Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella

5 reviews

lleer's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

3.75

I expected this to be mainly romance, but the romance wasn't as present as the family dynamics in the story. I wished there was more about the romance, and that we saw more about Fixie and Seb, cuz the blurb makes it seem like that's the case. 
The ending was wholesome but kinda rushed. 

Regardless, the book was so so fun to read and very enjoyable. Definitely recommend. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

katrinaward's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

elle_laine's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny 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

2.75

The main character of this book was a complete pushover and I just found myself getting angry over her decisions throughout almost the entirety of the book. It was almost difficult to finish. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ashleynewman's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted 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? Yes

4.0

Sophie Kinsella books on audio are like crack to me and I can never get enough. Are all her characters entirely one-dimensional with a single flaw that defines their entire personality? Yes. Are all of her protagonists doormats with at least one dead parent? Again, yes. Are her love interests always broody business men with not much personality to speak of but fall for our heroine’s bubbly sunshine? Of course! Will it ever get old to me??? Probably not! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

livetgjennomb_ker's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging 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

0.5

Okay look, this book is clearly not for me, but in all honestly it shouldn't be for anyone. 
I started this book thinking it was going to be a fun little book and give me nice fuzzy feelings. You know, because it's a romcom. What it gave me instead was angry, spiky feelings. 
Fixie is a total and utter doormat. To the point where it infuriated me, multiple times. She doesn't gain a spine until more than a third of the way through, and even then its a mushy spine. In short terms; the protagonist spends the book being emotionally abused by the people around her, realises it, and goes out of her way to fix them because she's "quirky". give me a fucking break. 

All the characters (except for three of them) are completely flat until the last 60 or so pages, meaning the only bearable characters are Stacey, Leila and Seb. There are two points in my annotations where i've written "Thank GOD for Leila". Seb drinks enough respect women juice that i can get behind him as a love interest, and Stacey saying she's a stroppy bitch enamoured me. The rest of them I would like to yeet off a building.

Fixie 100% needed to process the grief of her father passing in a different way, possibly therapy, to help her realise that found family can be just as - if not more - important as blood ties. Also, why not FUCKING TELL JAKE that he ruined your life??? Like... i get not telling him while he's at work, but for christs sake. fucking hell. i'm so angry. Her family was so fucking toxic i cannot and will not deal with it. Her brother clearly detested her and FULLY went on an emotional attack, and her sister was a prime example of weaponised incompetence. Ned was just... i get why he's there, but jesus christ i wanted to punch him. 

The romance itself was cute, and I liked the idea behind it, it felt real-ish. Although i am salty about having to read about the bad sex with Ryan, and getting no description of the good sex with Seb. Also, Seb needs to go to horny jail for the hallway scene at the end. Inappropriate behaviour. That'll be all, it's past one am here, i'm going to bed. I can't believe I wasted my time on this book.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...