Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley

51 reviews

imstephtacular's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Vomit, Dementia, Medical trauma, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Cursing, Drug use, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

brookesinfinitebooks's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Toxic relationship, and Dementia

Minor: Emotional abuse

jaja_1212's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I picked up this book hoping for a heartwarming contemporary read for comfort and it was exactly that and more. I was quite pleasantly surprised how the author managed to balance just the right amount of emotional topics and moments, just the right dose of "kitsch" without overdoing it. The multiple POVs were well done, as was the pacing (sometimes reading more than 2 or 3 characters' POVs can feel like it's slowing down and dragging the story, which was not the case here). 
While I really enjoyed the characters and following their bonds forming, I would have preferred Bea's character to be more fleshed out than having a supporting character role. It seemed/felt like she was used as a bit of a device to make the Ionas character look good and to have more struggles for her character to work with. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Stalking, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting

atamano's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Dementia, Grief, Stalking, and Classism

Minor: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Death of parent

bookcasey's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Lesbophobia

laheath's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

Such a great cast of characters! When Iona manages to get people talking to each other on the train, they each learn that everyone is dealing with problems in their lives. As they get to know each other and get a lesson in empathy, they begin to help each other, often with mutual benefit. The book tackles some big issues, but has so much heart and humor, I didn't want it to end.

Apparently, there's an author's note at the end of the book. I wish it had been included in the audiobook. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Homophobia, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Stalking

loganjana's review

funny hopeful fast-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting

isabell's review

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting

sleeson's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.75

I like that Clare Pooley’s novels come with an array of lovable characters. When I need a distraction with what is happening around me, I know I will find comfort in Pooley’s writing. There’s no pressure or nail biting emotions in her stories. This novel almost reminded me of a female version of The Authenticity Project. Another novel I was happy to read. Mild swearing. Mild sexual content. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Dementia, and Gaslighting

Minor: Cancer, Cursing, and Stalking

purplepenning's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Stalking, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment