Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

16 reviews

jehansen127's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol

aurora_selene13's review

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing sad 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? No

4.75

 It is truly so refreshing to read a romance novel about two grown adults that can be vulnerable with one another. In addition to that vulnerability, the conflict wasn’t overbearing on the plot. Which I personally feel is a typical pit fall that a lot of romance novels fall into. The more chapters I read the more I couldn’t put this book down. There was intrigue, a sweet budding romance and Irish butter references on every page. This is an enjoyable book and an easy read due to the authors beautifully crafted plot, detailed descriptions of Ireland and most importantly - dialogue between the love interest. Dialogue that started off as witty banter then turned to deep conversations of their past and growing love for one another. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Abandonment

edhyndman's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Child abuse

death from cancer

chelsea_shelves's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This was a beautiful story and an absolute treat for book lovers. This slow burn romance is bursting with perfectly placed literary references and quotes as all main characters are deeply invested in the book world. The novel follows Emily Allen, a Massachusetts librarian, as she takes a short term job in a small town in Ireland as an assistant to the writer in residence and a bookstore clerk. The writer happens to be her all time favorite childhood writer (think JK Rowling or Madeleine L’Engle level fame). The author’s son runs the bookstore, and he is a handsome brooding Irishman fit for a romance novel… I think you can guess where this is going. The book is balanced with humor and heart. This is not completely lighthearted. It deals with grief, loss and complicated parent-child relationships. McKinlay’s beautiful crafting of a stunning Irish setting at the coziest bookshop helps to make these heavy topics more digestible. On the whole the characters are warm, intelligent and loving. It’s really a beautiful story, and not just the romance. Everything comes together so thoughtfully. I cried. I laughed. I didn’t want to leave the story when it ended, and I immediately put another McKinlay novel on hold. 

I listened to this an audiobook and think that hearing the Irish accent really elevated my experience of the book. It was well narrated. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Abandonment

infjkiki's review

adventurous emotional hopeful sad medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Sexual content

readingwithmeredith's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent

Ch 18 open door but easy to skip

sariereads's review

emotional hopeful sad medium-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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Moderate: Sexual content

hdunscombe's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-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

Coming from a librarian, this is the perfect "booklover" romance. It made me giggle, sob, and daydream right along with Em and Kier, and Siobhan is the wise, motherly figure everyone longs to have in their corner - though she still has her flaws.

This is a great read for anyone trying to turn over a new leaf, learn to let go, embrace a new community, and/or navigate complicated parent relationships. It's awfully sad at times (keep the tissues on standby), but the lows are matched with swoonworthy highs, plenty of self-aware romance tropes, and dreamy romps through quaint villages, bookshop shelves, and castles. This will especially suit anyone who appreciates cozy and bookish settings (books + coffee + scones + rain), literary references, deeply lovable characters learning to be vulnerable, and a bit of spice to round things out. I legitimately wish the YA series that the plot centers on actually existed so I could read it. The details about Irish culture (slang, learning to drive, historic sites, pub culture) felt authentic, at least to an American reader.

The characterization is well-rounded and relatable, with representation of anxiety disorders, dyslexia, recovery from emotional trauma, blended families, and queer, immigrant, and differently aged and shaped characters.

I listened to the audiobook and really appreciated Pressley's commitment to the Irish accents. I found her to have great talent in bringing both playful and emotional voice acting, and her voices for Kier and Siobhan were stellar.

My only confusion: why is there a cat on the cover? The story has a great canine sidekick, but I don't recall any noteworthy cats.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, and Self harm

befthhh's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-paced

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

4.0

*I received an eARC of this book from Berkley via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!*

A beautiful love story set in a quaint Irish village is a sure fire way to get me interested in a book! I thought Em and Kieran were both well-constructed, honest characters. As much as I don’t typically like a workplace romance, they were so magnetic that I wasn’t upset by it. I was also absolutely dazzled by the rest of the townsfolk. I loved to see the village come together for Siobhan. 

My biggest issue with the book was not the book itself but the way it was advertised. If a book is going to heavily feature dying and grief I really prefer to know that going in. However, I thought the storyline was handled well and it certainly stirred my emotions. Siobhan was the highlight of the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Child abuse and Emotional abuse

feistygarlicroll's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Car accident and Alcohol