Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

As far as zombie stories go, the hunt for a cure is usually the focal point of the story, and that is a tired approach, in my opinion. Hearts Still Beating took an entirely different approach, which I loved! In this novel, a select few zombies (called Ticks or the Affected) have been given an experimental treatment in which they have an injection everyday that suppresses the virus so they remain in control of themselves. A select few Ticks in treatment are deemed worthy to be reintroduced to society, and obviously, the non-infected folks have big opinions about that.

The story alternates between two girls: Mara, a Tick in treatment reintroduced to society, and Rory, a non-infected girl very unhappy about the Ticks reintroduction to society. The catch is that these two had a history before the apocalypse started, so they're trying to deal with lingering feelings while navigating the complexities of the fallen world.

Both characters are very well developed, and I adored the way their story unfolded. While the reveal of the big bad villain was not a surprise, this story still kept me entertained and rooting for Mara and Rory the whole time, even when things got super iffy. I also thought the world-building was well done and explained well. From the way the virus functioned, to how the RPA and alliance between communities worked. Such an enjoyable read, and one that should be considered a fantastic and unique addition to the post-apocalyptic zombie genre.

Publication date: April 2, 2024.

What if I was a reformed zombie and we were ex bffs and also what if we kissed…?!?!

Overall I liked this concept, especially with the legit enemies-to-lovers vibes!! I think there could have been improvements with the romance, I didn’t feel much chemistry between the main characters because it was more tell not show with them. But it made sense within the context of the book since their romance happened previous to the start of the story. I also think this one could have been a littttle longer and less focused on all the stuff happening on the island, but I still enjoyed it nevertheless!

🌈Queer rep: FF main couple, bi/pan female main character, queer female main character. FF secondary couple.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Teen for sending me an arc.

I don’t typically read or watch things about zombies because I get squeamish very easily and can’t handle the gore, but Hearts Still Beating might get me to start reading more zombie books.

If you're thinking that this book won't get brutal because it's YA, then think again. Because the author doesn't hold back on how violent and dark the apocalypse can get.

Also, this would be such a great movie and I hope it gets adapted because I can already imagine it happening.

My heart is beating for this Sapphic Last of Us meets Warm Bodies post apocalyptic story.

Archer nailed the tension between Rory and Mara, one of the altered and Rory’s previous best friend/crush before the world ended. All while exploring the human condition at the end of the world. How it molds and shapes both our selves and decisions. I quenched my thirst for the post apocalyptic stories I’ve been needing in my life right now.

This is a story about how far you would go to protect the ones you love. Even if they once were monsters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books / Penguin Young Readers Group for providing this book, with my honest review below.

I had read about Hearts Still Beating on a Goodreads most anticipated list, and I have a special spot for apocalypse books (specifically zombie type books, something about them just works for me) so was very eager to see if this could shine amongst others in the genre. Well put like this, I have been sick as all get out but still managed to use what little time I could focus on reading to read this because it was so great!

A unique take on an apocalypse and zombie novel in that it explores the aftermath, it stands tall even amongst its adult counterparts. Rory (Aurora) and Mara are teenage best friends and through their own twists of fate one of them ends up dead, then brought back to life, and the other ends up housing her despite the trauma and hate associated with her kind. This was a wonderfully written book that explored the apocalypse and humanity in very effective manners while also drawing some parallels in how we react to that which we blindly hate.

Highly recommended, I've already messaged many fellow lovers of these genres about this one.

I do love a good post-apocalyptic zombie story and bonus points to this one for a sapphic romance. This is told from two points of view, one a former 'tick' who's now medicated and is trying to get back to living life. The other is a girl who's been living through the storm and now has to deal with her ex best friend (and maybe more?) coming back into her life. I thought this was fun and gave a side you don't usually see in zombie books.

I liked the balance of fighting the ticks while also seeing the aftermath of those who suffered and how or even if they can go back to before and reintegrate into society. Definitely an interesting read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Razorbill and NetGalley for the copy.

I’m a big zombie fan and rarely pass on books featuring them. The fact that this novel is set after a treatment for the infection is found immediately intrigued me, and it’s something I haven’t read before.

Mara was turned into a “Tick” (zombie) and responsible for many brutal deaths – which she still remembers in vivid detail. But she wasn’t herself then. After being treated with a drug that tamps down her desire to eat people and returns her humanity, she’s sent to live with the family of Cory, her best friend/crush that she kissed years ago. Mara’s own sister has no interest in getting reacquainted. Mara may no longer be a Tick, but she still resembles one – grayish skin, wounds, missing fingers, etc. To their credit, Cory’s family welcomes her back and is very protective of Mara when things go off the rails. Of course there’s a power hungry bad guy in control of the island where they live, and he’s not happy about the Ticks being resettled there. He makes it his mission to stop their injections (meds that prevent them from becoming Ticks again) and kill them and their protectors.

The story contains some action scenes and a fair bit of gore – it’s a brutal post-apocalyptic world, after all – but primarily focuses on the Mara and Cory’s romance. Chapters alternate between their POVs, and I found it difficult to determine who was speaking the majority of the time because their voices are very similar. The two of them are also dealing with other issues. Mara carries heavy guilt from the time she was a Tick, while Cory remains in a more adult role in her family when her mother was unable.

If you enjoyed Warm Bodies and The Last of Us, Hearts Still Beating might be for you. I’d recommend this to fans of romance during an apocalypse and zombie stories with a different take.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A post-zombie-apocalypse YA romance, where one of the characters is a rehabilitated zombie??? Count me in.
I love zombie media but honestly never expect much out of it, but this book really blew me away. The virus and its cure was really interesting to learn about and see unfold while cured zombies try to reintegrate into what's left of society. There's such a tension between a relief to have people made human again and an anger about the pain they caused as zombies, as well as a sense of mistrust about whether the cure is even reliable. The post-apocalyptic world building and politics was really interesting, although not the main focus. The main characters and their romance had me invested and drawn in, and even the side characters were such cool people who I really wanted to see more of and learn more about. I felt there was a good balance between the danger/fear of the zombie setting, the normalcy of life/family/friendship, the emotional parts, and the action. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. :)
Thanks Penguin Teen for the ARC!

I was approved for this after the published date, but with only about 5 days to read it before it's archived, so unfortunately that just isn't enough time for me to read and review a book. I flipped through the e-book and I read some other reviews of people and they seemed to like it. I'm really fascinated by the premise of this, and the sections that I did read made me feel really nostalgic for that time of YA when zombies/dystopian societies were really popular. I'm getting Warm Bodies vibes from this but with a Sapphic spin on it. I'm really looking forward to reading this, I just wish I had been given more time to be able to really dig into this story.

Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Mara is a seventeen-years-old who was infecred by a virus that brought the dead back to life. Now she's woken up in a facility to discover they found a treatment for this illness and she is now placed in an experimental resettlement program. Her recovery isn't simple, mostly because she's forced to live with the best friend she hasn't seen since the world ended. Rory, on the other hand, has a impareid mobility, a dead sister and a hate towards the Ticks who turned her best friends, now mostly healed. In a surviving community, she's ready to fight these monsters, but never could have imagined to find Mara again. As they struggle with what happened to them, their own feelings for each other, when the community's soldiers go rogue and they are ready to kill every Tick and those harboring them, the girls have to fight to save themselves.

Zombies, The Last of Us and The Walking Dead meet in this romantic and gripping novel, about two girls forced apart and then together by a virus that turn people into monsters. Two girls that loved each other before the end of the world and have to understand who they are, and what, after the end.
I loved reading this book! It was so original and sweet and I felt so involved into Mara's and Rory's story, how they are forced to confront their past, feelings with the present and to fight to be together, to lean on one other when the situation becomes dire. The writing is intruing and evocative and I really loved the setting, the tenuous peace, the violence and fear and how these two girls are ready to fight for each other.

A dark, action-packed post-apocalyptic zombie novel with a sapphic romance.

Hearts Still Beating follows 17-year-olds Mara and Rory. Mara is dead—she was infected by the virus but it brought back to life with an experimental treatment. She’s no longer a tick so long as she takes her medicine every day. She’s sent to live with her best friend before the world ended who she hasn’t seen since then and since their first kiss. Rory’s life has turned upside down in the aftermath of the virus—she’s had to step up in place of the adults in her life and fight for her family against the Ticks as she struggles with helping rebuild the surviving community they live in. The two girls struggle with their pasts and with the people they’ve become. They have to learn to lean on each other again or risk losing the girl they love all over again.

I love post-apocalyptic stories, especially ones with the aftermath of a virus or zombies. This one is quite a new and fresh take on the genre. I liked the backstory and unveiling of what happened. I also enjoyed that they were able to find a sort of cure/fix for the virus and were able to bring people back to life. Especially with one character being a zombie and is now a human again. The plot was engaging and goes from the present to the past with seamless transitions. There’s a lot of action and intense scenes which made it a fairly fast read.

While I enjoyed most of the characters and the romance, I did have some problems with it. Mainly Rory and Carter’s sheer hatred for Mara in the beginning. I just didn’t fully agree or understand where it was coming from as it didn’t work for me even with the end of novel explanations and reveals. I much preferred Mara’s perspective and found her more enjoyable to read from. I quite enjoyed Mara’s character and I felt so bad for her with everything she had to go through. I also enjoyed learning more about everything they went through during the immediate aftermath of the virus and how that made them who they are in the present. The romance was cute and the girl’s relationship grows really nicely throughout the novel.

Overall, it was a fresh take on zombie apocalypses and I think those who are fans of this genre will enjoy it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Ok, I will admit I wasn’t sure what to expect from a sapphic zombie love story. I was prepared to struggle, but very quickly into this one and I was entranced. The story is told from two narrators Mara a 17 year old girl who was turned by a “Tick” but is part of the new trials on a medication that pushes the Tick back and lets the human be in charge again. The other narrator is Rory, a girl who has had to grow up far too fast as she has protected and cared for her family. Before the world ended Mara and Rory were neighbors, friends, and had stolen their first kiss right before everything fell apart. Mara is sent to live with her godparents, Rory’s parents, because her own were dead. Mara isn’t sure about going, but she doesn’t want to stop getting the daily injections that keep her in charge.. Rory is disgusted to hear that the Altered (the medicated and re-humanized Ticks) are being brought to the island especially Mara. Not everyone on the island was ok taking the group of 15 Altered in, so they are all struggling to find their footing and figure out this new world order. Among all the mixed feelings and fighting Mara and Rory have to (re)discover how they truly feel about each other. Overall I gave this one 4.5 stars rounded up for a really realistic and creative zombie apocalypse.

I usually stay away from all stories containing zombies or zombie-like creatures because they are not my cup of tea, but I couldn't help but be drawn in by the premise of this book. A sapphic love story between two girls who reunite after one of them is infected? Yes, please. I'm so glad I gave this book a chance because it had plenty of action and survival elements to keep the plot moving forward, and also a well-rounded cast of characters who's flaws, doubts and love for each other keep the heart of the story beating. All the characters have made difficult decisions to survive and those choices are explored with nuance.

The beginning of the story starts on the slower side, as we are introduced to Mara, who was infected by the Tick virus that turned her into a zombie, but has now been returned to life - mostly - due to a new vaccine that was developed. Now that the vaccine helps control the Tick side of her that wants to eat other humans, she is released into the care of the Blake family - her godparents, Isaac & Sam, and their daughter, Rory, the girl Mara loves. Together, Mara and the Blake family have to untangle the complicated relationships left in the aftermath of the horrors they have faced and caused. Additionally, pressure mounts when a community leader decides to blame a Tick attack on Mara and the other resettled humans.

I loved the romance between Rory and Mara. They have to work through so much history and angst, but their love for each other is so genuine and it made me root for them the entire time. I also loved the portrayal of Rory's family, who welcome Mara into their midst the same way they decide to take care of the adopted younger siblings.

Given that this is set in a post-apocalyptic world with zombie like creatures, there is an understandable amount of violence and gore as the story progresses; however, it was never excessive to the point where it detracted from the story.

I recommend this to anyone who wants a satisfying dystopian story, a sapphic - almost star-crossed lovers-esque love story, or a zombie book that isn't just about the gore!

Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for the review copy!

A sapphic zombie story? Let's just say I had very, very high expectations. And this book did not let me down. At. All. Holy cow. I LOVED this book. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.

This review has be posted to Goodreads and StoryGraph

In a world ravaged by a deadly virus that reanimates the dead, seventeen-year-old Mara finds herself grappling with a second chance at “life” after being given medication that tempers the virus living inside her. Now an Altered, and therefore technically no longer a Tick, Mara is placed in an experimental resettlement program where she is sent to live with the family of her long-lost best friend Rory, who also happens to be the only girl she’s ever loved. Rory, whose nightmares are haunted not only by the virus and the undead but also the one shared kiss she had with Mara, is anything but happy when she finds out Altered Mara will be thrust back into her life. As the Island, their home and sanctuary from the Tick-infested mainland, faces internal strife and the threat of an outbreak, Mara and Rory must confront their shared history and rely on each other to navigate the dangers lurking in the shadows. With the little semblance of peace the Island has hanging in the balance, their bond becomes the key to survival in a world where love and loss intertwine amidst the ever-present threat of the undead.

Overall, I found this book to be very entertaining and enjoyable! While it was a little slow at the start, it was definitely difficult to put down once the plot really got going. I always love a book with duel point of view, and this one did not disappoint. Mara and Rory’s history is woven in well through flashbacks that provide the reader with a better understanding of why their relationship is the way it is in the present. Although, I did find Mara’s sister, Carter, and Rory’s anger towards Altered Mara a little much and unfair, considering I don’t think it is fair to blame Mara for what happened while she was under the virus’s control as a Tick. It would be understandable for them to be weary of Altered Mara, but to be so angry, each for their own reasons, seems unjustified. But besides that, I really enjoyed the characters, plot, and suspense that this book offered. Since it is a book centered around a life-altering virus turning people into the undead, make sure to check trigger warnings if you have certain situations to which you are sensitive. There is definitely a decent amount of gore, blood, and death, as well as some accounts of torture and child death. If you are ok reading about those types of events, then I would highly recommend this young adult book if you are looking for an adventurous and suspenseful story about love, loss, family, and finding oneself set against the backdrop of a world hanging on by a thread.

Thank you to Penguin Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC of Hearts Still Beating in return for my honest review.

Hearts Still Beating

By Brooke Archer-a debut author

Publication 4/2/24, read 4/3/24

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC 💚! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Genre: Paranormal/UF, YA, dystopia

Tropes: zombies, post apocalyptic, sapphic romance

Summary: Two teenage girls Mara and Rory are reunited after a terrible virus has killed and infected most of the population. Mara was a victim of what they called a "Tick" and went through an experimental resettlement program after getting the "cure." Can they reconnect after experiencing so much death and struggling to survive?

🤔My Thoughts: I have to shout out all the zombie shows and movies I love so much that were used as inspiration. The Walking Dead, The Last of Us, and Warm Bodies are some of the better zombie shows/movie. Mara and Rory's relationship took me back to the show The Last of Us with Ellie and Riley. They were teenage girls and had feelings for each other, but it's destroyed by death. Mara and Rory get to fight their way back to each other at The Island against rogue soldiers and Ticks.

4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5) Mara is a teen who became afflicted with an illness that has swept the country. This illness now has a cure, as long as it is given each day. She is sent to her god parents house to live and integrate back into society. But the girl she loves is there.

The illness was one that made people become vicious, violent and mostly dead. For lack of better term, a “zombie” as we know it. They got what they called a “tick” in their head and it took over their brain and body. With the anecdote, the tick is tamed enough to not have control, but it’s still there. With that being said, there were few details into the Ticks attacking others, it is nothing like most zombie books.

“It isn’t just monsters who end the world. It’s men.”

We are introduced to a little community where people are thriving. Bringing Ticks there is causing an uproar and unsettlement of their lives. Many are against them, many are for them. The contention and the people on each side guide the story into one that evokes emotions but also curiosity.

The romance between Mara and her previous best friend, Rory is contentious at best. Both have feelings that make matters difficult. Their romance wasn’t one I fully was behind. It didn’t feel established enough (oddly) and I had mixed feelings because most of the time they felt like old best friends, not romantic. I also very much wanted more details into how the tick came into play and more about the world or society in general. We are given a very small glimpse into how it changed society. This was not a downfall, just something my curiosity craves.

“Resilience is a never-ending battle.”

The ending was a great one. It felt optimistic and it left me feeling content. I recommend this one to queer romance lovers that love a dystopian society.

One of my obsessions when it comes to the SFF genre is zombies because viruses. I saw that Hearts Still Bleeding was a sapphic, zombie story, so I knew that I needed it…and it delivered!

This story follows 17 year old Mara, a virus infected girl who has been treated and is no longer a mindless “Tick” aka zombie, and Rory, Mara’s ex-best friend that she kissed…and she’s hellbent on killing Ticks. These two must find a way to survive in this new world or risk losing each other all over again.

Even though the story starts off a bit slow as the reader is acclimated to this post-apocalyptic hell, things quickly escalate when Mara and Rory face a deadly mission on a Tick infested island.

I was not ready for just how gritty and down right violent this story was going to be since its YA, but I loved that the author wasn’t afraid to show the brutal realities that Rory and Mara faced. Bravo.

As far as Mara and Rory go, I love that their story doesn’t just pick up as if nothing happened. Every are forced to confront the consequences of their pasts and learn to navigate this new life together….scars and all.

Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer is an amazing YA post apocalyptic story!
I love stories like this one and Archer did a fabulous job.
I enjoyed the writing, the characters are entertaining and the storytelling was intriguing.
This author’s writing style is wonderful, compelling and descriptive.

Thank You NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!