Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

4 reviews

shawnalemley's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Death of parent

gwenswoons's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

4.0

It’s beautiful — the writing and characters are lovely, and the English academic setting is vivid painted and lovingly rendered. It is definitely not my favorite type of romance novel: so unbelievably dark with the terminal diagnosis thread running throughout, HEA notwithstanding; so I am definitely NOT likely to try the comps of Jojo Moyes and Nicholas Sparks that the blurb mentions. But if a more heart-wrenchy romance is for you it’s a good one! For me when I read romance I just truly want something that feels more constant in the hopefulness and okayness (even though I love contemporary romance that has complicated MCs, realistic backstories, et al!). Definitely glad I read this and will read other Julia Whelan — Thanks For Listening was one of my faves when I first was getting into the genre so I will totally look forward to her lighter stuff (and like, that one even has some major trauma in the female MC’s backstory, but it wasn’t so deep in the weeds depressing for as big a chunk as this one). Obviously the audio narration for both novels (by Whelan) is totally gorgeous and perfect!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

kimveach's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad fast-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

4.5

I loved this book.  Julia Whelan is one of my favorite narrators, and I also like her writing.  The beginning of the book seemed like a typical romance, but it had so much more than that.  It was a delightful "listen."

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying and Car accident

uppercasenoises's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? No

3.75

This story felt like it was marketed as a romance, but I do not think of it as being a romance book, and once I shifted my mindset I began to enjoy the book more. I was surprised by how deep the content was, and as someone who has experienced caring for someone with terminal cancer, I really appreciated the perspective of the author. The story was a quick read and so heartwarming, but prepare for some sad content. First-person POV.    

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death of parent

Minor: Misogyny, Vomit, and Alcohol

No sexual content other than jokes.