Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Keep It In The Family by John Marrs

11 reviews

kristinauria's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

This was a really good story with an apt title. The pace started slow (minus a quarter star), but got really good at the halfway-ish mark where a major event happens, and continued to be good until the end. After that event, there is so much left to read that you wonder what possibly could be left?? The story being told in multiple POVs helps you get to know everyone and really understand how uniquely messed up everyone in the family is. None of the characters were likable, so at times I was struggling to be immersed in the actual plot (minus half a star). I actually feel sad for everyone involved. It all pays off, however, and although I had guessed “whodunnit” I was never 100% sure. I appreciate that there were additional layers to the story on top of just figuring out who did it. Any story that makes me go “Yooooo…. wut???” is a winner in my book. I recommend it if the trigger warnings don’t bother you.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Kidnapping, and Murder

Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Pregnancy, and Pandemic/Epidemic

brookes95's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Eating disorder, Infertility, Miscarriage, Self harm, and Grief

chanatova's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, and Pandemic/Epidemic

alex2691's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, and Death

hellandhogwarts's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Miscarriage, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

killmoore_'s review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This was a solid read by a solid author - freakin love John. 

Knocked off a few points because I was sorely disappointed to have figured out the big twist early on, but it didn't take away from the roller coaster ride of reveals that lies within the pages. There was not a single likeable character in this entire book, and I loved it. 

Hashtag justice for george.

Heavy content matter. Read your trigger warnings if that's your thing.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

nialiversuch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy

sarah_amy's review against another edition

dark lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

1.75

I struggle with books where I hate the characters...and I pretty much hated everyone in this book lol. Enough twists and turns to keep me interested, but definitely not my favourite or most thrilling John Marrs book I've read.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cancer, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Grief, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Body shaming, Confinement, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization

aleen_elizabeth's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

simplymamaem's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Bullying and Pregnancy