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Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'
She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott, Alyson Derrick
179 reviews
zaesbookshelf's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A classic enemies - friends - lovers will always be a fun read for me, especially when it’s sapphic in a very authentic way (I mean — the two female authors are married and basically wrote themselves). There were lots of moments that had me laughing, the characters were very easy to enjoy. I also enjoyed the portrayal of what toxic partners look like and how that affects the thoughts/self-value of someone, it read authentically.
That being said — I wish it dug just a bitdeeper than it did.
It’s not until almost halfway through the book that we really learn anything deep about Molly (other than that she’s extremely shy & socially anxious); but some hard information about Alex was given very early in the story. Honestly, I feel like this book would’ve been 5 stars if it were all told from Alex’s POV (and maybe a surprise chapter or two from Molly’s) because that’s pretty much how it felt like we were getting information — learning about Molly as Alex did. So it wouldn’t have felt as lopsided for me.
Also - sticking to the “this should’ve just been Alex POV - we get to see her life and the hardships she deals with more than Molly. Even after learning what Molly has dealt with, it’s pretty short, while Alex’s continue through the story.
Finally, I wish the pining started earlier. They both write each other off pretty early. I know they are both focused on their perspective partners — but I mean, come on, at least make it seem like they are initially physically attracted to one another??Their first big “wow she’s attractive” staring at each other moment is in the dressing room while they’re getting changed in chapter 20. Twenty!!!! Which is why I cannot classify this as a slow burn, because there simply just isn’t a lot of burning.
All in all - this was a cute, fun book. I get why people really enjoy it - and I did - I just wanted a bit more detail to enjoy.
That being said — I wish it dug just a bitdeeper than it did.
It’s not until almost halfway through the book that we really learn anything deep about Molly (other than that she’s extremely shy & socially anxious); but some hard information about Alex was given very early in the story. Honestly, I feel like this book would’ve been 5 stars if it were all told from Alex’s POV (and maybe a surprise chapter or two from Molly’s) because that’s pretty much how it felt like we were getting information — learning about Molly as Alex did. So it wouldn’t have felt as lopsided for me.
Also - sticking to the “this should’ve just been Alex POV - we get to see her life and the hardships she deals with more than Molly. Even after learning what Molly has dealt with, it’s pretty short, while Alex’s continue through the story.
Finally, I wish the pining started earlier. They both write each other off pretty early. I know they are both focused on their perspective partners — but I mean, come on, at least make it seem like they are initially physically attracted to one another??
All in all - this was a cute, fun book. I get why people really enjoy it - and I did - I just wanted a bit more detail to enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Addiction
Minor: Car accident and Racism
islaeggs's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
julee_melii's review against another edition
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Car accident
Minor: Racism
ameliag_reads's review against another edition
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism, Drug use, and Drug abuse
sammyb's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Alcoholism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, Panic attacks/disorders, and Car accident
a_ticcy_tapinella's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
absolutely amazing, the ending sealed the 5 stars for me. Definitely enemies to lovers and slow burn (imo).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
aryelee's review against another edition
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
4.5
Loved this! The dual POV worked very well for this story, and I adored the main characters. Alex and Molly had a bit of a Meet-Disaster, and quickly went into annoying each other at every opportunity as they pursued relationships with other girls. The development of their relationship from hesitant friends to very close and falling hard for each other was so fun to read and I loved seeing how they made each other better, working on their flaws.
The secondary focus on mother-daughter relationships was very well written. Alex and her struggle with her mother's alcohol addiction added a lot of depth to her character and life, as well as a heartfelt depiction of how addiction can tear apart families and the strength it takes to seek help. And Molly! Her anxiety paired with her mother trying to take charge and accidentally controlling her life, smothering her, and making her feel shame for her Korean heritage -- the strength it takes to speak out against a beloved family member is treated well and I related a lot to her.
Also, the fake date? The coaching on flirting? The trust they feel when they get closer, feeling at home with each other? What a love story! I adore these two and it was so nice to read such a lighthearted and hopeful book.
The secondary focus on mother-daughter relationships was very well written. Alex and her struggle with her mother's alcohol addiction added a lot of depth to her character and life, as well as a heartfelt depiction of how addiction can tear apart families and the strength it takes to seek help. And Molly! Her anxiety paired with her mother trying to take charge and accidentally controlling her life, smothering her, and making her feel shame for her Korean heritage -- the strength it takes to speak out against a beloved family member is treated well and I related a lot to her.
Also, the fake date? The coaching on flirting? The trust they feel when they get closer, feeling at home with each other? What a love story! I adore these two and it was so nice to read such a lighthearted and hopeful book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Toxic relationship
takarakei's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
- WLW friends to lovers
- new to college life (freshman)
This one read a little young for me, but I think it's perfect for college-aged people! I think both main characters were well described in terms of their past and how that has affected their relationships (or lack there of). Molly was a bit of a struggle to read as her anxiety is overwhelming (to her), but knowing people who struggle with that level of anxiety I can understand it. The plotline of Alex helping Molly overcome this anxiety to ask out her crush was cute. Overall if you're the right age for this one I think it's generally a cute read, it just wasn't personally a fav for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Car accident, Emotional abuse, and Racism
Minor: Abandonment
Alex's mom is an alcoholic which is a very constant stressor for her. Molly suffers from some pretty severe social anxiety which she works through the entire book. Molly's mom struggles with internalized racism.deleore's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Addiction
Moderate: Car accident, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Xenophobia
celestialg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Cute!!!! Clean sapphic enemies to lovers romance. Suchhhh a slow burn! Too young for me but very sweet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Addiction, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism and Emotional abuse