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Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
19 reviews
amerikanerin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Minor: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Homophobia
beforeviolets's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
TW: sexual content, sexism/misogyny, lesbophobia, death of mother (past), death of father (past), grief, death of S/O (past), toxic relationship/abusive relationship (past)
I know I'm not the first to say this, but this book is so much more than a spicy romance novel. I mean, do NOT get me wrong, the spice is fantastic, but there are incredible qualities to the work beyond that.
Throughout this story, we follow two incredibly well-written, complex, and powerful women learning to take up space and assert their importance in their relationships, in their work, and in their lives.
Misogyny is a theme constantly handled on both smaller and larger scales, exploring topics like the erasure of women within the sciences and the history of invalidating more "domestic" and "feminine" artistries.
I also find it fantastically ironic that this book only exists within the form of a mass market romance novel, a form that is often labelled as "cheap" or "trash" by self-proclaimed "intellectual" readers. Its state - whether intentional or not - comments on the way we as a society view work catered to women as lesser than. Only by defying the misogynistic societal judgments of romance books is it possible to even consume this work, making the reader feel connected to the experiences of the characters and relating the messages of this book to our own realities.
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Lesbophobia
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
wordwilderness's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
cgn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Sexual content includes BDSM-style power play/submission that is not discussed but is welcomed by both characters.make_believer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Sexual violence
yvonne_cl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol, Death, and Genocide
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This historical romance has layers on layers. It's a sapphic love story that deals with coming out to yourself and to others, as well as readjusting your view of the world by breaking free of common, false understandings of relationships. In this story, we find the countess Catherine St. Day, widowed and glad to be free of her husband, even as she struggles to find a new purpose outside of funding and supporting his scientific expeditions. We also get to know Lucy, who stood in and outgrew her father's shadow but finds her career options in astronomy limited after his death.
This warm, heartfelt love story covers the trials of building a relationship in secret that ought not be treated as shameful or unusual, but society paints it so. It's about seeing your own potential and reaching for it. It's about the magic of science and of art to show us pieces of ourselves, others, and the universe. It's about how those big questions concerning who we are and our place in the world should be open to everyone, not be dictated and pruned by some pompous white man.
And at the heart of it all, this is a lovely read with a satisfying romantic arc from attraction to true connection. I enjoyed it immensely and would recommend it to anyone.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Biphobia, and Death of parent
_roctopus_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
womanwill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism