Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Deal by Elle Kennedy

34 reviews

siobhankeira's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content

Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Grief, and Death of parent

shaesensual's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

I want to say first that I’m reading this series after having read Briar U and I just know this series is all going to feel like a fun flashback to the characters I have already seen in glimpses! I loved loved loved Garrett and Hannah and seeing this story be the foundation of their future in Briar U is sooooo fun. For a romance book with some of the darkest themes I have read to date, it might have also been the most fun! Garrett is such a lovable character all the way throughout, by respecting Hannah’s intelligence, gaining her trust, and being appropriately persistent (stubborn!). This might also be the most authentic development of sparks between characters I have ever seen…their first sleepover night is SO realistic for realizing you are truly comfortable with somebody’s company. The moment where this gets referenced again later in the book seriously brought me to tears because of how true their ease is with each other. I cannot compliment this book enough! So serious, but so fun. 

Let’s not forget the spice because…wowow. Hannah’s sexual trauma is such a well handled topic and Garrett’s efforts are so sincere…and HOT. Their chemistry is intense and seeing their sexual tension develop in baby steps was so fun and flirty!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent

Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

brodie_jones's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual content, and Death of parent

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting

hannahhagedorn's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? Yes

5.0

First five star read in a hot minute but this book deserves it. I’m currently writing this review in the time it takes for the second book of the series to download. Props to Elle Kennedy for using my name for the main character. All of the characters are equally love able and frustrating, although I appreciate that the inevitable 3/4 mark miscommunication was done extremely well. All the love, always <3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, and Death of parent

Minor: Gaslighting

maybe a spoiler but the main love interest is not responsible for the SA that occurred; to be clear.

julieslifelately_'s review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

britwalsh16's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad fast-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

5.0

I have new obsession with hockey romance! How have I only recently discovered the joy of hockey romance?! I love hockey, I love romance, & ofcourse I love books, so why have I only recently started reading hockey romance books? 
I loved this book!!! It brought together the joys and confusion of finding love, the fun of hockey, with the trauma of the past, & the healing journey  to move on. The author wonderfully mixed all these aspects together, in such an incredible way! 
And Hannah & Garret have such an amazing story; both healing from their own separate traumas, but coming together to support eachother in their journeys! They are #relationshipgoals 💜💜💜

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cursing and Drug use

Minor: Stalking

abidavisf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective 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? No

4.0

Elle Kennedy has the ability to write about incredibly harrowing topics in such an empathetic and real way. How she can weave topics such as sexual assault and domestic violence into a gorgeous love story is truly admirable. The Deal is hard-hitting and definitely do not expect a happy-go-lucky romance, but it is beautiful and I would highly recommend this book.

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and Classism

saretta02's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual content

Minor: Death of parent and Gaslighting

catastrophiclyss's review against another edition

emotional funny tense medium-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Gaslighting

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

memoirsofabooklover's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful sad fast-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

5.0

i adored this. hannah and garrett have my heart. the spice was amazing, the tenderness and love between these characters! i loved the honesty and communication between them and the way their love story developed. wasn’t a fan of the reason for the 3rd-act break-up but i loved garrett’s unwavering faith in their love to get the answers he needed to get them back together. i loved hannah’s viewpoints about her past and that they both helped each other to heal parts of themselves that hadn’t yet healed from their past traumas but i liked how hannah had already healed a lot and had a good viewpoint from the experiences of her past.

the only thing i didn’t like was that there was no resolution to hannah’s parents situation, it felt unresolved

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail