Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh

24 reviews

noladawnreads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Infertility and Stalking

Minor: Child abuse

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

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

monicafaith4's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Stalking, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

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

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

fagankelli's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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: Miscarriage, Suicide, Stalking, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

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

icieri's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

bitesizedbeet's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol