Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai

5 reviews

k_winchester's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Fun, cute, and quite a bit of unexpected action! I was intrigued the whole way through, wondering how everything was going to turn out and come together. 

The actual ending(/solution) seemed kinda unnecessarily complicated with the multiple - hmm, surprise appearances, let's call them. 😂

But overall it was a lot of fun. Mira was a neat character, and it satisfying to see her unpack her issues while on the run, WHILE also having to touch on or use knowledge/ stuff from her past she was actively trying not to deal with. She and Naveen had great chemistry, and I really liked how he moved from being (justifiably) angry with her to openly caring for her. 

(I cast Natalie Anderson from Survivor as Mira and Sendhil Ramamurthy circa Heroes as Naveen. 😂)

(PS: GA)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence and Kidnapping

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Addiction, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content

renpuspita's review

adventurous emotional 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

4.0

 If judging by cover alone, I expect a cute contemporary romance feature Desi characters. Even the blurb said so. What I don't expect after finish reading is rather than a conrom, Partners in Crime more like romantic suspense. With angst, LOT of angst. I had read Alisha Rai's title before and I forget that she can write a delicious angst.

I like both Mira and Naveen, since both in their thirties so they are already mature and no unnecessary or prolonged drama OR third act breakup. Before the story began, Mira matched with Naveen, only to let her insecurities about her shady family and past that make her broke things up with Naveen via text. Ouch. I like the second chance trope that Rai write because not only Mira have a huge emotional baggage, Naveen himself also just recently sober and also failed in the romantic department. I think both Mira and Naveen suit each other, they compliment each other with Mira who is savvy enough to face their enemies while Naveen also support her emotionally and also smooth things over with his communication skills. Truly a partners in crime. In the end Mira manage to face her past and pursue her happiness in the future with Naveen.

The story is fast paced and full of adrenaline. The suspense keep me reading especially regarding the jewels that Mira's late father stole and the identity of the villain named Cobra. Not only Mira and Naveen race through time because Cobra threatened Mira's sister life, they also go to many states and also do heist. The romance itself maybe not much and more like angst, but the amount of romance and angst are well balanced. However, the twist regarding the Cobra identity and another character from Mira's past left me dumbfounded. A true Bollywood moment, lel. Just like your usual Asian centered story, the story will be no complete without meddling parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, etc. 

If you love your romantic suspense with heist element, well balanced angst and romance, family theme and a nonstop chase with a slight mystery, I will recommend Partners in Crime! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Child abuse, Abandonment, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Body shaming, Blood, Death of parent, and Alcoholism

Minor: Grief, Infidelity, Racism, and Pregnancy

notsobinaryart's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Child abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Classism, Gaslighting, and Blood

Minor: Torture, Body shaming, Cancer, Sexual harassment, and Infidelity

bookish_afrolatina's review against another edition

adventurous dark lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

Solid fun romance mixed with the Hangover type storyline and a generous serving of parental abuse. So if you want a good mix of emotions, this is good for you!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence

sydapel's review

adventurous funny mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

A perfect romp, equal parts adventure, angst, fun and spice! Alisha Rai somehow manages to write both an amateur heist/spy plot along with a exploration of both Mira and Naveen's family trauma and it's an absolute delight! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Kidnapping, and Sexual content

Moderate: Toxic relationship