Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams

8 reviews

garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.25

This was a surprisingly deep book, as the fmc is dealing with the trauma and after effects of an abusive relationship while also trying to start a new romance. From my non-survivor perspective, I thought it treated the issues well, and with accuracy. All the trigger warnings though, we really are in her head as she is trying to cope.

Single POV, 1st person, fmc. Fmc is Black/mixed, mmc is white.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Gaslighting, Stalking, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Physical abuse

Minor: Racism, Alcohol, Racial slurs, and Vomit

The sexual assault tag is for

a beginning attempt that is unsuccessful. It is implied that there was assault in the past but we don't get any details.

kfmcf's review against another edition

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

4.25

MAJOR CW for gaslighting, emotional abuse, and a toxic relationship

I read this way back in '21 when I was first getting into contemporary romance as a genre and thought it was pretty good. Honestly, reading it again, I really enjoyed it. I think in my last read, I had just come off of reading some of my all time favs (The Kiss Quotient, PYMoV, etc.) and it warped my views of the book a bit. 

I really enjoyed the chemistry of the two characters and what they were dealing with. I appreciated the single POV as we really were able to invest in time with Naya and understand what she was feeling with Jake and appreciating him as a character (though...I don't know why the name Jake just doesn't work for him imo for some reason). 

Normally when I see characters communicating over text or email or whatever I skim really hard, but the interactions between Naya & Jake over text was fun and cute. I don't know, friends, something about these two just hit for me rn. 

The drama with Davis gets a little over dramatic and he was cartoonishly evil at some points, but having gone through an emotionally abusive relationship myself, sometimes it is just like that. 

I'm reading The Fastest Way to Fall and Technically, Yours right now for book club and I'm...not happy there was a shift from single POV. I think Denise Williams is stronger in single based off of this book, but I'll reserve judgment for those books until I'm finished.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Bullying, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Racism, Violence, Misogyny, and Sexism

Minor: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, and Cursing

annahamburger's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Vomit, Alcohol, Cursing, Stalking, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Infidelity, Body shaming, and Fatphobia

theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0

A love story that all started with a failed one night stand. It was cute and witty, but also frustrating when characters simply don’t speak openly with each other. But alas, there needs to be conflict. 

This book surprisingly contained a lot of heavy stuff. I definitely do not recommend this book be read by l anyone that would have problems with any of the content warnings—and there are a lot—but  to others who can safely ride along on this rollercoaster of emotions, I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Alcohol and Cursing

Minor: Vomit

bev3203's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Rape, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Violence, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Physical abuse

jennastopreading's review against another edition

funny relaxing sad 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content

Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexism, and Racism

Minor: Infidelity

nebraskanwriter's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism

100_pages_hr's review

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

This book is a lot heavier than the flirty title might suggest. The topics it covers include things that no one should ever experience, but at the same time are unfortunately experienced everyday. 

I loved Naya's line of work. I love academia and I loved the inclusion of English Learners. I also really appreciated how language was talked about in her own family circles.

Unfortunately I wasn't crazy for all of the ways the romance unfolded in this story. But overall I did like Jake and Naya. 

This was a deep read and evokes a lot of feelings. Please see content warnings!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Dementia and Vomit