Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - Mad About You

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane

165 reviews

tanisha1207's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

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

4.25

This was hard to read at times because of the heavy focus on emotionally abusive relationships, but I liked how friends came together and supported each other through it. This books focuses mostly on confronting the past and healing from it, with a side of romantic drama from an entitled ex and a sweet slow burn roommates romance.

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brenriq96's review against another edition

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emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes

3.5

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hrguilder's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

I really enjoyed this book! It’s not really a romantic comedy, although the marketing suggests that. It’s mostly about the growth of the main character and how she deals with a past toxic relationship. I appreciated the authentic and sensitive depiction of emotional abusive relationships and their survivors. I’ve seen a few reviews complaining that the ending is unrealistic, but I found it quite satisfying. It’s not realistic, but that’s not the point of these kinds of books! In my opinion, they’re meant to provide satisfying and happy endings, and I felt that this book delivered.

It was cathartic to read about an emotional abuser getting his comeuppance in fiction, even though it’s sadly not something that usually happens in real life.

Also- I listened to the audiobook version of this, and the narrator was excellent.

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janaya's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

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jennp28's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful medium-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

Trigger warning on this, as there is much more depiction of emotional abuse than the blurb might lead you to believe. This is a heartrending but at the same time hopeful story. Closed-door romance but that’s not really the main point of the book, it’s more about the lead finding herself again.

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rkulcsar's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

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

4.0

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jennjennpei's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

This was a good read. I enjoyed the characters and the plot, especially the end with the revenge on the dirt bag ex. It made me laugh when I really needed a giggle.

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girlinacardigan's review against another edition

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challenging emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.0

https://jenninsf.wordpress.com/2023/08/18/mad-about-you-by-mhairi-mcfarlane/

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sydapel's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring sad slow-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

To be honest, I find myself Mad About this book. I was having an absolutely great time for 2/3rds of this, even though it was feather light on the romance. "It'll come in full circle at the end, don't worry," I thought. And look, the themes at the heart of this book are really well explored and the friendships feel so strong and well established, you feel everything so deeply. BUT this leaves negative time for the romance between Cal and our main character, so when they do get together it feels so rushed and unearned that it's feels downright unbelievable and really took me out of the story entirely.

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obiwan's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.5

wow this book was nothing like i expected!! i thought it would be a lot more centered on the romance, and while i would 100% read more of harriet and cal, this was mostly a really lovely story about female friendships and how standing up for someone else can ultimately help you find peace with yourself. i loved harriet and lorna’s friendship, half this book honestly felt like their story and their unflinching love for each other. the plot with marianne and nina was so refreshing and absolutely necessary. and i did love cal, just wish i saw more of him. all in all i’m excited to read more of this author as she gives strong beth o’leary vibes as she balanced sweet and lovely romance with the more bitter and difficult parts of life.

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