Reviews tagging 'Injury/Injury detail'

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev

7 reviews

trippalli's review

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

What starts as a usual love story becomes intervention with the parents romances and marriages, some arranged, and the history of women disimpowerment, emotional abuse, arranged marriages

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Injury/Injury detail

frantically's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

2.5

If this had been marketed as a literary piece about mothers and daughters and loss and reconciliation, I would've liked it a lot more. But it wasn't. And it didn't even start like that.

We start with the typical rom-com elements, second-chance romance, meet-cutes, all the good stuff. When we get introduced to Shobi, I immediately think "Damn, I wish this book was about her." I spoke too early because in some way it did — and thus the rom-com was over.

This is such a heavy (and such a slowww) book. The different plots (Ashna & Rico and Ashna & Shobi and Shobi's past) didn't feel like  they fit into the same book, which made the whole thing feel all over the place.

Espically Ashna and Rico's story just didn't make me feel anything (which is bad in a supposed romance book). Most of the time I even thought there was a better love interest for Rico. We didn't have nearly enough development for their relationship.

I loved the first book in the series but after this one, I don't think I'll be continuing — too many surprises for me. I'll leave this at 2.5⭐

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief

Moderate: Infidelity, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Abortion

alycelarsson's review

emotional funny reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

4.75

I really liked this book! I thought it was a refreshing take on Persuasion, especially because it was not a carbon copy. If you are looking for an exact retelling of Persuasion in a modern era, this book is not for you but I loved how the author maintained the atmosphere of Persuasion while also bringing in new characters and plots of her own. Overall a great, romantic and simple read although be warned there are some darker aspects of the plot. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Suicide, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy

annchmn's review

sad medium-paced

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

2.0

I wish I had read a content warning before reading this book… 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Child abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy

hngisreading's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Grief, Rape, Sexual violence, Blood, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, and Suicide

Moderate: Abandonment and Car accident

Minor: Abortion

allisonwonderlandreads's review

emotional hopeful slow-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

3.0

It still amazes me returning to this series how much heart and angst and life Sonali Dev can pack into a romance novel. She takes on heavy, relevant topics and Jane Austen retellings all in one book, navigating multiple perspectives and conflicting emotions to weave a masterful story. On that note, I want to mention some significant content warnings for the book before getting into the review: suicide, emotional and physical abuse, rape, grief and loss of a parent, abandonment, PTSD, panic attacks, depression, alcoholism, sexism.

This take on Persuasion has all the heart-wrenching second chance material you could ask for. The trope is handled so well, providing well-timed flashbacks to give us a sense of Ashna and Rico's teenage relationship and why it could haunt them twelve years later. Following the precedent set in the first book, family relationships are just as important to the story. Loyalty and unconditional love continue to be cornerstones of the Raje family, but this book also dives into some of the more twisted, uglier relationships. Flashbacks to Ashna's semi-estranged mother explain the tension in their relationship in 360°, inviting readers to dive deep into the complexity and understand why both characters are hurting. It makes seeing their journey that much more satisfying.

My only complaint has to do with pacing. The majority of the book is very fraught with minimal emotional progress as Ashna refuses overtures from both Rico and her mother to let go of the guilt and misery that define her existence. The pacing fit the gravity of the situation, and I respected the tone although the absurdities of the reality cooking show felt out of place to me in contrast (a personal first; I live for that shit). After all the pushback and struggle, I was surprised how quickly everything then resolved itself at the end and in totality. While I was certainly ready for things to progress, it was a bit of a shock to my system after the journey so far.

The Rajes hold a special place in my heart, and I love returning to this series. Second chance is not my favorite, but I think this take on Persuasion managed the characters' and my emotions beautifully. This is a weighty story, and I appreciate its unflinching look at important issues. I can't wait to read the next book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Rape

Minor: Cancer, Pregnancy, Car accident, Classism, Sexual content, and Vomit

baearles's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Blood, Suicide, and Death of parent

Moderate: Classism and Alcoholism

Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Vomit