My Heart Still Beats by Helen Hardt

ABOUT THE BOOK

Some days I can almost see the person I used to be. See the version of myself that felt joy, even passion. But she’s gone…just out of reach.

Life moves on for everyone else, though, and as my best friend’s maid-of-honor, I have a bachelorette party to plan—in Jamaica, no less. And that means working side by side with the best man: Benjamin Black.

Billionaire. Workaholic. Ultimate bachelor. The perfect catch for any woman—unless she’s lost her sense of self.

Apparently my body hasn’t gotten the memo. Because from the second we meet, something begins stirring, warming my blood.

And when our hands touch, it’s a heady reminder that even if I feel numb, my heart still beats.

He’s nothing like I thought. Every moment with him unshackles a little more of my fears, cracks another layer of ice.

But I should be afraid—and so should he. Because the past never lets go so easily.

MY REVIEW

I picked up this book because I enjoy Helen Hardt’s writing. The story revolves around Benjamin Black, the playboy billionaire brother of Braden Black, the protagonist of the Follow Me series. Benjamin is a kind and stable character, unlike his volatile and controlling brother, and he finds himself drawn to Tessa Logan, a woman dealing with PTSD from a recent sexual assault.

Tessa is trying to plan her best friend Skye’s bachelorette party, but she’s struggling to cope with her trauma. First of all, why would Skye put that pressure on her? Enter, Ben who understands what it’s like to fight demons, and he’s determined to help Tessa find happiness again. However, his own past transgressions threaten to ruin everything.

The romance between Ben and Tessa is heartwarming, and it’s clear from the start that they are meant to be together. Ben’s slow and confident pursuit of Tessa is important to her recovery, and his awareness of her trauma is touching. Tessa’s journey towards healing is heart wrenching and inspiring, and I was happy that she finds her strength again with Ben’s devoted support and encouragement.

I appreciated that this story was not just another billionaire rescuing a damsel in distress. Both Ben and Tessa have suffered greatly and need to learn how to live again. The plot has a lot of potential, but unfortunately, it falls short for me. The story felt repetitive at times, and I wish more time had been devoted to exploring Ben’s past. The ending felt rushed, and I was disappointed that the resolution of Ben’s past was not given more attention.

Despite its shortfalls, My Heart Still Beats is a good read that explores the themes of love, healing, and finding happiness after trauma. It’s not a perfect book and it has triggers, but it has its moments of charm and emotional depth.

Thank you to Ms. Hardt for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt’s passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award-winning author of romantic fiction, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family. Helen loves to hear from readers.