My Heart Still Beats was three ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. Thank you New Galley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC. These are my honest opinions.

Everything in this book was just so nice. The dialogue, the triggers, the relationships. It was too nice. Everything was very closed door (or barely peeking) - the spice, the trauma, all of it. If you like mostly closed door, you will probably love this book.

It was kind of flat for me. I read the trigger warnings and braced myself, but that wasn’t really necessary. A three star for me is, it was mostly okay and I may or may not suggest it.

My goodness, there is a lot packed into this story. This is a story of trauma, depression, healing, and owning one’s past, but also one of strength and love and connecting with someone on a deep and beautiful level.

Ben and Tessa were not looking for love, but the chemistry and connection they have is deep. I love Ben’s patience, how he helps Tessa, and the way she is able to open up to him. They are both so vulnerable and it’s beautiful to watch their slow burn. This story is raw and emotional and watching Ben and Tessa help each other heal and find love will leave you with a full heart.

The timeline jumping across two POVs will leave your head spinning. It is a good book about female empowerment.

Oh my goodness this was AMAZING!! There are a lot of really tough themes so I strongly suggest checking trigger warnings. I had so many emotions while reading this book and it kept me on the edge of my seat constantly wanting more. I could not put it down!!!

Holy crap! Just… wow. This book really blew me away in more ways than one. The emotions and depth to this had me hanging on by my heartstrings and I couldn’t get enough of it.

Wow, I loved this. I found the story so gripping and although parts of it were hard to read, I absolutely couldn't put it down. I do strongly recommend checking the trigger warnings it's a very intense book with some difficult themes but overall an incredible book. I felt that the ending was a little abrupt but that doesn't take away from how incredible this book is at all. Overall a super gripping read that I found almost impossible to put down, and very well written.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for this advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

OMG this book was so intense.. Tessa trying to plan her best friends Bachelorette party and failing.. Ben with his own demons pulls her out of her head and she starts feeling again until the all hell breaks loose for the both of them.. This is an excellent read.

Rating: 4/5
I received an ARC for my honest opinion.

This book does have a lot of triggers so make sure to read the disclaimer before you dive in. Here are a few triggers for your reference though: sexual assault, rape, child molestation, and depression. There are more but I wanted to focus on the ones that I think are important for readers to know about right away.

With that being said, this book is so much more, it is also about healing, forgiveness and connecting with others. I really enjoy this author a lot, I just read Blossom last month and it was the same way with that book. Yes, this author does talk about the hard stuff, but the way that she writes about it and the healing and care that is really where she shines. In this book you will find a strong woman that was so lost and not sure of how to come back out of her dark place. Until she finds someone who cares about her and understands what she needs to help her pull herself out of that hole.

It is a love story, but it’s not just a knight and shining armor saving her, but the actions he takes, the steps that he gives her to heal in the way that she needs is what makes this story amazing.

Ben is a fantastic character. He is everything most women would love, He is smart, kind, understanding, and is not pushy at all. I like that he put his feelings aside and just tried his best to give Tessa what she needed, he even knew at times what she needed when she didn’t and that is all because he has his own demons.

Tessa is a great female character, and I can’t say that I can relate to her but I understand all the hardships that she was going through. I really enjoyed getting to see her shine through all the heartache that she has been through in her life and to see her finally say enough is enough and she pushed through all the hurt and learned to become a strong woman from it.

I really enjoyed this author’s way of not being scared of writing about the topics that are scary and hard, but she writes the books to show that yes even when you’re in that dark hole there is hope out there and to ever give up on your happiness.

I want to thank NetGalley and Entangled Pub for the opportunity to review this book.

Tessa is a shell of the woman she used to be. She's lost in trauma and depression with no real desire to find herself again... that is until Benjamin Black comes along. Everyone knows what happened to her, what she endured, and it shows every time they talk to her, and in the way they treat her. But he doesn't, he truly sees her, doesn't want to shelter her away from the world, he instead wants her to find her way into it again, and leave the darkness of her past behind. It's a journey she has longed to take, but never found the courage to do on her own... but now she doesn't have to.

My Heart Still Beats is the story of a woman who has lost herself, she's drowning in depression and past trauma and has no idea how to escape that is until an unexpected meeting changes everything. Tessa and Ben were brought together by their friends impending marriage, but it's an unexpected connection and a need to survive that is going to keep them together. These two find instant sparks, but it's Tessa's apprehension to trust Ben and self doubt that leaves them hanging in the balance. Little by little Ben brings her out of her shell, reassures her that she can put her trust in someone, that she can have happiness after such tragedy. It's a beautiful and very emotional journey, one that will do a number on your heart, but totally worth every ounce of pain. I loved what I found between the pages here, it was an emotionally charged journey that really packed a punch, but by the time the last page came things hit a lighter, happier note. Highly recommend you take a chance on this one, it's pages will wreck your heart in the best of ways!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

Thankx Netgalley for the arc <333

Well idk if its just me but smth was missing, like it could have been a 5 star but smth felt not completed..?
And i do understand she was healing but the amount of times she went like "since then..." it was almost annoying sorry... and i do fell so bad for her she was SAed as a child, as an adult. She never thought she would be able to have a relationship with again but here we are hehe Ben is just so special and gentle (only) with her.

Together, they were able to heal <3

There were a lot of triggers in this story, but I still enjoyed my first book by Hardt. The writing was crisp and interesting. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Okay, so I did not expect this book to be this heavy. Tessa went through so much and it was deeply saddening. Ben also was dealing with his own past issues. So they were there for each other throughout it all. I liked how Ben supported Tessa and understood her. I sympathized with Tessa but sometimes she was a bit too much and came across as a bitch tbh. Still, Tessa & Ben were meant to be because they fit so good together. But I felt like I barely knew them as individuals aside from knowing about their pasts. Also, the pacing felt slow and the end was really abrupt. Despi e that, I have read books by the author before and I really enjoy her writing so I'll be looking forward to see what's her upcoming release.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

Loved it. Beautifully written with lots of emotions and painful past experiences. Loved Tessa and Ben, both are strong characters. Tessa’s past was tragic, and she is suffering emotionally, but Ben gave her strength, true love, and a chance at happily ever after. When Ben's past catches up, she gives him her full support. I felt connected to both and loved their chemistry. It's not only about romance but about relationships and strength. Engaging throughout. Highly recommended. Thanks a lot to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

This was an emotional ride. Definitely check the triggers. Tessa is a shell of herself after ending up in the hospital as a result of being drugged by her then boyfriend. Her best friends wedding is coming up, and she's being forced out of her comfort zone to help plan it with the groom's brother, Ben.

Ben is now successful and happy, but his past doesn't seem to want to stay there. Dirk Conrad comes threatening Ben with a gruesome crime they committed together as teens, asking for money in exchange for silence.

As Tessa becomes closer to Ben, she begins to heal in ways she never thought possible. Ben is taking care of her in ways she didn't know she needed, and helping her heal from both past and present trauma.

This book was heavy and sad, but also very romantic.

Wow! What an amazing story. Ben and Tessa’s story is a very powerful and moving story. I absolutely loved it! Such important topics to talk about and I loved how strong Tessa was and how attentive and supportive Ben was even when he was fighting his own demons! Tessa was there for Ben too and it made their relationship so strong!!
I loved the visits from Skye and Braden too. Can’t get enough of their world!

Thank you Helen for a great story and continuing with The Black Family! 💜💙

5/5⭐️
2.75/5

Helen gives us an angsty & powerfully emotional romance that left me emotionally destroyed but in all the right ways.

Helen give us Tessa & Ben's story which is a match up I never saw coming but I'm thrilled about it.

Benjamin Black has a past that's threatening to destroy his future and he's determined to keep it buried. Tessa has been through a horrible life changing trauma and understandably unable to move past it.

In preparation for Skye & Braden's wedding Ben & Tessa have to work together to throw them their Bachelor & Bachelorette parties. Ben is ready to get to work on throwing the best Bachelors Party for his Older Brother.

Tessa is not as prepared or inspired to do this. Her past trauma is still fresh and not letting her go on with her life. She's absolutely wreaked and she's just going through the motions.

This book honestly wasn’t what I was expecting and I was unfortunately a little disappointed. I really enjoyed reading it at the start (and I get that the main character was recovering from trauma so I’m not trying to belittle that trauma) but I was really hoping there would be more spicy scenes than there was. Plus, I felt as though the ending was pretty rushed. It didn’t feel like it got wrapped up properly and it felt a little unfinished and thrown together. This was a good slow burn romance that deals with a lot of mental health issues and trauma and I’m glad they were represented properly. Overall, this book was a good quick read, but I just wish it got to the romance a little bit sooner. Like there’s an entire half chapter where the main character describes in detail how she’s making cheese enchiladas, refried beans, and margaritas. I really didn’t need those descriptions to make the book more enjoyable. But I digress, this book will be good for those who like a good slow burn romance with a billionaire.

First off the dedication got me alone. Those simple connecting words are important. 🖤

This book was a dark romance. Trigger warnings for mentions of child molestation, date rape, and some explicit violence.

Tessa used to be the life of the party. Until she wasn’t. Until he stole her life force.

Ben used to be a playboy down for some BDSM not wanting to get attached. Trying to forget his own demons of his past. Then he saw Tessa and his life changed.

Forced proximity to start. Slow healing trauma. Finding someone who accepts your brokenness and helps you find your way back into yourself so you’re no longer a shell of a person.

Just remember, sometimes the past comes back to haunt you…

I enjoyed this story immensely. It was healing trauma in ways I’ve never read before. How paths intertwine. Climbing back up from the darkness.

My only nitpicks are, wanting more from the ending. A little less rushed. Also a little more of the Ben BDSM background.

It took a little bit of time to process this book. It is a dark romance where both the FMC and the MMC have trauma they are dealing with. I enjoyed how the story intensifies to understand their history and the mystery surrounding their stories. This is not a story for the faint of heart as there are multiple dark storylines(read trigger warnings) but the beautiful part of the story is how they are learning to heal with each other and with love. I really appreciate the title and the meaning of it while reading the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for giving me a chance to read the ARC. The review of this book is my own opinion.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. Tessa and Ben were easy to love. I liked the depth of the back stories. Tessa annoyed me a little with how much she said thank you for small things. I'm sure that was due to her trauma but I still found it overkill at times. Despite the small annoyance I enjoyed reading this and I will definitely be reading more books by Helen Hardt.