Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

20 reviews

jen_sometimes'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? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Dementia, Death of parent, and Grief

kfmcf's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

4.25

This book has a solid balance between character and plot. I am someone who prefers weak plots over weak characters, but I also, of course, appreciate a happy medium.
 
I found both leads likeable and grounded. Samson was sweet but not so absurdly so it became unbelievable. Rhi was spunky and fiery but showed a vulnerability that rounded her character out well. I do wish we had gotten to see a bit more of the side characters. For how long this book was we got a lot of the leads (which isn't bad) but we didn't get much time with some of the compatriots like Lakshmi, Harris, etc. I don't mention Katrina on that list because I know she's the FL of book #2.

Plot-wise, I knew where the story was leading but it mostly made sense and had a few surprises thrown in. I won't go into detail for spoilers sake but the ending was expected but made sense. Also, I do want to mention that this is one of the only romance books without an epilogue that I've read where I still feel fulfilled by the plot and characters' arcs. I do want to commend Alisha Rai on that because it is usually a severe pet peeve of mine.

Lastly, I want to say that I greatly appreciated this book's focus on the brain effects of prolonged football playing. As someone who likes sports, football has always been infuriating to me because of the disturbingly high rates of brain injury and sustained aftereffects. This book doesn't beat around the bush about the issue but it also shows why players keep playing. Focusing on this topic made this book have a more solid footing, in my opinion.

Overall, I do recommend this book and look forward to reading the sequels!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Sexism

Minor: Alcohol

mani's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment

Minor: Death and Death of parent

kylieqrada's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

4.0

I liked this alot, but more as a contemporary with romance elements than as a straight romance. I liked our MCs together, but they didn't jump off the page for me like other romance pairings I've read lately. I loved Alisha Rai's writing, and her characterization is divine. Plus, the hard-hitting topics tackled (football pun) in this book are so well-done and insightful. I don't usually like a sports element in romance (she says as though she's some sort of romance connoisseur), but I loved the way CTE and mental illness were handled here. Will definitely be picking up more from Alisha Rai soon. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Terminal illness, and Chronic illness

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Dementia, and Grief

quasinaut's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? Yes

4.25

I quite enjoyed the premise, the characters, the plot -- in fact, I was more invested in the business of dating apps, the acknowledgment of CTE, and the friendships and family dynamics than the romance because honestly I didn't think Samson and Rhi had much (any?) chemistry.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content

Moderate: Dementia, Medical content, Sexism, and Death of parent

Minor: Alcohol

peachani's review

emotional reflective 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? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Racism, and Violence

philmarie321's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual assault

olyally's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Minor: Bullying, Death, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse

readerette's review

emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

A new favorite. The characters are deep and varied, the story detailed and believable, and the main and supplemental romances sweet.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Grief, Racism, and Sexism

rthiringer234's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent, Dementia, Toxic relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders