Reviews tagging 'Torture'

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

109 reviews

tearbear418's review

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Kidnapping

Moderate: Torture and Murder

Minor: Suicide attempt

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

dblair1991's review

dark emotional 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

5.0

I think this book is way more than it seems. 

Yes READ TRIGGER WARNINGS! The content in part 1 is awful and tragic but this book is so much more than that. 

It is more than a taboo relationship, it’s about trauma and healing and loving yourself. This book was hard to read at times but I’m so glad it did. I finished it basically 24 hours. With tears in my eyes multiple times. But so so so good! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Torture, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, and Murder

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

lilaypad's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.25

I thought this book would be cheesy in an insufferable way in the start, but i actually really enjoyed it. A hard read with some heavy heavy topics, but the message was beautiful and made me very emotional.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Confinement, Drug abuse, and Kidnapping

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

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

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

kmayn227's review

dark emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Pregnancy

allieraj's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment