Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams

31 reviews

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. 

---

Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Gaslighting

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

---

Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Infidelity

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

---

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

duffnuf's review

emotional funny inspiring 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? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Stalking, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence

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. 

---

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

jenna36's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

4.0

I was not a huge fan of the way the final conflict played out (mostly because I can be pretty touchy about the subject matter), but other than that I thought this was quirky, sweet, and well worth the read. I am a big fan of how she developed the romance in a very real way, as well as how the characters actually felt like adults and acted their age. I will definitely be looking into other books by this author in the future. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Misogyny

The romance in the book is not toxic or abusive. The content warnings are for someone in her past.

hannahkiwi's review

emotional funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Vomit

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Sexual violence, Infidelity, and Racism

ariana_m's review against another edition

emotional funny tense 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

4.5 stars. I really liked this. Despite the instalove/lust, this was really good and heartwarming. Naya and Jake were so cute. I loved their banter, I love how Jake never pushed her or judged her for anything, I love how patient he was with her. Their love was beautiful. I loved mostly all of the side characters as well. Naya was so strong for everything she went through with her ex and I truly admired that. In my opinion this highlighted domestic violence really well, especially the effects it leaves on people that have went through a situation like that. I really liked how the author displayed that throughout the book, whether it was in a subtle or big way. This was really good!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Physical abuse

Minor: Racism

onestephatatime's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Dementia

churrosmom's review against another edition

emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Stalking, Sexism, and Mental illness

Minor: Racism