Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler

99 reviews

lindsmann's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-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

3.5

Adelaide follows a 20-something American living in London as she navigates life and relationships.
^This is essentially all I knew about this book before going into it. Which, those that have read will know that isn't even the half of it. 

This book gave me maaaajor It Ends With Us vibes, and I don't mean that as a compliment. Adelaide is a perpetual people-pleasing doormat of a person and I found it difficult to continue reading at times. Not because the subject matter itself was difficult but because Adelaide as a character was extremely frustrating. 

Spoiler

I found that the level of devotion and adoration Adelaide had for Rory relative to 1) the affection he ever showed for her and 2) how deep their relationship ever felt was so off balance. I never felt that Rory promised much to her, and it felt like she kept clinging onto the idea of their relationship simply because he was on paper (and especially looks wise) who she saw herself with. 

And that just doesn't cut it for me. It made it feel wholly unbelievable that she would continue to put herself through all of Rory's shitty behavior. And maybe I'm naive or biased in this realm, but that was my perception. 

I also feel like there was not one single chapter where she wasn't either crying or throwing up or both. And I'm just very not into the weak/ needs-a-man-to-swoop-in-and-solve-her-problems FMC trope. 

Some might argue that's not what happens here, but Adelaide works on herself for like......5 pages before she finds Bubs on the apps again. So I think this qualifies.

All of the above being said, I did think the book was technically well written and it kept me engaged the whole time, so that's where the 3.5 rating is coming from.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Sexual assault

wellreadmegs's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-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

4.0

I picked this book up on a whim at the library because I had seen it on bookstagram and had no idea what to expect - went into it blind and I'm so glad it did! 

This book was a quick one to get through with short chapters and a really interesting narrative. Between flashbacks & foreshadowing, this book piques your interest. Adelaide and Rory's relationship was hot & cold & you felt every up and down. Her friends were incredible and we always love a book that features supportive female friendships. 

This book was a rollercoaster but I enjoyed it all the same. The dark academia romance, the trials and tribulations of your 20s, & mental health discussions. The only thing that drove me nuts in the book was that the author used italics for dialogue instead of quotes so it made it confusing at times to understand what was being said by whom and whether it was actually being said or just a thought. 

That drove me nuts. It was giving Normal People without the quotation marks.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape

Moderate: Rape, Miscarriage, and Death

Minor: Death of parent

maurapartridge's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Terminal illness and Vomit

hannahda's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Mental illness and Emotional abuse

acline's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful fast-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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Miscarriage

sgreising's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

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

4.5

• Really a very good read. I think everyone who’s ever put someone else’s needs before their own can relate to Adelaide while simultaneously hating Rory Hughes 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual assault

haleysversion's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Cursing, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual assault, Car accident, Death, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Grief, and Mental illness

nikeeeeee's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.5

Definitely shed a few tears over this one, a hard--emotional read, but a good story about a girl who falls into toxic relationships and struggles with her mental health.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, and Sexual assault

ukponge's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Mental illness

Minor: Suicide

kaileencm's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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

Ouch. At times this was far too relatable for comfort. Watching from the outside as Adelaide goes through an obviously toxic relationship and deep mental health struggles is hard, sad, and frustrating. It’s like watching a car crash in slow motion. But it’s so worth seeing the transformation of a young woman. An experience I deeply identify with. 

Please check the trigger warnings.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Rape, and Emotional abuse