Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

35 reviews

emilywemily6's review

hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

This was really cute but definitely written for a YA audience. I wish there was more depth to the experiences and side characters Lina encounters. The romance felt a little forced and insta-lovey (this whole book takes place over like a week??)- the pacing could have been a lot more believable. I loved the backdrop of Italy and while the mystery of Lina’s parentage and her mother’s experiences were predictable, it felt realistic and also fulfilling to come to a conclusion in the end. Lina was a bit stubborn to not treat Howard like a father figure at first which was a little frustrating to read. Overall, one of the best YA romances I have read but lacked some depth.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief and Pregnancy

Minor: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

esterslibrary's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent

litliteraturegirl's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing fast-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? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship

mills33's review

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

samdreckman's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

3.0

Very cute, easy read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting

cdobbertin's review

adventurous hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Cancer

Minor: Toxic relationship

khymihr's review

lighthearted medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Death of parent

Minor: Cancer and Sexual harassment

gracie_gray's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent

Minor: Pregnancy

bookswstella's review

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

I had pretty high expectations and I really thought that I would love this book, but it wasn’t at all what I expected. I expected to feel butterflies in my stomach and to smile all the way through, but I didn’t. Like, it was good but not great.

I didn’t really like Lina and even tho I liked Howard and Lorenzo more than the other characters, everyone felt a bit flat to me.  

It’s pretty unrealistic since the whole book takes place during only six days, it feels like it would be at least a month. And the plot was pretty predictable too

What I did like was the Beatles references (thanks dad for making me a Beatles pro) and that I understood most of the little Italian there was, something my four painful years at studying Italian was good for:)

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Deadnaming, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent

Minor: Sexual harassment

kendra_taylors_version's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

So just finished my fourth read of this book and I realized i haven't written a review on my favorite book of all time like HOW DARE I?!

Anyways all you need to know is that i love the feel good vibes of a summer spent in Italy, the warmth of the found family trope happening, the originality of the journal entries and the whole adventure, the heaetbreak of loss the main character, Lina, experiences and her slow journey through healing, the movie worthy vibes of the teenage party and angst and of course the "makes me kick my feet in the air and giggle" romance.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Alcohol