Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Wife Before Me by Laura Elliot

2 reviews

cemsreadingcorner's review against another edition

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I had to DNF this book because I was just not enjoying it. It was too fast-paced and Elena, the main character, was getting beat up by the man she married and she did nothing about it. She stayed with him, had a baby with him, and focused way too much on his ex-wife who supposedly drowned.  I couldn’t read on. I didn’t realize this was a domestic thriller. I’m not too fond of books like that. There are way too many books about men who beat up their spouses. If books are written about that sort of thing, we need to see the women defending themselves and leaving the asshole who beats her. If that’s not what’s happening, then the book is not enjoyable to read… for me, at least. Maybe the author’s newer books are better. I’ll read them and see.

Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 7:50 PM
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tchien's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Best parts: The narrator. She really gave each character distinction and personality without being over-dramatized or over-acted. The exposure this story gives to domestic violence survivors and victims. It was dark but so real and those unafflicted need to see just how bad an abuser can be.

Worst part: The lame supernatural element at the end. Talk about a cheesy and unnecessary deus ex machina! It would have been a more satisfying ending if either of the female protagonists had been the victor or that the villain had been caught. Lame! Because of this, I knocked down what would have been  4 rating to 3.75.
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