Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

83 reviews

ciarag88's review against another edition

challenging funny 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

3.0

This book was grand, but worth noting it is not all lighthearted. Definitely read trigger warnings. I found it a small bit slow in the middle but good overall.

the engagement was a tad cringey. I liked that the solicitor friend could help get the brother out of jail.

. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Stalking, and Violence

aus's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Violence

wilybooklover's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

Despite covering some very heavy topics (wrongful imprisonment, emotional abuse and gaslighting, hospice care), this was such a soft and heartwarming story. My heart is so full after reading this. I loved the modern take on an epistolary romance without relying on texts or email. I thought they met at exactly the right moment without dragging it out too much or killing the tension too soon. 

Leon and Tiffy were amazing and I absolutely loved them. They felt real and flawed and were adorable together. Leon is now one of my favourite heroes ever. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Confinement, Mental illness, Violence, and Sexual content

Minor: Abandonment, Cancer, War, Death, Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Racism

jmitchell20's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted 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

2.5

A fun little romcom, good if you're after something light and fluffy. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Terminal illness, Violence, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse

immovabletype's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Confinement, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Cancer, Fatphobia, Medical content, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, and Violence

taramel's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

I absolutely adored this book! Seeing how both Tiffy and Leon grew as people was just a thrill to read. 

It took me a bit to get into the book but once they started exchanging notes to each other I was hooked! 

I laughed, cried and celebrated with the characters. I also loved that we had such a great mix of ‘side characters’, because they were key parts of the story and were well thought out and had their own stories happening that you got to learn about through the two main characters. 

the whole Justin thing had me on the edge towards the end. Especially when he showed up to the flat when everyone was waiting for Richie. I was terrified for Tiffy. But I was so happy to see that all her friends were there to support her.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Violence, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Fatphobia

rhosynmd's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship

Moderate: Violence and Stalking

Minor: Terminal illness

theirgracegrace's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring slow-paced

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

4.25

The Flatshare was my book club's first book of 2023 and I will say that I was not initially thrilled with the idea of a romance novel. That was shattered when I actually started reading it! The characters are loveable and real in a very millennial way, the "arrangement" in the heart of the plot is a bit on the nose, and the subplots are where a lot of the most interesting action happens. The "side" plot of Tiffy's

gaslighting and abuse by Justin

caught me off guard, as it reasonably would, and became the most emotionally charged part of the book for me. All in all, an incredible work and one I will love to reread!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Medical content, Confinement, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Cursing, Sexual content, Alcohol, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Bullying, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Racism, Body shaming, Cancer, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, and Violence

Minor: Death, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Child death, and Dementia

jadawhooreads's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

I loved this book! I really enjoyed Beth O’Leary’s casual and fun writing style; especially reading the differences in how Leon and Tiffy think with their split POVs. I thought it was very well paced and I didn’t want to put it down for long. Tiffy and Leon as characters were well fleshed out and I enjoyed their dynamic with each other and their slow burn attraction. I squealed a good amount of times while reading, I felt like I was reading fan fiction it was so wholesome at times! Even with Tiffy and Leon aside, I was interested in other characters and I didn’t find myself ‘skim reading’ over them (which is rare for some books I can’t lie). I would definitely read a sequel of Gerty and Mo and Richie and see how they’re getting on; I loved their different energies and they felt real, not just there to serve Tiffy and Leon. ALSO, can I just say I ADORE how Tiffy was clearly written as a plus sized woman and YET it wasn’t her only character trait and it didn’t affect how people were attracted to her, or how people treated her. I ALSO ADORE how Leon (and Richie) was both Black and Irish and yet again, it wasn’t his defining trait, and it wasn’t the defining reason why Tiffy was attracted to him. Sometimes when I read heterosexual romances it can be a bit bland or problematic, but this was full of life and making them both inclusive and yet not having Tiffy’s body or Leon’s race be the only thing they talk about was so refreshing; massive props!

I literally don’t have any criticisms of the book, perfect sized, well paced goodness! 🥰

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Chronic illness

Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia

turtlelullaby's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

It took a while to get used to being in the male character's head, and I still don't think I like that style. However, this was cute, on the lighter side, with a perfect heaping of corny and romantic bits towards the end. It also handles the depiction of emotional abuse well. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Violence