Does It Hurt? by H.D. Carlton -> Starting August 10th, 2024

[Aly]

Who am I?

I've forgotten the answer to that question long ago. Ever since I ran from that house, so desperate to escape, I left with only the clothes on my back and socks on my feet. After that day, I've only ever walked in stolen shoes.

Could I be a girl who is searching for the meaning of life in faceless men? They were all so forgettable. Until he came along. He took me under a waterfall and made me forget my name, and in return, I took his instead.

Enzo Vitale.

An enigmatic man that will only ever love the deep sea. Or rather the predators that inhabit it. Turns out, he's not so different than the monsters he feeds. He lured me onto his boat like a fish in the ocean, seeking vengeance for my crime. Had I realized his intentions, and that a massive storm would leave us shipwrecked, I would've ran.

Now, I'm a girl who's seeking refuge in a decrepit lighthouse with a man who loathes me almost as much as he craves me. He wants to hurt me, but the old caretaker of the abandoned island may have intentions far more sinister.

It's no longer a question of who I am, but rather, will I survive?

[Grace]

Thanks Aly!

[Brittni]

Planning to start this later today I think. Looking forward to getting into it!

[Grace]

I'm a bit late to the party

[Jamie]

I forgot about this one!! I still want to read this!

[Brittni]

End of Chapter 7

(view spoiler)[Ok. I didn't know anything about this book before I started. Did not think he was going to be someone who works with sharks. And the whole scene of holding her head underwater with the sharks was intense!

Clearly, she finally picked the wrong person to fuck with haha. (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

End of chapter 8

(view spoiler)[Officially intrigued and want to know more about this weird lighthouse keeper. Kind of a weird story so far. Not sure if I love it but going with it.

Do I really believe that his radio is broken? No. (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Chapter 23

(view spoiler)[I’m having a hard time getting into this book and don't really believe the chemistry between these two. Not sure what it is about them but it’s just not working for me. I’m somewhat intrigued by the ghosts and all the deaths that seem to have happened but finding myself somewhat bored with it. They have this weird back and forth between them where they clearly are into each other but hate each other and basically hate fuck all the time it seems.

I'm glad I now understand why she left a little better. What her brother did was horrendous obviously. I can see how she needed to get away and out of the country. She didn't have any support.

When is this damn boat coming?! (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Chapter 31

(view spoiler)[What the actual fuck is happening! This girl is terrifying. (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Chapter 35

(view spoiler)[Well this got wild!

I'm a little confused about how Sawyer is getting away with not having an Australian accent. Did I miss something?

Everything about this ruse is kind of wild to me. (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Finished

(view spoiler)[Obviously the brother got what he deserved regardless but I'm glad other people came forward about his actions and hopefully ruined his reputation.

I think Simon was one of my favourite characters haha.

I really thought there would be more meaning behind the title "Does it Hurt?" but no, it was just about this dick haha.

Really didn't love this book. I wasn't sold on their chemistry or the book in general. I kept reading because I was kind of interested but honestly, probably wouldn't have cared if I never finished it.

This is my first H.D. Carlton book. Curious if anyone suggests another I should read that they really liked. I've had Haunting and Hunting Adeline on my list for a while but just haven't jumped into it. Is it worth it?! (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

I'm starting this now.
I am a bit worried honestly I did like the Cat & Mouse series but from what I've heard about this being long and not hitting the spot, I am a bit discouraged.
Let's see how it goes anyway 🤞🏻It's on my list and I really want to read it.

[Grace]

Brittni wrote: "End of Chapter 7

Ok. I didn't know anything about this book before I started. Did not think he was going to be someone who works with sharks. And the whole scene of holding her head underwater wit..."

So I am intrigued so far.
I knew about the (view spoiler)[shark sex scene (hide spoiler)], I wish I didn't because I really wanted to be shocked. It's certainly intense.

I want to know what happened with her brother, so far I have no clues.

[Grace]

=> Chp 11
(view spoiler)[Sylvestre is so creepy and I don't believe a word oit of his mouth. I just hope it's not a typical he's one of the prisoners who escaped thing.

And I expect more survival instincts from Sawyer. I'm not sure why she's not doubtful.

Enzo... well I literally teared up when he told her “Pretty sure you break everything you touch,” That was so fucking mean. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

Brittni wrote: "Chapter 23

I’m having a hard time getting into this book and don't really believe the chemistry between these two. Not sure what it is about them but it’s just not working for me. I’m somewhat in..."

=> Chp 26
Hmmm I am with you on this.
(view spoiler)[Enzo is so hot and cold. I don't understand him or his motives or his history.
I don't feel the chemistry nor understand this shift in his behaviour.
Like he is not a nice person, He is just utterly mean and hurtful.

And this constant push and pull between them. But you know I also understand it takes much more to break some barriers especially when someone is used to running or being alone.
Still, it just feels dry.

And I have the feeling she is hiding something else? Like this all is not simply cz she's running from her brother, and I feel it's more than simply stealing people's identities. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

I am just starting chp 30 and I need to admit that I need the book to end already....
I can't place if something feels like page fillers, (view spoiler)[I would have probably been okay with like 2 less sex scenes and their complication, because their relationship feels centered on sex, and even when they said they love each other... I didn't feel it.

And yeah as expected she did more, she actually killed her brother.

Now I am waiting for them to just brave-up and find the girl I am sure is imprisoned in the lighthouse so they can finally get away and this book ends. (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Grace wrote: "I am just starting chp 30 and I need to admit that I need the book to end already....
I can't place if something feels like page fillers, I would have probably been okay with like 2 less sex scenes..."

Totally agree with you here! (view spoiler)[I just got to a point where I wanted it to be done. I also had a hard time believing their love for each other. Was not convinced on the chemistry.

I also agree that the whole relationship is just based around sex and often seems to just be some hate sex thing that was happening. He's so hot and cold.

Yes! Seemed like there was more to the story and it made so much more sense when you find out that she killed him. (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Grace wrote: "Brittni wrote: "End of Chapter 7

Ok. I didn't know anything about this book before I started. Did not think he was going to be someone who works with sharks. And the whole scene of holding her hea..."

Yes! I did not know about that beforehand so I was shocked. It escalated quickly haha.

[Grace]

Exactly, hate sex! And I love hate sex but that was just too much.

I'm gona power through and finish this cz I am mentally done with the book

[Brittni]

Grace wrote: "Exactly, hate sex! And I love hate sex but that was just too much.

I'm gona power through and finish this cz I am mentally done with the book"

Oh ya! Very here for the hate sex but I need good banter and believable chemistry. Good luck!

I felt the same way. I needed it be done!

[Grace]

Brittni wrote: "Chapter 35

Well this got wild!

I'm a little confused about how Sawyer is getting away with not having an Australian accent. Did I miss something?

Everything about this ruse is kind of wild to me."

Lol I had the dame thought. But I guess the island is a bit further so it's a different accent? No clue 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Grace]

Brittni wrote: "Finished

Obviously the brother got what he deserved regardless but I'm glad other people came forward about his actions and hopefully ruined his reputation.

I think Simon was one of my favourit..."


I agree with you generally. Also Simon was probably my favourite character.

I like the healing process Sawyer wennt through and how she got to stop running.

But I didn't particularly enjoy the book, and it wasn't ending! The last 5 chapters + epilogue could have been just 2.

I did enjoy the Cat and Mouse duology a lot, and I definitely recommend.
I DNFed and put on pause Satan's Affair although Sibby was one of my favourites in C&M.
So I guess HD Carlton's books are really up to the mood and each person.

[Brittni]

I agree. It was nice to see Sawyer grow and become her own person. It got her out of a very horrible situation and gave her a new start.

Definitely could have been much shorter.

I’ll check those ones out! I’ve been meaning to but just haven’t prioritized them.

[Jamie]

Ok so this one doesn't seem like it was great. I'm a little worried to read it, lol.

I didn't care for Haunting Adeline at all but I thought I would give another one of her books a try. Although after what I see ya'll wrote, she just might not be an author for me.

[Grace]

I am glad I read it because I like checked it off my list or it would have been in back of my mind nagging on me.
But I would not recommend it.

And @Jamie if you didn't enjoy Haunting Adeline, and knowing that we already have more than 1 opinion about this book being a flop, then I don't see you liking it and I don't want you to power through finishing it since it's unbelievably long with no real entertainment or plot twists.

[Jamie]

I loved Zade, but I hated Adeline. I also felt like she (the author) kept throwing in whatever she thought would make it 'darker'. But for me it just made it more ridiculous. I didn't even find it that dark honestly. But I think that was because I laughed my way through it. I felt like I was in a bad rendition of a Scream movie, lol

I keep telling myself to read Hunting just so I can see if it got better, but I just can't bring myself to try it yet.
'

[Grace]

"a bad rendition of a Scream movie" 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Hunting was hard to get through for me and also long. I wanted it to be better than haunting, but if you think HD Carlton kept throwing stuff in to make it darker in Haunting, then I 100% confirm that's the case for Hunting.

I don't think you'll like Enzo in Does it hurt?
He's an asshole plain and simple and I'm not sure he has redeeming qualities.
The sex is a bit unhinged, these 2 kept finding surfaces and situations where they'll literally bruise themselves. But It got boring at some point.