A review by kherndon927
Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann
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.
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