Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Menace by J.M. Darhower

4 reviews

clioreads's review

challenging dark funny sad 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, and Murder

Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

All the trigger warnings apply

emptzuu's review

The plot started tight but then unraveled with unnecessary events. There was no real romance. Morgan and Lorenzo seemed more like friends with benefits. He used her like every other man in her life, and the sex scenes were rather dry. I know this is a dark romance, but I found it alarming that Lorenzo kept going during sex when Morgan was beginning to dissociate.  

The social commentary felt out of place and out of character for everyone. Morgan's behavior was never well-explored or explained. She’s terrified of Aristov but doesn’t flinch when Lorenzo does similar things? Her character lacks nuance, suggesting the author didn’t research trauma and its effects. Lorenzo was a bit better but still one-dimensional. The author kept telling, not showing. If he's a ruthless murderer, why does he keep talking about The Lion King and Capri Sun? These moments make the book feel like a parody of a dark romance than an actual dark romance. Breaking the fourth wall reinforces this perception. 

This could have been a fantastic single book, instead the author added unnecessary scenes and details to stretch it out. The chapters about the little girl were especially unnecessary; they added nothing to the story. Some of the descriptions were repeated a lot, which got tiring. The book is full of stereotypes—from mafia to sex workers to villains. The plot twists were boring and predictable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, and Murder

earlieststar's review

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

_xsthephaniex_'s review

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

i know that some people are reading erótica or dark romance for well... obviously the romance but this book gives you the perfect mix of plot and romance. one thing i really loved about the book for me was the plot- twist i really did not see this coming so, the outcome was really  satisfying. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Kidnapping, and Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Death, and Violence

Minor: Drug use and Alcohol