Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams

119 reviews

d_lapri's review

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

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.

rlbitt's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

shaynicole's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault

Minor: Racism

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

megnut's review

emotional hopeful 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

3.75

Both main characters have been hurt by previous partners... but the abuse by Naya's ex weighs heavily on her part of the story. 
There's a happy ending, but it's an emotional struggle to make it there. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Violence, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Bullying, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Gaslighting

drgnlis's review

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

savvyrosereads's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Rating: 5/5 stars

Naya is a college professor who decides to relieve stress from the possible loss of her job by having a one night stand that doesn’t go as planned.

I am writing this review from the middle of what has become a binge of Denise Williams books and I have zero regrets. This was my first title by Denise and I loved it so much—the nuanced way it dealt with domestic violence and trauma, the gorgeous unfolding of Naya and Jake’s love story, and the academic setting all combined to make this one a joy to read.

As a college professor myself, the depiction of Naya’s connection with her students (one in particular but I won’t spoil it) and her clear love of teaching and education made this book so deeply meaningful to me, but I think it will resonate with a lot of different readers. HIGHLY recommend.

Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: academic settings; one-night-stands gone wrong; stories of healing

CW: domestic violence (physical and emotional abuse); gaslighting; misogyny/sexism; racism; sexual violence; mentions of infidelity

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Infidelity

lindsm94's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

2.5

I found this book really slow and even though the characters are relatable, I just could not get into the story. I think it had a good ending with the main character standing up for herself and finding her voice.  It is written really well, but not for me. Also trigger warning for domestic violence 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Sexual assault, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Alcohol, Misogyny, Vomit, and Gaslighting

ms_emily's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse