Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert

50 reviews

britt_monica's review

dark fast-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Confinement, and Toxic relationship

CNC

rchulin1's review

dark sad fast-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Blood, Death of parent, Confinement, Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Toxic relationship

kirstenw13's review

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes

3.0

Like Katee’s other books, the focus on consent is very strong which is important as this is a consensual non-consensual narrative. High emphasis on safe word which made me as a reader more comfortable with the scenarios. My major criticism is that it uses the didney names and so that’s all my lil brain could conjure up. I know in this Jafar is supposed to be a hot n sexy mid 30s(?) man but all I got was 2D sprindly ole long face. Overall, enjoyed it but not her strongest work imo. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Sexual content

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Confinement, and Kidnapping

_rils97's review against another edition

I don't have daddy issues.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship

Minor: Gaslighting

The girl has literally been confined to house arrest her entire life and the male main character literally takes her from one form of house confinement and confines her to his house. Then, he tells her he's better than her father who he murdered and has her call him daddy.

imagg83's review

adventurous dark tense 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? N/A

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Confinement, Sexual content, Cursing, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, and Toxic relationship

regent_ace's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

So I liked this book but most of this was smut which I was expecting but the smut definitely takes the focal point with the plot as a sideline story. Which this and the reason below is why the book is a 3.5 rating 

The smut was pretty good and it was never repetitive that's for sure but some of the kinks were just not for me and some of the kink scenes were a little embarrassing to read at times 

I will also say I love the development of both Jasmine and Jafar and their relationship together although I wish I could have seen a bit more of Jasmine coming into her own fruition more as a sole character.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse

puffins57's review

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book is hot. I very much enjoyed the scenes and the content (although definitely triggering please check TW before reading this book). That being said, the dub-con early on was very much plainly rapey and even though it later more clearly developed  into cnc, some of the earlier moments were slightly hard to read (Although the first hallway scene was incredibly hot and did leave me immediately searching for my boyfriend…). I very much enjoyed the character intros/cross-overs for those who will be stepping into the spotlight for the later books; I thought this was very well done and adds a slight sense of continuity between books despite the shift in main characters that I know is going to hook me and keep me wanting to continue the series. I also thought it was also really cool how the author incorporated various emblemas of Aladdin and character names while also completely changing the story.
I loved the way Jafar emphasized the importance of a safe word and aftercare for those he was with- while there were many questionable parts of this book I always love seeing those things incorporated. The Underworld was also something I wasn’t expecting to find so hot yet very much did. Oh and Meg- more specifically Jasmines attraction to Meg and everyone’s enthusiasm to have a threesome was lovely to see. One of the only real major issues I had that took me out of the book a little bit was the way jasmine calls and jafar requests to be referred to as “Daddy”. Now I loved how he called her “Baby girl” and honorifics aren’t usually a turn off for me by any means but the way they used Daddy was a bit much for me and just seemed odd and a bit out of place. 
My absolute favorite thing about this book is how Jasmine is able to finally step into her own power all by herself. As wonderful as it is to have someone search for you and defend you and come to your rescue, I love seeing the character growth and see the woman finally get the power she deserves. Also the fact that she can be so powerful yet also be Jaguars sub was a lovely inclusion :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Bullying, Classism, Cursing, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

icy_queen's review

dark tense

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Murder, Blood, Violence, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Emotional abuse

amanda_mh's review against another edition

2.5

I do like Katee’s writing and the way she creates these world and characters. Just not a fan of this kink so wasn’t my favourite 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Murder

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Sexy reimagining of Aladdin, wherein Jasmine and Jafar have a thing for one another and Aladdin is the “bad guy”. I liked the spice. I liked the story. There were several glaring spelling/grammatical errors and a rush to the wrap up at the end that made me drop the rating slightly. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Sexual violence, Vomit, Bullying, Body shaming, Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence