Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

62 reviews

rachelreads1994's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

In the story we follow Amber as she tries to escape her past and her lack luster life by attempting to seduce a rich man Jackson Parrish. Only problem with the plan is he’s already married. She befriends Daphne so that she can get closer to Jackson and steal Daphnes lavish life for herself. She’ll soon learn things aren’t always as wonderful as they seem. 
The first half really had me hooked. Amber is a terrible human with terrible views on life but it’s very interesting to read from her point of view justifying all she’s doing to this married woman in order to steal her husband. She thinks she’s more clever than anyone around her and is going to use her skills and assets to make this married rich man fall for her and give her the life she thinks she deserves. 
The second half sorta went downhill for me. I can’t really go into detail because it would spoil the twist but let’s just say it became very over the top at times, depressing often and much less believable in my opinion. 
I still enjoyed the read and got through it pretty fast due to my interest in wanting to see what happens so I still think even with the flaws it’s a solid 4 stars.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Bullying, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, and Physical abuse

taytayjordan16's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Gun violence, Infidelity, Body shaming, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, and Terminal illness

clara_017's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.25

This book was very interesting. I needed some time to get into the book but as soon as I reached part two I finished the book in one setting. Personally I think part one was a bit to long and also going to well but  I still enjoyed it. Especially part two was very gripping. Also I think part 3/the ending was a bit to short but that’s just my opinion. But if you like books with loveable characters this is not it. Particularly part two made me hate characters so much I nearly dnf this book since I like books with loveable characters. Nevertheless the story is interesting and I enjoyed the plottwists at the end.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Torture, Emotional abuse, Rape, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse

lindsayvale's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Abortion

kimnicol's review against another edition

dark 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? It's complicated

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Infidelity, Infertility, Body shaming, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Domestic abuse, Violence, Rape, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Classism, and Child abuse

meggenlee's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.0

If you enjoyed The Talented Mister Ripley, you will probably enjoy this book. Entertaining though ultimately forgettable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Toxic friendship

Minor: Death of parent

heyimberbie's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Ableism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Fatphobia and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Abortion

kelly_e's review against another edition

dark 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

3.0

Title: The Last Mrs. Parrish
Author: Liv Constantine
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 3.0
Pub Date: October 17 2017

T H R E E • W O R D S

Fast • Twisted • Unoriginal

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Amber Patterson is sick of being invisible, and wants more for her life, so she concocts a plan to get what she wants.

Daphne and Jackson have a what appears to be the perfect life: a beautiful home, two lovely daughters, and lots of money.

When Amber befriends Daphne, soon becoming her closest confidante, it's all part of her master plan. She wants money, power, and most importantly, Jackson Parrish for herself. But something from her past has the potential to blow her plan to pieces.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I added The Last Mrs. Parrish, the debut novel from sister duo Lynne & Valerie Constantine under pen name Liv Constantine, to my 2022 Summer TBR Bingo board because the cover screamed summer. I decided to tandem read the physical book while listening to the audio. Marketed as a thriller it's definitely lacking the thrill, and is more of a domestic drama with some very unlikeable characters, and in all honestly and I found the narrator's voice lacking.

Told in three parts from Amber and Daphne's perspectives, I was hooked in part I (Amber) as the plot built slowly with Amber's devious and manipulative ways but I figured out where the story was going by the time I got to part II (Daphne), which was less engaging and got a bit repetitive circling back to places I'd already been in part I. By the time I got to Part III by interest had waned and I just wanted to finish. I will say that I was somewhat satisfied by how it wrapped up, but it was definitely nothing special. What really frustrated me was I'd have liked to know more about Jackson and his past.

At the end of the day, the writing was straightforward, the plot was fairly predictable, and the addictive draw of glamour and power is something I don't overly enjoy, With all that said it was just okay, and felt like something I'd read before, and definitely had no reason being 400 pages.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• domestic thriller enthusiasts
• fans of The Silent Patient

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Everything had begun with such promise. And then, like a windshield chipped by a tiny pebble, the chip turned into deep cracks that spread until there was nothing left to repair." 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Gaslighting

Minor: Rape, Chronic illness, Abortion, Forced institutionalization, and Pregnancy

abusive language

thereadingsaint's review

dark mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship

lindehoffman's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dysphoria, Misogyny, Rape, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Bullying, Sexism, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Dysphoria and Pregnancy