Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Hukkareissu by Beth O'Leary

170 reviews

dlrosebyh's review against another edition

emotional medium-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

1.75

Siobhan is a fiery life coach who has much too much on her plate. Miranda is a tree surgeon who is used to being treated like any other worker. Jane is a quiet volunteer at the local charity shop who has no self-esteem. 

 

These three ladies are strangers with only one thing in common: they were all stood up on the same day, Valentine's Day, the worst day to be stood up on. And, unknown to them, they've all been stood up by the same man. 

 

I was completely perplexed for the first 75% of the book. The book  moved so slowly. I had to look up the timeline, and one thing I'm thankful about is that there is no formal cheating in this story. The male protagonist was annoying and manipulative in my opinion. I can't believe I knew nothing about this man by the conclusion of the story. 

 

The plot was likewise rushed. Beth O'Leary basically had to cover three romances in under 341 pages. Another point is that until the 80% mark, this book isn't truly a romance novel, unlike what the market sold it to be. They're merely the lives of these women who were dumped by the same guy, as well as their "relationship" with him. None of the characters truly stuck out to me; they all seemed stereotypical and bland. 

 

Speaking about the characters, I found them to be really irritating. Tell me how I know 15-year-old teenagers who can converse with greater maturity than 20-30-year-old adults. They spoke like real toddlers, which I despised. You can't make me like characters I've hated for the previous 200 pages. You should've done it earlier. 

 

Many people advised me to stay for the plot twist component... But where had it gone? I'm not sure if it's because I consume so much media, but I actually predicted the plot twist and it wasn't shocking at all. It was the most transparent plot twist ever. It made me dislike the book even more. If you're going to create a plot twist, make it surprising so your readers will be fascinated. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Death, and Grief

Moderate: Dementia, Sexual harassment, and Miscarriage

imds's review against another edition

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Abandonment, Car accident, Death of parent, Dementia, Miscarriage, Self harm, and Sexual harassment

bxcvi's review against another edition

emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Dementia and Grief

Minor: Miscarriage, Car accident, Death, and Self harm

sophsg88's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Grief, Death, Gaslighting, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship

thatgirlkev's review against another edition

funny hopeful sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Sexual harassment, and Death

bookishjae's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Dementia, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Minor: Alcohol, Pregnancy, and Death of parent

drphillgucci's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Miscarriage

t_higgsreviews's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

4.75

4.75 Stars
CAWPILE = 8.96

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Infidelity, Death, and Stalking

Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy

my_a's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

The twist and ending really saved this book. I hadn't guessed the twist at all & once it was revealed I appreciated how clever the book was. But before that, I found the book quite boring, the characters seemed under-developed & the plot was slow and repetitive. A clever exploration of modern dating and trauma.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Miscarriage, Death, Sexual harassment, and Grief

jentrevellan's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Car accident, Death, and Grief

Moderate: Dementia, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Sexual content

Minor: Infidelity