Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

Dean Asher has been Cora's nemesis since her first day in a new school when he put the class tarantula in her gym shoe. She's hated him ever since, made even worse because she's been forced to tolerate him for fifteen years as her sister's boyfriend, now fiance. But he's her last resort for help when's she been out drinking and her purse is stolen. Then they're both abducted, locked in a basement for three weeks and forced to do unspeakable things. He becomes her comfort, her safety, and finally her savior when they finally escape. It's a long road to healing and things will never be the same. 

This story was raw and real, and sometimes hard to read. But the wonderful HEA was worth the struggle. They were each strong for each other and their relationship was a beautiful thing even through the rough patches of healing. I started out feeling sorry for Cora's sister Amanda, but her whole attitude after their trauma was so off-putting. When she says to Dean that it was "only" three weeks, it made me want to scream. I felt like the writing accurately portrayed the emotions and actions of these trauma victims after their survival. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.