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allymurphy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Every character is kind of an asshole but its kind of okay
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Rape, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Kidnapping, and Self harm
Moderate: Vomit and Pregnancy
klanders's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Self harm, Violence, Gun violence, Torture, Trafficking, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Confinement, Murder, and Sexual assault
ace97's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, Suicide, Violence, Confinement, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
wilsoncolleen's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Dark concept, but realistically depicted when it could’ve been so easy to wrap it up simply and prettily instead. Good read if you can power through the sexual assault scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Violence
colorcrystals's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Self harm
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
I heard about this book from Booktube and was intrigued.
"Still Beating" is a dark romance that follows Cora and Dean. Cora has known Dean since High school, and she has loathed every minute she has to spend with him. Unfortunately for her, he is her sister's fiancé, and it looks like she is stuck with him in her life. After a night out, Cora calls Dean for a ride home from the bar, but they never make it home. Cora and Dean wake up chained in a stranger's basement, and they will have to learn to get along if they want to make it out alive.
Warning: this book is VERY dark and tackles some very challenging issues.
I devoured this book. I was so captivated by Cora's and Dean's story, and I was entirely enamored with watching their relationship evolve. I am normally not a huge fan of enemies to lovers, but this felt so believable and not like true hate, and they were not "enemies" for too much of the story. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I loved that they have known each other for so long. Their history, despite the constant teasing and pranks, really made their connection all the more believable.
Something I loved more than their raw chemistry was how Dean knew how to take care of Cora afterwards. They went through an unimaginable experience and Cora especially had a really difficult time dealing with it. Even though Dean wanted nothing more than to be with Cora, he knew what she really needed was to find herself again, and he stepped away. This selfless act was so beautiful and really proves how much Dean adores Cora.
I 1000% will read from Jennifer Hartmann in the future and I will recommend this book to a very niche audience.
"Still Beating" is a dark romance that follows Cora and Dean. Cora has known Dean since High school, and she has loathed every minute she has to spend with him. Unfortunately for her, he is her sister's fiancé, and it looks like she is stuck with him in her life. After a night out, Cora calls Dean for a ride home from the bar, but they never make it home. Cora and Dean wake up chained in a stranger's basement, and they will have to learn to get along if they want to make it out alive.
Warning: this book is VERY dark and tackles some very challenging issues.
I devoured this book. I was so captivated by Cora's and Dean's story, and I was entirely enamored with watching their relationship evolve. I am normally not a huge fan of enemies to lovers, but this felt so believable and not like true hate, and they were not "enemies" for too much of the story. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I loved that they have known each other for so long. Their history, despite the constant teasing and pranks, really made their connection all the more believable.
I 1000% will read from Jennifer Hartmann in the future and I will recommend this book to a very niche audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Rape, Kidnapping, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
kodom251999's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my goodness! This is my first book by this author, and I am blown away! Cora & Dean had to walk through the fire. This book was dark. I love dark romance, and this one did not disappoint. From the beginning their relationship was funny always making fun of one another, but then it was so dark. Cora was lost, and as hard as Dean fought he couldn’t reach her. Her relationships with her parents and sister were so strained I didn’t see Cora and Mandy ever coming back together. Dean’s mother was so sad. I can’t imagine it, but reading his thoughts on it had me in tears. This book took us to some really high highs only to plunge us into the darkness. When Corabelle finally let some light in what a change in her, and I didn’t see that come from a woman that shared this situation.
I LOVED this book! Seriously, I am so excited to read more from this author! When you see an author have such a high review and rating, try their work! There’s a reason, and this book is it!
I LOVED this book! Seriously, I am so excited to read more from this author! When you see an author have such a high review and rating, try their work! There’s a reason, and this book is it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Suicide attempt, Rape, and Violence
yankeegirl22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, Confinement, Miscarriage, and Murder
kherndon927's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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? No
3.0
Trigger warnings first: 🍇, kidnapping, humane animal death (no abuse), attempted suicide, and drinking to cope.
I was worried when I started this book. In the first 3 chapters, the MCs are taken and assaulted. I've never been as grateful for a fade to black scene as I was I'm this book. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of consensual spice. There is some CNC, but mostly, it's fade to black or mentioned in passing.
This book is about loving yourself as much as it's about loving someone else. Dean told Cora he had to go because he loved her was 🤌. She needed to face her demons, and he needed to face his. I wish we could've seen more of his journey over their separation. The focus on mental health and making sure they got the proper help was good. The MCs really tried to skip that step when they both desperately needed therapy.
Mandy is selfish A F!! Her fiance was kidnapped and locked up for three weeks. after 2 weeks of him being home, she's like, "Why won't you have sex with me!?!? Ma'am give him some time to process. Then she has the audacity to tell her sister, WHO HAD A MISCARRIAGE, she was awful, and no one would forgive her for falling in love with Dean!?!?!? What in the actual hell?!? I have siblings, so I get it, but damn girl. Let the scars heal before you start throwing salt.
I had a hard time caring for Cora at first. She comes off childish and niave. She accused Dean of all kinds of terrible things with absolutely no proof. Then, she couldn't recognize those behaviors in her own relationship. As you learn her background, some things become clear. Dean was so in love with her. That's probably why Mandy slept with someone else and cheated on him. Then she got with his best friend. UGH Mandy.
I was worried when I started this book. In the first 3 chapters, the MCs are taken and assaulted. I've never been as grateful for a fade to black scene as I was I'm this book. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of consensual spice. There is some CNC, but mostly, it's fade to black or mentioned in passing.
This book is about loving yourself as much as it's about loving someone else. Dean told Cora he had to go because he loved her was 🤌. She needed to face her demons, and he needed to face his. I wish we could've seen more of his journey over their separation. The focus on mental health and making sure they got the proper help was good. The MCs really tried to skip that step when they both desperately needed therapy.
Mandy is selfish A F!! Her fiance was kidnapped and locked up for three weeks. after 2 weeks of him being home, she's like, "Why won't you have sex with me!?!? Ma'am give him some time to process. Then she has the audacity to tell her sister, WHO HAD A MISCARRIAGE, she was awful, and no one would forgive her for falling in love with Dean!?!?!? What in the actual hell?!? I have siblings, so I get it, but damn girl. Let the scars heal before you start throwing salt.
I had a hard time caring for Cora at first. She comes off childish and niave. She accused Dean of all kinds of terrible things with absolutely no proof. Then, she couldn't recognize those behaviors in her own relationship. As you learn her background, some things become clear. Dean was so in love with her. That's probably why Mandy slept with someone else and cheated on him. Then she got with his best friend. UGH Mandy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Moderate: Rape
marlene_suntie_helton's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Gun violence, Violence, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Self harm, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Physical abuse