Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Gespenster

Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Gespenster by Dolly Alderton

47 reviews

agirlnamedellie's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

A heartbreaking and honest reflection of family, relationships and friendships. Despite the sad moments there were some also hilarious one liners. The romance wasn't embellished like some romance novels, which I thought was really refreshing. Also loved the character of Lola and reading about the surrey group of 'mummies' was so so funny. I really felt like I grew alongside the main character on her journey throughout the novel and the relationship with her father I found really heartwarming. Really enjoyed.

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liviamello's review against another edition

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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

4.5

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sophiepearson's review against another edition

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lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

1.0

I didn’t like this book. The main character is really conceited and selfish. She has no empathy for any of her friends or family considering what they are going through and seems very bitter about being single. She is scathing of the people in her life who are in relationships, yet seems to crave exactly that - a fairytale prince to sweep her off her feet. She doesn’t really develop as a character throughout the book or come to any realisation that perhaps she needs to reevaluate her treatment of others and maybe go to therapy.
Some parts were trying to be a decent exploration of how relationships of all kinds evolve and change as life goes on, and some of the challenges around accepting that - but overall Nina was just so unlikeable that I’m surprised I was even able to finish the book!
There was also some mild transphobia - the characters perceived silliness of cis people putting pronouns in their bios etc - author should probably know that it’s acceptable and in part done to normalise people having different pronouns! Ugh!

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maanbloem's review against another edition

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emotional 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

While I thoroughly enjoyed the first half, the second half made this one of my new favourite books ever, which I didn't expect. The book follows 32 year old Nina trying to navigate her life as a single woman while almost all her friends are married with children (or getting there), getting ghosted by this POS and her parents - mother in a midlife crisis, father suffering from dementia and luckily, an actual feminist message. I didn't expect to love this book so much but it made me cry and feel somewhat hopeful at the same time. Dolly Alderton's writing is beautiful and considering this is her debut novel, I am looking forward to many more of her stunning proserve.

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litstyleguide's review against another edition

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5.0

I absolutely loved this gem, y’all. It was so relatable and witty. On the surface, this book is about our FMC, Nina, navigating life as newly-single and the stresses that come with modern dating. I thought this was so much more though.

It managed to discuss serious topics like strained familial relationships, Alzheimer’s, motherhood, life, and love, while also having lots of LOL moments. Absolutely loved Nina’s friendships (especially the one with Lola). They felt reverent and really special.

Overall this was a nice surprise, I thought it was so fucking smart, and I absolutely loved reading

Content Warnings

laurataylor's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

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raelong12's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

4.5

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froggybooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

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madelynkinny's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.0

Nothing significant happened in this book and there was no clear ending. I hate when books leave loose ties and this one did. The writing style wasn’t bad, but I still wouldn’t recommend as the main plot of the book is a toxic relationship and nothing else really happens throughout it.

Content Warnings

ramreadsagain's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really liked this, a relatable tale of white womanhood, with unlikeable male characters and the usual “female friendship reigns supreme” moral.

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