Still Beating: A Dark Survival Romance

I picked up Still Beating by Jennifer Hartman purely based on the cover, and let me tell you, the story I read was completely different from what I anticipated—in the best possible way! Going into this one blind was a rewarding experience, as the plot took some genuinely unexpected turns that kept me thoroughly engaged. The author did an amazing job with the pacing and character development. The emotional depth is undeniable, and I loved that I didn't manage to guess any of the major plot points or twists. This was a truly good read that I tore through. A critical note for potential readers: Please, please check the trigger warnings for this book before diving in. It covers difficult and serious themes that may be hard for some people to handle. If you are comfortable with dark and challenging subject matter, I believe the payoff and the emotional journey are absolutely worth it. If you enjoy a book that keeps you guessing and delivers a raw, intense story, you will love Still Beating. Highly recommend this one!

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 4/5⭐️ 2.5/5🔥 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬/𝐂𝐖/𝐓𝐖/𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬: MF/dual POV/dark romance/HEA/enemies to lovers/kidnapping/sexual assault/r@pe/violence/murder/self harm/reference to miscarriage/loss of pet 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: Cora and Dean have known each other forever and have spent at least that much time being enemies. Pranks, insults, taunts, you name it… that’s them summed up in a few words. It doesn’t help that he is engaged to her sister and around all the time. After a night out with friends, Cora needs a ride home and even if the last person she wants to call for a ride is Dean, he is the only one available. Little do they know that night will change the trajectory of their intwined lives forever. Being kidnapped, held hostage, and forced to do unspeakable things, Cora and Dean only have each other to cling to in the deep dark cellar that will become their home for 3 weeks. There are so many words to describe this book but raw, tragic and heart wrenching are some that come to mind. After Dean and Cora’s escape, separated by real life, they struggle to move forward from their trauma while ‘normal’ life threatens to pull them under. They knew before they escaped their relationship would forever be changed. I felt like Cora struggled the most, barely keeping her head above water but that could be because I feel like we didn’t a lot of Dean’s healing. It seemed to be him keeping Cora afloat and him dealing with his relationship with Cora’s sister, Mandy. I felt like she was extremely inconsiderate for the healing Cora and Dean were trying to accomplish. The information that surfaces about their kidnapper afterward was definitely twisted, but it was intriguing to have this in the story also. As Cora and Dean follow the news stories, I think this really made them question if their feelings were real. I loved the aspect of Cora being able to bond with another survivor. I like the POV from Tabitha after the end of the book and I can’t help but hope maybe she will get her HEA in a future book. [if there isn’t one already; I haven’t looked into that.] Dean’s decisions toward the second half were painful but necessary. Seeing them come out the other side of this was gratifying. This was definitely dark and messed up, but the overall story was something I won’t easily forget. at least thatthat’s in a few words It doesn’t help that he is engaged to her sister and around all the time.AfterCora needs a ride home and even if the last person she wants to call for a ride is Dean, he is the only one available. Little do they know that night will change the trajectory of their intwined lives forever. Being kidnapped, held hostage, and forced to do unspeakable things, Cora and Dean only have each other to cling to in the deep dark cellar that will become their home for 3 weeks. raw, tragic and heart wrenching After Dean and Cora’s escape, separated by real life, they struggle to move forward from their trauma while ‘normal’ life threatens to pull them under. They knew before they escaped their relationship would forever be changed. I felt like Cora struggled the most, barely keeping her head above water but that could be because I feel like we didn’t a lot of Dean’s healing. It seemed to be him keeping Cora afloat and him dealing with his relationship with Cora’s sister, Mandy. I felt like she was extremely inconsiderate for the healing Cora and Dean were trying to accomplish. The information that surfaces about their kidnapper afterward was definitely twisted, but it was intriguing to have this in the story also. As Cora and Dean follow the news stories, I think this really made them question if their feelings were real. I loved the aspect of Cora being able to bond with another survivor. I like the POV from Tabitha after the end of the book and I can’t help but hope maybe she will get her HEA in a future book. [if there isn’t one already; I haven’t looked into that.] Dean’s decisions toward the second half were painful but necessary. Seeing them come out the other side of this was gratifying. This was definitely dark and messed up, but the overall story was something I won’t easily forget. ** 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 … 𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙡. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦, 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 =𝘋 **

I love this book down bad. WOW. I cried, I was gagged, I felt all of the emotions. Sooo amazing & very well worded! 10/10

As a survivor of traumatic events, I found Still Beating to be an incredibly powerful and raw depiction of what it means to live with PTSD—particularly when your pain is intertwined with someone close to you. Jennifer Hartmann doesn’t shy away from the dark or difficult, and instead brings the reader into the complicated, emotional aftermath of trauma with honesty and care. The story’s emotional depth is gripping, and the connection between the characters is intense in ways that feel both heartbreaking and healing. What resonated most with me was how accurately the book captured the confusion, guilt, fear, and longing that often follow traumatic experiences—especially when forming or rebuilding relationships afterward. The portrayal of survival wasn’t romanticized; it was honest, and for that, I am grateful. Still Beating is not just a romance—it’s a testament to resilience, and to the difficult but beautiful process of trying to feel safe again in your own mind, and with someone else.

I thought it really showed that Dean was a great man to Cora even after everything they went through with each other. I really liked the story and would read another book by this author.

**Still Beating ist ein Meisterwerk** Jennifer Hartmann gehört mittlerweile zu meinen absoluten Lieblingsautorinnen. *Still Beating* ist wirklich ein Meisterwerk. In Amerika wird das Genre als Romance bezeichnet, ich würde es jedoch eher als Dark Romance einstufen, da es düstere Themen behandelt. **Zur Story:** Cora, die den Freund ihrer Schwester, Dean, überhaupt nicht leiden kann, bittet ausgerechnet ihn, sie von der Bar abzuholen, da ihr Portemonnaie gestohlen wurde und sie kein Geld für ein Taxi hat. Dean ist allerdings jemand, den sie schon seit ihrer Jugend kennt. Durch Rückblenden in die Vergangenheit erfährt man, dass Dean sich schon immer um Cora gesorgt und gekümmert hat, auch wenn er sie gerne ärgert. Beim Lesen wird immer deutlicher, dass Dean Cora von Anfang an als seine Traumfrau betrachtet hat, obwohl er mit ihrer Schwester zusammengekommen ist. Doch dann werden Cora und Dean entführt und zusammen eingesperrt. Vor Deans Augen werden Cora schlimme Dinge angetan und auch Dean wird gezwungen, ihr dasselbe anzutun. In dem Keller versucht Dean immer wieder, Cora aufzubauen. Nach und nach entwickeln die beiden Gefühle füreinander. Doch auch nach ihrer Befreiung ist der Horror nicht vorbei. Beide müssen die traumatischen Erlebnisse verarbeiten und wollen sich zunächst nicht eingestehen, dass sie mehr füreinander empfinden. Jennifer Hartmann erzählt die Geschichte sehr gefühlvoll und intensiv. Ich musste bei diesem Buch oft weinen. Durch den Wechsel zwischen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart erfährt man, dass die beiden eigentlich schon seit ihrer Jugend zusammengehören. Doch Mandy, Coras Schwester, liebt Dean ebenfalls. Das Buch ist nicht nur äußerst gefühlvoll, sondern auch realistisch. Der Schreibstil ist wunderbar, und es gibt eine gute Portion Spice. Allerdings sollten unbedingt die Triggerwarnungen beachtet werden, da das Buch sensible Themen enthält. Ich liebe die Bücher von Jennifer Hartmann und hoffe, dass *Still Beating* eines Tages ins Deutsche übersetzt wird, da es bereits in viele andere Sprachen übersetzt wurde. Wer auf Englisch liest, sollte dieses Buch unbedingt lesen.

One of the best books I've ever read. Story was gripping and I loved both the main characters. Writing was amazing and I was gripped the whole time. Thinking of re-reading it again!

I loved this book. If you like dark romance you'll love it too. So. Plot: Cora kind of hates her future brother in law, Dean. He kind of friendly bullies her. On Cora's sister birthday , Cora loses her wallet. She calls Dean to take her home but... They get kidnapped. Things, bad things happen. After 3 brutal weeks they escape. But now everything is different now. Trauma, feelings and .... You need to read the book! I think this was one of the best dark romance books I've ever read. Even if the TRIGGERS are pretty bad. But it's worth it

Une histoire d’amour passionnelle avec une plume délicate. Tellement de jolies phrases. Les personnages sont attachants ♥️ Moi qui suis si difficile à contenter, j’ai purement et simplement adoré.

When I found this book on Amazon, I had not expected this. This story was more about healing love than about the trauma the characters go through. It’s about the pain that we will never know but it is also about the struggle of a person to reach the end of the journey and find themselves. When I first spotted the book, the readers had all raved about the book. I have to say that the connection is there, and it is strong, but the situation that made it so hit you so hard that you cannot forget it soon. The situations that Dean and Cora face are so forced and cold that it is almost clinical. The darkness that became a part of them and the connection that they form because of it is like thorns inlaid on the feather-like link of our relationships. I was shaken by what I read. It has never happened before. How the book is written made me imagine it to be a movie in my head. I could imagine every scene. The setting, the camera shots, and even the lighting in some of them. I know a movie might not be possible with the contents of the book as they are without major cuts, but the author writes the book to show you what happens at all times. I saw the greys and every dullness in the book and I also saw the world through their eyes as they battled themselves to come out from hell that they had never come out of for a long time. I saw them heal bit by bit and imagined when Dean said, She feels like Healing. There are several quotes from the book that make you skip a beat or just take a moment to read again, but the one that I love the most is because it connects with the title of the book. “It’s still beating.” he whispers, his words a soft kiss against my lips. “As long as it’s beating, you’re okay.” This was a story about survivors. It was about a world where anything may happen and handling it is not as simple as many other stories may make it out to be. It is about breaking down before building back up. It is about the painful digging out of feelings that were more or less ignored by both protagonists. The events that happen from start to finish are like nothing I have ever read before. This book made me pause as I looked at nothing before I could continue. I wish to tell everyone to read this book, but there are many triggers for people who may not be alright. Read this book only after considering the sunrise after the storm.