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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
This is a dark romance book. The things Dare did to Aubrey and the people he didn't like were insane. And even until the end of the book, I have to question whether or not Dare and Aubrey would have their happy ending together forever since the epilogue was very close to their current state. I would have loved to see more "love" expressed and maybe more of their future towards the end, but I didn't get that. Also, the tattoo on Dare's back towards the end of the book! I need someone to tell me what it means and whether I can believe that Aubrey is it for Dare.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Even If It Hurts by Sam Mariano is one of the rare books that took me by surprise. Is it because of the plot? Nope. Is it because of the characters? Yes. If you wonder who, then it is none other than the male lead himself. Let me tell you, for the first 60% of the book, the author got me fooled. I thought Dare is just a typical popular rich bad boy but I was wrong. He was more than that. This guy is a literal psychopath without even me realizing.
In the beginning of the book, the author already warned the readers that it has the element of a dangerous toxic relationship. As a dark romance lover myself, I ate that type of story. However, when I read the book, I just didn't find it dark enough. However, when I finally reached the second half of the story, that was the moment it was slowly revealed what a manipulative and dangerous Dare truly is. He was so unhinged that he would do anything to make sure that Aubrey will forever be his.
Despite their toxic relationship, I still enjoy Aubrey and Dare's story. There are some sweet and wholesome moments between them which gave me the buzz. Their smuts are pretty hot and I just love the chemistry that these two shared.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I do recommend those who love dark romance to read this book. It was actually refreshing to read something that is slightly different that what I usually read. Even so, this book is a hit or miss. Some might love it, and some might not especially since it has a very triggering element that others couldn't ignore.
Even If It Hurts by Sam Mariano is one of the rare books that took me by surprise. Is it because of the plot? Nope. Is it because of the characters? Yes. If you wonder who, then it is none other than the male lead himself. Let me tell you, for the first 60% of the book, the author got me fooled. I thought Dare is just a typical popular rich bad boy but I was wrong. He was more than that. This guy is a literal psychopath without even me realizing.
In the beginning of the book, the author already warned the readers that it has the element of a dangerous toxic relationship. As a dark romance lover myself, I ate that type of story. However, when I read the book, I just didn't find it dark enough. However, when I finally reached the second half of the story, that was the moment it was slowly revealed what a manipulative and dangerous Dare truly is. He was so unhinged that he would do anything to make sure that Aubrey will forever be his.
Despite their toxic relationship, I still enjoy Aubrey and Dare's story. There are some sweet and wholesome moments between them which gave me the buzz. Their smuts are pretty hot and I just love the chemistry that these two shared.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I do recommend those who love dark romance to read this book. It was actually refreshing to read something that is slightly different that what I usually read. Even so, this book is a hit or miss. Some might love it, and some might not especially since it has a very triggering element that others couldn't ignore.
I’m not sure what I want to say in this review so I think I’ll just brains dump, but I do have a very solid conclusion for the ending!
I really did not like Aubrey. She was naive, repeatedly made bad decisions, and always talked herself in circles. She is young but she has a lot of responsibility for a kid and that makes you grow up a bit. It’s hard to justify how childish she seemed.
She went against her own moral code to be with Dare initially, told him such personal things and gave him so much trust despite what she’s been told about him. Sure, rumors are just rumors, but she had an idea of how awful Anae was. She can conclude from there that Dare is the kind of person to date someone like Anae and therefor probably isn’t a good person.
Even after she learns how bad he is, she is still able to be charmed by him almost without pause. It’s okay for her to be charmed by him, this is a dark romance after all. We love a dark hero. I just wanted to see her be a little more headstrong I suppose. Push back a little more.
I also didn’t feel Dare’s love for Aubrey. I can only see his obsession and need to control and manipulate her. He does nice things for her, even some grand gestures, but there were never any moments that felt like her genuinely loved her. I don’t recall him ever stating what he does like about her other than her looks and not being evil like Anae?
In conclusion, I wanted Aubrey and Hannah to end up together. Seemed like there was a lil something something there, at least from Aubrey’s end. Dreaming about her, waiting on her to text her back, feeling all of her worries melt away and the fog clear from her head when Hannah was around. She also seemed disappointed in the epilogue when it wasn’t Hannah at the door. Idk man. I’d read it.
I really did not like Aubrey. She was naive, repeatedly made bad decisions, and always talked herself in circles. She is young but she has a lot of responsibility for a kid and that makes you grow up a bit. It’s hard to justify how childish she seemed.
She went against her own moral code to be with Dare initially, told him such personal things and gave him so much trust despite what she’s been told about him. Sure, rumors are just rumors, but she had an idea of how awful Anae was. She can conclude from there that Dare is the kind of person to date someone like Anae and therefor probably isn’t a good person.
Even after she learns how bad he is, she is still able to be charmed by him almost without pause. It’s okay for her to be charmed by him, this is a dark romance after all. We love a dark hero. I just wanted to see her be a little more headstrong I suppose. Push back a little more.
I also didn’t feel Dare’s love for Aubrey. I can only see his obsession and need to control and manipulate her. He does nice things for her, even some grand gestures, but there were never any moments that felt like her genuinely loved her. I don’t recall him ever stating what he does like about her other than her looks and not being evil like Anae?
In conclusion, I wanted Aubrey and Hannah to end up together. Seemed like there was a lil something something there, at least from Aubrey’s end. Dreaming about her, waiting on her to text her back, feeling all of her worries melt away and the fog clear from her head when Hannah was around. She also seemed disappointed in the epilogue when it wasn’t Hannah at the door. Idk man. I’d read it.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
**Beware Spoilers**
My thoughts are as chaotic as this book at the moment and I can't divide this review into the good, the bad, etc., so please bear with me! I hated the FMC (still hate the use of h for women and H for men, I refuse). Yes, she was 18 and I completely understand we make stupid decisions at that age, but that doesn't explain her lack of voice and spine. I didn't hate Dare as much, yet, as other reviewers have pointed out, I didn't feel his love at all. He's deeply obsessed with Aubrey, which would make for a great novella in the future about how their marriage dynamic works, but here it just didn't bleed between the pages. I'm all in for dark MCs doing bat-shit crazy things for their partners, but I need to *feel* the passion they are feeling; for Dare, it felt like he used it as an excuse to do inexcusable things and to tell Aubrey & use for emotional manipulation. Not love.
Then, we have the level of *dark* here which was quite dark thanks to scenes like nailing Rina to the bench, yet the rest was just a manipulative asshole taking advantage of the naive girl while playing predator with his "competition". I wanted more, perhaps a bit of emotional damage too, yet it fell short in that aspect. Not all dark aspects in a book have to relate to sex, it could be emotional, it could be dark/heavy things happening and how people deal with them while at the same time falling for someone. I wanted Aubrey to grow a spine and maybe when Dare turned things around during that finale, they would kill Anae together or something like that. This type of event would've definitely bound Aubrey to him for eternity! But nope, Anae walked free to continue her reign of terror against others, never to be mentioned again as if she's not crazy enough to return one day? Can't buy it.
And then the Hannah aspect, I think Dare was supposed to be smart but not letting Aubrey have any friends definitely won't work in the long term. And for him, it won't be enough to have her body if he can't have her mind too. For such a "predator" and "smart guy", he's letting his pride get in the way. And what about plot holes? We never heard shit about Janie anymore. We don't know much about Hannah's life yet she was here to serve the purpose of making Dare look like the complete asshole, without utilising subplots like the fact Anae's family was having some financial issue (which could explain her need to return the dress and initial hate towards Aubrey, and asking Dare for a necklace her mom can't pay); perhaps use Hannah to get that revenge against Anae as well; or what about the fact Dare hates his dad, whom might have fucked his not-real-girlfriend, and then nothing else happened after? I wanted Dare to channel his inner Vicious (LJ Shen) anddestroy his dad, taking all his money too since he spent his in Aubrey's mom, and maybe use his possible relationship with Anae to frame him for something else, frame them both even! . This book shows people in "black and white" categories instead of using the genre to explore human nature and the things we are capable of at the moment. I feel it wasted some good opportunities and went in a direction I didn't love at the (lame) ending.
To conclude this long rant, the book is dark and definitely not for everyone. It has lots of triggers and dubious consent scenes that would make you gag. Yet, if you can stomach it and are into dark heroes and stupid heroines, go ahead and give it a try while you see me here changing this from 2* to 3* to 4* over and over again, until I forget this book existed.
Then, we have the level of *dark* here which was quite dark thanks to scenes like nailing Rina to the bench, yet the rest was just a manipulative asshole taking advantage of the naive girl while playing predator with his "competition". I wanted more, perhaps a bit of emotional damage too, yet it fell short in that aspect. Not all dark aspects in a book have to relate to sex, it could be emotional, it could be dark/heavy things happening and how people deal with them while at the same time falling for someone. I wanted Aubrey to grow a spine and maybe when Dare turned things around during that finale, they would kill Anae together or something like that. This type of event would've definitely bound Aubrey to him for eternity! But nope, Anae walked free to continue her reign of terror against others, never to be mentioned again as if she's not crazy enough to return one day? Can't buy it.
And then the Hannah aspect, I think Dare was supposed to be smart but not letting Aubrey have any friends definitely won't work in the long term. And for him, it won't be enough to have her body if he can't have her mind too. For such a "predator" and "smart guy", he's letting his pride get in the way. And what about plot holes? We never heard shit about Janie anymore. We don't know much about Hannah's life yet she was here to serve the purpose of making Dare look like the complete asshole, without utilising subplots like the fact Anae's family was having some financial issue (which could explain her need to return the dress and initial hate towards Aubrey, and asking Dare for a necklace her mom can't pay); perhaps use Hannah to get that revenge against Anae as well; or what about the fact Dare hates his dad, whom might have fucked his not-real-girlfriend, and then nothing else happened after? I wanted Dare to channel his inner Vicious (LJ Shen) and
To conclude this long rant, the book is dark and definitely not for everyone. It has lots of triggers and dubious consent scenes that would make you gag. Yet, if you can stomach it and are into dark heroes and stupid heroines, go ahead and give it a try while you see me here changing this from 2* to 3* to 4* over and over again, until I forget this book existed.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Rape
I originally read this in the Filthy Elites anthology. I thought it was the best book I’d read all year and that remains true so far. I can’t even articulate adequately how much I love Dare & Aubrey’s story. There’s just so much here I think I could read it a thousand times and come up with a new reason I love it every time.
Below is part of my original review from the anthology release.
Even If It Hurts is straight up 5 stars, honestly I’d give it all the stars. I waited up for this pre-order to drop at midnight and read straight through til nearly 4 am. I’m an ardent Sam Mariano fan, she hooked me instantly with Untouchable and I’ve been falling for her brand of anti hero ever since.
Sam has never let me down and I trust the journey but I was squirming at points in Dare’s story. Strangely, not the parts I think I was supposed to though. Dare is a straight up villain. No redeeming qualities. He’s intense and scary and absolutely ruthless. He might be the exact definition of depraved. The darker and more unhinged Dare became the more I liked him *lol*. I’m a little afraid of what that says about me lol. Seriously though, the situation in the beginning is prickly and I was on the edge of my seat reading until I grasped Dare’s intentions.
Definitely don’t skip past Sam’s note in the beginning. She won’t lead you astray. As I read through the story her vision became more and more clear. This has strong Cruel Intentions vibes in the best way.
As I mentioned before there were prickly, uncomfortable parts for me early in the story but Dare NEVER cheats on or betrays h, despite appearances to suggest otherwise. The set up here is unconventional- very Dangerous Liasions/Cruel Intentions-esque situation. Trust Sam though. Her Hs don’t cheat on their heroines.
In my re-read I caught numerous nods to the Wizard of Oz, I hadn’t paid much attention to before. This is the first book in this series and there are undeniable connections to Hannah’s eventual book reflecting a Cinderella situation.
Medium burn, H takes h’s vcard at 50%, but there’s some stuff that happens a bit earlier.
Virgin h
Condoms used most of the time
Heavy somnophilia
Non con/ dub con
H drugs her for the somnophilia
Rough sex
OW drama
No cheating between H/h
No scenes with others
No cliffhanger for couple but things set in motion for upcoming stories in the Coastal Elite world.
HEA
Safety - I don’t know how safe you could consider this. Dare is honestly the antithesis of safe. Anae is his girlfriend - so technically he’s cheating on her with Aubrey BUT Anae is aware and has literally given him permission. It’s a Cruel Intentions/ Dangerous Liasons set up. Anae wants to use Dare to hurt Aubrey. Dare ends up catching feelings for Aubrey pretty quickly so the game changed for him but he has to play along with Anae and his relationships with both are strained by the tension and angst.
There’s a lot of tension around the situation with Hannah, Aubrey & Dare. Some have tried to frame it as a love triangle situation but it’s really not. Hannah is getting her own book down the line with her own H. Dare DOES NOT share and he’s made that 100% clear. Dare sees Hannah as an obstacle to his relationship with Aubrey. The dark nature of his threats work because he’s sure Hannah won’t call his bluff. Aubrey and Hannah want to be friends, not enemies or lovers. Dare & Aubrey are end game. Hannah’s surely going to have her own villain to contend with courtesy of Dare’s hand.
Below is part of my original review from the anthology release.
Even If It Hurts is straight up 5 stars, honestly I’d give it all the stars. I waited up for this pre-order to drop at midnight and read straight through til nearly 4 am. I’m an ardent Sam Mariano fan, she hooked me instantly with Untouchable and I’ve been falling for her brand of anti hero ever since.
Sam has never let me down and I trust the journey but I was squirming at points in Dare’s story. Strangely, not the parts I think I was supposed to though. Dare is a straight up villain. No redeeming qualities. He’s intense and scary and absolutely ruthless. He might be the exact definition of depraved. The darker and more unhinged Dare became the more I liked him *lol*. I’m a little afraid of what that says about me lol. Seriously though, the situation in the beginning is prickly and I was on the edge of my seat reading until I grasped Dare’s intentions.
Definitely don’t skip past Sam’s note in the beginning. She won’t lead you astray. As I read through the story her vision became more and more clear. This has strong Cruel Intentions vibes in the best way.
As I mentioned before there were prickly, uncomfortable parts for me early in the story but Dare NEVER cheats on or betrays h, despite appearances to suggest otherwise. The set up here is unconventional- very Dangerous Liasions/Cruel Intentions-esque situation. Trust Sam though. Her Hs don’t cheat on their heroines.
In my re-read I caught numerous nods to the Wizard of Oz, I hadn’t paid much attention to before. This is the first book in this series and there are undeniable connections to Hannah’s eventual book reflecting a Cinderella situation.
Medium burn, H takes h’s vcard at 50%, but there’s some stuff that happens a bit earlier.
Virgin h
Condoms used most of the time
Heavy somnophilia
Non con/ dub con
H drugs her for the somnophilia
Rough sex
OW drama
No cheating between H/h
No scenes with others
No cliffhanger for couple but things set in motion for upcoming stories in the Coastal Elite world.
HEA
Safety - I don’t know how safe you could consider this. Dare is honestly the antithesis of safe. Anae is his girlfriend - so technically he’s cheating on her with Aubrey BUT Anae is aware and has literally given him permission. It’s a Cruel Intentions/ Dangerous Liasons set up. Anae wants to use Dare to hurt Aubrey. Dare ends up catching feelings for Aubrey pretty quickly so the game changed for him but he has to play along with Anae and his relationships with both are strained by the tension and angst.
There’s a lot of tension around the situation with Hannah, Aubrey & Dare. Some have tried to frame it as a love triangle situation but it’s really not. Hannah is getting her own book down the line with her own H. Dare DOES NOT share and he’s made that 100% clear. Dare sees Hannah as an obstacle to his relationship with Aubrey. The dark nature of his threats work because he’s sure Hannah won’t call his bluff. Aubrey and Hannah want to be friends, not enemies or lovers. Dare & Aubrey are end game. Hannah’s surely going to have her own villain to contend with courtesy of Dare’s hand.