Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

No Hard Feelings by Genevieve Novak

10 reviews

nanirump's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • 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

3.75

I felt very much in the head of Penny, and it was hard to watch her keep making the wrong moves and not see the obvious in front of her. I loved the funny banter and if anyone ever wanted a study into what it feels like to chronically overthink or have anxiety (without being too bleak), I would steer them in the direction of this book. I listened to it as an audiobook and it was very well performed, it was like I was listening to a friend and I wasn't bored or overwhelmed like her friends were.
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kirstym25's review against another edition

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

4.25

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nottooscarythanks's review against another edition

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

2.0

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jacqui_hoepner's review against another edition

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

2.5

Protagonist was insufferable and awful to everyone in her life. Not enough growth/character arc to make up for how frustrating the majority of the book was. 
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jesselopod's review against another edition

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

2.0

A “new adult” coming of age story, not sure I would have finished it if it wasn’t for bookclub, but I did end up liking it more than when I started. I wouldn’t say it was my cup of tea, but I do prefer reading Australian neurotic twenty-something romance, it made the cringe a bit more relatable. I switched to the audiobook about a third of the way through and enjoyed that more. 
Sex and the city vibes but less problematic. 
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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective 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

4.25

 No Hard Feelings - I don’t often get on with stories about floundering twenty-somethings This was an exception. I absolutely loved Penny’s voice, the portrayal of her anxiety, the positive depiction of therapy and it’s role in her recovery. Some great side characters - yeah for older women who act as career mentors. And yeah for Leo. On the con side I felt it dragged a bit in the middle - but I could understand why.
 
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rubyrosereads_'s review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • 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

I always find it comforting to read stories set in Melbourne, and this novel was no different. The references to street names and venues made me feel at home. Once I got going I couldn't put this book down!

This story follows Penny who is in her late twenties and not quite where she wanted to be. She’s still sleeping with her toxic ex Max and doesn’t have many friends to speak of and a nasty boss who’s always on her back. The slivers of affection she gets from Max lull her into a false sense of connection. 

This book was both very hard to read and very relatable. Penny’s low self esteem and struggles with anxiety made me feel for her, wanting her to get out of her situation in both work and her toxic relationship. 

I loved feeling seen that life lessons have to be learnt only when self prompted, and when you get there it is so empowering. 

This is a must read! 
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cloud_animals's review against another edition

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

4.5

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theunfinishedbookshelf's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective 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
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sarahsbookss's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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