Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

dark romance • enemies-to-lovers • forced proximity • forbidden love • trauma and healing

Fifteen years of teasing, rivalry, and relentless pranks have made Cora Lawson and Dean Asher sworn enemies. She cannot stand him, and he seems to take particular pleasure in getting under her skin. But when a terrifying turn of events leaves them chained together in captivity, their long-standing feud becomes a fight for survival. Forced to depend on the one person they never expected to trust, Cora and Dean discover that the bond between them is far more complicated than either could have imagined. Still Beating is an intensely emotional dark romance about survival, unexpected connection, and finding a way forward when life has changed you forever.

The Vibe

Cora Lawson has spent fifteen years trading insults and pranks with Dean Asher, her sister's fiancé and the bane of her existence. Their relationship has always been defined by antagonism, sharp banter, and a mutual determination to get the last word. Neither would ever have imagined being forced to rely on the other in their darkest hour.

When a night out takes a horrifying turn, Cora and Dean find themselves imprisoned together, with survival depending on their ability to endure the unthinkable. Cut off from the outside world, they must navigate fear, desperation, and the complicated reality of having only each other to depend on.

Their shared ordeal changes the nature of their connection in ways neither is prepared to face. The animosity that once defined them gives way to a deeper, more vulnerable understanding, creating an emotional conflict that follows them beyond captivity. Even when the immediate danger has passed, the path toward healing is anything but simple.

Jennifer Hartmann delivers a raw, emotionally charged story that explores the lasting effects of trauma, the complexity of human connection, and the difficult journey toward recovery. With intense angst, layered characters, and moments of tenderness amid the darkness, Still Beating is a gripping read for those who love romances that test the limits of the heart.

This is an exceptionally dark and emotionally heavy romance, best suited to readers comfortable with distressing subject matter. Please review the author's and publisher's content warnings before reading.

Spice Level

•  🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)

Tropes & Tags

• Dark romance
• Enemies-to-lovers
• Forced proximity
  
• Forbidden love
• Sister's fiancé
• Long-standing rivalry
• Reluctant allies
• Emotional angst
• Trauma and healing
• Survival
• Psychological suspense
• Dual POV
  
• Hurt and comfort
• Intense character development
• Contemporary romance