flip side to no money, no home and no family was a genius move by the author.
And the friendship the two main characters have may not have been conventional but it felt honest and was a wonderful part of this book.

And the neighbours at the caravan park were shown with dignity and strength, making you realise that the people you may not see normally, can be the people that give you all the hope and support you didn't realise you needed, and they became the family Tina needed.

Just a beautifully written book and so extremely relevant for us now.
I also loved Sally's acknowledgements that showed where the idea of the book came from.
Please read this, you won't regret it.
🥰

[Janine Silver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt FMC pain through the whole book. I also found this book confronting and it opened old wounds of a similar situation. So not really my usual read, but important for people to understand that these situations are very real.

[Tess Carrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book addressing the dilemma facing a lot of older women these days. And brings in other serious and topical themes. It's well-written but rather plainly. There's some unnecessary repetition.

[Cass Moriarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Sally Piper writes insightful novels that incorporate crucial social issues and the beauty of the natural world, and tells these stories through the perspective of relatable, contemporary characters. In her most recent novel, PEOPLE LIKE US (UQP 2026), she focuses her laser eye on housing insecurity, aging, sexism and family dynamics.

While each of her books navigates these themes, each has a primary focus. GRACE’S TABLE, for example, is very much about aging and family, while BONE MEMORIES is a beautiful ode to our environment and our place in it, and THE GEOGRAPHY OF FRIENDSHIP centres on female friendships and the stresses that might make or break them.

In PEOPLE LIKE US, Piper describes the unlikely friendship that arises between two women of very different class, status and circumstances. In her late 50’s, Tina Lamb is (almost) finished the heavy lifting work of raising four children, and looking forward to a comfortable retirement, but this life plan comes spectacularly unstuck when it becomes obvious that her husband, Gavin, completely in control of their finances, has acted with such fiscal incompetence that when their marriage inevitably dissolves, she is left with very little money and is practically homeless. She does have enough to purchase a worn and old caravan, which she parks in a caravan park consisting of some transient tourists and many long-term residents. It’s one step up from homeless, but not by much, and Tina feels the shame of her downfall.

She works hard trying to save enough for something better. She’s always worked hard, her entire life – raising a family, cooking, cleaning, caring and managing the lives of all her family members (including elderly parents) – but this has never been paid work. All of it voluntary, whether that be for school, for the community or for her own kin. Tina finds herself in the unenviable position of being over 50, with no resume or degrees; she joins forces with the rising number of women in this situation all over Australia.

Tina is spiky and hard, full of self-loathing and shame, and she hold regrets and grudges close. But as she gradually opens her heart to the people living around her, she begins to understand the joy of small kindnesses, warm friendships and genuine generosity of spirit. She’s a complicated character full of contradictions, but with plenty of pluck and resilience.

When she is offered a job as a companion to the much older Mrs Bell, her world widens. Wealthy and living in a ‘wing’ of an almost mansion, Mrs Bell is nevertheless isolated and lonely, because her family who live with her (in a different ‘wing’) are remote and distant, both physically and emotionally. Why else would they pay a stranger to sit with their mother each day?

The two women are both cautious at first about their relationship, their rights and responsibilities. Mrs Bell is demanding and gruff, and Tina really needs to keep this job to meet her goal. But the family has more going on than she’s bargained for, and as she grows closer emotionally to Mrs Bell, she must choose between her loyalty towards the older woman, and her sense of self-preservation.

Meanwhile, the caravan park is its own ecosystem – a hotbed of gossip, eavesdropping, shared ablutions facilities, the occasional theft and case of foot thrush from the grimy showers. None of it is ideal. Nothing is what Tina expected or wanted, especially at this time of her life. But it is what it is, and she must deal with it. She’s forced to think long and hard about her own opinions, biases and judgments, about what she will tolerate and under what she will draw the line.

I love the humour in PEOPLE LIKE US, a style of writing that shines best in this book (I think) out of all of Piper’s novels to date. It’s a sharp, biting, acerbic, sardonic, ironic, self-deprecating humour that elevates both the story and the characters.

But the most important aspect of the story is undoubtedly Piper shining a light upon women of a certain age who are often dismissed, underestimated or overlooked by society, the workforce and even their own families. Women with wit and wisdom, experience and empathy, women who are not afraid of hard work but would quite like, at some point, to have a smidgeon of respect, an unmouldy mattress, some stability and perhaps a nice cup of tea. Exploring themes of compassion, sacrifice, betrayal, uncertainty, struggle and economic instability, the novel also emphasises value, appreciation, connection, friendship and unexpected tenderness.

The novel includes and supports the non-profit #sharingwithfriends, an affordable co-housing project for older women with limited means, an organisation due to open the first model of this innovative project in Brisbane this year.

This story brims with personal experience and relevant research and would be a great bookclub pick to encourage discussions about women’s role in society as they age, and how to ensure they receive the housing security to which they’re entitled.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Nan van Dissel for UQP and Bluewolf Reviews.
Life for 55-year-old Tina Lamb married mother of four adult children, unexpectedly changed dramatically, when she divorced; she discovered that her feckless husband had squandered their savings and had left her almost penniless with only just enough money to purchase an old caravan and secure long-term tenancy at a ramshackle caravan park; one step up from homelessness. This is a very real situation for many women in Australia.
Sally Piper has sensitively written this insightful book from the perspective of Tina, a stay-at-home wife, who after firstly having raised her four children and then cared for her sick mother, has no documented skills; volunteering and unpaid caring work aren’t greatly valued by today’s employers. Not afraid of hard work, she is able to eke out a subsistence existence by undertaking two minimal wage part time casual jobs.
Luckily when her hours are cut, her friend is able to recommend her for a demanding but cash in hand companion-carer position with the elderly rich, but cantankerous retired teacher Mrs. Bell. Not only does Tina’s world widen but her developing relationship with Mrs. Bell surprises them both.
I highly recommended this thought provoking, ` well written book, which provides readers with a greater understanding of middle-class women, like Tina, who finding themselves in impoverished circumstances, which are in vast contrast to their accustomed lifestyle, and who are reluctant to accept their new situation but who ultimately come to self-acceptance. Some readers will identify with Tina, as according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics there has been a 30% rise in homelessness in her demographic over the past five years.

[Michelle's Shelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful celebration of older women and the unexpected opportunities that can come with later life. What I loved most about this novel were the powerful messages woven throughout the story. It's an honest look at ageing, disappointment, and the reality that life doesn't always turn out the way we imagine it will. I found myself completely invested in Tina's journey. From the beginning, I was cheering her on and desperately wanted her to succeed. As her story unfolded, I realised I wasn't just hoping for the future she initially wanted for herself. Instead, I found myself rooting for something different, and ultimately something much better. Watching her shift her perspective and grow as a person was one of the most rewarding parts of the book.

Tina is such a warm, relatable character. There comes a point in her life where she's no longer willing to tolerate nonsense from anyone, and seeing her embrace her own strength was incredibly satisfying. Her personal growth is heartwarming, and by the end I truly felt she had come out on top. This was a delightful read that I finished in a single day. I was constantly eager to pick it back up and see how Tina would handle each new challenge that came her way. The story is thoughtful, uplifting and deeply human.
I loved this book and honestly wanted more when I reached the final page. I'd happily read a sequel to spend more time with Tina and see what comes next for her. A thoroughly satisfying read.

[Cate Searson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important novel showing the reality for many older women in Australia who have worked raising children and caring for elderly parents, only to find themselves without a stable home or employment in their 50s or older.
I liked Tina - she wasn't a sweet demure woman whom everyone liked. She was tougher than she realised, despite the rising panic attacks that would hit when the realities of her precarious situation flowed over her.
Some aspects reminded me of the series Maid - counting down the dollars and cents to get through to a payday; events from left of centre to make her situation even more precarious and the judgement of wealthy employers who have never been in her situation.
Piper sends a strong message of the importance of building community and suspending judgement of people whose life stories you may never know. Tina's reflections on her life and her former willingness to just go along with what was expected of her as wife and mother, that's now left her with fewer recognised employment skills, gives food for thought.
4.5 stars, half a star less for a couple of spelling mistakes.

[Eryl Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deserves to be widely read

This is a novel that picks you up and carries you along straight away. Tina, newly divorced and living in a caravan, is struggling to make ends meet. She has a job at a servo, working for a feckless young “manager” and gains a second job as a companion/carer for a well off elderly woman who spent decades teaching history. A succession of problematic incidents test her limits.
The main theme is the growing number of people who are one or two disasters away from homelessness. The European model of co-housing is very attractive: governments should be facilitating this big time. It’s also a novel about how you stand up for yourself and the role of care-taking from birth to grave, and moral decency. The characters are well written … they’re people we recognise. There’s a sense of ordinary, everyday Australians about them that gives the book a sort of low key feel that absolutely adds to its street cred and I like that it’s told in a straightforward way without pretension. Highly recommended.

[Poppy Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, and I'm only up to page 158. I have felt chills the entire first half. I thought they might go as the turning point approaches... but they haven't. Prescient, timely and haunting... it feels so real. Experts say women like me and my friends are only a few events away from being unhomed, but I've never appreciated this in the way that I do now I'm reading this book.
Added: Yes, it ran even smoother in the second half. Lots of pleasant surprises and a perfect ending. It's satisfying seeing a woman standing up for herself with humour, grace and dignity. No one is stronger than a woman who has been broken who puts herself back together again! I really enjoyed everything about this novel.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like a true representation of why 25% of single older women in Australia live below the poverty struggling to find safe and secure housing. While I was sometimes angry with Tina and her poor decision making particularly with regard to her children I understand her predicament. It's unfortunate that the cover blurb focuses so much on the friendship with the older Mrs Bell as this is important but not as significant as the blurb implies.

Read this not longer after reading Nomadland which provides a nonfiction perspective on similar issues in the US.

[Linda McGrath · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

A real eye opener, this book shows how easily women of a certain age can find themselves alone and homeless. Tina has spent her entire adult life caring for her husband and four kids, and more recently, her aging parents. Tina discovers her husband has long been deceiving her about their finances, and after a nasty separation, ends up living in a rundown caravan on the wrong side of town. Tina eventually finds a job as a carer to a wealthy, older woman and an unlikely friendship blooms. Sad but worth reading.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Besides,' Mrs Bell adds, 'caring costs nothing.'

Caring has cost me an old age far less comfortable than hers.

This is a socially conscious critique, but it's not laboured or heavy handed. Piper writes well, so you're absorbed by the story and sympathetic to Tina – even when her short-sighted steps leave you longing for her to finally look to her own life. This had parallels to the excellent miniseries 'Maid' for me.

[Barbara Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thorougally enjoyed this read, a realistic raw look on how our life can change instantly and how the FMC shows strength and honesty to deal with her new circumstances. The plot offers real humour which had me in stitches. I felt so in touch with the story and truly loved how with the right support and friendship we can grab hope and start again

[Missyd · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

The blurb indicates that this is about the friendship between elderly woman and her paid companion.
But it’s really a story about a down on her luck divorcee in a caravan park. The main character was a mouthpiece for the plight of middle aged women , economic insecurity and housing instability. A worthy topic but I would have preferred a more skilfully executed story.

[Nicole Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. This was a little sad knowing how real this is for many women in their 50s in Australia. I liked the setting and loved Tina. It wasn't ground breaking but a raw read about the realities of cost of living, a breaking moment and a battle to find resilience and power.

[Dale Topp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story wonderful Insight into how to survive and thrive with very little means. A sobering look at the life of a middle aged woman, mother, deforce, carers struggle to find work and establish a home and establish meaningful relationships and friends in life. Easy reading most enjoyable

[Lorraine Larcombe · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I mostly enjoyed reading this book but I was disappointed with the ending - my expectation from shorts I had read that there was a friendship with Mrs Bell that never transpired. Even though Tina apparently grew in independence and self worth it fell a bit flat for me

[Jessie Pawpiette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t love it. Maybe I’m the wrong age group? But definitely not as amazing as it’s made out to be. My take home message: have personal financial support in place!

[John Agnew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent all round read.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read and I liked the main character

[Kristine Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably closer to 3.5 stars. Uncomfortable to read but also hard to look away. An insight into the lives of people who find themselves without secure housing.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about major life change and appreciating what we have

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh