Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Real Deal by Caitlin Devlin

6 reviews

izzyproudfoot's review

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

roseleaf24's review

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

If Ballet Shoes or Theatre Shoes were a reality show in contemporary times. Belle grew up on a show that was a docuseries about six girls in training with a star trying to turn them into someone famous in the London performance world. This book is Belle slowly telling the whole story, while trying to convince herself and others that her trauma was real. I found it gripping, but there are many trigger warnings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, and Homophobia

nicole_switzer's review

emotional relaxing tense fast-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

4.25

I got The Real Deal as an ARC from Amazon prime. I didn't think I would like this book. I have never been into reality TV, but thought I would give it a read anyway and I do not regret it!

Caitlin is an amazing writer. This book hooked me from the get go. She created insane dramatics throughout, complex characters, hilarious moments and a great twist at the end!

I only give books 5 stars if I want to read them a second time. Although I don't want to read this book a second time, I will be recommending it to everyone I know.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Child abuse

kaelynmerrithew's review

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? It's complicated

2.5

This book was just so boring and predictable. The premise was so promising, especially with the dual timeline, but nothing interesting was done with it. I thought it would at least be juicy but honestly the whole thing just came off as disjointed with inconsistent characterizations and unfinished thoughts. Disappointed in this one. :(

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Outing, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, and Gaslighting

Minor: Death of parent and Toxic friendship

sstewart89's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Eating disorder, Drug use, Bullying, Outing, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, and Cursing

Moderate: Death of parent

noblecharley's review

challenging emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Brutal, but good. Like the main character, it starts out much happier and naive, but you slide more and more into the darker side of this emotionally abusive relationship between adult mentor and child mentee, although neither is even fully aware of it. I flew through this. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Body shaming and Gaslighting

Minor: Outing and Death of parent