Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Out of Love by Hazel Hayes

20 reviews

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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: Complicated

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emotional funny reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was emotional and funny, The Last Five Years and One Day combined as well as just it’s own unique heart

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emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

An interesting subversion of the typical romance plot where they don't end up together in the end, but rather they end up breaking up in the beginning... The story is told in reverse chronological order, reviewing the entire history of their relationship, from breaking up for good to their first meeting, and I found it really cool to hear the bits of flashback that essentially act as foreshadowing for what bits of the story we get next. 

I listened to the audiobook version and the narration, by the author herself, was really good too. The prose is very poetic, to the point where I may have found it too flowery for my tastes were I reading the book with my eyes, but hearing the words read aloud was a very pleasant experience, and I found her Irish accent very relaxing as well. 

I did find it a little annoying how the main character doesn't seem to have a name: every time Theo refers to her, he calls her Angel, which could be a name or just a nickname. And while the ambiguity is kinda clever + fun, it feels a little forced at times, with a few situations where it's hard for me to imagine her not introducing herself by name. 

Also, a few things I'm dissatisfied with, 
the details about her ex seem to come out of nowhere in like the last third of the book, how
no one seems to address that she was probably raped by Claudine.
And there were a few other times where it seemed like the narrator had inconsistent opinions (like her feelings on wanting/not wanting kids), almost as though each chapter was actually about a different version of her. I'm sure the inconsistencies were realistic, but it was a little hard for me to follow when exactly she changed.
Overall I'd still recommend it.

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny reflective slow-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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny 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

I've been a fan of Hazel Hayes for years now, so when I heard that she was writing a book I was ecstatic to say the least. When I found out that the audiobook was narrated by the woman herself, I just HAD to listen to it. This isn't my usual type of read. I'm not usually one for romance, but I don't mind it now and again. 
This is a love story, but told in reverse. It explores the love and loss of a woman who once thought her world was coming together, only to have it suddenly halt when her relationship comes to an end. This is the story of someone who reflects on her life from the breakup, up until the very start of the romance. It deals with hard topics, showing how one may process harsh truths and tragedy, as well as exciting new experiences and happy memories. 
I loved the way it seamlessly moved across time periods, and although the main characters life isn't extraordinary, it made the story relatable and hard hitting. 
Hazel Hayes has a way with words, but not only that, her voice is perfect for narration. The main character is also Irish, so Hazel's natural accent suited the character perfectly. I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook if you are interested in giving this one a go. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

shitting, crying, reflecting

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