Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

41 reviews

mels_reading_log's review

emotional funny hopeful sad fast-paced

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

5.0

Once again, Abby Jimenez has written a book that I couldn’t put down. I’m in love with the characters of this book, especially Stuntman Mike, and their lives that are not Hallmark-perfect. As someone who had terrible periods and had a hysterectomy when I was 30, I can feel Kristen’s pain and how hard it is to go through such a thing. But having a partner who loves you unconditionally and can help you get through those insecurities is imperative. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Pregnancy, Car accident, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Medical content, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Blood, Chronic illness, Grief, Infertility, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Miscarriage and Panic attacks/disorders

vperr's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Infertility, Sexual content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Car accident

Moderate: Mental illness

mkewart's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death, Mental illness, Grief, Infertility, and Chronic illness

lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

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

5.0

I am a diehard Abby Jimenez fan and her books punch me right in the heart every single time (in the best possible way)

I loved Kristen and Josh’s story, even if it frustrated me along the way. There were some elements that I wasn’t wild about. Kristen and the way Josh described her gave off “not like other girls” energy, which is never my favourite. The lack of communication also frustrated me, but I can chalk that up to Kristen wanting to protect herself (and Josh, even if she took that too far) 

But at the end of the day, I always enjoy my time reading this and I love Kristen and Josh (and stuntman Mike!). It always makes me excited to pick up Happy Ever After playlist so I can spend more time in this world 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Medical content, Infertility, and Mental illness

bookishspy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad medium-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

4.0

Who'd have thought a Josh could be this sweet?

I'm going to have a hard time rating this one, but I'll try. 

The first 80% of The Friend Zone was very much like your standard romance book. A stubborn FMC, a persistent alpha male MMC, and some issues and misunderstandings preventing them from being together.

This part was pretty frustrating at times. If these two could've just sat down and had a frank conversation like adults, they could've been together so much sooner. I understand not wanting to share this kind of thing firsthand, but personally, I felt this book went a bit too far with it. 

I did love Josh, though. He was sweet and thoughtful. A bit overly alpha male bordering on stalkerish at times, but that's pretty standard for a book boyfriend

Then, the last 20% of this book happened, and honestly, it hit too close to home for me personally. My own fault, I should've looked closer at the trigger warnings than I did. 

Objectively, it was well written, pretty close to accurate, and it definitely gave me feels. 

Overall, I did enjoy The Friend Zone. I may not read the rest, but if this was before my sister had her stroke, I probably would've really enjoyed it and continued 

➛ 𝟒 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Medical content, Chronic illness, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Infertility

Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Mental illness

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, and Miscarriage

lawoodworth's review

emotional funny hopeful sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I loved this book, such a rollercoaster of emotions, the anticipation, depth of characters, and love story was so great!! I laughed and cried with this one, definitely check the TW, I was not prepared for the depth of the complex issues/conflicts but it was so well done! #abbyjimenez #thefriendzone #fivestarreads

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Infertility, Death, Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Car accident, Chronic illness, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Blood

plueschi77's review

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death, and Chronic illness

hannahbrixton's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

This book was intense in a way I didn't see coming. I won't spoiler it but if you have medical trauma, consider that there's quite a lot of detail given in this book about a serious medical event and it was unfortunately quite close to something I experienced... so while I'm not triggered, it was pretty difficult to listen to and emotionally intense.

I loved the connection between Josh and Kristen but I felt like her steadfast refusal to be with him went on a little longer than necessary... even after they endured a traumatic event that should have been eye-opening, she stuck to her guns and it got a little frustrating.

The HEA ending was lovely for them and yet I would have liked to see it handled differently because it felt like the rug was pulled out from under the entire premise... I'm being vague on purpose so as to avoid spoilers here :)

The characters felt real, natural, and genuine and I loved the banter between the MCs. The writing was good, sometimes intense or suspenseful and emotionally evocative, which kept me listening and made it overall an enjoyable listen.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Cursing, Gore, Grief, Infertility, Body shaming, Body horror, Car accident, Chronic illness, and Sexual content

Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, and Vomit

Minor: Miscarriage, War, Infidelity, Violence, and Blood

pondquinn's review

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Death, Chronic illness, Infertility, Medical content, and Car accident

Moderate: Mental illness

sarahflanders's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Medical content, Car accident, Gore, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual content, Death, and Infertility