Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead

45 reviews

rinakei's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Addiction, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

itzbrianna's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

In My Dreams I Hold A Knife is a tense and fast pace story of betrayal, murder, and revenge. Jessica Miller, the protagonist, is probably the most unlikeable main character I’ve ever had the experience of reading. Still, her awful personality did not take away from the story. In fact, it enhanced it. 

This book touches on classism, perfectionism, and misogyny intertwining it all into a deceitful narrative that will have you wondering who is telling the truth. Who killed Heather Shelby and why? 

If you enjoy fast paced mysteries with dual timelines you’ll enjoy this book. The dual timelines were my favorite part. The now vs the past and how it all interconnected by the end left me with a great appreciation for the editing and structure it took to make this novel. Ashley Winstead has found a fan in me. I’m excited to read her other works. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Classism, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Murder, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Blood

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Suicide attempt, Homophobia, and Stalking

cassroberts89's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

High, high drama. It’s a page turner for sure, but oh my goodness. Talk about some shallow, vapid characters. If you can suspend disbelief (like, why are any of these people even friends with each other??) and just tag along for the ride, this is a fun read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Bullying, Classism, Drug abuse, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Death of parent

zenbirdie's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

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

2.0

Narcissistic characters who connive and secret keep. Their hearts corrode from the inside. It is like reading an episode of Big Brother. Slight twist at the end was intriguing. Not my favorite read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Gaslighting

ginnypie's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.25

Got me out of a reading slump! I love dark unlikable characters! Honestly the pure hearted character was the only one i didn’t like . 

The pacing was wonderful i was so hooked i loved all the different characters and how i was transported into their mess. 

Such a good book. Will be reading again 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Classism, and Murder

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Addiction, Death, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault

Minor: Death, Homophobia, Abandonment, Eating disorder, Drug abuse, Addiction, and Drug use

sshpurple1's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I started out disliking Jessica Miller to the point that I thought I could not get over it and enjoy the story. However, Winstead did such a fantastic job writing a flawed person that I began to understand and sympathize with her. All the characters are shown to be written in a mix of being centered, ambitious, broken, overachiever, competitive, and authentic self-destructive people.

In the end, though I was not surprised by who the killer was, I found that I could understand Jessica, Coop, and the rest of the group.  I enjoyed this book and will be reading from this author again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Addiction, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Murder

Moderate: Drug use

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment/assault of a college student by a college professor.

sportman_917's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Violence

Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Addiction

Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault

yafi's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Blood, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Eating disorder, Drug use, Death, Classism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Addiction, Body shaming, Murder, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexism, Self harm, Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment

dee97's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

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

3.0

This book was quite different from what I was expecting. It was melodramatic and rather childish at times. The character behave like they are in school rather than grown up adults. Anyway it was fun, fast paced and overall a good time

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual harassment

booksofk's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I Just finished 'In My Dreams I Hold a Knife,' and what an exhilarating roller-coaster ride! As a first-time reader of this author, I was immediately drawn in by the darkness and suspense. The blend of a whodunit setup with a constant sense of impending doom kept me flipping through the pages.

I'm giving it a  4.5⭐️ because certain parts felt a bit predictable, yet the tense atmosphere and the author's writing style had me completely gripped. The main character was expertly crafted—relatable yet complex, adding a layer of depth to the story.

The book delves deep into our shadows and complexities, daring us to confront our darkness. It's a standout choice for thriller mysteries this year for me. Nonetheless, it's an enthralling read that will keep your thoughts engaged long after you've finished.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship