Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall

6 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

cait_107's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Emotional abuse

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!

littlelizzieborden's review against another edition

It was emotionally exhausting and infuriating 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Cancer, and Infidelity

Minor: Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, and Cursing

wornpagesandendlesscoffey's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-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

2.5

Always thankful for the ARCs I receive, and this is my honest review. I am certain there is an audience for this book, one that will adore it and make it their entire identity. I am not that audience. I want to first say, the marketing here was super deceptive and I was almost immediately disappointed. Nothing about this story was "Gilmore Girls"- literally, nothing. There was a huge chunk of Practical Magic in there, so much so it almost felt like the same story, adjusted. It wasn't a bad book, it wasn't poorly written, but the false marketing left me with a horrid taste in my mouth for the book. I love Gilmore Girls, I named my child after the show and watch it once a year (at least), so I was thrilled to have a book that had that vibe. This book wasn't that at all, There are also a mountain of triggers and no TW of any kind, the dynamics of the grandmother felt off, the way everyone treated the main character was shady and bad, and worst of all

the female main character had to sacrifice her magic and her identity for a man. Lorelai would *never*.

The conflict was rushed and the resolution was sloppy. Every character treated the FMC like she was loved for how she made them feel or how she was useful to them, her boundaries were ignored or pushed past by nearly everyone, and have I mentioned the massive triggers. SO since the author didn't include them, a few to note are death, abandonment, toxic relationships, magic bypassing consent, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt, cancer, manipulation, gaslighting, murder, and relationship abuse- this is not an exhaustive list by any means but someone should put it out there.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Grief, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Murder

merricatfromblackwood's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

2.5

Every Revelare has a curse. It’s the price of their magic. Sophie’s is that if she suffers four heartbreaks she’ll lose her magic. She’s already had her heartbroken twice. She’s happy to close herself off and run her bakery with her grandmother. 

A whimsical book that mixes Practical Magic family magic and curses with the small town charm of Stars Hollow. I loved the world building but do wish we’d seen more of the town. This is also a hetero romance which is not normally my thing. 

Trigger warnings for: Suicide attempt, death, cancer, murder, cheating.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Murder