Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

14 reviews

rskennedy1066's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow, this author knows how to keep me guessing!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Minor: Child death and Death of parent

ladybug12793's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Disappointing

Reading this was like pulling teeth. Where the first book was fast-paced and fun, this one dragged on. Nothing happens except for a bunch of filler until the last 15% of the book with ridiculous plot twists.

I don’t even want to get into the “love triangle” with the wet blanket brothers. Absolutely no chemistry between any of them. Again, like the first book, I felt no emotional connection towards these characters.

Since this book was so underwhelming, I don’t think I will continue on in the series. 

0 🌶️ 

* please disregard grammatical errors due to voice texting

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Cursing and Infidelity

Cursing- A**hole is said like 2-3 times. That’s it.

mjeanette_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

- overall a good read! 
- there was a lot more emotion that i picked up on and i really liked that
- i think libby’s storyline was a little sidelined but there’s also a lot of characters so i kinda get it

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Death of parent

Moderate: Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

siglerbooknook's review

adventurous challenging lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This series is the definition of curve ball and somehow it always makes sense. There is no solving these books in advance. You, the reader, are definitely just along for the whirlwind ride, and yet they always keep me feeling engaged. 
It takes forever to get to an answer but the pacing is done so well that the book never feels slow.
Once again, Jennifer Lynn Barnes has earned a gold star for dialogue. Every quip had me smiling. Every heartfelt confession tugged at my heart. 
I don't know how the characters of Hawthorne House can be so mysterious and so loveable at the same time, but every one of them is thoroughly enjoyable.
Even though the story felt like it would have to leave loose ends, Barnes managed to wrap every mystery in a satisfying bow.
The plot may not be complex and the characters may not be the deepest you'll ever read, but I completely enjoyed every page of The Hawthorne Legacy and can't wait to dive in to book 3.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Stalking, and Pregnancy

c_e_w's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Grief, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol

alicia_g's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Ok, got better towards the end but at the start just felt like a repeat of the first book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Deadnaming, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

matheo's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

rebeccarudisill's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury

helenferg's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, and Gaslighting

allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This feels like the book version of an escape room, under the wire to hunt down clues with the giddiness of a game afoot. It's just ~fun~ pure and simple. In this puzzle of a sequel, we follow the Hawthornes deeper into their (many, unnecessarily fancy) closets for creepier skeletons. We delve into a family history that is twisted and secretive with complicated repercussions in the present.

In terms of Avery's life, the unnecessary love triangle marches on. I was pleased with the resolution at the very end of the book where an actual choice is made. I'm not sure I was cheering for anyone in particular before, but I like what Avery decided. My only concern is that the series isn't over, and sometimes love triangles have the last laugh when I think they're over, so. Just hoping the current choice is endgame, and we can focus on different drama in the next one. In non-romantic news, best friend Max shows up instead of just being a voice over the phone, which is a vast improvement for everyone. I desperately needed someone to say "smash the patriarchy" in front of all the rich people.

In terms of the mystery, there's some light (private) jet-setting, which adds to the makeover montage moments to remind us that there is ridiculous wealth on the line. Like an alarming amount. Like I think Max has her work cut out for her with the smashing part. I didn't find most of the reveals particularly shocking as the mystery unfolds, but I was entertained at all times. Also, the sheer number of twists and turns made for an intriguing path for the characters even if you suspect what's coming at the end. This book was pure escapism for me, and I loved it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Classism

Minor: Bullying, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt