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Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Minor: Suicide
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Grief
They have to unravel the mystery of the island and figure out how to get off of it while uncovering each others pasts.
There is both A LOT of spice and A LOT of bullying. If you don’t like a bully MMC then you aren’t going to like this. It was a bit hard to get the story going as the MMC is a royal jerk and does something very questionable to exact his revenge that borders on assault.
You get dual narrator POVs and the story is a standalone.
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Incest, Suicide
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder
“You’re going to ruin me, too. But unfortunately for you, that’s where I feel most at home.”
Oh, where do I even begin with Does It Hurt? This book absolutely consumed me from the first page, dragging me into its depths and refusing to let go until the very last word. It's not just a story; it's an experience, a plunge into the tumultuous waters of revenge, obsession, and a love so dark it borders on beautiful. I’m talking about those kinds of books that linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page, the ones you find yourself thinking about at random moments throughout your day. And let me tell you, this one has set up permanent residence in my brain.
From the moment I picked it up, I was pulled into Sawyer Bennett’s world, a world where she’s constantly running, constantly trying to outrun a past that clings to her like a shadow. She's a survivor, a girl who has learned to walk in stolen shoes, both literally and figuratively. Her journey is one of immense pain, desperation, and a yearning for something she can't quite articulate. Then enters Enzo Vitale, an enigma cloaked in shadows and salty sea air, a man who lives for the depths of the ocean and the predators within it. He’s the kind of character that makes your stomach clench with a mix of fear and undeniable fascination.
Their encounter is anything but accidental; it’s a collision of two broken souls, set on a course of vengeance and an undeniable, consuming pull toward each other. The whole shipwreck scenario? Chef's kiss 🤌 It throws them into this intense forced proximity, stripping away their pretenses and exposing their raw, vulnerable selves. The isolation of the decrepit lighthouse, the looming threat of the old caretaker… it all creates this incredibly tense atmosphere that had me holding my breath.
H.D. Carlton has a way with words that is both poetic and visceral. She doesn't shy away from the dark, the gritty, the uncomfortable truths of human nature. This book is a testament to that. It's raw, it's intense, and it will absolutely take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. There were moments I had to pause, just to breathe and process what I had just read. It's the kind of book that makes you question the lines between love and hate, torment and devotion. And honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.
: ̗̀➛ Enzo Vitale: The Ocean's Predator 🖤
“I want to be the only thing that keeps you up at night, bella ladra, and if anyone is going to hurt you, it’s going to be me.”
Enzo Vitale. Whew. Just saying his name sends shivers down my spine. This man is the epitome of an ice-cold psycho, a master of manipulation, and utterly unhinged in the most captivating way possible. He's not your typical romantic hero, and thank goodness for that. Enzo is a predator, plain and simple. He’s spent his life among the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean, and it’s clear he’s absorbed some of that darkness into his very being. He lured Sawyer onto his boat with one intention: vengeance. And he was so good at it.
But here’s the thing about Enzo: beneath that chilling exterior, there’s a complex, damaged soul. He's obsessed, possessive, and his love, once given, is an unbreakable chain. I found myself both terrified of him and completely drawn to him. His lines, his thoughts, his actions… they’re all designed to keep you on edge, to make you question his motives, and to ultimately make you fall for the very monster he tries to be. He’s got that “Touch-Her-And-💀” vibe down to an art form, and honestly, it’s incredibly hot. The way he grapples with his desire for Sawyer, his need for revenge battling with this undeniable pull he feels, is masterful. He’s an Alphahole through and through, rich AF, and completely embodies the "Mine!" trope. You can tell he’s been living in a self-imposed darkness, and Sawyer, despite being his intended victim, becomes his unexpected light. It's twisted, yes, but profoundly compelling. He's the thunder to Sawyer's lightning, and together, they are a perfect storm.
: ̗̀➛ Sawyer Bennett: The Resilient Siren 🩸
“Being scared and weak aren’t synonymous. It takes strength to keep getting back up after constantly being knocked down.”
Sawyer Bennett. My heart absolutely went out to her. She’s a messy queen in the best possible way. Flawed, makes mistakes, and sometimes utterly chaotic, but she owns her power and presence. Sawyer has been through so much, and you feel every ounce of her pain, her desperation, and her resilience. She's running from a past that has haunted her, and she’s learned to survive by her wits, even if it means walking in stolen shoes.
What I love about Sawyer is her strength, not just physical strength, but her emotional fortitude. She keeps getting back up, even when she’s constantly knocked down. She’s scared, but she’s not weak. She's a siren, drawing Enzo in, even though he's set on vengeance. Her vulnerability is her strength, and her refusal to break completely makes her an incredibly compelling character. She’s trying to find herself amidst the chaos, trying to reclaim her identity after being stripped of it. And even though she ends up shipwrecked with the very man seeking to hurt her, she never fully gives up. She fights, she pushes back, and she holds her own against Enzo's intensity. She’s not just a victim; she’s an active participant in her own story, making choices, even if they're difficult or dangerous. Her journey of self-discovery, intertwined with the dark romance, is truly captivating.
: ̗̀➛ Enzo and Sawyer: The Perfect Storm ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥
“We're the perfect storm, where he is the thunder, and I am the lighting.”
The connection between Enzo and Sawyer is like a live wire—dangerous, unpredictable, and incredibly electrifying. It's not a gentle, blossoming romance; it's a brutal, undeniable pull between two people who are intrinsically broken. Their relationship is the ultimate forced proximity scenario, stuck together in a desolate lighthouse, with nowhere to run from each other, or from their own demons.
Enzo wants to hurt Sawyer, to make her pay for what he believes she stole from him. But in doing so, he finds himself undeniably drawn to her, obsessed with her. His possessiveness isn't just about control; it's about a desperate need to claim her, to make her his. And Sawyer, despite her fear, finds herself equally entangled in his web. There’s a delicious push and pull, a constant dance between pain and pleasure, vengeance and desire. The way their dialogue crackles with tension, the unspoken words that speak volumes—it’s just perfection.
They are both so damaged, so deeply scarred, that they somehow fit together in a way that wouldn’t make sense to anyone else. It's a love that thrives in the darkness, where both characters find a twisted sense of belonging in each other’s brokenness.
And the spice? 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ It’s intense. The kinks, like choking/breath play, voyeurism/exhibitionism/public play, and praise kink, are woven into the narrative in a way that feels organic to their dark, obsessive dynamic. It's not just thrown in for shock value; it's an extension of their characters and their twisted connection. Enzo wants to dominate, and Sawyer, in her own way, finds a different kind of power in submitting. It's a dance of control and surrender that is utterly captivating. Every interaction between them is charged, and you can practically feel the heat emanating from the pages. It's not just about the physical; it's about the emotional intensity, the way they get under each other's skin and trigger something primal. Their connection is a raw, unyielding force that makes you believe in their dark, all-consuming love.
✧.* My Thoughts 💌
“The day you stole from me was the best day of my life,” he whispers against my lips. “Because then you became my life, and I don’t want it back. I won’t fucking take it.”
Honestly, Does It Hurt? left me completely obsessed and addicted. I couldn't put it down, and I found myself thinking about it constantly, even when I wasn't reading. H.D. Carlton has crafted a masterpiece of dark romantic suspense, mystery, and thriller romance. The pacing is fast-paced and thrilling, keeping you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Just when you think you have things figured out, there's another minor twist that adds intrigue without derailing the main plot.
This book is definitely NSFW, and the trigger warnings are there for a reason: abuse, trauma, mental health, and violence. Please, please check them if you need to. But if you're a reader who can handle dark themes, who appreciates a morally grey character and a love story that's more about raw obsession than sunshine and rainbows, then this is absolutely for you.
The dual POV was essential for this story. Getting inside both Enzo's and Sawyer's heads allowed me to understand their complex motivations and feelings, and it made their twisted connection even more impactful. You see Enzo's possessive thoughts, his internal struggle between vengeance and desire, and Sawyer's fear, her resilience, and her slow acceptance of her feelings for him. It's a masterclass in psychological tension and character development.
The world-building, even though it's set primarily in a lighthouse, felt rich and immersive. The isolation, the constant threat, the stormy seas—it all contributed to the intense atmosphere. And the quotes? Chef's kiss again. They are poignant, powerful, and perfectly capture the essence of this dark romance. Each one is a little nugget of gold that makes you pause and reflect.
This book is a journey into the depths of human emotion, where love and pain are inextricably linked. It’s a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most profound connections are found in the most unexpected and challenging circumstances. It's a story of finding home in another's broken pieces, and it's utterly unforgettable.
╰┈➤ My heart is absolutely bursting with adoration for this book! ❝Does It Hurt?❞ is a five-star masterpiece that ignited a raging inferno within me, leaving me utterly captivated and yearning for more. It's a dark and delicious dive into the depths of human emotion, and the ending? Pure, unadulterated bliss! 💖
🚩 Safety Tip: Best for readers who can handle dark themes and content warnings.
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting
Moderate: Cursing
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse, Child death
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Murder
Did I enjoy this book?
Mostly, yes.
Was this book patently ridiculous?
Also yes.
There's a lot of inventive, f**ked up smut, which, frankly, was the most interesting part. Honestly I rather admire Carlton for the sheer creativity there, even though I feel like maybe a therapist should be asking her a few questions.
The premise of these two people being marooned on a remote island with a creepy lighthouse keeper had great potential, but the spooky thrillery aspects were too unevenly paced with the rest of the story, which was mostly about Sawyer and Enzo running emotionally hot and cold on each other with little-to-no provocation.
We go around and around and around with these two forgiving and not forgiving each other - they apologize and swear their devotion, and then two scenes later, it's like that conversation never happened.
I'm also baffled as to why the book keeps hammering that Sawyer "took Enzo's life" or stole "everything" from him. Uh... no, she didn't? She opened a credit card in his name and spent a relatively modest amount. He reflected that she <i>could have</i> ruined him if she'd kept going with the identity theft, possibly endangering his career and everything he worked hard for. But that never actually happened. Sure, a one-night-stand stealing your identity and racking up $1-2k in your name isn't something you wave off, but it's hardly "taking everything."
SPOILER:
And just how many people are washing up on this island anyway?
END SPOILER
The ending climax was solidly horrific and creepy, even if everything after that beggared disbelief.
Audiobook-wise, Michelle Sparks was pretty solid, but Troy Duran is the one who makes this book worth listening to. His accent work is solid and his voices provide nuanced differences between characters - Enzo is deep, rough, and Italian; Sylvester is bogany Australian; Simon is a bit more Aboriginal Australian; and Kev is smooth, flat American. I definitely wouldn't say no to more of him.
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Physical abuse, Murder
Minor: Suicide
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder