Review: Does It Hurt? by H.D. Carlton

Does It Hurt? by H.D. Carlton

Publication date: July 21st, 2022

Pages: 432

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Synopsis:

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?

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Review:

Sawyer has been on the run from her previous life for the better part of five years. She knew that if she ever went home she would never see the light of day again. She had to do what she abhorred most in order to survive and that was manipulate and steal the identity of men. She would steal an identity and only use the bare minimum of their finances in order to keep herself afloat. There was no getting rich efforts made but just to keep herself fed, clothed, and with a roof over her head until she could figure her next move out. When she met Enzo Vitale she hadn't really been looking for her next mark. But she was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth either. Although this one felt different, after falling into his bed and being given the most intense pleasure of her life she started to second guess herself. But the necessity outweighed her conscience. But she chose the wrong mark. Enzo was not a man to be trifled with and when he corners her again, he takes her into his domain: the ocean. A terrible storm aboard his boat causes them to shipwreck on an island with a creepy lighthouse caregiver. They know they will only survive if they learn to depend on each other. But can Enzo trust a thief or Sawyer trust a man who seems bent on her destruction?

While I have a huge love for H.D. Carlton, this one was a little harder to read for me. I felt like Enzo's anger towards Sawyer was hammed up to the point of cruelty. Yes, she stole his identity, but she didn't spend more than she had to. His saying she ruined him was a bit of an over exaggeration. The way he treated her like she was no better than pond scum really started to irritate me to the point where I started to have no good feelings towards Enzo at all. All the way to the end I was still on the fence about him. I don't think I ever got off that fence because I was still waiting for him to be unnecessarily cruel to Sawyer simply as repayment for this debt he felt she owed him. The fact the male character was never redeemed in my eyes did seriously deplete my appreciation for the book.

Sawyer was relatable as a character though. She started out a little eccentric and uncaring about the ramifications of her behaviors but grew into a better person over time. She started to develop an even stronger conscience than she already had. Even in the face of Enzo's rage she still never allowed herself to believe she was justified in what she had done with him and her other victims. She could only make the excuse that she wasn't hurting people that bad so often before she started to realize how wrong she was. Sawyer always wanted to see the best in people and despite her terrible past she never took any of that rage out on others. Even when Enzo was being a complete ass.

Being as I have a phobia of sharks a lot of this book made my stomach twist and my heart race. I couldn't imagine being that close to such vicious animals and not only respecting them but enjoying swimming with them when they could tear you to shreds. For that Enzo gained a bit of respect for me. I will admit, I read this book based on the suggestion of one scene in particular involving sharks that seemed twisted beyond all reason, however, I love twisted books. 

I like the mystery surrounding the caretaker and their life trapped on the island they found themselves on. That was even more riveting than the romantic scenes. I wanted to know Sylvester's story and loved every little tidbit shared as they started investigating more fully. I hate what happened with his family and how he turned out but he made for a really good antagonist. 

All in all, I found the book really good even if I didn't fall head-over-heels for Enzo. I think it had mystery, depth, and character growth that are the hallmarks of a great book. Add in a little twisted sex scene where the main character almost gets her face bit off by a shark in the process and you have the makings of a great read.