Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Vicious by L.J. Shen

5 reviews

codicheyenne's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and I'm so excited to have received an ARC for the re-publication of it! I appreciated the pacing of the book and how the characters remained true to themselves even while growing. Millie was so easy to love and feel for. Her heart is so genuine and I really felt for her and how unable to be anything other than her kind, selfless self she was - even to her own detriment. Vicious was a "villain" I love to say suffered from the "he's just a boy" syndrome. (Other examples include Draco Malfoy, Jacks, Damon Torrance.) What I mean by that is he's a total jerk, hands down, but under that huge, standoffish persona, he's also a hurt little boy inside who needed an ounce of affection. I loved that while he was indeed a total jerk he was still lovable. I did find myself wishing he would just let himself cry every once in awhile though lol, I think it would help. I loved that there was no clear indication of the switch between enemies and lovers. It ebbed and flowed through time, distance and circumstance. I thoroughly enjoyed the dual timeline aspect as well. I'm excited to see what book 2 brings for Dean & Rosie.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Bullying, Sexual content, Violence, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Cursing, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Grief, Infidelity, Ableism, Body shaming, and Drug use

Minor: Alcohol, Abortion, Addiction, Pregnancy, Car accident, and Gaslighting

rachelmichelson's review against another edition

fast-paced

3.0

Our Hero (H) is mean d-bag, as a result of childhood trauma and wealth and our Heroine (h) is the quirky  new girl/artist that grabs his attention . The story bounces between present day and 10 years prior, from both POVS. 
They hate each other but quickly discover they love each other more.

It's a quick read with some on page spice. It drags in the 3rd act when our H has to win the girl back. The various threads of the story are a bit unnecessary and don't move it further. 

Entire series is available on KU 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Child abuse, Bullying, and Violence

coles14_'s review against another edition

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Cursing, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Child abuse

Minor: Drug use, Addiction, Drug abuse, Murder, Infidelity, and Fire/Fire injury

spaghettii's review against another edition

dark emotional lighthearted sad 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Car accident, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Physical abuse, and Toxic friendship

golden_like_dior's review against another edition

dark emotional tense 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? It's complicated

3.75

Actually a good dark romance with some little things that personally annoyed me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Chronic illness, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Stalking and Pregnancy