This dark angsty romance is a book I can’t stop thinking about. This book is dark so dark it was a tough read but watching these characters rebuild their lives was awe inspiring. This book follows Cora and her sister’s boyfriend Dean after they are kidnapped and held captive by a serial killer while held in captivity. Dean and Cora do not have the greatest track record they can’t stand each other but the two are forced to work together to stay alive.

This book was so so dark if you have any triggers , please check the trigger warnings as this is full of them. This book was way more than a romance it really goes into what these people are feeling after such a horrible experience and how they came back from it. While this book is dark it’s also so uplifting seeing people go through absolute hell and come back from it. The writing in this book was addictive I found myself thinking one more chapter until I finished the book in less than a day. This is my first book from Jennifer Hartmann but it won’t be my last. I would like to thank net galley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

This is amazing- 5 STARS scream it from the roof top and shout.
I would say check the trigger warnings for sure but it is so good.

This book is NOT for the faint of heart. PLEASE CHECK TW PLEASE 🙏🏻

This was my first dark Romance and it did not disappoint. It was the perfect gateway for me into the genre. At first I was like “what did I get myself into..?” And then I was like “I can’t put it down” 🤣

The main characters are taken captive for 3 long weeks and forced to do heinous things. After their emotions are a little murky because they have started to have feelings for eachother. The catch is the MMC is the FMC’s sister’s fiancé at this time. The two have been battling with their minds in their hearts for 15 years convincing themselves they don’t have feelings for each other that they hate each other, but their personal experiences in their shared trauma brings out their true feelings which causes them to face many conflicts throughout the story.

This is a story of trauma, growth, redemption, forbidden romance, what’s meant to be will be, and finding yourself again after such incredible (bad) and horrible traumas. Thank you netgalley for the opportunity!

This book was everything I didn’t expect. It was raw, emotional, healing. It made you feel everything. Can’t wait to read the next one. Jennifer Hartman is an incredible writer!

Such a heart wrenching, dark, beautiful book! This was unlike most romance books I read and I could not put it down!

I love Jennifer and her storytelling skills. The way you can feel each emotion so strongly!? AHHH. Lotus made me fall in love with her books and this one is just as beautiful.

I’m deeply sorry to the girlies that love this book, bcs while I picked it up to break me out of my slump, looks like it did the job but not in the way I was hoping. Also maybe look away now before it’s too late. Yes, it also made me super critical. And trust me, no one is sadder than me to not love a much loved book and share in the mutual excitement over it. Alas…

I’m totally being dramatic, because it was not all bad. The concept and the plot are compelling, and there are some solid moments. Said solid moments even had me sobbing. But those were overshadowed by my complaints. Firstly, I wasn’t a fan of the writing style (I know and accept this is a me problem). Secondly, I’m confused did this not go through a round of editing and proofing especially when the publisher got the rights? That sounded very harsh, but there’s several instances of blatant misuse of words (like she definitely meant retch instead of wretch that one time) that was just jarring to me.

Anyway neither of those things are my main problem with the book. I can get over those things. It was the fact that I didn’t take to any of the characters. Not only did I not connect with them, I actively disliked them. Dean first. Dude, you so clearly have a thing for your fiancée’s sister. Come on, why was he with Mandy for 15 fudging years while figuratively pulling Cora’s pigtails on the playground the whole time bcs he liked her? Worse, you can see in his pov how derogatory his thoughts are of his long time gf? Like wow is the entire reason you were with her the whole time the proximity to her sister? Yikes. Mandy is no prize but she didn’t deserve that. The best part is everyone saw it. Except for the trio in question apparently. Dude is either exchanging the most juvenile pranks with Cora (seriously someone needed to slap them) or thinking mean things about his fiancée. What a catch, man. He sounds much better towards the end but then that’s Cora’s pov so what does that tell you.

Speaking of her, I didn’t mind her but she gave off major not-like-other-girls vibes (so of course Mandy had to be the girly, slightly b!tchy sister), which turned me off. She also comes off much better in Dean’s pov but lost me a little in her own. I understand they both made a lot of selfish choices partly due to their traüma but they were already so shady before it that it didn’t soften me any. I will say I felt more feelings than I expected to after disliking everyone for most of the book.

The story is unique and definitely engaged me beyond like the first quarter, and I blew through the rest in one sitting. I appreciated that there was actual healing and a strong push pull between them due to the forbidden nature of their bond. I wasn’t quite convinced of their love or longevity past their shared traüma in the beginning, but I at least changed my mind about that by the end. However, the dogs are my favorite character in the book and all the stars are primarily for them and the tears I shed during the book.

This book gave me all the feels! I loved this journey! This author is a go to of mine and it was such a great read. Get some tissues ready!

This book was so heartbreaking. The events in the beginning are absolutely horrible. Its amazing this author can make you feel like you are right there with these characters going through the same thing. Jen really knows how to keep you on edge, your heart in your throat the entire time shes writing.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley and rated it 3 stars. I picked this book up due to the gorgeous cover. I was attracted to the locket and the underwater background. The book isnt the type of literature I typically indulge in but I thought I would give it a chance. The book unfortunately wasn't something I enjoyed. It resembling a poorly made lifetime movie. It had incredibly poor writing and was exasperating to endure. The storyline revolves around kidnapping, rape, and torture, with the inclusion of a serial killer. Additionally, the mentally afflicted main characters struggle with alcoholism and one even contemplates suicide. Although this book wasn't for me it doesn't mean it's not for someone us.

I thought this was a well written book with excellent character development. The story centers around Cora and Dean and their journey. Although they were in an awful, nightmarish situation, they managed to survive it. Their love story is one of pain, struggle and healing.

Just thinking about this book still makes me want to cry!

Cora and Dean's story is one full of grief and trauma yet also so much healing both individually and together. Everything that they went through brought them closer to where they were meant to be. I think it's better to go into this book not knowing too much about it, but it is certainly hard to get through parts of it. I teared up or cried multiple times while reading Still Beating, but all of the tears were so worth it in the end.

CW for sexual content, rape, assault, kidnapping, miscarriage, suicide attempt, self-harm, alcohol abuse .

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC of Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann!

This is literally one of my top 5 favorite books. I am a huge Jennifer Hartmann fangirl, and I am not afraid to shout it from the rafters! This book has everything - drama, trauma, passion, insanity, murder, romance...it will leave you an emotional wreck and you'll say "thank you" at the end. Pick it up - you won't regret it.

Cora & Dean

“Still beating” was my first novel by Jennifer Hartmann and I have heard so many positive things about Cora and Dean's story and have now formed my own impression of the story.

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about “Still beating”. The book is divided into two parts and if you have problems with certain topics you should look at the trigger warning first.

I definitely liked the first part of the story better. The kidnapping of Dean and Cora was emotional and gripping. The feelings that the protagonist experienced were palpable and I was just constantly tense while reading because it was so exciting!

Unfortunately, I didn't find the second part of the book quite as successful. I didn't think the treatment of the trauma was well developed and I didn't like the fact that an important topic was simply mentioned and then dismissed. I'm being very vague here because otherwise I would give spoilers. The author deals with the healing itself! I just found it very sketchy.

Cora's sister was an absolute nightmare. I have never read about such a selfish and insensitive person.

I love the banter between Dean and Cora! I think Dean is really cool! Even though he was always picking on Cora or playing pranks, he always tried to protect her. And Cora has always been important to him. Dean is a very loyal person who fights for the people he loves and gives everything for them. To be honest, Dean and Cora reminded me a bit of Tom and Jerry.

I really liked Cora too. She can be a bit stubborn and stubborn at times, but I like her quick-witted nature.

“Still Beating” gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from me.

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Still Beating.

Please check trigger warnings before you dive into this novel. There are some heavy triggers in this book.

This was the first Jennifer Hartmann book (and first dark romance) I’ve ever read. And boy oh boy it was dark.

It took me a while to write this review. I suffered from a major book slump after finishing this one. It was a tragic love story that just wrecked me. The writing was amazing, the story was so good and relatable. I can’t think of too much to say without spoiling a lot that happens in the book.

I would 10000/10 recommend this book to someone who likes dark romance and has no trigger warnings. Cora and Dean are the cutest and I wish I could have more of their story after the trauma.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the dark romance and the forbidden nature of it in the second half

I did not expect the trauma for Dean and Cora to begin and even end so quickly. Their escape was kind of anticlimactic to me. Mandy is kind of a bitch, she expects Dean to go on like nothing happened and he can't, neither can Cora. They have major ptsd over what they went through and only the other can relate to their struggles so now they are trauma bonded. Im glad they were able to work on their own healing before trying to be together again, it made them stronger.

This was a surprisingly beautiful story that was difficult to read at times. Definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in. You will feel alllllll the emotions while reading this one. I found myself unable to put it down, and almost finished it in just one day. I will definitely be checking out more from this author!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

A true love story. Soul mates. I was sucked in with this book. It wasn’t very “dark thriller” to me…it was more of a thriller turned forbidden romance. Jennifer Hartmann is amazing at what she does!

Still Beating belong in a genre all it’s own.
This book hurt.
It was dark and stressful and beyond heartbreaking.
Dean and Cora’s story of healing was something that will stick long after I’ve finished reading this.
Check trigger warnings and be ready for some terrible and heart wrenching moments, but my god is it was worth the read.