Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'
How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe, by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
39 reviews
mimi_t_l's review
challenging
emotional
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
fatoujackson's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Who knows what makes us fall in love with the universe. For me, it was fireweed. For Santiago, it was salt.”
Excellent. Absolutely excellent. Moon Fuentez, the woman that you are.
Excellent. Absolutely excellent. Moon Fuentez, the woman that you are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body shaming and Suicide
ash19_3's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is the best book I have ever read! It discusses important topics such as purity culture and body insecurity.
It's a beautiful enemies to lovers as well as a book about finding ways to love yourself. This is amazing representation for disabled and gay people, as well as for people of color. It's a beautiful book about finding beauty within one's self. This is criminally underrated and if you think you want to read it, you should. The chemistry between all of the characters was beautiful and the romance was powerful. The relationship between the main character and the love interest took my breath away. I found comfort in this book that I have never felt anywhere else. To Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, this was a masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Fatphobia
bialves's review
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.5
One cute book that talks about serious matters. I was waiting for a very light book, but it had some dense stuff. Their relationship with her body had a huge impact on me...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Bullying, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
shector1's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/injury detail, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Suicide, Infidelity, and Sexual content
virago's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? N/A
5.0
This book was absolutely amazing! The book follows Star and Moon Fuentes, twin sisters who couldn't be more different. Star is the "pretty twin" and Moon is forced, by everyone, to live in Star's shadow.
The summer after high school graduation, they go on an influencer's tour to expand Star's following and brand. However, Moon spreads her wings and her own brand grows, and begins overshadowing Star's brand. This, of course makes not only Star unhappy, but mama Fuentes as well.
This book really took me through it. There were laughs, second-hand embarrassment, sadness, shock, anger, and joy. The story was well thought, and well written. They characters were loveable, and strangle-worthy. The journey this novel took me on was incredible, and ended with great character developement.
I would/will read this again!
The summer after high school graduation, they go on an influencer's tour to expand Star's following and brand. However, Moon spreads her wings and her own brand grows, and begins overshadowing Star's brand. This, of course makes not only Star unhappy, but mama Fuentes as well.
Spoiler
Moon is the over-weight, "ugly" twin and has been the punching bag of her mother and sister for years. When the ridiculously attractive younger brother of the tour's creator shows interest in Moon, and disinterest in Star, it throws both sisters for a loop. Moon is a talented artist, photographer, and editor. When head of the tour, inadvertently learns of Moon's talent, he promotes it on his own social media, and earns Moon many new followers. It gives Moon such joy and confidence, but makes her sister jealous. And of course she tries to sabotage her budding success.This book really took me through it. There were laughs, second-hand embarrassment, sadness, shock, anger, and joy. The story was well thought, and well written. They characters were loveable, and strangle-worthy. The journey this novel took me on was incredible, and ended with great character developement.
I would/will read this again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
lindsbrarian03's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/injury detail, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
alliei's review
emotional
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Gorgeous. Absolutely amazing.
I love Moon’s character so much. How her mind works, her love for what she does, and how she understands it aaasskskwkd.
I wish I had this book when I was younger.
I love Moon’s character so much. How her mind works, her love for what she does, and how she understands it aaasskskwkd.
I wish I had this book when I was younger.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pedophilia and Vomit
toffishay's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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? No
3.75
A really powerful, emotional read. The style of writing is so beautiful; you can really tell that the author is also a poet. I love Moon and Santiago, the exploration of them as characters and them together. Moon is an awesome character too, so quippy and fun. The book also explores really important themes of depression, emotional abuse, physical abuse, insecurity, and identity. How religion can harm us and opening ourselves up can save us. What brings the book down for me is that there are just so many themes being explored. It makes for a really intense read when so much is happening. Definitely check content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, Death, Injury/injury detail, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Fatphobia, and Grief
Minor: Rape, Racism, Outing, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
technicallyaly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved almost everything about this book.
Moon Fuentez is an incredibly charming protagonist. I love how she loves, and how she sees the world, and how she feels pain and anger and forgiveness. She feels so real to me; she has a special place in my heart.
In turn, I also adore Santiago — Gold stars all around, solid character design.
The progression of their relationship was great, from butting heads and personal jabs, to grudging coworkers, to reluctant friends, to something so genuine and touching. It felt organic and it's what made me fall in love with this book.
There are some things I take issue with;
Moon's resolution with her sister Star also felt a little flat to me, but also it felt right. In Moon's shoes, I wouldn't be so graceful, but her reactions felt very in line with who her character was growing to be. It made sense in the world, even if I disagreed with how it was handled.
Complicated feelings aside, I still loved this read. The language was beautiful and poetic (without sounding pretentious), and even though I have minor issues with the ending, the lead in / build up is so great, it eclipses everything. My feelings towards this book are overwhelmingly positive. 4.5/5 stars.
Moon Fuentez is an incredibly charming protagonist. I love how she loves, and how she sees the world, and how she feels pain and anger and forgiveness. She feels so real to me; she has a special place in my heart.
In turn, I also adore Santiago —
Spoiler
a boy reeling from an accident, surrounded by influencers and models who thinks Moon is the most beautiful women in any room. I also just love a boy who has passions, bonus points that that passion ends up being cooking.The progression of their relationship was great, from butting heads and personal jabs, to grudging coworkers, to reluctant friends, to something so genuine and touching. It felt organic and it's what made me fall in love with this book.
There are some things I take issue with;
Spoiler
personally, I am not a fan of the ~third act misunderstanding/breakup~, and this was no different. Santiago and Moon had developed their relationship so much up until that point, and I *know* Santiago was dealing with this own insecurities that we weren't always privy to thanks to Moon's POV, but the whole Moon following Andro online thing felt so trivial, especially to have such a huge relationship ending fight over. It felt like the stakes were thrown off, and I found it a little harder to believe their ending.Moon's resolution with her sister Star also felt a little flat to me, but also it felt right. In Moon's shoes, I wouldn't be so graceful, but her reactions felt very in line with who her character was growing to be. It made sense in the world, even if I disagreed with how it was handled.
Complicated feelings aside, I still loved this read. The language was beautiful and poetic (without sounding pretentious), and even though I have minor issues with the ending, the lead in / build up is so great, it eclipses everything. My feelings towards this book are overwhelmingly positive. 4.5/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Suicide, and Grief
Minor: Misogyny