Reviews with content warning for Toxic friendship - Застенчивость в квадрате

Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Застенчивость в квадрате by Sarah Hogle

28 reviews

the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing 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? No

3.5

I really liked Wesley, but I could not stand Maybell.

For example, her tendency to slip into daydreams bordered on delusional hallucinations. At a minimum, it was concerning and sometimes bordered on cringey. Maybell was also really self-involved and was repeatedly inconsiderate of Wesley despite him being so attentive and caring for her.

Like why would she fly all the way to Scotland before trying to figure out what happened?

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nicolesreadingbooks's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

I feel like Sarah Hogle just really enjoys putting her main characters in a secluded derelict house and I am HERE FOR IT HAHA!! Wesley is literally my dream man like the whole time I was just thinking he could not possibly get better BUT HE DOES?!? And seeing Maybell stand up for herself in her own way and fulfill her dreams by working hard with what she has, showing that bravery does not always have to come in loud actions but in taking steps towards a better future even when one is afraid. I also really appreciated the attention given to social anxiety and could really relate to some of Wesley's troubles with public settings and how its effects can trickle down in other areas such as with personal relationships. (also victor and violet's relationship was so heartwarming i can't- )

Overall, this is definitely a comfort read and I can foresee myself rereading this when life goes bad. In fact, I read this after a bad interview and omg some of the lines in this book had me cACKLING and laughing even as I fell asleep!!

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ashleycmms's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted slow-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

2.0

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dashboardlights24601's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

5.0

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laurenmahoney25's review against another edition

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funny reflective 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

3.75

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roxy_reads_romance's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

1.0

1 star for the cover.

Oof, I've been burned by these romances with their cute illustrated covers before and I keep letting myself be burned LOL. Will I ever learn? I feel like the Grinch but for romances ugh. I should just take a hiatus from reading these types of contemporary romances cuz clearly there must be something off with me for not enjoying these romances at all. I wanna enjoy fluffy, overly-sweet reads too like everyone else. T_T

12-year-old Mabel Pines from Gravity Falls is more mature and intelligent than this 30-year-old Maybell. I'm still floored she is 30 and hasn't acquired really any common sense! I would've thought she was 15 or 16 by her narration and childish behaviour. Also it is concerning how she has slept with men already with this kind of child-like mentality.

Wes wasn't any better. He has social anxiety. Everyone with this mental health condition is different but he puts up defenses by avoiding people by being standoffish. Of course, the only person he can eventually open up to is Maybell since they live together in her deceased aunt's estate.

There's no conflict or plot whatsoever. The first half is just them avoiding each other and Maybell hoarding everything that Wes wants to throw away.

Wes never really confronts Maybell about why she has his photo either and if I were in his shoes, I would've been so creeped out. I wouldn't do the opposite of what he did and fall in love with her at first sight.

Speaking of instalove, I am so done with love confessions being like 'It was the moment I met you that I fell in love.' WHY? I honestly don't understand. ._. Maybe it's cuz I don't know what it's like to fall in love (and high school crushes don't count lmao) and I've never been physically and emotionally attracted to anyone in my life. Or I'm not a hopeless romantic at heart, but I can root for fictional characters to get together if they're written well. :')

Everything was resolved so easily. I honestly think the story should've ended with some realism where Wes didn't fly on the plane at the end to join Maybell on the trip.

Okay, this is the last time I pick up a contemporary romance that involves a character with social anxiety. The representation is never explored in depth and I'm always setting myself up for disappointment with these romances T_T

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emily_mh's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing 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

4.5

This was the sweetest romance I've read in a while - it was so comforting and I finished it off in one sitting. I really liked how there was no conflict and just a lot of fluff as it was exactly what I needed. I wish the setting existed for real!

Maybell was a funny narrator, but it was Wesley who really shone for me. I literally fell in love with him and now no man will compare. Also, I loved Victor and Violet's love story and definitely shed a tear for them. This book just did love so well.

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lexslittlelibrary's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.75

Twice Shy takes a while to get to the “good” part but once it’s there it stays there! While some coincidences require a bit of an extended suspension of disbelief, it’s so charming that I’m willing to let that go (and did, several times!). The characters are sweet and relatable in the best ways. Reading this really feels like having warm donuts and tea on a cold day.

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