Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

48 reviews

bibliobetty's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

I have no complaints about the writing style but I won't be recommending to friends as I don't think that this type of contemporary romance is for me. Doesn't mean it's not worth reading or not good, just not for me. Absolutely read the TW/CW. This is not a "dark romance", this is dark and a romance. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Dementia and Pregnancy

Minor: Miscarriage and Death of parent

clemfandango69's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Listen…am I shocked at myself for reading this? Yes. Is the cover awful? Also yes. The premise is so out of pocket—it’s like AU was double dog dared to write a romance with an impossible setup but…she somehow pulled it off?! I thought for sure this was going to be full of landmines where SA and trauma are wildly mishandled to make the HEA work, but I honestly think she stuck the landing. I’m kind of impressed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Confinement, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Dementia, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Minor: Fatphobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy

Note that there are a few outdated terms in here related to Indigenous tribes and culture, as well as a moment where the psych ward is referred to with one of its insensitive monikers.

nighthonesty's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I'm torn on this book. Overall, I did not enjoy it but I think it is more this type of book is not my style. Jennifer Hartmann did a great job not doing what I expected; which was outstanding. There were numerous times I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue but was glad when the story did not go where I was expecting. I was not a fan of the major character but that is a personal preference and in no way reflects the book itself. I am torn because while it is not a story I enjoy, it was very clearly well done. I'm actually in awe of Jennifer for how much I am indifferent on the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment

Moderate: Infidelity and Self harm

Minor: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Blood, Dementia, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

alis143's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

I never cry reading books and this book made me cry. I was reading in public when it made me cry too 😭. It has AMAZING PTSD representation. RUN to get this book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

vix_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Rape, Violence, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship

klsreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, and Pregnancy

Minor: Animal cruelty, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent

staubitz1025's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Kidnapping, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Murder

sammmy_reads's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Grief

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Suicide attempt

lifeoflouuk_06's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Before reading this book, I advise people to read the triggers. 

I absolutely loved this book. The subjects, context, and content were written so well. There were so many heart aching moments which made me emotional, but there were nice moments too. I feel the author got the balance correctly, especially for the topics based in the book. 

I was definitely routing for Dean in this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Physical abuse, Rape, Kidnapping, Abortion, and Suicide attempt

nanka703's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy