Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The No-Show by Beth O'Leary

175 reviews

melted_books's review against another edition

emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

I liked the rotating character perspectives, though the book felt just a little disjointed to me until about 75% of the way through. But I gave this 4 stars because that last 25% was incredibly emotional, and many tears were shed. I don’t often cry at books! Also, the romance setup in this book is rather unique, and it was nice to read something outside of the normal tropes! Without giving too much away, the way the characters’ lives intersect are a big part of this.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

flydorsch's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, and Dementia

Minor: Self harm and Grief

laurenvoice's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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

4.5

The blurb on the back of this book does not do it justice; there is much more to the story than it lets on!

The No-Show was filled with funny and heartbreaking moments, and the twist was spectacular. It was easy to catch on what the twist would be early on in the story. However, Beth O'Leary keeps the mystery alive with a few red herrings. Although The No-Show had some emotional scenes, the ending was full of hope and a lovely home-built library. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Self harm, and Grief

Minor: Toxic relationship, Dementia, Stalking, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Pandemic/Epidemic

bibeanenergy's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

This book truly did a 180⁰ on me. I started off not really enjoying it and finding it slow and frustrating. But in true

Beth O'Leary style, the No Show took me by surprise. Emotional mystery wrapped up in a bunch of grief, complexity and skilful unravelling all at once and a twist that made me care all at once about a story I was discomforted by for a while. Still want to give Joseph Carter a few tight slaps and years worth of therapy, but y'know.

Not my favourite of her books, but still a good read.
Too straight though. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Grief, and Sexual harassment

lindsay424's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

4.5

Spoiler-this is my favourite book by Beth O'Leary that I have read so far. The writing for this was extremely clever and I didn't see the plot twist coming. Once the plot twist was revealed it was clear what why one of the main characters was doing what he was doing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

nyree42's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

3.5

This starts off as the kind of novel where you don't understand what's going on and then start to hate the cheating bastard who appears to be leading three women on at the same time...

Or is he?

You might get immersed in the tale, hoping it's a revenge fantasy, waiting to cackle with glee once the philanderer gets caught in one room with all the women, who then realize exactly what he's been doing...

But wait...

At the last section of the book, suddenly the reader is thrown for a loop when they are shown that they were NOT reading the story they thought they were, nor is Joseph Carter the man they assumed that he was.

This is a character study about mysterious behaviour, miscommunication, erroneous assumptions and misunderstandings - all of which are incredibly annoying to deal with in real life while dating somebody. In this case, yes, it is primarily Joseph at fault for not explaining himself clearly, but the reader will be shown "why" he is that way so that they will have more sympathy. (You'll understand if you read it.)

Don't read if you don't like those tropes - but if you tolerate them, I promise that you will be treated to the happily-ever-after ending you'd hope for in a romance. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Grief, Stalking, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

nicksalex's review

emotional 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Miscarriage

chucks333's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Car accident

Minor: Miscarriage

cassienolan's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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

I found this book infuriating, but then all of a sudden I loved it - which is exactly what Beth O’Leary intended. I felt such a strong connection to the characters by the end and it brought up a whole lot of emotion. It is another beautiful book by the author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Dementia, Grief, and Stalking

tashab's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious 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: Death, Grief, Stalking, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Miscarriage, Dementia, Car accident, and Death of parent