2/5. Releases 7/11/2023.

Note: this book was published previously; this is a review of a re-release ARC. Additionally, this review will discuss sexual assault extensively, as this is a crucial part of the novel.

For when you're vibing with... girls who aren't like other girls, actually, heroes who deserve better, and compelling ideas that went somewhere.

Cora hates her sister Mandy's fiance, Dean, and has ever since they started dating. But when Cora and Dean are kidnapped by a sadistic serial killer, they not only suffer at his hands, but are forced to have sex in front of him--repeatedly. After being rescued, Dean and Cora are fundamentally changed and bonded; and only they know what actually happened in the basement.

To be clear: when I give this book a low rating, it's not because I hate the idea. The idea is why I requested it. I knew this was a dark romance (and to an extent it is) I'm good with that, I knew it had sexual assault on the page, I'm good with that (though I am dubious on how it's handled). I appreciate the content warnings at the opening of the book. My issues are not about concept--the concept is the thing I like. My issues concern execution.

Quick Takes:

--I'll be clear here so that nobody readying this review toddles into this book confused about the sexual assault. Cora is raped by the serial killer, Earl (.... come on, couldn't we come up with a more creative serial killer name?) multiple times. Earl also makes Cora and Dean have sex, which neither of them want (though Dean can't help having an orgasm and Cora does get off in the last encounter, which sets off the second act turmoil). This means that Earl is raping both Dean and Cora, full stop. Dean says he was forced to rape Cora and has, understandably, a ton of conflict over it; I get this. It's a totally believable emotional reaction to what happened to him, and most of the believable emotional reactions in this book are Dean's. What bothers me is not that Cora doesn't see Dean as having raped her (an understandable response, and truly Dean was the mechanism of the rapist and not the rapist), but that NOBODY tells Dean that he was also raped. Like. Our cast of characters seems reasonably well-educated. I'm not looking for a Very Special Episode conversation, but nobody seems to emphasize to Dean "Hey, YOU WERE RAPED". It just bugs me a lot, because I got the sense that the narrative did not buy into Dean being assaulted.

Also, I'll be real... I went into this knowing there would be rape, but the amount of times Earl rapes Cora himself surprised me. It really served no narrative purpose. Obviously, I don't mind rape being a focal point of this novel, but that's where it felt gratuitous, especially because the sticking point of the trauma was what he made Dean do to Cora.

--The thing that bothered me most, however, is that from page one, Cora is better than her sister Mandy because she is not like other girls. Mandy has "bleach blond" hair, unlike Cora, who has normal gold hair. Cora loves books and keeps wanting Dean to read Of Mice and Men to get smarter, whereas Mandy is a hair stylist. (Of Mice and Men may be important, but a fun read it is not, fuck off Cora.) Mandy never got in trouble for all the bad things she did, like wrecking a car when she was a teenager, or having parties!!! Oh, and naturally, Dean actually saw and wanted Cora first when they were teens, because he likes 'em natural, unlike Mandy. Honestly man, what Cora and Dean go through is enough for me to believe in them being trauma bonded. I can believe there was an underlying attraction neither wanted to acknowledge beforehand. I don't need to see Cora uplifted as Better Than Mandy for me to believe in the love story. In fact, the more this is done, the more the love story is undermined.

--Also, Mandy is clearly a normal hot girl trying her best, but in order to again underline that she is not as good as Cora, the author has her say RIDICULOUS SHIT. Like "oh Dean, you were only held captive and tortured by a serial killer for THREE WEEKS, I'd think you'd be over it by now". "Oh Dean, why aren't we fucking yet, it's been six weeks since you were held captive by a serial killer"? Bringing up an incredibly personal thing her sister experienced and was keeping a secret in gENERAL CONVERSATION? It's like, nobody's perfect, I'm not asking for perfect Mandy, but no real person who is not clinically insane would say these things in these circumstances. And we see later than Mandy is a loving, empathetic, remarkably forgiving woman, so why was she so callous before? There's also one more gut punch thing added in that makes zero sense, and literally serves no purpose except to say "Mandy didn't deserve Dean anyway".

But every person in the book who doesn't like Cora or exists to make Cora look better acts this way. There is a conversation, in public, overheard that... Like... I'm sorry, I just don't buy two totally sane people saying this kind of shit out loud, in public, in a WORKPLACE, about a kidnapping survivor they work with. I just don't. They'd keep it to the group chat as God intended.

--Oh, and another thing: Dean and Cora developing these feelings is treated by other characters as like a "welp, I guess Mandy just needs to accept it" thing, and she has been with this man for FIFTEEN YEARS. FIFTEEN. YEARS. That's longer than many marriages! And also, if Dean was in a mid relationship for FIFTEEN YEARS and liked her sister first, why did he never make a move before being with someone for FIFTEEN YEARS and proposing to her? (While somehow, never moving in with her...?)

--Aside from this and one moment in which he says that Cora's ex cheated on her with "some floozy" (file under things a man in his early thirties would never say in the 2020s) Dean is actually really likable and his perspective was a respite. It felt like he was recovering from trauma, whereas Cora's perspective felt like she was recovering from trauma in a way that Sam Levinson would write, and not in a "this is wild I'm so entertained" episode of Euphoria. I felt bad for him. I thought that there was a lot more going on with him that needed to be unpacked, whereas Cora's issues seemed more straightforward and confronted by the text.

--This girl does something so ludicrous to aid in her recovery that I did laugh. Then I remembered she was 29.

--One more note... Like, I'm all for insulting the serial killer, but the amount of times Dean's insults of the serial killer hinged on him being fat was like? Weird to me? Romance has this thing where the villains are often fat (and it exists across subgenres) and like? Personally, if Earl was as out of shape as the book suggested (which, to be fair, you can be fat and in shape but I didn't get that vibe from Earl) I'm not certain as to how he physically defeated big and fit Dean that easily in the beginning. He's literally kidnapped and is torturing y'all on the daily, is there not a better insult than "fat"?

--Weird note, but there is a "joke" Cora played on Dean referenced several times in which she told a college friend of his coming to town that Dean had a crush on him, then slipped Dean Viagra while telling him it was aspirin so he was popping a boner around this friend the whole night. This is treated as funny. That is not only pretty much sexual assault and definitely drugging someone; it's homophobic? How do I root for this woman?

The Sex Stuff:

The (consensual) sex scenes were well written. The sexual assault scenes are a lot more vague, as they should be. I respect the way the non-consensual scenes between Dean an d Cora were written. It's a hard balance to strike, and I'm sympathetic to that as a writer--you don't want to titillate, but you do have to communicate that there was just a seismic shift and realization for our leads.

Look, I didn't like this, and I went in thinking "I'm the type of reader who can handle this book". And I could handle all the dark shit. I just couldn't handle how much the text bent over backwards to uplift the heroine and trash her sister. Sincerely, if this book works for you, go with God, I am not judging. It just didn't for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bloom Books for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book broke my heart but then slowly put it back together again. Please read the trigger warnings before reading because this novel tackles tough topics! Somehow Jennifer was able to create light within the darkness of the pages. She wrote about an extremely traumatic event that turned into a story of recovery and second chances at life.

The story follows Cora and Dean who have been abducted and held prisoner. The book is broken up between Cora and Dean's perspective in a somewhat 3 act structure which was organic to the plot. They are the main focus of the book and I loved the chemistry and personalities of them both.

The overall plot and premise was unique. I have never read another book like this. I don't gravitate to dark romance always as I feel like sometimes the plot in that sub-genre can be lacking. This book - had it all and more. The plot was well thought out and emotionally captivating.

This is by far the most heartbreaking, gut wrenching, and emotional books I have ever read. This one is very important to know the trigger warnings beforehand and I was glad they are listed at the front of the book. There were many times I had to put the book down because of how overwhelming everything was. I cried so much reading this book because of the situation and the romance. Dean and Cora went through unthinkable things while they were in that basement and they formed an unimaginable connection. Everything that came after the kidnapping was a lot to take in and I am still not sure how I feel about it. There were a lot of frustrating moments with Dean and Cora and their families. I did not really understand Cora's relationship with her sister and how things played out when them. I also wished Dean and Cora were more honest about what happened with each other and others. Even if they were just honest with a therapist. I know I don't have any right to insert my opinion after the trauma they went through but I was frustrated none the less. I was happy with how everything played out in the end though. This is a good one if you like dark romances but be sure to check the trigger warnings.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC in exchange for a review!

This story was a powerful mix of trauma and love. I think the author did an amazing job of balancing the need to set the stage, and still making it a love story overall, albeit not the one that the protagonists even thought was possible. This was a heartbreaking, impossible situation that was plotted well and handled with absolute grace.

This was messed UP, but I literally read it in one wide-eyed sitting!! 😳

Please note:
👉 I highly suggest making sure you check out the author’s content warnings before picking up this book. Make sure you understand and can handle the material. It’s dark.
👉 I received an ARC of this book for free through Netgalley in exchange for a review. All of my thoughts here are honest and given freely. My thanks to the author and publisher of this book for the chance to read this story!

You can expect:
▪️A character driven, very emotional story
▪️Dual POV
▪️Taboo romance
▪️Enemies to lovers
▪️Literal forced proximity
▪️On page, graphic representation of trauma
▪️Trauma recovery
▪️Escape from a serial killer
▪️On page spice 🌶️

Some of my thoughts:
📍This book was horrifying, heart wrenching and riveting. Once I started it, I could not put it down. The first 20% or so, shows the main characters dealing with being abducted and facing the crimes that were committed against them that follow. I felt physically ill at various moments during this portion. The descriptive language and the way this author conveys emotion, made this so real and raw!

📍The remainder of the book really deals with the aftermath of having been through unbearable trauma. The emotions were so high, the characters so profoundly changed, the reader gets to walk their journey with them.

📍These characters were incredibly well built. I enjoyed their arcs and really came to love them. Their struggles really touched me and I teared up on more that one occasion!

📍This story will haunt me for a bit, I think! It does have a HEA (as much as one is possible), but my heart will be heavy for a while. I can’t even say this is a bad thing, if an author can pull that sort of emotion out of me I consider it a job well done!

📍My only criticism is that I would have liked to have seen more of the main pairing in a healthier place, after their eight month separation.

Memorable Quotes:
✨It’s still beating. You’re still okay. And I still love you.

✨Every love story is worth writing, no matter how messy it might be.

✨ You don’t feel like my enemy anymore. You feel like my lifeline.

✨ Maybe love is singing her favourite song in the dark, just so she can sleep. Maybe love is giving away the shoes on your feet to help keep her warm. Maybe love is coming over in the middle of the night when the power goes out because you know she's afraid of the dark. And maybe love is walking away because it's the only way she'll find the light again.

I’m glad there are trigger warnings at the very beginning. While I don’t really have any I’m glad they’re there.
Dean and Cora are about to be brother and sister in laws. One terrible night they end up kidnapped. We’re made to think that these two hate each other yet they both do what needs to be done to keep each other alive. They both get away from the kidnapper but now have to deal with the trauma.

Still Beating is not your light hearted book. It is very heavy but very well written. This is not a book I typically read. It’s messy and dark but given the elements that make up the story it’s meant to be those things.

What an incredible read!

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann captured me heart and soul from the very start! It's the kind of book that has you reading from the edge of your seat and unable to put it down!

Not for the faint of heart, Still Beating is sure to break you down just to put you back together piece by broken piece. I lived for the intense emotion and the impossible situations and absolutely cheered for these characters as they fought for themselves and each other.

A must read if you enjoy angsty and dark romance!

A wonderful book with a beautiful new look! I will forever buy anything Jennifer Hartmann writes!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!!

I was very excited to receive this ARC because it seemed like such an interesting story. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book because some parts were extremely hard to read and some of the characters were very unlikable, but on the other hand, I couldn’t put it down! There were parts I really liked, and parts I really didn’t like.

Why 3.5 stars:
- Extremely hard subject matter (read the trigger warnings)
- Confusing and complicated relationship with the sister
- I loved the flashbacks! Gave me a better understanding of the history between Dean and Cora
- Tragic, gut wrenching romance
- I really couldn’t decide where I stood with this book. Maybe I’m still trying to process it but overall, I did enjoy it.

“Every love story is worth writing, no matter how messy it might be.”

I would definitely proceed with caution, but if you’re up for a reading challenge (maybe something out of your comfort zone), read it! Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!

When I finished this book, I just closed it and cried. This book is (not saying this lightly) a MASTERPIECE. I teared up or cried a handful of times throughout, but once I was done I truly needed that emotional release.
It is dark - dark dark dark, there are TONS of triggers. I mean you follow two people trapped in a sick killers basement, so go in with caution and do research.

Now, I got to be honest, I heard how good this was from others. I saw the reviews, but lately me and dark romances haven't been on the same page so I was nervous. Thank the maker I didn't listen to those nerves. This book is everything, it has the darkness, the angst, the plot, the emotions, the love, top tier quotes. I cannot say enough. BUT I am going to focus on the love.
I have seen it, I have heard it "this romance is beautiful" "the love story is truly beautiful" & I am sitting over here thinking yeah, it was good or it was great, but never quite got to the beautiful part - until now.
This is the most gorgeous, beautiful, vulnerable, love story of all time. Fight me. I couldn't get over how impactful the love was. It's in so many big moments and the tiniest moments while in the middle of the most fucked up times of their life.

Now there was a few negatives and by a few, I just mean her sister. She didn't ruin it for me (obviously), but how unrealistic she was in her expectations after the kidnapping was annoying and pissed me off. She is so selfish. Just her attitude and understanding was gross.


I can't go on any more. You HAVE to read it if you think you can stomach it. It's written so well! They will be in my head forever and ever.

Loved the bonus scene!! Being able to highlight it all, what a game changer!

"...love doesn't exist without sacrifice."

Another amazing story by Jennifer Hartmann! She has definitely become a 1-click author for me! Still Beating will leave you breathless! Be warned...it is dark, it is taboo, it is twisted. So many unexpected twists and outcomes! The story unfolds and the darkness and uncertainty begin.

Dean Asher and Cora Lawson have known each other since high school. Their banter, teasing and constant pranks have left their mark on Cora over the years. And then there is the fact that Dean is engaged to Cora's sister, Mandy. Complications are at every turn.

Dean and Cora find themselves in a fight or flight situation. Abducted and shackled in a madman's basement. They are forced to perform unspeakable acts - how will they survive? Agonizing moments ensue.

Their relationship is intense, destructive, passionate, needy. They may be free of the basement but not free of the haunting memories and paralyzing fear.

What a great read! It was surely a page turner. It had me covering my eyes at times. Jennifer Hartmann's writing is so good! It will draw you in only to spit you out in complete awe! If she writes it, I will read it!

We are bound, chained, tied—to our trauma and to each other. We’re in this together. And yet, I’ve never felt more alone.

It was dark, but it was so good :)

Jennifer does such a good job with this book. Is a tragic romance that you enjoyed while you are reading it.
The story of Cora and Dean is not flowers and hearts but so intense, so raw, and beautiful because you can feel what they are feeling. The writer made the parts with the point of view of Cora or Dean so you can know what are they feeling.

Each part is about something that they are living, first the abduction, the second is the part where are they feeling the worst, the worst battles, the worst of themselves and the third is when I felt they are healing.

In each part, you can feel with so much intensity.

I really like it is not something I read every day but I think it is worth it.

This is my favorite book of 2023 so far! I was completely captivated by this heartbreaking but hopeful dark romance. The first 25-30% is really difficult to read, but the story of Dean and Cora has stayed with me since I finished the last page of this book. Their story was so heartbreaking yet so beautiful. What they had to endure and overcome together was truly remarkable and their connection and growing love for each other because of it was just written so beautifully. I wanted 300 more pages of their life together. Jennifer Hartmann writes with such emotion. I love her books, but Still Beating stands miles ahead as my all time favorite from her so far. I absolutely loved the bonus epilogue in this version of the book! All the stars ⭐️

this book will never NOT make me weep. so emotionally and beautifully written! Jennifer Hartmann literally never misses.

This book is full of emotion, it's a book that worms itself into your heart and forces you to feel and there is no escape. I went into this book a little blind because I was on a little mini vacation and wanted something light. This was in no way light and I realized my mistake when I was in a public airport trying to hold my tears in. Please make sure to check the trigger warnings because it gets very real very fast but for me it was oh so worth it. Cora and Dean are not friends, in Cora's eyes they only tolerate each other because Dean has been with her sister for years and at this point he's part of the family Things take a turn when they are both kidnapped by this man later dubbed 'the matchmaker." This man breaks their will and spirit, violates them and forever changes their lives. To survive they had to learn to rely on each other and reading through their pain low-key traumatized me, When they finally do make it out alive everyone expects them to be able to bounce back but its not that easy. Now they have to navigate how to go back to a normal that doesn't give them nightmares and make them want to scream when people come in close contact with them. Only they know what happened in that basement, can they really move on from all they shared?

This book officially lives rent-free in my head and my heart. Raw, messy, heart-wrenching Jennifer Hartmann put her all into this novel and it shines through from the first page to the last.

Cora and Dean's story is one of pranks, animosity, growth, resilience, patience, and sacrifice. Their story will rip your heart out and then stitch it back together again.

One Sided Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Forbidden Love
He Falls First
Dual POV

I really enjoyed this one, especially having read some of Jennifer’s other books this one was a welcome addition full of angst, emotion, and the forced proximity trope. I think what would have made this better is even though given the precarious situation the MMC AND FMC are put in I feel as though there should have been a little more emotion involved with the fact that he was in a relationship with FMCs sister. I still think that this was an engaging read and I would recommend other readers to check it out. Both the characters go through something horrible and are navigating in a way they can both handle. I think this story had the potential to do even more, but still a good story.

Thank you to Jennifer Hartmann, Netgalley, and Bloom Books, for the arc. These opinions are my own, and I am leaving them voluntarily.

Notable tropes:
Dark Romance
Enemies/Friends to Lovers
Forbidden
Forced Proximity

Still Beating does have some pretty heavy topics/traumatic experiences, so I would highly recommend checking the TW before reading this book.

“As long as it’s beating, I’m yours.”

WOW. The rollercoaster this book took me on. The plot was definitely something new and outside of my comfort zone. I struggled getting through some of the chapters, and it was so hard to muster through… but somehow I did. Is it possible to like and also not like a book?

Few things I didn’t like…. MMC liking FMC from the beginning, but was with her sister from the beginning… Also, the sister is awful?? I just can’t comprehend how she couldn’t be a little more understanding of the situation.

I feel bad because I wanted to love this book so much. I really tried, but it just fell flat for me.

I think the biggest issue I had with it is Cora and Dean just weren’t likable, and not in the “they are morally gray” type of way, but the just flat out disdain type of way.

By no means is this my favorite book of the year, but it had a super intriguing concept and a solid story. Low grade spice, but I appreciate the story.