Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

3 reviews

alleycatbooks's review

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⭐️/5 Stars
After a significant amount of consideration, it pains me to DNF this novel at pg 189. Unfortunately, after spending over two weeks trying to get through, I realized I am driving myself mad with this novel two and three pages at a time.

I thought this novel had five star potential.  Ghostwriter can talk to ghosts- family owns funeral home... The idea seems brilliant. What I found inside was far from what I expected. 😭

The FMC is deeply flawed. This girl/woman needs counseling- and she's not going to get it in this book. She cannot even get through a conversation. The FMC will begin a conversation with substance, only to end it- two pages later- she gets up and leaves- the scene ends- over and over again. 

I'm traumatized!

The FMC is stuck! She cannot move in any direction. All of the relationships and aspects of her life cannot drive the plot forward because she is incapable of discussing or figuring out her next step forward. How can a book like this get published? 

I simply cannot keep reading.

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thatswhatshanread's review

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

4.25

A very sweet and—despite being about ghosts—realistic look at loss, love, and life events. This isn’t strictly a romance, but the romance found within the pages is tender and charming and at times, a little sad and a little bleak. But that’s what makes it feel so real. The writing reminded me of Beth O’Leary meets Sally Thorne. 

In a word, this story was unexpected. I was expecting more of a cute paranormal romance, but that’s not really what it was. I was expecting it to go in many different directions than it did. In the end, I really loved where it went. 

I would also say this book is like (the family drama of) The Haunting of Hill House mixed with a touch of Sixth Sense meets Ghosts (UK version all the way) with a little Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and Just Like Heaven and Six Feet Under. If that gives you any idea at all of the genres this novel encompasses. In other words, a great book for the season that isn’t scary!

AND great LGBTQ+ rep in this one!!

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natmoohouse's review

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

5.0

This book ripped my heart into a million pieces, started to put it back together again, and then ripped it wide open again. This book is so cute, hopeful, witty, and charming that you forget that death is a main theme (except maybe it’s not? But maybe it is?) I haven’t cried this hard at a book ever in my life, but I also have never wanted two people to be together more than the main character.
Also, the side characters are just *chefs kiss* for LGBT representation. Allll different types of families, relationships, and love are present and it’s wonderful. Definitely could use more BIPOC representation, but beggars can’t be choosers.
I love this book with my whole soul (literally and figuratively). Not to be dramatic, but this is the book I will be recommending to my grandchildren on my deathbed (and as someone who is perpetually terrified of death, this book made me excited? To die?) it’s just beautiful, so please for the love of god read it because Ashley Poston deserves all the good things forever.

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