Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Ritual by Shantel Tessier

111 reviews

savvypmc's review against another edition

fast-paced

2.5

(ETA: Upon further reflection, I’ve changed my rating to 2.5 stars. This story managed to capture and keep my attention but I honestly don’t know how or why. The story had so many plot holes and just generally lacked desperately needed substance. Thinking on it, I couldn't honestly tell you any facts about the main female character’s personality—she doesn’t seem to have any hobbies, likes or dislikes except that she doesn’t like not being answered when she asks questions. All I truly know about her is apparently she’s a hot brunette with big breasts, and a flat stomach. That’s about it.)

Three stars because it’s a solid story with serious potential but I am so sick of reading the word “whimper”.

Pick a different word.
(Mewl. Whine. Moan. Cry.)

Also, these specific lines bothered me:
“The air gets thicker, making it hard to breathe, which just makes my tits bounce when I manage to suck in a deep breath.”
“…her tits start to bounce at her intake of breath…”
“…her big tits bounce while she pants…”

My final complaint—naming every song by title and artist, every time. I would very much prefer to read a description of the music (such as “the bass beats in time with my pulse” or “the speeding tempo makes me feel dizzy”). Giving me a song title tells me nothing about what kind of music is playing, and stopping to even consider having to pause reading to look up the song pulls me so out of the moment, I often stopped and just did not want to continue reading. I hated it.

But overall, I did actually really like the book. Smutty, but with plot. It had a solid setting but some of the characters felt bland.

It felt, to me, like bare bones. Like, it was good, but needed fleshed out. I honestly think it could’ve been expanded into a duo, maybe even a trilogy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Blood

Moderate: Pregnancy, Violence, and Toxic relationship

cookies101's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Death, Rape, Murder, Gun violence, Violence, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

ellykristina's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

2.5

Even porn needs a plot, Shannon

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Drug use, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Sexism, Trafficking, Cursing, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Stalking, and Toxic relationship

jess_thefacts's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative tense fast-paced

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

4.0

"The Ritual" by Shantel Tessier is a dark and gripping tale that delves into the depths of obsession, revenge, and the consequences of choices made in the name of love. In this captivating novel, Tessier introduces readers to a world where power and control reign supreme, and the lines between right and wrong blur with each turn of the page. Tessier's expertly crafted plot keeps readers guessing until the very end, while her vivid descriptions and well-developed characters bring the story to life in chilling detail. "The Ritual" is a haunting and atmospheric read that will leave readers spellbound from beginning to end. With its gripping narrative and unexpected twists, this novel is sure to captivate fans of dark romance and psychological thrillers alike.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Death, Stalking, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Rape, and Violence

ink_mon's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Sexism, Sexual content, Gun violence, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Blood

Moderate: Medical content, Torture, and Medical trauma

quietmarki's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

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

1.0

Please send Shantel Tessier to therapy please! This book is bad, has every trigger warning that exist!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Physical abuse, Stalking, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Murder, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Confinement, Death of parent, Misogyny, Classism, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Abortion, Addiction, Blood, and Sexism

ashthebookdragon's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

2.0

This was just smut and vibes. No actual decent story or characters. Just smut 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Murder, Pregnancy, Drug use, Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Stalking

luna_lovelace's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Reading this book felt like a fever dream. I was awed by some scenes and couldn't believe it was actually happening!

Her mother not being her mother, didn't expect that! Blake and Ryat having sex near someone they just killed. Just to name a few!

It's heavy on the sexual content but there's definitely a solid plot. The plot is what kept me reading on, I didn't expect it to be this good! Definitely going to read the rest of the series. 

I loved all the song references, I played some of them as I read it through. It definitely gives a nice ambiance as you read!

I would definitely say this is 18+ and a very dark romance. Just know what you're getting into before diving in!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Murder, Cursing, Grief, and Violence

Moderate: Torture, Vomit, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Pregnancy and Stalking

kbugz724's review against another edition

dark emotional

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

2.75

 Honestly... wtf. I had such high hope for this and they just all fell super flat for me. I love a good spicy dark romance and this one def had the spice but NO PLOT. I mean I am exaggerating there was obviously plot. But there would be one plot point to move the story further and then just an absurd amount of the same smut over and over. 
The " plot twist" literally came out of left field so hard that it made no sense. 
This was just NOT my cup of tea. At all. 

CHECK THE FREAKING TRIGGER WARNINGS

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Drug use, Sexual harassment, Medical trauma, Blood, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Rape, Stalking, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Body horror, Death, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence

m0czy's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Confinement, and Stalking

Moderate: Blood, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

Minor: Vomit, Gun violence, Medical content, and Pregnancy