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A review by khanreads
Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann
5.0
This may be one of the best stories I’ve ever read.
Cora was infuriating at times but grief and loss all manifest behavior in different ways. She was so strong and as a victim of rape myself I can say that completely zoning out was spot freaking on. Personally. I was so happy to see her go through therapy and truly heal.
Dean was such a heartbreaking character. His character was vulnerable and open. He was confused about many things but the fact that he always stood up for Cora was beautiful to me.
So many subjects in this book were so raw I cried throughout reading it but couldn’t bear to put it down.
And Mandy. Holy cow I could understand her feeling betrayed but she was awful to both of them. “It was only three weeks.” Are you kidding?? Yeah okay you talked to the police and posted fliers and the fear of the unknown is terrifying but can you really compare that to actual torture? It was like she expected them to feel bad for what she went through but wasn’t even trying to look at their point of view. I almost didn’t want her to have a happy ending but I think if she hadn’t ended up with Reid she would have made their lives so much harder.
I also wish Lily had been more supportive? She kinda felt unnecessary for the story. The few bits of advice she gave were good but it would have been nice to maybe see Cora’s mom fill that role?
Either way a book that can make me genuinely afraid and sad and anxious is worth reading in my opinion. The way the story came together and the character growth was amazing. I’ll be reading again and again for years to come.
Cora was infuriating at times but grief and loss all manifest behavior in different ways. She was so strong and as a victim of rape myself I can say that completely zoning out was spot freaking on. Personally. I was so happy to see her go through therapy and truly heal.
Dean was such a heartbreaking character. His character was vulnerable and open. He was confused about many things but the fact that he always stood up for Cora was beautiful to me.
So many subjects in this book were so raw I cried throughout reading it but couldn’t bear to put it down.
And Mandy. Holy cow I could understand her feeling betrayed but she was awful to both of them. “It was only three weeks.” Are you kidding?? Yeah okay you talked to the police and posted fliers and the fear of the unknown is terrifying but can you really compare that to actual torture? It was like she expected them to feel bad for what she went through but wasn’t even trying to look at their point of view. I almost didn’t want her to have a happy ending but I think if she hadn’t ended up with Reid she would have made their lives so much harder.
I also wish Lily had been more supportive? She kinda felt unnecessary for the story. The few bits of advice she gave were good but it would have been nice to maybe see Cora’s mom fill that role?
Either way a book that can make me genuinely afraid and sad and anxious is worth reading in my opinion. The way the story came together and the character growth was amazing. I’ll be reading again and again for years to come.