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Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon: Mead Mishaps 1 by Kimberly Lemming
7 reviews
myceliamorel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Trafficking, Slavery, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: War
Minor: Child death
agentlesound's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Hmmmm. Fun premise; okay-written; boring romance and erotica. Would've dropped early on if not for the fact that I promised to finish it.
What I liked: black heroine, the "we found you in the trash" sibling jokes, Usha.
What I didn't: unnecessary plot points, instalove, the "everyone loves and joins the heroine cause she's so awesome and cool" trope, certain iffy behaviors from the hero disguised as romance. Cheese queen...
What I liked: black heroine, the "we found you in the trash" sibling jokes, Usha.
What I didn't: unnecessary plot points, instalove, the "everyone loves and joins the heroine cause she's so awesome and cool" trope, certain iffy behaviors from the hero disguised as romance. Cheese queen...
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Slavery
mackle13's review against another edition
adventurous
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? N/A
3.75
Overall, I found this book fun, silly and sexy.
Aside from the smutty parts, this book reads sort of like a D&D campaign gone awry, and I definitely found myself laughing in several places.
I did find myself rolling my eyes when Fallon was declaring his undying love and desire to marry Cinnamon after a whopping three days, and even though this is somewhat lamp-shaded and "explained", it was still a bit... meh.
Also, I loved Fallon, overall, I really did - but he was definitely a bit overpowered for the story. And a touch too willy-nilly about wholesale slaughter for my tastes...
But while I generally really enjoyed this story, and ate it right up, I did want to mention two things that were a little... troublesome?
Cinnamon is clearly attracted to Fallon from the outset, but has some moral qualms about sleeping with a demon, especially a demon who has declared said "desire to marry" when she was still feeling unsure about what she wants and what she thinks of him...
But there's one part where Fallon, despite Cinnamon saying no, starts to tie her up and says something like "let me take away your need to say no" or something, and something about "I'll be your villain", and while he does ultimately get consent before it gets too far, the beginning of this interlude is a little too squicky for me, and I didn't love this part.
The other part was when Fallon burned down an entire town. Yes, the town participated in slavery and yes, I'm sure there were a lot of bad people... but I'm sure there were also, like, children and pets and, dare I say, people who weren't aware that the demons were conscious beings and not just "animals" (because no one had any qualms about it if they were animals)...
And it's not Fallon burning the city down I have an issue with, per se, aside from the above issue of 'not slavers' being caught up in it, but my other issue is that Cinnamon, who is the one often stopping Fallon from randomly killing people, is like, well, they weren't nice people, so I guess it's ok...
Like, she has a second of a moral qualm, but then just rationalizes it aside, never considering, like, <i>children</i>.
So, yes, it's not perfect...
But, aside from those issues, I did overall found it a downright enjoyable romp, in more than one way...
Aside from the smutty parts, this book reads sort of like a D&D campaign gone awry, and I definitely found myself laughing in several places.
I did find myself rolling my eyes when Fallon was declaring his undying love and desire to marry Cinnamon after a whopping three days, and even though this is somewhat lamp-shaded and "explained", it was still a bit... meh.
Also, I loved Fallon, overall, I really did - but he was definitely a bit overpowered for the story. And a touch too willy-nilly about wholesale slaughter for my tastes...
But while I generally really enjoyed this story, and ate it right up, I did want to mention two things that were a little... troublesome?
But there's one part where Fallon, despite Cinnamon saying no, starts to tie her up and says something like "let me take away your need to say no" or something, and something about "I'll be your villain", and while he does ultimately get consent before it gets too far, the beginning of this interlude is a little too squicky for me, and I didn't love this part.
The other part was when Fallon burned down an entire town. Yes, the town participated in slavery and yes, I'm sure there were a lot of bad people... but I'm sure there were also, like, children and pets and, dare I say, people who weren't aware that the demons were conscious beings and not just "animals" (because no one had any qualms about it if they were animals)...
And it's not Fallon burning the city down I have an issue with, per se, aside from the above issue of 'not slavers' being caught up in it, but my other issue is that Cinnamon, who is the one often stopping Fallon from randomly killing people, is like, well, they weren't nice people, so I guess it's ok...
Like, she has a second of a moral qualm, but then just rationalizes it aside, never considering, like, <i>children</i>.
So, yes, it's not perfect...
But, aside from those issues, I did overall found it a downright enjoyable romp, in more than one way...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Sexual content, Violence, and Toxic relationship
mari1532's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
#23For23 (learn more at: https://www.23for23.net/)
After weeks of waiting, I was finally able to listen to this book through my local library.
Brief Summary: Cinnamon is a bit of a homebody. Well, she does love to go out with her best friend to the local tavern and to the market to sell her spices, but she is definitely, absolutely not someone seeking out adventure. However, one day after celebrating with her friend at the local festival she stumbles home drunk and accidentally rescues, Fallon....who just so happens to be a demon.
After Fallon makes his intention to kill an enemy that is not Cinnamon or her family clear, she is forced to agree to help him. As they set out on their adventure Cinnamon must grapple with her past and open herself up to new opportunities. However, what she doesn't expect is that by doing so she might also be opening her heart.
Thoughts: This book was WILD and I LOVED absolutely every single second of it. Lemming's writing was so entertaining and endearing. Cinnamon was everything I wanted in a main character. She was funny, introspective, kind, feisty, educated, and empowered. The way that she evolves throughout the book is so endearing. I also really loved how Lemming made her a real person. For example, when Cinnamon gets dirty on her adventures Lemming not only mentions that she bathes, but that Cinnamon is very unhappy with the current state of feeling gross. It's a little thing, but I find in adventure books things like that are often glossed over and it makes the characters in a book feel less human. This is just one way that Lemming's writing is so nuanced.
I also enjoyed all of the side characters that Cinnamon and Fallon meet throughout their adventure and Cinnamon's family back at home. Everyone had very distinct personalities and contributed something to the plot and friendship group. There were also quite a few instances where they provided some great comedic lines.
I did enjoy the relationship between Cinnamon and Fallon. It was sweet and entertaining. I do wish that we had spent just a little more time on the development of their relationship. There were a few times when it felt like things were being swept along due to the plot. The times when they were alone together were often steamy, but if there had been a smidge more in the emotional connection, I would not have been mad.
If you love fantasy romance novels or just romance novels I would highly recommend this book. It's heartwarming and entertaining
After weeks of waiting, I was finally able to listen to this book through my local library.
Brief Summary: Cinnamon is a bit of a homebody. Well, she does love to go out with her best friend to the local tavern and to the market to sell her spices, but she is definitely, absolutely not someone seeking out adventure. However, one day after celebrating with her friend at the local festival she stumbles home drunk and accidentally rescues, Fallon....who just so happens to be a demon.
After Fallon makes his intention to kill an enemy that is not Cinnamon or her family clear, she is forced to agree to help him. As they set out on their adventure Cinnamon must grapple with her past and open herself up to new opportunities. However, what she doesn't expect is that by doing so she might also be opening her heart.
Thoughts: This book was WILD and I LOVED absolutely every single second of it. Lemming's writing was so entertaining and endearing. Cinnamon was everything I wanted in a main character. She was funny, introspective, kind, feisty, educated, and empowered. The way that she evolves throughout the book is so endearing. I also really loved how Lemming made her a real person. For example, when Cinnamon gets dirty on her adventures Lemming not only mentions that she bathes, but that Cinnamon is very unhappy with the current state of feeling gross. It's a little thing, but I find in adventure books things like that are often glossed over and it makes the characters in a book feel less human. This is just one way that Lemming's writing is so nuanced.
I also enjoyed all of the side characters that Cinnamon and Fallon meet throughout their adventure and Cinnamon's family back at home. Everyone had very distinct personalities and contributed something to the plot and friendship group. There were also quite a few instances where they provided some great comedic lines.
I did enjoy the relationship between Cinnamon and Fallon. It was sweet and entertaining. I do wish that we had spent just a little more time on the development of their relationship. There were a few times when it felt like things were being swept along due to the plot. The times when they were alone together were often steamy, but if there had been a smidge more in the emotional connection, I would not have been mad.
If you love fantasy romance novels or just romance novels I would highly recommend this book. It's heartwarming and entertaining
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Slavery, Misogyny, Alcohol, Violence, Classism, Cursing, and Grief
analenegrace's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
read this for a book club and honestly thought it was pretty funny and silly until i got to the end of the book and Fallon essentially non consensually putting her to sleep and trapping her on the island for three months was a non-negotiable for me.
I like that it was clearly set in Fantasy South Louisiana, as someone from South LA.
The Worldbuilding was fun for the most part.
I like that it was clearly set in Fantasy South Louisiana, as someone from South LA.
The Worldbuilding was fun for the most part.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Classism, Death, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Slavery, Violence, and War
alishamegan's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Just what i needed in a reading slump when I was dnfing everything. Read it in 2 days. The things that wins is the humour! It was so FUNNY. I loved that the language is also super contemporary while the setting is medievalish. Makes it a breeze to follow and get through and incorporates gen z + millenial humour. I think I'll get the second in the series too (they are standalone but feature the same world). Loved the characterisation of the female MC!! Believable, 3D, funny, a grown ass adult woman (thank the goddess), thicc, curvy and brown skinned with pink dyed hair! loved the food descriptions and the cheese bit made me hungry for cheese (so then I read that part while eating some cheese and crackers - i recommend).
What i did not like as much was the No means Yes approach the male MC had to seggs. it isn't terrible but he's not winning any consent awards I can tell you that for free. I hate that, but it wasn't so bad in this book, it was more hit and miss. Male MC was classically morally questionable aggressive dude. Would have liked the violence toned down a tad. Also the whole overprotective thing that turns into possible confinement? Miss me with that shit. But thankfully that was not drawn out and was not actually so bad or against anyone's wishes (too much).
What i did not like as much was the No means Yes approach the male MC had to seggs. it isn't terrible but he's not winning any consent awards I can tell you that for free. I hate that, but it wasn't so bad in this book, it was more hit and miss. Male MC was classically morally questionable aggressive dude. Would have liked the violence toned down a tad. Also the whole overprotective thing that turns into possible confinement? Miss me with that shit. But thankfully that was not drawn out and was not actually so bad or against anyone's wishes (too much).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Slavery, Torture, Sexual harassment, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Toxic relationship, and Confinement
Includes a sprinkling of BDSM vibes (but not hard-core or anything) so if you're totally a no to a lil spanky spanky, dirty talk and soft tying up be cautious or skip the scenes (or book entirely).theirgracegrace's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A hilarious subversion of the classic villain and damsel dynamic. Cinnamon is just a simple spice farmer when she happens across a demon in the woods after a heavy night of drinking, but the adventure that she embarks on isn't exactly what she's heard in the stories (or any of us, for that matter!) The book rockets through to the climactic ending, and a happily ever after of an unexpected kind. A delightful read and definitely an author to watch!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Racism, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, War, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Genocide, Slavery, Sexual content, and Torture
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, and Vomit
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Addiction
From the inside of the book: "This book contains light BDSM, dub con, violence, mentions of sexual violence (no rape or sexual assault occur. It is mentioned in conversation.), and sexually explicit that could trigger certain audiences."
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