Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding

46 reviews

lucykae's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Addiction, Confinement, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol

meeklovestoread's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

This book was not what I was expecting, but you know what? I'm not mad about it. Whatever you think this book is about unlearn it. Think of the plot of "The Last Mrs. Parrish" by Liv Constantine, but wilder. It was just twist after twist after twist. The things that happen in this book are a little jarring (nothing out of left or anything, but still pretty shocking). I guessed some twists. I didn't guess others. There's a specific character that I was suspicious of from the beginning and I'm glad even in fiction I can spot toxicity.😂 Overall I feel like it was a really good page-turner and I really enjoy the friendship between Hazel and Lee. It was a good book, but the writing wasn't all that spectacular. There were actually a couple of grammar mistakes that I caught and I do feel like the ending was rushed, but I still enjoyed it overall.

Glad my girls are back together! In spite of everything, I still love them and their friendship!

Like I said definitely not a bad book if you're looking for something quick and entertaining!

Note: I'd just like to mention that I admire how the author takes her time to humanize homeless people and anyone else who is in a situation in which they feel trapped rather that be literally or figuratively. I also admire how she took the topic of BDSM delicately and didn't dehumanize it and prioritize  that acts like those are only harmful when they're nonconsensual.  

Spice Rating: 🌶️/5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Cursing, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol

Minor: Body shaming, Confinement, Sexual content, Torture, and Car accident

samanthaleeshea's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Great fast read, lots of twists and turns.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Murder

Moderate: Drug use, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic

amariew125's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, and Suicide attempt

theboundless_bookworm's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Dementia, Murder, and Gaslighting

saraellenme's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death, Car accident, and Alcohol

Minor: Forced institutionalization

avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

3.75

   When an unhoused woman saves a rich housewife's life, their lives become intertwined in a murder plot. How will they get out alive? 
   I'm torn on rating this book, I enjoyed that it delved into deeper topics, but I also found it a bit predictable at times. I'd say I predicted at least half the twists.
    I enjoyed the happy ending, but I felt it wrapped up too quickly for how drawn out other elements were.
 
 Narrator Rating: 4.5 stars
    Both narrators were amazing! 

Extra ratings: Fluff - 0/5   Heartfelt- 4.5/5   Helpful -NA    Horror -NA    Inspiration -NA    Love aka Romance- 1/5    Mystery -3/5   Predictability -3.75/5    Spice-1/5    Suspense - 3.5/5    Tear- 4/5   Thrill - 4/5    Humor-0/5 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Moderate: Body shaming, Mental illness, Dementia, Stalking, Death of parent, and Classism

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic

asteinke's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Stalking, and Murder

Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Dementia, Suicide attempt, and Classism

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

drnaynay's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• 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

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism

redefiningrachel's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Dementia, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Moderate: Slavery, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Vomit