Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey

3 reviews

scarlett_f's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

the_true_monroe's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad fast-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

4.0

This was a very fast paced book focused largely on healing and moving forward on an individual level (from the perspective of the narrator) and on a family level. I enjoyed it a lot with my favorite character being the cat.

There was one prevalent issue that has my rating at a 4 star and it is something that I noticed originally from another review when I was earlier in the book- but it would have become apparent on my own. Over 15 years ago Natalie’s siblings Lynn and Jake were sentenced to jail time as a result of illicit drug use which resulted in the death of their close friend. Natalie had been the person who called the cops both out of anger but also since Lynn really did hurt herself. The friend took his own life after realizing the cops were called.

Below this point has some minor spoilers.

Natalie is blamed for ALL of it. Even her mom does  not talk to her for those 15 years, and her mom’s death is what leads to the premise of the book as she wants to bring the three siblings back together. Those sympathetic to her mention it having been an “honest mistake”. Everything is about forgiving Natalie, not addressing that even though she “rat” them out that she did not set them up for anything- they were adults who honestly had Natalie in a dangerous situation. Lynn and Jake later react incredulously when Natalie did not call the cops during a time when it was absolutely critical to, due to all of that trauma of last time she called. 

While that did bother me, I really enjoyed the combination of drama, romance, nerdiness and a bit of mystery. It was a great read.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Suicide, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Confinement and Terminal illness

saffpaff's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Death of parent

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Gore, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship