Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Happy Place by Emily Henry

24 reviews

willowlywillow's review

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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

nclausel25's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol

noellegrace8's review

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I did like this one despite a few things. First, it's centered around this party-like atmosphere that I just can't relate to, and it seems like Henry can't either. It makes it to where there's not a ton of interesting content where there is description about this friend group. There are definitely some funny and heartwarming scenes, but they seem like they should be happening to and filtered through young adults, like 18-24 year-olds (while they are all late 20s/early 30s). I like the themes of found family and moving on from a nostalgic past, but again, there wasn't much substance in their relationships. 

On that note, Sabrina is toxic and annoying. She does frustrating things or says mean/manipulative comments enough in the book that she actually didn't even seem like a good person to me.

Also, I was 70% in before I felt I wasn't confused anymore. I don't like the flipping back to the past thing, mostly because it makes it to where you don't understand the context of these 2 main characters' issues with one another and supposed reasons they can't be together. It did end up with a nice conclusion, but again, I'd rather have an enjoyable read for longer than have just an impactful ending.

I give Julia Whelan 5/5⭐️'s.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing and Alcohol

Moderate: Confinement, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

metaphorsandmisc's review

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol

Minor: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

sazzzberry's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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

3.5

I enjoyed this book but a lot of things prickled me. Some of the characters were a bit too self absorbed. Sabrina is a queen and I wish I had a friend like her. They are all far too unappreciative!

Some of it felt a bit too real to be comfortable, like Harriet's family, that hit a nerve.

Overall I feel the book was slightly immature but well written enough that I stayed with it. 

Didn't need the surprise pregnancy though, that was very unnecessary... not all happy endings have to have a baby.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Drug abuse and Alcohol

evelynnnn33333's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness

Minor: Cursing, Vomit, and Pregnancy

scifi_rat's review

tense medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol

Minor: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Medical content, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

kelisabeth's review

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

edietz22's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship

shelbylynnn's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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

This book was so unexpectedly lovely and everything I could ever want out of a romance.  I honestly was not expecting this to be a 5 star read but it ended up hitting me really hard. Idk if others would agree with my rating but I already know this one will have a special place in my heart for a long time. I genuinely think I read 90% of this with tears in my eyes. It was beautifully written and the characters were lovable and funny and felt like a real group of friends. I also always love an angsty slow burn romance and this one hurt!!

I didn't read the synopsis before starting this, it was just an impulse pick when I saw it was available and knew it was an author I wanted to try out. I immediately loved the writing but I was skeptical in the first few chapters because the pretending-to-be-a-couple trope felt like it could get cheesy very quickly. Instead it turned into a really beautiful story about meaningful friendships and what it's like to grow and change with people you love. 

So many aspects of this story resonated with me-realizing you've unintentionally drifted apart from your best friends as you've gotten older, struggling to find a career path and purpose in life, learning how to make yourself happy instead of relying on other people. This book really just hit me hard in the best way possible, (and also made me miss my friends SO much!!!) Def recommend for anyone who wants an emotional and touching story about love and friendship!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Death of parent