Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

11 reviews

neurospicy_mama's review against another edition

slow-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? Yes

1.5

I gave this book 1.5 stars instead of 0 because it provided enough fodder for Shonda Rhimes to work with. Otherwise, this was my first book by this author and it will be my last. I found the combination of misogyny and violent imagery/ references both juvenile and harmful. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Death of parent

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Death of parent

Minor: Violence, Murder, and Toxic relationship

At one point, the "hero" kicked a woman in the stomach while she was under a desk hiding, and this was supposed to foreshadow their passionate love. Violence isn't sexy or funny.

sophes282's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

0.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Sexism, and Panic attacks/disorders

annahamburger's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Car accident, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Mental illness

Moderate: Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Blood, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Classism

Minor: Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Rape, and Sexual assault

annamarie98's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

2.0

There is some really toxic and creepy stuff in these books to be completely honest. But I also read horror books so I can ignore a lot. The first half of the book was rough and I think the marriage of convenience or getting pushed into marriage trope is overused in these books but the last third of the book was much better and actually got really cute! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Death

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, and Domestic abuse

kkylezzz's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

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

2.25

Alright, this one was much harder to enjoy than the last two in this universe I've read. But, I think the banter was still pretty good between the characters - both between Anthony and Kate, and between Anthony and his brothers/family. There was still pretty good imagery - even still around more abstract/complex scenes like with Pall Mall. I liked that Kate was an outsider, you know? Not just in a sense that she was/there was a lot of POV from a (formerly) non-Bridgerton, but also that she had a poor background, an adverse family history, etc. I think the drama was still strong, and bringing in elements like

Kate's mother dying (largely unconnected to the marriage/plot all together) and Violet and Mary's connection was a good reprieve from the disaster of marriage life between Anthony and Kate. I also liked that Kate didn't fall helplessly at Anthony's feet, even after they were married. There was reservation on her part, but also a more realistic transition into love (on Kate's part, not so much Anthony's).

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Bullying, Alcohol, Body shaming, Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Medical trauma

jelavision's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

hrtlss_grl's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content

sierranorgan's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-paced

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

3.0

These books are roller coasters that constantly jerk between being a toxic relationship to be the “ideal” love story and it gives me whiplash. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

kirbylover16's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

Definitely more problematic and less realistic than the first book. It's kinda weird that Anthony is the bad guy in the first book and this one (his own story) and I don't feel like he earned his redemption. Kate was a piece of work like Daphin and Simon but they never reached Anthony's level. I do love the two epilogues their so wholesome and sweet. Stand out parts for Colin and Newton.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Bullying, Car accident, Sexual harassment, and Violence

Minor: Alcohol and Body shaming

andmaggie's review against another edition

emotional funny relaxing fast-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship