Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

His Darkest Craving (The Cursed Ones) by Tiffany Roberts

11 reviews

fr4n_m's review against another edition

challenging funny mysterious fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent

thekatd's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Stalking

katiekeske's review against another edition

3.5

Not sure why exactly, but this one didn't pull me in. I didn't get attached to the characters. I didn't like the instant attraction and felt like the relationship was rushed, especially for someone with trauma like the heroine.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Rape and Pregnancy

tanayaxx07's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

Decently fast paced and not a terrible book but not too much going on. Nonetheless I liked the characters but the FMC’s story hit too close to home so check some triggers for this but I’m cool with reading about it so it was good. Rated 3.75 bcos 4 might’ve been too much cos it’s a short book but I liked the story. Great as a quick read possibly as a palate cleanser between a series!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, and Stalking

wizardesquelesbian's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

I liked it okay!! it was a super quick, it was fun, and it didn't overstay its welcome. the ML didn't really do it for me personally, but I liked the FL and, even if it wasn't my fave, it was well written and I can see another reader really enjoying it! love the concept of an eldrich lover and was just disappointed they didn't lean harder into the ghosty vibe we got early-book, but hey the ending was satisfying and I had a good time

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment

gabi_in_real_life's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

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

3.0

I guess it was alright, short and nice.. 
My main complaints are the several questions left unanswered. I felt like something was missing from the story. 
Also, the writing felt a bit too basic for me and there was SO MANY descriptions urgh
Definitely check TW before reading.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Rape

sunnysky's review against another edition

I didn’t like the ML, they were moving too fast, no chemistry. 
. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship

greystory's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious reflective medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

This is the 2nd Tiffany Roberts book I've tried and I liked it immensely better than the first (Shielded Heart, which I DNF'd). There's a lot of similarities between the two books although it feels as though this one was handled far better, despite being published prior to Shielded Heart. The female main character is escaping an abusive relationship, puts some physical distance between her and the abusive ex, and starts life over. The new life comes with the unexpected surprise of an otherworldly figure that gives them a second chance at love and new meaning to this new life. That vaguely describes both books.

Where they differ, however, is that His Darkest Craving's main female character is actively working on healing. While she is clearly still badly traumatized and has a lot of remaining growth and healing ahead of her, she is making steps towards that end and putting in serious effort on the path to taking back control of her life after the abuse. There is so much of that in this book and I was absolutely thrilled because it was 100% completely missing in Shielded Heart. MASSIVE relief and I enjoyed Sophie as a character so much better! I was more interested in her, more invested in her story, and cheered more strongly for her as a result.

I enjoyed Cruce as well although he didn't have much personality. His story was definitely more plot-driven. Fortunately for him, I'm a little more forgiving on monster boyfriends and the shadowy creature thing is a favorite of mine as well as his true form on Halloween.

I actually enjoyed this book so much that I stayed up way too late reading it. I literally stopped reading twice, completely closed out of kindle, turned off things, preparing to get ready for bed only to come back and start reading again. There could have been more build up between Sophie and Cruce. I feel like I say that in every book review but it is less than 200 pages and the events happen in a week. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Murder

Minor: Stalking

zabeishumanish's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Despite being such a short book this starts super slow.

Honestly, I was entirely ambivalent about Cruce until he had already killed Tyler (the abusive ex). So basically I didn’t like the male lead, the monster of the monster fucker book, until about the 90% mark of the book.

 

Cruce understood possessiveness. This forest was his, and he wanted her to be his, too. But possession was no guarantee of satisfaction. If Sophie wasn't happy... She'd be surviving, but not alive. (110)

The only thing I knew about this book when I grabbed it was that it's a monster fucker romance. For most of the book, Cruce's form is a non-corporal shadow monster, which I found super fun and unique. I was a bit confused about Cruce once he took corporal form though. This is super inventive, but somehow still a bit boring. I think this read just wasn't for me, and the triggers in this are brutal.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

ednam0dewannabe's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

His Darkest Craving is an excellent short novella by Tiffany Roberts which has the features I love about this author: mystery, straightforward but detailed narrative, an unusual world and lovable characters that show a lot of chemistry in every scene. Despite this, I find it short and the pacing too fast, but you have to take into account that it is a short novella.
In conclusion, recommended if you fancy a short read full of steamy scenes with a hint of kink.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder