By far my favorite read for this year. See what happens when one person has been through some much in her life. That leads her to not trusting in herself and others.

This beautiful story broke my heart and embedded itself deep in my heart. A wonderful story about recovery, passion, heartfelt, emotional ride that I loved so much.

My Heart Still Beats is a spin off for the Follow Me series by Helen Hardt. This book has quite a strong author note and some real trigger warnings. Please make sure to check them out before reading this book, because this book can be quite triggering at some points. It is because of the trigger warnings and synopsis I choose to dive into this book, but what can I expect? Will Helen Hardt surprise me?

This book starts of really strong. I could really feel Tessa's dark emotions through the pages and it hit me. She is really depressed and lonely. She is just going with the flow of life, but is not enjoying it. This really is highlighted during the first part of the book, however as she gets to know Benjamin and the story continues she makes huge steps and is trying to find the things she loved. I feel like the balance between depressed and going back to a "normal" life is really well worked out. In addition, you'll get to know Tessa really good.

My Heart Still Beats is a real emotional read. Every theme just hits you and Helen Hardt made it all feel so real. I could only feel compassion for Tessa and Benjamin, which both have been given a special place in my heart. I have never read such an amazing, emotional but dark book before, but wow! This book is just everything I wanted it to be and I hope there will be more books like this in the future. I really enjoyed My Heart Still Beats and give it a 4,5 star rating.

Full review on boekensteeg.wordpress.com

I enjoyed reading about Ben and Tessa. Story flowed nicely but could be difficult at times. Not for the faint heart. No spoilers. I only wished they had a sequel. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

My Heart Still Beats is a complete novel connected to the Follow Me series through both main characters: Ben Black is the brother of Braden and Tessa is Skye's best friend. As such, having read that series would give additional background to the main characters and make some references clearer, but My Heart Still Beats can easily be read as a standalone. As the trigger warnings make very clear, their story is very emotional and not an easy read at all. Yet is is a very rewarding and ultimately uplifting one, as both Ben and Tessa end up not only overcoming the worst of their traumas but also form a deep, enduring and loving relationship. Because of the circumstances, the heat level of this book is relatively low, but the sexy times are all the more poignant for it. My only niggle is that the resolution of Ben's troubled past and their first milestone as a couple is little more than a bynote and they share the 'limelight' with another couple.

My Heart Still Beats by Helen Hardt is an utterly raw, emotional gripping read that will tug your heartstrings.
Helen Hardt did a phenomenal job weaving and layering this book with so much emotions.
The romance was outstanding. The characters are amazing and her writing is phenomenal.

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled: Amara for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My Heart Still Beats by Helen Hardt hits shelves tomorrow. I will never turn away from a novel by this author. She has a way of writing romance that I love.

This novel comes with trigger warnings and its noted as a dark romance with a HEA ending. Tessa has suffered horrible trauma at the hands of too many men in her life. The vibrant woman she used to be now hides behind closed doors functioning just enough to get by. When the marriage of her best friend drags her out into civilization, she has to work closely with best man, Benjamin Black.

I read the Follow Me trilogy and loved Skye and Braden but felt I was missing relationship growth and backstory with Tessa and Ben. I think this novel was more for the theme of strength after trauma, PTSD, learning to love again and understanding and accepting trauma and its effects. I would've loved for there too have been more of a realistic relationship growth between the two MCs and a more believable suspense plot.

The plot is told in past and present sequences with dual POV and the steam is on the lower scale of things. I was kinda peeved at one particular moment where Ben put his needs above Tessa's at a very pivotal point for her. This one didn't hit home for me the way many of her others have but I do love the themes in this one. A few triggers that stood out to me while I was reading that may be a bit much for others include:

Child mole$tation in a religious setting
Depression
PTSD from S*xual A$$ault
R*pe and Attempted R*pe
Loss of a Parent

Overall, I was entertained as always by Hardt and her writing. I recommend checking out other reviews and seeing if this darker romance is one you need on your shelves! Thank you Entangled for the #gifted digital copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. True rating 2.5/5.

This is an emotion and heartwarming romance that is a must read. It is so full of friendship, resilience, courage, happiness and love as well as being exciting and full of action. If you have been reading the Follow Me series, you will definitely recognize some of the other people in this story, but this can also be read as a standalone.
Trigger warning: please be sure to read the disclaimer before reading this book.

This is Ben and Tessa’s story.

Ben has been hiding a secret that has been eating away at him for years when he is confronted and threatened by a past associate.

Tessa is trying to recover and find her joy again after a very traumatic event that left her feeling completely shattered.


These two meet as they plan the Bachelorette and Bachelor parties for Braden, Ben’s brother and Skye, Tessa’s best friend.

I loved Ben. He is not only hot, and swoony, but he is patient, kind and thoughtful with Tessa. The chemistry between them is inspiring as Ben is taken by Tessa’s beauty and courage. He is exactly what Tessa needs to bring her back to life.

This story reminded me, that it’s never too late to find happiness and love. And sometimes it is when we least expect it! Great read!

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

⚖️⏳⚖️
📖Review
4🌟🌟🌟🌟
📖Book 20/100
📚My Heart Still Beats
💫Genre:
Dark Romance
✍️Author:
Helen Hardt

📝Synopsis 📝
Tessa is overcoming trauma yet has to plan her best friend’s wedding since she’s the maid of honor. Skye is marrying a billionaire who has a brother who is the best man and seems to be attracted to Tessa instantly. They meet to discuss the bachelor and bachelorette parties and the story takes off from there.

My thoughts 💭
This one reminded me a bit of Fifty Shades of Gray with a twist of The Town. This was indeed a heavy one with many triggers but a darn good one. Tessa is a strong one who’s suffering through her PTSD yet goes through the process of learning to trust and love again. I loved the Hispanic element added to it, but Hardt had me with the Boston setting. I loved how both the female and male main characters had their demons to overcome. I read this one in less than a day, and I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. I did not like the inner dialogue and how she kept referring to her mom as “mommy.” I also felt the ending was a bit rushed, but I loved the plot to it….Two broken souls who help each other heal from their past. This was my first book from this author but not my last.
✨✨✨✨✨

⚠️Trigger Warnings⚠️
PTSD
Rape
Murder
Violence
Assault
Blackmail/Extortion
Religion
Loss of a Loved One

🤍Thank you so much @netgalley and @entangled_publishing for approving this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨Publishing Date:
May 28, 2024

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Tissues needed!

Tessa is a shell. Having difficulty getting past her trauma. Rightfully so!

Enter Ben. Amazing BEN! I absolutely adored him and was rooting him on!

Every Tessa needs a Ben!

This story was so emotional.

Disheartening that things like this can and do happen!

But, uplifting because there are Ben's out there!

This story will stick with me for some time to come!

Tessa’s is been through a lot and it’s still recovering from her trauma but not living her life. Meeting with Ben to organise the bachelor and bachelorette’s party for his big brother and her best friend, will change her life in more ways that she will expect. But a secret from Ben’s past will threaten their future. Can they handle more trauma or will it destroy them? Tough and hard.

I already knew Braden Black and Skye's story so hearing about Braden's brother, Ben and Skye's best friend, Tessa filled in a lot of information on the continuation of Braden and Skye's story and a unique meeting and love story of the two. Tessa hasn't been herself since someone took advantage of her and violated her. Ben Black is able to finally get Tessa to see she is a strong, young, independent woman and to begin to take the reins back of her life. In the process, the two form a deep connection and love. Unfortunately, both of them have things that are coming back from the past that threaten to destroy them and their future.

Their hearts still beat

Helen Hardt's MY HEART STILL BEATS begins with a dedication which hit my heart, so I knew that this was going to be a story driven by emotions. For me, it was so much more than a love story, it was a beautiful story of understanding, courage, support, choices, and healing. A story of two people haunted by events from their past that shook their worlds. Once I started reading, I found it difficult to put down, the emotions that were drawn from me were deep and, at times, cathartic.

Tessa Logan's life was turned upside down when she became the victim of a harrowing abusive assault. No longer was she carefree, bubbly, and full of life, she became withdrawn, reclusive, and unhappy, the woman was she simply disappeared. She faced a daily battle to move on, to trust others, until she met him. Benjamin Black, billionaire businessman, a man who had risen from poverty through hard work, a charmer, a man who cares for others, is also facing his own battles, demons from the past that have come back to haunt him. The moment he meets Tessa he feels an instant need to protect her, to become the person she could rely on, to be her rock. Gaining her trust was going to be difficult, but Ben was determined to be there for her.

MY HEART STILL BEATS was heavy on emotion, especially Tessa's, as she struggles with her past and opening herself up again. As she spends more time with Ben, she slowly learns to trust and smile again, he listens and encourages her to gradually let down the walls she has built. She's also slowly opening her heart to him. Ben is extremely patient with Tessa, he allows her to take her time with her choices, never pushing her further than what she can cope with. He wants her to experience life and happiness again, but at her own pace. While they spend increased time together their connection grows deeper, and falling in love is not something they are expecting. While Ben is focused on helping Tessa his demons are coming for him, he needs to bury them again before his world blows up.

Yet again Helen Hardt has delivered another book that was hard to put down. She dealt with topics which were intense, dark, and life altering, and did so with care, empathy and understanding. My emotions were sent on a ride of ups and downs, from joy to sadness, from calmness to rage, it had me smiling, laughing, and shedding tears. My only let-down was that Ben's past, and its resolution, wasn't given the attention it truly deserved. Other than that, this book was beautifully written, with a focus on learning to heal, trust, and love again.

TRIGGER WARNING: Ms. Hardt has included warnings in regard to her story, please take notice of them.

MY HEART STILL BEATS: a story of two people showing themselves they can overcome their demons and prove their hearts still beat.

Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE BEATING STARS ✨✨✨✨✨

Thank you for the ARC.

This was honestly all over the place. I really wanted to like it but Tessa was so irritating. I know she’s a victim and dealing with trauma but she was so self absorbed. The only interesting part of this was Ben’s past.

This had potential, but Tessa needs an entirely different personality.

This book deals with the darker side of trauma and depression in a manner that is both realistic and at times tough to read. However, it is a well written book with a fast-moving plot with quite a bit of action all wrapped around an underlying love story. The trigger warnings are depression, rape, murder and the emotional detritus that results from these events. The plot is well written and the emotional journey that Tessa goes through as she comes to terms with what happened to her is realistic and at times emotional, yet at the same time the author was able to provide us with an interesting read with a sweet instalove story woven through the darker themes in the book. I have enjoyed several books by this author and will look forward to future books from her as well! If you are looking for a darker themed read with a happily ever after, then this is the book you are looking for!

This story will take you on an emotional roller coaster. The two main characters Ben and Tessa are amazing. The plot unfolds from two different timelines told in both characters voice. It comprises a poignant mixture of drama and romance. The author has done an amazing job of handling all the sensitive issues in this story. Readers will be thoroughly entertained as they turn the pages. It will be difficult to put down the book once you start reading. Grab the tissues and get ready for a truly beautiful story. This is one book you will definitely want to own.

This book covers some very serious triggers. Please check the trigger warning before reading.

Tessa’s life hasn’t been the easiest. While, Ben’s past come back to haunt him. Even, though he is still dealing with his demons he’s exactly what she needs to remember her heart still beats and live life.

Ben and Tessa’s story was very heartfelt. Their story was more than romance. It was about healing trauma, grief, overcoming past mistakes, learning to heal and move forward.

I enjoyed this read. Definitely an emotional read that had me experiencing all the emotions.

I picked up this book because I enjoy Helen Hardt's writing. The story revolves around Benjamin Black, the playboy billionaire brother of Braden Black, the protagonist of the Follow Me series. Benjamin is a kind and stable character, unlike his volatile and controlling brother, and he finds himself drawn to Tessa Logan, a woman dealing with PTSD from a recent sexual assault.

Tessa is trying to plan her best friend Skye's bachelorette party, but she's struggling to cope with her trauma. First of all, why would Skye put that pressure on her? Enter, Ben who understands what it's like to fight demons, and he's determined to help Tessa find happiness again. However, his own past transgressions threaten to ruin everything.

The romance between Ben and Tessa is heartwarming, and it's clear from the start that they are meant to be together. Ben's slow and confident pursuit of Tessa is important to her recovery, and his awareness of her trauma is touching. Tessa's journey towards healing is heart wrenching and inspiring, and I was happy that she finds her strength again with Ben's devoted support and encouragement.

I appreciated that this story was not just another billionaire rescuing a woman in distress. Both Ben and Tessa have suffered greatly and need to learn how to live again. The plot has a lot of potential, but unfortunately, it falls short for me. The story felt repetitive at times, and I wish more time had been devoted to exploring Ben's past. The ending felt rushed, and I was disappointed that the resolution of Ben's past was not given more attention.

Despite its shortfalls, My Heart Still Beats is a good read that explores the themes of love, healing, and finding happiness after trauma. It's not a perfect book and it has triggers, but it has its moments of charm and emotional depth.

This is a dark and emotional romance and it is Ben and Tessa’s story and it is a must read. Firstly Please Read The Trigger Warning because they are there for a good reason. I really enjoyed reading this book with all the emotional situations that Tessa and Ben had gone through and still dealing with even now and they both had so much baggage, trauma and trust issues but together they became stronger while going through there healing which they both definitely needed as it was a really tough journey filled with so much pain and you felt like you were there living through it all with them. This book shows that with patience, kindness, care, understanding and having someone in your corner and by your side and understanding you better better than anyone else true love, happiness and a future is still possible and I am really grateful and happy that Ben and Tessa got everything that they both needed and definitely deserved in the end. This book takes you on a rollercoaster and emotional journey that will pull you into the story and have you turning the pages unable to put it down and it will keep your attention throughout and I can’t wait to read more books by this author in the future.

This read is pretty dark in that it realistically discusses severe depression. I saw other reviews that said they didn’t like Tessa (female MC) because she was self-centered and “kind of a b*tch.” I think reviews like that, while maybe authentic for the reviewer, tends to reflect an opinion of someone that maybe has never been a victim of SA themselves and/or not had actual clinical depression.

For me, this was heartbreaking to watch Tessa try to come to terms with being drugged & date raped. I love Ben’s (male MC) character too, but I did knock my rating down to a 4 because I don’t particularly like that this one has a man essentially rescuing a woman from herself and helping her overcome her depression so quickly when professional therapy wasn’t helping her. I feel like that slant does a disservice to the use (and importance) of professional therapy…and also I just hate when it’s still depicted that all a woman needs is to fall in love and everything’s all better.

I still greatly enjoyed this book and the romance between Tessa & Ben, I just don’t think it fit in the greater concept of depression and SA.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for the digital arc. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.