Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Acts of Desperation

Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan

172 reviews

bookwormfr_t0's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Nolan's writing is incredibly full of depth and I can confidently say I have never read anything like this. We follow the narrator go through an unhealthy obsession with love and the toxic abuse she endures. I didn't necessarily "root" for the narrator, however, I couldn't stop reading it because it's like watching a car crash - you can't look away. There is so much commentary in such a short book (the female experience, losing yourself in someone else, mental illness, eating disorders and relationships with food, appeasing men, consent, etc.); it is an uncomfortable read so ensure to review the trigger warnings.

Content Warnings

fanny_brtl's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-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

4.0

This book destroyed me.
I cared a lot about this woman and I sometimes despised her. Sometimes I wished she could be happy, and sometimes I was angry at her. Most of the time I loved her with my whole heart, despite her flaws and how wrong she was.

I loved how the author brought this woman to life without giving her a name. She felt so human. I also loved how shorts the chapters were, that allowed me to read the book faster than expected because I couldn't put the book down.

The last few pages were hard to read and made me really emotional.

Please read TW before reading

Content Warnings

redflyingbook's review against another edition

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Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

this surely was a quick read!

the narrator is a woman in her twenties, who meets a guy who she becomes immediately infatuated, and quickly downright obsessed with. here begins a - in the eyes of probably any clear thinking bystander - highly toxic relationship that mainly made me want to spit the guy right in his face for the excessively shitty behavior towards her. along the way, the book also explores the narrator's struggles with alcoholism, dependence, identity, body image, lust and love.

some trains of thought felt wildly familiar and definitely expressed complex feelings very boldly and clearly.
although the focus was probably also supposed to be more on the relationship dynamic , somehow i felt that the characters still lacked substance in some way? the ending part also felt unexpectedly extreme and not entirely well-paced in my opinion. still an interesting read that urges you ponder about uncomfortable but important topics.

Content Warnings

standrews's review against another edition

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dark medium-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

3.25

Content Warnings

nzmerchant's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad slow-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

4.5

This book read like a journal entry of every single unhinged and difficult truth I have had. They way Nolan put so many feelings I have experienced into words - wow, this was such a cathartic read. I truly feel for the MC. For her self awareness and blatant honesty at all her flaws. Ciaran is a red flag but so is our dear MC.

Unfortunately, the ending made me a little bit uneasy and took me by surprise because there was a time jump where I’m guessing a lot of plot development would have happened. So it was not as satisfying but I’m still blown away but how raw this book was on the whole.

Content Warnings