I never listened to it because my NetGalley app wasn't working properly. So I had to uninstall it and then all but two of my audio books were gone.

The Audiobook elevated this riveting story! If Still Beating is amazing reading it on its own, I highly recommend reading along with audio it becomes that much better if that could have even been possible.

the author really wrote the most heart wrenching, emotionally loaded, and appetite terminating sentences then said “good luck”

I devoured this book in one night. Cora and Dean tugged on my heart strings so hard in all the best ways. At first it was tough to read at first ( read trigger warnings) but once you get through that hump and witness their journey to healing..... it is beautiful. 100000/10 I wish that I could give them all the stars in our universe with the way they had me up all night CRYING. Love love love it, definitely will be doing a re-read.

Hype worthy, I'm pretty late on this, but finally got around to reading Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann, which was all over romance Booktubers' recommendation list at one point in time. And I'm happy to say this is indeed a very solid dark romance with an unconventional premise.

The first 2/3 is extremely strong, as we witness the two protagonists going through a very brutal, traumatizing experience, as well as the psychological aftermath dealing with their tangled emotion (trauma bonding), and survivor guilt. Even though this is marketed as a dark romance, its bleak scenario doesn't feel overly sensationalized and exploitative (comparing to some other dark romances I've read), and all the emotional notes hold a punch (the book title hits different knowing the context). The dual POVs are also strategically placed, divided into big chunks rather than the typical alternating chapters—allowing enough space to really sink into each character's psyche.

The last 30% is well done, if formulaic. Still enjoyable, as I was emotionally invested at this point, but plot-wise it is quite derivative, lacking the freshness in the story's front end, reading more like an off-the-shelf contemporary romance (I wish the 'thriller-y' flavor can somehow make its way back). My edition also comes with a bonus scene at the end, which is sadly rather pointless and tonally jarring, to the point it almost extinguishes my high coming out of the very sweet epilogue.

Laurie West and Christian Black narrates the auidiobook, and does an excellent job. One note I would add is that they narrate at a slightly different speed, which means I have to adjust my playback depending on whose section I'm listening to—not too big of an issue for this book since the POVs are divided into big chunks as I previously mentioned.

Overall Still Beating definitely deserves the attention: it has an unusual premise, extremely readable writing, and a heartfelt romance—a neat hybrid for someone like me, who read in both romance and thriller genre.

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.

Oh man, was that ever an emotional roller coaster ride! I have never read anything quite like Still Beating, and I really hope that never changes. The emotions just punch you in the throat and the heart. I was completely captivated by Cora and Dean's experience. It was dark and filled with trauma, and somehow, all I wanted to do was keep listening. I absolutely loved the way Jennifer Hartmann told this really hard story and how much it tried to devour my soul. Seeing Cora and Dean dealing with their trauma and trying to heal was hard, but so wonderful. These two have a bond like nothing else and seeing them find healthy coping and happiness was so rewarding. This story might be one of my tops from this year.
This definitely isn't for the faint of heart, so I highly suggest checking triggers first.

Beautiful and painful at the same time. This audiobook completely destroyed me! I had such a book hangover after finishing it!

Finally and audiobook for one of my favorite dark romances. This book is extremely dark and definitely requires you to check triggers.

The audio narration was very well done and I loved how it brought to life the story and characters that I love (and hate) so much!

This is for fans of dark romance, enemies to lovers, forbidden romance and those who want their hearts ripped out of their chest before getting it pieced back together again!

Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced listener copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

This book was absolutely beautiful!! Full disclosure I've read the book prior to this but the audiobook was amazing!! I couldn't have asked for better narrators for Cora and Dean. Jennifer Hartmann does an amazing job at writing such heartfelt stories that absolutely break and put you back together while contemplating things. This book was raw. It was messy. It was full of heartache. It was full of so much love. And it still beats. The bonus epilogue has me eagerly anticipating Tabithas story

What an exceptional book. It takes you from the most horrible thing you could ever imagine to making it out with love to receive and to give.
I was given a copy of this this book from Netgalley.
#Netgalley #stillbeating
#jenniferhartmann

This was a little dark and i felt like the suspense of it was solved too quickly. It was a solid 3 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for granting me access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I tandem read this audiobook with my physical copy and it was perfection! The narration made the book even more enjoyable and more interesting! The book is so heavy and emotional. I was invested from the beginning to the end.

"We're messy, damaged humans clinging to each other as we battle through the storm together, but it's okay because we're together"

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

📚 Still Beating - Jennifer Hartmann📚

This story is DARK, and normally I don’t talk about trigger warnings, but if you have any, please look this one up 💗 In saying that, I was so surprised with how much I loved this book. It was raw, honest, and completely addictive - it had me in a chokehold and I read it in one sitting!

The relationship between the two MCs was definitely a complicated one, but you couldn’t help but want them to make it work. Hartmann’s writing is so easy to digest, whilst also somehow evoking all of the emotions - mine were all over the place reading this heart-wrenching story.

What you can expect:
💓 Dark romance
💓 Trauma bonding
💓 Enemies to lovers
💓 Kidnapping
💓 Forced proximity

This one isn’t for the faint hearted, but I know all my dark romance lovers will eat it up, just like I did. I can’t wait to read more by this author very soon!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you so much to @netgalley @tantoraudio @read_bloom and @author.jenniferhartmann for sending me this to review 🙏🏻

#lizzieslittlelibrary #stillbeating #stillbeatingbook #jenniferhartmann #jenniferhartmannauthor #netgalley #tantoraudio #bloombooks #bookworm #readmorebooks #aussiebookworm #bookreview #booklover #bookstagram #aussiebookstagram #booksofinstagram #booksofinsta #booksofig #bookaholic #igreads #book #books

Certainly a very dark romance. It was a tear jerker for me even though there were some frustrating side characters, I think it was a good audiobook. I would not consider this a light read due to the traumatic situation.

book & audio review

Still Beating
Jennifer Hartmann @author.jenniferhartmann
Genre: Dark Romance
Audio Narrators: @lauriewest_audiobooks & @christianblackaudio
Pace: Medium

THIS BOOK...THIS BOOK RIGHT HERE

YOU GUYS

Let me introduce you to the book that started my love for all books wrote by Hartmann. It's so hard to describe my obsession, she just has a way with words that fully immerses you into her characters lives and makes you feel EVERYTHING right along with them

The struggles
The love
The emotions
The connections

I'm telling you it's been well over a month since I read this while following along with the audio and I still tear up everytime I think about Dean and Cora. Such a traumatic, heartbreaking, beautifully healing, epic love story

Unable to put down because you just can't get enough but you want to cherish each and every page at the same time never wanting it to end

I will never get over it

Laurie West and Christian Black were the perfect duo to bring Dean & Coras story to life through audio. They absolutely nailed it.You can just feel the emotions radiat right through their voices, oof it's so good, I got the goosebumps just thinking about it

Hands down one of my favorites and I will forever recommend

I am a massive Jennifer fan, and at the time of listening to this audiobook I had already read the paperback of Still Beating. Something about listening to the stellar narration made this emotional read even more intense! Such a tragic but beautiful love story. I loved their journey so much!

I listened to the audiobook which was so good and really brought the story to life. This book is so heartbreaking and sad and yet so hopeful and heartwarming!

Whoa! This book is not for the faint of heart. Please check trigger warnings beforehand because this beautiful cover can seem misleading. Nonetheless I was riveted by this emotional, tragic, dark romance. I liked that it was dual POV but would have preferred alternating chapters instead of the way it was sectioned out. I alternated between formats but mostly stuck to the audiobook which had phenomenal narrators. Great character development, unique storyline, highly recommend and looking forward to Lotus next!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick. Our library purchased and our patrons have been checking out and and enjoying the book. I see it is a popular book club choice as well we hope to have more oppurtinies to support authors like them