Reviews with content warning for Torture - 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.

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carlydianne's review

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dark emotional tense fast-paced

4.0

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veronicaarose's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.0

I really don’t know how to put this reading experience into words. I had some idea of what I was getting myself into, but wow was it more than I bargained for. Despite how hard the subject matter was to read, the writing itself was easy to read. As horrible as it sounds I started to lose a bit of steam when Cora and Dean returned to normal life. Just a lot of back and forth for me. I still somehow enjoyed the book, but it was not one I could reread again. For a little more positive I will say that the characters were well written, complex, and they really exhibited their emotions in a believable way. Despite the horrible subject matter I think I would say that author handled it as tactfully as she could with how in depth she decided to go. I was happy to see it wasn’t kitschy or romanticized. I would only recommend to those with a tough mind, it is not for the faint of heart. I probably could say more but I’m really not sure what at this point. Yay for the happy ending, but holy f**k.

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queenbeesreads's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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erinb1414's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional 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

4.5

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mariahlynnpeck's review

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dark emotional hopeful 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

4.0

This book has very hard topics and traumas but the love story that unfolds is a good one. I feel like the author captures the story very well and how they deal with their trauma after everything.

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mickiec03's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? N/A

5.0

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rdaacvhiesl's review

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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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