Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Arden Grey by Ray Stoeve

5 reviews

dododenise's review

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emotional sad 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

This book pleasantly surprised me. I went into this quite critically, since I had a lot of criticism about between perfect and real. Add to that the sad themes, which I don’t really enjoy. But the prospect of an ace mc got me here and  I’m glad I read this! 

The book beautifully illustrates what abusive relationships can look like and how different people cope with them. I was quickly attached to Arden and just wanted the best for her. Her slowly learn to understand what has happened and is happening was wonderfully developed. My heart ached for her as she continued to fall for a long time. 

I also adore ace rep. It was done well. This book shows just one kind of being ace and just barely hints at more possibilities, but I think it’s fine. The book is valuable in the asexual sex repulsed representation that it gives. 

I would have wished this book to go more into healing. Since it is already short, I think it would’ve been nice to add more of Arden and Jamie grow out of what happened to them. Their experiences will follow them for the rest of their life and finding healthy coping mechanisms takes time. Therefore, giving the healing theme more time would’ve been nice. 

All in all I’m amazed with how much care this journey was told even with so little time. It didn’t feel rushed (until maybe the end) and allowed itself to sit in the moment and its emotions. 

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mxbluet18's review

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emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted sad 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? No

5.0

Trigger warnings for Arden Grey include: abuse and mentions of self-harm.


In regard to representation in Arden Grey, there is an asexual lesbian main character. A trans male side character. A minor Latina character, and a minor Black character who is also asexual. 
~
I picked this up after seeing a couple of reviews for it and reading the synopsis, and I got it from an independent queer bookstore. Probably the biggest factor in me picking it up was the fact that there is a trans male side character and an asexual lesbian main character. Even from just reading that it had those characters I felt a connection to it. And that's only become stronger as I read it and was introduced to the characters and saw their developing personalities. And while the queer elements of the story are something I enjoyed, there are other characters who drew my eye as well, ones who had just as rich a development and who I feel I know on a deeper level than that of characters.
~
I have so many feelings and emotions about this book, but O don't really have words to put any of it down. So I'll say this instead, while I can't really comment on how accurate the experiences of abusive relationships in the book are, what I will say is if you feel like something happening isn't right, firstly, tell someone about it, don't try to deal with it by yourself in silence. And secondly if you are able to, give the relationship space and yourself time to think and find out if those things are abusive, and get out in whatever way you can.
~
And on a less serious note, this is quite honestly one of the best books I've ever read, and definitely the best I've read this year.

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anniereads221's review

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0


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betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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challenging emotional 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

 Thanks to ABRAMS Kids and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Arden Grey to review! Stoeve’s debut, Between Perfect and Real, was one of my favorite reads of 2021, so I was excited to get to this one! I’m happy to say it lived up to my expectations. 

Where Stoeve really excels is at writing their characters. Not only is Arden a fully fleshed out character, but the secondary characters are as well. Especially as Arden explores her sexuality and tries to branch out from her friendship with Jamie. The shifting friendships and relationships are extremely relatable for high school, and Stoeve just nails teenage-hood overall. Almost everything about this book felt like an authentic teenage experience.

The examination of toxic relationships also feels authentic, and it's such an important topic to include in teen books. Even if their friendship was a little on the rocks, Arden was still willing to be there for Jamie. And his relationship allowed Arden to see some of the darker sides of her relationship with her mother. These are such important issues to explore in teen books, and Stoeve did it with grace.

My only complaint is that the pacing could have allowed the story a little room to breath. Slowing down some of the moments would have allowed even more space for the important issues that Stoeve touches on.

All in all, this is a lovely book that looks at identity, relationships, and high school. Definitely pick it up when it comes out later this month! 



This is a quick read, and feels very authentically teenagery. Stay tuned for a full review to come later this week!

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kaylaphaneuf's review against another edition

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2.25


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