A review by hellobookbird
Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

5.0

"Every love story is worth writing, no matter how messy it might be. I would like to read your book."

Hoooooooolyyyyyyyyyy. Okay, let me start by saying I totally went into this blind (I saw it was Kindle Unlimited and I've been eyeing a GORGEOUS special edition of this book on Mercari for about a year so figured it was the perfect time to talk myself in or out of buying it finally) so I was walloped over the head and it serves me right LOL.

Please, please, please read the trigger warnings so you are prepared!

MAN this has such DARRRKKKKK content. I honestly thought about 70% through I'd have to take a break for my mental health because it was messing me up something fierce but I'm glad I pushed through. While this book is absolutely about trauma, grappling with that trauma, trying to fit back into "normal" life after something that changes you so intrinsically, and spiraling... it is ALSO about deciding to be selfish to grab hold of what matters to you, the anchor that will save you in any storm, and that to love someone else you must first love yourself.

"Just get better. There’s no shame in the struggle, but you can’t stay there forever."

My mind is still spinning.