Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

The Witch is Back by Sophie H. Morgan

5 reviews

lvd92's review against another edition

dark emotional funny sad tense 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

2.0

I am not sure how to rate it. Absolutely loved the back half, but the first third wrecked me. 

The first 120 pages or so were very difficult for me to read because of the abuse by Emma's mother and the main characters' hostility and distrust towards one another. I wish I had looked up the content warnings before (if there are none, the book should come with them). I was honestly thinking of DNFing it, because I got so triggered. I am especially done with reading about abusive parents in romance novels. So so done.

Another gripe - I am not sure though whether I believe Bastian did not realise sooner how important Emma was to him if he wrote her all those birthday cards and genuinely missed her.

That said, I am genuinely happy I stuck with it, because after the 1/3 mark, the story really took a much lighter turn. I loved the rest of the book. Loved the cast, the plot and the main characters. I also liked that it did not have the

overused, ridiculous, unbelievable, big gesture from the man.

... 

Anyways, I would recommend the book, but caution about the abuse and heavy first 1/3 of the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Minor: Bullying

wendahh324's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

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

3.5

It was a fun premise but the last quarter or so got pretty repetitive and convoluted. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Bullying

callidoralblack's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing

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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Terminal illness, and Abandonment

Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Domestic abuse, Grief, Child abuse, Death of parent, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse

theespressoedition's review against another edition

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Bullying

Moderate: Fatphobia and Body shaming

sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

Thank you to the Harlequin team for gifting me a copy of the book.

I really enjoyed it. It's a second-chance fake real engagement. Both parties have grown, but both still have secrets. I liked how they "slowly" (they plan on this engagement lasting 1-2 months) got to know each other as adults. 

Didn't expect what happened towards the end, but that third act break-up was well written.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol

Moderate: Chronic illness and Death of parent