Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

When She Returned by Lucinda Berry

21 reviews

brisha's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

dang this book was wild but so good!!! i loved all 3 of the different perspectives. i also appreciate how author wrote this story without including super detailed descriptions of traumatic events (a lot of thrillers i’ve read have failed to do so)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Abandonment

Moderate: Sexual content, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Vomit

Minor: Self harm

yinzer_barbie's review against another edition

challenging mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Torture, Confinement, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Child death

doodlebeanz's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This book was great! I really thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I loved the cult aspect mixed with the domestic aspect. My only gripe was that I wanted to know more about Kate's psychosis and just how messed up mentally/emotionally she was. I also wanted to be a fly on the wall for

the phone calls between her and Ray,

that would've been really interesting to read. I think having a POV from Kate, maybe for the last chapter or just throughout the book, would've been REALLY interesting. I would've loved to see the story and how it all transpired (post-escaping, once she was home) from her own mind's eye. I probably would've preferred that over Meredith's POV at most points, tbh.

The story could be a bit slow at times and a bit triggering, but over all, it was definitely a fun ride! I have officially found another auto-buy author in Lucinda Berry and I cannot wait to read her other books that are available on KU!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Torture, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Grief, Mental illness, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Blood and Gore

Minor: Animal death

keriseabby's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

4.25

 

An unforeseen turn of events transpires as a mother and wife inexplicably disappears, only to resurface 11 years later in a startling condition, accompanied by a mysterious infant. This unexpected development plunges the family into disarray as they endeavor to reconstruct her distressing odyssey. Concurrently, the involvement of the FBI adds a layer of protection and scrutiny, unearthing a labyrinth of concealed truths. Narrated through alternating timelines, this captivating narrative sustains suspense until its stunning conclusion, ensuring a riveting and unforgettable experience for the audience.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, highly recommended. I will definitely be exploring more books by Lucina Berry! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Violence, Torture, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Child abuse and Sexual content

faithsbookreads's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

2.0

This book was extremely predictable & had a lot of plot holes. When I finished the book, I was actually surprised because I felt like the ending was just so off??? it felt unfinished. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Self harm, Miscarriage, Murder, and Physical abuse

mmarquis1158's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense 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

5.0

Wow. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I had guessed just about every scenario for the plot twist except for the actual plot twist! I was shocked. Finished in 3 sittings which is very fast for me. Such a good read

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Torture, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Murder

Moderate: Pregnancy, Gun violence, and Medical trauma

Minor: Vomit

midnightrose_reads's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

When She Returned by Lucinda Berry is a taut psychological thriller about a woman named Kate, who returns after being missing for 11 years; and who may or may not have been in a cult. Told in alternating timelines and with different POV’s from Kate’s husband Scott, from their daughter together Abby, Scott’s new wife Meredith, and Kate herself in a past timeline. A wild ride!

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo, Lauren Ezzo, and Amy McFadden.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Medical trauma, Blood, Torture, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Vomit, Violence, and Grief

Moderate: Addiction

Minor: Sexual content

kiirsttyb's review

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, and Kidnapping

mrb123's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Torture, Slavery, Rape, Self harm, Death, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Gore, Infidelity, and Violence

toxxicwasste's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Physical abuse, and Confinement

Moderate: Medical content, Rape, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Mental illness