Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

90 reviews

bookishchaos's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-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? No

5.0

This was so well written. All the anger, sadness and the healing process was very realistic. Some parts were definitely hard to read and made me cry. So please look at the trigger warnings!!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual assault, and Rape

Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, and Self harm

Minor: Animal death

tk9595's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Rape, and Suicide attempt

klanders's review against another edition

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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Self harm, Violence, Gun violence, Torture, Trafficking, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Confinement, Murder, and Sexual assault

colorcrystals's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Violence

Moderate: Suicide attempt and Self harm

taelorslibrary's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Rape, Murder, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Self harm, Blood, and Death

Minor: Animal death and Pregnancy

alliereadsabook's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Murder

Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Self harm, and Kidnapping

kherndon927's review against another edition

emotional sad 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? No

3.0

Trigger warnings first: 🍇, kidnapping, humane animal death (no abuse), attempted suicide, and drinking to cope. 

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.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, and Violence

Moderate: Rape

marlene_suntie_helton's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense 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? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

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

thelibraryofjordan's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

---

Content Warnings

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

dark emotional sad tense

• 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

I could not put this book down but I did want to at times, and not because of the dark elements (CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS) but because I found 99% of the characters unlikable (including Cora) 😬Overall, i did enjoy this and was moved to tears. This was not really a dark romance to me. I loved the writing, Dean (not a bad boy), Tabitha, and Lily. My favorite line from the book is… 

It’s still beating.  
    You’re still okay.  
    And I still love you.  
    —    Dean

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Murder, Self harm, and Rape

Minor: Miscarriage, Abortion, Bullying, and Pregnancy