Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander

13 reviews

theonlybaillie's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

4.5

This book, while such a good read, is also a super hard read. I recommend to only read this book in a good headspace, because it is very heavy and definitely not for everyone.

But it was for me amazingly. There are elements of hope and light in the darkness, such as found family and supportive friends. There is also very deep complex trauma and family relationships in this book, and the entirety of the effects and messy healing process are not concealed or tied in a pretty bow. We get the real, raw deal in this book. Not a lighthearted read, but a real read with a lot of depth.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Grief, Miscarriage, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Violence, Death, Cancer, and Abandonment

mackenziebauman's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Confinement, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Domestic abuse

sleeson's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

I happened to come across this novel in a small bookshop by chance. The title intrigued me and the blurb on the back of the book sold me. Meredith is a beautiful, messy, and courageous character. The relationship with her mother carried a such a similar tone of the one I have with my mother. The way Mer tries to navigate her emotions, situations, and her interaction with people, is heartbreaking yet determined. Absolutely relatable. 
Claire Alexander wrote such a great novel. I want to share this book with others. Mild swearing. Mild sexual content. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Rape

mwhite0226's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Cancer, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape

melissa_b_67's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Rape, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts

acarballo's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Death of parent

brimcnull's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

I had no idea what to expect when picking up this book. I chose it because the cover was beautiful and it had a cat on it. 

Meredith, Alone is a dual timeline novel that features a lovable character with significant trauma, anxiety, and depression. I believe the author handles the book with care and puts people in Meredith’s life to support her as she processes her trauma. 

Meredith hasn’t left her apartment for three years, but wants that to change. This book is a testament to how therapy, good friends , and a cat, can help bring healing one moment at a time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Cancer and Alcohol

marywadesy's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Rape

dracovulpini's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, Bullying, Death of parent, Cancer, Physical abuse, and Cursing

readingwithaddi's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

You have to be emotionally prepared for this book. There are a lot of triggers, but it is also beautifully written and well done. Meredith is one of the best main characters I've read lately, and I'm so lucky to be part of her journey.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Rape, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Miscarriage

Minor: Fatphobia, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Cancer