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cmsmith's review
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
I could have done without the cheesy Rent and Lady Gaga bits, but overall a powerful story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicide, and Physical abuse
daniellereadslikealot_'s review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I 100% bought this book because of the title (Bad Romance by Lady Gaga is in my top five favorite songs of all time) and I knew it’d be an emotional book, but I was not expecting how much I’d love it. I think this is probably one of the best books on abusive relationships I’ve ever read. The subtle growing of Gavin’s possessiveness and control over Grace was masterfully done. It happens in a way that you don’t really notice until you REALLY do and then you see the rose colored glasses come off and the red flags are as bright as can be. I loved how the author showed Grace’s inner conflict and confusion, even at the beginning before things escalated and also once things came to that final straw. I thought the way the book highlighted how hard it can be to leave a relationship like this was so important. I do kind of wish we would have gotten more closure with Grace and her mom. I thought that storyline was really important and overall well done. Honestly this whole book is an incredibly important one that I think everyone should read (if they’re in the right mental health space for it).
CW: suicide attempts, body shaming, mention of an eating disorder, child abuse, emotional abuse, rape, suicidal thoughts
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Body shaming and Eating disorder
astralinkwell's review
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Gripping and important read about a young girl who’s trying to get out of a toxic relationship. It can be tough but I really enjoyed this book because you really get inside her head as it’s essentially her reflecting as she’s about to break up with him and we see why this teenage girl is so in love with him and will dismiss all the red flags and how her friends want her to break up with him as well as her toxic family. There’s a lot going on but you root for Grace the main character the whole way
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Stalking
kenziemac92's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
This book was very interesting. And really gave a deep look into an abusive relationship and the way one can lose themselves without realizing it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Rape
dxni's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't think there are any words that I can describe the writing as other than crisp and clear. Heather's writing was so profound that I couldn't put the book down 'cause I needed to know what the next sentence was.
This is a triggering book but so painfully accurate and realistic. There were moments where I had to put the book down and just sigh out of exasperation because it was emotionally draining (you've been warned!).
This is a story about getting out. The author begins the book from the end but takes us through the process of how everything happens and we get to see Grace fall in love with Gavin and come to the painful realization that everything is not what it seems to be. There's a sort of tension when reading the book because we the readers know that this is not a love story but we're just waiting (painfully, I might add) for the shoe to drop.
The friendship between Nat, Lys and Grace is the best thing in this book. The support system is so beautiful, I absolutely loved it!
This is the first book I've read from Heather Demetrios, safe to say I'm a fan now.
This is a triggering book but so painfully accurate and realistic. There were moments where I had to put the book down and just sigh out of exasperation because it was emotionally draining (you've been warned!).
This is a story about getting out. The author begins the book from the end but takes us through the process of how everything happens and we get to see Grace fall in love with Gavin and come to the painful realization that everything is not what it seems to be. There's a sort of tension when reading the book because we the readers know that this is not a love story but we're just waiting (painfully, I might add) for the shoe to drop.
The friendship between Nat, Lys and Grace is the best thing in this book. The support system is so beautiful, I absolutely loved it!
This is the first book I've read from Heather Demetrios, safe to say I'm a fan now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Rape
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
heather3106's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Body shaming, Mental illness, and Eating disorder
Minor: Drug use, Alcoholism, and Addiction
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