hopecobblepotworld's review
- 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
3.0
Darling Venom took me a long time to read. I kept having to stop and go back to it. I don't know if it was the subject matter, but I suspect so. Be warned, fair reader. This book deals with:
•Suicide
•Grief
•Mental Illness
•Suicidal Ideation
•Alcoholism
•Gaslighting
•Death of parents
•Scars
•Cutting
It's a lot.
Part One introduces us to Charlotte and Kellan Marchetti. Two young people teetering on the brink of the decision to commit suicide. But because they meet a pact is formed - once a year, they met in the roof of the school until they are seniors. That's how they stay alive. Their pact. But Charlotte noticed how much Kellan was physically and emotionally bullied at school. She knows he's cutting himself and doing drugs. She tries to get him help. But nobody listens. Not even Kellan. Then comes Senior year. And she's running late. And it all goes horribly wrong.
Part Two, Four Years Later, sees Charlotte working at an Editorial Firm where her boss, the owner, just happens to be pregnant, and the OB/Gyn is Dr. Tatum "Tate" Marchetti, Kellan's surviving brother and former guardian. Tate is fielding his way through numbness to mild rage when Charlotte enters his life via her boss. Then enter the third Marchetti male, Terry Marchetti, Father of Tate and Kel and author of the sensation The Imperfections. Part Two spends a long time or what felt like a long time to me going around the relationship between Tate and Charlotte, Terry and Charlotte, and Tate and Terry. All of this was guided by a manuscript left to Charlotte by Kellan. The physical book is 470 pages. I don't know if it could have been cut down. It just felt like it was going around in circles at times.
I was to public speaking what Tommy Wiseau was to acting. ~ Tate Marchetti
Part Three - You'll like this part. This is where Tate shakes off his demons and goes for it. This is where it starts to get good.
The Epiloge - This part made me cry. When you read it, you will too. I just hope you survive Part Two.
I'm reading this a solid 3 black hearts 🖤 🖤🖤. I think Charlotte and Kellan would approve.
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Child death and Miscarriage
leda64's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, Self harm, Suicide, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
plueschi77's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Addiction, and Alcoholism
kayceeisbookish's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Sexual content, Vomit, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
luna_a's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
bbygirl21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The build up to Charlotte and Tate getting together was amazing. I felt their chemistry through and through even through all their hate for each other in the beginning.
And Leah (Charlotte's sister) I found myself rooting for her on her journey as well with love and acceptance of herself and letting others in after heartbreak and emotional/physical scarring. And Jonah is the most patient man I every had the pleasure of reading about. He understood Leah's insecurities and loves her unconditionally despite her trying to push him away.
By the end we got three love stories. Kellen and Charlotte (first love), Tate and Charlotte (soulmates drawn together by fate) and then Leah and Jonah (the patient love that takes determination and persistence). I loved reading every single one of their love stories no matter how shortlived or long lasting they ended up being.
I honestly can't recommend this book enough. I just highly suggest checking the trigger/content warnings because it gets quite heavy throughout the entire book.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Alcohol, Cursing, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Addiction, Death, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Drug use, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Drug abuse, Dysphoria, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Blood, Bullying, Vomit, Stalking, and Violence
ruthhmariee's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Car accident, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Drug use, Infertility, Medical content, Suicide, Grief, Medical trauma, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
emmasbookshelf27's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Grief, Medical content, Bullying, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Drug use, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
invokedreverie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Bullying, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Body shaming