Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

5 reviews

ellissej's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-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

3.0

This was a promising concept but one too many tropes were included. The characters were almost trying too hard to be complex and so lacked complexity in any authentic way. Certain of the characters, like Victoria - the stepmother, seemed to be "throw away" characters and it would have been great to have had more of her perspective and story told. I found the titular character completely unlikeable and found it problematic that her growth centred so wholly around her relationship with Sagan. Her attempted suicide was clumsily handled and inauthentic and it felt as though the story ended before it was actually over or fully told, I think it would have benefited from a proper epilogue. It also really bothered me the way the Syrian conflict was referenced in Sagan's backstory. The author had a great opportunity to also help educate people about this conflict and missed an opportunity to include resources at conclusion of the novel (as she did with the suicide / depression support). Probably my last Colleen Hoover book as this is now the fourth or fifth one that I've not quite enjoyed.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Cancer, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicide attempt

esther_nwaokoro's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse, Animal death, Suicide attempt, and Infidelity

Minor: Addiction, Homophobia, Cancer, Incest, Abandonment, and Ableism

minni_tree's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative lighthearted sad medium-paced

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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

aclisham's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

colleen, you did it again!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Cancer, Drug use, Chronic illness, Addiction, and Car accident

tml_emily's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Biphobia, Car accident, Cancer, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Medical content, Outing, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship