Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

They Never Learn by Layne Fargo

53 reviews

bluelilyleest's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

First book in a while that has kept me up at night reading! So I think that's deserving of four stars. I don't usually read thrillers, but this one kept me captivated until the very end even despite if it sometimes feels a little tropey. Also the plottwist in the middle!!! I gasped out loud.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

dezaraemd's review against another edition

challenging 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

caitbop5's review against another edition

dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent

virgcole398's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Alcohol

assesgrass's review

• 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

5.0

Unbelievably good. 

I don't state that lightly, this had flaws but none of the flaws could have taken away the rating I gave this. 

Carly, a young woman in her first year away from her abusive father, gets paired into a dorm with a older student; Allison. She's everything Carly wants to be, and Carly is protective. 

Scarlett, a English professor with a hidden motive, she's a murderer. Not just anyone however, men who deserve it. 

I loved the LGBTQAI+ representation, and it wasn't portrayed as taboo like some books do it. The characters were unique, I especially loved Mikayla and Wes, both well written background/side characters with bigger roles near the ending. 

I did not expect that twist half way through and i am honestly so surprised, it's so different. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

sasoif's review

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

How do you root for a serial killer? Somehow, Layne Fargo makes you want the fmc, Scarlett, to be a successful serial killer! Scarlett is a professor at a college who allows herself one kill per year. She carefully plots out and researches the men she kills. She only kills men who "deserve it", rapists and predators. Carly is a student who is rife with anxiety. She walks in on her roommate Allison being assaulted by a fellow student at a party and tries to help Allison by reporting the assault which no one believes. I absolutely loved the ending of this book.

I loved that Scarlett and Mina got to have a happily ever after and Mina was supportive of Scarlett's killings.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

smottman's review

dark mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Murder

Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship

dcnarvaez's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious tense 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? N/A

5.0

This book just had the "Cell Block Tango" lyrics playing on repeat in my head and I fucking loved every second. 

I was hoping for more insights and nuance but the fast pace and amazing plot twists just had me eating this up!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Murder

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship

emsxrenee's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

omgbiscoffspread's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship