Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh

30 reviews

bethanyearle's review

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death, Infertility, Stalking, and Death of parent

Minor: Suicide attempt

backpackingbookworm's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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

4.25

I remember winning a copy of The Man Who Didn't Call when it first came out and finding it such a refreshing change to predictable contemporary romances. The Love of My Life was no different - it had strong character building, multiple red herrings, and plenty of twists and turns that caught me off-guard.

While I wasn't sure how I felt about it at first (I couldn't connect to the narrators and worried it would be just another book about an affair I don't care about), I soon realised it was much more than I had assumed. The story was raw, engaging, and just the right length to keep things moving at a steady pace. I found myself tuning in at every opportunity, especially once the reveals started unravelling.

Rosie explored difficult subjects with care and sensitivity, and had evidently done her research to ensure they were portrayed correctly. These extra layers gave the book authenticity and made it stand out from other books I've read in this genre. It was the perfect mix of contemporary domestic drama and fast-paced thriller.

As with most thrillers though, there were some parts that felt contrived for the sake of the plot, as well as quite a lot of withheld information (also for plot purposes) that didn't feel as seamless as I would have liked. The ending was also a tad rushed after all the build-up. But other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be recommending!

Rating breakdown

• Plot/narrative - 4.3
• Writing style/readability - 4.2
• Characters - 4.3
• Diverse themes - 4.3
• Ending - 3.9

Overall - 4.2

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer and Mental illness

Moderate: Stalking and Suicide attempt

Minor: Child abuse and Infertility

wifeslife's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

suzelarson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

A mysterious history that starts immediately. There’s a sense of curiosity that grabbed me and held on until I finished this well-crafted story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Cancer, Infertility, Miscarriage, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting

chelle22's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Infertility, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, and Death of parent

saricostanzo's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

Moderate: Alcoholism

mkchickentender's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Grief, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Child death, Cursing, Miscarriage, Stalking, Abortion, and Death of parent

lisa00's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

0.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Miscarriage

velsbooknook's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense

5.0

Oh my what a book! This did not turn out the way I imagined but in the most positive way ever. I stayed up late to finish this book and that is something I never do, because good sleep is very important to me. I felt super tense and anxious the whole time reading because I did not know how the story was going and some events were very unsettling. I loved the different POV's and timelines and they just entangled the story perfectly. The characters were absolutely brilliant and raw. I felt hate, empathy, hope, sadness, every emotion possible. This book was amazing and I can't recommend it enough! It's not a super fast paced thriller with lot of action, it is more a the unraveling of events that refer to the story of the male and female MC. If that sounds like something you would enjoy go for it! That was an great start to my 2023 reading year! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt

meeklovestoread's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.25

Honestly this story was not what I was expecting at all. And it took a direction that I didn't anticipate when I initially went into this book. The author's writing style was pretty foreign to me as well. And it was a slow in the beginning for me. I think around 60 pages is when the story started hitting off for me. It was pretty thrilling and heartbreaking. I understand why Emma felt the need to do what she did and same with Janice. It was a very entertaining read once the story picked up. But I felt like there are a few loose ends that needed more explaining. Like what was up with Jill? The author made it seem like there was a deeper meaning to her actions and then never went along to explain further.

Also them finding Janice was pretty anticlimactic to me. Not necessarily the part where they found her in the shed, but more so why she did it. Like the whole reason she abandoned her family over having a mental breakdown over what she did felt very underwhelming for me. I felt like that needed more explanation. And also I maybe have forgotten, but I don't recall this conversation Janice and Emma had that led to Emma finding her. And also the whole Robbie thing was made to seem like it was big but then was just explained away just like that.

Also the characters cutting each other off when they were trying to explain something was irrating and felt like a tool the authout used to further the suspense which is her prerogative of course. Overall I'm glad I ended up enjoying this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Mental illness, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

Moderate: Miscarriage and Stalking