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renaes01's review against another edition
4.0
This book was actually crazy.
I loved the characters in this book. Even the fucked up ones because the author does such an amazing job at writing psycho, manipulative people.
Dare was so fucked up, like he was an actual psychopath with no redeeming qualities. He was so manipulative and knew exactly what to do to make Aubrey like him. Anae was also one crazy bitch!! I really liked Hannah. I thought she was an amazing friend to Aubrey.
I think the reason this was 4 stars instead of 5 is that I liked the relationships more in Sam Mariano’s other books. For example, in Untouchable but the end I definitely felt like Carter (whose my favourite of SM men) loved Zoey and they had a real connection. Even Calvin in Descent cared for Hallie in a fucked up way and just wanted to look after her. But I didn’t feel the love between Dare and Aubrey. I truly feel like he didn’t give a fuck about her accept he wanted her to be his toy. There were no emotional moments between them and by the end nothing made me think that Dare cared for Aubrey. Yes, I know he did shit to people who did her wrong which I loved but it didn’t feel the same as when the other men did it. I also HATED the fact that Dare’s scheming with Anae to take Aubrey down lasted so long. Even by the end after Anae did a really really fucked us thing to Aubrey Dare still said after that that he fucking liked her!?! I’m sorry but Carter and Calvin would have obliterated that bitch if she did what she did to their women.
Also what didn’t work for me as well was Aubrey was also a real pushover. I don’t mean to keep comparing this book to SM other books but when I’m reading a bully romance I need the heroine to fight back. Zoey fought back and knew exactly how Carter’s brain worked. Hallie fought back a little less but she still realised what Calvin was doing to her was fucked up. Aubrey however seemed to completely gloss over how Dare was manipulating her the whole time and all of the terrible things he did it her. Like he literally raped her in her sleep and she had no real reaction too it. Although you could say that it’s because Dare manipulated her so well and she has Stockholm syndrome or something but I didn’t like it.
I of course will continue to read this series because I will now read whatever this author releases and I really want Hannah’s story.
I loved the characters in this book. Even the fucked up ones because the author does such an amazing job at writing psycho, manipulative people.
Dare was so fucked up, like he was an actual psychopath with no redeeming qualities. He was so manipulative and knew exactly what to do to make Aubrey like him. Anae was also one crazy bitch!! I really liked Hannah. I thought she was an amazing friend to Aubrey.
I think the reason this was 4 stars instead of 5 is that I liked the relationships more in Sam Mariano’s other books. For example, in Untouchable but the end I definitely felt like Carter (whose my favourite of SM men) loved Zoey and they had a real connection. Even Calvin in Descent cared for Hallie in a fucked up way and just wanted to look after her. But I didn’t feel the love between Dare and Aubrey. I truly feel like he didn’t give a fuck about her accept he wanted her to be his toy. There were no emotional moments between them and by the end nothing made me think that Dare cared for Aubrey. Yes, I know he did shit to people who did her wrong which I loved but it didn’t feel the same as when the other men did it. I also HATED the fact that Dare’s scheming with Anae to take Aubrey down lasted so long. Even by the end after Anae did a really really fucked us thing to Aubrey Dare still said after that that he fucking liked her!?! I’m sorry but Carter and Calvin would have obliterated that bitch if she did what she did to their women.
Also what didn’t work for me as well was Aubrey was also a real pushover. I don’t mean to keep comparing this book to SM other books but when I’m reading a bully romance I need the heroine to fight back. Zoey fought back and knew exactly how Carter’s brain worked. Hallie fought back a little less but she still realised what Calvin was doing to her was fucked up. Aubrey however seemed to completely gloss over how Dare was manipulating her the whole time and all of the terrible things he did it her. Like he literally raped her in her sleep and she had no real reaction too it. Although you could say that it’s because Dare manipulated her so well and she has Stockholm syndrome or something but I didn’t like it.
I of course will continue to read this series because I will now read whatever this author releases and I really want Hannah’s story.
melg14's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This was some dark shit where the antihero/villain isn’t redeemable (he is a true psychopath) and the heroine stays with him out of love and fear.
There were some questions that weren’t answered, one blaring one was what that one nightmare was that terrified him enough to be vulnerable. (UPDATE: apparently according to the author in a spoiler group page, the nightmare was an act). But then the next big question is why did he take a picture of Hannah. I’m guessing to show Anae so she will torture Hannah when she returns.
I do agree with others where there still remains an imbalance and their story still seems a bit open.
This was some dark shit where the antihero/villain isn’t redeemable (he is a true psychopath) and the heroine stays with him out of love and fear.
There were some questions that weren’t answered, one blaring one was what that one nightmare was that terrified him enough to be vulnerable. (UPDATE: apparently according to the author in a spoiler group page, the nightmare was an act). But then the next big question is why did he take a picture of Hannah. I’m guessing to show Anae so she will torture Hannah when she returns.
I do agree with others where there still remains an imbalance and their story still seems a bit open.
brevbrb's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
melissabarr44's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I kind of hated both Aubrey and Dare and didn't even really believe in their romance, but I still couldn't put this one down.
armyyyyyyy777's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
j_leah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
samarai's review against another edition
5.0
How? How does Sam Mariano continue to push the absolute limit of human nature and still get me to love the story by the end. This was incredibly dark and if you’re looking for a redemption story with groveling, you won’t find it here. That being said, I was invested in this story from the very start. There’s something very interesting about the amount of things that can be pushed under the rug in the name of love.
jennyluvlitbooks's review against another edition
4.0
To this day, I still don't know how to feel about the hero of this book. I guess, I'd settle with equal parts hate and lust. The only other character that invokes the same feeling is Nate of that TV series (you know the one). No one has me so confused of my feelings than Dare and Nate. I don't know how many times I was yelling for Aubrey to run for the hills and never look back, but the thing is, how do you escape someone like Dare? He is manipulative, sociopathic while being sweet and charming too. It's a mindfuck, to be honest.
The ending gave me the chills, especially the part when Aubrey was describing the newest tattoo of Dare. My imagination is running miles a minute and to scream a warning to Hannah. I guess I will have to read the other books in this series and check if there will be cameos of these characters. If you love your book heroes like Dare, then this book is for you!
The ending gave me the chills, especially the part when Aubrey was describing the newest tattoo of Dare. My imagination is running miles a minute and to scream a warning to Hannah. I guess I will have to read the other books in this series and check if there will be cameos of these characters. If you love your book heroes like Dare, then this book is for you!
sonja_ahrb's review against another edition
4.0
I just finished Even if it Hurts and I’m not sure what to say or how to feel. I was super excited to read this book because I saw Ms. Mariano’s posts about it and its intensity and I was so here for it! Her notes about this book were so right and I highly advise that you take them to heart because she’s not being dramatic, she’s not exaggerating, and you should definitely believe her. Even if it Hurts is absolutely not for everyone and that’s okay. Just be cautious and I think I’ve stalled long enough that I know what I want to say.
I love dark books and dark heroes, so I didn’t really have hesitations going into Even if it Hurts. I was intrigued that Ms. Mariano intentionally set out to write a toxic relationship and that Dare was a sneaky villain and was supposed to be the closest hero to being a serial killer that’s she’s written and she was not wrong about any of it. Dare is super sneaky and his psychopathy definitely becomes more pronounced the farther into the book. I can’t really say that I love Dare, he for sure does not top Carter for me (#CarterForever), I don’t know how to feel about him exactly.
Ms. Mariano also wrote in one of her notes how she’s not sure that this is a romance and while we do get Dare and Aubrey together at the end, I have to agree with her on that front or at the very least, it’s a very unorthodox one. I can’t say that I would have been upset if they hadn’t gotten an HEA because Dare is a lot and I have complicated feelings/thoughts about him. I don’t hate him, I just don’t feel like he can be completely reasoned with and he’s just a total wild card and I could really seeing him doing anything to keep Aubrey with him. I know other Sam Mariano heroes would do a lot to keep their heroines as well, but it just feels different with Dare. I can’t really explain it, it’s just how I feel. I don’t know, I’m okay with their HEA and Dare might be a crazy psycho, but he does have sweet moments and there was a lengthy period of time when I did love him and he put a smile on my face.
I’ve taken some time away from writing this review and while I didn’t know how I felt at first, I do want to say that I really loved and enjoyed Even if it Hurts for the most part. Sam Mariano is so good at writing stories in general, but she’s truly gifted at writing stories that take place in high school. They just feel extra special for some reason, they’re so easy to get into and keep you hooked the whole time. Untouchable is still and probably always will be my number one, but Even if it Hurts was pretty fantastic too! I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series and I think I might go read Undertow after this so I can stay in this world a little longer.
~ Sonja, 4 Stars
I love dark books and dark heroes, so I didn’t really have hesitations going into Even if it Hurts. I was intrigued that Ms. Mariano intentionally set out to write a toxic relationship and that Dare was a sneaky villain and was supposed to be the closest hero to being a serial killer that’s she’s written and she was not wrong about any of it. Dare is super sneaky and his psychopathy definitely becomes more pronounced the farther into the book. I can’t really say that I love Dare, he for sure does not top Carter for me (#CarterForever), I don’t know how to feel about him exactly.
Ms. Mariano also wrote in one of her notes how she’s not sure that this is a romance and while we do get Dare and Aubrey together at the end, I have to agree with her on that front or at the very least, it’s a very unorthodox one. I can’t say that I would have been upset if they hadn’t gotten an HEA because Dare is a lot and I have complicated feelings/thoughts about him. I don’t hate him, I just don’t feel like he can be completely reasoned with and he’s just a total wild card and I could really seeing him doing anything to keep Aubrey with him. I know other Sam Mariano heroes would do a lot to keep their heroines as well, but it just feels different with Dare. I can’t really explain it, it’s just how I feel. I don’t know, I’m okay with their HEA and Dare might be a crazy psycho, but he does have sweet moments and there was a lengthy period of time when I did love him and he put a smile on my face.
I’ve taken some time away from writing this review and while I didn’t know how I felt at first, I do want to say that I really loved and enjoyed Even if it Hurts for the most part. Sam Mariano is so good at writing stories in general, but she’s truly gifted at writing stories that take place in high school. They just feel extra special for some reason, they’re so easy to get into and keep you hooked the whole time. Untouchable is still and probably always will be my number one, but Even if it Hurts was pretty fantastic too! I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series and I think I might go read Undertow after this so I can stay in this world a little longer.
~ Sonja, 4 Stars
rinasreadsnz's review against another edition
5.0
Devilishly delicious darkness
On par with Rina Kent and Linnea May; Sam Mariano's darkness is devilishly delicious.
DO read the trigger warnings. DO take them seriously. As Sam states, this is "NOT ONE FOR THE SAFETY SQUAD".
She isn't lying.
There is stuff in this book that would give your Grandma an arrhythmia and make your dead aunt Doris roll in her grave. Morally grey seems like an understatement regarding the things discussed in this book - morally bankrupt would be more accurate.
Aubrey was such a gentle, naive and innocent soul.
Dare...well, he was who he was.
You won't find a redeemable, misunderstood character in Dare. He is dangerous, brutal, controlling, and unapologetic about all of it.
He reeled her in, roughed her up, corrupted and stained her - all while giving zero effs and with zero remorse - yet, I couldn't get enough!
I absolutely devoured this book. And I WANT MORE.
Am I going to continue to read this series? Yes.
Am I going to recommend this book to my dark-romance-loving friends? Also, yes.
Am I going to question why I am lured in by the sociopaths in some of the books I read? Nope. Not a chance. I'm not willing to analyse what that says about me.
At the end of the day, I absolutely adored this book and it deserves all the stars.
On par with Rina Kent and Linnea May; Sam Mariano's darkness is devilishly delicious.
DO read the trigger warnings. DO take them seriously. As Sam states, this is "NOT ONE FOR THE SAFETY SQUAD".
She isn't lying.
There is stuff in this book that would give your Grandma an arrhythmia and make your dead aunt Doris roll in her grave. Morally grey seems like an understatement regarding the things discussed in this book - morally bankrupt would be more accurate.
Aubrey was such a gentle, naive and innocent soul.
Dare...well, he was who he was.
You won't find a redeemable, misunderstood character in Dare. He is dangerous, brutal, controlling, and unapologetic about all of it.
He reeled her in, roughed her up, corrupted and stained her - all while giving zero effs and with zero remorse - yet, I couldn't get enough!
I absolutely devoured this book. And I WANT MORE.
Am I going to continue to read this series? Yes.
Am I going to recommend this book to my dark-romance-loving friends? Also, yes.
Am I going to question why I am lured in by the sociopaths in some of the books I read? Nope. Not a chance. I'm not willing to analyse what that says about me.
At the end of the day, I absolutely adored this book and it deserves all the stars.