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kierstanreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
constantly_reading's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Wow. I've read dark romance books in the past, dont get me wrong but this made me so sick. The MMC literally threatened to rape the FMC'S best friend, kidnapped the FMC and literally rape the FMC, and she STILL FUCKING FORGAVE HIM!! The FMC was literally crying saying she hated the MMC but when he broke into her house and had sex with her, all of a sudden she loved him again!! This book is romantacisig abuse!! The author seems to think that because the MMC helps with the mums canser treatment, it gives him the right to blackmail her!!
The MMC literally threatens to rape the FMC if she leaves him but makes her not call the police on the crazy lady he teamed up with to try to kill her, because he would have gone to jail and APPARENTLY she didn't want that!! This book is so shit that I will remember writing this review when I look back at my 2024 wrapped and grimace that I read this. Now, i accept that this author is good and all but this is just straight up romanticizing abuse in a relationship. WITH TEENAGERS!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Rape
tee_tee_lou_lou's review against another edition
5.0
Even when it hurts by Sam Mariano
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This one was honestly a full on story and a bit frightening at times, but completely compelling.
I do enjoy reading about a dark anti-hero, Dare was borderline too much to read about, to the point where I'm not sure I would even shelf this under romance.
The way the story was written was really interesting, it left me wondering for a majority of the book if Dare was actually playing Aubrey, but I feel like I liked that uncertainty and it kept me interested.
This book was pretty dark, mostly because of the drugging and subsequent rape of Aubrey by Dare. Also sometimes I felt like Dare did things or made comments that gave me the impression that he would sleep with or even rape others if he "needed" to to accomplish his goals and that bothered me a bit. I'm not sure I liked the epilogue either, I didn't get what that comment was to Hannah.
Final word.
This was a great interesting read about a psychopath and a sweet girl with a soft heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This one was honestly a full on story and a bit frightening at times, but completely compelling.
I do enjoy reading about a dark anti-hero, Dare was borderline too much to read about, to the point where I'm not sure I would even shelf this under romance.
The way the story was written was really interesting, it left me wondering for a majority of the book if Dare was actually playing Aubrey, but I feel like I liked that uncertainty and it kept me interested.
This book was pretty dark, mostly because of the drugging and subsequent rape of Aubrey by Dare. Also sometimes I felt like Dare did things or made comments that gave me the impression that he would sleep with or even rape others if he "needed" to to accomplish his goals and that bothered me a bit. I'm not sure I liked the epilogue either, I didn't get what that comment was to Hannah.
Final word.
This was a great interesting read about a psychopath and a sweet girl with a soft heart.
junyan's review against another edition
3.0
Ok…. This is one of the craziest books I’ve ever read. I’m not sure about my rating, but I love crazy books.
raquelics's review against another edition
3.0
Listen, I’m a Dark Romance girly, but I think this was a little much for me. Don’t get me wrong, I read this in 24h but it was just because I love Sam’s writing, not because I really liked the story!
Sam Mariano does not play when it comes to writing fucked up characters. The author's note is something that you should take seriously on this one because this IS NOT a book for everyone.
Her writing is super immersive and you really get the perspective of the female main character because I was as conflicted as she was. I never knew what to believe even tho I had Dare’s POV as well, I just couldn’t read him!
I read Untouchable before this and although Carter did some fucked up shit, I felt the author kind of redeemed in the end a little bit, but in here, for Dare, I was really struggling to find someone that I could root for.
It made me very uncomfortable, but again I’m sure that was the point. I was genuinely terrified of him and the way he thinks. I can’t say that I blame Aubrey, yes she was a pushover, but can you blame her?? There is no balance of power in this relationship, Dare takes it all whether she wants it or not, and he always finds a way to manipulate her.
Just proceed with caution if you want to read this.
Sam Mariano does not play when it comes to writing fucked up characters. The author's note is something that you should take seriously on this one because this IS NOT a book for everyone.
Her writing is super immersive and you really get the perspective of the female main character because I was as conflicted as she was. I never knew what to believe even tho I had Dare’s POV as well, I just couldn’t read him!
I read Untouchable before this and although Carter did some fucked up shit, I felt the author kind of redeemed in the end a little bit, but in here, for Dare, I was really struggling to find someone that I could root for.
It made me very uncomfortable, but again I’m sure that was the point. I was genuinely terrified of him and the way he thinks. I can’t say that I blame Aubrey, yes she was a pushover, but can you blame her?? There is no balance of power in this relationship, Dare takes it all whether she wants it or not, and he always finds a way to manipulate her.
Just proceed with caution if you want to read this.
faith99's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Medical content, Sexual content, Cancer, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming and Violence
Minor: Classism
torixreads's review against another edition
4.0
Umm WTF just happened? Okay this was just wild!!! and the absolute definition of anti-hero/dark romance. Lots of dub-con here so please steer clear if you dislike that. I think the blurb & other reviews do a good job of summarising the story so I won’t recant.
I’m giving this a 3.5* not because it’s not written well- I would have consumed this entire book in one sitting if it hadn’t been for having to go to work. I think for me I was missing WHY he was so into Aubrey, what it was about her that fascinated him so much. I think Aubrey really let the story down, she just didn’t give us much to work with. Overall I did enjoy this crazy psychotic love story and can’t wait to read more. I hope the next book will be Hannah with her own fella.
I’m giving this a 3.5* not because it’s not written well- I would have consumed this entire book in one sitting if it hadn’t been for having to go to work. I think for me I was missing WHY he was so into Aubrey, what it was about her that fascinated him so much. I think Aubrey really let the story down, she just didn’t give us much to work with. Overall I did enjoy this crazy psychotic love story and can’t wait to read more. I hope the next book will be Hannah with her own fella.
kaydanielsromance's review against another edition
5.0
Even If It Hurts is a morally corrupt, walking gray lines, villainous anti-hero book. This new adult, psychological, dark romance was a page-turning ride that I could not put down.
For anyone familiar with the movie Cruel Intentions, the beginning of this book definitely gave off some serious Cruel Intentions vibes, but it didn't take long for Even If It Hurts to take on a flavor all of its own.
Dare is a true psycho. His lack of empathy, high intelligence and solitary focus made his character fascinating to read. I'm not sure what it is lately about reading villainous characters and placing them in romantic stories, but I LOVE IT!! The concept is brilliant and I love how on the edge it made me, as a reader, want to keep reading, but Dare seriously makes you stop and wonder what's going on in his head, because he’s possessive AF and his notions of love are very real to him, but very outside of the norm of society.
Aubrey, once she honed in on Dare’s lack of a social compass, had to make a decision on if her love for him was worth her own moral weight. A good girl who wants to lives with her dark Prince, but is she willing to give up what society calls normal rules.
What a concept.
Dare is, I'll say, in a relationship with another girl, although she is more of a sociopath, which is what gives this book the Cruel Intentions vibe. Anae gives Dare a task to make Aubrey fall in love with him, but that task involves a lot more than just that. Dare being the psycho he is, finds Aubrey fascinating. Like any serial killer I suppose, he becomes obsessed, but I'll just leave the rest of his villainous traits for you to discover because Dare is a thrill to read and needs to be enjoyed.
Aubrey, if nothing else, I would have liked her to have a bit more backbone, but knowing Dare's character, her nativity and sunshiny personality is what draws him in and keeps him interested. So, while personally I would have enjoyed for her to open her eyes to his dark and devilish ways, in the end they probably wouldn't have worked if she wasn't who she was.
Even If It Hurts is a mental thrill ride. I really never knew what Dare or Anae was going to do which made it exciting and page turning to read.
For anyone familiar with the movie Cruel Intentions, the beginning of this book definitely gave off some serious Cruel Intentions vibes, but it didn't take long for Even If It Hurts to take on a flavor all of its own.
Dare is a true psycho. His lack of empathy, high intelligence and solitary focus made his character fascinating to read. I'm not sure what it is lately about reading villainous characters and placing them in romantic stories, but I LOVE IT!! The concept is brilliant and I love how on the edge it made me, as a reader, want to keep reading, but Dare seriously makes you stop and wonder what's going on in his head, because he’s possessive AF and his notions of love are very real to him, but very outside of the norm of society.
Aubrey, once she honed in on Dare’s lack of a social compass, had to make a decision on if her love for him was worth her own moral weight. A good girl who wants to lives with her dark Prince, but is she willing to give up what society calls normal rules.
What a concept.
Dare is, I'll say, in a relationship with another girl, although she is more of a sociopath, which is what gives this book the Cruel Intentions vibe. Anae gives Dare a task to make Aubrey fall in love with him, but that task involves a lot more than just that. Dare being the psycho he is, finds Aubrey fascinating. Like any serial killer I suppose, he becomes obsessed, but I'll just leave the rest of his villainous traits for you to discover because Dare is a thrill to read and needs to be enjoyed.
Aubrey, if nothing else, I would have liked her to have a bit more backbone, but knowing Dare's character, her nativity and sunshiny personality is what draws him in and keeps him interested. So, while personally I would have enjoyed for her to open her eyes to his dark and devilish ways, in the end they probably wouldn't have worked if she wasn't who she was.
Even If It Hurts is a mental thrill ride. I really never knew what Dare or Anae was going to do which made it exciting and page turning to read.
ggainer's review against another edition
Bad writting; childish MC; bad ‘i’ll make her fall in love with me just so his gf can get revenge’ plot