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ClareR (5681 KP) rated Love After Love in Books

Apr 17, 2020  
Love After Love
Love After Love
Ingrid Persaud | 2020 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I absolutely loved Love After Love, but I will start this review with a warning. The first chapter goes in to graphic detail about the domestic abuse that one of the main characters, Betty Ramin, suffers at the hands of her husband. It does set the scene well, and explains not only why she is such a strong character and her motivations, but also the cultural attitudes behind domestic abuse.

I really liked the characters in this novel (other than Betty’s husband, of course), particularly Betty and Mr Chetan. Mr Chetan is the glue joining Betty and her son Solo together for a time, until Solo learns a terrible secret about his mother. After this, Solo goes to live with his paternal uncle in New York. I expected to not like his uncle, but he turned out to be another lovely character, who treated Solo like his own son. Solo becomes increasingly lonely, and struggles with his mental health.

The end of this book broke my heart completely. It was so sad and unjust and again, highlighted cultural attitudes.

I loved the way this was written, and became immersed in the Trinidadian turns of phrase, made all the more immersive by the author recording themselves reading the first chapter so that we on The Pigeonhole app could hear them.

It’s a beautiful book, and I would recommend it wholeheartedly.
  
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Cara Edgar (32 KP) rated The Lie in Books

Jan 25, 2018  
The Lie
The Lie
C.L. Taylor | 2018 | Thriller
7
7.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
engaging fast read (0 more)
may cause triggers for victims of abuse (0 more)
Best friends are there for each other through thick and thin. You trust them with your life. At least that's what Emma, Daisy, Leanne and Al think. But all that changes when they embark on a trip of a lifetime together. When they return home, only two of them are left alive and the group has been torn apart by lies and deception. Many years later, when the dust has settled and life has moved on, one girl receives a threatening letter. Someone knows the truth about what happened on that holiday and will stop at nothing to expose it.
  
Tale of a Tooth
Tale of a Tooth
Allie Rogers | 2018 | LGBTQ+
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was a little difficult to read for a few reasons. It should come with a trigger warning since it deals with domestic abuse in a realistic manner. That said it was still a well written book. One of the things that made it hard to read was a that the voice of the story is 4 yr old Danny. Everything is told from his point of view and in the way his brain sees it. To me it also seemed Danny was on the autism spectrum so that added a different twist. It is a hard hitting book but definately worth a read.
  
Pennies (Dollar, #1)
Pennies (Dollar, #1)
Pepper Winters | 2016 | Erotica, Romance
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
There isn't a book Pepper has written than I haven't fallen into completely from the moment I read the first page. Her writing draws you in, makes you feel as though you know every thought and feeling and can experience it as close as possible without physically dragging you in. You head and your heart will be never quite be the same though... This story was heartbreaking, watching Pim's struggle and abuse, on top of the connection between Pim and Elder.... all while he struggles to do what is right while he himself is a monster at heart. FABULOUS dark book, can't recommend Pepper's writing enough.. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended dark read!!
  
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Deborah (162 KP) rated The Rival in Books

Dec 21, 2018  
TR
The Rival
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A gripping read, but domestic violence, child abuse, incest, adultery, suicide, abduction, murder.... it did put you through the wringer a bit!

I felt it wasn't wrapped up as well as it could have been - some things left me feeling unsatisfied. A few inconsistencies - for example a character badly sprains or possibly breaks an ankle. This is a hindrance while it needs to be, but a few hours later it seems to be OK again.

If Olivia knew what she knew about her husband all along, I can't see why she didn't use it to her advantage earlier?

Gripping while it lasted, but I don't think I could read it again.