Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Just My Type by Falon Ballard

10 reviews

jpfortmiller's review against another edition

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

3.5


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pianokeys's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted relaxing fast-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

3.75


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jadeandherbunny's review against another edition

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inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

3.5

A good read that made me reflect on my own life.
I did not find the comedy in this rom-com, which is sad.
I was still very interested in continuing to read this book, I'm not very sure why.
Lana has been relatable in a lot of aspects and the banter was good enough.

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hunkydory's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

4.0


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_thelitlibrarian's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.25 stars
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TW: 
Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Cursing 
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In Just My Type, we follow ex-high school sweethearts Lana and Seth as they are competitively pitted against one and the other in a highly coveted columnist spot that either could only dream of. For Lana, this means she must learn to love herself when she's single. while Seth must learn to become boyfriend material and settle down. I loved watching the two of them interact and slowly shift from enemies to lovers. I loved the growth that Lana went through, it felt really personal (coming from a similar point of view). 

I'm a huge sucker for a second-chance romance, so this was a perfect and easy read for me. It's a binge-able book (even if we can spot the ending from a mile away) with loveable side characters (minus the boss). Overall the cast was well fleshed out, and I loved the group chat messages that broke up the chapters as we check-in and see who was in the lead for the "friendly" competition. 

Although the plot seems unrealistic to real life, I could really see this being made into a rom-com movie. If I had to change one thing about the book, I would have liked it if we had gotten a dual-POV and heard from Seth and his emotions, and feelings. 

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theespressoedition's review against another edition

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  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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hellowildflower's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.5


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purplepenning's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.0

Just okay for me, but definitely check it out if you're a fan of People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (longtime friends rediscovering/redeveloping their relationship after some mysterious misadventures/break in the past), Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman (East Coast transplant in LA, dealing with past trauma/family issues), and The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon (relationship shenanigans for workplace advancement, rivals to lovers). 

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thesmutsister_emma's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.5

This is an Advanced Review Copy I received to give an honest review

Who Here Has Felt Personally Victimized by Falon Ballard?
So I summoned a demon in the woods as a child... (I'm going somewhere with this, I promise.) I summoned said demon because I wanted friends. I'm pretty sure the demon stuck around to be my friend themself but also helped me with human friends. After a while, surely the demon left.
Fast forward however long and I start reading this book. I notice a startling number of similarities between myself and the FMC in this book.
My theory as to what has happened is that Falon Ballard made a deal with the same demon I made a deal with as a child so that she could write a best selling book. The demon panicked and gave her my life story that I am now reading as an ARC.

In all seriousness, Falon called my ass out way too many times for comfort.
Perpetually in a long term relationship? Check.
Not having any idea who I am outside of a relationship? Kind of check. I'm working on that one.
Parental issues? Double check (working on that one too.)
Amazing therapist? Hell yes.
A house full of books that you write about? Well. Y'all can figure that one out yourselves.

I felt like I was reading what's going to happen to me in 6 years if I don't pull my shit together.

The Characters
Lana: I have already talked about Lana quite a bit, but truly. Lana is such an enjoyable character who is incredibly relatable. I honestly had a hard time not seeing myself in everything she did. I kept seeing what I would do in her shoes, especially in times where she frustrated me. Because do not get me wrong, as much as I loved and adored Lana, there were times where she was infuriating. She did everything she could as best as she could but certain choices (pushing a gay man to kiss her because it "wouldn't mean anything" to him, the way she treated Seth on the last "task") really pissed me off because of the way she treated those around her. Despite this, I ended up getting past it and my love for the book shined through.
Seth: I sound like half of mothers being interviewed after their sons get arrested, but my baby did nothing wrong and I refuse to believe he has ever done anything wrong ever. He is the most precious bean who needs to be protected at all costs.

Things I Loved
I loved 99% of everything about this book honestly. I loved the writing style, loved the characters, loved so much about it.

Things I Didn't Love
On the flip side... as I stated earlier, I had a problem with the way Lana treated Seth at times and the way she treated the men at the bar for the "kiss a stranger" task. They both really rubbed me wrong and honestly are the only reasons this book is not 5 solid rather than 4.5.

The Final Verdict
This book was honestly exactly what I needed after the experiences I've had reading the past few weeks. It was adorable and refreshing. I could not recommend it more.

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decklededgess's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.0

trigger warnings: vomit, alcohol, sexual content, emotional abuse, manipulation in the workplace, sexual harassment, 

Second chance romances require some really intense work setting up history between characters without having any page time to actually go into details. Seth and Lana's first reunion after two years of not hearing from each other was perhaps the most ingenious way of hooking me into their history and rooting for their love story EVER. The enemies adjacent vibes paired with some intense denial made for the perfect pressure cooker of tension to propel the two of them forward in their little competition for who does the best in the challenges they set for each other.

My favourite part of the book (aside from the smut I have only one priority) was Lana's personal growth. The challenge to learn how to be single, while exploited for the website and for articles, was turned into actual opportunity for Lana to grow and treat herself to independence and introspection. Her growth outside of relationships moulded her into a stronger person which allowed for her inevitable reunion with Seth to be perfectly timed. The emotional gratification of Lana being at her healthiest and them finally getting together with Seth was just PERFECT.

I did want more for Seth though. Maybe it's because this was all Lana's POV but I felt like Seth could have been solidified a bit more in the story. He felt interchangeable with *insert any random man* at times which was unfortunate. That was just a couple of blips though so not really an issue in the grand scheme.

Can't wait to read more by Falon Ballard!!

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