Reviews tagging 'Body shaming'

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

49 reviews

booksnooksandglory's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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

3.0

This book is being turned into a movie and I think it will be cringy.
TW: Workplace sexual harassment, Fat-shaming
I kept waiting for it to get better but I ended up just wanting to finish it.
Its writing style is not my preference, I like simple writing and most of the time the one in the book was too much. Since I can't properly describe it, here's the type of metaphors that are spread through the book:

We're leaning against a sunlit wall, dreamily licking ice cream cones, rapidly succumbing to heat stroke and nonsensical hallucinations.

If you like this you'll probably like the writing, this just isn't for me.

Discussion on TW

Both tie into each other, the only plus-size character is the one sexually harassing the MC and that's how this book justifies referring to said character as Fat Little Dick (his name is Richard, hilarious, I know) but it has no justification in my eyes. The character being an ass doesn't justify body-shaming him, and let's not forget the fact that the only plus-size character is vilified. In terms of workplace sexual harassment, its mentions not explicit but it plays a role so if it's a sensitive topic keep it in mind.

Chemistry and Dynamic

The MCs were in sync even when it made no sense which, was many times since this book barely has any continuity. I didn't get much of the enemies on their supposedly "enemies-to-lovers" dynamic, except the self-hate when Lucy (the MC) has any feelings or lust toward Josh (hero), which to me is the worst part of enemies-to-lovers.

I do not like how Lucy implied that she was gonna have "something" with Josh so that he'd be nice: Page 145 "If you don't want to be friends with me, I'll play the Or Something Game with you." I guess she's being cautious in case he rejects her but it felt icky. Page 175: Josh expresses he does not want anything sexual that day and she keeps pushing it.

What I expected would be the climax ended up being resolved in two lines, and the climax turned out to be abruptly developed yet predictable.
I really don't wanna come off as preachy but this book had so many problematic icks paired with writing I don't like and a lack of continuity for me to like it.

Content Warnings

ricareviews's review against another edition

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fast-paced

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

2.0

This book exists for no reason at all. It's clear from the start that the two main characters are in love with each other, but there's no yearning or angst. The enemies-to-lovers trope presented here isn't believable at all. And the stale writing doesn't help. The dialogues don't work, and most interactions these characters had were uncomfortable and confusing. I found the writing to be very repetitive and bland. Bottom line, I just couldn't get into the story. I felt like there was no reason to root for these characters. I usually love romance books, therefore I'm a little disappointed that I didn't enjoy reading this, especially after seeing how well-loved it is by the book community. I was expecting a light and fun read but, instead, I got an unconvincing romance and a boring plot. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

I'm not giving this a one-star rating because I've read much worse, but I was tempted. This book wasn't good by any means.

Content Warnings

lalalauren's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

Content Warnings

sunnyreads's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

3.0

It is hard for me to rate this higher than 3 stars because of the ableist, transphobic, and fatphobic language used throughout the text. It is really hard to read this book because "crazy" and "insane" is thrown around without any thought; the co-CEO, who is predatory and looks down Lucy's shirt, is called "Fat Little Dick."

But I did like the banter between Lucy and Josh. Hating someone, and then realizing they love you, and you might love them too? YES GIVE ME MORE OF THIS. I did see the "twist" coming, called it hundred pages before, but I liked it. Just because I knew where the story was headed, it didn't detract my enjoyment from it.

THIRD ACT SPOILERS:

I don't however think Josh's dad would have had a change of heart when Lucy told him off. I also don't believe that Josh's mom would tell Josh's dad off because if she was a "rabid lioness" as Lucy said, wouldn't she have been that person the entire time Josh was alive? Would Josh and his father even have this relationship? I don't think so. This is why I also find it hard to believe Anthony would just have a change of heart and listen to what Lucy was saying -- either no one has told him that before, or ... They have and he's an asshole. I just. I didn't find that part believable at all. In my experience, Anthony would have just doubled down on his assholeness toward Josh.

Content Warnings

pricklypear's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted 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

3.5

Content Warnings

sarahv's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

stxrmblessed's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

1.0

I really wanted to rate this book higher, I really did. I usually love enemies-to-lovers stories and romances but this book filled me with so much rage, I'm surprised I finished it at all.

The first few chapters are alright, their bickering can be fun sometimes but it just begins to go down hill quickly. Words and phrases just are repeated way too often (especially Lucy's smallness and Josh's scent) and some sentences just made me very uncomfortable.

I never wanted to strangle the main character of any book as much as I wanted to strangle Lucy. She's naive, annoying and blind to the toxicity of Josh.

Which brings me to Joshua Templeman. I wasn't sure what to think of him at first but then he began to be more and more creepy, controlling and toxic. His jealousy is unprompted and the way he treats Lucy still makes my stomach turn. The explanation for his behaviour (the conflict with his father and him being shy) is weak at best.

I suppose I understand why some people like it as much as they do. It's a cishet workplace fantasy many seem to have but it's just not for me, not with such a bland and annoying main character and a toxic love interest.

Content Warnings

itslitladies's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Not sure if it's actually a good book, but it's definitely entertaining and a fast read and that's exactly what I needed during the quarantine.

Content Warnings

heykels's review against another edition

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funny fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

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