Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Pretending by Holly Bourne

6 reviews

mizzypf27's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

There were parts of this book where I learnt a lot. I had opportunity to reflect on my own privilege and think about experiences of other people I know. However, I think I was expecting a typical romance ending kind of story, and although still a good ending that fits with the concept of the book, it felt rushed and undeveloped compared to the first 300 pages. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

lizaxwin's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad slow-paced

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

3.0

I‘m so ambivalent about this book. I really hated the FMC in like the first half of the book, but she got better and recognised her mistakes and everything. But… idk… her constant hate on other women made it kinda unpleasant nonetheless. I mean, why do we have the constant need to put other women down? Isn‘t it enough that men do that (which was basically the whole point of the book). Idk… the ending was OK. Yeah… definitely check trigger warnings for this one!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Violence

ccassidy98's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Rape, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Addiction and Alcohol

__lucebrennan's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.25

Very gripping and a different writing style - should definitely come with trigger warnings! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

booksandcat's review

dark emotional slow-paced

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

2.5

I didn't particularly like this book. I like what Holly Bourne was trying to do, I think, but I think this story got lost along the way. I also find myself skimming her writing but somehow it keeps me reading, so she gets 2.5 for that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence

katiew892's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders