Hurt To Love
Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance
March 6, 2020
Kindle
340
https://amzn.to/2Q3vcz9
After darkness, always comes the light.
The darkness is where I’ve lived, ever since they took me all those months ago. Dragging me into the shadows to play their sick and twisted games. I don’t know why they took me? They talk about an eye for an eye, but I don’t know these men. How can I be punished for a sin I know nothing about? A sin I didn’t commit.
They love to watch me suffer, they live to make my life hell. I thought my life was over.
Until him.
He blazed through my darkness like a lightning bolt, shining through the void of nothingness. He was a force to be reckoned with.
They thought they’d broken me, that somehow they’d won. But they didn’t expect him. I know I never did. And now, my life will never be the same again.
**HURT TO LOVE is a romance novel written in shades of darkness and light. There are mature themes included within the story that may make some readers uncomfortable. This includes: kidnapping, captivity, violence, abuse, post-traumatic stress, bad language and some dark and disturbing scenes.
Please heed these warnings, and if you’re still intrigued to find out more about Cillian’s story, then enjoy this crazy ride.
Well, that was not what I was expecting! Quite honestly, I don’t know how to feel about this book. It was an absolute page turner and it sucked me right in.
I will say that if you’re looking for a book that allows you to dip your toe into the “darkside” of romance, this is one for you!
The Story
Cillian is looking for a night of anonymous sex and decides to go to a club that can wet his appetite. But upon arriving, he encounters two notorious thugs who are holding a girl captive. He speaks to the girl and let’s her know that she is safe to leave with him but is interrupted and unable to save her.
He then makes it his mission to save the girl and after attending another one of the thugs ‘ “parties”, he helps her escape.
With the help of his friends, he is able to help her escape and remain hidden and during that time, he helps her through her recovery and eventually, they grow much closer.
The Characters
P aka Wednesday: What a fighter. She comes from a seemingly normal life and is trapped in her own personal hell. As a result of her trauma, she’s become a mute and is exceedingly apprehensive when meeting new people. She has large breakthrough moments in the book that make your heart hurt for her because you know how strong she is and how badly she’s suffered.
Cillian: What a jokester. I think his ability to make light of a lot of situations helped P through her recovery. He felt a need to protect her and I think it’s honorable that he basically said “screw the consequences” when he saved her from her tormentors. He’s a charmer and knows his own charm, but is thrown for a loop when it comes to P.
Let’s Talk About (the) Sex, Baby!
I’m giving this a hot rating but keep in mind there are some pretty dark situations in the beginning of the book that may not appeal to people with lighter sensibilities.
Cillian’s perverted nature carried the sex in this book. P is, rightfully so, very shy and insecure about sex, seeing that her first encounter was one of force. Cillian’s willingness to wait and go slow with her is rather sweet. But when he’s between the sheets, he’s anything but sweet.
I wanted to make her come so many times she’d never want to leave. I’d get off on getting her off. I wanted a chance to love her in a way she deserved.
The Writing
I feel like this book was written to appeal to people who want to go into the dark but don’t want to fully commit. This is more of a slate-gray book rather than a black book – if that makes sense.
At some points, the envelope does get pushed and it’s ugly. But at other points, where I think going to that dark side would make sense, it stays at the surface. When I read a book, I want a commitment to one side of the fence or the other. I think that if you’re going to toe that line, that line needs to stay consistent throughout – not push it in some places and pull back in others.
I also think there’s a huge chunk of the story that’s left out. P’s recovery is almost glossed over and to be honest, I think this is the most critical part. I wanted to see her work through the catacombs of her mind to a point where she could be the person open to love and trust. Your investment into P’s story and her recovery would only enhance your experience between these two main characters.
All that being said, this was a very well-written book and a great story!
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