Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

5 reviews

lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

I received this as a gift from someone.
"We Are the Brennans" is a heartwarming story about family. When Sunday Brennan is hospitalized following a DUI, she is resistant to leave her California home to move back to New York with her family. She has spent the last several years trying to distance herself from her past, her overbearing brothers, and an ex that she has unresolved issues with. But, at the end of the day, New York is where she needs to go in order to get back to herself.
I was not expecting to be as captivated by this story as I was. The Brennans are complex family that all have their secrets, but at the end of the day, they are always there for each other in the best way they know how. Their family dynamic is riddled with flaws, but in spite of all of the judgment, they are family.
Sunday's story takes an interesting turn that I did not see coming, but it makes the events in the first half of the novel make all the more sense. I really wanted to see her get some justice and credit from her family for her situation, and when she finally did, I was screaming.
The book does take a darker turn, which I do not think was necessary per say, but I think it made sense for the character and his motivation.
I really enjoyed this story, and I am excited to read more from Tracey Lange in the future! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Car accident

Moderate: Classism, Gun violence, Pregnancy, and Death of parent

Minor: Infidelity

stephmcoakley's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Death, Pregnancy, Cancer, Death of parent, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Car accident, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Gun violence, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Medical trauma, and Sexual harassment

sorcha's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident

Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Miscarriage

Minor: Domestic abuse, Dementia, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Cancer, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Murder

saramoser's review

emotional medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

I really enjoyed We Are The Brennans. The told a families story, and the book in my mind was another that was so real. I love reading books that could’ve actually happened, and this one was. From meeting all The Brennans, to the relationships with those around them. 4/5 stars!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Murder, Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, and Rape

hawktilly's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.5

I love a good family drama, and this was a solid debut -- a quick read that kept moving. But, multiple (!!!) narrators meant the author revisited the same events numerous times, which showed the plot at times. And there was a specific little device used at the beginning of each chapter, which after a bit, took me out of the story and into noticing "which narrator was going to be up next ". 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Car accident, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Alcoholism