Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall

10 reviews

astoldbyangela's review

not! for! me!
a few moments, lines, storylines even that were good but held together by an overall style, writing choices, and perspective that just rubbed me the wrong way from beginning to end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Moderate: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Abandonment

fancyjess_party's review

slow-paced

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

1.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

hello_lovely13's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-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

2.5

This was an extremely mixed bag (and I’m glad I read this via the library and didn’t spend any money on it). The overall vibe of the book was well done, very cozy, but I did have a problem with the writing. There were many instances where you could tell the author was trying really hard to make the writing atmospheric by adding too many unnecessary descriptive words, such as something along the lines of “the air was crisp like my apple pie”. It was a bit annoying. I love flowery writing, but this felt forced. Also, there were a few times where there were pop culture references that made me cringe (I.e.: her wanting appear cool when she was angry and saying to herself “conceal, don’t feel”…give me a break). Not to mention that I hated pretty much every single character (and you’re not supposed to!!!!!). Let’s start off with Sadie: she’s supposed to be the lovable, relatable people-pleaser that we root for, but she makes so many decisions that either annoy or enrage me.

One of the main things that completely turned me off from her character is that she literally STOLE her ex’s dog and NEVER gave it back. Yes, initially it was a misunderstanding, but then she goes out of her way to hide it from him once she realized who it belonged to, changed the dog’s name, and the two of them just joke about this???? Girl, give him his fucking dog back.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Rape, and Murder

tallard's review

emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

2.5

This book had a wonderful cozy small town vibe (think practical magic). That said, while the plot was interesting, I personally wasn't sold on the love interest. In fact, I really disliked Jake by the end and I was disappointed in Sadie for not having higher standards for herself. Truly the whole romance part was lack luster.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt and Abandonment

Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Murder

ehoustonmyatt's review

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

1.5

This had potential to be so fun, even with darker themes. It, instead, focused on things that weren’t important and whizzed past the reveals that were supposed to be big. The Bethany of it all was very stereotypical and predictable, the love interest sucked, and it dropped some big dark themes too casually and not very thoughtfully. Also, the diversity included seemed like a performative afterthought. 

It’s sold as a “cozy” read that feels like Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic but it didn’t deliver any of that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Hey, no dogs or cats die so I guess that’s one win!

roget's review

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, and Death of parent

goodjollymissmolly's review

Didn’t love main character-immature; Grandma dropping WILD history truth bombs was too much non-coziness for me

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Content Warnings

Minor: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Murder

torturedreadersdept's review

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail

rromero721's review

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

wornpagesandendlesscoffey's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

2.5

Always thankful for the ARCs I receive, and this is my honest review. I am certain there is an audience for this book, one that will adore it and make it their entire identity. I am not that audience. I want to first say, the marketing here was super deceptive and I was almost immediately disappointed. Nothing about this story was "Gilmore Girls"- literally, nothing. There was a huge chunk of Practical Magic in there, so much so it almost felt like the same story, adjusted. It wasn't a bad book, it wasn't poorly written, but the false marketing left me with a horrid taste in my mouth for the book. I love Gilmore Girls, I named my child after the show and watch it once a year (at least), so I was thrilled to have a book that had that vibe. This book wasn't that at all, There are also a mountain of triggers and no TW of any kind, the dynamics of the grandmother felt off, the way everyone treated the main character was shady and bad, and worst of all

the female main character had to sacrifice her magic and her identity for a man. Lorelai would *never*.

The conflict was rushed and the resolution was sloppy. Every character treated the FMC like she was loved for how she made them feel or how she was useful to them, her boundaries were ignored or pushed past by nearly everyone, and have I mentioned the massive triggers. SO since the author didn't include them, a few to note are death, abandonment, toxic relationships, magic bypassing consent, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt, cancer, manipulation, gaslighting, murder, and relationship abuse- this is not an exhaustive list by any means but someone should put it out there.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

Moderate: Murder