Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

41 reviews

funkaroo12's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No

2.75

*she's not like the other girls* This book is just the most woah-is-me and predictable storyline. Autumn being so different, beautiful, and weird is constantly stressed as the driving force behind the plot. Yet she's so thick-headed 🤦🏼‍♀️ "What, me????" Is the vibe I get from her. Maybe I'm just not the audience for YA anymore. I would not want my daughter to read this book before she is 18. Even then, I'd encourage her not to waste the time or brain space.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

juliedenn4's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

It’s the only book I’ve ever read that’s made me cry. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

akusushi's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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

4.25

Made me sob so hard i snorted. Would never read again. Ending was rushed. Main character reminded me of me in high school. Made me reflect a lot on my own situations and relate them to the book (in a good and bad way). To everyone saying it’s cheesy/cringe: this is a high school romance. The characters are teenagers. Of course it will be cringe and cheesy, weren’t we all at some point in our youth? Anyways. The ending was predictable, what hurts is the lead up to it. #teamfinny 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

hufwulf's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.5

finished this book in the course of two days, the plot is rather slow
seemed to be worth it to stick to the end, cried like a baby 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

readyforit's review

Go to review page

emotional reflective 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

3.75

3.75 ⭐️ 0.5 🌶️ (non-descriptive)
The style of writing is unique in that there’s not a lot of dialogue, but more like how a teenager would tell their diary what happened today. Takes you right back to hs🥲 a personally hard read because of this. -1 ⭐️ because it’s a sad beginning, first 2/3, and end, and bc of a trope I don’t like that popped up at the end. I would catch myself feeling hopeful for FMC and have to keep reminding myself she doesn’t get a HEA. Would reread, ready to get wrecked by the sequel.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book is told in chapters that feel like snapshots into the world of two teenagers, Finny and Autumn. They are in love with each other but are unwilling or unable to admit it to themselves or the other. They are fated to love one another — their mothers have been best friends for their entire lives. The last third of this book I just knew it was building toward something bad, the book just gave off a vibe. While the last third also gives you a lot of good, it’s a bittersweet ending. For some reason, I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I thought I would. But I still liked them. The ending made me sad, but I didn’t cry. I’m not sure what to make of that. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

k1m100_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

Ending shocked the life out of me fr
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

sunny_not's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

If the ending was not the stupidest ending that I have ever read this book could've been a 4 star read;however, although I really enjoyed the book till the 75% mark I really disliked how the author wrapped up the story. It felt like there were too many loose ends and
her getting pregnant does not tie the story in my opinion
So this book ended up being a meh. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was a solid read. It did a little too much hinting-to-the-end for me. Like I did read the beginning, friend. I know that we're headed somewhere traumatic, so I don't need a trillion reminders. But I did like that it captured the absolute messiness of high school and emotions and families. Felt a bit like it trailed off after the climax - like the end wasn't as strong. May read this author again.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

meganbolds's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

2.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings