Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan

10 reviews

a_ab's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted 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? It's complicated

2.25

2.5* at most. Tried a new to me author with a very mixed result. I liked the writing style for the most part and some characterizations seemed realistic and even raw, but all those positives were brutally hampered by the fact that the whole book is based on ridiculous insta-lust. Which translated into way too many gratuitous sex scenes, some of which were contextually inappropriate. (The author seems to think that orgasms are a miracle cure for all migraines(!!!) - special miracle migraines, maybe.) 

Therefore, even my usual technique of just skipping the sex scenes didn't work in this book - it was like walking in a mine field: the most unsexy, sex-irrelevant situations got interrupted by explicit sex thoughts or ended up being inappropriate setups for a sex scene. Eww.

The sex also got in the way of the relationship between the characters. Too much lust clouds both judgement and motivation, so it was difficult to gauge how reliable the first person narrators were when we got to see their thoughts about each other. But at least there were relationship building moments outside of sex - enough of them to be the saving grace of the book and the reason why I finished it despite its mine field qualities.

In conclusion: 
Can this author write? Yes. 
Can she write something I would really enjoy reading? Doubtful, but perhaps detailed reviews can help me figure it out in the future. 

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hazelgirl21's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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

4.75


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rachelmichelson's review against another edition

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

4.75

I stumbled upon this book because Jacob Morgan is the male reader and it's about hockey.  I bounced between the audio and analog; both are great. 
A moving story about rediscovering oneself while healing. 

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legallyhea's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted slow-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

3.75


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lexa's review

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emotional relaxing 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? Yes

3.5

I liked the story line but something fell a bit flat for me. Repetition of certain words or phrases (I’m looking at you “in deference to”) pulled me out of the moment. But overall a sweet (haha) story of rebuilding, finding and loving yourself, feat a sunshine actress and a grumpy ex hockey player. And lots of baking. 

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bbooks23's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

4.25


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scorum10's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0


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ribbitingreads's review against another edition

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3.5

 This got me out of my reading slump. Also, I am a sucker for anything involving a hockey player. However, a retired hockey player who is grumpy yet one of the kindest people who happens to be a whiz in the kitchen? sign me up. Not to mention the subtle GOT inspired television show Emma is on (or was on). Definitely has slowburn feels, but I truly enjoyed reading this. 

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a_romance_a_day's review against another edition

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4.75

Absolutely adored this!

There was so much delicious banter and even more delicious descriptions of desserts (with cream). Emma and Lucian have hit bumps in their careers and retreat to Rosemont to recover and find a new direction. Together, they find their other half and watching them fall in love is so beautiful!

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treereads's review

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medium-paced

3.0


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