Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh

48 reviews

hannahtoner92's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Infertility, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

bethanyearle's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death, Infertility, Stalking, and Death of parent

Minor: Suicide attempt

noladawnreads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Infertility and Stalking

Minor: Child abuse

backpackingbookworm's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.25

I remember winning a copy of The Man Who Didn't Call when it first came out and finding it such a refreshing change to predictable contemporary romances. The Love of My Life was no different - it had strong character building, multiple red herrings, and plenty of twists and turns that caught me off-guard.

While I wasn't sure how I felt about it at first (I couldn't connect to the narrators and worried it would be just another book about an affair I don't care about), I soon realised it was much more than I had assumed. The story was raw, engaging, and just the right length to keep things moving at a steady pace. I found myself tuning in at every opportunity, especially once the reveals started unravelling.

Rosie explored difficult subjects with care and sensitivity, and had evidently done her research to ensure they were portrayed correctly. These extra layers gave the book authenticity and made it stand out from other books I've read in this genre. It was the perfect mix of contemporary domestic drama and fast-paced thriller.

As with most thrillers though, there were some parts that felt contrived for the sake of the plot, as well as quite a lot of withheld information (also for plot purposes) that didn't feel as seamless as I would have liked. The ending was also a tad rushed after all the build-up. But other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be recommending!

Rating breakdown

• Plot/narrative - 4.3
• Writing style/readability - 4.2
• Characters - 4.3
• Diverse themes - 4.3
• Ending - 3.9

Overall - 4.2

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer and Mental illness

Moderate: Stalking and Suicide attempt

Minor: Child abuse and Infertility

wifeslife's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

suzelarson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

A mysterious history that starts immediately. There’s a sense of curiosity that grabbed me and held on until I finished this well-crafted story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Cancer, Infertility, Miscarriage, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting

chelle22's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Infertility, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, and Death of parent

katisreading's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

Struggled to get into this one…maybe British narrators just aren’t for me? Once I was finally hooked, it was good though! Not my favorite, but it was okay. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Suicide attempt

Minor: Child abuse

saricostanzo's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

Moderate: Alcoholism

mkchickentender's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Grief, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Child death, Cursing, Miscarriage, Stalking, Abortion, and Death of parent