Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

If You Ask Me by Libby Hubscher

3 reviews

infjkiki's review

emotional 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Infertility, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Body shaming, Miscarriage, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Car accident, and Homophobia

lnzava's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Misogyny

Minor: Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Homophobia

allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-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

3.0

If You Ask Me shines a light on a woman going through a major, life-altering transition. It's a shift that seems 100% terrible at its inception (the end of a 12 year marriage when Violet walks in on her husband and another woman), but ultimately leads to a lot of growth and even happiness. Violet's rage and letting go of her perfect, poised image was a freaking delight. She sets her cheating husband's valuables on fire in the street, rear ends her sanctimonious mother-in-law, and writes some biting responses in her advice column. She also makes some mistakes on her forced journey of self-discovery, ones that teach some valuable life lessons. 

The book deals with some heavy topics from infidelity (of course) to infertility and miscarriage, loss of a sibling (in the past), panic attacks (on the page), sexual assault, and brief mentions of racism and homophobia. A big theme that I don't know how to sum up in one word is the pressure to have a picture perfect life, to seem happy, to look put together and rely on no one. These aspects of the book were thoughtfully addressed and had a satisfying arc as Violet comes to terms with toxic aspects of her life (very much so including her erstwhile husband) and looks to the future. 

This is a romance novel, and there is an expected degree of attention given to that part of the story (fyi it's fade-to-black for those who shake their fists at such a tease). Dez is a kind and supportive love interest, a welcome change from Violet's past. This part of the story was perfectly fine but lacked the emotional oomph of the other story elements, in my opinion. It's a whirlwind romance, something that makes Violet uneasy at times because it's so unexpected, and largely uncomplicated despite the surrounding fallout of Violet's life. I didn't find anything problematic or upsetting (whew), but I didn't end up terribly attached to the love story. 

This is a reflective piece of fiction depicting important challenges while offering a light at the end of the tunnel. It's a worthwhile read. Thanks to Berkley for my copy to read and review! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity

Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy

Minor: Homophobia, Abandonment, Body shaming, Car accident, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexual content, and Sexual assault