Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Seven Exes by Lucy Vine

4 reviews

jazzuar's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

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beckyyreadss's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.0

I wanted to read this book after I met Lucy back in October. She was so lovely and wanted to get it when I met her, but the book was sold out after the event, I am going to another book event this month and wanted to read this book as I promised her I would. My brother gifted me this book for Christmas, I really enjoyed it. 

This book is based on Esther. She is nearing thirty, with a great job and a flat she shares with her two best friends, Bibi and Louise. But her life is missing that special someone, she is tired of being single and sick of bad date after bad date and she thinks she’s found the answer to her romance problem in an old women’s magazine. According to the magazine’s dating column, there are seven archetypes a woman will date before finding Mr. Right. It all seems silly at first, until Esther realizes she has exactly seven exes that match the profile: The First Love; The Work Mistake; The Overlap; The Friends with Benefits; The Missed Chance; The Bastard and The Serious One. Is it so hard to believe that perhaps one of them is “the one”? Deciding she must have left her true love in the reject pile, Esther contacts each of her old lovers. But finding her soulmate isn’t as simple as she hoped it would be. Madness, mayhem, laugh and tears ensure as she valiantly works her way through her past love life and faces up to her previous mistakes. 

This storyline was so funny and adorable and I'm glad that this book didn’t end up being a full romance story and then it ended up being a development of Esther’s character. Esther did take a while to grow on me and I think one of the main reasons is I kept forgetting she was over thirty. I kept thinking she was in university with a part time job like Katie, but this is a grown ass woman who wasn’t happy that she didn’t have her person, but she didn’t realise that until further into the book. Bibi and Louise really kept this book and Esther grounded and I enjoyed their presence. I am Louise as a friend – I will be politely blunt and stop being all delusional.  

Each of these exes were rememberable and it didn’t feel like one was liked more than the other, though Esther was trying to push to be with one more than the other. I could never picture meeting my exes ever after and I'm glad of the way it ended.  

I enjoyed Lucy’s style of writing, and I cannot wait to meet her again and to read her newest book when it is released in May.  
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oliviaclaire's review

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

3.0

Seven Exes was a middle of the road read for me because parts of me warred between loving the nostalgia and relatability of some of the situations Esther, our protagonist, finds herself in and at the the same time, loathing Esther herself as a character. 

Despite featuring about ten relationships, at its core Seven Exes is a book about personal growth and learning to love yourself. Which is odd because you'd think that with the level of self absorbtion Esther is capable of, that would be no problem for her. She is incredibly selfish and immature and I have to keep reminding myself that she's nearly thirty years old. She makes poor decisions and immediately excuses her own behaviour while holding other's actions against them in the pettiest of grudges and refusing to accept any form of constructive criticism. 

Having said that, there were moments in this book that were laugh out loud funny or deeply relatable if you happen to be a British woman in her late twenties to early thirties. Reading about teenage Esther and Louise really had me looking back (not very fondly) at my own fourteen year old self because yes, I really did dress and speak and act like that and yes, it was ludicrously cringey on reflection. I've also known a crappy landlord or two and the reference to Jackie Weaver is just a fantastic lockdown throwback! 

On balance, if Esther had been less of a dick or the story had been less relatable this book could have swung between a 2 star and a 4 star read so I feel like 3 stars is a solid compromise. 
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natashaleighton_'s review

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

4.5

A wonderfully witty and wildly chaotic Rom-com that’s packed full of humour, and sees hopeful protagonist Esther reflect upon her past relationships and romantic mishaps in the hope of discovering ‘THE ONE’.

I absolutely loved every second of this and—given the lighthearted tone of the premise (which sounded fabulously Rom-com-y and reminded me of the movie What’s Your Number), I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of emotion and social commentary that we get to explore. 

Dealing with past insecurities, infidelity, mental health struggles and even exploitative workplace relationships— Lucy Vine cleverly traverses the highs and lows of dating and how our perceptions (and life experiences—both the good and the bad) shape us into the people we are today. 

This is actually the first book by Lucy Vine I’ve ever read but I know given how much I enjoyed this—it certainly won’t be the last!

I adored the writing which was easy to follow and wonderfully conversational in tone. I truly felt immersed in Esther’s world and loved getting to know the vibrant and beautifully nuanced characters within her friend group. The banter was off the charts good and made me chuckle on more than once occasion—especially during their drunk/ tipsy conversations. 

I absolutely loved Esther, who was such a relatable character and I loved watching her grow in confidence and learn to accept all the great things in her life (even if they don’t fit the dream version of her life she visualised as a teen.) 

The exes were interesting to meet and I enjoyed the flashback scenes which gave us a good sense of what each relationship was like (and true reasons behind the initial breakups).

I had soo much fun watching Esther and her besties (Bibi and Lou) comparing each ex to their past selves and discussing whether reconnecting would be worth it. 

I laughed, cried and (a couple of times) got irrationally angry —and in one particular scene got completely grossed out, but the bond of friendship and the unconditional support of the people you love was what really made this a standout read for me. 

Overall, a heartfelt and humourous read that’s perfect for fans of Rom-coms with Bridget-Jones level catastrophes, drunken shenanigans and endearing characters you can’t help but root for.

Also, a huge thank you to Simon and Schuster for the physical arc. 
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