Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey

4 reviews

uranaishi's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, and Sexual content

Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Grief

Minor: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death, Classism, and Toxic relationship

lakinglaze's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

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

1.0

This book was not my cup of tea. I had problems with the characters, the characters’ actions, and the ideals presented in this story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Sexism

Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, Stalking, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexism, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, and Cursing

annahamburger's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Sexual content, and Alcohol

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Death

Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Self harm

cover2covertx's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

This was such a fun, sweet read! The style was very much in keeping with Tessa Bailey’s sweet but spicy trademark.

I really enjoyed the professor angle and the secret admirer letters. She also had a lot more character development in this one and I appreciated the male love interest having panic attacks and struggle with anxiety. Not only is this subject not represented nearly enough but I think it was refreshing to see the male lead struggle with it rather than a female character. It made his character very vulnerable and even more realistic and likable.

I know a lot of Tessa Bailey fans like myself were really excited to see her write a plus size character, but I will say that was one of the only things lacking for me. I feel like this could’ve been touched on a little more and at times it felt like she was being fetishized rather than celebrated, which can be a fine line to walk w/ a spicy plus size rom com. However, it was great to see that the MC was still comfortable in her own skin and didn’t equate her beauty with her size or talk about diets or any of the other stereotypes authors get into when they decide to write a plus size MC.

Overall, a really fun cute read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC to review! :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Fatphobia