When you have a perfect marriage, only an impossible reconnection could make you risk it all. From USA Today best-selling author Marni Mann comes Even If It Hurts, an emotionally charged contemporary romance. OLIVER When I met her, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.We were so young and so passionate.We studied business in the day and each other’s bodies at night.We always knew it would end with … business in the day and each other’s bodies at night.
We always knew it would end with the semester, so we loved hard with no regrets.
LANCE
When I met her, I couldn’t get her off my mind.
We were fresh out of college and ready to take on the world.
We fit each other like missing puzzle pieces.
And just when I thought my life was perfect, it got better. She became my wife.
CHLOE
I met my first love while studying abroad in London.
When I moved home, I didn’t think I’d ever fall in love again.
Until I met him. The man who became my husband.
The one I promised a lifetime to.
Then, my first love came back into my life …
And I realized that love was bigger than any one man.
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Contemporary Romance | Emotional
Can I just start by saying that Marni Mann writes the most sensual sex scenes I have EVER come across? It gave me the chills! The way she describes it is so alluring and gorgeous and I never ONCE felt dirty when reading them. Not that sex scenes make me feel dirty- it’s natural and I’m FAR from being a prude, but there’s just something about the way SHE writes them that is so intoxicating! Sigh… I loved it so much!
Even if It Hurts is an emotionally INTENSE read. Frustrating at times, but so raw and realistic that it’s hard NOT to put yourself in the head space of the characters. It’s proven through this book that Marni cares about her characters and while their actions aren’t completely justifiable, they are HONEST. Marni sees through their journey in a captivating way and proves that even when it hurts the most one can still pull through. I loved Chloe. I loved Oliver. And I loved Lance (maybe most of all). I felt drawn to each of them, felt the pain, the passion, the chemistry, and everything in between. Each one has their own pieces of perfection and I am truly in awe with how much I connected with them.
This is a book about first loves, last loves, and what happens when the first love comes back. How can one simply let go when their hearts are torn? Is it as simple as walking away because the embers ignite again? Or is it impossible not to lose yourself in the memories and “what could have beens”. This is what plagues Chloe in Even When it Hurts. Is it a love triangle? In many aspects the answer is yes. You can tell this simply by reading the blurb. But then again, the whole story ISN’T about the love triangle. It’s a story about one woman who falls in love with her first lover (the past) and moving on when it’s no longer possible to be together. It’s a story about finding love AGAIN even though she couldn’t have imagined ever feeling close to another man. And it’s about what happens when both worlds collide… Don’t go into thinking it’s a book where cheating takes place throughout the whole story because that’s NOT what this book is about. It’s a book about making the right decisions and following one’s heart even when the past comes back to haunt you.
I personally LOVED THIS BOOK. And I can’t help but highly recommend it to all romance readers ESPECIALLY if you enjoy novels that will tear at your heartstrings.
Marni Mann
3.5 stars
Even If It Hurts by Marni Mann was a roller coaster journey for me. It tested my limits as a reader. She put a lot of heartbreaking emotions in the story. It was different. It was bold. But only you can decide if the story is for you.
This is a sort of love triangle. I am not judgemental or opinionated usually but still I had a hard time understanding and empathizing with Chloe. I understand her struggles and inner doubts. I am proud of the tough decision she took at the end. On the other hand I am so in love with both Lance and Oliver. And I really feel why it was a troubled decision for Chloe. Oliver is the charming and intense British guy. And Lance is equally fascinating and swoonworthy American man. They both love Chloe and cherish her in their own ways. And Chloe loves them too. What I felt was the reconnection of Oliver and Chloe was too much physically built. I was searching for those pieces those make want to die from angst. Where I would feel the pain of every one equally. But I got biased towards a certain guy and the other guy also did not deserve all the heartbreak. Now which guy? That you have to read to know…
I just felt something was missing that would bind me to the story.
You should definitely take a chance on Even If It Hurts by Marni Mann. It will take you to the complex depth of confusing emotions and you will feel torn just like me. I will admit this is not my most favorite Marni Mann story but it can be yours!
Received ARC for Honest review
My emotions were pushed to the limits with this story. My boundaries and what I hold as truth was tested. This story will stay with me.
I finished Even If It Hurts over a week ago, but what I never expected is for a story and its characters to have such an impact on my everyday thoughts. I still don’t know why I’m so profoundly affected by it since I’ve read this subgenre more times than I can count. The only conclusion I can reach is that the author’s not only successfully hit home, but also made me examine my capability to judge. Although I wasn’t jumping for joy with some elements of the story, it’s a read to be seriously considered. And as boundaries will be crossed, I’d highly recommend reading the synopsis if you haven’t already.
Mann’s storytelling is indisputably good. She made it difficult for me to control my emotions, and to say she cracked it with loves so unconditional would be putting it mildly. Set over a period of years and split into four parts, before anything else one gets the rush of first love and all the feels that go with it. My own memories came flooding back. The elations, passion and then the hurt of betrayal. Of course, betrayal comes in many forms and is therefore interpreted differently.
“… Even if it hurts. Even if it’s the hardest thing you’ll ever have to do, you have to stop.”
Oliver wowed the pants off me! Gorgeous, bearded and smooth-talking, Marni got the Brit lingo and collocations down to a tee. His loveable best mates, their banter and where they went together aroused many feelings of familiarity. But more importantly, the way he put the love of his life before himself.
“People disappear when there’s magic involved.”
“But I’m not going anywhere.”
The story flows effortlessly into the heroine’s new rose-coloured life. Although I was still in my comfort zone, it all felt too good to be true. For me, Chloe and Lance were a match made in heaven. Their pitch-perfect dialogue moved me, how he encouraged her career aspirations without much ado and how he supported her regardless of work obligations. However, was what occurred later fate or destiny? As fate can’t be chosen, I thought that at the very least, Chloe could have set a limit on love. Especially well-knowing someone wouldn’t come out unscathed. And as it’s not my place to say what her destiny will be, you’ll just have to read her story to find out.
“Sometimes, you have to leave for a while to remember why you fell in love in the first place.”
I was a nervous wreck three-quarters of the way into the book. No matter how hard I tried to put myself in Chloe’s shoes, I had trouble coping with some pretty spontaneous decisions made in some even more intense scenes. Sometimes we let our heart rule our head yet the reality of her doings because they did feel so lifelike, shattered me.
“One day, I hope the hurt will finally go away.”
Even If It Hurts is impeccably written. The author broke my heart to mend it and then break it again. I can’t possibly tell you whose team I was on as I adored both Oliver and Lance equally. Despite bawling my eyes out in the last chapter, a niggly feeling wouldn’t leave me alone—the hidden truth. Chloe does get advice from her bestie whom I really connected with but if it were me giving Chloe it, I still have no idea what I’d say to her. One thing’s for sure, not all is fair in love. Bravo Marni!
“You know this is wrong; you don’t need me to tell you that. I’ve never judged you, and I’m certainly not going to start now.”
Damn Marni why do you have to do this to me?! This was a total roller coaster ride of emotions. I managed to love and hate Chloe. Her and Oliver were totally in love but they just couldn’t be together at that time in their lives. I didn’t know if I would want her and Lance to get together, but I really thought they were perfect for each other. I liked her with Lance more then Oliver for her. When she saw Oliver in Amsterdam I knew what would happen and I was so disappointed I didn’t want to continue reading. I was no longer on Chloe’s side. She was so selfish and I wish we got to see Lance find out but she probably didn’t tell him. While I was happy of her decision in the end to walk away from Oliver, I couldn’t get over what she did.
I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.
I’m really torn on this book. This author is one of my favorites and while I liked this book I didn’t love it. This book won’t be for everyone and that’s ok. It was hard to read and my heart hurt for Chloe. Two amazing men and a choice that was hard. I felt like I couldn’t connect with either male lead. Being told from the heroines POV we only get her side of it all until the very end. I was so glad for that last chapter. It helped me get some closure but I still felt like there was so much I wanted to know. Even with that I really liked it. One of my favorite themes, (even though a lot of people hate it), and heroine that you could feel. I felt all her struggles. It’s a lot different then her dark books but the writing is just as beautiful as I was hoping. 4 stars #2OCCJD
4 stars!!
I went into this book blind. I didn’t even read the blurb. The author is one I truly enjoy and the title said it all. Get ready for one hell of journey.
This story is really the life of Chloe. This is Chloe’s journey and with that her love story. And please be prepared this does have cheating.
I really think this author killed it with the characters. I adored every single person in this book. The way the author writes you feel everything they feel. Shit when it was sexy time you felt it to your toes. I was in love. Twice.
I usually am open minded to all books and rarely have a “no go” line. With that said this book didn’t cross any lines for me but left me feeling dirty. I felt kind of used and broken. I wish something else would have happened in this book. Some remorse or ownership but that didn’t happen and it made one love story cheapen.
I will say the first 75 percent of this book was beautiful. Though for some reason I just didn’t connect well in the beginning, the story grew on me. It lost me after that and that saddens me. But this was a personal preference and not due to the way the story was written. I believe some people will love this and have no problems. Tell me what you think….
**I received this book as an ARC and in return gave my honest review.**
The emotional ride and range of this book has me at a complete loss for words! Days later and I’m still reeling from the book hangover. From swooning to all out gutted and everything in between, prepare to feel it all. Even If It Hurts by Marni Mann is intense, real, and raw- simply put it’s painfully beautiful. If you enjoy a heaping helping of angst with your romance, you’re sure to fall in love with Oliver, Lance, and most of all Chloe.
I was completely hooked on this story right from the start. In a word, Even If It Hurts is entirely unputdownable. The writing was incredible and compelling in such a way it demanded my attention, and I read it in one sitting. As a new to me author, I’m wondering how I hadn’t read Marni Mann before, and desperately needing to read all the things she’s written!
Even If It Hurts is an emotionally gripping and riveting read that will have you reading on the edge of your seat! Worry for your heart my friends – this book will have leave you swooning and bruised in the same breath. Complex, dynamic, brutally honest, and epically romantic – a must read!
This was so much more than a love story, so much more than a book, this was raw, real and parts of life that none of us want to experience, the heart ache, the pain, the guilt the weight. Marni Mann wrapped it all up and tossed us in to one of the most heart shredding books of your life !!!
Characters you will LOVE !! Decisions that will have you torn. Actions that you will love and hate at the same time. Tears that will flow freely. The lives of Oliver, Chloe and Lance will have your heart split into 3 painful chunks.
A book that takes you right to the edge, yet changes so much of your own internal feelings. Leaves you questioning your self and your own moral judgements, opens you to being less judgemental because these characters becomes people you want to support and to see them happy. I’m lost for words and raw with emotion, this is a story that gives a reader their own unique experience, because it claws its way into your own unique emotions.
I loved Chloe even when i didn’t want to, she definitely at times, brought out my moral *itch, I loved Lance even when i wanted him to just become an a**hole, and….. Oliver ….
I think my heart got lost somewhere in Amsterdam.
Even If It Hurts is an outstanding and emotionally charged romance between one woman torn between two perfect men. This is not an easy read but it is no less exceptional. Marni Mann takes you on an emotional journey that’s extremely painful to read at times. Her writing evokes something in me. She has a way with words that just strikes a chord and leaves a lasting impression. The story had me gripped from the very first page. This author really knows how to hook you into her stories where you think you are living the characters life. This book was no exception.
Marni has done an outstanding job in creating three characters with multi layers. It wasn’t at all hard to fall in love with them in different ways. I ended up loving them all for different reasons and yes, I loved one more than the other two. It wasn’t hard falling for this character either, I was transfixed right from the beginning and never looked back. This is a raw, painful, heartbreaking read that will put you in the shoes of Chloe and makes you ask yourself what would you? This story was engrossing and extraordinary.
Even If It Hurts hits on every single emotional point. Marni once again delivered a poignant and beautiful, albeit a gut-wrenching story. The emotions, angst and feels that she put into this story were unbelievable. It’s a profound and moving story that kept me turning the pages and wondering what would happen next. I couldn’t read it fast enough. This story has left me a little heartbroken for what could have been and I’m also left with questions, but I’m torn because I’m also partially happy how it ended. I’ve never been more torn and speechless over the end of a book before. That ending! That ending is one that will stay with me and make me wonder for a long time.
Wow what a powerful, emotional read….I’m still slightly stunned and hungover from this book, but in a very good way. This was my very first Marni Mann read and well she actually made this Ice Queen an emotional wreck
When you fall in love with three great characters such as Chloe, Oliver and Lance….well four actually, if you include Chloe’s lovable best friend Molly, you become so invested in them, they become your best mates and oh gosh what Chloe’s heart was going through, how could she possibly choose between these two remarkable men.
I loved both Oliver and Lance equally. I know who I was rooting for and this story does have a happy ending.
“To the morning and everything that happens in between.”
“My beautiful, sweet girl,”…………
“Promise me something ……..
“Promise you won’t ever forget me.
These men
The way Marni descries the locations too, I just want to visit them all. From London to Boston, to Colorado, Florida and finally Amsterdam. I need to have the best magical hot chocolate in the world! I want to see those views!
I can say I’ve been on the London Eye….but alas I was never in a pod on my own with an Oliver. I’ll certainly blush every time I walk past the Eye from now on
An absolute remarkable read, my first ugly cry of 2020! I will definitely be reading more from Marni in the near future.
5 Champagne Stars!!
This may be the hardest review I’ve ever wrote. When I had devoured 93% of the book I literally had to walk away to gather my thoughts. I had not read the synopsis of this book. When I see Marni Mann as the author I just go for it …so I was CLUELESS about the roller coaster my heart was going to be riding.
There were so many real and raw emotions that were felt throughout from friendships, school, career, family and romance choices. I was so caught up in the romance, doing the debate of follow your heart vs what is expected, going down my own memory lane of “ firsts” and then really contemplating how I wanted this book to end.
“Learn me,””His hand moved on top of mine. It wasn’t to push me. It was as though he wanted to feel the moment from both sides of my palm.”
Whatever part of the story I was reading I started cheering for that ending. Then I started questioning what would I do, how would I feel if that was done to me. My heart ached, was full, my tears were unstoppable. At the end of it I just wanted to scream~PLEASE tell me this stand alone with turn into a duet!!!
“I’d thought about this moment, and I’d tried to prepare myself for it, so when the emotions came, I would be able to handle them. Except
they were here, bursting through my chest, dripping from my eyes. And I was falling apart, and I couldn’t stop it.”….I can relate to this quote after I finished reading this masterpiece!
Marni Mann is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! This is the 3rd book I’ve read by her and it didn’t disappoint!!! Think first love with a time limit…that’s what happened to Chloe when she fell in love with Oliver. They loved each other fiercely while they could, buy time ran out their love didn’t end. Chloe eventually picks up the pieces and moves on with an amazing man, Lance. She never dreamed that fate would bring Oliver back into her life. This could get ugly…someone will lose. A beautiful love triangle of one woman who is in love with 2 amazing men. This book is amazingly written and will tear your heart out for everyone involved. This book will make my list for favorite reads if 2020!
What a woman.
Where do I start with this book. The book had me gripped from the very first page. This author really knows how to suck you into her stories where you think your living the characters life. This book was no different. This story is a love triangle which I am some times very weary about but I end up loving them by the end. So I was looking forward to this book and want to see how things would go.
Chloe is a great character I sometimes find the heroines in love triangles quite winey but she wasnt. I felt everything Chloe was goin through. She ended up in such a hard place and not knowing what was right or wrong. If the wrong felt has good as the right then why stop it ? But she couldn’t live her life like that she needed to make a decision and it wasn’t goin to be easy. Did she choose her first love who made her finally feel or the man who she loves now. It wouldn’t be easy but she had to choose.
Both of these men were amazing in there own way. I did have my favourite out of Oliver and Lance. But it wasn’t cause the other man wasn’t great he was. They both loved and cared for Chloe in everyway. They did everything they could for her they treat her well and looked after her. Like I said she had a really hard decision to make.
I would highly recommend this book everything about it was so good. The story was great and characters were addicting. Like I said I had my favourite out of the guys did he get the girl NO and I was so sad but it didn’t spoil the book cause the they are both great men. I even wanted Chloe to have them both but life isn’t like that she had to choose. I luvs how the book ended it was drawn out and was just perfect. I’m so glad I start my year with this book it was great.
DEVOURED…that’s exactly what I did. This book….all the feels, all the emotions, all the questions. This is a book that once you start, you can not stop until you read the letter from the author.
I absolutely LOVE this author. Her books are always on my TBR and are read as soon as they hit my kindle. The talent that this author has from writing gut wrenching stories about addiction, to love stories, to dark and dirty with a side of powder donuts!!!
If you’ve read Marni Mann books before or you are new to her, this book is a must read!!!
All of my emotions are off the charts right now. This story is steamy, uninhibited, messy, raw and impulsive. Chloe went from a studious, driven student to having her world cracked wide open when she has the opportunity to study abroad in London. Oliver is the sweet, sensual man she has to leave behind after one semester. Then we have Lance who is intuitive, caring and gives her the world. I had no idea what Chloe would do when these two worlds collide. Life is messy and this book is chocked full of angst that broke my heart wide open.
5 stars is not enough for Marni Mann books. I do not know whether I want to feel for the main character or punch her. I cannot shake the feelings I have after reading this book. Marni has such a way with words that she draws me in and gets me invested emotionally into each of her books. This is one book hangover I will not soon forget. Chloe is so lucky to find not one but two “unicorns” I love Lance. But I also loved Oliver. Lance treats Chloe like a queen and would give her the world. Oliver is willing to let her go so Chloe can find her dream. But Chloe, she had me in tears in part one, elated in part two and so angry with her in part three, I wanted to throw my kindle! This story has so many emotions, I am still shaking my head as I think about it. This is one book you MUST read!