Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Escandalizados by Ivy Owens

5 reviews

sly_'s review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Bought this ebook because it was under 5€, the description sounded intriguing and I wanted to dip my feet into the romance genre for a while. 
Somehow I didn't expect for it to be spicy/have smut in it. A lot of smut. The first 100 pages or so they do it 5+ times. Not the biggest fan of so much smut. Besides this though, the two of them had an interesting story, I loved the way they clicked and the dynamic Alec and Gigi had. Gigi's big story about the Jupiter club certainly was an interesting addition. Eden and Sunny both stole the show a little for me. Even though they had only smaller/minor roles. Seeing them interact with Gigi and what bonds these characters had between them felt real and precious. 
A nice, short read. Not sure if I would/will re-read it again though.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Minor: Sexual assault and Drug abuse

About the content warnings:

Gigi uncovers a story about a London Club called the Jupiter, in which woman were drugged and sexually assaulted in the VIP backrooms by the owners. One of the victims turns out to be Alec's younger sister and Gigi's former best friend Sunny. Her story/testimony is supposed to be shared as part of Gigi's articles reporting about the Jupiter. The act of the assault is never described but Alex recounts how he found his sister in the backroom, clearly drugged and also hints at her having been assaulted. There is also mention of another woman who didn't remember being assaulted but was approached with compensation for it.

bookmarkedbyal's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

4.5

4.5 ⭐️

I absolutely devoured this one!! I loved knowing that #IvyOwens is one half of #ChristinaLauren ! This was a super easy-to-read romance but I also liked the storyline behind the "scandal". It felt like there was more to the book outside of just the romance piece. My only issue was (believe it or not) a bit TOO much sex 🤣 Like I'm sorry but you break up and instead of having a romantic, heartfelt makeup, you just fuck? Just a tad hard to believe but I still overall had a blast reading this.🤍

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence

thatswhatshanread's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

Incredibly written, super juicy and entertaining, SUPER spicy. Take this book for what it is: fun, sexy, sweet. But it still has depth to it! A fangirl’s dream of a 2-week fling with a celebrity who used to be a childhood acquaintance, some great and gritty investigative journalism, lovable characters, a dreamy LA scene. A guaranteed HEA with a real story that led up to it, not just fluff. But oh my god THAT SEXY FLUFF!!!

Literally my only complaint is the couple on the cover makes this look like a YA romance—the characters are in their late 20s and early 30s. SO.

Otherwise… this book was WOWEE. You’ll be sweatinggggg oof.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing

Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Rape, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault

Minor: Stalking and Panic attacks/disorders

her_eyes_flashed's review against another edition

It was sold as a very lighthearted celeb romance, but I found the content of the article the heroine was writing (which drove much of the external conflict in the story and was the main thing throwing the couple together) was very upsetting. It wasn’t bad at all (super hot sex), but it was not what I expected.  

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Trafficking, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

The main character is investigating a story of organized assault at a nightclub.

It turns out her childhood best friend was a survivor of assault at the nightclub. I did not finish, but from what I read, the friend did not remember what happened because she had been drugged. So as far as I got (about halfway), there were no graphic descriptions.

jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

2.5

While the subplot of the book isn’t bad, of which is a story uncovering illegal activity in a club in london from the point of view of the journalist.  Unfortunately that is ruined by the fact that this entire book is essentially a wattpad/ao3 like smut fest. And honestly as much as I can appreciate spice just as much as the next person it ruined it for me. 

Truly a shame as the two MC’s are childhood friends reconnecting in the wildest ways so had it been more chill with the smut or maybe had a more direct focus on the story being uncovered by our journalist in the book I think it would’ve ranked higher with me 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment