Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - The Book Swap

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers

5 reviews

atamano's review against another edition

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emotional 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

2.0

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mels_reading_log's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful fast-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

4.5

I really loved this book! The way these two childhood friends turned enemies got back in touch as anonymous pen pals to help each other through some really horrible times was so beautiful. Destiny and a love of reading just brings them back together when they need each other most.

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katievallin's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

2.25

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larpar's review

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challenging emotional hopeful 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? No

4.0

Book swap is a romance with a fun bookish premise. Tessa Bickers perfectly captures the moments of finding someone who loves books in the same way that you do--a reading soulmate if you will. She also captures those early dating nerves that are similar to online dating–when will they write back?! Will they like me back?!

The novel flipped from the present to the past. Those scenes were tough at times. The reader need context for why James and Erin have cut each other out of their lives. However, these scenes depicted graphic bullying and scary situations. It was a lot for a book that seems to be marketed as a romcom by the description and cover art.

The Book Swap delivers a bookish romance that is full of hope. If you are in need of a frothy, fluffy romcom I dont think this would be a good pick for you given the heavy topics of bullying, mental illness, and grief. But, if you are looking for a romance full of depth, reconciliation, love and compassion, then look no further!

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lalalaretta's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I read through this in a day and have so many thoughts but I'll just share my immediately reaction here. I'm seeing a lot of criticism that this wasn't a cutesy romcom and it's not. But every romance book I've read for years lays the trauma on thick but oh well, resolves it, teehee and isn't that sweet? Here, I feel like the reactions of the characters are proportionate to what they experienced and resolution requires real work from everyone. Social media users love to talk about mental health but really struggle with characters they deem unlikable who are actually in the midst of a major depression. The Book Swap is a nuanced and accurate take on mental health struggles, still leaving us with hope.

I thought the dialogue was accurate and fun, the growth in characters was inspiring, and the therapy was not trite.

I will be recommending this to my friends, for sure. Looking forward to reading more from Tessa Bickers.

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