Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

45 reviews

just_klaudia's review against another edition

emotional funny slow-paced

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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment

witcheep's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

I love how Zapata writes a love story here: it progresses very slow, evolving from a neutral working relationship to friendship and finally love. This gives time and space to really get to know the characters, and to let them both get emotionally comfortable and build trust around each other in a pace that feels real. I much prefer this kind of approach to insta-love that seems to be very (maybe too?) prominent in the romance genre.

However, at the beginning of the book, the pace feels a little too slow and as a reader I was just impatiently waiting for a more emotional section in the story to start. The later phases make up for the slow beginning with all the struggles to come to terms with the impact the awakened emotions have on the characters.

Besides the romance, the book gives weight to different types of relationships as well: there are work relationships, meaningful friendships, and familial strain. That is great, since it balances the plot to make the lives of the main characters more well rounded.

Both the main characters have very dark back stories (

they've experienced domestic violence and abandonment as children

), and that plays a role in who they are now; these experiences still have aftereffects. The dark pasts is something you'll want to keep in mind, if you don't want to read about certain subjects.

The past trauma feels quite dire, and it made me question if they both really needed that dark pasts; couldn't the issues have been addressed even if they affected the characters to a smaller degree? Now, I wondered if it was mostly just to create shock value to the characters.

The audiobook experience is great. I love when there are different narrators in the same chapters reading different characters' dialogue. It makes the listening experience feel more immersive and authentic compared to one narrator doing different voices. The narrators here work great for their roles!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol

bookwormamy's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

maistfu's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful slow-paced

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

5.0

this was my 2nd time reading this book and I love it even more this time. its soooo good.
the slow burn and the grumpy x sunshine just does it for me. aiden showing his love instead of putting it into words is so special to me. I'd kill for an aiden pov or just more of aiden and vanessa in general 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Toxic relationship

ninebookishlives's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

idrilcelebrindal's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

• 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

2.25

This book was fine. Nothing special, and way too long. Main character had a lot of internalized misogyny that drove me crazy. When the love interest gets groped and she thinks it’s wildly funny it was so painful. Sexual assault/harassment isn’t okay just because it’s a man who is targeted.  

The handling of FASD (fetal alcohol) was incredibly bad. It should’ve been left out entirely. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Car accident, and Abandonment

Moderate: Ableism, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Drug abuse and Death of parent

np36011's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted

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

2.5

Disappointing compared to From Lukov with Love, not handled really enjoyably and scary family dynamics, not my thing
🌶️

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use

fatfemmequeer's review against another edition

dark emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Physical abuse

maria8w4's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol

garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Violence and Car accident