Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

58 reviews

nighthonesty's review

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

christene_littlelibrary's review

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Still Beating is a dark romance with a lot of trigger warnings. But what I like about this book is how they conquered their trauma together in a non toxic way. I loved the story. How they survived the tragic event and still ends up together and to be happy. They totally deserve it. Such an amazing book.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt

katherineguild35's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

deevarr's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book has a lot of trigger warnings and it was very difficult for me to read the earlier parts of the story. But what a beautiful story. My heart went out to all of the characters. This story was so different from books that I usually read. It was so touching, captivating, and brought out so many emotions. I loved it. It lived up to all the hype on social media 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Self harm, and Kidnapping

soulinthepages's review

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

I read this book so quick! 
The MMC and the MFC had a bit of a forbidden romance but this book is so much more than that. This was an incredible story about healing after a traumatic event and trying to feel normal in a world that’s changed for you. 
This is called a dark romance but it’s more of a dark story with dark themes and a touch of romance. It was unexpected of how hooked I got to this story and how much I actually cried. I’m not a book cryer and I cried thrice and teared up several times after. The writing was beautiful and none of it was cheap to the storyline or the characters integrity. Yes there was smut but there was also opposite end of SA etc. I encourage everyone to read the trigger warning list before diving into this story. It was heavy and beautiful and completely terrifying. I experienced so many emotions with this story and before I even finish the book, I knew I would give it 5 stars. I rate my books based on how they made me feel by the end of it. The many emotions had me feeling like I KNEW the characters and I could even relate to them with their healing and their nonlinear journey. This is a masterpiece. I will be reading Lotus next however I will be reading a palette cleanser before I jump back into the heaviness.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy

smileyfacesix's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

4.0

The emotions!!! The things they went through to survive, everything they did to live. This is a great heart wrenching !!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Kidnapping

Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Torture, Xenophobia, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Miscarriage and Torture

katyannreads's review

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt

ermunleybooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Gaslighting

amurray1996's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I don’t have the words to describe this book properly. It was one of the best books I’ve read, ever. Heartbreaking, grueling, tough read at the beginning. But turns into painful angst, healing from trauma, and becoming an unconventional but tragically beautiful love story. This book was flawless, and is one of those stories that sticks with you long after. I’m in awe. Not to mention, the writing was incredibly well done. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Alcohol

reddeddy's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense fast-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? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Medical trauma, Stalking, Abortion, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Incest, Misogyny, Medical content, Car accident, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Dysphoria