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A review by colleensreadingadventures
Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann
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: Rape and Kidnapping
Moderate: Miscarriage and Suicide attempt