Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall

3 reviews

fancyjess_party's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

0.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Body shaming, Infidelity, Ableism, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

hello_lovely13's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

2.5

This was an extremely mixed bag (and I’m glad I read this via the library and didn’t spend any money on it). The overall vibe of the book was well done, very cozy, but I did have a problem with the writing. There were many instances where you could tell the author was trying really hard to make the writing atmospheric by adding too many unnecessary descriptive words, such as something along the lines of “the air was crisp like my apple pie”. It was a bit annoying. I love flowery writing, but this felt forced. Also, there were a few times where there were pop culture references that made me cringe (I.e.: her wanting appear cool when she was angry and saying to herself “conceal, don’t feel”…give me a break). Not to mention that I hated pretty much every single character (and you’re not supposed to!!!!!). Let’s start off with Sadie: she’s supposed to be the lovable, relatable people-pleaser that we root for, but she makes so many decisions that either annoy or enrage me.

One of the main things that completely turned me off from her character is that she literally STOLE her ex’s dog and NEVER gave it back. Yes, initially it was a misunderstanding, but then she goes out of her way to hide it from him once she realized who it belonged to, changed the dog’s name, and the two of them just joke about this???? Girl, give him his fucking dog back.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Suicide attempt, Cancer, and Death

Minor: Drug abuse, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Murder

ehoustonmyatt's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

1.5

This had potential to be so fun, even with darker themes. It, instead, focused on things that weren’t important and whizzed past the reveals that were supposed to be big. The Bethany of it all was very stereotypical and predictable, the love interest sucked, and it dropped some big dark themes too casually and not very thoughtfully. Also, the diversity included seemed like a performative afterthought. 

It’s sold as a “cozy” read that feels like Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic but it didn’t deliver any of that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Abandonment, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Minor: Infertility, Mental illness, Abandonment, Drug use, Addiction, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Terminal illness

Hey, no dogs or cats die so I guess that’s one win!