Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

25 reviews

almaprincess66's review

challenging dark emotional 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? N/A

4.25

This is not what I was expecting after the first book. 

There was so much tone change and little summer at the house. But it paid off at the end, that is why I'm rating it so high.

It was so interesting and emotional to see how different everyone handled the grief. It was really truly different without Suzanne.

But Belly got a lot of character development, and said out all the problems I had with Conrad in the first novel so good for her.

I'm interested, how the series will close up.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Cancer, and Death of parent

mari1532's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

I checked this audiobook out of the library because Han's writing is soothing and enjoyable. I did enjoy the first book in the series, but this one didn't live up to the first. It was not a bad book by any means there is still enough messy teenage drama to deliver what you want out of the book. However, I did not feel that this book Belly had any level of character development in this book. I might argue that there was a little growth in her relationship with her mother, the true hero of the series. However, it just feels a bit like Belly is stuck with Conrad even though he treats her poorly and as a result that means that Belly treats Jeremiah poorly. Also, Belly's relationship with her best friend, Taylor feels super toxic at times. In many ways, I would describe this book as a CW show in its first season. It is giving you what you want, but it's not entirely clear who all the characters are within the context of the show. 

I still enjoyed this book and if you are a fan of Han's work it isn't likely to disappoint, it simply was not my favourite of her books. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Grief, Medical content, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Infidelity

issyd23's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

4.0

TEAM JEREMIAH!!! Conrad doesn’t love her like Jere does 4🏖️  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Cancer, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

demy_summer's review

challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Cancer

icedlemonade's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Cancer and Terminal illness

Minor: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Cursing

toomanytbr's review

emotional funny lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

A Summer Without You. A Summer Without Susannah

This was definitely not as much about the romance, the angst and wanting as the first book, but it was still monumental. I cried so much. I just want Belly to be happy, but I also want some answers about Conrad. Why did he treat her like that and get away with never apologizing? 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Grief, Cancer, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, and Gaslighting

vilde_a's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

I feel absolutely insane reading this series. The female American experience seems absolutely unhinged.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexism

kylasmv15's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Cancer, Death, and Grief

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Cursing

s_panfil's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• 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: Death of parent and Alcohol

Moderate: Vomit, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

kayleejanes's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• 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: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Grief, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Chronic illness, Cancer, Death, and Death of parent