Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Pretending by Holly Bourne

17 reviews

rachel_nut's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-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

Reading the first few pages, it is safe to say that this book intrigued me, a brilliant “hook” to draw the reader in. I will admit that it does “settle down” for the first 100 or so pages, and during that I was not as determined to finish it due to its slow pace. However, it picked up and I found it a struggle to put the book down and finished it in 2 days!

I especially like how there isn’t a good or bad ending, just a “neutral” one. I like how the author explains how falling in love at the end doesn’t mean it’s just “the end”, or that it’s a particularly happy ending, because falling in love isn’t the sole accomplishment women “should strive for”. In fact, falling in love doesn’t determine whether a woman is successful or not, and this, as well as other topics, is explained so well throughout this book. I highly appreciate how well Holly Bourne’s writing conveys the multitude of complex issues that arrive in the package that is the reality of women’s lives.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexism

Minor: Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse

my_a's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape

chrissi_'s review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Rape

ccassidy98's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Rape, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Addiction and Alcohol

ramreadsagain's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.75

Flew through this in just 3 days. Major trigger warnings so do check those out before reading, this is not the book that the blurb would suggest! 

Hard hitting and difficult to read at times but oh so raw and real. I didn’t think much to Joshua, but April was such a relatable and well-written character. 

Brings up some important topics and thoughts about dating, who we present ourselves as, and the realities of se*ual as*ault and toxic masculinity. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual assault

Moderate: Sexual content, Rape, and Misogyny

Minor: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Fatphobia, Alcoholism, and Body shaming

clofle92's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

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

4.5

He said he was looking for a 'partner in crime' which everyone knows is shorthand for 'a woman who isn't real'.

April is kind, pretty, and relatively normal - yet she can't seem to get past date five. Every time she thinks she's found someone to trust, they reveal themselves to be awful, leaving her heartbroken. And angry. 

If only April could be more like Gretel. 

Gretel is exactly what men want - she's a Regular Everyday Manic Pixie Dream Girl Next Door With No Problems. 

The problem is, Gretel isn't real. And April is now claiming to be her. 

As soon as April starts 'being' Gretel, dating becomes much more fun - especially once she reels in the unsuspecting Joshua.

Finally, April is the one in control, but can she control her own feelings? And as she and Joshua grow closer, how long will she be able to keep pretending?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse

caitlin_9's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

As a survivor of assault this book was incredibly healing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Rape

__lucebrennan's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.25

Very gripping and a different writing style - should definitely come with trigger warnings! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

helenlikesbooks's review against another edition

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse

booksandcat's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-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

2.5

I didn't particularly like this book. I like what Holly Bourne was trying to do, I think, but I think this story got lost along the way. I also find myself skimming her writing but somehow it keeps me reading, so she gets 2.5 for that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence