"Still Beating" by Jennifer Hartmann is a dark romance that delves into sensitive subjects, so it's advised to check trigger warnings before diving into this intense narrative.
5⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5
Trigger Warnings: Kidnapping, abuse, miscarriage, PTSD, anxiet, depression & suicide.
Cora, or Corabelle, attending her sister's birthday party, didn't foresee a stolen wallet or being stranded with Dean, her sister's fiancée, and her arch-nemesis. Abducted and chained together in a serial killer's basement, the fifteen-year acquaintances must put aside their differences to survive. The traumatic experience has profound effects, changing the course of their relationship and blurring the line between love and hate.
In the basement, Cora and Dean endure horrific circumstances to stay alive. After 20 days, they escape, knowing that the ordeal has forever altered them. The surrounding people are oblivious to the details of their experience, and the couple must now live with the trauma, finding solace in each other.
It's crucial to note that while people offered support after, Mandy and Lilly, Cora’s friend, lacked common sense. Pushing them to dinner, parties, and dates after a traumatic event, they thought they knew what was needed. Support is vital, but healing after trauma takes time.
Dean and Cora's relationship evolves, with both developing feelings for each other. Despite attempts to separate, their connection remains strong. Dean eventually leaves his fiancée, Mandy, realizing they've grown apart, and he was only there because it was convenient. He was happy, but he wasn’t. Coping with trauma is reflected in different ways; Cora's dependence on Dean becomes unhealthy, leading to a heartbreaking decision on his part.
Dean's departure is a poignant scene, but what follows is described as more beautiful. Both characters need time to heal, learn, and grow independently before they can be part of each other's lives again. The book, despite its challenging beginning, is a rollercoaster of emotions and delivers a well-balanced mix of plot and spicy scenes. The epilogues wrap up the story beautifully; it's perfect!
The resilience and being alive message, particularly the line, "if it’s still beating. As long as it’s beating, you’re okay," resonated with me, as I said something similar after my accident. If you don’t have any trigger warnings, I highly recommend this book. "Still Beating" is an emotional and beautiful journey with a powerful narrative and a happy ending.
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