Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey

6 reviews

violet_moon1's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

I loved this book, it felt very human. I loved the characters and how they each handled their own and each other's life problems so differently. You could see the great and the flaws in each of them. I loved the ending of the book too, it was nice having what felt like a realistic ending for a change. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content

cnannery19's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Dysphoria

aseel_reads's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

This was a relatively good slice of life, post divorce life. I think the downward spiral was super realistic and it didn't end with a perfect happy ever after, because that wasn't realistic. I do wish her PhD played a bigger role, like it is unrealistic to be like "oh she just goes to work and then comes home and be sad" like work as a PhD is not easy. I also found the pacing/split of the novel not great, like it took so long to get anywhere and then changes started happening super quick in the last hour of the audiobook. Another annoying thing

amy was portrayed as one thing, being a drunk and a hater, but then does a 180 out of the blue and we have no clue as to how or when she made the changes so that was an annoying illogical part

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Vomit, and Alcohol

Moderate: Addiction, Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail

maremi's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Grief

prairieraven's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism

kmsander4's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

This book is messy. Maggie is a trainwreck - and that might be putting it lightly. She is tragic, her life is falling apart, and she continually ensures she burns everything to the ground. But, like a phoenix, she rises.

The way Monica tells Maggie's story about love, loss, grief, and finding oneself in the midst of a personal tragedy is brilliant. As a reader, you don't always like Maggie. Honestly, I spent much of the book actively hating her and wanting her to grow up, but that's not fair. I've never been in her shoes, maybe I too would become an insane person that annoys every single person in my life after a divorce. (I hope to never find out!)

I just loved the realness of the story. There was nothing extravagant about the story, it was just a messy depiction of something that quite literally happens every single day. I don't think we appreciate stories like that enough.

I'll be suggesting this one to all of my friends. As we navigate our 30s, I feel like there are pieces of Maggie's story that each and every single one of us can relate to, regardless of our relationship status.

Bonus points, of course, for the Canadian content! I always love when I can recognize the backdrop for the novel I'm reading.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Medical content