Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

3 reviews

kimveach's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about a young woman who uses an unexpected pregnancy and marriage to leave her reality-show family.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, Outing, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism

paperknotbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

2.75

The story and characters are engaging, but they felt lifeless and cliche. Some characters, such as the Pastor and Essie’s mom, had personas which never fully developed. I never understood their motives, or those of Liberty Bell. 

I like where the story ended up, but it was expected. There are too many gimmicky tropes plopped into the storyline, it is forced into with a predictable evolution. Too many “unseen” activities made my suspension of disbelief difficult.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Incest

Minor: Body shaming, Gun violence, Suicide, Gaslighting, and Classism

Cult activity is heavy theme in this book

jackieyvette's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I liked this book for the most part, but the ending was so lackluster. I usually like when books have multiple narrators, but in this case I think it took away from the story. If the book had been from Essie’s perspective alone I think it would have been stronger. I did semi-enjoy Roarke and Liberty’s stories, but I just think it was too filler for the book to be great. 
Also the ending is just super anticipated. I would have liked to see the aftermath of the decision Essie made, but the author just decided to wrap everything in a big bow instead of actually trying to make these characters and this situation come to life. 

Crying score: I mean, who wouldn’t cry a little for Essie. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy