HURTAward Winning Author Lydia Michaels enters the world of DARK ROMANCE with an unforgettably suspenseful psychological thriller!IT’S GOING TO HURT…Callan MacGregor might speak with the eloquence of a Scottish poet, but a hard life has turned him into a merciless killer. With a first-hand account of hell, he trusts nothing and no one but the hollow hurt tortured into his bones. Sacrificing … his bones. Sacrificing all, he must escape Scotland to survive.
Emery Tanner is captivated—to the point of obsession—by the stunning Scotsman tending bar at the Imperial Hotel. With as many dark secrets as he has scars, she hungers to know every exquisite inch of him, but her shy nature leaves her tongue-tied. Despite her sense that innate kindness rests beneath his savage surface, Callan MacGregor is a man to approach with caution—if not fear.
When tragedy strikes and Emery’s world is shattered, she learns just how ruthless Callan can be. Violence has shaped his soul and love has always led to loss in both their broken lives. But as secrets are exposed, they find truth within the hurt and awaken a desire to become whole once more.
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Callan Macgregor is truly one haunted broken man that has been not only been broken physically also emotionally hurt beyond pain.
Emery Tanner was a sheltered only child to a strict family who she left to try and have her own life, only to have her body ripped apart by a true monster.
Callan’s life has been filled with torture and heartache his entire life. Firstly by his abusive father then the death of his mother. Left to fight and raise his younger brother and sister for a better life. He did the only thing he could fight. That is until it all fell apart. Escaping Scotland to survive.
This is a very dark emotional charged book with every single element of violence ruthless abusive and torture of the innocent. There are definitely parts of this book that will leave you stunned in its depavitity. Please continue to read there is also such sweetness and light to the darkness.
The minute Emery saw this huge bulk of a Scottish man start working at the bar of the hotel she worked in, she was captivated by his silent however dark presence that seemed to consume her although even after three years of working together he barely spoke to anyone. Dark mysterious and with a dangerous side that never scared her. Until it did.
After the attack on Emery, Callan become obsessed with protecting her to the extreme. I throughly enjoyed and highly recommend this book. As in the darkness there is also light
Wow what a ride. Lydia’s first dark romance blew my expectations out of the water. When you are warned that it is dark and see trigger warnings take heed this book is not for everyone but it was totally worth every second of the hurt for me. Callan has not had an easy life to put it very VERY lightly by the time he meets Emery (the books starts as flashbacks then goes to present day then gives us more of the past story). Emery brings him light from a distance as he refuses to taint her goodness with his darkness so both remain unaware of each other’s feelings. When a horrible event happens the wall between the two come down. Callan and Emery’s love was just beautiful and unbreakable. There is so much to this story it’s hard to put into words, it will gut you and have you cringing at times but it also shows you the power of inner strength and love and loyalty and though physical and mental wounds may never heal completely you can endure and get to a light at the end of even the darkest tunnels. Give this story a chance to break you then put you back together.
This is Lydia’s first dark romance thriller, and I pray that it will not be her last! It’s unlike any of her other works, it grabs you by the short hairs and tugs on your heart strings! Yes, it’s that great! Wished I could give it more stars!
Lydia Michaels’ dark journey about the power of love will creep into the edges of your heart, and then your soul as you discover just how much the truth can hurt.
I am having a difficult time putting into words how I feel about this book. It has been described as raw….and it is definitely that. It is dark, raw, gritty and not the easiest thing to read. But it is full of so much emotion and the beauty of loyalty such as you almost never hear in today’s world. I might have thought I was reading a Scottish story from the dark ages as dark as this story was. Lydia Michaels has a way with words that just make you feel like you reading poetry while delving into the underbelly of an inhuman wasteland.
“Like the wasted moments of deafening clock bells, they were just marking time for her.”
“The hurt, though enduring, never permanently removed those pleasant emotions. It only temporarily obstructed his ability to feel them.”
If you have triggers, take care in reading this story but also know that the pain BOTH these characters go through (and others in the story) IS a part of what makes Callan and Emery who they are…and every squeamish moment, and clenched teeth moment you read will, in the end, make you grateful for who they are now. If you like a dark, emotional story, you will not regret reading Hurt!
What to say about this beautiful story from Lydia Michaels. Hurt is about Callan and Emery and their lives and how they come together so beautifully in a very dark way. They are raw and vulnerable and driven by the basic feeling we all have, love. The detail and storytelling used in this book makes you feel as if you are there right along side Callan and Emery as they experience each event that is given to us in this book. I do not in any way want to giveaway what happens because you must read it for yourself and experience it without knowing anything beforehand but heed the trigger warnings.
This book- it gives all the incredible feels. It is hard and intense but pulls at the heart strings. It is dark but yet under it all there is love. Callen and Emery’s story is so well written by Lydia Michaels. It definitely hurts but sometimes that is good!
This book will consume you and make you useless because you need to read just one more page. Lydia Michales prices she can write anything and capture your heart and attention. She is a masrwr at romance, suspense, difficult topics and everything in between. A definite one click for any dark romance readers!!
This story is one heartbreaking story that is well written and will pull at every heart string you have. Lydia Michaels hasn’t disappointed in the past, and adding a dark story makes her better and better. The world and people she creates sucks you into this masterpiece. There are tough subjects on this book and they are addressed and written tastefully and beautifully. She shows that revenge can be sweet and satisfying, but finding that one person means so much more.
Callan and Emeri have experiences more than the average person should. They are broken and find each other through their struggles. As they go through their relationship, circumstances and people change. I’ve always loved second chances and redemption, but this one takes the cake and then some!!!
Go buy this book! You won’t regret it! It will forever leave an impression on your life!!
This book absolutely floored me! This is Lydia Michael’s first dark romance and such a fantastic and an extremely intense, heartbreaking love story. My heart broke for Callen, from all that he lost, but he’s such a fighter. Emery’s story will tear at your heart strings, but her strength and determination will astound you. This story was fantastically written, the storyline flowed smoothly, and you won’t be able to put it down. This book had it all, suspense, twists and turns, vengeance, heartbreak and love.
If your interested in an absolutely heart stopping read then this is for you. I highly recommend it.
It’s been a while since I’ve read such a masterfully written novel. This is a book that makes you think. Because of that, it was a breath of fresh air and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Hurt was a hauntingly beautiful read that will stay with me for a long time to come. Lydia Michaels has officially set a new standard for dark romance!
The attention to detail was outstanding. The character development was spot on, twisting a dark tale full of pain and tragedy. Yet, there was also kindness and love underneath it all. Callen is damaged and broken, but not in a way we so often read in romance. His story was raw, gritty, and completely original. He’s a protector with a loyal soul. Add the Scottish accent to the mix, and he gives all the feels! Emery’s story ripped at my heart strings. I connected with her in ways I rarely do with a character because she is an example of the reality we live in. Together, Callan and Emery persevere with heart-wrenching resilience on their search for redemption. They are characters you won’t be able to let go of and I can’t wait to see what the next book brings!
This story has left me emotionally exhausted. I was in no way prepared for this intense rollercoaster ride of extreme darkness I found in the pages of this book, but I LOVED it!!
WOW just WOW so wasn’t expecting this story it just blew my mind with how many emotions I went through while reading Hurt . This would be the first book that I’ve read by Lydia Michaels and I can’t wait to read more by her in the future and so want to read her other books because wow amazing writer . If two characters were meant to be it would be Callan and Emery those two have been through so much and then to see how the author revealed Callans past just blew my mind my heart just broke . These two needed a happy ending and was so happy with the end result just wow so beautiful I really can’t wait to read more by the author and I hope to see more of these characters in the future .
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
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hero=10 heroine=10 secondary characters=10
Chemistry=10 steam=8 romance=8
humor=2 darkness level=5 action=4 mystery=4
enjoyment=10 angst=3 story line=10 Story ending=10
character development=10 pacing=10
cover=10 Blurb =10 Stars =4
Is this part of a series =yes
Can it be read as a standalone = yes
would I recommend this book=yes
would I re read this book=yes
would I read future books by this author= yes
“Hurt” was an extremely intense reading experience, one that has some serious triggers that some may find hard to deal with.
This is not going to be for everyone just because of how much it takes out of the reader.
Also, there’s a disclaimer at the beginning of this book so please do take notice of this it is there for a reason.
So I liked the main characters Callan and Emery (love their names) and thought both their stories were just so heartbreaking.
I found this to be not so much a dark romance as the relationship at its centre was relatively sweet in nature.
It was all else here apart from this budding potential partnership that was darkness and death, blood and tears, this was where the rot set in colouring the landscape in such violence and brutal shades of black.
I sometimes found so much suffering and despair here that I actually felt like there was no end in sight and I really felt there needed to be some sort of balance to counter this.
So, this was told in a series of flashbacks so it was almost like two separate stories connected by a common theme.
It was extremely well written and so emotive and on that fact, I can not fault this.
There were just some little niggles from my camp that stopped it being a full sweep.
I liked how Callan was not the classically handsome hero, he had scars both inside and out and they only made him more interesting to me.
I also felt that without Emery’s own experiences she might not have accepted Callan’s past fully.
As awful as it was it has somehow cemented them together.
I also adored the finish it was fitting.
One final observation from my camp I would have liked Callan to own his darkness completely with no apologies to anyone.
So, this is a dark tale that takes you down to rock bottom, its a story of survival and human resilience but it is also a beautiful love story.
Would really love to read the sisters story next.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Hurt (The Hurt Series 1).
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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I dinnea ken how I survived this book…my poor heart.
I said that in my best Scottish accent.
This new story from Lydia Michaels will absolutely break your heart, this family of siblings certainly never got a break and the hard ship and heartbreak they endured would surely make a grown man cry.
Do not take this author’s warnings lightly, this one will definitely HURT, but the story is riveting and heart wrenching and the characters will make you feel things, all the things. I wanted to leap into this book and save them, because they most certainly needed someone on their side. Victim or perpetrator, their struggles were real and will make you question the difference between good and bad. Right and wrong.
It took me three days to pick up another story, this one is not to be missed.
4 Cranky Stars
Ok bear with me this is like two stories in one that converge and make sense toward the end so putting that into thoughts without ruining the story will be hard. This isn’t a fluffy love story it’s gritty, raw and will rip you open and leave you with an ache. You will feel for Callen and Emery and their journey. Their losses are insurmountable, but they find solace in each other.
Callan MacGregor knows what it’s like to struggle and he knows what it’s like to lose everything you care about. He is underground fighting to take care of his siblings and he’s almost to a point where he can finally move them out of the ghetto in their town in Scotland. When he doesn’t lose a fight on purpose his whole world comes crashing down. He is now a man set out to avenge those he lost. He works his way into the inner workings of the man who started it all. Seeking revenge has almost made him lose a part of himself he will never recover and the darkness brews. He knows his only choice one he gets his revenge is to flee because someone far greater depends on him. When he lands in New York he isn’t expecting to long after the beautiful Emery the front desk clerk at his job. Years of subtle glances and simple conversation become his lifeline until something happens to Emery that changes their fate.
Emery has secretly loved Callan from afar. The mysterious aloof stranger who tends to the bar at the hotel. She has come from a very suffocating home and is happy to be out on her own making her own way. She hates the advances of some of the hotel guests but she shrugs them off because she’s secretly saving herself for Callan. One night a guest doesn’t take no for an answer and it alters Emery’s life to a point she feels she is drowning. She feels nothing but blame and shame. Her only anchor is Callan who came to her rescue. She sees a good man he thinks he’s not worthy. She finds herself submerged in his life and learning all about his sordid past.
Like I said we have two books in one here. We go from current time to his past very often but I promise you the story merges and you see how much these two actually have in common. This book isn’t for the easily triggered or easily offended so that will be my only disclaimer. I loved Callan how under all that corrupt crap on the outside inside he had a huge heart. He loved who he loved with a fierceness that transcended everything. Oh my heart broke for Emery to have that happen to her. To have something removed from her that altered who she was is heartbreaking. I wish there was stiffer penalties for what happened to her. Especially during our current social climate this is a far to real issue that is happening nowadays. If you are a lover of dark romances and two completely cracked and broken souls finding love then this is for you.
I’d not heard of Lydia Michaels before but kept seeing this book and raves from others and something told me I didn’t want to miss this one. So when I was offered an ARC I jumped at the chance and I’m so glad I did. This. This book right here will literally take your breath away. Her story is raw, gritty, powerful, chivalrous, loyal, devoted and loving in it’s truths. That’s the impact of her story. And her characters are so beautifully flawed while they weave their tale around you until you’re there. I mean, right there. I will say, if you’re easily triggered read the warning. But this was beautifully written, shared and I feel honored to have been able to read this.
This is my first time reading a story written by this author and I’m far from being disappointed. This is not for the faint of hearts. It’s rough, gruesome and down right thrilling. I loved it.
Callan has a past, an horrific one. Leaving Scotland and moving to New York to get a fresh start. Emery has a crush on Callan. One life changing event will leave them both turning to each other.
This is the kind of story that was a sure page turner. There are parts of the story that were troubling and difficult to read. The author did not hold back, which I admire. It does deal with rather difficult subjects. This is an highly addicting and captivating story. It’s a chilling tale that was mastered with precision and perfection. This is a must read.
Standalone told in the third person with an HEA. I strongly recommend this story.
Oh my god, I think this has been the best thrilling roller coaster EVER!
Lydia Michaels is such a phenomenal writer, her writing style is so different every time she comes up with a new story to give us.
Hurt definitely had my type of hero, broken beyond repair and damaged.
The triggers in this book definitely had me hurting for the characters in this book. I was so immersed, so consumed with this story that it was one of those books that made you lose track of time because it was so hard to put your device down for a second. It’s one of those books that you don’t want to miss a second on it.
This is definitely one of the books that will be on my top reads for 2019!!
When I saw the cover and the blurb about this book my first thought was “hardcore fighter falls in love with a sweet girl” and yeah…how wrong I was!
When I first met Callan I was impressed by the way he look after his siblings and when I continue reading I came to realized that he is more that the fighter, more than the tortured man. He is sweet and so innocent despite the vengeance and the awful life he had. His only goal is to kill everyone that hurted him and his family and he see a lot of bad and cruel things but after all of that he keep his soul intact.
Emery is in love with Callan since the moment she met him. She is a sweet girl, shy and doesn’t have many friends or talk to a lot of people, she is looking for her place in the world but she has a very strong heart and she proved that she can take anything and move on, it took her time but she did it.
When I saw them together, I remembered my first love in high school. They didn’t know how to talk to each other, how to kiss and touch but they learn and it was beautiful see the relationship grow.
I really love this book, is not the same story that I have read a thousand times. It has a very dark moments but also the sweetest. Most of the time I was so tense and nervous because I didn’t know what it was going to happen next, it was a Roller Coaster.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the serie. Congratulations Lydia, you are awesome!
Wow! This story grabs you from the beginning and never lets you go.
Callan is a fighter in every sense of the word. He fights for his family. He fights for what is right. He fights to keep his sanity. But most of all, he fights the memories of a brutal and violent life that has left him scarred both inside and out.
Having lost much more than any man should have to bare, he leaves his painful, twisted life in Scotland and heads to Sarasota Springs, New York where he meets Emery working the night shift at the local hotel.
Emery is a simple girl who lives a simple life with her cat and not much else until one fateful night when her world is flipped upside down.
This is a story about deep pain and scars and loss but it’s also about healing and learning to love in the aftermath of having been brought to your knees by the worst that life has to offer. The story itself is intriguing and, at times, heartbreaking with evil villains and unlikely heros and an HEA that will leave you swooning.
It is mostly a complete story with no cliff hanger but there is one loose end that is left for a future installment.
Trigger warnings: violence, murder, rape.