Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

6 reviews

asmaa_arqawi's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, and Physical abuse

yourbookishbff's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Gaslighting, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, and Adult/minor relationship

wilybooklover's review

emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

5.0

What a pleasant surprise. I went into this not having heard much about it, and therefore with quite low expectations. What I got was a beautiful, unexpectedly poignant story about growth, healing, and learning to believe in love again. 

The heroine, Alva, has not had an easy time in life. She was let down in huge ways by her parents and her deceased abusive husband and wrongfully pilloried in the press; it’s no wonder she’s so closed-off and a little bit grumpy. It was truly wonderful seeing her open up and learn to trust again throughout this book. 

Sam was the perfect hero to pair with Alva. An absent-minded professor type with the personality of a golden retriever, he’s so intrinsically good and caring at heart that even Alva can’t resist his charm. His caring and patient nature was perfectly showcased during their first sex scene,

where Alva dissociates and has a traumatic flashback. Sam notices, immediately stops what he’s doing and checks in with her in one of the most wonderful depictions of consent I’ve ever seen in a romance.

There were only two love scenes in total, but they were ever so romantic and deeply sexy. 

This does have a bit of a gothic/spooky vibe what with the ghost and haunted house, but I wouldn’t let that deter you if it’s not your usual thing. It’s more of a background atmosphere for most of the book. 

My only criticisms are that the dialogue felt quite modern at times, and I’m not sure that

the blackmail plot

was necessary. But I didn’t feel like it detracted from the story or affected my enjoyment at all. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Bullying, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Death, Body horror, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Physical abuse

Minor: Forced institutionalization and Suicide

mairead_parade's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Abandonment and Forced institutionalization

elizalavenza's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense slow-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? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Abandonment

Moderate: Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse

fruityhag's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful fast-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? It's complicated

2.5

Whoever said this was “for lovers of gothic romance” was lying. That being said, it’s a fun read and the ghost was very cathartic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Domestic abuse