Reviews with content warning for Self harm - Still Beating

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.

Content Warnings

paperbacksandsnacks's review against another edition

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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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klpage's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This is very dark so please check for trigger warnings!

This was brilliantly written but also there was so much heartbreak in this book!!

You could feel the emotion getting more intense as the book went on.

Content Warnings