Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Stopover by T.L. Swan

8 reviews

hobbit_96's review against another edition

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The MMC is so toxic and rude. I liked Emily and the spicy scenes but Jim/James is just rude, controlling and manipulative, plus he keeps secrets (part of the manipulation). I don't know how Emily puts up with him. I think she's dickmatized and calls that love. He's just horrible and reminds me of previous partners I was in an abusive relationship with.

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kb33's review

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emotional 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

3.0

The first half of the book I didn’t like much. It’s written like their sexual attraction was so strong they couldn’t resist, regardless of how it hurt them. They argued constantly and treated each other horribly. 

Then Jameson flips a switch and decides to be with Emily, and suddenly they’re sweet to each other and it’s a nice romance. Until the 3rd act breakup, where Jameson is horrible again. I don’t know how, but they get their HEA and if you can believe it, it was pretty sweet. 

Then next book is supposed to be about the nice brother, so I’ll give it a try. 

TW/CW details about infidelity 
Jameson had an agreement with his ex fiance. While long distance, they could sleep around but couldn’t get serious with anyone else, and they were going to get fully back together after five years of Claudia working her dream job in London. Emily didn’t know anything about that arrangement until they’d been together a few weeks. Jameson broke it off with Claudia and then told Emily. There is also a side character who found evidence his boyfriend was cheating (all off page) and struggled to end the relationship.

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calicat42's review

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challenging 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

2.5

I really struggled with the rating. I LOVED the little mystery side plot that was happening, and honestly wish that was the focus of the book! I was much more invested in that storyline! Unfortunately, the toxicity in the relationship was a bit too romanticized for me. Also, I hate rich guys who think that they are entitled to the world just because of their status and power. Nothing romantic about that! 

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pix's review against another edition

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  • 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

I fucking hate Jameson Miles

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didiana24's review

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

4.0

This is the kind of book you have to be prepared to read and to be in the right mindset to get through it. Both main characters have their own flaws, in fact, the MMC is a walking red flag, and half of the time you don't understand their reasonings or why they do what they do. That's why I think is necessary to have a clear mind and be prepared to hate but also cheer for Em and Jay. 
When I read this kind of book I detach myself from the real world, because I know where my morals, values and believings are set, I just decide to ignore them in fiction and enjoy this kind of toxic, morally questionable, divorced-at-first-sight stories.
If my friend was in Em's situation I would book her a flight to Australia and put a restriction order for the emocional abuser asshole that is hurting her. 
That said, the plot of the leaked info and the rivalry with the other family is good. Maybe I would have liked that extra touch of drama including the paper that the rival family had in all of the mess that happens with the company. 
Also Jay is a total asshole, every time he opens his mouth you want to punch him in the face. Not just for his need to control everything she does and everything she is, but for his rudeness with Em, his humor changes and the way he hurts her time and time again. 
I think she forgives him too easily, even if she tries to resist and at certain times she is kind of conscious about her situation, in a way, she ends up doing what he orders. He forces her to make a final decision in just a couple of days after all the suffering. I mean, who wouldn't have massive trust issues with his constant changes of personality?

Anyways, the sex scenes are fantastic, the author aces them and walks you perfectly through the emotions the characters feel. 
In conclusion, even if my previous words suggest the opposite, I really liked the book and I think is a really enjoyable read to disconnect and let go of some steam (not pun intended). 

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bookilydo's review

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2.0

This is sort of a textbook billionaire romance. It was not my cup of tea because the MMC is a huge asshole, and the FMC, against her better sense, returns to him over and over and over again. I can see why others would enjoy the book, but it just was not for me. I'm undecided if I'll keep up with the series.

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amberlinanderson's review

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

3.0

Things I liked:
The storyline in general.
There were parts that made me laugh out loud.
There were parts that were really hot.

Things I didn’t like:
Jameson called Emily a bitch way too many times.
The fact that they went from loving each other to hating each other every single day that they were together until the last chapter. The toxicity of this relationship is not for me.
I enjoyed Aaron and Molly’s side stories (until Aaron’s got just as annoying as Emily’s), but we received no closure. Those loose ends were not tied up. I’m hoping that gets rectified in the following books. I’m planning to give book #2 a try at least, but if it’s the same dynamic, unfortunately I’ll have to stop there.
This is meant to be an age gap book, but Jameson acts like he’s a 20 year old man child, so there’s that.

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nushreadsbooks's review

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emotional
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0


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