Reviews tagging 'Body shaming'

A Girl Like Her by Talia Hibbert

3 reviews

toffishay's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

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

3.5

I enjoyed the characters and the bones of this story, but the plot felt a little rushed to me. Evan also feels a little flat as a love interest and the romance feels like it develops really quickly. I love how Ruth grows through the book and the love that Evan has for her, really bolsters her too which is beautiful to see. We don't have to heal alone.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content

Moderate: Toxic friendship and Stalking

Minor: Classism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Racism, Body shaming, and Alcohol

zabeishumanish's review against another edition

inspiring medium-paced

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

3.75

I greatly enjoyed this story. Small town romances where one of the characters is the town pariah tend to stress me out, but the depths of redemption in this story made this a remarkable read. I was fascinated to read about Ruth’s story, an autistic woman recovering from intimate partner violence, is a unique and compelling read. I appreciated that while Ruth’s race was relevant to the story racial trauma was not. After all she dealt with I don’t know that I could have watch Ruth go through more pain. While the intimate partner violence is detailed it is viewed through the lends of time, several years of separation. The violence may still be triggering for some audiences, but Ruth has clearly done considerable process and none of the accounts are first person so I assume many triggers would be less intense. I also appreciated seeing how Ruth’s experiences shaped the small town and her sister, who I assume is the next MC in the series. 
My biggest complaint is how abrupt the ending was. There feels like far too many loose endings from the story and while not every element of a story needs be resolved I think very few elements of this story were actually resolved. Perhaps Evan and Ruth’s relationship was actually the only plot point that was resolved. I suppose that sets up the series rather well, but for this story it is incredibly annoying. 
My other complaint is sure minor, which is just that we didn’t see more of Ruth’s art. I found what Ruth did describe of her comic fascinating and wish I knew more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Fatphobia, Racism, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, and Body shaming

Minor: Pregnancy

Ruth is in a secret seven year abusive relationship. Evan’s mother dies of cancer in his late teen years. A side character’s mother has terminal cancer.

traceyanderson's review against another edition

emotional funny fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Cancer, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Bullying