Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Beautiful Broken Things by Sara Barnard

9 reviews

vlmollylv's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Heartbreakingly sad in the best way possible

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide attempt and Domestic abuse

sadiegenene25's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

3.5

After reading A Quiet Kind of Thunder, I expected this to be another lighthearted read. Instead, I got a much heavier plot and not at all the story I was readying myself for. 
The problems (there aren't many)
Although Caddy was a nice character, I never connected with her. I didn't understand her the way I could with Suzanne. Yes, she was meant to be uninteresting, but she crossed the line into blank piece of paper. Also, I hated Rosie. I never liked her. She was mean to both of her friends but never took any responsibility or apologized. She expected them to bend and apologize to her, and she just seemed like a brat. And, of course, Sarah, who complained incessantly to Caddy's mom about Suzanne. Calling her difficult and acting like taking an abused child out of her toxic family was such a terrible burden to bear, oh woe is me, my niece used to get beaten by her father but never mind that because I have to deal with her. What an absolute jerk Sarah was. 
The good things
Suzanne. Lovely, broken Suzanne. She was amazing. She was wild and reckless and broken and trouble, and although I can't relate to her situation in any way, something about her drew me in. She was hurting, and I think that's something everyone can relate to. 
The way the author gets to the heart of the story, without worrying about people being offended by the sensitive topic, was phenomenal.
This book didn't. Push. A. Romance. I was worried that she would use a boyfriend to "fix" Suzanne's situation, like other books do, like romance solves all your problems and deep-seated traumas. 
The characters felt so achingly real. I certainly didn't like all of them, but they felt so authentic. 
The WRITING. Sara Barnard needs more recognition for her writing style, because it makes me want to fall down and grovel at her feet.

3/5 stars for a character I just couldn't connect with, and for Rosie being the best friend that's an absolute jerk to her "friends" and never getting called out on it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Child abuse

georgiamaynard's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Self harm, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

novellenovels's review against another edition

emotional 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders

ccassidy98's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Mental illness

Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content

z_thatsit's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

god i love this book, one of my favorite reads

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Drug use

Minor: Alcohol, Grief, Death, and Sexual assault

lucys_library's review

challenging emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship

abbiefox's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0

amazing book that makes me cry everytime!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Self harm

lauren_sleight's review

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse