Kin: The Future of Family

by Sophie Lucido Johnson

Discover a transformative reframing of intimate relationships with practical steps to build community and combat the loneliness epidemic in this bold and warmhearted blend of memoir and social science in the vein of When You Care and Big Friendship.

Doesn’t it seem like there simply isn’t enough time to take care of ourselves, our families, and our to do lists? Even when we’re partnered and surrounded by friends, we’re often too afraid of burdening others to ask for help. So how do we survive today’s age of overwork and stress, and who can we turn to for the support we need to stay afloat?

Now, writer and cartoonist Sophie Lucido Johnson offers a radical answer to our age of overwhelm in Kin. With richly reported stories and insights from psychology and sociology, Lucido Johnson explores the importance of our closest relationships (beyond the nuclear family) and provides the tools to forge relationships built on emotional support, physical care, and shared resources. From asking for help on a grocery run, to choosing to have roommates later in life to combat loneliness, to living in modern day “mommunes” of single mothers sharing bills and responsibilities, Kin shows the vast range of kinship structures she and others are thriving in—and how to build your own community of support.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Relationships

288 pages, Hardcover

Published November 11, 2025

Reviews

[Laura Danger · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Kin, Sophie Lucido Johnson weaves a tapestry of storytelling that feels both intimate and expansive, guiding us through the ways we've become isolated and how we can respond to our profound yearning for connection. With vulnerability and warmth, Sophie invites us to imagine a life rooted in kinship, community, and the deep, enduring relationships we crave. This book challenges us to rethink how we move through the world, embracing our impact on one another and finding strength in our interconnectedness. Rich, human, and profoundly moving, Kin shows us how to open our hearts, nurture our bonds, and live in a way that honors our shared humanity.

Thank you Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy!

[Christine Fitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love themes of found family and community building, so this book was a big, fascinating win to me. It reminded me a bit of "Everyday Utopia" by Kristen R. Ghodsee, which I also really enjoyed. These kinds of books make me consider the depths and variety of my friendships, and the value of physical space in relationship building. I recently moved to a more densely populated, walkable part of my city and work in a public library; the concept of getting to know your neighbors is hitting me at an all-time high, in a way it hasn't since childhood - when couples next door with no children or adult children served almost as additional grandparents. Also, the emphasis on church as a community for reciprocal relationship helped me to process some of the appeal I've been feeling towards the concept of UU churches. And of course, a large theme from the book - derived from rumination on polyamory - the idea that expecting one person (in a romantic relationship, generally) to fulfill all your needs is setting the relationship up for disappointment and resentment. Really important to grasp as I enter my 30s and my long-term romantic relationship transitions into a new phase. So this hit me at the right time, gathered up my thoughts in a neat package, and gave me some additional ideas to stew over. If any of that seems like where you're at (or where you'd like to go, life-trajectory-wise), you might love this title, too!

I received a digital copy of this book as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

CWs - Grief, Pregnancy, Pandemic/Epidemic, Homophobia, Infertility, Mental illness, Racism, Terminal illness, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Death of parent, Classism

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I would like this book, but wow. This is how I want to live my life. What good advice for doing so! It feels so impossible to make large scale change, but everything can be so small. I found this book incredibly comforting. I love that Sophie is succeeding at this, and it shows me how I am too in my own way. I love that it started as a poly parenting book and turned into so much bigger. And now the only struggle is to keep my kin, even as they get so sick of me quoting from this book in every single conversation.

[Kate Rood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t wait to talk about this book with everyone I know. I’m already thinking deeply about all the things I can do - big and small - for all the relationships in my life to bring the value of kin into my life more.

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a really long time since I read a book about a possible future that I wanted, without reservation, to be one I get to inhabit. There is so much data and research cited to back up the view of how much we need to expand our understanding of who belongs to one another, and why we need that expansion to thrive. But just as important is the ring of intuitive truth to the whole work. I'm giving as many people as I can in my birth family and my chosen family copies of this book for Christmas. (Uh, if you're one of those people reading this: sorry for the present spoiler!)

[chats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so great. Warm, conversational, inviting, accessible. A better world is possible if we open our hearts and doors to it.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really really wanted to like this book. I found the author to be somewhat cool - a bee keeper (and talking about the hive nature of community building with bees!), a cartoonist. I just couldn't relate and resonate with her advocacy of polyamory living and especially juggling multiple partnerships as a form of kin building. One of the strongest chapters for me was the one on developing economically and socially supportive neighborhood relationships and she had tons of ideas for sparking those bonds close to home. Loved it! Another item I loved that she was involved with was the "Prayer Porch" where people showed up to support and connect each and every morning at 6:30 am. People would take turns reading spiritual poetry, readings to soothe pain and grief, and from there, text chains to support the people who showed up to the Prayer Porch.

The author is overflowing with loving, mutual, life enhancing bonds from her three life partners including one "legal" spouse, her mother/sister, friends far and near, work mentors/colleagues. Maybe that is why I just felt a measure of depression reading this book because I personally have never had such a village where you are seen and wanted for whom you are. She has people she speaks to daily, far away friends who text and remember birthdays and show up when needed or allow her to show up, people she can call at 2 am for emergencies. There is something prior to building this deep kinship network -- a history of feeling attuned, listened to, connecting with others that not everyone is blessed to have and surely the capacity to attach and be present with others must be a precursor to building the kind of deep kinship network that can keep one afloat in a lonely world. After I shut the book, I just felt sad.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kin by Sophie Lucido Johnson

Kin is about building community — and reimagining what “community” can look like. It offers a generous, self-affirming, and expansive vision of how we might better care for ourselves and each other in this complicated modern world. Johnson invites us to reconsider whom we think of as family and to think creatively about new ways to find belonging.

I especially loved the chapter “The True Nucleus,” where she writes:

“The premise of the nuclear family implies that the ‘nucleus’ is the two-parent, two-child unit. That’s not true. Each individual is their own nucleus, and the nuclei matter.… As you work hard building a kinship group, start with yourself.”

As an introvert, I appreciated her reflections on the many ways to connect with others and to find your “tribe.” She encourages us to value even the loose bonds we often dismiss as acquaintances— and to think about how to nurture them. Johnson grounds her ideas in concrete examples and personal stories, including her experiences with polyamory. At times these narratives make the book feel a bit unstructured, but they also give it warmth and personality.

Ultimately, Kin reminds us how isolating modern life can be — and offers fresh, hopeful ideas for creating connection and mutual support. Any book that helps us recognize that, and gives us tools to do better, is a gift.

I received a review copy from the publisher & Goodreads.

[Barrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vibrant, generous, and refreshingly hopeful reimagining of what family can be. Blending memoir, journalism, comics, philosophy, and social critique, Johnson offers a wholehearted invitation to rethink the boundaries of intimacy, commitment, and connection at a moment when traditional family structures no longer reflect the lives many people actually lead. At the heart of the book is Johnson’s belief that family is something we create, not necessarily something we're born into. What makes Kin especially compelling is its mixture of personal narrative and cultural analysis. Rather than arguing for the superiority of any one model, Johnson champions plurality and care-centered innovation. Johnson's central argument is that we have far more freedom to build our lives than most of us realize, and that expanding our definitions of kinship can lead to more resilient, equitable, and joyful communities.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book; this does not influence my review.
I wasn’t able to finish this book; it just wasn’t my cup of tea. While it was interesting and contained some good anecdotes, much of it focused on stories about the author, which was a bit too much for me personally. The author does include statistics and information from other authors and researchers, and based on the summary, I expected the book to focus more on that rather than on the author’s personal life. This discrepancy is ultimately why I didn’t finish the book.
I did really like the part about boundaries: “You can decide. Am I going to put up with the drama, or am I going to say no? You can’t have both.” This resonated with me because I had set boundaries in the past but let them slip, allowing drama back into my life.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a lot of feelings about this book! The positives - it definitely made me think about my life and friendships and boundaries. The negatives - it referenced the book The Anxious Generation which was based on poor data. Most of the suggestions in Chapter 7 are a hard no for me. Don't invite yourself over for dinner at my house, or ask me to take our friendship to the next level. That kind of stuff should progress organically. I'm at my max for allowing my own family to leave their shit around my house, I can't imagine adding extra friends and family. I need the privacy and space. But I do think there is room for all of us, including me, to grow.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sean]

A stimulating mix of memoir, topical non-fiction overview, self-help, and conceptual outlines for reimagining the landscape of human relationship structures. I found the first and last of those aspects the most consistently compelling. In a book with this many ideas, not all are going to land immediately or feel equally personally relevant, but there will almost certainly be some that open up new perspectives and insights into the complexities of your own life, web of relationships, and world. It also helps when the author’s approach to their material is as overwhelmingly open-hearted as this.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kin by Sophie Lucido Johnson completely blew my mind — in the best possible way. This book made me see family, friends, and the idea of “kin” with fresh, sometimes uncomfortable clarity. The prose is captivating and personal; the ideas linger long after you finish a chapter.

I’m already planning a second read with tabs and a highlighter. There are so many sharp observations and quietly devastating moments I want to revisit and unpack. If you’re interested in a novel that rewires how you think about relationships and belonging, don’t miss this one.

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick thoughts: Kin is a wowza kind of read like nothing else. It’s about building community in a time of loneliness and divide. It’s a memoir grounded in approachable social science research.

I definitely needed this read at this moment in time, and am so grateful for Sophie’s work.

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up because I simply love the topic. There is so much gold in here, and I appreciate the language to describe the relationships that seem to transcend friendship. However, I struggle with language that makes friendship/kinship feel like a corporate meeting, even though I agree that relationship-building IS work and can see its use. Still, such a pleasure to read, and I’m glad it’s the book that kicks off my year!

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie Lucido Johnson (author) is so very talented as a writer! Her descriptions of the various types of loneliness is amazing...And how to overcome this with so many insights, experiences she shares...

If you need a hand at anything this life throws at you, this is the book you need!

She writes with compassion, understanding and empathy...

Highly Recommended!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read with themes of family and community. It gives a great introduction to rethinking our understandings of relationships, friendships, and family. This book really makes you think and evaluate your current relationships and the value of your community.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

recieved an ARC. inviting, accesible, a good introduction to rethinking our understandings of relationships and family.

[Luke Hoar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book but I am biased

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sophie and I love this book.

[Ellie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

... I am going to start a commune 👍

In all seriousness, a beautiful book and a testament to prioritizing our friendships and creating lasting kinship among our loved ones.

[September Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kin by Sophie Lucido Johnson is a warm, practical guide to reimagining family and community. It shows how to build supportive networks that help combat loneliness and stress.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie Lucido Johnson is the best 💞