Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

160 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

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

klpage's review against another edition

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. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt

carli_likes_books's review

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This is one of the darkest books I’ve ever read. I know it is going to be a core memory. My heart is simultaneously full and broken. 

There is a HEA

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Pregnancy

soph_reviews_books's review

dark emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

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

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

blumerlamotte's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.75

Heart wrenching, intense, dark, complicated. Check the trigger warnings. They’re no joke. This novel is NOT for the faint of heart.

Folks seem to either love or hate this novel. I swear reviewers either give it 5 stars or 1 star. I’m really torn. Unsure how I feel about it. It started so strong (but extremely hard to read) and from there… the character development was convoluted and messy and erratic. I think that follows with the excessive trauma the characters had to deal with. For me I think it just felt a little too contrived and not quite authentic enough. 

It’s a good book with awful topics. The authors writing style is smooth and easy to follow. Something about it just left me wanting but I don’t know what I want …

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Pregnancy

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

celeste77's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This was a very good, but challenging and dark read. Definitely check the trigger warnings because it was tough to get through. I was very attached to the characters and it had me feeling so many emotions throughout the book. It was hard to put down but also I needed to take breaks because of how heavy it was. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Suicide attempt

hailiejo's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Alcohol