Reviews with content warning for Ableism - A Girl Like Her: A Small Town Romance

Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

A Girl Like Her: A Small Town Romance by Talia Hibbert

35 reviews

bekacrook's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.5

Talia Hibbert just knows how to write complex, interesting characters that you like because of their differences (and not in spite of their differences). Ruth felt authentic and I liked that Evan took the time to know her and notice her ways of displaying emotions, he never viewed her badly or assumed that she should respond in the way he would, instead he was intrigued by her and willing to learn her. Although they were quite different characters, they understood each other and were well matched, I liked them together.

It took time to build a clear picture of the events that occured in the very first chapter (prologue) but this was done well, it was drip fed to us so that we made the same assumptions as Evan. Some characters really grew, Ruth in particular around her confidence and self-belief, and some showed the beginnings of change like Mr Burne and Laura which felt honest and realistic - people don't change completely overnight after all.

Although some bits were difficult to read, I felt like the content was all handled well and respectfully while still being inkeeping with how the characters would speak about/handle different situations.

The epilogue was so well done, so realistic for the amount of time that had passed and again showed the progression of Ruth and Evan's relationship.

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aoifeprettypurplepolkadots's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-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

4.5

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nenaveenstra's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-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

4.25

Talia Hibbert never lets me down. Her romance novels - a genre ridden with clichés and tropes - always feel so immensely real. The characters, the relationships, the sex… It always feels like I’m right there, like it could be my own life I’m reading about. Especially since she writes autistic women so well.

I had trouble getting into this book, though, because Evan’s character seemed to change suddenly as soon as Ruth took an interest in him. And the epilogue also wasn’t my favourite (I simply don’t consider getting pregnant a ‘happy ending’, but that’s just me). However, everything in between was perfect. Ruth’s character development, learning to trust other people and daring to put herself out there again after traumatic events… It made me feel so emotional, and I would die for her, I think.

This book doesn’t top the Brown Sisters-trilogy for me, but boy, does it get close. Highly recommend.

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fran's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

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30something_reads's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

4.5

He slid a hand over her neck and said, almost absently, “You’re perfect.”
She scowled. “Shut up.”
“Make me.”

Is this your love language? Then this book is for you.

Ruth Kabbah is autistic and the standoffish, loner/pariah of her small town. Evan Miller is new to town and her newest neighbor. Charmed by her prickly personality, he cannot help but bring her homemade meals every evening in a chance to get to know her a little better.

If there's three thing Talia's going to do, it's:
1. Give us an absolutely well-crafted, relatable MC (with some phenomenal disability rep)
2. Give that MC a love interest who is utterly irresistible, kind, and completely obsessed with them
3. Slip in some spine-tingling steamy moments that make you blush

*siiiiigghhhhhhh* I simply love them, your honor.

CW: ableism, racism, explicit sexual content, reference to sexual assault, toxic/abusive romantic relationship, slut-shaming, stalking, gaslighting, mentions of past death of a parent (cancer), terminal illness

Content Warnings