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nikrib's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
CH books read like a high school project & an aspiring author. Where is the depth to these narratives? Why are the plots always good in theory but then the execution falls terribly flat? These books aggravate me, yearning for even an ounce dynamic character development. Why over saturate the narratives with numerous sex scenes? Are all CH books smut? ‘Verity’ was suppose to be a thriller? Perhaps this book read as a thriller to those who aren’t avid thriller fans.
Other reviews mention that this book had great twists. What twists? This narrative was predictable & severely underwhelming. It seems the positive reviews stem from readers who are shocked of the subject matter & let that hang over them for the entirety of the book. Just because an author writes controversial topics does not make the narrative automatically shine. Where is the world building to immerse readers? Where is the sufficient depth of themes & motifs? Where are the relatable characters or even likable characters?
I found myself flipping back & forth in the book due to the plot holes, contradictory writing, poor descriptive language, & plot jumping. This book was by no means difficult to read, it reads like a YA, which is how the other two CH books I read also are.
Lastly, the endings to these books. I’ve never shut the back cover of a book & then wanted to re-read the last chapter again & again to ensure I did in fact not miss anything. Why are the endings so unfulfilling? There are far better ways to weave in traumatic experiences into a narrative where the reader feels empowered by the end to seek help or finally fix/leave a situation, but instead we’re left gripping the pages & shaking the book in frustration. What on earth is the moral of the story with all this problematic misogynistic female to male relationship dynamic?
If you read CH books like a campfire story instead of a novel, all is well. If you’re reading this review & are a fan of CH, more power to you & I’m genuinely glad you enjoy the books. I gave it a go & will be returning to my Stephen King TBR pile. Cheers!
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, Self harm, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Car accident, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, and Sexism
breezy17's review against another edition
1.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Car accident, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Chronic illness, Sexual content, Vomit, Abortion, Body shaming, Violence, and Pregnancy
yourlocalredpanda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, and Child death
Moderate: Abortion, Car accident, and Violence
Minor: Misogyny
trishrva's review against another edition
Graphic: Child death and Death
Minor: Misogyny
madalina0_0's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Abortion, Terminal illness, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Murder, Vomit, Violence, Addiction, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Death of parent, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Infertility, Medical content, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
revolutiondeathsquad's review against another edition
- 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
0.5
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Miscarriage, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Child abuse, Child death, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny
ladylucy22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Ableism, Blood, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Cursing, and Death
pam_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Car accident, Child death, Abortion, Blood, Child abuse, and Death
Minor: Ableism, Grief, Pregnancy, Violence, Medical content, Misogyny, Fatphobia, and Infidelity
coolkid's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
As is, though, this book is average at best. Lowen is very unlikable. Verity was a much more interesting character - and, as always, Hoover's shaming of motherly women who like sex remains a constant.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Self harm, Death, Child death, Pregnancy, Murder, Mental illness, Child abuse, Misogyny, Infidelity, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Car accident, Suicide, Body shaming, and Vomit
Moderate: Drug abuse and Addiction
mimmixoxo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Gore, Ableism, Misogyny, Infidelity, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Blood, Violence, and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident and Drug use