Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering

44 reviews

shreyaahreadz's review against another edition

dark emotional tense 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Gaslighting

twisty's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

There’s this trend I’m noticing in these commercial “successes” where there’s a lot of build up and then it abruptly ends, like some editor said, well, it’s took long, let’s just end it. 

To have Lucy go through so much abuse then, op, I saw a psychiatrist for a few weeks years ago and now I’m just over the narcissist because I realize I’m worth it. Oh, and he killed this girl. La la, on with my life!

Blah. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Car accident, and Gaslighting

stephrand's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• 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

4.0

What a roller coaster this book is. A bit different from the show but very hard to put down in the same way. Lucy and Stephen’s toxic romance is a wild ride full of lust and emotion. Also enjoyed all of the family dynamics/drama each of them also dealt with. Definitely recommend for a quick and somewhat spicy read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death and Eating disorder

Minor: Addiction, Animal death, and Vomit

syreetam's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

emilyyyhillsss's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

3.75

"Stephen is just another guy who needs to shave and lose the beer belly, another corporate lawyer who gets his kicks on payday. Maybe he was magic to me once, but he isn't anymore"

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

patriciarodriguez's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense 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

3.75

extremely repetitive but it showed the ugly nature of toxic relationships. it was all worth it for that epilogue. just wow.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Animal death and Car accident

catrinageorgia's review against another edition

emotional tense 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

mookayla's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

We've all probably dated someone like Stephen in some point in our lives. He's a narcissistic, cheating, manipulative, (in many ways abusive), sociopathic, liar. So if you're anything like me, you'll probably find yourself yelling at Lucy all throughout this book- as many of our close friends and family yelled at us in frustration as well. "WHY are you with him? WHAT do you see in him?? Can't you see what he's doing to you???"

Tell Me Lies is a messy, twisted story that shows the reality of toxic relationships, overcoming trauma, and finally getting over THAT guy. 

My biggest complaint (other than the stress this book caused me) would be that there is ultimately no real resolve, or I guess consequences, to some of Stephen's more horrifying actions. I suppose that is the way the world works at times though.

I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys Colleen Hoover's style of books.

With that being said, this book is not all just empty drama. It also deals heavily with mental health while getting into these real-life issues. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Stalking

Very different from the show, and I hate the changes the show has made to both Wrigley & Evan's characters. Interested to see how it plays out though! ♡

kaseybrowndanner's review against another edition

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder and Emotional abuse

ohkachi's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense slow-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

3.5

The writing was good. The characters unbearable. I didn’t have anyone to root for and it was such a hard read. Lucy, baby girl, that man was insufferable from the start. I could not hate anyone more.

I can’t believe I had to wait to the epilogue to see you finally stand up.

Fuck Stephen in all the ways that matter. This book was a great reminder that men are hell and could ruin your life if you allow them. To my girls, gays and theys, please always stand on business. Never let someone play in your face like Stephen. Always leave at the first sign of disrespect. While I found the characters abhorrent, I do believe this book shook something in me deeply. I reflected on past situations and found Lucy in me. That was terrifying so I now will be working on that in therapy to strengthen my resolve. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Blood