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Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'
What We Never Say: Bold Journeys Book One by Paulette Stout
2 reviews
meganashlee27's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
What We Never Say is a complicated tale of ambition and the challenges faced along the way. Rebecca is the author of an anonymous blog, until she gets noticed by a major fashion magazine that would like to feature her work. The only problem is that her boyfriend Kyle has a complicated history with the editor in chief. Now Kyle has to make a decision about his past, while trying to protect Rebecca from scrutiny as well.
For me, this book happened in phases. The first half of this book I was a little bored. The story didn’t seem to flow, and it just didn’t engage me. The second half is when it started to redeem itself for me. I felt happy about the way that Rebecca and Kyle were able to support each other through the challenges they faced. But there were some tough themes here, including sexual assault, seeking therapy and help to recover from trauma, and blackmail and manipulation. If you’re ok with reading those topics, I’d recommend checking this one out. Overall I’d give it 3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Smith Publicity for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
For me, this book happened in phases. The first half of this book I was a little bored. The story didn’t seem to flow, and it just didn’t engage me. The second half is when it started to redeem itself for me. I felt happy about the way that Rebecca and Kyle were able to support each other through the challenges they faced. But there were some tough themes here, including sexual assault, seeking therapy and help to recover from trauma, and blackmail and manipulation. If you’re ok with reading those topics, I’d recommend checking this one out. Overall I’d give it 3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Smith Publicity for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
lulimaffeo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
2.5
OMG This book was really something!
It really explored, and very well done, some incredibly interesting and complicated subjects.
To be honest, if I knew exactly what the book was about, I don't know if I would've read it, from a completely biased point, but I am SO glad I did.
I think it's fresh. It explores sexual themes and abuse from the male perspective, which I don't think its done enough, without taking away the female experience. Rebecca's experience and sexual awakening that gave her newfound confidence is a great way to parallel Jane's ""confidence"". Both women feel empowered, but only one is doing it right, this way. it shows so clearly how you can be empowered without pushing someone, instead, its by uplifting someone.
It also touches a lot on social media and how it has an effect on these types of topics and stories.
I also liked Kyle and Rebecca's relationship. Again, not a lover of having a relationship bloom out of the story and having to belive these characters are in love, I really love the buildup of it. But it works here, because the build up is shown by the transition of this couple from their honeymoon period into life partners, and its truely something more intimate and a beautiful thing to love. --> update: I didn't know this was sort of a sequel, will be checking it later!!
Surprisingly, ALL the secondary characters are really well done and have different bright personalities, each one with a tiny story. Loved Libyy, Rebecca's friends and Visaj.
Now, what I didn't like:
There are some typos or some writing mistakes, enough to make me notice. There is a scene even when the narrator's voice turns into first person instead of the usual third person.
I also didn't like having that many POVs or I would've liked less switches.
The other thing I felt weak was how easily everything was solved. It all went down terribly and suddenly, two pages after, everything was ok and fixed! Weird.
It really explored, and very well done, some incredibly interesting and complicated subjects.
To be honest, if I knew exactly what the book was about, I don't know if I would've read it, from a completely biased point, but I am SO glad I did.
I think it's fresh. It explores sexual themes and abuse from the male perspective, which I don't think its done enough, without taking away the female experience. Rebecca's experience and sexual awakening that gave her newfound confidence is a great way to parallel Jane's ""confidence"". Both women feel empowered, but only one is doing it right, this way. it shows so clearly how you can be empowered without pushing someone, instead, its by uplifting someone.
It also touches a lot on social media and how it has an effect on these types of topics and stories.
I also liked Kyle and Rebecca's relationship. Again, not a lover of having a relationship bloom out of the story and having to belive these characters are in love, I really love the buildup of it. But it works here, because the build up is shown by the transition of this couple from their honeymoon period into life partners, and its truely something more intimate and a beautiful thing to love. --> update: I didn't know this was sort of a sequel, will be checking it later!!
Surprisingly, ALL the secondary characters are really well done and have different bright personalities, each one with a tiny story. Loved Libyy, Rebecca's friends and Visaj.
Now, what I didn't like:
There are some typos or some writing mistakes, enough to make me notice. There is a scene even when the narrator's voice turns into first person instead of the usual third person.
I also didn't like having that many POVs or I would've liked less switches.
The other thing I felt weak was how easily everything was solved. It all went down terribly and suddenly, two pages after, everything was ok and fixed! Weird.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
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