Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

How To Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams

30 reviews

lucyhargrave's review against another edition

emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.0

This was hard to rate because its a very quick and easy read but it covers some serious and dark topics - namely dosmetic abuse. The heroine, Naya, is still emotionally and mentally recovering from a previously abusive relationship when she meets the hero, Jake, and of course that has an impact on her developing relationship with Jake. Then her previously abusive boyfriend Davis comes back into her life and immediately starts the toxic behaviour from before. So I enjoyed it, I liked Jake and Naya as a couple - their relationship without all the external issues was easy and natural. But I doubt I'll re-read it due to the dosmetic abuse storyline.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Infidelity and Racism

savvyrosereads's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Rating: 5/5 stars

Naya is a college professor who decides to relieve stress from the possible loss of her job by having a one night stand that doesn’t go as planned.

I am writing this review from the middle of what has become a binge of Denise Williams books and I have zero regrets. This was my first title by Denise and I loved it so much—the nuanced way it dealt with domestic violence and trauma, the gorgeous unfolding of Naya and Jake’s love story, and the academic setting all combined to make this one a joy to read.

As a college professor myself, the depiction of Naya’s connection with her students (one in particular but I won’t spoil it) and her clear love of teaching and education made this book so deeply meaningful to me, but I think it will resonate with a lot of different readers. HIGHLY recommend.

Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: academic settings; one-night-stands gone wrong; stories of healing

CW: domestic violence (physical and emotional abuse); gaslighting; misogyny/sexism; racism; sexual violence; mentions of infidelity

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Infidelity

annahamburger's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Vomit, Alcohol, Cursing, Stalking, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Infidelity, Body shaming, and Fatphobia

ksuazo94's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism

Minor: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Infidelity

rickireadss's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

WOW WOW WOW. this is my second book by denise and definitely my favorite!! nia and jake just felt so real. like they were imperfect characters, their reactions to certain situations was just so human, and i loved them for it. i honestly wouldn’t change a thing about this book. each of their pasts made me cry ngl - especially nia’s. they were just so cute with each other - the back and forth was so funny and had me giggling and smiling while listening. the spice was phenomenal - jake could GET IT. 

⚠️: domestic abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, toxic relationship (fmc and her ex), gaslighting, misogyny, sexual assault (attempted), sexual harassment (workplace), racism, stalking, panic attacks/disorders, infidelity (not mcs), vomit

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Sexual assault

Minor: Misogyny, Racism, and Infidelity

sarah_thebooknerd's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-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? No

4.25

4.25 ⭐️ 
2.5 🌶️ 

CW: DV- graphic ( not btw the couple), harassment, sexual content, cheating mentioned with a side character

I really did love this book, the build to the relationship the way Denise discussed a topic that is not often seen in romance books- DV. 

My only issue with the book was the lack of working through the break up and how they communicated with one another. It was sort of overlooked with what happened to the FMC and I wanted more from them. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Infidelity

hannahkiwi's review against another edition

emotional funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Vomit

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Sexual violence, Infidelity, and Racism

ariana_m's review against another edition

emotional funny tense fast-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

4.5

4.5 stars. I really liked this. Despite the instalove/lust, this was really good and heartwarming. Naya and Jake were so cute. I loved their banter, I love how Jake never pushed her or judged her for anything, I love how patient he was with her. Their love was beautiful. I loved mostly all of the side characters as well. Naya was so strong for everything she went through with her ex and I truly admired that. In my opinion this highlighted domestic violence really well, especially the effects it leaves on people that have went through a situation like that. I really liked how the author displayed that throughout the book, whether it was in a subtle or big way. This was really good!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Physical abuse

Minor: Racism

onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense 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? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Violence, and Infidelity

bev3203's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Rape, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Violence, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Physical abuse