Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Releasing 10

Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Releasing 10 by Chloe Walsh

185 reviews

mariaelvestuen's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is by far the hardest book I’ve ever read. It took me some time to get through it because of some of the disturbing things mentioned. I know many people have strong opinions of how graphic it is, and I can understand why. BUT, In a way it was right. We needed to hear Lizzies story that naked and vulnerable.

Let’s start with Liz. What a beautiful girl who was failed by every person in her life. No, I CANT defend everything she has done in the past books. But, let’s all be honest, that girl deserves much better. Her way of being is perfectly easy to explain when we know all of this now?!? The things that were happening to her made me sick, and I felt it so deeply. Her sister??? Her parents??? Her friends??? Where were they?

Hugh, the man you are. The ONLY person who ever stood by Liz. I can’t describe how beautiful his soul is. He saw Lizzie, really SAW her. I get why he had to walk away in the end. He had to be able to grow up on his own for a while. He devoted every breath to Liz while he was trying to become his own person. Their relationship fell on his shoulders every single time, and that’s not fair. I love how mature he is, and he deserves happiness. BUT, he will be back with Liz again. Nothing else is acceptable, I’m sorry 🤨

All in all, this was one in a kind book. I hope the next one gives Liz her good ending. I REALLY hope everything about her gets out to the people close to her. She deserves an apology from the world. Hugh, i really hope you get all info on Liz. Maybe you will forgive her.

Content Warnings

jorunnaasbo's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional sad slow-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

Content Warnings

bribreez's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense 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

5⭐️

*Check Content/ Trigger warnings before reading

I think out of all the books within this series, this was the one that not only made me cry so much, broke me down multiple times, but it also opened up my eyes to Lizzie, and all that she endured. I’ll admit, I was definitely one of those people who weren’t the biggest fans of Lizzie, especially in the previous book (IYKYK). Now, reading Lizzie’s story as well as Hugh’s, I got to learn all the nitty gritty details that went all the way back to Lizzie’s childhood and all the way to her being a teenager. If you’re doubting the amount of emotional damage this book is going to cause you, I’m here to tell you it most definitely will. With that in mind, I would strongly urge you to read the content/ trigger warnings before reading as like majority of the books in this series deal with heavy topics.

I feel like I always say, “from the moment I started reading…” but I truly mean it when I say this story made me sob within the first couple chapters and my eye wasn’t dry during reading. Lizzie’s story from the beginning detailed all that she experienced and without giving away spoilers, she endured A LOT. (Sigh) I feel like reading Lizzie’s point of view made me see how she felt throughout the different parts in her childhood and even the moment when she lost her innocence. I’m so use to seeing the Lizzie from the previous books with all her anger, but to see her when she was younger and had her moments of levity and adorable bluntness was a different side to see that was precious to witness. As you could imagine, reading Lizzie’s story, I learned just exactly what went on in her life as well as certain details that explained why she was the way that she was. Lizzie wasn’t malicious, she didn’t have “tantrums” for the sake of wanting attention, there was a reason for it and once you find it, it’ll break your heart but also allow you to understand Lizzie on a deeper level.

For all the trauma and heartbreaking things I read in this book, there was still moments of laughter and lighthearted moments that made me smile which was in part to Hugh and some familiar faces. Never fear because, Chloe Walsh did manage to bring some much needed laughter and joy when it came to Hugh and the rest of the gang curtesy of Gibsie, Claire, and Feely. There were moments that truly made me laugh out loud when the wild shenanigans all the characters got into even from a young age of them trick or treating and getting caught trying to egg Old Murphy’s house to summer trips, and spending time together. Honestly, some of the interactions (if not all) between Claire and Gibsie in this book reminded me why they are so loved by everyone (including me) and I wished I would have gotten a bit more of that special spark we’ve always seen a bit more in their book. Now, when it came to this book getting to see Lizzie and Hugh as kids when they formed their friendship to later them becoming a couple was so sweet and heartwarming to witness. Hugh was such the perfect gentleman and seeing the moment he asked Lizzie to be his girlfriend was precious! I very much enjoyed seeing Lizzie and Hugh together as they became a couple and further deepened their bond.

With all that happened in this story, it was a minefield of emotions, a rollercoaster that had me going through the highs and lows of both Lizzie’s life and Hugh’s experiences alongside Lizzie too. There was never a moment when my heart didn’t feel like it wasn’t breaking over what I learned about Lizzie’s life. Before this book, I quite honestly didn’t like Lizzie AT ALL, and I didn’t know what exactly to expect when I read this book. Needless to say, Chloe Walsh didn’t hold back on revealing the truth of Lizzie’s life and the trauma she endured behind closed doors. To anyone who isn’t a Lizzie fan, give this book a chance, you’ll be surprised by what you learn as well as broken down into tears by everything you read. I cried, I was heartbroken, and downright angry at everything I learned in this story. (Sigh) the more I read, the more I was unable to stop reading, and my heart went out to both Hugh and Lizzie. By the end, I was just sad by everything (sigh) it was a lot to take in. Each story in this series has been full of heavy topics, but this felt like the heaviest one of all with the traumatic things that went down. I think after this book, my love for this series is undoubtedly stronger and I fully understand why so many people love these characters as I too love them wholeheartedly. Having read this book, I have a better understanding of Lizzie and I won’t be quick to judge her so easily as before. Hugh was such an endearing character and my god, that young guy went through so much as such a young age. Hugh always behaved older than his age, but regardless to do what he did at his age was brave and a testament to the type of guy he was which was, caring, helpful, strong, loyal, and above all else always there for Lizzie NO MATTER WHAT. I can only imagine that Lizzie and Hugh’s story isn’t over based off the ending and I cannot wait to see what else Chloe Walsh has in store. This was an instant five stars, despite the emotional toll it took on me, it had my gripped, understanding and despite some minor frustrating times with Lizzie, I loved her. I also loved Hugh, he was incredible. Highly recommend!

Content Warnings

hendyl93's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional sad tense 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

Content Warnings

jay25's review against another edition

3.75

This is packed with trauma and there were some plot holes I noticed from the the other books. Still, it was a good read and gave a lot of answers and understanding for Lizzy. I do think the author spent way too much time on their childhoods and trauma to the point it felt like overkill. I think we still could’ve gotten enough without risking “telling instead of showing” with 200 pages less. The emotional maturity of the kids was difficult to believe at times.

Content Warnings

goldfishandstars's review against another edition

4.25

dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

Content Warnings

sky2024's review against another edition

3.0

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

i got bored in the middle of the book sine i don’t rlly fw lizzie n hughie but the end picked up a little

Content Warnings

hollierose_'s review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

ememememmemememem's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I, personally, didnt really mind reading them but in the previous books Hughie came across as a very bland and boring character with no outstanding characteristics, he was just... kind of there with Feely. And Lizzie, well...
But, I ended up liking and understanding them.
Something that I didn't like was how graphic was this book (I didn't really mind at the end) and it's definitely not for the weak.

Content Warnings

whitesj2's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

This is a challenging read due to the subject matter so please be sure you are well aware prior to reading. There are graphic descriptions of child SA, self-harm, etc. That being said, this is such an important installment in this series. I had a very low opinion of Liz (specifically in regards to how she treats Gibsie) prior to reading her back story. Her story is absolutely heartbreaking to say the least. Hugh is such a stand-up guy, I just adore him. I am rooting for a Lizzie redemption arc for sure. They both deserve a happily ever after!

Content Warnings

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