Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Deal by Elle Kennedy

17 reviews

macwiththemic's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny tense 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

2.0

*spoilers!*

I did not enjoy the majority of this book. Giving it two stars because I liked the two main characters and found their backstories interesting, but how was this book published in 2023 and didnt come with a list of trigger warnings? I honestly thought a lot of the detail they went into regarding her history with SA, and his history with domestic violence could have been more nuanced, or again a trigger warning could have been issued at the beginning of this book. Look up the trigger warnings before reading this book. They don’t just mention these things, they go into a fair amount of detail. 

ALSO: maybe this is just a result of her trauma, but Hannah slut shames so much in this book. Little to NO personal growth other than “oh yay he’s helped me enjoy sex again” happens to make her realize that maybe she shouldn’t call people who enjoy casual sex sluts???? Like Jesus Hannah. 

On a less serious note, did this author or NONE of the editors ever play music? No wonder they didn’t really dive deep into Hannah’s studies or performances or rehearsals. Some of the things they say regarding the music she is rehearsing are just incorrect. Not that this is a super serious issue where you’d need to be an EXPERT on music to write about it or enjoy her story, but like come on. I mean I’m not an expert on hockey but let me tell you I don’t read this book for the hockey if you know what I mean. 


2 stars because I appreciate the depth given to these characters even if I think the lack of trigger warning is ridiculous given the subject matter and detail in some of these chapters. I did read this on my kindle so maybe in other versions there are trigger warnings? 

Idk if I’ll read another book in this series. Who am I kidding I probably will. Thank god these are on kindle unlimited. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

nagisasigh's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

2.25

listen, the writing wasn't good and it was incredibly predictable. that being said, it was cute and im giving an extra star for the hillary duff style locker room barge in.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

readbykatherine's review

Go to review page

funny lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

vj_thompson's review

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted sad 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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lilyyyy_b's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring tense 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? It's complicated

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

fromjuliereads's review

Go to review page

funny hopeful inspiring 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

3.0

I struggled a bit with some of the more toxic masculinity but I did really like the characters and the plot developments. There were just some lines that gave me the ick a bit. But it was a quick read and I enjoyed it!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

annabananadel's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-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

5.0

“And the most important lesson I learned is that I’m not a victim—I’m a survivor.” 

I had so much fun listening to this audiobook to the point that I listened to it for the whole afternoon after listening for it a bit the night before. The main characters are so loveable, I adore them and wish every happiness for them. It's my first time in a long while to have read a book that involves a sport. I love how in the middle of reading this, I remember the last sports/hockey book I read - The Love Story by Erich Segal which was pretty long time ago, maybe a decade already. And I remember how much I loved it and how much I love this. So I guess there is something about hockey players that makes a great romance book, eh? Anyways, I love it so I can see where the hype is because I RODE IT happily. 

Story-wise, it's actually something that I wanted to know what happened afterwards because I sat in front of my PC for hours just so I would know what would happen afterwards. I love how they started + how they got together + how they had their happily ever after. I love the antagonist too since you really have to hate on him for what he'd done on both MCs. I love their bickering too! I think that's one of the main reasons why I wanted to stick around and just get to know their story. Garrett is the type of guy anyone would love to have as their partner. Not just because he's handsome and has great pecs but because he is honest and someone who would never betray your trust. He's someone who gives and does not mind not getting anything in return because he just wants you to be happy and nothing else. Hannah, on the other hand, is someone who's been through so much and in her words, broken. But that didn’t distract her for being herself. I find her brave for being so strong all those times and braver for asking someone’s else in overcoming her traumas. Thank you, Garrett, for being such a responsible boy for taking care of Hannah.  

Where was this when I was in college so I’ll be motivated to find myself an athlete? (Edited: wait what? This was a 2015 book? Why was it only now popularized?????) 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

missgarceau's review

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

3.25

I think if a book is going to contain details of SA/Domestic Abuse & Mental Health Disorders- an author TW forward would be appreciated.

This is a “pool book” & maybe 2/5 spice or about medium spice.

It’s about what you’d expect for a college sports romance. It’s was a quick read. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

thatbookbitch's review

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kristiebookshelf's review

Go to review page

dark emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings