This was definitely a darker romance than I've read in the past. I didn't mind the set up for the kidnapping and trauma. Earl was properly disgusting and vile for the villian, but I didn't find myself rooting for and supporting of Dean and Cora. I didn't like the back and forth between them of teasing and trading barbs and just being shitty to each other. The fact that Dean is the only person who uses her full name of Corabelle just to piss her off, just kept bugging me and made me dislike him more.

When the 2 got out of the basement, it almost felt like there was too much book left. Cora was VERY wishy washy in what she wanted and just kept stringing Dean along. He at least figured out what he wanted, and made moves towards those goals. Cora flounders for months and won't get the help she obviously needs.
Mandy was a terrible character and I kind of hated her. I wanted to feel bad for her, but couldn't bring myself to feel bad. Tabitha felt like a weird out of place character that's just shoved in there for contrast to Cora.

I give this like a 2.5

This is a dark and poignant read that left a deep impression on me. This is Cora and Dean's story, they are long-time adversaries brought together in a harrowing situation. Their journey is filled with darkness, trauma, and an unbreakable bond that forms amidst the chaos. Hartmann's storytelling is hauntingly beautiful, delving into their emotions with authenticity. I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook narrated by Laurie West and Christian Black, whose performances were exceptional, breathing life into the characters. This book is a powerful exploration of love, redemption, and human resilience. Hartmann's talent shines through, and I eagerly await more from this gifted storyteller.

When Cora attends her sister’s birthday party, she expects at most a hangover or a walk of shame. She doesn’t anticipate a stolen wallet, leaving her stranded and dependent on Dean—her arch nemesis and ultimate thorn in her side.

And she really doesn’t anticipate waking up in shackles in a madman’s basement.

To make matters worse, Dean shares the space in his own set of chains.

After fifteen years of teasing, insults, and practical jokes, the ultimate joke seems to be on them. The two people who always thought they’d end up killing each other must now work together if they want to survive.

But Cora and Dean have no idea their abductor has a plan for them. A plan that will alter the course of their relationship, blur the line between hate and love, and shackle them together with far more than just chains.

I floved this story. Will recommend to others.

The line between love and hate is very thin and easily blurred. This book ends up showing us that, albeit in a raw and painful way to watch. It's not an easy book to read, it's captivating but painful, it's beautiful but painting with horrors. It is a story of overcoming and recovery, of a love that grew out of fear and hope. It was written in such a fantastic and dramatic way that it made me wonder why it took me so long to pick it up.

TW: Graphic, on page SA, death of a child, gore, murder, literally everything that could possibly be triggering to someone it's in here. I definitely recommend looking up the trigger warnings before getting into this book.

This is a beautiful story about resilience, strength, and the power of true connection. Watching Cora and Dean go through this was devastating and almost unreadable at times, but the way these two survived because of their love for each other was so important to read.


This is my second time reading Still Beating. The first time I read this I didn't quite absorb the true impact and growth these characters went through, but man, I will never stop thinking of this book.

Still Beating releases in the US on July 11th, 2023. Big thank you to Bloom Books, Jennifer Hartmann, and NetGalley for this advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This book definitely broke something in me, but it is for sure my favorite book of all time.

I cannot begin to explain the rollercoaster of emotions that I felt reading this, and as if it wasn't enough I've reread this book so many times that I lost track of it

Dean and Cora’s story starts when they get kidnap by The Matchmaker, and to say that it's going to be a painful ride is the understatement of the year! I don't really want to get into any details because I believe all people should give this one a try, but always keep in mind that this is definitely a dark romance where not only go through the actual trauma together, but then they are in the aftermath together trying to keep each other afloat.

The thing is not many like how they deal with their trauma but in real life, we all have different ways to overcome trauma, and Dean and Cora’s was the perfect one in my opinion.

This is a 5 out of 5 recommendation and I will continue reading this one over and over again

I almost never re-read books, but when I heard Still Beating was being re-released with a gorgeous new cover and bonus content, I couldn’t wait! This one took my breath away just as much the second time around!

Still Beating was my first book by Jennifer Hartmann, and I immediately read her entire backlist, joined her newsletter and Facebook group, and signed up for every future ARC!

This book is dark and heavy and horrifying, but even more so, it is about breaking free. It is resilient and strong, hopeful and healing. Cora and Dean’s love is so raw and powerful and heartbreakingly beautiful. Still Beating has just reaffirmed itself as one of my top favorite reads ever!

Still Beating was re-released TODAY, so check trigger warnings and then jump into this heart wrenching experience yourself! It’s a MUST READ!

“It’s still beating. As long as it’s beating, you’re okay.”

This was such an emotional rollercoaster for me, the trauma Dean and Cora went through is unimaginable and heartbreaking. For me reading everything that happened to them in that basement to then watching the aftermath was hard. Especially watching how hard life was for them after getting out. The third act plot twist took me for a loop and hurt my heart, I understand why it was needed but at the time I wanted to throw my kindle! In the end Dean and Cora are so special, they may have trauma bonded in the beginning but seeing their relationship come together after healing was something amazing. As long as their hearts are still beating I know they will find each other❤️

please check trigger warnings before reading!

to be completely transparent, i read still beating prior to its re-release. this was one of the first ever dark romance books i read and was honestly skeptical going into it the first time. however, jennifer hartmann completely exceeded my expectations and it’s easily one of my 5 star reads (which I’m extremely picky about) that i’m constantly recommending to others.

without spoiling too much of the plot, the story revolves around cora and dean navigating through their shared trauma after being abducted the night of cora’s sister’s birthday (who happens to be dean’s fiancée). they’re locked in a basement for weeks on end as their abductor forces them into an unspeakable situation. during this time, they’re each other’s light, salvation, and most of all hope. after their escape from the basement and efforts to try and return to a “normal” life, nothing is the same. it’s so heart-wrenching to see them trying to adjust to a new reality, but they persevered through it all with each other.

despite the book’s dark nature, jennifer’s writing is so beautifully done in a sensitive manner - raw. real. and passionate. i was hooked from beginning to end and couldn’t put it down! the plot itself flowed so seamlessly and kept building on top of each other. every scene had meaning and a real contribution to the overall storyline rather than just being added fluff and feeling unnecessary. i liked how she didn’t romanize/glorify the dark parts and didn’t just brush past or overlook what dean and cora underwent, but recognizes their experience in the aftermath. i don’t often reread books, but this was worth it. would definitely recommend anyone reading this review to take a chance on still beating!

thank you net galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 is an immaculate tale of the story of bonds that can form through trauma, griefa and the worst sort of pain imaginable.

- ~ -

I was absolutely hooked to the characters and the plotline! The chaos and absurdity of the what they went through kept me captivated and I COULD NOT put the story down!

Definitely am addicted to the author's storytelling now and can't wait to discover more of her characters!

- ~ -

4.01 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

This book definitely hooks you from the beginning. While reading you are compelled to finish to find out how the story ends. While I found this book interesting there were parts that were unsettling and rather annoying. Definitely check for triggers before diving into this one. The major issue was the sister drama for me. Overall this was worth a read but missed the mark. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a phenomenal read that had me absolutely hooked until the very end. Jennifer Hartmann is so graceful, tactful, well researched, and vulnerable in this book and WOW, I haven't stopped thinking about this since I finished it.

Still Beating is a harrowing story following Cara and Dean, two very clear enemies, when Dean goes to pick up Cara from a night out and they are kidnapped. The two have to work together to survive and possibly escape the horrors they are forced to face. Dean is engaged to Cara's sister after being in her life for 15 years. Cara and Dean have a back and forth banter and prank war.

This book is dark and I loved that Jennifer did not hold back or sugar coat any of the raw, dehumanizing, and abusive things these characters face. Her writing is so easy to read but the descriptions of conditions and the inner dialogues made me feel everything. Cara and Dean as characters felt very real and by the end of this story I felt like they were real people who my heart was in pieces for. The overall message of still beating has stuck with me. I can't wait to reread this and read all of Jennifer's other books. Easily a potential all time favourite author.

Thank you so much to Bloom and Netgalley for an ARC of this amazing book in exchange for an honest review!

This has been recommended by SOOOO many people and on my list to check out, so when I saw it was getting rereleased with a beautiful new cover, I figured that was my sign!


I found the first part of the book to be difficult to get through because the content was actually pretty shocking, but that initial climax really lent to a beautiful story, filled with complex and messy emotions. If you like dark romance and/or true crime, give this a go, but be sure to check the triggers first. I appreciate how this was made very clear at the beginning as well, but just be sure to take those warnings seriously since it was maybe darker than I expected. However, I really became invested in the story, and felt all the feelings and the payoff was worth it to me in the end,despite being a rather intense read.


Not to be overly dramatic, but this book basically broke my heart into a million pieces, and then put it slowly put it back together again. I now understand why it has been so heavily recommended and I’m glad to have read it.

Major trigger warning for this book so definitely check those before you read this.

It was a great story about love, healing and finding yourself! Some parts were hard to read but over all really good! I

I honestly don’t know how to write this review and give this book the justice it deserves. I have been putting this book off for a while now because I’ve heard that it would rip your heart out. And boy did it! This book definitely lived up to the hype. My heart broke reading not only the traumatic events that Dean and Cora had to go through but also their healing. Yes, their story was hard to read but it was also beautiful and beautifully written. It was angsty, forbidden and an emotional roller coaster. This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I will for sure be reading more by her!

4.5 rounded up!!

this was my first jennifer hartmann book and it absolutely will not be my last! please read this review with caution bc i go into some details 🫶🏼

He kisses my forehead, my nose, landing on my lips with a final goodbye. “You’re still my girl. You’ll always be my girl.”

BYE. dean asher deserves the universe and more.

i went into this book kinda blind, i knew the two main characters were kidnapped and thats it. so you can imagine my surprise when i found out that the hero was her sisters fiancé, which leads me to my 4.5 rating and that i need to have a rant about it 😁

pls skip next paragraph if you dont want to know certain things ab mandy!

mandy (h’s sister) is absolutely without a fucking doubt the WORST side character i have EVER read about. she is the most self centered c*nt i have ever seen in a book. your sister and fiancé are abducted, she is r*ped everyday for three weeks and they are both tortured and you have the nerve to make it all about you!? she forces her sister into talking about things that happened, makes everything out to be cora’s fault and like shes some monster, all the while little miss perfect cheated on her fiancé was never going to say anything to him about it AND THEN plays victim yet again, let’s cora know she still doesnt forgive her and that shes seeing someone and very happy who LOW AND BEHOLD IS DEANS BEST FRIEND.

LITERALLY CHOKE.

now back to why i loved this book 🤭

i can put this very simply. dean. dean is the absolute glue that holds this entire book together, i started off being completely sure i was going to this he was the biggest fuckhead in the world, only to very quickly be proven wrong. every little thing this man did through out his life for cora was just AKFHASLJ to me, ya know? this poor man had been in love from the very first time he saw her as a kid and that does unspeakable things to my heart. and the soup? i mean come on THE SOUP 😭

i was also extremely happy that the abduction didnt take up the majority of the book, i think it took up the perfect amount of space, just enough to really get how awful it was across.

this book is honestly a very intense and sad read so pls if you have any triggers make sure you check the warning prior bc you and your mental health are very important and things are graphic and on page!

this book still messes me up in the best way and remains one of my favorite books ever. Dean Asher is a perfect Angel baby and I will accept no dean slander. I will forever recommend that you go into this book blind. This book is such an emotional rollercoaster, it’s devastatingly beautiful and it’s just perfect Imo.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I DEVOURED this book in a day. Right from the beginning it grabbed ahold of me - heart, mind and soul.
A dark, suspensful romantic thriller, where beginnings are endings, and endings are beginnings.

The story of Cora and Dean - long time enemies, yet connected through family. This is their story of survival. Of love. Of betrayal. And their future. As long as their hearts are still beating.

* Content warning - sexual assault, kidnapping, murder, sell-harm, attempted suicide, loss of pet.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Pub date: 11 July 2023

I have been sitting on the book for a while and have heard about it for a while as well. The re-release by Bloom Books was the push I needed to see if the hype was worth it or not.

It was OH. SO. WORTH. THE. HYPE.

It was not a feel-good story. I spent the first half gasping out loud, saying WTF, OMG, OMFG... a slew of other NSFW expletives. HEED THE CONTENT WARNING from the author at the very beginning. You've been warned.

While Dean and Cora weren't mortal enemies, they didn't get along. More like frenemies tolerating each other for Cora's sister's benefit. If there could have been a rewind to their evening out, the harrowing and brutal events that occurred wouldn't have happened. If Cora had gone home with Dean and Mandy, her wallet wouldn't have been stolen so she wouldn't have had to call Dean for a ride home and they both wouldn't have ended up chained in a basement.

Everything Dean and Cora were made to do and did was out of the need for survival. It was all atrocious and the brainchild of a truly mentally ill individual. The physical and emotional scars they endured weren't anything anyone they knew would be able to fathom. They managed to survive by putting aside their differences and by sheer will. In the aftermath of their ordeal, Dean and Cora relied on each other to get by, to support and be supported. The trajectory of their relationship was permanently altered.

The author doesn't romanticize the abuse, assault, and abduction that occurred in the book, but she does a good job of ensuring depicting what happens in the aftermath, the changes that the characters went through, the reintegration into their regular lives, and trying to move past the trauma. The book does end with HEA, but not before the characters work through their issues and learn how to live with the literal and figurative wounds that are still healing.

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

Still Beating by @author.jenniferhartmann
Re-releases on Jul 11.

I've heard a lot about this book from my favorite booktubers, so I knew what I was going into. Dean and Cora's story is heartbreaking and so beautiful! They found themselves in a unique and impossible situation, I really didn't know how they were going to make it work. Jennifer is a master of dark romance for a reason!

The dark parts were, well, dark, but they didn't turn me off the story. The first act pulled me in so hard and fast that I couldn't stop reading for hours!
I have no idea how people in such situation would cope, but Jennifer handled it beautifully. The relationship development between Dean and Cora was fleshed out, starting from their bond forming in that basement, and progressing in a believable way in the aftermath.

I stayed up half the night to see through their happy ending. This book is a great example of a third act breakup that was absolutely necessary for both leads. When it happened, I was heartbroken for them, but also screaming “yes!” in my mind at the same time. Because boy was their relationship unhealthy before they split! And it made their reunion and HEA so wholesome and well-deserved ❤️❤️❤️

I read and listened to this book and enjoyed it in both formats. Thanks to the wonderful narrators for bringing these characters to life!

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thanks to Jennifer for this unique story and to Bloom Books for this advanced copy! All opinions are my own.

Some personal preferences:
- I wished they were actual enemies at the start of the story. To me their "prank war" was not enough to make them real enemies. However, I understand the need to make sure there was a connection between them from the beginning. Otherwise we would always be questioning the truthfulness of their relationship.
- I wished for Mandy's character arc to be different. Just my preference, but I wanted there to be no excuses and no justifications for Dean and Cora to lean on. I felt a bit like I was pushed not to like her from the beginning, in both Dean’s and Cora’s POVs. Nevertheless, I get why it happened the way it happened.