Reviews

Damaged Goods by Talia Hibbert

feliciasrose's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was good, but I also wanted more about Samir. The story didn't feel balanced when it came to his backstory with his family. We got some which was great, but I also felt like we didn't get enough about how he's worked on that other than him and his friend talking bluntly about their feelings with one another. But this was very sweet and loving. I also felt like scenes with her having her baby just fucked me all the way up as a mother. I'm hopeful that I'll find someone but also the reality of life made me feel like wow you lucky bitch lol...at times it felt a little far fetched that she found someone so easily and quickly but hey it's fiction lol

_annali_'s review

emotional funny reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

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

3.5

deevarr's review against another edition

4.0

I am happy that they wrote a book for this character. Samir was such a loving and romantic partner. I am so glad to see that they got their happy ending.

bookbuyingwithkatie's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

awelshgeek's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

yadira315's review

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ericawrites's review

4.0

I loved this second-chance romance. Hibbert knows how to embody her characters, and considering that Laura is pregnant, it's even more critical for the narrative. But Samir was just as embodied. These are two people whose romantic tension, touches, and kisses you feel. You also feel their love for Bump, and even without the 21-year jump forward in the epilogue, we know that Samir will father this kid, even if he's not biologically related to him.

This is a novella, and if I wanted anything, it was a bit more about Samir's life with Laura (like why a cafe?) and more about Laura's friendship with Ruth, given how Laura bullied Ruth. I needed a little more accountability because it is interesting that Laura was a bully and assisted in Ruth's abuse, even though Laura was one of Daniel's victims, too.

Samir jumping into the ocean to "save" Laura was a classic hero move, especially when she didn't need him, and I was worried that she might have to save him. I can't wait to read more of this series.

Note on the cover: Samir is of Moroccan/Italian heritage and is described as having amber skin and wavy dark hair, so I don't know who that man on the cover is.

beansbookclub's review against another edition

4.0

this whole series has me in a CHOKEHOLD.

foxholelibrary's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

3.75

I received this novella for free when I joined Talia Hibbert's newsletter--how nice!  As always, Hibbert's writing here is funny, heartwarming, and sexy, and I really enjoyed the story even though I hadn't read any other Ravenswood novels.  Hibbert always handles her darker content really carefully, domestic violence and parental abuse in this case, but do read those content warnings before getting started with this one, as these characters are working through some really heavy traumas.  The only reason I'm not giving Damaged Goods four stars is that it doesn't feel particularly memorable to me, though I do think this read would have had more of an impact on me overall if I had read Ravenswood #1 first; I may read that eventually and then return to this to see if my rating changes.

mklynch27's review against another edition

4.0

This one is what is. It’s Talia Hibbert so obviously I love it for that reason but it doesn’t touch the level of the other ones in the series for me