Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Ace of Hearts by Lucy Mason

5 reviews

eicart_reads's review

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

This was much darker than I expected from the description. It felt to me like a romance and a domestic thriller mashed together, and it didn't work well for me. I think this story had good bones, some good scenes, but they didn't feel cohesive. 


Major content warnings for emotional abuse and stalking by the main character's father, who is a police officer. The fact that he can get away with these things because he's a police officer is a major point.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Stalking, Kidnapping, and Mental illness

Internalized acephobia

moodzie's review against another edition

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deportation, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, Gaslighting, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Stalking

Minor: Fatphobia

bex_knighthunterbooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful fast-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

4.0

A split POV contemporary romance story, featuring an ace-allo friends-to-lovers relationship.  I found this really easy to read, keeping my attention and making me want to pick it back up each time. Both of the main characters were likeable, although for my personal taste the use of puns was excessive! The split POV worked well to show how their thoughts and feelings each changed over the book. I also thought the secondary plot around Hester's abuse from her father worked well, and gave an outside source of tension and conflict to bring them closer together (although check TWs for this part as it was quite dark). The representation felt true and important, showing a solid ace-allo relationship with strong boundaries, and how that fit with Hester's sex-repulsion but desire for touch. I would have liked to see more discussion of if they needed different things and if not have that more explicitly discussed on page (as in these sorts of relationships communication is really important), but as their relationship is still in its early stages it does make sense that they are still stepping somewhat delicately around each other. I also note that while it was potentially realistic, Hester's internalised Ace-phobia (which persisted for a lot of the book) was really hard to read and stopped this being a nice heart-warming story. Would recommend for easy read with ace-rep!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Child abuse, Kidnapping, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Violence, Mental illness, Stalking, and Physical abuse

Minor: Vomit and Injury/Injury detail

kaygol's review

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Violence, and Stalking

While this book is partially sold as a romance, it features very explicit, heavy themes of kidnapping, stalking, violence, and abuse. If you want a light fluffy ace romance, this is not for you. I’d recommend Upside Down by NR Walker instead.

tanouska's review

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Yesss, more ace rep! But more important: I enjoyed reading this book! Both POV's were nice to read, and very distinct. It was interesting to see both their views, and how they changed over the course of the book.
The storyline with Hesper's father was tense but well handled.

 I received a free copy in an exchange for an honest review 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Stalking, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Violence

Minor: Vomit