lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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 heard about this book from Booktube and was intrigued.
"Still Beating" is a dark romance that follows Cora and Dean. Cora has known Dean since High school, and she has loathed every minute she has to spend with him. Unfortunately for her, he is her sister's fiancé, and it looks like she is stuck with him in her life. After a night out, Cora calls Dean for a ride home from the bar, but they never make it home. Cora and Dean wake up chained in a stranger's basement, and they will have to learn to get along if they want to make it out alive.
Warning: this book is VERY dark and tackles some very challenging issues.
I devoured this book. I was so captivated by Cora's and Dean's story, and I was entirely enamored with watching their relationship evolve. I am normally not a huge fan of enemies to lovers, but this felt so believable and not like true hate, and they were not "enemies" for too much of the story. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I loved that they have known each other for so long. Their history, despite the constant teasing and pranks, really made their connection all the more believable.
I 1000% will read from Jennifer Hartmann in the future and I will recommend this book to a very niche audience.
"Still Beating" is a dark romance that follows Cora and Dean. Cora has known Dean since High school, and she has loathed every minute she has to spend with him. Unfortunately for her, he is her sister's fiancé, and it looks like she is stuck with him in her life. After a night out, Cora calls Dean for a ride home from the bar, but they never make it home. Cora and Dean wake up chained in a stranger's basement, and they will have to learn to get along if they want to make it out alive.
Warning: this book is VERY dark and tackles some very challenging issues.
I devoured this book. I was so captivated by Cora's and Dean's story, and I was entirely enamored with watching their relationship evolve. I am normally not a huge fan of enemies to lovers, but this felt so believable and not like true hate, and they were not "enemies" for too much of the story. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I loved that they have known each other for so long. Their history, despite the constant teasing and pranks, really made their connection all the more believable.
Spoiler
Something I loved more than their raw chemistry was how Dean knew how to take care of Cora afterwards. They went through an unimaginable experience and Cora especially had a really difficult time dealing with it. Even though Dean wanted nothing more than to be with Cora, he knew what she really needed was to find herself again, and he stepped away. This selfless act was so beautiful and really proves how much Dean adores Cora.Spoiler
I 1000% will read from Jennifer Hartmann in the future and I will recommend this book to a very niche audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Rape, Kidnapping, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
kodom251999's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my goodness! This is my first book by this author, and I am blown away! Cora & Dean had to walk through the fire. This book was dark. I love dark romance, and this one did not disappoint. From the beginning their relationship was funny always making fun of one another, but then it was so dark. Cora was lost, and as hard as Dean fought he couldn’t reach her. Her relationships with her parents and sister were so strained I didn’t see Cora and Mandy ever coming back together. Dean’s mother was so sad. I can’t imagine it, but reading his thoughts on it had me in tears. This book took us to some really high highs only to plunge us into the darkness. When Corabelle finally let some light in what a change in her, and I didn’t see that come from a woman that shared this situation.
I LOVED this book! Seriously, I am so excited to read more from this author! When you see an author have such a high review and rating, try their work! There’s a reason, and this book is it!
I LOVED this book! Seriously, I am so excited to read more from this author! When you see an author have such a high review and rating, try their work! There’s a reason, and this book is it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Suicide attempt, Rape, and Violence
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
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
momnoceros's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Murder
ashkell's review against another edition
I understand it’s a romance book so it was never going to be a deep look into trauma and how people can bond over it and the downsides of it but nevertheless, this book was just…it rubbed me the wrong way. I’m not even upset about the graphic depictions because I knew what I was reading when I started but here is my list of issues:
- 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…
- 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…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Animal death, Rape, Kidnapping, and Sexual violence
hsteel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Miscarriage, Death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Animal death, Sexual violence, Self harm, Physical abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
m_fin16's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Torture, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, and Self harm
v_nerdbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
abookarmoire's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.0
This was hard to read… a dark romance? The story was a bit beyond the scope of dark.
Perhaps it was a study of how post traumatic stress affects the chemistry between two characters.
Cora and Dean have survived being abducted and forced to do messed up things. After escaping the clutches of a madman, these two struggle to resume their normal, separate lives, and fail miserably. They are bonded and only they can understand one another.
Still Beating has a good ending, after all they have been through, wouldn’t we want them to end up together?
Perhaps it was a study of how post traumatic stress affects the chemistry between two characters.
Cora and Dean have survived being abducted and forced to do messed up things. After escaping the clutches of a madman, these two struggle to resume their normal, separate lives, and fail miserably. They are bonded and only they can understand one another.
Still Beating has a good ending, after all they have been through, wouldn’t we want them to end up together?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Confinement, Rape, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Toxic relationship