There are so many characters in the town that everyone can find someone to identify with and develop empathy for. Mr. Backman's storytelling is stellar. He paces the book perfectly and keeps you wondering how each character's story will develop. I never would have thought a book about a hockey team would be a five star read for me, but Us Against You is truly a story about all that is good about humanity and some of the things that aren't, but in the end, I felt uplifted by this novel and touched by its message.
Highly recommend this five star book, but you should definitely start by reading Bear Town first and if you struggle as I did for the first part, just know it will be worth it.