Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

If I Can't Have You by Charlotte Levin

6 reviews

cinderelliex's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Rape, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Cancer, Blood, Vomit, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Grief, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol

oceannec's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

HOLY WOW! This book is my second 5 star read of 2022 and I’m so glad I found it. If you’re a fan of Netflix’s “You” this book is for you! I binged it all in one day and couldn’t put it down. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen the author throws a curveball your way. It was dark and twisted and really demonstrates how the small things in life can have a massive personal impact. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, and Infidelity

Moderate: Blood, Sexual violence, Vomit, Terminal illness, Suicide, Cursing, Stalking, Sexual assault, and Self harm

theramblingbookworm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Vomit, Violence, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Self harm, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, Cancer, Blood, Alcoholism, and Alcohol

honestlyholly's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.0

EDIT jan 2023 - i'm going through and reclassifying some reviews now that i've read more and sat on the books for a while.

how did I say that I'd lowered the review bc the ending was rubbish and yet still give it a 3.5? i need to sort myself out omg

originally 3.5 stars

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Tense and anger-inducing! The 2 main males in the story are utter creeps! Constance, the main character, has major issues and honestly acts like a crazy person, but is at least interesting. She has trauma from her parents, even if the

suicidal mum thing is a bit tropey at this point, and was so obviously not her fault??

I rated this down a bit because I was expected a big twist or a shocking finale, whereas it was kinda of a bit... Meh.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Child death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, and Alcoholism

abbiejmays's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Vomit, Terminal illness, Suicide, Self harm, Cancer, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Stalking

liseyp's review against another edition

dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A dark tale of obsession. This is a fantastic thriller from the perspective of a female stalker and fantasist. The real skill in the writing is how the author builds up sympathy for the main character Constance, so that even as her behaviour becomes more extreme you can see the sources of it and feel for her.

At the same time the parallel, where Constance is in a relationship with a flatmate who displays the same stalker tendencies about Constance as she does, is fascinating. Without the insights into Dale’s character it’s easier to be objectively angered by his behaviour, but the reality is he is no worse than Constance, and indeed has far greater grounds for his actions and his jealousy than Constance does. We just don’t have the same empathy for him.

A gripping story with a well delivered build-up and ending.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Suicide

Minor: Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexism, Self harm, and Sexual assault