Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

63 reviews

bookieewookiee's review against another edition

The first time I read this book, I read it very quickly, not quite a one-day read, but nearly so. I enjoy the romance, and I did like it again the second time. 
What bothers me about this book is the way Vanessa discusses her mother and sisters as well as the effects of addiction and familial trauma. 

In cases of familial abuse and abandonment, no one is obligated to forgive nor to let those people be part of your life. I fully support Vanessa not wanting to have any sort of relationship with her sisters. However, Vanessa would always talk about how she and Suzy grew up under the "same conditions" and how Suzy had *decided* to be the way that she is. Yes, Suzy most definitely decided to bully Vanessa when they lived together. When Vanessa caught her rummaging for money, she decided to hit Vanessa with that car and leave her there, probably hoping she'd killed her. Vanessa *should not* associate with Suzy unless absolutely necessary. Still, like her, Suzy grew up with an absent mother, most likely never knowing her father, and, unfortunately, with easy access to drugs and alcohol. Vanessa says herself that she knows Suzy is mentally ill. Therefore, it was not Suzy's *choice* to feel abandoned by her mother. She did not choose to be born into this family, just as Vanessa did not choose it. That in no way excuses Suzy's actions, but it does mean that Van shouldn't minimize the trauma all her siblings felt because of their family situation. 
Vanessa is a more emotionally stable person who thankfully did not develop any substance addiction. In the same sense that Aiden doesn't talk to his parents, Vanessa has no obligation to ever talk to her sisters or even her mother, but I can't ignore how Mariana Zapata seemed to dismiss the effects of addiction and abandonment in the sisters' lives as well. Two people who experience the same abandonment, the same trauma at the hand of the same person, will not be affected the same way.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Car accident, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Addiction and Panic attacks/disorders

nicoleherz's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

Quite disappointed actually. I found the writing to be really mediocre, descriptive about all the wrong things and constantly qualifying its own narrative. It would take forever to get through a conversation that lasted 5 lines because there was an insane amount of inner dialogue and unnecessary background weaved in between.

I didn't really like either of the characters either. I found them to be incredibly selfish and obtuse. Their relationship became better but started off as something incredibly toxic and I was practically yelling at her to run away.

Don't get me started on the everything-is-perfect, happily ever after epilogue. She literally has him say he can't remember not being happy. Yeah ok life is 1 dimensional now, great.

And seriously has she ever even talked to someone who doesn't get along with their parents? That relationship seemed totally unrealistic. Not to mention just creating the most superficial villian in her sister. Where does any of that even come from??? If you are expecting answers by the end, you will be sorely disappointed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content

Moderate: Car accident, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Misogyny

Minor: Cursing and Toxic relationship

edilyaaang's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Car accident, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Mental illness, and Sexual content

Minor: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Addiction, and Bullying

hollymileham's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

loved this. im such a sucker for fake relationship/marriage of convenience so this book was perfect for me. the writing style annoyed me at times when it was trying to be funny but the romance elements were perfect; i especially love that there was no huge miscommunication issue 75% through like in most romance books, very refreshing

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Panic attacks/disorders

devynhinds's review against another edition

emotional funny tense 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Car accident, Bullying, Body shaming, Abandonment, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders

m00dr3ader's review against another edition

inspiring relaxing tense 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? No

4.0

It was cute. Was it well written? Yes and no. Was it longer than necessary? Yes. Was it a bit confusing at times? Also yes. But was it enjoyable? Absolutely. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Car accident

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Cursing, Abandonment, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Addiction and Toxic relationship

louisa_pennyfeather2021's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced

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

4.75

Mariana always completely ruins my expectations for love. I'm a hopeless romantic now. Me and my bleeding heart are in shambles.

In all seriousness, it's a great book. I started reading it because of my love for football and Mariana's work. I love how(like in so much of Mariana's work) each character has depth and purpose. The real world details factored into this fictional romance adds some flare. I really enjoyed this read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Addiction, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Car accident, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

kb33's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

3.5

This slow burn was so slow I almost missed it. Vanessa and Aiden became comfortable and friendly, and suddenly there were a few kisses. 

The book is entirely from Vanessa’s point of view. There was definitely a heavy amount of monologue, and it wouldn’t have been a success if it wasn’t Zapata writing it. This book was different from most others in this genre, but it worked well. 

I’m struggling with this review because so many people like this book so much. I think the thing that makes it hard to like, for me, was that Aiden doesn’t offer much to the story. Most of the stuff about him is how other people react to him, and not things he says or does. He’s very stoic, and not a very present or active character. We even rely on conversations between Vanessa and their other roommate Zach about Aiden to get info. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Violence

victorianbsilva's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Fatphobia, Medical content, Sexual content, and Body shaming

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail

milesofkiles's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment, and Physical abuse

Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use