Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

O Ausente by Beth O'Leary

79 reviews

cinderellasbookshelf's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

This so was flipping good!! This is really more a mystery than a romance I feel, even though romance is a key part of the story.

There’s a lot of underlying themes about grief and mental health that was unexpected but handled with care.

The mystery of Joseph Carter kept me intrigued. At times though I was getting a little frustrated on how there were more questions than answers as the story got going that was I was beginning to lose interest a few times. I’m really glad I stuck with it, especially as I got to buddy read it with a friend, which I found helpful to keep going (it was fun coming up with theories as to what was happening, with my theory being it was a whole “Time Traveler’s Wife” situation). The more the story progressed though and pieces started to come together, the results broke my heart. 

This is really a book you have to go into blind because just giving the smallest detail or reaction is a spoiler on its own. I will say though, read it and read it to the end. It all comes to together quite beautifully.
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beatriks's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.0

Loved this book and would absolutely recommend it. It’s not a classic “modern romance” novel as I thought, in a way, although it is about love. The story unravels magnificently and absolutely draws you in. I loved all 4 main characters, and will read more books of Beth O’Leary. It has more depth than I had imagined. 

I don’t give it 5 points because of
Siobhan’s story arc with the terrible break-up and being a life coach helping others to heal while not having healed herself.
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personarobot's review against another edition

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emotional sad 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

This book is so much sadder than The Flatshare and The Switch. It's unexpected, and it really throws you off as you find out the truth.

Still a wonderful book, and it was a great emotional rollercoaster to be on. 
I also like that the ending matched the timeline of our own world too. 
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lunep's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious sad 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

4.0

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lovetlr's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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

Complex and a little hard to follow but excellent twist 
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macaronsandmermaids's review against another edition

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3.0

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amandaweis05's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

5.0

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leofro's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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astridrc's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

So, this was messy but in a good way. I knew there was a twist coming but I didn't expect this one, which is very welcomed to say the least. When it comes, you need a few moments to run through everything in your mind and put the pieces of the puzzle together. Overall, I really liked it and it's quite original, so good job Beth O'Leary. She hasn't disappointed me yet.
However, it did feel a bit long to me since we start getting answers like in the last third of the book. Also, I didn't feel Joseph's and Jane's chemestry that much? I feel like I should re-read it now that I know the whole story.
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epellicci's review against another edition

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

3.75

 My least favourite Beth O’Leary book. I was more interested in following the chemistry between Miranda and Aj than getting to the bottom of what was going on with Joseph for most of the book.
I had began to suspect that the timelines didn’t quite match up, and found myself disappointed when that turned out to be the big twist. Joseph and Siobhan’s past was emotional, but it didn’t make up for spending over 70% believing he was cheating on these women, and I simply wasn’t invested enough in him to find the conclusions to the book satisfying. Also, while it was a very neat and tidy ending, it frustrated me that Joseph’s happy-ever-after came back to a woman who shared a connection with Siobhan.
As I said, not my favourite. 

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