Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena

19 reviews

ameliabee33's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

I haven't read too much of the crime genre, so this was my introduction to it. I thought this book was an easy read, where you follow the mental and physical turmoils of siblings brought up by an abusive rich father after both of their parents are murdered. The reader jumps around from each sibling, cops, cleaning lady, aunt, etc. within chapters. It was an easy plot line to follow, one of the siblings murdered the parents. But who did it? I definitely had different hunches throughout the book, and the ending was satisfying and one that I really didn't expect. I got "You" vibes. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism and Child abuse

Minor: Sexual content

wrestleacademic's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Child abuse

hkburke2's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

I don't actually know if this book is "good" but it kept me very engaged and the writing style was pretty propulsive. Short chapters always help. And it falls in the "wish I could stay up to keep reading" category for sure. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

bandysbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective 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

3.0

This book was just okay for me. I didn’t find the twists particularly shocking and I think the author went overboard on trying to add surprise turns. I think had this been edited a bit better and a few of the twists left out, the ending might have had a better effect. By the time we finally figure out “whodunnit” you just sort of feel exhausted with it all.

All in all, if you like thrillers, it’s worth giving this a read. Just know you’ll have to suspend disbelief at the end.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Murder

ukponge's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Murder

colettesjourney's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

Minor: Infertility

writtenbydnicole's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, and Alcohol

starklinqs's review

medium-paced

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

4.0

This was a really cool book! I was definitely kept waiting the entire time, and the end - and epilogue - was super interesting. Like another review said, I think this could have done more with backstories for the siblings. However, it was still really well done and I enjoyed the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Alcoholism and Stalking

odrib's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Infertility