Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

3 reviews

roget's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective 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

4.25

I’m convinced this novel started out as a Dramione fic with a thoroughly fanon Draco (secretly supportive and kind; not canon Draco) but that is neither here nor there.

The first 25% of this book is a brutal, ripping betrayal. The piling on of a thousand, horribly unexpected and yet completely believable developments in the end of an 18 year relationship. She’s completely thrown and the absolute breakdown of her trust is gutting to witness and experience.

(I had to process through a long, emotional talk with my partner—that’s how impactful this girl’s breakup is.)

But then, slowly, you start to see the cracks in the former relationship as she does. A breakup that seemed to come from nowhere shifts into seeming something inevitable, given the quality of the relationship, which eventually turns into relief that she got out of it. 

You grow to accept and hope better things for her as she does. I cried and laughed multiple times, and the dialogue is often excellent. Superb voice, and a generally incredible read that does not shy from angst in an often-fluffy genre. Hurt-comfort is top notch. Not lighthearted, but a satisfying close. 

So poignant, you’d think it was really fantastic fanfiction. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Infidelity, Abandonment, and Misogyny

Moderate: Cancer, Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Classism, Drug use, Child death, Racism, and Sexual content

Racism is mostly depicted in brief microaggressions; adult/child relationship is tagged for a short but impactful repressed memory of a dangerous interaction the protagonist had with a predator as a child.

zombiezami's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

This book was written in a charming way. I typically hate the third act conflict in romance novels since you always know they're going to end up together in the end, but I actually thought it was well-done here. I also thought it was a good choice to just focus on one protagonist's perspective. The book was predictable, but in a comforting way. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, Infidelity, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Cancer, Sexual content, Child death, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, Pregnancy, Sexism, Vomit, Terminal illness, Eating disorder, Confinement, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Cursing, and Pedophilia

Minor: Car accident, Racism, and Fire/Fire injury

drewlessard's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Infidelity, Cancer, and Child death

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse