Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

163 reviews

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

cozyreader9752's review

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, 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

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

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

lanaw's review

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This is my 2nd time reading this book I read it 2 years ago and I still remebered everything about the book going back in.This book has left a lasting impact on me. I can't believe how powerful it is. It completely tore my heart apart and then somehow managed to mend it back together. The emotions in this book are so raw and intense. Dean and Cora's story will forever hold a special place in my heart.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

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

alis143's review

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