Reviews tagging 'Body shaming'

If You Ask Me by Libby Hubscher

5 reviews

aroberts's review

lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.0

I’m thankful the author gave us the ending we all wanted for Violet. However, I do think the social issues currently going in in the world were kind of thrown into the book to have the topics covered rather than playing a pivotal part of the character’s development and storyline. This made it feel really awkward and clumsy at parts. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infertility, and Miscarriage

Minor: Body shaming

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

izziepng's review

emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

SPOILERS AHEAD YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED






I enjoyed this book and really have no notes tbh

Well except one and it was  “damn your moving on quick ….. well i mean he moved on quicker technically” and that was after Violet and Dez kissed 

( i think dez is a dumb name sorry to anyone names dez) 

i say that as if anyone reads my review like girl calm down your talking to your self here 

i told my mom i think the name dez is dumb (completely forgetting she has a coworker named dez) the conversation went like this
 Me- the name dez is dumb
Mom- 
Me- 
Mom- 
Me- ** realizes**
Mom- i’m telling her
Me- 😐🙁
Mom- Well is it short for Desiree
Me- No it’s just the dudes name D.E.Z
Mom- Well that’s a dumb name
Me- **Flabbergasted because i just said that and I WAS A BAD PERSON when i said it**

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Infertility, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Alcoholism, Death, and Body shaming

rupanjali's review

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Infertility

Moderate: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death

Minor: Body shaming, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse

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