Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

82 reviews

mana_reads's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

I rated this book a 4.5 because the writing was beautiful, Dean was amazing, but unfortunately towards the end of the story Cora was just being a little bit toxic. Now I totally get that she was dealing with heavy traumas but sometimes she was acting as if Dean didn't went through the same things (well almost). Thank God that she got better at the end of the book.

Now I can't wait to read Lotus and The Stars Are On Our Side.

Also a friendly reminder to check the TWs if you want to read this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture

Minor: Animal death, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt

bookishchaos's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-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? No

5.0

This was so well written. All the anger, sadness and the healing process was very realistic. Some parts were definitely hard to read and made me cry. So please look at the trigger warnings!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Miscarriage, Self harm, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Animal death

taelorslibrary's review against another edition

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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Moderate: Death, Self harm, and Blood

Minor: Animal death and Pregnancy

ashkell's review against another edition

I understand it’s a romance book so it was never going to be a deep look into trauma and how people can bond over it and the downsides of it but nevertheless, this book was just…it rubbed me the wrong way. I’m not even upset about the graphic depictions because I knew what I was reading when I started but here is my list of issues:
- sexualised Cora and Dean’s rape a bit too much for my liking. Even though they both “consented” to have sex together, they wouldn’t have if not for the circumstances 
- not sure if we are meant to hate the sister, but I did. However, I wish she was a likeable character so even though you want Cora and Dean to be together, you still feel bad for Maddie. However, she was too shallow of a character as well and too “mean girl” sytreotypical that is just came across lazy
- 13 year olds on Wattpad can write better than this…sorry but it’s true
- Cora gave major pick me/I’m not like the other girl vibes. Like your not the only girl that’s into books and Maddie isn’t an idiot because she is blonde and wears dresses…

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy

hsteel's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Murder

amandasreads6149's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Emotional damage ❤️‍🩹

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt

alyssadorn's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

This is the only situation in which gifting a heart-shaped necklace is justified. 

Okay, jokes aside, this book made me viscerally feel things. Despair, hope, connection with the characters. The moments of shared trauma were handled so well, too; I’m glad the rape scenes weren’t detailed or explicit, just having us as readers focus on what Cora focused on— not the actual act. It was more moving than I expected, and overall a really good book. Beautiful and heartbreaking and healing. 

I will say at times, especially on page 2, it was a little girl-shamey toward Mandy, with Cora’s comparisons between the two of them feeling a bit “I’m not like other girls”- coded. 

Definitely check the content warnings. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Grief, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault

Minor: Miscarriage

sienasummerrreads's review

challenging dark emotional 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? N/A

4.0

Wow, I’m in shock honestly. This was dark and I felt sad the whole way through. Don’t get me wrong, this was a fantastic read but I believe it is better if you go in blind. These characters go through so much that their connection is inevitable. This isn’t your average romance it’s a journey of being at your lowest point and coming back and battling demons and finding yourself in the world again. From the start of this book, it just dived straight into the darkness and draws you in so fast. I honestly only felt one emotion reading this book sadness. If there were happy bits I was sad still. I read the physical and listened to the audiobook. The audiobook was fantastic and enhanced my experience while reading. It's told in a dual narration as well. 

Overall really good read and I do recommend just please look into triggers before diving in. 

If you love: 

🔹Dark Content & Themes 
🔹Graphic Scenes 
🔹Survival 
🔹Intimate Connection
🔹Mental Health 
🔹Emotional Reads

Genre/Type: Dark Romance 18+
APK: Physical & Audiobook ARC
Pages: 300
Audio Length: 12hrs 7mins
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Series or Stand Alone: 
Tropes or Themes: Enemies To Lovers, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Kidnapping, SA, R, Captivity, Violence, Physical Abuse, Guns, Forced Cheating, Murder, Past Memories, Miscarriage, Tattoo, Alcohol, Drug Use, Overdose, Mental Health, Trauma, Medical Content & Playlist 
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫 

All Round Romance Reader 
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Scribd | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Miscarriage

bnully1027's review against another edition

dark sad tense

4.0

I’m having a hard thinking of a review right now. This book was an emotional roller coaster. I’m surprised how instantly I was connected to these characters. I mean having it hook you almost immediately was a big plus. My ONLY issue is that Cora was sometimes too much. I get the trauma but still. This took me by surprise and as graphic and fucked this story was it was kind of a beautiful too. I dont think I’ll eve pick it again but I’m very happy I read it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Violence, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Drug use, Miscarriage, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal death

emmab_124's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Minor: Suicidal thoughts