Even if it Hurts

Sam Mariano

Book 1 in the series:Coastal Elite

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Even if it Hurts by Sam Mariano is a dark and intense high school romance that delves into the twisted relationship between Aubrey and Dare. Aubrey, a high school student facing adult problems, becomes entangled with Dare, a rich and obsessive character with a dangerous secret. The book explores themes of obsession, control, and toxic relationships through graphic scenes of violence and intense sexual content. The writing style is captivating, building tension and suspense while developing complex characters like Aubrey, who navigates a dangerous dynamic with Dare and his manipulative girlfriend, Anae.

Characters:

Characters include a vulnerable Aubrey and a manipulative Dare, with supporting characters adding depth to their twisted relationship.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by intense and captivating prose that creates strong psychological tension and vivid imagery.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a dark and twisted romance, highlighting obsession and manipulation between the main characters, Aubrey and Dare.

Setting:

Set in a high school environment, the story plays out against a rich social backdrop filled with obsession and manipulation.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast and gripping, building suspense while allowing for character development.

Notes:

The protagonist, Aubrey, is a high school student dealing with significant challenges, including intense pressure from her chaotic life.

Dare, the male lead, is depicted as a rich, twisted anti-hero who becomes obsessively infatuated with Aubrey.

The story explores themes of obsession, control, and psychological manipulation within a dark romantic setting.

Aubrey is aware of Dare's toxic behaviors but still finds them compelling, creating a complex emotional dynamic.

The book includes graphic content and strong themes that may not be suitable for all readers, with trigger warnings provided by the author.

Sam Mariano's writing features intricate character psychology, often portraying morally ambiguous leads that evoke mixed feelings from readers.

The dynamic between Aubrey and Dare is unhealthy but characterized by intense chemistry and trust, which keeps readers engaged despite the toxicity.

Readers have reported feeling both drawn to and repulsed by the characters' actions, showcasing the depth of psychological tension in the narrative.

The author hints at future developments in the series, suggesting that the characters may evolve and the storylines may intertwine with other plots.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings are high due to themes of manipulation, coercion, drugging, and other potentially triggering content.

Has Romance?

The romance is a central focus of the narrative, characterized by intensity despite its troubling nature.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

A psychopath and his prey.

A dangerous, toxic, and utterly destructive love story...

He could have been my hero.

He saved my life that night, a beautiful dark angel slicing through my fear and the water, dragging me from its deadly clutches.

He should have been my hero.

I thought maybe he was.

Villains aren't supposed to win, and good should always conquer evil, but in the elite coastal town I live in, the only purpose a label has is letting you know what something- or someone -costs. Good, bad; it's all relative, and it hardly matters. Baymont, California, is a land of beautiful villains and happy-ever-afters that are just out of reach.

Especially for me.

Until Dare moves the world beneath my feet, and even though I'm afraid to trust it-to trust him -boy, am I tempted.

In more ways than one.

Being with Dare is scary, but being without him is impossible.

He makes it impossible.

Dare's no hero, that much is clear, but maybe…

Maybe he's mine.

This story contains triggers and is intended only for a mature, adult audience. See the opening author's note for more explicit warnings, but know this is a very dangerous relationship with a very dark hero.

Ratings (24)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (7)
Liked It (6)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (2)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (45):

Read It (25)
Want To Read (17)
Not Interested (3)

1 comment(s)

g5dnel247

Liked It

9 months

Dare is so hot. This book fucked with my head. Aubrey is such a wimp.

What can you read after
Even if it Hurts?

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