Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

39 reviews

cheryl1213's review

dark medium-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? Yes

2.5

Meh. I didn't feel very compelled to figure out the answers or really connected to the characters. Not bad per se, but just not much that drew me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Infertility

jessyhayward's review

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

I have mixed feelings on The Wives by Tarryn Fisher. Truly.

On one hand, it was a super engaging and suspenseful mystery and psychological thriller that made me question absolutely everything I thought I knew. I had no idea what was actually true half the time. I liked the main character and really, really felt for her.

On the other, though, this book is a terrible representation of polyamory, mental illness, and domestic violence — especially in the second half. If you are particularly sensitive about this, don’t read it. It was particularly jarring (and outright inaccurate) when it came to psychosis. I thought the ending, while indeed as shocking as it was meant to be, was unnecessary and didn’t make much sense. If it wasn’t for these factors, I would’ve rated it much higher because it was quite interesting otherwise. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Child death, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Gaslighting and Emotional abuse

Minor: Domestic abuse and Drug abuse

talyahonor23's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

2.5

Was actually really enjoying the books twists and turn and was excited by the idea that the man was the "crazy" one for once but oh no...it was the woman again. Plot was original but the ending was so boring and just like every other thriller.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Stalking, Grief, Gun violence, Infertility, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Emotional abuse, and Child death

elderwoodreads's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

3.75

I have to give this book credit where it is do, I definitely did not know what was going to happen next up until the final page. There were some minor typos I caught that broke me out of the story from time to time. Additionally, the story stuttered in a few places and I feel like it could have benefitted from one last clean up of some extraneous scenes. I did find it to be an engaging and entertaining read, and Fisher did a great job building the mystery. Definitely worth a try if you think it's up your alley. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, and Violence

Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Cursing, Grief, Gun violence, and Self harm

Minor: Drug use and Vomit

kshertz's review

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

This was an interesting mystery. There’s a lot of twists and turns. A few times I was frustrated with the storyline but it was definitely addicting. I think it’s an exciting read though I was not a huge fan of the ending and how it wrapped up but I still think it’s worth a read. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Infertility, Pregnancy, and Violence

readingtotravel's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

The whole exploitation of someone's mental illness turned me off to the book. What was a great book full od twists and turns ruined itself with a trashy ending.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Violence, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Stalking, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, and Medical content

Minor: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Murder

spinesandwines's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Really pulled me in, I was thinking about this even when not listening to it. The twist weren't incredibly predictable which is always appreciated. Kept me engaged until the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Abortion, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, Infertility, and Toxic relationship

lschuchman's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Miscarriage, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Child death, and Alcohol

alliedelexa's review

dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

this was my first book 2023 and it did not disappoint! this book left me feeling unsettled and not sure what or who to believe. a poster child of “unreliable narrator” 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Infertility, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Alcoholism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity

becca_w_'s review

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Body horror, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Medical content, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Physical abuse, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders