Reviews with content warning for Animal death - Still Beating

Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

41 reviews

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…

Content Warnings

hsteel's review against another edition

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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

amandasreads6149's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Emotional damage ❤️‍🩹

Content Warnings

alyssadorn's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

This is the only situation in which gifting a heart-shaped necklace is justified.

Okay, jokes aside, this book made me viscerally feel things. Despair, hope, connection with the characters. The moments of shared trauma were handled so well, too; I’m glad the rape scenes weren’t detailed or explicit, just having us as readers focus on what Cora focused on— not the actual act. It was more moving than I expected, and overall a really good book. Beautiful and heartbreaking and healing.

I will say at times, especially on page 2, it was a little girl-shamey toward Mandy, with Cora’s comparisons between the two of them feeling a bit “I’m not like other girls”- coded.

Definitely check the content warnings.

Content Warnings

sienasummerrreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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? N/A

4.0

Wow, I’m in shock honestly. This was dark and I felt sad the whole way through. Don’t get me wrong, this was a fantastic read but I believe it is better if you go in blind. These characters go through so much that their connection is inevitable. This isn’t your average romance it’s a journey of being at your lowest point and coming back and battling demons and finding yourself in the world again. From the start of this book, it just dived straight into the darkness and draws you in so fast. I honestly only felt one emotion reading this book sadness. If there were happy bits I was sad still. I read the physical and listened to the audiobook. The audiobook was fantastic and enhanced my experience while reading. It's told in a dual narration as well.

Overall really good read and I do recommend just please look into triggers before diving in.

If you love:

🔹Dark Content & Themes
🔹Graphic Scenes
🔹Survival
🔹Intimate Connection
🔹Mental Health
🔹Emotional Reads

Genre/Type: Dark Romance 18+
APK: Physical & Audiobook ARC
Pages: 300
Audio Length: 12hrs 7mins
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Series or Stand Alone:
Tropes or Themes: Enemies To Lovers, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Kidnapping, SA, R, Captivity, Violence, Physical Abuse, Guns, Forced Cheating, Murder, Past Memories, Miscarriage, Tattoo, Alcohol, Drug Use, Overdose, Mental Health, Trauma, Medical Content & Playlist
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫

All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Scribd | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫

Content Warnings

bnully1027's review against another edition

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dark sad tense

4.0

I’m having a hard thinking of a review right now. This book was an emotional roller coaster. I’m surprised how instantly I was connected to these characters. I mean having it hook you almost immediately was a big plus. My ONLY issue is that Cora was sometimes too much. I get the trauma but still. This took me by surprise and as graphic and fucked this story was it was kind of a beautiful too. I dont think I’ll eve pick it again but I’m very happy I read it.

Content Warnings