Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

16 reviews

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

This book is told in chapters that feel like snapshots into the world of two teenagers, Finny and Autumn. They are in love with each other but are unwilling or unable to admit it to themselves or the other. They are fated to love one another — their mothers have been best friends for their entire lives. The last third of this book I just knew it was building toward something bad, the book just gave off a vibe. While the last third also gives you a lot of good, it’s a bittersweet ending. For some reason, I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I thought I would. But I still liked them. The ending made me sad, but I didn’t cry. I’m not sure what to make of that. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Child death, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Car accident, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness

k1m100_'s review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

Ending shocked the life out of me fr

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship and Blood

sunny_not's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

If the ending was not the stupidest ending that I have ever read this book could've been a 4 star read;however, although I really enjoyed the book till the 75% mark I really disliked how the author wrapped up the story. It felt like there were too many loose ends and

her getting pregnant does not tie the story in my opinion

So this book ended up being a meh. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Alcohol, Car accident, and Death

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

3.75

This was a solid read. It did a little too much hinting-to-the-end for me. Like I did read the beginning, friend. I know that we're headed somewhere traumatic, so I don't need a trillion reminders. But I did like that it captured the absolute messiness of high school and emotions and families. Felt a bit like it trailed off after the climax - like the end wasn't as strong. May read this author again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Pregnancy, Grief, Infidelity, Car accident, and Sexual content

Moderate: Child death, Death, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Blood

meganbolds's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Toxic friendship, and Pregnancy

karyan1's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Sexual content

Moderate: Self harm, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Death, Eating disorder, Infidelity, and Pregnancy

Minor: Vomit and Bullying

eve32's review against another edition

emotional sad 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? Yes

3.0

It was kind of predictable most of the time and

I HATE the baby trope so I didn't like the end of this book

overall not bad but not the best. I think it is overrated.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident and Death

Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, Self harm, Death, Car accident, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Abortion, Cursing, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Eating disorder, Rape, Abandonment, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Infidelity, and Vomit

jessicas_library's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful sad slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Death, Mental illness, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide, and Toxic friendship

valgarciq's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

i_love_b00ks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

this book broke my heart but it was such a beautiful piece of literature, 10/10 recommend 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Car accident, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Self harm, and Toxic relationship