Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

280 reviews

novanother's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I really, really enjoyed this book. Of course it has the usual pick me main character symptoms (I’m not like other girls type beat) but I’ve learned to just ignore that, and once you do the book it actually pretty good.

One thing I didn’t like is how

after Cora and Dean are free, eventually Cora begins acting extremely selfish and toxic. I understand that this is not an entirely inaccurate portrayal of someone coping with trauma, but when Dean told her not to kiss and fck him anymore because it’s hurting him and she basically smugly says “But you’re turned on rn so I won’t stop”…

I had to take a walk to get over that. 

In general Cora’s personality was imo sometimes hard to… emphasise with? I mean,

adopting her kidnappers and rapists dogs

is CRAZY. 
I think Dean’s character and Dean’s way of coping was handled much more gracefully, and

I’m glad he got his happy end with her.

But despite all that I still enjoyed the book, read it all in one sitting instead of sleeping.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Rape, and Sexual assault

ermunleybooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Sexual assault, Violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Murder, Gaslighting, Death, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping

amurray1996's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I don’t have the words to describe this book properly. It was one of the best books I’ve read, ever. Heartbreaking, grueling, tough read at the beginning. But turns into painful angst, healing from trauma, and becoming an unconventional but tragically beautiful love story. This book was flawless, and is one of those stories that sticks with you long after. I’m in awe. Not to mention, the writing was incredibly well done. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Addiction, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Torture, Self harm, Alcohol, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content

klsreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Violence, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Torture, Addiction, Alcohol, Dementia, Gore, Grief, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Blood, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, and Pregnancy

Minor: Animal cruelty, Death of parent, and Forced institutionalization

kaitlynn_l2's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Rape, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Physical abuse, Kidnapping, and Miscarriage

viewfromarose's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, and Kidnapping

gottbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I am giving this book 5 stars because the emotion that I felt from this story was so strong. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. However, the message is so important and the story is just so good. It speaks a lot about trauma bonding and how to recover. Additionally, how others can misunderstand trauma that is experienced especially if they were not a witness to it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Suicide, Rape, Miscarriage, Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Confinement, Sexual content, Self harm, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, and Violence

staubitz1025's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, Violence, Rape, Abortion, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Murder, Cursing, and Alcoholism

ajayne6's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Rape, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Violence, Death, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Sexual assault

lifeoflouuk_06's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Before reading this book, I advise people to read the triggers. 

I absolutely loved this book. The subjects, context, and content were written so well. There were so many heart aching moments which made me emotional, but there were nice moments too. I feel the author got the balance correctly, especially for the topics based in the book. 

I was definitely routing for Dean in this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Kidnapping, Abortion, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, and Rape