Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

40 reviews

mistakensmiles's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Torture, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Abortion, and Murder

mflynn8908's review

dark tense medium-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? It's complicated

3.0

Ok I’m in the minority but this was SOOOO slow and I struggled reading it. The beginning was so strong and literally had me consumed but then everything just turned cringe and slow. I mean I’m not a fan of the author making the older sister sound like an over the top exaggeration of a human while Cora is just this super cool and amazing girl (without even trying). Then Dean literally loving Cora the whole time he was engaged to her sister but he just kept it to himself and pretended to go along with the hate Cora gave him. YUCK! That was sooo cringe. 
I was team Mandy when she basically sent Cora to hell for failing for her fiancé and then sleeping with him so soon after their breakup. I get that they were trauma bonded but COME ON… it was your SISTERS man and you just his bones not while she still had a tan line from that ring on her hand. No. Just no. Not to mention their mom being like “oh we knew Dean loved you the whole time but he was faithful to your sister so we just let it go”… like WHAT??? If I was Mandy I’d disown the whole family and send them all a shit filled box for the holidays. 
I think all the issues I had with this book just didn’t motivate me to want to finish reading it and getting to the end of the book was a chore because I just didn’t care about the characters once they escaped Earl. I can see why it’s so hyped up but to me it’s a little too hyped. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail

paperbacksandsnacks'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I had only read one Jennifer Hartmann prior to this, and that also ripped my heart out and sewed it back in. This is no different. 

I'm beginning to learn that no one writes emotion and chemistry in the same way. I cannot tell you how many times I cried reading this. It was an absolute rollercoaster 

I was messaging my friend the whole way through like "omg, I'm crying again" 

I think despite the taboo elements it was all handled really respectfully and it landed really well (for me anyway) I can see why some wouldn't enjoy some of these tropes. I also think it has the potential to be very triggering so check CW's for sure! 

Dean has a slice of my heart. What a guy!

If anyone needs me I'll be thinking about this book and probably crying again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

louise_jayne99's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Moderate: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Gun violence, Infidelity, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

rdaacvhiesl's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.75

If you can make it through the triggers and initial taboo, this is a unique love story that will stick with you for all the right reasons. Everything written had a purpose and never was used as a prop or just shock value. I applaud Jennifer Hartmann for masterfully toeing that line in order to share this beautifully traffic and harrowing story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Moderate: Animal death, Dementia, Stalking, and Alcohol

Minor: Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Blood, Vomit, Car accident, and Death of parent

marisabenn's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-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. My heart. It was shattered and put together so many times while reading this. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Dementia, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

jess_bee's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

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

0.5

This book was so shit 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

nursemelissa19's review

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt

clemfandango69's review

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

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