Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane

85 reviews

gabrielastbr's review

emotional inspiring 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Body shaming

Minor: Death of parent

racheleelee's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful relaxing sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

znvisser's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective

• 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

3.25

If a romcom is marketed as: “it’s not really about the romance, many other things are going on!!” I weirdly expect it to pass the Bechdel test and I’m not sure this one does. It was entertaining tho (around the obviously less happy storylines) and a fast read, for which I was in the mood. Actually wouldn’t have minded more romance scenes for this one because I liked their chemistry and the more serious bits dragged on a bit too much for me (particularly the bits building up to a dramatic movie climax scene).

(Actually, as a dramatic person myself I would like to assert that this was too dramatic a method for closure. Although advising therapy is used as a manipulation tactic in this story I feel it would actually have been a fine way forward).

Ah well 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Cancer and Stalking

mslori's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.0

Well, this was going to be a high like 3.75 star at least, but that epilogue just booped it over. 
Well paced, well narrated and very touching. I wouldn't have minded more of Cal and Harriet's relationship growing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting

teaandpirates's review against another edition

challenging funny hopeful medium-paced

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

3.75

This was a lot different than I was expecting but I really liked it. I wouldn't recommend it if you're in the mood for a fluffy rom-com as it tackles some heavy topics (emotional abuse, gaslighting, cyberbullying) and while the romance is there (and heartwarming) it's not center stage. This book is more about healing and friendship which I loved. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting

jen_nej's review against another edition

I really love Mhairi McFarlane’s writing but listening to this was too stressful for me at this moment in my life. Definitely check out the content warnings before reading and if they don’t hit too close to home, read away. She’s an excellent writer, just don’t go in expecting an easy breezy rom com! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent

meremeth's review against another edition

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? No

4.5

Ugh! How wonderful, I couldn't put this down. I've experienced an emotionally abusive relationship, so I was worried this book would be a bit much for me. But it was genuinely really healing. 
I loved the friendship dynamics best, the way she was able to lean on them and learn from them.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Death of parent

atamano's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Body shaming, Misogyny, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Violence, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

eligru's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Stalking, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship

wordsbetweenlines's review against another edition

challenging lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This seems like it will be a light romance but it hit so many heavy topics, and they were all well done. I actually loved that it felt less about the romance and more about relationships and the toxicity that can occur in them. I also loved how she wrote about women coming together to support each other. 

There is a lot of gaslighting in this one so I would just check the warnings before picking it up if that is something that could potentially be difficult for you to read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting