janinasheart's review
dark
emotional
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
3.75
fienb_'s review
4.0
4.5
I could cry right now... What a heavy, yet important, story. I was frustrated at times, but I guess that's how people close to victims of abusive relationships feel as well. Everyone knows it's a toxic situation and in the end, even the victim knows this, but it's just too difficult to get out of it, even though it seems easy to everyone else.
I could cry right now... What a heavy, yet important, story. I was frustrated at times, but I guess that's how people close to victims of abusive relationships feel as well. Everyone knows it's a toxic situation and in the end, even the victim knows this, but it's just too difficult to get out of it, even though it seems easy to everyone else.
m2w05's review
4.0
4.5! This book was a emotional book. It’s just so much more than what the Sinopsis says. Grace deserves the best the world could give her, and I think sometimes many women go through this, and is more complex that we think it is, like Grace so many women go into a relationship wanting so much more because they lack love in their life’s. I love this book and the message it gives, how Grace had amazing friends, how she lost so much thinking it was worth it, I hate the situation in her house, and Gavin little fucker I know the world is full of them!
kaylakaotik's review
5.0
Bad Romance is a raw and realistic look at an abusive relationship. Told from Grace's PoV, after the relationship has ended, the story is told with an honesty and clarity that only comes from hindsight. This is an incredibly important book as it provides an extraordinary look at how love can turn toxic and how unbelievably difficult it can be to escape even if you want to.
Bad Romance was an incredible book that I absolutely recommend, especially for teens and young adults. I hope it helps someone somewhere know their worth and that they deserve love and respect.
Trigger warnings: clear depictions of abuse, suicide. This could be a painful book for some people, so please use caution.
* This book was received from Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
Spoiler
The ending to this was absolute perfection. I love love love that Grace leaned on her friends, Nat and Lys. The fact that she ended the story with them instead of in another relationship with Gideon (even though he was a great guy) was so incredibly important to me. I believe it's paramount for someone leaving an abusive relationship to surround themselves with support and heal before entering another relationship. The fact that the author took this route filled me with such joy and relief.Bad Romance was an incredible book that I absolutely recommend, especially for teens and young adults. I hope it helps someone somewhere know their worth and that they deserve love and respect.
Trigger warnings: clear depictions of abuse, suicide. This could be a painful book for some people, so please use caution.
* This book was received from Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
emmasophierund's review
4.0
This book is UPSETTING. Take your classic YA romance and then turn it into an abusive relationship. This actually gave me nightmares. It’s a very good book but be warned. It’s tough to read.
hannah_rosem's review
1.0
*kind of spoilery* This book had an excellent message, but it somehow just wasn’t what I needed it to be. It put forward what I think is an accurate portrayal of an abusive relationship, and it was great to see that the friends played such a massive part in helping the problem. What bothered me was the part with Gideon. I understand that many people suffering under the abuse of their romantic partner may only be pulled out of this when they realise there are other people who could potentially be romantic interests, but it was kind of frustrating that Gideon was the only thing that really made Grace realise how trapped she was. On top of that, I felt as though the author changed the personalities of Grace’s Mum and the Giant in ways that were inconsistent just to suit what she wanted to write. Sometimes Grace was forbidden from leaving the house, sometimes she was able to hang out with her friends, no questions asked.
The fact that Grace was so intolerant of her mother’s OCD was also a part of the story I couldn’t enjoy. I understand that living with someone with OCD could be difficult, but Grace doesn’t even try to think about anyone but herself. The way the book was written was also something I couldn’t get on board with. It was sort of ‘addressed’ to Gavin and immediately gave away that their relationship was not a good one. I liked the reflective elements and how it showed Grace’s development past the main events of the novel, but I think the message of the novel may have been more effective if we, as the audience, were left to find out just how abusive Gavin was along with Grace. The references to pop culture (songs and musicals) was also a bit annoying to me, but that’s a personal thing.
Also, and this is entirely trivial, this book was written in 2017, but Grace goes on and on and on about Gavin’s fedora as if it’s the hottest thing a man could ever wear. Fedoras haven’t been cool or attractive for at LEAST 7 years, and every time it was brought up it just invalidated the whole ‘Gavin is so attractive so who can resist?’ element to the story.
But yeah anyway, I wouldn’t say this was a bad read, it just wasn’t right for me.
The fact that Grace was so intolerant of her mother’s OCD was also a part of the story I couldn’t enjoy. I understand that living with someone with OCD could be difficult, but Grace doesn’t even try to think about anyone but herself. The way the book was written was also something I couldn’t get on board with. It was sort of ‘addressed’ to Gavin and immediately gave away that their relationship was not a good one. I liked the reflective elements and how it showed Grace’s development past the main events of the novel, but I think the message of the novel may have been more effective if we, as the audience, were left to find out just how abusive Gavin was along with Grace. The references to pop culture (songs and musicals) was also a bit annoying to me, but that’s a personal thing.
Also, and this is entirely trivial, this book was written in 2017, but Grace goes on and on and on about Gavin’s fedora as if it’s the hottest thing a man could ever wear. Fedoras haven’t been cool or attractive for at LEAST 7 years, and every time it was brought up it just invalidated the whole ‘Gavin is so attractive so who can resist?’ element to the story.
But yeah anyway, I wouldn’t say this was a bad read, it just wasn’t right for me.
dani_bugz's review
4.0
Domestic abuse is insidious, difficult to recognise, and even harder to escape. While we have many books featuring domestic abuse (and the inevitable escape or demise from it), there is very little in the YA sphere - well at least that I have read. I thought that Bad Romance did an excellent job of highlighting its presence amongst young adults and teenagers, while not being overly graphic.
It's an important book, while also an un-put-downable read. Yes, the second person aspects were awful, and yes the foreshadowing was a bit intense, leading to my 4 star rating, but it is definitely still a must read.
It's an important book, while also an un-put-downable read. Yes, the second person aspects were awful, and yes the foreshadowing was a bit intense, leading to my 4 star rating, but it is definitely still a must read.
nicolesbundleofbooks's review
5.0
“I gave you my heart on a silver fucking platter and you ate it, piece by bloody piece.”
WARNING: This book can be triggering for those who have experienced abuse, mentally and physically. It is about an unhealthy relationship. It does contain topics of abuse, mental illness, suicide, and rape.
I absolutely loved this book. This was my first book from Heather Demetrios and I loved her writing. It made me want to pick up her other books. As an adolescent social worker, I devoured this book. The message in this book is so incredibility important. I fully plan to give this book to my future clients to read. Sometimes we can not be taught lessons through talk but through reading someone else story.
Heather takes you on an emotional roller coaster throughout this book. I felt myself wanting to yell at the main character. I just wanted to jump in and help her. This is a book that resonates and stays with you for a very long time. It shows you how abuse can disguise itself in soft kisses and sweet nothings. It is a necessary read. It will help teach those who know nothing about abuse and help those who are in the middle of it all.
Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication Date: June 13, 2017
Rating: 5 stars
WARNING: This book can be triggering for those who have experienced abuse, mentally and physically. It is about an unhealthy relationship. It does contain topics of abuse, mental illness, suicide, and rape.
I absolutely loved this book. This was my first book from Heather Demetrios and I loved her writing. It made me want to pick up her other books. As an adolescent social worker, I devoured this book. The message in this book is so incredibility important. I fully plan to give this book to my future clients to read. Sometimes we can not be taught lessons through talk but through reading someone else story.
Heather takes you on an emotional roller coaster throughout this book. I felt myself wanting to yell at the main character. I just wanted to jump in and help her. This is a book that resonates and stays with you for a very long time. It shows you how abuse can disguise itself in soft kisses and sweet nothings. It is a necessary read. It will help teach those who know nothing about abuse and help those who are in the middle of it all.
Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication Date: June 13, 2017
Rating: 5 stars
ezoots's review
5.0
Sometimes your first love withers on the vine. Sometimes it is hard to break up. This was a truthful novel about intimate partner violence. I am glad she got out. I think this should be a book all young women read. Know the signs and don’t be fooled by the words I love you.