Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

11 reviews

theinstabookworm's review

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This dark romance is not dark in a violent kind of way, although there definitely is violence, but more in a sad way. The before, during, and after the kidnapping made for a very well-rounded story when normally the book ends when the kidnapped are freed. As a reader you get to see the effects the kidnapping had on both MCs emotionally, mentally, and physically and how their trauma bonded them. I also appreciated the accurate representation of family and friends not understanding the trauma and why Cora and Dean couldn't move on despite time passing, even if it was frustrating to read at times. I will say that I hated Mandy and thought she was the most selfish and insensitive person. She showed no empathy or compassion for her sister or her fiancé and only cared about herself. Again, though, she didn't understand why Dean couldn't move past what he had been through, which is also sometimes accurate of loved ones of those who have experienced trauma. Know going into this that it's a very heavy read and be mindful of trigger warnings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Drug abuse, and Suicide attempt

emilyreadstoomuch's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

2.25

very unique book, but it tried too hard and also was somehow not enough at the same time. don't know why when they were screaming at the abductor, of all the horrible things he did that they could've thrown in his face they just kept calling him fat?? they were like "you are FAT" like why not murderer, rapist, creep, etc.????? so insane. also it was just annoying at parts where cora was soooo not like other girls and mandy was villainized for no reason at times lmao mandy was a really terrible person though. this had a TON of potential like i could see the vision so clearly but was honestly underdeveloped. very fake deep!!!!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Infidelity, Gore, Gun violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Murder, Misogyny, Violence, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Drug abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Cursing, Confinement, Blood, Animal cruelty, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Torture, Rape, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

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

Moderate: Miscarriage

volatile's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Torture, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Sexual assault

chelle22's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Confinement, Torture, Suicide, Miscarriage, Cursing, Child death, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Drug abuse, and Rape

ellaskrovset's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Murder, Mental illness, Death, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Self harm, Pedophilia, Miscarriage, Confinement, Cursing, Alcoholism, Vomit, Violence, Torture, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Abortion, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Rape, Kidnapping, Gore, and Drug abuse

hannahs_library__'s review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Addiction, Drug abuse, Gore, Rape, Alcohol, Child death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicide, Blood, Dementia, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Self harm, Violence, Animal cruelty, Physical abuse, and Torture

abaker440's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Rape, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Torture, Murder, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicide

lea_talisa's review

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

This was great! It was also absolutely heart breaking and sad but through all of that I loved the story of Cora and Dean.

Normally we get to see kidnappings in books only as another thing happening to make the plot more interesting and often the aftershocks aren’t even mentioned. I love that in this book the main focus is actually on these effects after the kidnapping. There’s deep trauma, overwhelming emotions and feelings of betrayal. But there’s also new found trust, hope, love and most importantly healing.

I loved accompanying both Cora and Deacon along their own and very different ways of coping. It’s a rollercoaster going up as much as down always trying to find balance with each other when in the end they find balance in their own selves.
There are a lot of setbacks and the book ends with a Happy Ever After.

This story touched my heart. There were parts I could hardly get through and was near tears praying for the characters to find a way out of their misery (during as well as after the kidnapping). 

Check the trigger warnings on this one! Most of it is graphic and this is definitely not a lovely romance where “love conquers all”. Though there definitely are some parts like that the majority of this book is about trauma and healing; together as well as alone, yet always supported. 

I’m sure I’ll be thinking about this book a lot even a long time after I’ve read it. This is just the kind of story that sticks to you through its darkness and personal connection.

Quotes (maybe contain minor spoilers?):

„We are bound, chained, tied—to our trauma and to each other.

We’re in this together.“

„My whole life I’ve been terrified of the ocean. I’ve been scared of being dragged down into a cold, dark sea, swallowed by waves, clutching my chest and gasping for air.

But this sea is not made of water.

And maybe drowning is the only way out.“

„The only thing I wanted more was to see her smile.

I wanted to see her glowing and thriving and truly living her life.

I wanted to see her just like this, just like she is right now, happy and healing and learning to love herself again.

So, it’s all been worth it“

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Confinement, Rape, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Murder, Miscarriage, Animal death, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Grief, Mental illness, Animal cruelty, and Infidelity

sammba's review

dark emotional 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content

Moderate: Animal death, Self harm, Miscarriage, and Alcohol