Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Maybe Someday

Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

10 reviews

nina_mk's review

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emotional medium-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

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joy_s's review against another edition

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dark lighthearted fast-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

0.5

I knew going into this I wasn’t going to love it or even like it that much, I will admit. But god this was a toxic book. I was uncomfortable from the outset.
Warren is dangerous and gross and rape-y and entitled and a bastard. Not in a hot way. At all. Every time he speaks badly of himself he’s right, until he takes this sharp left turn every time: I’m not crazy or purely horny, it must be the girl’s fault for being mean and hot. It’s her fault I want to stalk her and make her increasingly uncomfortable until she has no choice but to submit to my force and lust.
He has no patience or understanding for her upbringing/situation/etc. at all. He’s dismissive and shallow and rude. Bridgette is a “bitch” and the author does make her unlikeable. That’s for sure. She reaaallllyyy wants you to be on Warren’s side. Warren is just interested in fucking the hot girl, and Bridgette just wants to make everyone’s life miserable. They’re perfect together.
Sure, it’s a schlocky romance novella. You’re not supposed to think these people are real or honest depictions of a serious romance. I don’t care. This really bothered me, and just brushing this off as a silly romance doesn’t make lazy writing like this acceptable. Yes, I just read this to be annoyed a bit by a shitty little romance book and get a kick out of it, but I didn’t read this to be left uncomfortable and angry.
Is anyone sure Colleen Hoover has ever spoken to another woman? Let alone any person who partakes in safe! sexual power play?

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taraaleitz's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

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

3.75

This book was well written. There was super realistic commentary, the characters were more level-headed than much of what you see in drama romance books where emotional-attachment cheating is involved, and the characters are likable. Also, one of the characters is deaf, so it introduced a different dynamic than what I keep used to (which I liked)!

PROS:
•The characters are realistic—they don’t have extreme mood swings like you’ll find in a bunch of romance books.
•Only a little cheesy
•Though there is cheating involved, it’s mostly in the form of emotional attachment, so there was no spice up until the second to last chapter.
•This book presents different forms of intimacy outside of spice, which is actually really sweet.
•There were two points that caught me off guard and actually made me laugh out loud.

CONS:
•I don’t like the emotional cheating (and physical too, but on that end it was just a kiss compared to these characters being FULLY EMOTIONALLY CONNECTED on a VERY romantic level) that happens in this book.
•

I don’t know quite how realistic it is to move in with the guy across the courtyard that you’ve only have a few text conversations with and looked at across balconies… but I also understand that it’s a ROMANCE book and also Ridge is a very kind character.

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eggfartz's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny fast-paced

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

3.0

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ellaticonstellation's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful sad fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

I read this years ago, but I decided to revisit it. I grew up and changed, so I have a different take now than when I was younger. At the beginning of this story, Sydney annoyed the shit out of me. Her hypocrisy was to the max, and she needed therapy sessions to manage her violence. I surely missed these things years ago because I was so naive back then, never realizing that red flags were in my face, and this book had many of them waving. Even if I disliked her in a massive chunk of this story, I was glad she transformed even a little bit.

I understood Ridge, but he was far from innocent like Sydney insisted a million times. He was a grown-ass man, so he knew what was up. He was deaf, not stupid, but yeah, he did a lot of shitty things as well. He couldn't get mad at Hunter because they had similarities.

I wouldn't say I liked that Sydney and Ridge were both flirting, but they got surprised to develop feelings. What?

Maggie, I hope you live a good life.

Warren, you're the best boy ever. Thank you for being supportive and understanding.

I liked the music part so much. The lyrics were intriguing, and I was happy they bonded through music. Overall, a good read.✨🎧

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nxpe's review against another edition

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emotional

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

0.25

This book made me cry more so much... and not in a good way!

I was so excited to read this because the blurb made it sound like they'd be perfect for each other and the ultimate sexual tension. Instead, I'm bombarded with love triangle drama (and I DESPISE love triangles) and the glorification of emotional cheating.

Ridge is a bad book boyfriend. Never once did he own up to his actions and admit that he emotionally cheated on Maggie. I actually really liked Ridge at first, and thought the deaf representations was great, but he turned slimy real quick.

Speaking of Maggie... She should've been more pissed about him cheating. That's all I'm saying.

Sydney cries seventeen times a chapter. I mean same sis same, but WOW, is it repetitive. And let's be real, she's really no better than Tori, no matter how hard the book tries to convince us otherwise.

All in all, I genuinely wish I didn't ever read this. This was a waste of my money and time.

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v1l25's review

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
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

2.25

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jackeline_romeroo's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny 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

5.0

LOVE.

I’m already looking forward to the sequel! So funny and heartbreaking at the same time. The themes are relatable

especially CoHo featuring deaf characters which I’ve never read in the romance books I’ve gotten through so far

I liked the characters (even if they were written to be raunchy or rude. Another CoHo in the books (literally) and I’m excited to read more!

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bridgetebooks's review

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fast-paced

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

3.25

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nxclx's review

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emotional medium-paced

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

2.5

I live reviewed this book, so it's got spoilers...

The entire book was a constant mix of "oh my god" and "oh no"'s, which can be good or bad depending on how you wanna take that. I was really into this book at first, even though there was cheating involved. Oops. Spoiler? Depends on what you define as cheating I guess. I'm here for the morally grey stuff, but I also want to root for the characters. The only thing I was rooting for here was a polyamorous ending. Guess what I didn't get? That. I loved Maggie too much to have her go through that and Sydney and Ridge just pissed me off. I didn't want them to get together in the end, I wanted them to get their comeuppance. It wasn't bad at first, but then it just went downhill. Fast.

Anyways, here's my live review, chapter by chapter so you can scream with me while you read it.

Prologue:

Why did she punch them? Very confused as to whats going on, but I guess I'm here for it?
Two years, AND it's her birthday? This poor girl, but like WHATS GOING ON?
/We don't slut shame in this house./
Bridget is really rude.
NO, no. Don't do it. Don't fall for Ridge.
Annnd there it is.
Jeez Louise.

Chapter 1:

Sydney....
Why not tell anyone you like writing music? Weird choice, but okay.
You already don't sound comfortable in your relationship.
GIRL. Hoover is a great writer so far. I feel suffocated by this relationship and I'm not even in it.
Ridge....
5 YEARS. 5 whole years.
The guy voicing this sounds boring.

Chapter 2:

Sydney
Why is this guy hitting on her right now? Also, is this now Taylor Swift?
"Please, I'm desperate" lmao OKAY sure dude
Is she just out there while her boyfriend is inside with the roommate? Like I know she doesn't know at this point but like?
Ridge
Just knowing lyrics.. you need to know the chords they line up with
Dude that's so trashy
Who watches porn in the living room?
theyre INSECURE

Chapter 3:

Sydney
youre so jealous, you have a BOYFRIEND
shes suggesting it bc they are! OHNO
it says a lot that your first thought is cheating
Ridge
I want to hear these amazing lyrics
hi maggie and him are cute? yikes.
oh shit...

Chapter 4:

Sydney
wait how does he play the guitar (apparently I'm one of those people)
lets get drunkkkkkkkk
Ridge
This guy sounds really boring ugh
why is everyones solution PUNCHING???

Chapter 5:

Sydney
DO IT yesss
lmao this is kinda funny
Ridge
oof tension
don't control her
why is bridget a rude person
ugh don't compare them i don't like that
how does he know that though?
oh they lyrics. gotcha. still wanna hear them with music

Chapter 6:

Sydney
Well this isn't appropriate
The band name is kinda stupid but thats a nick pick
okay thats kinda cute >:(
Ridge
oooo tell me. hahahaha
thats INAPPROPIATE

Chapter 7:

Sydney
yikes where is maggie.
you're just realizing you have a crush?
YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND
Sydney /NO/
ew leave Hunter
Ridge
OH SHIT they fell asleep
hiding it makes it even more suspicious
ughh

Chapter 8:

Sydney
Yeah... he didn't mention her that's a weird thing.
WHY DOEs EVERYONE WANT TO PUNCH
yeah she has a right to be upset
yikes maggie is so sweet
Ridge
and it's the typical hot girl transfermation
lmao stupid. i like maggie too much she doesn't deserve this.

Chapter 9:

Sydney
I already don't think this is going to go well.
It's the name of the book!
Okay so my solution is to have a poly relationship uh oh
uh oh theyre alone
annnddd its not appropriate again
Ridge
exchanging of secrets hmm
stop staring, oh my god stooooop
ugh if you have to remind yourself youre not in it anymore

Chapter 10:

Sydney
Where is this Sydney x Warren stuff coming from, I do not see it.
well isn't that... sweet? no. not sweet. but sure
Ridge
THIS IS NOT GOING TO END WELL

Chapter 11:

Sydney
Its the name of the book again!
Welp. He obviously is acknowledging his feelings? Yeah this is emotional cheating five sure
Ridge
I just put it on 1x speed and HOLY HELL THIS IS SLOW. but I wanna hear the song. Of course theyre not gonna play it. Time to look it up
I'm not disappointed its a country song, you are!
THIS ISN'T SEXUAL AT ALL NOPE
this isn't gonna end well
full out cheating

Chapter 12:

Syd
How does it feel to be a Tori? Sucks doesn't it.
DONT KISS HER AFTER YOU KISSED SOMEONE ELSE. I cannot stand that NO
YOU WOULDN'T TELL HER AFTER WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH??
/POLY RELATIONSHIP/
acknowledging your matureness takes away from that fact, Hoover.
This is not ending the flirtation?
Ridge
that was short and youre still emotionally cheating you also never told maggie about the kiss

Chapter 13:

Sydney
OH NO its Hunter
JESUS Sydney
dude don't force her. no, you don't get to be sweet after being an ass.
Nah, I'm out of the relationship now.
Ridge
Ridge is making me mad now
You know what you're doing. Knock it off.

Chapter 14:

Sydney
BRUH
not a good enough reason to use the word penetrate
man i am NOT liking this attitude from Sydney
Ridge
maggie is so sweet and blissfully ignorant
don't divulge your secrets to her and not your gf of 5 YEARS
okay but you DID CHEAT

Chapter 15:

Sydney
stop telling intimate stories
the only thing the flaw telling is doing is admitting the attraction.
you can't joke about hooking up with someone else and then that's a major problem?? you two aren't together, he's with SOMEONE ELSE
Not again. okay thank goodness
Ridge
oh my /god/
OH MY /GOD/
/polyamorus.../
what's maggie's story..?
"he will never leave her" is looking a lot more real..

Chapter 16:

Sydney
Oh gosh well that was an intro I wasn't expecting
drunk girls are adorable
OH NO
wait what. no this is a dream oh okay. wait. what.
they're nothing but trouble but I love them
Ridge
IF THEY DON'T ALL END UP TOGETHER WHAT IS THE POINT
oh my godddddd

Chapter 17-18:

Sydney
Um who is this?? Is that maggie??
jesus...
Ridge
sigh

Sydney
Warren what the hell thats messed up
WHY DOES EVERYONE GO FOR THE PUNCH
good leave!
no one just recovers from punches like that?
oo transvestite...? not sure about that
idk i don't feel her sadness
Ridge
SEVERE EMOTIONAL CHEATING...
i hate this 'other half of my heart' stuff.
you don't see that much in a persons eyes

Chapter 19:

Sydney
honestly at this point im so out of the relationship i don't want them to end up together
ew don't do the thing where he talks to her and not maggie.
i feel like he's only staying with maggie out of obligation?
yeah, um no. she's got every right to be absolutely upset and furious
Ridge
apparently you don't tell her everything

Chapter 20:

Sydney
THAT IS NOT THE ONLY THING HE DID WRONG
nah
nah
nah
get out
Ridge
why the hell are you trying to keep things from your gf and being upset at yourself for not hiding it better. you don't hide things.
i'm more disappointed than anything

Chapter 21:

Sydney
ugh this is annoying
Ridge
almost as much as maggie. tragic.
BREAK UP WITH HIM DO IT
NO DON"T KISS HER ICKY
oh look everyone knows the story that no one knew before
'you think thats what you want' thats disgusting
im over this and im ready for this to be over

Chapter 22-25:

over this
him demanding her address is a little controlling
yeah this is weird
dude she said leave you don't trap her in the bedroom and force a kiss on her.
no, absolutely the hell not. this is creepy as hell and im uncomfortable
i hate everything about this honestly
you already know what's going to happen i wonder why im still listening.

Ending:

no one has sex like this??? i mean maybe if you have a heartbeat kink i guess???

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