Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

80 reviews

kaseyvickers's review against another edition

The SA scene it was already sexist then he threatened to SA her then she SA’d him I’m appalled

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

kayleejanes's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Grief, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexism, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Violence

kkylezzz's review against another edition

emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was a good read. I thought the humor and banter and character back-n-forth in general was great. The first half was really good, I enjoyed the length of scenes and the dedication to detail and consistency with the characters and descriptions. There was tons of dialogue which I love. I really enjoyed the how the first half too felt them growing together.

Obviously in our timeline, "dating" for more than a couple weeks is conventional before even becoming a real couple let alone considering marriage, but for translatable purposes, this felt well told in that regard.

The second half was enjoyable too, but more so for the pitiable, dramatic love story elements.

I was alright with the separation and then pregnancy scare and the heart-to-hearts getting more in depth each time it was brought up.

The last couple of chapters and Epilogue(s) was (were) redeeming, I enjoyed them.

I liked that it ended on a positive note, the extended pregnancy brining in extra drama, and the possibility of Geogie being afflicted with Simon's same drama without actually confirming that.

The sex scenes weren't too terribly bad either.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Grief

Minor: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol

Passive suicidal ideation/intention briefly alluded to

linashnewer's review against another edition

funny reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship

rapturelittlesis's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

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

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Rape, and Toxic relationship

chaotically_katie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical content, Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Death, Miscarriage, Vomit, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Sexism, Abandonment, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cursing, Excrement, Infertility, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Blood

myinvinciblesummer's review against another edition

slow-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

2.0

I am going to have spoilers because I’m going to discuss exactly what scene causes me to say this book needs TW: Rape

I am the one person left who hasn’t seen the show. So this book is my absolute first introduction to the series, except for some still photos of what look to be beautiful costumes in the show. I had no idea what the storyline was beyond the blurb on the back of the book.

This book started off interesting enough. A basic but interesting enough romance story. Was enjoying the book, the pace was both rushed and slow but I was enjoying it well enough. But then(I am now going to discuss TW: Rape)

Then we get to the scene where Daphne rapes the Duke. Absolutely not ok. ABSOLUTELY NOT. And then she dares to be presented as the character that deserves empathy and should be excused because she really wants a kid? Has a tantrum when it’s turns out she’s not pregnant and makes him feel guilty saying why would you care to him? That’s purely manipulative.

The Duke said he didn’t want kids, he was inebriated, but she did it anyways knowing he couldn’t and wouldn’t be able to say no.

The rest of the book, after that deplorable scene, trudges on slowly and is so boring. Daphne is sad. The Duke needs therapy. Daphne’s brothers are all up in her business. Oh but wait suddenly they are ok she raped him. Fine whatever.

The two stars instead of one is because at least the beginning was interesting.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual content

Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying

maaham_51's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Rape, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship

sarahmae531's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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? Yes

3.0

Love the show and thought I’d give the books a try, but I think I’ll be stopping here…
The changes the show made to both the characters and the plot were far more enjoyable than their book counterparts. If you’re considering reading, I’d recommend just skipping to the show. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexism

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy

livbugg's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

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

1.5

wow Netflix made a book better, that’s shocking

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Child abuse, Cursing, Abandonment, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, and Sexism

Moderate: Pregnancy, Violence, and Physical abuse

Minor: Miscarriage