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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Ohh, wow!!!! That's what I call dark romance!!
I can honestly say that Dare and Aubrey are
perfect for each other, she's the ying to her yang.
Completely blew me away, definitely not
your typical anti-heroe. Loved to hate him.
Loveedd it!!!
I can honestly say that Dare and Aubrey are
perfect for each other, she's the ying to her yang.
Completely blew me away, definitely not
your typical anti-heroe. Loved to hate him.
Loveedd it!!!
This was definitely more intense that anything I have ever read. No idea what to do with this now
dark
funny
mysterious
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
Trash. Complete trash.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Stalking, Murder, Toxic friendship
Didn't understand from the book description that it was a highschool romance. And if that wasn't enough, it's from the same author as [b:Untouchable|40660802|Untouchable (Untouchables, #1)|Sam Mariano|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544929537l/40660802._SY75_.jpg|63202876], which I absolutely hated.
So now I am not surprised I also didn't really like this book.
It started fine. Aubrey, the h, seemed so sensible and smart. I was glad she didn't fall for a trap the evil queen b of the school tried to set up for her...
Until she started to fall for everything else for the rest of the book.
Her sensibility? Gone.
Her smartness? Erased.
And only because one (1) hawt dude was giving her some attention.
Honestly, Aubrey, didn't you think it was just a teeny, tiny bit suspicious the boyfriend of the evil queen b that promised to ruin your life... Suddenly starts giving you attention??
No. Because Aubrey is fine hanging out with him, taking his money, borderline flirting with him, telling him her entire life story... All the while saying how she would NEVER ruin someone else's relationship.
Yeah. Not cool. I don't care if he has an open relationship or not, or if they don't love each other, or whatever other fucking excuse.
NOT COOL.
I can stand dark anti-heros as long as no cheating and OW drama is involved. But this, there was plenty of cheating and OW drama happening. I couldn't stand it.
PLUS, the random sexual tension between the H and Aubrey's 'friend', Hannah... Like, wtf. Why? Just, why?? What's the point of writing an entire book, try to make readers ship Aubrey x Dare... And then add that shit in the epilogue? I did not imagine things. Dare was definitely interested in Hannah.
And other reviewers have written some pretty damning things about the next books in the series. I am just pissed off. I feel cheated, AND annoyed at the bad writing and weak h.
I'm glad I'm done. I'll try to remember this author's name in the future because I do not want to ever read a book by them again.
So now I am not surprised I also didn't really like this book.
It started fine. Aubrey, the h, seemed so sensible and smart. I was glad she didn't fall for a trap the evil queen b of the school tried to set up for her...
Until she started to fall for everything else for the rest of the book.
Her sensibility? Gone.
Her smartness? Erased.
And only because one (1) hawt dude was giving her some attention.
Honestly, Aubrey, didn't you think it was just a teeny, tiny bit suspicious the boyfriend of the evil queen b that promised to ruin your life... Suddenly starts giving you attention??
No. Because Aubrey is fine hanging out with him, taking his money, borderline flirting with him, telling him her entire life story... All the while saying how she would NEVER ruin someone else's relationship.
Yeah. Not cool. I don't care if he has an open relationship or not, or if they don't love each other, or whatever other fucking excuse.
NOT COOL.
I can stand dark anti-heros as long as no cheating and OW drama is involved. But this, there was plenty of cheating and OW drama happening. I couldn't stand it.
PLUS, the random sexual tension between the H and Aubrey's 'friend', Hannah... Like, wtf. Why? Just, why?? What's the point of writing an entire book, try to make readers ship Aubrey x Dare... And then add that shit in the epilogue? I did not imagine things. Dare was definitely interested in Hannah.
And other reviewers have written some pretty damning things about the next books in the series. I am just pissed off. I feel cheated, AND annoyed at the bad writing and weak h.
I'm glad I'm done. I'll try to remember this author's name in the future because I do not want to ever read a book by them again.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Damn! I don’t know what to feel about this book. It was indeed toxic and the male character is indeed a psychopath. Like for real.
“Maybe it’s just nerves, but a voice whispers, don’t do it. Maybe it’s my conscience.”
And this is why we listen to our conscience.
“Maybe it’s just nerves, but a voice whispers, don’t do it. Maybe it’s my conscience.”
And this is why we listen to our conscience.
*** I received a complimentary copy of this book.***
Even if it hurts is one of the most thrilling dark romances I have ever read. Sam Mariano knows how to write fantastic villain heroes, who you never quite can get a full grasp on. Dare is no exception, he is dangerous, possessive and utterly psychotic, which makes him so much fun and surprising because I never knew where his line was and how far he would go to possess his heroine.
Even if it Hurts is an exciting dark romance due to the crazy antics of its "hero." I never knew if I could fully trust him, and that unease is what I felt throughout the story, unease, anxiety because I could never predict how depraved Dare could go, which makes for a great journey.
Overall I loved this story, I have many conflicted feelings regarding Dare, which makes him so fascinating because he doe some truly terribly things, but like the heroine I could not stay away.
Even if it hurts is one of the most thrilling dark romances I have ever read. Sam Mariano knows how to write fantastic villain heroes, who you never quite can get a full grasp on. Dare is no exception, he is dangerous, possessive and utterly psychotic, which makes him so much fun and surprising because I never knew where his line was and how far he would go to possess his heroine.
Even if it Hurts is an exciting dark romance due to the crazy antics of its "hero." I never knew if I could fully trust him, and that unease is what I felt throughout the story, unease, anxiety because I could never predict how depraved Dare could go, which makes for a great journey.
Overall I loved this story, I have many conflicted feelings regarding Dare, which makes him so fascinating because he doe some truly terribly things, but like the heroine I could not stay away.
Addictive Read
Definitely wasn’t expecting much because of other books with a slightly similar premise that often either go to immense extremes or downplay everything, but if you take it for the not-meant-to-be-taken-seriously dark story that it is, this was such a fun book to devour! Like actual kudos to the author for trying to make the main character, Aubrey, nuanced enough to realize what a dark situation she got thrusted into while still being complicated enough to be attracted to someone like Dare.
Definitely wasn’t expecting much because of other books with a slightly similar premise that often either go to immense extremes or downplay everything, but if you take it for the not-meant-to-be-taken-seriously dark story that it is, this was such a fun book to devour! Like actual kudos to the author for trying to make the main character, Aubrey, nuanced enough to realize what a dark situation she got thrusted into while still being complicated enough to be attracted to someone like Dare.
ReRead 8/8/23 - 9/8/23
4.5 stars. Wow. This sure was something. If you've read any other books by this author then you know she doesn't write her heroes grey, they are darker than pitch. And Dare is frankly all of that and more. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you don't like bully romances with trigger warnings as far as the eye can see, then I'd skip this. Personally I could hardly put it down and I think that says a lot about me where I already want more of this series and this couple. But I'll warn you again, this will not be for everyone but if you've got the stomach for it, then dive in. I volunteered to read and review an early copy of this book All opinions are my own.
4.5 stars. Wow. This sure was something. If you've read any other books by this author then you know she doesn't write her heroes grey, they are darker than pitch. And Dare is frankly all of that and more. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you don't like bully romances with trigger warnings as far as the eye can see, then I'd skip this. Personally I could hardly put it down and I think that says a lot about me where I already want more of this series and this couple. But I'll warn you again, this will not be for everyone but if you've got the stomach for it, then dive in. I volunteered to read and review an early copy of this book All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars.
After reading this book I have one big question: Did Dare truly love Aubrey?
Dare's interaction with Hannah made me suspicious about it.
I don't mind a toxic love story with a ruthless psychopath hero. But I have a strong sense that Aubrey will not be the end game for Dare.
After reading this book I have one big question: Did Dare truly love Aubrey?
Dare's interaction with Hannah made me suspicious about it.
I don't mind a toxic love story with a ruthless psychopath hero. But I have a strong sense that Aubrey will not be the end game for Dare.