Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

4 reviews

annahamburger's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Racism, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

kfmcf's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

4.25

This book has a solid balance between character and plot. I am someone who prefers weak plots over weak characters, but I also, of course, appreciate a happy medium.
 
I found both leads likeable and grounded. Samson was sweet but not so absurdly so it became unbelievable. Rhi was spunky and fiery but showed a vulnerability that rounded her character out well. I do wish we had gotten to see a bit more of the side characters. For how long this book was we got a lot of the leads (which isn't bad) but we didn't get much time with some of the compatriots like Lakshmi, Harris, etc. I don't mention Katrina on that list because I know she's the FL of book #2.

Plot-wise, I knew where the story was leading but it mostly made sense and had a few surprises thrown in. I won't go into detail for spoilers sake but the ending was expected but made sense. Also, I do want to mention that this is one of the only romance books without an epilogue that I've read where I still feel fulfilled by the plot and characters' arcs. I do want to commend Alisha Rai on that because it is usually a severe pet peeve of mine.

Lastly, I want to say that I greatly appreciated this book's focus on the brain effects of prolonged football playing. As someone who likes sports, football has always been infuriating to me because of the disturbingly high rates of brain injury and sustained aftereffects. This book doesn't beat around the bush about the issue but it also shows why players keep playing. Focusing on this topic made this book have a more solid footing, in my opinion.

Overall, I do recommend this book and look forward to reading the sequels!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Alcohol

quasinaut's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.25

I quite enjoyed the premise, the characters, the plot -- in fact, I was more invested in the business of dating apps, the acknowledgment of CTE, and the friendships and family dynamics than the romance because honestly I didn't think Samson and Rhi had much (any?) chemistry.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content

Moderate: Sexism, Medical content, Dementia, and Death of parent

Minor: Alcohol

peachmoni's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Dementia, and Death of parent

Minor: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Racism, Violence, and Alcohol