A review by whatthedeuce
Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

1.5

It’s always great to see an author tackling the important concepts of self-worth and overcoming a toxic relationship, but my god, Hallie’s inner monologue was so unbelievably repetitive. Like the book would’ve been 100 pages long if it weren’t for the exact same thoughts about knowing Cade was awful and that she deserves better but finding it hard to accept that spewed ad nauseam. I’m extremely aware that it’s actually realistic for someone who’s only ever been in a toxic relationship to believe they deserve good things, but beating the reader over the head with that concept over and over again was tiresome as hell. It doesn’t make for a fun read regardless of it being grounded in truth.

Also Cade was such a cartoonish villain. Like he doesn’t even try to be subtle about undermining Hallie, which is ridiculous cuz guys like him get away with awful shit BECAUSE they’re subtle and not making it glaringly obvious that they’re pieces of shit. He wasn’t even manipulative. He was outright hostile to her at every turn in front of others.