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Irreversible
They say the best kept secrets are hidden in the darkest places.
I know that better than anybody…
Because I’m one of them.
I spend my days locked in a black-market nightmare, held captive by a twisted mastermind who considers me his prized possession. My only form of human contact are the victims in the next room, each of whom disappears faster than the last.
Everyone leaves…except me.
Then I hear him—Isaac. Brash, elusive, and haunted, he isn’t anyone’s idea of a hero. Separated by a wall, our faces hidden, his voice cuts through the darkness, becoming my only hope. He’s driven by vengeance, bearing scars as dark as my own. Despite his rough edges, a fragile bond forms between us—a lifeline.
Isaac might be my best chance of escape, but time is slipping away. Breaking free will mean outrunning both our pasts, and in this twisted game, the cost of freedom may be more than we can afford to pay.
Appearances deceive. Choices have consequences.
And some consequences?
They are irreversible.
I know that better than anybody…
Because I’m one of them.
I spend my days locked in a black-market nightmare, held captive by a twisted mastermind who considers me his prized possession. My only form of human contact are the victims in the next room, each of whom disappears faster than the last.
Everyone leaves…except me.
Then I hear him—Isaac. Brash, elusive, and haunted, he isn’t anyone’s idea of a hero. Separated by a wall, our faces hidden, his voice cuts through the darkness, becoming my only hope. He’s driven by vengeance, bearing scars as dark as my own. Despite his rough edges, a fragile bond forms between us—a lifeline.
Isaac might be my best chance of escape, but time is slipping away. Breaking free will mean outrunning both our pasts, and in this twisted game, the cost of freedom may be more than we can afford to pay.
Appearances deceive. Choices have consequences.
And some consequences?
They are irreversible.
566 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2025
2825 people are currently reading
14435 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Hartmann
31 books15.6k followersJennifer Hartmann resides in northern Illinois with her own personal romance hero and three children. When she is not writing angsty love stories, she is likely pondering all the ways she can break your heart and piece it back together again. She enjoys sunsets (because mornings are hard), bike riding, traveling, bingeing Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns, and that time of day when coffee gets replaced by wine. She loves tacos. She also really, really wants to pet your dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,833 reviews
March 2, 2025
DNF @65%
We follow our FMC, Everly (so cutsie, so original) who is a successful model, married to her successful agent, until one day, tragedy strikes and their home appears to have been broken into. Everly's husband is shot and she's drugged and kidnapped.
Our MMC, Isaac, is a former detective with a major chip on his shoulder. Working the cold case of a girl who's missing. While trying to obtain some information from a confidential informant to potentially find some more clues on the disappearance and sinister involvement in said disappearance, he ends up being abducted as well.
When Isaac comes to in a small locked room with a chain secured around his ankle he meets Everly who is just on the other side of a thin yet impenetrable wall. (Think like the set of love is blind)
By the time these two are both in captivity together, Everly has been there for two years, presumed dead. They get to chit chatting and Everly is telling him about what she can remember of victims who have previously been detained in his 'cell' - they're all people who have gone missing in recent years.
All of this is fine, little boring but still fine. The fact that they start having a through a wall version of phone sex was a bit cringe to me though. I mean, listen - maybe hatch an escape plan together and then bang it out once you're free. Just a thought.
The MMC is being tagged a 'tortured hero' but I really didn't get those vibes from him honestly. I found him to be very one dimensional and only capable of anger. It's legit his only emotion. Borderline knuckle dragger.
🚨 This next part will contain mild spoilers - 🚨
Once these two are rescued from their captivity, The Tortured Hero goes all John Wick and decides to be a one man killing crew and goes after the ring leader of this black market underground business. Not very believable but sure.
Meanwhile, Everly's husband has moved on and fallen in love with her best friend in the two years since she's gone missing - and that is so lame. I feel like Hartmann always has to toss in some type of lying cheating triangle with either a best friend or a sister. Her FMC's are never girls girls and always break girl code.
On top of that. After two years of being tortured and having your eggs extracted from your body you choose stripping to be the career choice in order to move forward in a positive/healing light for your life? Seems like a totally safe and normal - even OBVIOUS choice. (sarcasm)
So as she's dancing one night a broody, muscular, perfect specimen of a man walks in and wants a private dance. Guess who it is?
Bye. I can't take Hartmann's book seriously anymore. The women she writes are usually assholes and don't know how to be friends or sisters. This MMC was a literal card board cut out with absolutely no range other than anger and banging on his chest like a cave man.
The time keeper was interesting but not enough of him. The structure of the story makes it very hard to form any type of connection or appreciation for the characters together as so much time is spent not together.
I am slightly curious about what happens in the 2125 timeline, but not enough to suffer through another 40% of the book. I'll phone a friend.
🖤Kidnapping
🤍Slow Burn
🖤Touch Her and Die
🤍Escaping a Killer
🖤Opposites Attract
🤍Forced Proximity
🖤Thriller
🤍Tortured MMC
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
We follow our FMC, Everly (so cutsie, so original) who is a successful model, married to her successful agent, until one day, tragedy strikes and their home appears to have been broken into. Everly's husband is shot and she's drugged and kidnapped.
Our MMC, Isaac, is a former detective with a major chip on his shoulder. Working the cold case of a girl who's missing. While trying to obtain some information from a confidential informant to potentially find some more clues on the disappearance and sinister involvement in said disappearance, he ends up being abducted as well.
When Isaac comes to in a small locked room with a chain secured around his ankle he meets Everly who is just on the other side of a thin yet impenetrable wall. (Think like the set of love is blind)
By the time these two are both in captivity together, Everly has been there for two years, presumed dead. They get to chit chatting and Everly is telling him about what she can remember of victims who have previously been detained in his 'cell' - they're all people who have gone missing in recent years.
All of this is fine, little boring but still fine. The fact that they start having a through a wall version of phone sex was a bit cringe to me though. I mean, listen - maybe hatch an escape plan together and then bang it out once you're free. Just a thought.
The MMC is being tagged a 'tortured hero' but I really didn't get those vibes from him honestly. I found him to be very one dimensional and only capable of anger. It's legit his only emotion. Borderline knuckle dragger.
🚨 This next part will contain mild spoilers - 🚨
Once these two are rescued from their captivity, The Tortured Hero goes all John Wick and decides to be a one man killing crew and goes after the ring leader of this black market underground business. Not very believable but sure.
Meanwhile, Everly's husband has moved on and fallen in love with her best friend in the two years since she's gone missing - and that is so lame. I feel like Hartmann always has to toss in some type of lying cheating triangle with either a best friend or a sister. Her FMC's are never girls girls and always break girl code.
On top of that. After two years of being tortured and having your eggs extracted from your body you choose stripping to be the career choice in order to move forward in a positive/healing light for your life? Seems like a totally safe and normal - even OBVIOUS choice. (sarcasm)
So as she's dancing one night a broody, muscular, perfect specimen of a man walks in and wants a private dance. Guess who it is?
Bye. I can't take Hartmann's book seriously anymore. The women she writes are usually assholes and don't know how to be friends or sisters. This MMC was a literal card board cut out with absolutely no range other than anger and banging on his chest like a cave man.
The time keeper was interesting but not enough of him. The structure of the story makes it very hard to form any type of connection or appreciation for the characters together as so much time is spent not together.
I am slightly curious about what happens in the 2125 timeline, but not enough to suffer through another 40% of the book. I'll phone a friend.
🖤Kidnapping
🤍Slow Burn
🖤Touch Her and Die
🤍Escaping a Killer
🖤Opposites Attract
🤍Forced Proximity
🖤Thriller
🤍Tortured MMC
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
February 5, 2025
4 stars
This was GOOD. Imagine if Love Is Blind wasn’t ran by producers and instead was run by someone in the black market and they abducted people. Then add more crazy messed up shit, a hot detective, and an ex model who’s been held in a cell for years. Imagining it? That’s this book.
Everly and Isaac were fantastic characters. I loved that Everly stayed true to herself the entire book, she wasn’t weak, and she kept moving forward no matter what happened. And, Isaac, well, we know I like ‘em a little mean, and I LOVED him.
If you’ve been wanting something from Jennifer Hartmann that isn’t the same as Still Beating, but still has the dark aspect that it did, this is it. I liked this more than Still Beating, honestly. I feel like the plot was more interesting and it was paced well!
This was GOOD. Imagine if Love Is Blind wasn’t ran by producers and instead was run by someone in the black market and they abducted people. Then add more crazy messed up shit, a hot detective, and an ex model who’s been held in a cell for years. Imagining it? That’s this book.
Everly and Isaac were fantastic characters. I loved that Everly stayed true to herself the entire book, she wasn’t weak, and she kept moving forward no matter what happened. And, Isaac, well, we know I like ‘em a little mean, and I LOVED him.
If you’ve been wanting something from Jennifer Hartmann that isn’t the same as Still Beating, but still has the dark aspect that it did, this is it. I liked this more than Still Beating, honestly. I feel like the plot was more interesting and it was paced well!
January 20, 2025
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
⏳ '𝐈R𝐑E𝐕E𝐑S𝐈B𝐋E' ⏳ Is a full length dark captive romance book by authors Jennifer Hartmann & Chelley St. Clair. '𝐂H𝐀R𝐀C𝐓E𝐑S' Isaac Porter & Everly Cross.
From the cover, to the blurb, to my top favourite author!! I started stalking this as soon as I saw that cover drop, once this landed on my ipad my anticipation levels skyrocketed and I was excited dive to in..
Everly is on the brink of making it big within the modelling world with her husband right by her side, she's on top of the world, riding on a high, until within a blink of an eye her life is irrevocably changed, masked men charge her home, shooting her husband and whisking her off into the night.
That was two years ago..
Isaac is fractured by grief when his sister goes missing, spiralling out of control, screaming that his voice be heard, his gut telling him that she's tied up with all the others that have gone missing. He'll never stop searching for her, going deep off the radar never ceasing his search, never expecting he'd be taken.
In a world where these two should never have crossed paths..
Tethered by chains Isaac awakens to a females voice speaking to him through the wall of his cell where he's held, creating an unshakable bond neither of them have encountered before, garnering strength off the other to survive, to get out of this hell hole that holds them captive. Their life lives in the balance of ⌛️ The Timekeeper ⌛️ he decides if you live or die.
This dynamic duo delivered an emotionally charged, unforgettable powerful story which packed one hell of a punch leaving me reeling in its wake. This is definitely one you won't want to miss.
September 26, 2025
Still Beating is one of my favorite romance books of all time, so I was excited for another kidnapped and falling in love romance from Jennifer!
The first half of this book was a five star read for me. Everly is kidnapped and kept captive for two years. She hears person after person go in and out of the cell next to hers, all never having a chance of surviving the place she is trapped in. One day, though, Isaac shows up and she immediately knows he's different. He's hardened and angry and they open up to one another more than they have anyone else.
That's really all I can say without getting spoilery, but the firs half of this book had me so addicted and hooked to this book. I literally stayed up wayyyy past my bedtime because I could not put it down. The romance and connection between them was slow burn but so deep and everything. The suspense and twists were crazy and I was addicted.
The second half this book was still really good, but it didn't hit me as hard as the first half. I still loved how Everly and Isaac were dealing with their trauma and if they wanted to explore their own connection or not. I honestly loved Isaac so much and loved watching him literally go to the ends of the earth to protect Everly.
If you want a super emotional and twisted romantic suspense, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up!
The first half of this book was a five star read for me. Everly is kidnapped and kept captive for two years. She hears person after person go in and out of the cell next to hers, all never having a chance of surviving the place she is trapped in. One day, though, Isaac shows up and she immediately knows he's different. He's hardened and angry and they open up to one another more than they have anyone else.
That's really all I can say without getting spoilery, but the firs half of this book had me so addicted and hooked to this book. I literally stayed up wayyyy past my bedtime because I could not put it down. The romance and connection between them was slow burn but so deep and everything. The suspense and twists were crazy and I was addicted.
The second half this book was still really good, but it didn't hit me as hard as the first half. I still loved how Everly and Isaac were dealing with their trauma and if they wanted to explore their own connection or not. I honestly loved Isaac so much and loved watching him literally go to the ends of the earth to protect Everly.
If you want a super emotional and twisted romantic suspense, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up!
February 1, 2025
Irreversible by Jennifer Hartmann & Chelley St. Clair
6/5 stars
My goodness this is by far one of the best books I ever read. In this genre and overall. I am a huge Jennifer Hartmann fan. And when I saw she co-wrote a book with an unknown author for me, I just had to read it. And goodness gracious, Jennifer and Chelley completely blew me away with their addictive, stunning, captivating, compelling and all consuming writing style.
The book starts with Everly spending time with her husband at home. She is about to be the it-girl in modelling and is excited for her future. Suddenly her husband gets shot right in front of her and she gets taken and locked up.
Isaac is a ruthless detective. He is harsh, presents himself as an unlikeable man, isn't afraid to lash out and is grumpy as hell. He is carrying immense pain with him. And is dying to avenge a loved one. He takes matters in his own hands and solo goes undercover. He isn't as prepared as he should be and gets knocked out by his enemy and suspect.
He is able to maintain his secret identity as Nick. And wakes up in the cell next to Everly. He is pissed off as hell and doesn't want to talk to the woman next to him. He wants to escape and extract his revenge that intensified a million times.
But as time passes they start to talk more and more. And before they both even realise they depend on each other. Their bond is so damn unique and so damn powerful.
They are both such strong individuals. Everly adapted to prison life but never gave up hope to escape. She keeps on gathering every piece of information to try and escape. She is fierce, strong, loyal and has a huge drive to survive.
Isaac is able to carry the world on his shoulders and puts everyone before himself. I love how his brutish layers get penetrated by Everly and how strong they get together.
This book... this book has my entire heart. When Everly utters what they do to her my heart broke into a million pieces. And not only my heart. Everly's pain fuels Isaac's anger.
My entire being ached and rejoiced in seeing how they got closer and closer.
But this book isn't solely about their captivity. It's also about what comes after that. I don't want to spoil anything so each of you can enjoy this book to the fullest.
My heart broke and ached. I even teared up a couple of times. But that intricate bond they have. It transcends everything. That tether is unbreakable.
I cursed certain characters. But also understood their actions later on. It's a tale of love and pain. It's a tale about driving someone away and forgiving others. It's a tale about growing and evolving. About understanding what the other one needs and not judging them that those things might differ from your own needs. It's a story about strength, hope and seeing someone so clearly that your own soul shines just as brightly.
This book is one of the best books I read in the last 12 months and maybe even ever. 6 million, billion stars for this unforgettable tale that stole my entire heart and being.
And I am more than ready for this series to continue! I think I know about who the second will be about. And I have a guess for the couple that might be in the third book.
If you haven't read this beauty yet then pick it up. I promise it'll consume you as it has consumed me. ♥ This one deserves to be read by millions and I hope it'll blow up and reach as many readers as it possibly can!
6/5 stars
My goodness this is by far one of the best books I ever read. In this genre and overall. I am a huge Jennifer Hartmann fan. And when I saw she co-wrote a book with an unknown author for me, I just had to read it. And goodness gracious, Jennifer and Chelley completely blew me away with their addictive, stunning, captivating, compelling and all consuming writing style.
The book starts with Everly spending time with her husband at home. She is about to be the it-girl in modelling and is excited for her future. Suddenly her husband gets shot right in front of her and she gets taken and locked up.
Isaac is a ruthless detective. He is harsh, presents himself as an unlikeable man, isn't afraid to lash out and is grumpy as hell. He is carrying immense pain with him. And is dying to avenge a loved one. He takes matters in his own hands and solo goes undercover. He isn't as prepared as he should be and gets knocked out by his enemy and suspect.
He is able to maintain his secret identity as Nick. And wakes up in the cell next to Everly. He is pissed off as hell and doesn't want to talk to the woman next to him. He wants to escape and extract his revenge that intensified a million times.
But as time passes they start to talk more and more. And before they both even realise they depend on each other. Their bond is so damn unique and so damn powerful.
They are both such strong individuals. Everly adapted to prison life but never gave up hope to escape. She keeps on gathering every piece of information to try and escape. She is fierce, strong, loyal and has a huge drive to survive.
Isaac is able to carry the world on his shoulders and puts everyone before himself. I love how his brutish layers get penetrated by Everly and how strong they get together.
This book... this book has my entire heart. When Everly utters what they do to her my heart broke into a million pieces. And not only my heart. Everly's pain fuels Isaac's anger.
My entire being ached and rejoiced in seeing how they got closer and closer.
But this book isn't solely about their captivity. It's also about what comes after that. I don't want to spoil anything so each of you can enjoy this book to the fullest.
My heart broke and ached. I even teared up a couple of times. But that intricate bond they have. It transcends everything. That tether is unbreakable.
I cursed certain characters. But also understood their actions later on. It's a tale of love and pain. It's a tale about driving someone away and forgiving others. It's a tale about growing and evolving. About understanding what the other one needs and not judging them that those things might differ from your own needs. It's a story about strength, hope and seeing someone so clearly that your own soul shines just as brightly.
This book is one of the best books I read in the last 12 months and maybe even ever. 6 million, billion stars for this unforgettable tale that stole my entire heart and being.
And I am more than ready for this series to continue! I think I know about who the second will be about. And I have a guess for the couple that might be in the third book.
If you haven't read this beauty yet then pick it up. I promise it'll consume you as it has consumed me. ♥ This one deserves to be read by millions and I hope it'll blow up and reach as many readers as it possibly can!
January 31, 2025
I’m too disappointed to write a full review
July 6, 2025
2.75⭐️
If you are expecting the same gut wrenching emotions of Still Beating, DONT !
I guess jokes on me because I was expecting that kinda of heart squeezing emotion, I obviously knew it wouldn’t be the same but the reviews all say you’ll cry and blah blah blah ! I am here to say that not a single tear left my eyes, not a single mist…… that’s obviously nothing more than my opinions and feelings. A lot of people really loved and got very emotional over this book.
I just thought it started very promising and to me was a let down. The story has everything to be emotional but it wasn’t and the connection I was supposed to feel between the MMC and the FMC wasn’t there, they spent too little time “together “ (not really) and too long apart. No one is really likable in this book (In my opinion) and the romance didn’t have the urgency, angst, burning and desire, possessiveness and lust we crave in romances. It was just meh….. lukewarm….
Plus the husband and best friend pissed me off. No matter how the author tried to framed as a consequence of both grieving for her, it didn’t work for me….. it worked in still beating because they trauma bonded and he always liked her first. But here seemed force just for shock value and it only managed to anger me. 😡
If you are expecting the same gut wrenching emotions of Still Beating, DONT !
I guess jokes on me because I was expecting that kinda of heart squeezing emotion, I obviously knew it wouldn’t be the same but the reviews all say you’ll cry and blah blah blah ! I am here to say that not a single tear left my eyes, not a single mist…… that’s obviously nothing more than my opinions and feelings. A lot of people really loved and got very emotional over this book.
I just thought it started very promising and to me was a let down. The story has everything to be emotional but it wasn’t and the connection I was supposed to feel between the MMC and the FMC wasn’t there, they spent too little time “together “ (not really) and too long apart. No one is really likable in this book (In my opinion) and the romance didn’t have the urgency, angst, burning and desire, possessiveness and lust we crave in romances. It was just meh….. lukewarm….
Plus the husband and best friend pissed me off. No matter how the author tried to framed as a consequence of both grieving for her, it didn’t work for me….. it worked in still beating because they trauma bonded and he always liked her first. But here seemed force just for shock value and it only managed to anger me. 😡
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
NOPE...NOPE...NOPE....I was not ready for this to end.
This book was one of those ones where you finish and you kinda just stare at the wall for a bit and wonder what the hell you are going to do next with your life cause this is over but you were not prepared or ready for it to be over. You are left wanting more, but there isnt any and you now have to figure out how to deal....Yea thats where I am.
Everly is a strong, resourceful, damaged, but resilient FMC who is taken from her home and held captive for 2 years. Issac is an asshole ex-Detective who is looking for his sister Sara who goes missing 2 years prior and he feels like its connected to Everly's case and countless others. He winds up getting himself captured and his cell shares a wall with Everly's where they begin their bonding despite Issac only "Tolerating" her.
I wont say more cause it really gives too much of the story away, and you really should just read it. I was captivated from the start and rooting for them the entire time. My heart broke listening to their stories and getting to witness just how broken and perfect for each other they both are.
I cant wait to read Tanner's story, in hopes to get to see Everly and Issac again....But also cause Tanner was such a good friend too ofc.
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
NOPE...NOPE...NOPE....I was not ready for this to end.
This book was one of those ones where you finish and you kinda just stare at the wall for a bit and wonder what the hell you are going to do next with your life cause this is over but you were not prepared or ready for it to be over. You are left wanting more, but there isnt any and you now have to figure out how to deal....Yea thats where I am.
Everly is a strong, resourceful, damaged, but resilient FMC who is taken from her home and held captive for 2 years. Issac is an asshole ex-Detective who is looking for his sister Sara who goes missing 2 years prior and he feels like its connected to Everly's case and countless others. He winds up getting himself captured and his cell shares a wall with Everly's where they begin their bonding despite Issac only "Tolerating" her.
I wont say more cause it really gives too much of the story away, and you really should just read it. I was captivated from the start and rooting for them the entire time. My heart broke listening to their stories and getting to witness just how broken and perfect for each other they both are.
I cant wait to read Tanner's story, in hopes to get to see Everly and Issac again....But also cause Tanner was such a good friend too ofc.
February 10, 2025
This book has a Still Beating vibe because the characters are also kidnapped, but at the same time, it feels completely different. It’s co-written, and that’s very noticeable. So keep that in mind.
Isaac isn’t a cinnamon roll—he’s a broken hero who’s rude and abrupt most of the time, including with Everly. But I understood him and grew to love him.
I enjoyed the book, but I missed Jennifer’s incredible angst that tugs at every string of my soul.
And, of course, I’ll be waiting for Tanner’s book!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓ slow burn
✓ kidnapping
✓ forced proximity
✓ suspense
✓ tragic past
✓ escaping a killer
Isaac isn’t a cinnamon roll—he’s a broken hero who’s rude and abrupt most of the time, including with Everly. But I understood him and grew to love him.
I enjoyed the book, but I missed Jennifer’s incredible angst that tugs at every string of my soul.
And, of course, I’ll be waiting for Tanner’s book!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓ slow burn
✓ kidnapping
✓ forced proximity
✓ suspense
✓ tragic past
✓ escaping a killer
December 22, 2024
When you see a book written by Jennifer Hartmann and Chelley St. Clair , you know you’re in for one of the best reads of your life. These two powerhouses have an unmatched ability to flip your world upside down and take you on a rollercoaster of emotions from the very first page to the last.
This story completely consumed me. It brought me to my knees and left me unable to pick up another book—it’s that impactful. The characters have burrowed their way into my heart, and I can’t stop thinking about them. I won’t spoil anything, but if you’re a fan of romance packed with angst, endless twists, and an MMC who is absolutely to die for, this is the book for you.
Isaac and Everly’s journey is unforgettable. The way everything connects is mesmerizing, leaving you in awe as you think, Did that really just happen? These authors don’t just write stories—they create worlds of emotion that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. I’m utterly in love with this book, these characters, and the brilliance of these two writers.
I also have to mention the playlist—I’m obsessed! Listening to it while reading amplified the entire experience and pulled me even deeper into the story. It perfectly complements the emotions and intensity of Isaac and Everly’s journey. I highly recommend pairing the playlist with the book for a truly immersive experience.
I can’t wait for everyone to fall in love until then. See you soon.
This story completely consumed me. It brought me to my knees and left me unable to pick up another book—it’s that impactful. The characters have burrowed their way into my heart, and I can’t stop thinking about them. I won’t spoil anything, but if you’re a fan of romance packed with angst, endless twists, and an MMC who is absolutely to die for, this is the book for you.
Isaac and Everly’s journey is unforgettable. The way everything connects is mesmerizing, leaving you in awe as you think, Did that really just happen? These authors don’t just write stories—they create worlds of emotion that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. I’m utterly in love with this book, these characters, and the brilliance of these two writers.
I also have to mention the playlist—I’m obsessed! Listening to it while reading amplified the entire experience and pulled me even deeper into the story. It perfectly complements the emotions and intensity of Isaac and Everly’s journey. I highly recommend pairing the playlist with the book for a truly immersive experience.
I can’t wait for everyone to fall in love until then. See you soon.
February 7, 2025
Sabía que me iba a encantar desde el momento que leí la sinopsis.
Jennifer tiene un don para escribir historias fuertes y escenas de traumas. Para este libro, se juntó con otra autora y ambas hicieron un gran trabajo.
Sí lo tengo que comparar, diría que sentí lo mismo que sentí al leer Still Beating de la misma autora (las historias son completamente diferentes).
La primera mitad del libro es una montaña rusa, hay frustración, miedo, rabia, esperanza y tristeza.
La segunda mitad, al principio, se me hizo que decayó un poco, pero después agarró ritmo y las emociones intensas volvieron. Está muy bien desarrollado todo y te metes de lleno a la historia.
Obviamente, como todas las historias así, hay que leer las TW antes de empezar. No son historias fáciles de leer, hay muchas escenas fuertes y explícitas.
Jennifer tiene un don para escribir historias fuertes y escenas de traumas. Para este libro, se juntó con otra autora y ambas hicieron un gran trabajo.
Sí lo tengo que comparar, diría que sentí lo mismo que sentí al leer Still Beating de la misma autora (las historias son completamente diferentes).
La primera mitad del libro es una montaña rusa, hay frustración, miedo, rabia, esperanza y tristeza.
La segunda mitad, al principio, se me hizo que decayó un poco, pero después agarró ritmo y las emociones intensas volvieron. Está muy bien desarrollado todo y te metes de lleno a la historia.
Obviamente, como todas las historias así, hay que leer las TW antes de empezar. No son historias fáciles de leer, hay muchas escenas fuertes y explícitas.
December 22, 2024
Jennifer Hartmann and Chelley St Clair have written an amazing romantic thriller with this book.
Let’s start with the prologue and epilogue: ingenious and original. Both are a great way to lead us into a story that is captivating, raw, and all-consuming, and ease us out of the depths of the darkness while answering all of our questions.
I absolutely loved the MMC. There’s nothing quite like a man who finds his reason to live in light of the woman he loves. Was he a jerk? Yes, but with good reason, and his interactions with his the FMC and his best friend often provided a bit of comedy to break up the heaviness of the story.
The writing is phenomenal. It’s Jennifer and Chelley, so that’s to be expected, and boy, do they deliver. They weave the story together perfectly, making you think about it for days afterward. While reading, I found myself taking long pauses and wondering how I would react in a similar situation. Days later, I’m still thinking about it. That, to me, is the mark of an incredible story.
Read this book. It is that good, and I can only hope to get more stories from the side characters in the future.
Let’s start with the prologue and epilogue: ingenious and original. Both are a great way to lead us into a story that is captivating, raw, and all-consuming, and ease us out of the depths of the darkness while answering all of our questions.
I absolutely loved the MMC. There’s nothing quite like a man who finds his reason to live in light of the woman he loves. Was he a jerk? Yes, but with good reason, and his interactions with his the FMC and his best friend often provided a bit of comedy to break up the heaviness of the story.
The writing is phenomenal. It’s Jennifer and Chelley, so that’s to be expected, and boy, do they deliver. They weave the story together perfectly, making you think about it for days afterward. While reading, I found myself taking long pauses and wondering how I would react in a similar situation. Days later, I’m still thinking about it. That, to me, is the mark of an incredible story.
Read this book. It is that good, and I can only hope to get more stories from the side characters in the future.
February 1, 2025
2*? Maybe?
What the fuck did I just read?
I’m a huge fan of Jennifer Hartmann, so I admittedly had expectations going into this book. The premise had potential, but holy shit did this book ever under deliver. Felt like all the relationships and emotions lacked complexity and depth, the pacing was a problem for me and I just lost interest.
Seems like a lot of people enjoyed this book and I’m not sure… how..? Did we read the same book?
I’m disappointed because I wanted to like it, but after about 1/4, I wasn’t sure I was going to, I almost DNF’d it but skimmed through the last half (including all the honestly painful steamy parts) just to see how it wrapped up.
What the fuck did I just read?
I’m a huge fan of Jennifer Hartmann, so I admittedly had expectations going into this book. The premise had potential, but holy shit did this book ever under deliver. Felt like all the relationships and emotions lacked complexity and depth, the pacing was a problem for me and I just lost interest.
Seems like a lot of people enjoyed this book and I’m not sure… how..? Did we read the same book?
I’m disappointed because I wanted to like it, but after about 1/4, I wasn’t sure I was going to, I almost DNF’d it but skimmed through the last half (including all the honestly painful steamy parts) just to see how it wrapped up.
March 11, 2025
Так-с, лечу розповісти свої враження від книги Дженніфер Хартманн та Шеллі Сент-Клер «Irreversible» («Незворотність»)💅
Коротко по сюжету: успішну заміжню модель викрадають з власного дому для продажу її яйцеклітин на чорному ринку. Вона проводить у полоні 2 роки, доки до сусідньої кімнати біля неї не закидають детектива при прикриттям, який хотів дізнатися про зникнення сестри, але спалився. Між ними починається своєрідна дружба двох заручників на довгі тижні, що переростає у щось більше, доки вони не починають діяти, щоб вибороти свободу…
Скажу одразу: тут так все насичено з сюжетними поворотами, що нагадує стиль американських бойовиків типу «Місія нездійсненна», але з більшим нахилом на почуття між головними героями.
Якщо звичайні книги Хартманн вбивають відвертим насильством над героями, приділяється велика увага їх стражданням, то тут, як на мене, це трішки мʼякше подано. Зате більше екшену, хочеться розмазати по стінці викрадачів, бо тут сильні герої із почуттям, які обоє намагалися пізнати, а потім боялися висловити. Звісно, хотілося б тріішечки більше дізнатися про те, як саме їх життя далі склалося, але цікаве посилання до майбутнього говорить саме за себе.
Зі стилем написання іншої авторки не була знайома, тому думаю саме вона додала цієї перчинки.
Айзек, особисто для мене, заплутаний персонаж до самого кінця, але в той же час цим і привабливий. Соціопад, який бореться за справедливість, проте емоційно замкнений та непробивний. Життєві удари та батьківські помилки лишили на його душі неймовірно глибокі рани, що сформували його таким. Попри те, що він не раз вбивав задля досягнення мети, це не відняло у нього справді людської моральності. Він повністю сформована особистість, яка знає бруд цього безжального світу, і навчився боротися з цим по своєму. Все було б так само, якби він не познайомився з Еверлі, яка розбурхала у його душі та свідомості досі невідомі до нього почуття. І з цього моменту ставки злетіли до небес.
Тим часом Еверлі, яка колись мала ідеальне життя з прекрасним чоловіком та успішною карʼєрою моделі, опинилася замкненою безжальними та цинічними особами задля використання її в репродуктивних цілях. У книзі зображується процес знущань над нею — і це, бляха жахливо. Хто не вникав у цю сферу, міг би подумати, що що тут такого, вилучили яйцеклітини та й все, нічого страшного. Але, блять, який це фізичний біль, який це моральний біль. Такі речі – це поєднання зґвалтування із торгівлею органами та незаконним утриманням людей. Це неприпустимо, це травмуюче, це жахливо. Мені здається, ще декілька місяців і Еверлі б вже просто не витримала морально, просто здалася б остаточно. І яка ж я рада, що у її житті трапився цей детектив Айзек, що не тільки допоміг їй, а й дав нову мотивацію вибратися з цього.
Історія дуже важка, адже змушує задуматися про стільки важливих тем, відчути усю силу болю та щастя головних героїв, навчитися приймати життєві удари як уроки, завдяки яким ти стаєш сильнішим.
Хоч стосунки між Айзеком та Еверлі почалися в найжахливіших ��мовах, хоч вони не були стабільними та мало говорили про свої почуття, але їх ставлення одне до одного говорило більше за все на світі. І, як кажуть, ідеальних стосунків не існує — просто існує людина, яка повністю тебе приймає, розуміє, підтримує, а ти, в свою чергу, робиш це у відповідь по відношенню до нього.
Коротко по сюжету: успішну заміжню модель викрадають з власного дому для продажу її яйцеклітин на чорному ринку. Вона проводить у полоні 2 роки, доки до сусідньої кімнати біля неї не закидають детектива при прикриттям, який хотів дізнатися про зникнення сестри, але спалився. Між ними починається своєрідна дружба двох заручників на довгі тижні, що переростає у щось більше, доки вони не починають діяти, щоб вибороти свободу…
Скажу одразу: тут так все насичено з сюжетними поворотами, що нагадує стиль американських бойовиків типу «Місія нездійсненна», але з більшим нахилом на почуття між головними героями.
Якщо звичайні книги Хартманн вбивають відвертим насильством над героями, приділяється велика увага їх стражданням, то тут, як на мене, це трішки мʼякше подано. Зате більше екшену, хочеться розмазати по стінці викрадачів, бо тут сильні герої із почуттям, які обоє намагалися пізнати, а потім боялися висловити. Звісно, хотілося б тріішечки більше дізнатися про те, як саме їх життя далі склалося, але цікаве посилання до майбутнього говорить саме за себе.
Зі стилем написання іншої авторки не була знайома, тому думаю саме вона додала цієї перчинки.
Айзек, особисто для мене, заплутаний персонаж до самого кінця, але в той же час цим і привабливий. Соціопад, який бореться за справедливість, проте емоційно замкнений та непробивний. Життєві удари та батьківські помилки лишили на його душі неймовірно глибокі рани, що сформували його таким. Попри те, що він не раз вбивав задля досягнення мети, це не відняло у нього справді людської моральності. Він повністю сформована особистість, яка знає бруд цього безжального світу, і навчився боротися з цим по своєму. Все було б так само, якби він не познайомився з Еверлі, яка розбурхала у його душі та свідомості досі невідомі до нього почуття. І з цього моменту ставки злетіли до небес.
Тим часом Еверлі, яка колись мала ідеальне життя з прекрасним чоловіком та успішною карʼєрою моделі, опинилася замкненою безжальними та цинічними особами задля використання її в репродуктивних цілях. У книзі зображується процес знущань над нею — і це, бляха жахливо. Хто не вникав у цю сферу, міг би подумати, що що тут такого, вилучили яйцеклітини та й все, нічого страшного. Але, блять, який це фізичний біль, який це моральний біль. Такі речі – це поєднання зґвалтування із торгівлею органами та незаконним утриманням людей. Це неприпустимо, це травмуюче, це жахливо. Мені здається, ще декілька місяців і Еверлі б вже просто не витримала морально, просто здалася б остаточно. І яка ж я рада, що у її житті трапився цей детектив Айзек, що не тільки допоміг їй, а й дав нову мотивацію вибратися з цього.
Історія дуже важка, адже змушує задуматися про стільки важливих тем, відчути усю силу болю та щастя головних героїв, навчитися приймати життєві удари як уроки, завдяки яким ти стаєш сильнішим.
Хоч стосунки між Айзеком та Еверлі почалися в найжахливіших ��мовах, хоч вони не були стабільними та мало говорили про свої почуття, але їх ставлення одне до одного говорило більше за все на світі. І, як кажуть, ідеальних стосунків не існує — просто існує людина, яка повністю тебе приймає, розуміє, підтримує, а ти, в свою чергу, робиш це у відповідь по відношенню до нього.
January 1, 2026
“It’s not an orgasm. It’s a motherfucking catharsis.”
A lot going on in this one, much different than her previous installments. Great writing, interesting story, but I just didn’t care for the characters too much.
A lot going on in this one, much different than her previous installments. Great writing, interesting story, but I just didn’t care for the characters too much.
February 1, 2025
Underwhelming but an okayish read with a rushed romance and a painfully slow story. The first 60% dragged, yet the mystery (predictable as it was) still had me hooked. The heroine had potential but never fully developed and the hero? Dude, just say I love you, it’s not that hard. The epilogue barely focused on them and instead felt like a family lineage record I did not ask for.
May 4, 2025
Dear readers...
This book will take you on a ride. The beginning of the story does not waste time on precious background before jumping right into the suspense with a jolting kidnapping plot. You will unpack the background between the main characters at the right time as they slowly pull down their "walls". Buckle up, because every time you think the book is calming down, there is another twist. While it takes a minute to heat up in the steamy department, the suspense from the plot alone kept me up reading this book two nights in a row. That's all I needed to finish it and love it. And don't worry, the dark romance is there, and I must say, things fall on the darker side in the romance department. The turns don't stop until you reach the very end of the book where the author ties things up in a nice, neat, little bow. No cliffhangers in this standalone masterpiece. Easy 5 stars for me!
This book will take you on a ride. The beginning of the story does not waste time on precious background before jumping right into the suspense with a jolting kidnapping plot. You will unpack the background between the main characters at the right time as they slowly pull down their "walls". Buckle up, because every time you think the book is calming down, there is another twist. While it takes a minute to heat up in the steamy department, the suspense from the plot alone kept me up reading this book two nights in a row. That's all I needed to finish it and love it. And don't worry, the dark romance is there, and I must say, things fall on the darker side in the romance department. The turns don't stop until you reach the very end of the book where the author ties things up in a nice, neat, little bow. No cliffhangers in this standalone masterpiece. Easy 5 stars for me!
February 14, 2025
2.5 Stars
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise and the promise of another good book by Jennifer Hartmann
The Not-So-Good: The H (at times)
The Bad: The pacing and the ending
Overall: I tried to not get my hopes up with going in thinking this is another Still Beating, especially after reading reviews that it wasn't as good. However. I think I still did anticipate this being better than it was. I didn't hate it or anything, it just wasn't even close to being as good as SB. It was way too long, it dragged at times, I struggled with the H being a dick, and the ending was lackluster. I think this would be good for those that haven't read SB yet, since they will not be comparing it in their heads 🤷🏻♀️
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Everly and Isaac's story. I'm going to be brief because I don't want to ruin it ~ Everly is abducted into the a black market and Isaac is infiltrating said market to try to find out about a loved one that's been missing. They form a bond over being held captive with a shared wall between them. There is some suspense, some sexy times, and some big life changes...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Everly and Isaac's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Not the best. This was 573 pages in my kindle app. It felt that long. I skimmed some and I don't think that I missed anything important. There were some slow parts that could've been edited down for sure!
Instalove: No, they become close through their captivity but
H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. Isaac. I understand that he was damaged, but I wanted him to communicate better and not treat the h like trash when they are reunited.
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Everly. I liked her strength but I also wanted her to push the H a little more.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed. I wanted to be emotionally invested, but I wasn't 🫤
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story. Some light bsdm elements.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Technically, if you count emotional cheating IMO
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in an alright place but I wanted much more closure. I would call this a HFN ending even though I know many might be fine with calling it a HEA . While I thought the epilogue was interesting, I'm frustrated we didn't have some good closure on page especially after how long it was.
Safety: This one is probably either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise and the promise of another good book by Jennifer Hartmann
The Not-So-Good: The H (at times)
The Bad: The pacing and the ending
Overall: I tried to not get my hopes up with going in thinking this is another Still Beating, especially after reading reviews that it wasn't as good. However. I think I still did anticipate this being better than it was. I didn't hate it or anything, it just wasn't even close to being as good as SB. It was way too long, it dragged at times, I struggled with the H being a dick, and the ending was lackluster. I think this would be good for those that haven't read SB yet, since they will not be comparing it in their heads 🤷🏻♀️
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Everly and Isaac's story. I'm going to be brief because I don't want to ruin it ~ Everly is abducted into the a black market and Isaac is infiltrating said market to try to find out about a loved one that's been missing. They form a bond over being held captive with a shared wall between them. There is some suspense, some sexy times, and some big life changes...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Everly and Isaac's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Not the best. This was 573 pages in my kindle app. It felt that long. I skimmed some and I don't think that I missed anything important. There were some slow parts that could've been edited down for sure!
Instalove: No, they become close through their captivity but
H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. Isaac. I understand that he was damaged, but I wanted him to communicate better and not treat the h like trash when they are reunited.
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Everly. I liked her strength but I also wanted her to push the H a little more.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed. I wanted to be emotionally invested, but I wasn't 🫤
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story. Some light bsdm elements.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Technically, if you count emotional cheating IMO
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in an alright place but I wanted much more closure. I would call this a HFN ending even though I know many might be fine with calling it a HEA . While I thought the epilogue was interesting, I'm frustrated we didn't have some good closure on page especially after how long it was.
Safety: This one is probably either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
February 9, 2025
Quick note: this review WILL include spoilers but I will NOT be spoiling anything before I include a spoiler warning. The safety info is at the very bottom of the review and it will be spoilers, but I can’t give good safety info without spoiling. I will include vague safety info without spoilers for those who do not want them.
It’s been about 2 or 3 years since I’ve cracked opened a Jennifer Hartmann book, so I decided to dive into this one without thinking much of it.
Everly has been captivity for two years now when Isaac (Nick) enters the picture. Isaac is abducted while undercover, trying to find the missing pieces to his sister’s disappearance. Isaac and Everly open up to each other, although Isaac is harboring secrets that he doesn’t tell Everly until the last 30% of the book🙄 Everly is very open with him about her time in the basement so I found the lack of information from Isaac about his past unnerving. Sure, Isaac opens up some every now and then about his sister, but I felt like this book lacked the raw emotional love from Isaac.
Anyway, things turn sexual between the two of them fast. Although they have a wall separating them, they talk dirty to each other quite fast in my opinion.
This is the point where this book lost me because it went from slowly building this emotional connection, to one that felt like only sex. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a smutty book, but I did not feel the emotional connection between these characters outside of sex.
This is what it felt like:
Everly- “I want to have kinky sex but my husband doesn’t want to.”
Isaac- “Don’t worry Beverly without the B, I’m experienced when it comes to kinky sex. I’ll describe all the things I’ll do to you when we get out of this hellhole.” (And yes he does not call her Everly, he calls her Beverly🙄)
Time skip
Everly- ”I love how you opened up to me some. I can’t wait to have hot kinky sex with you and know how much you care for me after. What we have is REAL.”
Isaac- ”The man who opened up to you is dead. I just want to fuck you and leave you. You will feel dirty you let a stranger fuck you in a stripper room.”
To sum this up- the first time they have sex is in one of the private rooms in a stripper club. He fucks her and leaves. I didn’t find this romantic.
This book just kept going downhill. Once the second part started, I feel like it solidified how much this didn’t feel like a romance book. I’m down for romantic thrillers, but even the thriller/ plot twist wasn’t even that good. I kept being told I was supposed to cry at the ending?? Excuse me, but no tears came out of my eyes.
I have so much more to say, but it’s not even worth explaining. I stayed for the writing because it was good, but this romance plot did NOT hit for me at all.
Safety info: (without spoilers)
• no virgins
• FMC married (has not been with another man since she was kidnapped so celibate for two years. She does not sleep with anyone else after meeting the MMC)
• no info on MMC, just that he only does hookups and it’s been a while since he had sex (no exact number of how long he’s been celibate)
• no OW drama but MMC visits the topless strip club the FMC works at almost daily.
• OM drama
• On page scene with FMC and her husband at the beginning. They kiss and talk about having sex in a few minutes but that doesn’t end up happening.
• FMC is a topless stripper but no on page scenes of her doing lap dance on another man if she did do that. (She was new to the job)
Safety info: (with spoilers)
• read all safety info above. I will dive deeper into the OM drama in this section🙃
• FMC is married, as stated above and she believes her husband was killed when she was kidnapped. However, this is not the case and he is very much alive. The captor made her choose between her husband and the MMC (Isaac) for who should remain alive/ escape and who should be killed. Although the MMC and FMC have had sexual conversations and grown an emotional connection through the wall, she decides to choose her husband. Isaac absolutely HATES the FMC for choosing her husband so he decides to fake his death and make the FMC mourn him. He fucks her like he doesn’t give a shit about her and then leaves. To make matters worse, the FMC divorced her husband when she escaped captivity because he had been in a relationship with her best friend while the FMC was in captivity. FMC kisses her husband’s body after meeting MMC (his neck) but does not kiss him on the lips as far as I remember. However, even though the FMC divorces her husband, she continues to choose her husband over the MMC. For example, meeting her ex husband for dinner when the MMC said he didn’t want her to. To note: FMC’s husband still has feelings for her and wants to get back together it seems. Also, FMC decided to take her ex husband up on his job offer and model for a show when the MMC was not okay with her doing it. I’m not defending the MMC about telling her what to do and what not to do, but it was clear he was jealous and thought she was choosing her ex husband over the MMC. She definitely seemed like she was choosing her ex husband over him to me.
Spoilers over.
It’s been about 2 or 3 years since I’ve cracked opened a Jennifer Hartmann book, so I decided to dive into this one without thinking much of it.
Everly has been captivity for two years now when Isaac (Nick) enters the picture. Isaac is abducted while undercover, trying to find the missing pieces to his sister’s disappearance. Isaac and Everly open up to each other, although Isaac is harboring secrets that he doesn’t tell Everly until the last 30% of the book🙄 Everly is very open with him about her time in the basement so I found the lack of information from Isaac about his past unnerving. Sure, Isaac opens up some every now and then about his sister, but I felt like this book lacked the raw emotional love from Isaac.
Anyway, things turn sexual between the two of them fast. Although they have a wall separating them, they talk dirty to each other quite fast in my opinion.
This is the point where this book lost me because it went from slowly building this emotional connection, to one that felt like only sex. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a smutty book, but I did not feel the emotional connection between these characters outside of sex.
This is what it felt like:
Everly- “I want to have kinky sex but my husband doesn’t want to.”
Isaac- “Don’t worry Beverly without the B, I’m experienced when it comes to kinky sex. I’ll describe all the things I’ll do to you when we get out of this hellhole.” (And yes he does not call her Everly, he calls her Beverly🙄)
Time skip
Everly- ”I love how you opened up to me some. I can’t wait to have hot kinky sex with you and know how much you care for me after. What we have is REAL.”
Isaac- ”The man who opened up to you is dead. I just want to fuck you and leave you. You will feel dirty you let a stranger fuck you in a stripper room.”
To sum this up- the first time they have sex is in one of the private rooms in a stripper club. He fucks her and leaves. I didn’t find this romantic.
This book just kept going downhill. Once the second part started, I feel like it solidified how much this didn’t feel like a romance book. I’m down for romantic thrillers, but even the thriller/ plot twist wasn’t even that good. I kept being told I was supposed to cry at the ending?? Excuse me, but no tears came out of my eyes.
I have so much more to say, but it’s not even worth explaining. I stayed for the writing because it was good, but this romance plot did NOT hit for me at all.
Safety info: (without spoilers)
• no virgins
• FMC married (has not been with another man since she was kidnapped so celibate for two years. She does not sleep with anyone else after meeting the MMC)
• no info on MMC, just that he only does hookups and it’s been a while since he had sex (no exact number of how long he’s been celibate)
• no OW drama but MMC visits the topless strip club the FMC works at almost daily.
• OM drama
• On page scene with FMC and her husband at the beginning. They kiss and talk about having sex in a few minutes but that doesn’t end up happening.
• FMC is a topless stripper but no on page scenes of her doing lap dance on another man if she did do that. (She was new to the job)
Safety info: (with spoilers)
• read all safety info above. I will dive deeper into the OM drama in this section🙃
• FMC is married, as stated above and she believes her husband was killed when she was kidnapped. However, this is not the case and he is very much alive. The captor made her choose between her husband and the MMC (Isaac) for who should remain alive/ escape and who should be killed. Although the MMC and FMC have had sexual conversations and grown an emotional connection through the wall, she decides to choose her husband. Isaac absolutely HATES the FMC for choosing her husband so he decides to fake his death and make the FMC mourn him. He fucks her like he doesn’t give a shit about her and then leaves. To make matters worse, the FMC divorced her husband when she escaped captivity because he had been in a relationship with her best friend while the FMC was in captivity. FMC kisses her husband’s body after meeting MMC (his neck) but does not kiss him on the lips as far as I remember. However, even though the FMC divorces her husband, she continues to choose her husband over the MMC. For example, meeting her ex husband for dinner when the MMC said he didn’t want her to. To note: FMC’s husband still has feelings for her and wants to get back together it seems. Also, FMC decided to take her ex husband up on his job offer and model for a show when the MMC was not okay with her doing it. I’m not defending the MMC about telling her what to do and what not to do, but it was clear he was jealous and thought she was choosing her ex husband over the MMC. She definitely seemed like she was choosing her ex husband over him to me.
Spoilers over.
January 31, 2025
3.75✨ i don’t know where to start with this. a tragic and beautiful story with so much to unpack. easily one of the most unique and interesting stories.
everly. probably the strongest soul. taken captive and experiencing truly disgusting things, she remains sane. she kept her bravery, her sanity, her courage, her heart. and even if it sometimes faltered, she kept her hope. she was the voice of reason, of calm, of comfort. and for that, she is magnificent. you’d think she would be the one in need of comfort, courage, and sanity. but no…she was the one giving it free of charge to all those who crossed her path. by words on the other side of a wall. she’s a borderline miracle.
isaac was a classic grumpy, recluse, dark, mysterious man. add in a shit ton of trauma and you have this man. he’s closed off and so fucking sad…but with her…he’s quippy. he’s hopeful. i loved his strength and determination. the way that even in awful situations where he knows what to do, it’s her he thinks of. his darkness and his chaos are what made him who he became and despite it all, it was for the better. and even he knows that and he never regretted it. was he kind of a dick? totally. but he found his light and his purpose in a woman’s words behind a wall. and there’s something beautiful in that.
this is a story of devastation, trauma, pain, darkness, and love. an unconventional love. two strangers on two sides of a wall spilling their souls & their secrets to each other. this was intriguing and entertaining and really kept me hooked. i think if it had been split into two books, it would have had even more of an emotional impact. some things just fell a little flat for me. i can’t exactly pinpoint everything but i really did enjoy this so much. the prologue & epilogue were smart and unique, regardless of the fact that i didn't totally care for them or find them necessary. it was still great. i’ve never read chelley’s books before but i’m really thinking i should. and JH never disappoints.
check. your. triggers.
thank you so much valentine pr, jennifer, & chelley for the arc! happy release day!!!
”See you soon.”
“Maybe I do hate the world. […] But the world hated me first.”
“If I could sink into this wall right now, I’d scoop Everly into my arms and just hold her. And then we’d sleep.”
“But memories are fleeting, and now I dream in black and white, my colors running dry. Everything is gray… everything except for him.”
“And then there’s Everly, who knows me down to the depths of my festering soul.”
“It wouldn’t have been freedom… but it would’ve led me to him. And that feels like the same thing.”
“Everly was my light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.”
“Isaac isn’t my salvation, and I’m not his. We’re something quieter, something steadier—two broken souls learning how to be whole alongside one another, even if the cracks still show.”
• dark romance
• kidnapping
• slow burn
• strangers to … ?
• touch her & die
• escaping a killer
• opposites attract
• thriller
• forced proximity with a twist
• tortured mmc
• so. much. trauma.
everly. probably the strongest soul. taken captive and experiencing truly disgusting things, she remains sane. she kept her bravery, her sanity, her courage, her heart. and even if it sometimes faltered, she kept her hope. she was the voice of reason, of calm, of comfort. and for that, she is magnificent. you’d think she would be the one in need of comfort, courage, and sanity. but no…she was the one giving it free of charge to all those who crossed her path. by words on the other side of a wall. she’s a borderline miracle.
isaac was a classic grumpy, recluse, dark, mysterious man. add in a shit ton of trauma and you have this man. he’s closed off and so fucking sad…but with her…he’s quippy. he’s hopeful. i loved his strength and determination. the way that even in awful situations where he knows what to do, it’s her he thinks of. his darkness and his chaos are what made him who he became and despite it all, it was for the better. and even he knows that and he never regretted it. was he kind of a dick? totally. but he found his light and his purpose in a woman’s words behind a wall. and there’s something beautiful in that.
this is a story of devastation, trauma, pain, darkness, and love. an unconventional love. two strangers on two sides of a wall spilling their souls & their secrets to each other. this was intriguing and entertaining and really kept me hooked. i think if it had been split into two books, it would have had even more of an emotional impact. some things just fell a little flat for me. i can’t exactly pinpoint everything but i really did enjoy this so much. the prologue & epilogue were smart and unique, regardless of the fact that i didn't totally care for them or find them necessary. it was still great. i’ve never read chelley’s books before but i’m really thinking i should. and JH never disappoints.
check. your. triggers.
thank you so much valentine pr, jennifer, & chelley for the arc! happy release day!!!
”See you soon.”
“Maybe I do hate the world. […] But the world hated me first.”
“If I could sink into this wall right now, I’d scoop Everly into my arms and just hold her. And then we’d sleep.”
“But memories are fleeting, and now I dream in black and white, my colors running dry. Everything is gray… everything except for him.”
“And then there’s Everly, who knows me down to the depths of my festering soul.”
“It wouldn’t have been freedom… but it would’ve led me to him. And that feels like the same thing.”
“Everly was my light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.”
“Isaac isn’t my salvation, and I’m not his. We’re something quieter, something steadier—two broken souls learning how to be whole alongside one another, even if the cracks still show.”
• dark romance
• kidnapping
• slow burn
• strangers to … ?
• touch her & die
• escaping a killer
• opposites attract
• thriller
• forced proximity with a twist
• tortured mmc
• so. much. trauma.
August 30, 2025
Still Beating is one of my favourite books by the author, so when I found out that this book would have a very similar plot, I was excited beyond words to get my hands on it! Well, that feeling passed pretty quickly, as this book ended up being a huge disappointment.
To start with, this book is unreasonably long. It would've been kinda fine with less than 100-150 pages. The plot itself and the basic idea would have been exciting, but the execution took all the fun out of the story. To me, it lacked depth, and chemistry between the characters too. The first part of the book is just about the suffering of the two unfortunate mmc's and how they develop a kind of connection in this situation. In my opinion, a kinda superficial conversation like theirs didn't turn into love so quickly, and even if they cared deeply about each other's well-being, it was hard to believe that because the male character in 90% of the book was a real jerk. And the second part of the book was, sorry but downright ridiculous. Events were all over the place and both characters were acting like they were out of their minds. Also this old-ass villain with the hourglass obsession? He was getting on my nerves countless times.
For the characters...I have no words.
Everly was a very sympathetic character, and I deeply admired her perseverance in that hellhole. I also felt sorry for her when her damn excuse of a husband and BFF betrayed her. And when her mother said to her to just forgive them, let me tell you I was furious as hell! In my book, you have no excuse for a betrayal like that. End of discussion. And I was beyond livid about her lack of backbone too, when it came to Isaac. Like, girl have some self-respect, please! This man lied to you several times, let you believe that you were responsible for his death, told his friend to lie to you as well, stalked you, was mean to you several times and blamed you for a situation that was not your responsibility and you had no control over. No, she just jumped on him on the first opportunity and went back some more after that. Not to mention that he had some real commitment issues but that didn't bother her too.
Isaac...well I wanted to like him, but he failed at that miserably.
First of all, I am so SICK of authors trying to portray grumpy characters, but all they do is make him a big ass jerk and try to sell it as "grumpy". THESE TWO ARE NOT THE SAME THING!! And honestly, it pains me because this was the second time I experienced this in a Jennifer H. book.
So Isaac was THE tortured "hero" who was a downright asshole with a female character on several occasions. I'm not gonna list all his wrongdoings to her again, but I'm just so mad that the authors ruined his character that way. Like what do you mean a grown-ass man got hold of a grudge like a toddler over the poor woman for a year and went full Batman mode for the same time?
And I'm sorry but for several reasons, the romance was just ruined for me. I will not believe that these two just fell in love when the things I listed above happened? Also, it's not very romantic to stalk the poor women you ignore for a year, and then just f*ck her in a dimly lit stripper room. Then try to gaslight her several times, lie to her again, and instead at least say 'I love you' to her, going with the very cutesy 'I tolerate you'. How romantic...And don't even get me started on the randomly described sex scene when they were in their cells...it was so cringe.
Overall I'm hugely disappointed. Having said that there will be more books in this universe, I'm sure that I will not pick up those, and It pains me to say this but this is not the first disappointment from Jennifer Hartmann, so (despite loving some of her books very much) I'm also hesitant to pick up her books in the future too.
To start with, this book is unreasonably long. It would've been kinda fine with less than 100-150 pages. The plot itself and the basic idea would have been exciting, but the execution took all the fun out of the story. To me, it lacked depth, and chemistry between the characters too. The first part of the book is just about the suffering of the two unfortunate mmc's and how they develop a kind of connection in this situation. In my opinion, a kinda superficial conversation like theirs didn't turn into love so quickly, and even if they cared deeply about each other's well-being, it was hard to believe that because the male character in 90% of the book was a real jerk. And the second part of the book was, sorry but downright ridiculous. Events were all over the place and both characters were acting like they were out of their minds. Also this old-ass villain with the hourglass obsession? He was getting on my nerves countless times.
For the characters...I have no words.
Everly was a very sympathetic character, and I deeply admired her perseverance in that hellhole. I also felt sorry for her when her damn excuse of a husband and BFF betrayed her. And when her mother said to her to just forgive them, let me tell you I was furious as hell! In my book, you have no excuse for a betrayal like that. End of discussion. And I was beyond livid about her lack of backbone too, when it came to Isaac. Like, girl have some self-respect, please! This man lied to you several times, let you believe that you were responsible for his death, told his friend to lie to you as well, stalked you, was mean to you several times and blamed you for a situation that was not your responsibility and you had no control over. No, she just jumped on him on the first opportunity and went back some more after that. Not to mention that he had some real commitment issues but that didn't bother her too.
Isaac...well I wanted to like him, but he failed at that miserably.
First of all, I am so SICK of authors trying to portray grumpy characters, but all they do is make him a big ass jerk and try to sell it as "grumpy". THESE TWO ARE NOT THE SAME THING!! And honestly, it pains me because this was the second time I experienced this in a Jennifer H. book.
So Isaac was THE tortured "hero" who was a downright asshole with a female character on several occasions. I'm not gonna list all his wrongdoings to her again, but I'm just so mad that the authors ruined his character that way. Like what do you mean a grown-ass man got hold of a grudge like a toddler over the poor woman for a year and went full Batman mode for the same time?
And I'm sorry but for several reasons, the romance was just ruined for me. I will not believe that these two just fell in love when the things I listed above happened? Also, it's not very romantic to stalk the poor women you ignore for a year, and then just f*ck her in a dimly lit stripper room. Then try to gaslight her several times, lie to her again, and instead at least say 'I love you' to her, going with the very cutesy 'I tolerate you'. How romantic...And don't even get me started on the randomly described sex scene when they were in their cells...it was so cringe.
Overall I'm hugely disappointed. Having said that there will be more books in this universe, I'm sure that I will not pick up those, and It pains me to say this but this is not the first disappointment from Jennifer Hartmann, so (despite loving some of her books very much) I'm also hesitant to pick up her books in the future too.
June 6, 2025
Oof, big miss. I have loved Jennifer Hartmann books in the past, but took a while to get to this one since it was co-written and I just wasn’t too sure about it. The premise sounded so good though so I knew I wanted to try it. Andddd I had lots of issues with this one right from the start sadly.
There was just so much about this book that felt unhinged in a “this makes absolutely zero sense” kind of way, not in a fun unhinged way. The first chapter I had to check to make sure I was reading the right book because it drops you in 100 years in the future (2125), still don’t think that was necessary at all but whatever. Then we jump back to current day following the heroine who is a model (a 5’2” model at that, suuure), she’s married to her agent and super duper in love. Then one night there is a break in at their house (logistics are still fuzzy) and her husband is shot and left for dead and the heroine is taken away (complete with a bag over her head). We then cut to the hero who is a detective and is searching for the bad guy. He ends up taken captive as well, where he is put in a room and hears a woman in the room next door and he realizes it’s the heroine. The story unfolds from there!
While parts were interesting, overall it just felt odd. I don’t know if it’s because this was cowritten and like it felt weirdly put together or what. But the pacing was off, the logistics weren’t mathing, the characters weren’t likable, emotions did not hit maybe as they were meant to, the choices made by the characters were wild to say the least, a random chapter thrown in from a side character (pass), and I just didn’t care overall. Stick to Still Beating from this author instead, so much better.
There was just so much about this book that felt unhinged in a “this makes absolutely zero sense” kind of way, not in a fun unhinged way. The first chapter I had to check to make sure I was reading the right book because it drops you in 100 years in the future (2125), still don’t think that was necessary at all but whatever. Then we jump back to current day following the heroine who is a model (a 5’2” model at that, suuure), she’s married to her agent and super duper in love. Then one night there is a break in at their house (logistics are still fuzzy) and her husband is shot and left for dead and the heroine is taken away (complete with a bag over her head). We then cut to the hero who is a detective and is searching for the bad guy. He ends up taken captive as well, where he is put in a room and hears a woman in the room next door and he realizes it’s the heroine. The story unfolds from there!
While parts were interesting, overall it just felt odd. I don’t know if it’s because this was cowritten and like it felt weirdly put together or what. But the pacing was off, the logistics weren’t mathing, the characters weren’t likable, emotions did not hit maybe as they were meant to, the choices made by the characters were wild to say the least, a random chapter thrown in from a side character (pass), and I just didn’t care overall. Stick to Still Beating from this author instead, so much better.
February 2, 2025
JH is one of my favorite authors EVER 😭😍 and this story was amazing. I looooved the plot and could not put it down. I am a sucker for these emotionally draining romantic thrillers. however, I was a little disappointed when it specifically comes to the ✨romance✨ of it all. This was a difficult story to allow a romance, since the characters have physical roadblocks between them (lol), but it felt like it was missing quite a bit of relationship development, and most importantly, angst. There were bits and pieces in part one that made me feel the budding romance, but nothing concrete enough for me to be like “yup soulmates”. Then, it was really tough to get more of that in part 2. I loved this story - I really really did. I just have extremely high standards for JH and was just hoping for a tiny bit more for our main characters. BUUUT please still read this because the plot was so addicting OMGGGGGG👏🏼⭐️
January 11, 2026
If you want the emotions that Still Beating evoked, don’t even try this one. The characters have little to no real connection.
January 22, 2025
isaac + everly
🌶️/5
Thank you Jennifer Hartmann, Chelley St. Clair, and Valentine PR for this arc in exchange for my honest review! 🫶🏽
The prologue had me hooked and the chokehold didn't let up until "The End". For starters, I loved Everly's character as a five foot two aspiring model who is into spiders with a cool ass mom, a devoted husband in Jasper, and a soulmate best friend in Allison. She had it all....until she didn't. Fast forward to captivity and her run in with the man on the other side of the wall - Isaac. He is the complete opposite of Everly - a broody, ex detective with a secret living a life of loneliness. They share stories and keep each other going through the hell they've found themselves in and I just couldn't get enough of their growing connection. The slow burn is sloooooooooooow, but the little bits and pieces Jennifer and Chelley serve up were just enough to keep this smut lover engaged. All the while the villain and his little life altering trinket had me cringing and wishing for his gruesome death every chapter. Queenie was such a treat with the best advice ever - where do I get myself a Queenie? And that ending? Couldn't have been more perfect. Read this book. Let it wreck you and build you back up. The mystery, suspense, and epic plot twist shook me and I'm sure it'll do the same to you!
Alexa, play "The Scientist" by Coldplay and yeah, I'd rather be called Bee than baby, too, Everly!
standalone | MF | strangers to lovers | grumpy x sunshine | black market | captive | irreversible consequences | angsty | escaping a k!ller | forced proximity | jealous/possessive | mystery/suspense | opposites attract | plot twist like woah | slow burn | HEA
🌶️/5
Thank you Jennifer Hartmann, Chelley St. Clair, and Valentine PR for this arc in exchange for my honest review! 🫶🏽
The prologue had me hooked and the chokehold didn't let up until "The End". For starters, I loved Everly's character as a five foot two aspiring model who is into spiders with a cool ass mom, a devoted husband in Jasper, and a soulmate best friend in Allison. She had it all....until she didn't. Fast forward to captivity and her run in with the man on the other side of the wall - Isaac. He is the complete opposite of Everly - a broody, ex detective with a secret living a life of loneliness. They share stories and keep each other going through the hell they've found themselves in and I just couldn't get enough of their growing connection. The slow burn is sloooooooooooow, but the little bits and pieces Jennifer and Chelley serve up were just enough to keep this smut lover engaged. All the while the villain and his little life altering trinket had me cringing and wishing for his gruesome death every chapter. Queenie was such a treat with the best advice ever - where do I get myself a Queenie? And that ending? Couldn't have been more perfect. Read this book. Let it wreck you and build you back up. The mystery, suspense, and epic plot twist shook me and I'm sure it'll do the same to you!
Alexa, play "The Scientist" by Coldplay and yeah, I'd rather be called Bee than baby, too, Everly!
standalone | MF | strangers to lovers | grumpy x sunshine | black market | captive | irreversible consequences | angsty | escaping a k!ller | forced proximity | jealous/possessive | mystery/suspense | opposites attract | plot twist like woah | slow burn | HEA
March 14, 2025
This book is amazing! It's just incredible. Jennifer Hartmann is an instant buy author for me. Working with another author just brought more of an incredible story. The bond, the connection between the two MCs, is just perfection. There's so much tension, heart-wrenching, and gut-wrenching moments in this book. You feel the heartbreak for both characters 💔. It has such intense moments. I couldn't stop reading. It's a slow burn romance, but the spice is hot as hell when you get there. 🔥🔥 5 incredible stars!!!! Plus, we get 2 more books in this world!!! Ahhhh, so excited!
Read
February 3, 2025dnf @ 24% - The writing is so corny, I can't go on for another page.
I'm not sure what made Still Beating work so much for me and Irreversible not work at all since the plots are similar enough that I should've enjoyed both, but oh well. Maybe it's because this one is co-written with another author, but idk.
I'm not sure what made Still Beating work so much for me and Irreversible not work at all since the plots are similar enough that I should've enjoyed both, but oh well. Maybe it's because this one is co-written with another author, but idk.
February 2, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️
Tropes & what to expect:
Grumpy x sunshine
Captives
Forced proximity
Jealous/possessive MMC
Slow burn romance
You'll work for the HEA
Wow. I am blown away, yet again by another Jennifer Hartmann book. I have never read anything by Chelley St. Clair, but this does make me want to go check out her backlist.
To be honest, I wasn't sure how I'd like this one at first just because as I was reading it in the beginning I wasn't feeling the pull I usually do to most J Hartmann books. I'm glad I stuck with it and continued on because once it picked up a little bit more.. I was HOOKED. I'm talking stayed up until 2am reading it on a work night because I couldn't put it down.
If you liked Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann, you'll like this one too. It isn't similar really, but in a way it does have some of the same vibes I guess?
The way that this book made my heart hurt.. ugh. My stomach was in KNOTS. Specifically when she found out what her husband and best friend had been up to while she was taken captive for two years. I understand their side, I do. But I still couldn't help feeling that betrayal Everly was feeling and I still felt that all the way to the end. I don't think I could forgive that even if I could understand it.
Overall, I really loved this one. I think this would actually be a great movie too because of all of the mystery and action. Hint Hint. ;)
2.5 🌶️
Tropes & what to expect:
Grumpy x sunshine
Captives
Forced proximity
Jealous/possessive MMC
Slow burn romance
You'll work for the HEA
Wow. I am blown away, yet again by another Jennifer Hartmann book. I have never read anything by Chelley St. Clair, but this does make me want to go check out her backlist.
To be honest, I wasn't sure how I'd like this one at first just because as I was reading it in the beginning I wasn't feeling the pull I usually do to most J Hartmann books. I'm glad I stuck with it and continued on because once it picked up a little bit more.. I was HOOKED. I'm talking stayed up until 2am reading it on a work night because I couldn't put it down.
If you liked Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann, you'll like this one too. It isn't similar really, but in a way it does have some of the same vibes I guess?
The way that this book made my heart hurt.. ugh. My stomach was in KNOTS. Specifically when she found out what her husband and best friend had been up to while she was taken captive for two years. I understand their side, I do. But I still couldn't help feeling that betrayal Everly was feeling and I still felt that all the way to the end. I don't think I could forgive that even if I could understand it.
Overall, I really loved this one. I think this would actually be a great movie too because of all of the mystery and action. Hint Hint. ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2025
What an interesting co-write from Jennifer Hartmann & Chelley St. Clair.
Everly has spent the last two years in captivity with the only social interaction being the victims of the 'Timekeeper' next door. She's the longest survivor and has seen many victims come and go. One day, Isaac is brought into the room and suddenly there's hope that she might be able to escape this nightmare!
I don't want to say too much because I think it's best to go into this book with no expectations. I will say I did enjoy the book more once Everly and Isaac were rescued, which . I did find knowing when they escaped helped me get through the first half!
Whilst the pacing was a bit scatty, this was an enjoyable read and I'm excited for book 2 in this world!
Everly has spent the last two years in captivity with the only social interaction being the victims of the 'Timekeeper' next door. She's the longest survivor and has seen many victims come and go. One day, Isaac is brought into the room and suddenly there's hope that she might be able to escape this nightmare!
I don't want to say too much because I think it's best to go into this book with no expectations. I will say I did enjoy the book more once Everly and Isaac were rescued, which . I did find knowing when they escaped helped me get through the first half!
Whilst the pacing was a bit scatty, this was an enjoyable read and I'm excited for book 2 in this world!
February 7, 2025
Genre: Dark Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Everly Cross had everything—both personally and professionally, until one devastating event shattered her world. Forced to adapt in order to survive, she found strength in the most unexpected ways, especially when Isaac Porter entered her life. But hope can be a dangerous thing, especially when the future hangs in the balance.
Isaac was deeply affected by his past, yet found a way to turn it around. Everly's resilience was admirable, though both of them made their fair share of reckless decisions. I loved the circumstances they were in and how they bonded through adversity.
Though the length was quite a challenge, this book pulled me in right from the beginning and kept my attention with the angst and anger it brought out of me. I loved the first part of the book with the darkness and intensity, while the second part was more mellow.
Irreversible is a story of adaptation and perseverance. It would appeal to readers who enjoy emotionally charged dark romance.
⛓️❌️⛓️. . . (F)BR with Twinsie CC & Loyda . . .⛓️❌️⛓️
For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:
For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Everly Cross had everything—both personally and professionally, until one devastating event shattered her world. Forced to adapt in order to survive, she found strength in the most unexpected ways, especially when Isaac Porter entered her life. But hope can be a dangerous thing, especially when the future hangs in the balance.
Isaac was deeply affected by his past, yet found a way to turn it around. Everly's resilience was admirable, though both of them made their fair share of reckless decisions. I loved the circumstances they were in and how they bonded through adversity.
How could I let this happen?
He’s a number.
A casualty.
A tragedy waiting to happen.
And somehow, I’ve come to care about his well-being just as much as my own. Twice the pain, double the loss.
Though the length was quite a challenge, this book pulled me in right from the beginning and kept my attention with the angst and anger it brought out of me. I loved the first part of the book with the darkness and intensity, while the second part was more mellow.
Irreversible is a story of adaptation and perseverance. It would appeal to readers who enjoy emotionally charged dark romance.
⛓️❌️⛓️. . . (F)BR with Twinsie CC & Loyda . . .⛓️❌️⛓️
For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:
For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
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