Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

The Pucking Wrong Number by C.R. Jane

3 reviews

nlapean's review

dark emotional sad medium-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

3.75

This book is a walking red flag, but I loved it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Abandonment, Stalking, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Grief, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Alcoholism, Drug use, Death of parent, and Addiction

theartistreader's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

TROPES:
- Ice hockey
- Obsessed hero with psychotic tendencies
- If I can't have you, nobody can
- Wrong number/mistaken identity
- Virgin heroine
- OTT & protective hero

I saw this allover BookTok and I always get nervous about reading its recs because I worry that they won't live up to the hype. Rest assured, this definitely did!

I can sometimes struggle to get through ice hockey romances because they can be really long or slow paced, but this was literally everything I needed and more. I did it in one sitting, and now I'm annoyed that book 2 isn't available yet. Roll on book 2!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Addiction, Classism, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Cursing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Drug use, Grief, and Sexual violence

scmp73's review

dark medium-paced

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

2.75

I saw a video the author posted about this book on Instagram, so I already knew this would be a darker romance, with some red flags from the MMC. However, I did not realize just how many he had. I could see what the author was going for, but for me, it was just too far and over the top. If you don’t mind an overly toxic relationship, where the MCs do not establish or respect any boundaries, this might be for you. 

Lincoln is overly obsessed with Monroe and will do literally anything to keep her and “own” her. The author describes him as being morally grey, but I feel like that’s putting it lightly. I don’t usually mind when a MC is obsessed or consumed by their SO. I actually found I didn’t mind his behaviors toward the beginning. However, as the book went on, Lincoln became more and more problematic. I personally have a problem when one of the MCs doesn’t respect boundaries in the bedroom. There were several instances where Lincoln coerces Monroe or flat out ignores when she says no. I think if I would have known that in the beginning, I probably would not have read it. 

As for Monroe, I wanted her to be stronger. To push back against Lincoln a bit. I wanted to see her become more of her own person, not just Lincoln’s plaything. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Her actions constantly reminded me how young she was, and how much growing up she really had to do. She was 19 FFS. 

Overall, it wasn’t my cup of tea, but I know it will be for others. I don’t mind obsessive or morally grey MCs, but Lincoln didn’t do it for me. He was creepy and pushy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Drug abuse, Death, Addiction, and Alcoholism

Minor: Drug use and Death of parent

There are several instances of Lincoln coercing Monroe into sex or ignoring her when she says no. A lot of the gaslighting centers around him convincing her she physically wants him, even when she’s upset or trying to establish boundaries. If you are sensitive or triggered by SA or rape, I do not suggest reading this.