Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

97 reviews

quillyreads's review

medium-paced

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

2.0

This sounded promising based on the premise, a contestant on a reality dating show having a forbidden romance with a showrunner.

Sadly, it just wasn’t for me. 🫠

There were some nice elements, but a lot I couldn’t forgive. Porticularly the portrayals of Charlie’s anxiety and panic disorders, and Dev’s depression. I know these are complex, varied conditions. But to me, it felt stereotyped and unrealistic. But, it was good to see some representation for two guys that struggle with mental health conditions, support each other, and eventually seek the help they need to start recovery. 

It just feels a shame that so much of the plot relies on miscommunication (or complete lack of communication), and there is little character development until the close. 🤕

Felt like a bit of a slog tbh!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness

Moderate: Vomit, Ableism, and Cursing

Minor: Blood, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content

alyxinthestars's review

emotional 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism and Mental illness

Minor: Homophobia

thatsssorachael's review

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted sad 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism and Mental illness

Moderate: Sexual content and Abandonment

Minor: Homophobia

cozy_tea_reader's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I really liked the idea of the book it being set around a hetero-normative reality dating show. I think at times it felt like I loved the idea of the book but often felt like the writing didn’t live up to the potential and that the representation of mental health often fed into stereotypes - especially the portrayal of OCD. 

While I was glad the characters got their happy ending it felt like as a reader we were robbed from seeing a proper conclusion to Dev and Charlie’s romance.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexism, Vomit, Homophobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Misogyny, Child abuse, Racism, and Ableism

Minor: Eating disorder and Sexual assault

The book heavily discusses the mental health of its main characters and while I agree this should be de-stigmatised I don’t think this was a good representation of mental health problems particularly OCD.

yasidiaz's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

Dev Deshpande lives in fairy tales. Charlie Winshaw does not. So what happens when Charlie becomes the reality dating show Ever After latest star? What happens when Dev has to help him fall in love with the contestants and instead finds himself falling for him?

At this point, everyone must know how much I love a good romance and this is no exception. I fell for Dev in the first page, I fell for Charlie from the second we saw him. I don’t think no story will be able to beat my OTP (do people still say OTP, I feel old), but fuck do they get close. I yelled so much for these two idiots and I just love them so much. 

Honestly, if finishing a book leaves screaming, hugging the book, and having to process everything for 10 minutes then it is a sign of a good book.

There are both too many and not enough words to describe the experience this book gave me. Seeing the two of them not only fall for each other but grow into better people because the other people made me sob several times. However, I also loved the book's emphasis on platonic love and that romantic hetero love is not the one out there, or the only one we should all strive for. Not only did we see Charlie and Dev fall in love, but we saw new and old friends love each other in such beautiful ways.

In advance, I apologize if this review feels like a rant. It’s almost 6 am, but I had to write this for my babies. I just had to.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Ableism, and Mental illness

Moderate: Biphobia and Sexual harassment

Minor: Toxic friendship

toofondofbooks_'s review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcoholism, Ableism, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Misogyny, Biphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Acephobia/Arophobia

mabellene's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful sad slow-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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Biphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Ableism

Moderate: Toxic friendship and Bullying

Minor: Vomit

kuroshiro_35's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Mental illness

Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, and Child abuse

Minor: Alcoholism

wallaru's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

4.5

It was really fun and low stakes! I took off half a star because the language characters used caught me off guard a few times (too clinical) but overall it was really fun

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness

Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia and Homophobia

Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia, Homophobia, Ableism, and Lesbophobia

Books that make you think about buying oatmeal bodywash

foxmochi's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful sad 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Biphobia, Ableism, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders