Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Even If It Hurts by Sam Mariano

8 reviews

aclark225's review

dark medium-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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Rape

constantly_reading's review

dark tense medium-paced

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

Wow. I've read dark romance books in the past, dont get me wrong but this made me so sick. The MMC literally threatened to rape the FMC'S best friend, kidnapped the FMC and literally rape the FMC, and she STILL FUCKING FORGAVE HIM!!   The FMC was literally crying saying she hated the MMC but when he broke into her house and had sex with her, all of a sudden she loved him again!! This book is romantacisig abuse!! The author seems to think that because the MMC helps with the mums canser treatment, it gives him the right to blackmail her!! 

The MMC literally threatens to rape the FMC if she leaves him but makes her not call the police on the crazy lady he teamed up with to try to kill her, because he would have gone to jail and APPARENTLY she didn't want that!! This book is so shit that I will remember writing this review when I look back at my 2024 wrapped and grimace that I read this. Now, i accept that this author is good and all but this is just straight up romanticizing abuse in a relationship. WITH TEENAGERS! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Rape

faith99's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Medical content, Sexual content, Cancer, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Bullying

Moderate: Body shaming and Violence

Minor: Classism

emmablue's review against another edition

dark

3.75

that man deserves to be torn apart by wolves

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Sexual violence, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Stalking, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Infidelity

caitlinsbookpile's review

dark 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? It's complicated

0.5

Half a star is being polite this book was trash and didn’t have cnc is was literal rape that wasn’t cute it didn’t even fall into the bully category he was just mean to her 24/7 and she wants to leave but is too scared to??? yeah I hated it and wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemies 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Gun violence, Bullying, Chronic illness, Violence, Stalking, Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship

hariboreads's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious tense 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

4.75

Dark and twisted. Perfect portrayal of a morally black villain who knows what he wants and goes after it. At first the red flags are gentle and ‘typical’ of such types of characters but slowly then suddenly they build. His calmness is the most terrifying. Loved every moment of this messed up ride of a book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Sexual content, Rape, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Stalking

Moderate: Violence, Drug use, Medical content, and Cancer

Minor: Death and Murder

midnightrose_reads's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

Even If it Hurts is the first book in Sam Mariano’s new Coastal Elite series. Dark romance at its finest. Still, Dare can’t beat Carter for me (from Untouchable).  Sorry, Dare.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Rape, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence

jtbooklover's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

4.0

There are really few words for this book. If you are looking for sick twisted villains then you are in the right book. This book is dark. Dare is NOT a good guy. There is little redeeming about him but they do say there is someone for everyone.  Aubrey is definitely not what he's looking for. She isn't even on his radar.  If there is someone for everyone then it seems Aubrey is it.  She's tough, smart, and caring.  I seriously don't know if the ending is truly happy. It seems in its own messed up way it is but should I feel good or bad about the ending? I just don't know.  It's well written and a fascinating take on sociopaths.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Body shaming, Bullying, Terminal illness, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Violence, Torture, and Rape

Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Chronic illness, Abandonment, and Cursing