alliereadsabook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Self harm, and Kidnapping
p1nklaydie's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Rape, Murder, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Torture, Miscarriage, Cursing, and Suicide attempt
colleensreadingadventures's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Cora is out at a bar for her sister’s birthday getting liquored up. She turns down a ride home with her sister and her sister’s fiancé Dean insisting she’ll take an Uber or Lyft., what she wasn’t counting on was her wallet suddenly disappearing. After making multiple unanswered calls to friends as well as her sister, Cora makes the dreaded call to Dean, her sister’s fiancé and her nemesis for the last 15 years. Cora and Dean have been a thorn in each other sides for as long as she can remember with countless insults and over the top pranks, but Dean was the only one to pick up so Cora is at his mercy.
Before she is able to make it home something horrific transpires and Cora wakes up in an unknown basement shackled to a pole. At first she thinks she is alone but then she sees Dean is chained to another pole right next to her. Can these two enemies work together to make it out of their predicament alive and what will they endure while being held captive?
Let’s just get this out of the way and I’ll let y’all know this is a deeply dark romance. There are trigger warnings galore for this book. There is kidnapping, rape and some explicit sex. I am not easily triggered but there were a couple parts that even I was a bit disturbed at. Obviously not enough to have stopped reading though and I’m honestly glad I continued.
This was a story of hope (imo) mixed in with some really messed up moments. Hope to survive, hope to not lose your shit, and hope for a better future.
It is told in multiple timelines which included the kidnapping, after the fact and even prior to the event to give you an idea of how Dean and Cora’s relationship was before doomsday. We also get dual POV’s from the MC’s , which made me that much more emotionally invested. ❤️🔥
My favorite part was the dynamic between Dean and Cora and their “hate” for each other. Their banter and practical jokes were over the top, but provided me with some much needed comedic relief that had me cracking up amongst the grim subject matter, as well as showing readers there was some sort of emotional connection between them prior. And I don’t want to give anything away but I really saw Dean in a new light when he was down in the basement trapped with Cora, and that’s all I’m going to say about that folks.
I think the only thing I can complain about was the end. I felt like it was too rapid and not cohesive enough. But other than that an excellent book, despite its crazy subject matter.
If you like Dark Romance books I highly recommend picking up Still Beating. But please do pay attention to the trigger warnings. And if you can handle the content I am almost positive this will really find a way into your heart and become one of your top romance reads period.
Graphic: Kidnapping and Rape
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Miscarriage
kherndon927's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I was worried when I started this book. In the first 3 chapters, the MCs are taken and assaulted. I've never been as grateful for a fade to black scene as I was I'm this book. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of consensual spice. There is some CNC, but mostly, it's fade to black or mentioned in passing.
This book is about loving yourself as much as it's about loving someone else. Dean told Cora he had to go because he loved her was 🤌. She needed to face her demons, and he needed to face his. I wish we could've seen more of his journey over their separation. The focus on mental health and making sure they got the proper help was good. The MCs really tried to skip that step when they both desperately needed therapy.
Mandy is selfish A F!! Her fiance was kidnapped and locked up for three weeks. after 2 weeks of him being home, she's like, "Why won't you have sex with me!?!? Ma'am give him some time to process. Then she has the audacity to tell her sister, WHO HAD A MISCARRIAGE, she was awful, and no one would forgive her for falling in love with Dean!?!?!? What in the actual hell?!? I have siblings, so I get it, but damn girl. Let the scars heal before you start throwing salt.
I had a hard time caring for Cora at first. She comes off childish and niave. She accused Dean of all kinds of terrible things with absolutely no proof. Then, she couldn't recognize those behaviors in her own relationship. As you learn her background, some things become clear. Dean was so in love with her. That's probably why Mandy slept with someone else and cheated on him. Then she got with his best friend. UGH Mandy.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Self harm
Moderate: Rape
marlene_suntie_helton's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Gun violence, Violence, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Self harm, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Physical abuse
ashkell's review against another edition
- sexualised Cora and Dean’s rape a bit too much for my liking. Even though they both “consented” to have sex together, they wouldn’t have if not for the circumstances
- not sure if we are meant to hate the sister, but I did. However, I wish she was a likeable character so even though you want Cora and Dean to be together, you still feel bad for Maddie. However, she was too shallow of a character as well and too “mean girl” sytreotypical that is just came across lazy
- 13 year olds on Wattpad can write better than this…sorry but it’s true
- Cora gave major pick me/I’m not like the other girl vibes. Like your not the only girl that’s into books and Maddie isn’t an idiot because she is blonde and wears dresses…
Graphic: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Animal death, Rape, Kidnapping, and Sexual violence
thelibraryofjordan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, and Rape
Minor: Miscarriage
bookwxrmvictoria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Spoiler
It’s still beating.You’re still okay.
And I still love you.
— Dean
Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Murder, Self harm, and Rape
Minor: Miscarriage, Abortion, Bullying, and Pregnancy
romantasy_reads's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Grief, and Kidnapping
hsteel's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
1.0
Graphic: Rape, Miscarriage, Death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Animal death, Sexual violence, Self harm, Physical abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts