Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Play by Elle Kennedy

13 reviews

katharina90's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.0

Appreciated that it was a bit more of a slow burn, almost friends to lovers. 

Liked Hunter, but didn't find Demi convincing as a character. Nothing about her made sense, especially her relationship with her parents.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Infidelity, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting

Minor: Fatphobia

smartcookiesca's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

kera_reads's review against another edition

• Strong character development? No

2.75

Okay, wtf? Quite frankly, the only reason I finished this one is bc 1) I used an audible credit for this 2) mostly wondering what Hollis and Rupi (sp?) were going to do and 3) praying that it turns around and comes close to what Elle Kennedy delivered in the Off Campus series and Campus Diaries series.

I HATED how Demi and that guy pretended to be hooking up to make Hunter jealous, prompting him to break his vow of celibacy. And for what? So she could get her rebound??? … the fuck??? You couldn’t wait a few months until the end of the season? 

It also doesn’t seem in character for everyone to judge his decision to be celibate. The least judgmental person was Garrett and that was a brief mention. 

Also, the thing where Demi went behind his back to “surprise” him with the intro to the agent. She takes first prize for least likable main character in the Briar world. Quickly followed by Fitz (don’t get me started). 

This whole series is supremely subpar compared to the Off-Campus series and Campus Diaries series. So far Brenna and Jake are carrying the whole thing. I’ll listen to the fourth book, but only bc I already used my last audible credit on it before realizing what a shit show this series is. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Manipulation, undermining, consistent disregard for boundaries, just ick

siobhankeira's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content

Moderate: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Toxic friendship

shaesensual's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

I absolutely adore how seamlessly I transitioned into reading this book from the prior one in the series. Seeing the setup to the payoff in this book was so freaking fun! The relationship between the two main characters was great because it really was built as a friendship and it evolved. These characters both push each other to be better, more confident versions of themselves and played a fun game of toeing the line between friendship and more. I also loved the introduction of a female character that was not already hockey acquainted or hockey adjacent and seeing how she fit into this world. 

I just have to say I’m a huge fan of how this book touched on what some may perceive as ”unconventional” sexual dynamics including nods to open relationships, threesomes, and exhibitionism. Not to mention just the spiciness of Hunter and Demi’s sex scenes! Their chemistry is off the charts hot and the tension was so strong given the circumstances too!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Forced institutionalization, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

britwalsh16's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted sad tense medium-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

Omg! This book! I love Demi! I love Hunter! Nico’s a bitch! It’s sooo good!! I loved the mental health aspect of it, with their school project, & the twist at the end. I think Elle wrote about the issues very well, & I think Demi would make an expert therapist! I just couldn’t get enough of this book or their stories!!! 
&&& the shocker in the epilogue!!! Omg! I can’t say I didn’t see that coming, but I’m still amazed it actually happened!! lol 
I’m convinced at this point that anything Elle Kennedy writes will be a 5 star read for me, especially if it’s a hockey romance!! lol

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Cursing, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Child abuse, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, and Murder

catastrophiclyss's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

abidavisf's review against another edition

funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

Honestly, not my favourite but enjoyable nonetheless. I found The Play a little predictable and a bit slow but, like all Elle Kennedy books, it was fun, flirty and touching.

I also went into The Play not liking Hunter and now I love him so success!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, and Gaslighting

k8ecallahan's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Gaslighting

Minor: Violence

clareasday's review against another edition

emotional funny tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting