Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall

6 reviews

lifeasruth's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.0

Boring prose. Overuse of simile.
Too many cliche tropes crammed into one book. Also, Baptist witches? Gimme a break!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

that_awkwardbook's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad

Okay. I went in blind and I really shouldn't have done that. I wanted something fun and cute and that was not it . 
This story is full of heartache , loss and grief. It is also full of family and friends, delicious food with recipes and hope and a sprinkle of sweetness. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder

mzleishman's review

emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

Didn’t love the ending. The plot had nice potential, but have read others in this genre that I prefer. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment

njoyfrethem's review

slow-paced

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

2.5

The main character is not particularly interesting or likable. Plot is very predictable to an extent in which the main character becomes less likable because she seems dumb for not figuring it out. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Self harm

littlelizzieborden's review against another edition

It was emotionally exhausting and infuriating 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

Minor: Cursing, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt

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