yankeegirl22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, Confinement, Miscarriage, and Murder
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
p1nklaydie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
Please read the trigger warnings, this book is insanely dark.
Content Warnings
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
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
Omg this book…my heart almost stopped beating a couple times during my reading of Still Beating. It was an amazing multi layered book with both dark and hopeful themes as well as a bit of comedy in the mix.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Rape
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Miscarriage
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
4.0
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.
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: Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Self harm
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
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
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…
You’re still okay.
And I still love you.
— Dean
Spoiler
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
romantasy_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Grief, and Kidnapping