Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

Still Beating

Enemies-to-Lovers with a Side of Handcuffs

Length12h07m
Release dateJuly 11, 2023
LanguageEnglish
★★★★☆ 4.4 (1,029 ratings)

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Quick Facts

AuthorJennifer Hartmann
NarratorLaurie West, Christian Black
Runtime12h07m
PublishedJuly 11, 2023
Rating★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5 (1,029 ratings)
CategoriesRomance, Contemporary
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

*Still Beating* isn’t just another enemies-to-lovers romance—it’s a high-stakes, slow-burn thriller masquerading as a contemporary love story. Jennifer Hartmann drops Cora into a nightmare scenario after a stolen wallet leaves her at the mercy of Dean, her infuriating ex-best-friend-turned-rival. What starts as a forced road trip spirals into something darker, edgier, and far more addictive than the usual will-they-won’t-they trope. The audiobook’s dual narration by Laurie West and Christian Black elevates the tension, with West delivering Cora’s sharp wit and simmering panic, while Black lends Dean’s voice a gravelly, unpredictable edge that keeps listeners guessing: Is he a protector or a threat?

The real standout here is Hartmann’s refusal to soften the edges. This isn’t a romance where misunderstandings dissolve into easy forgiveness—it’s a story about two people who *hate* each other, bound by circumstance and their own damaged histories. The chemistry crackles, but so does the danger, and the audiobook’s immersive production (subtle background noise during tense scenes, seamless shifts between POVs) makes the stakes feel visceral. If you’re tired of saccharine romances, *Still Beating* offers something grittier: a love story that earns its happy ending by first putting its characters through hell.

Tags: dark enemies-to-lovers romancehigh-stakes road trip audiobookdual narration with chemistrysuspenseful contemporary romancemorally gray love storyaddictive slow-burn tension

Why Listen to Still Beating?

  • Expert narration by Laurie West, Christian Black brings every character and scene to life across 12h07m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.4 stars by 1,029 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
  • Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.
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Editor's Review ★★★★☆

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit, I went into *Still Beating* expecting a snarky, trope-heavy rom-com—what I got instead was a masterclass in how to blend romance with genuine suspense. Laurie West’s narration as Cora is a revelation; she nails the character’s defensive humor and the way her voice cracks when she’s truly scared. Christian Black’s Dean, meanwhile, is all controlled menace, his performance layered enough that you’re never sure if he’s about to kiss Cora or lock her in a trunk. That ambiguity is the book’s greatest strength, and the narrators lean into it, making their eventual emotional vulnerability all the more satisfying. The pacing is where things get tricky. The first third drags slightly as Cora and Dean’s mutual loathing plays out in repetitive bickering—Hartmann could’ve trimmed some of the road-trip filler. But once the plot twists hit (and oh, do they hit), the audiobook becomes impossible to pause. The production choices are smart, too: subtle audio cues during high-tension moments (a distant siren, a creaking door) add depth without feeling gimmicky. My only real critique? The ending wraps up *almost* too neatly after such a morally gray journey. Still, for fans of romances with bite—think *The Hating Game* meets *Gone Girl*’s unpredictability—this is a standout. Just don’t start it before bed unless you’re okay with losing sleep.

Download: Still Beating

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Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Laurie West, Christian Black with a runtime of 12h07m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.