Rating: 5
Steam: 1
PoV: single, 1st person

Wow. I’m not sure where to begin or how to do this. This story… These men… I’m wrecked and heartbroken, and I’m honestly not even sure if I was breathing during the last chapter.

Told from Jake’s PoV, this first part of the duet slowly showed the friendship developing between Roe and Jake, while their careers were also taking off. There was so much love between these two and I loved every moment with them. Their friendship was absolutely beautiful and utterly precious, and there was never any doubt about how much they both meant to each other.

I loved the pacing here, it was slow and gave the chance to really show the depth of the friendship and love between Jake and Roe. I was completely invested in these men, and the slow, slow signs that there might be something else developing between them was so well written and portrayed. It was truly a slow burn, and I’m very curious about how the second part will play out.

This Will Hurt was an extraordinary story, the kind that tugged hard on my heartstrings and that will stay with me for a long time. The angst was particularly heavy towards the end, with lots of emotions in play. Jake also had his struggles throughout the story, with religious trauma and repressed memories resurfacing, which added to the angst and feelings part as well.

Cara Dee left me with a broken heart and emotions running high, and I can’t wait for the second part of Jake and Roe - I’m rooting so hard for these men to find a HEA together.

This is truly the first part of Jake and Roe, a romance.

Jake has significant trauma from his childhood, a trauma that until he had to come face to face with certain feelings that Roe evokes in him, he had suppressed, to such a degree that when the walls start coming down he has a severe panic attack.

He muddles his way through it all and he arrives a little too late, but at least he arrives, to the decision that he needs to talk to a professional about it, because he can't go on like this.

Seriously Jake is so freaking brave!

Roe... for all he is the sunshine to Jake's reticence and at times gloomy countenance, he kept things from Jake, in order to not mess up their friendship, but it lead to something that created huge cracks in said friendship. Will it lead to something better or will it break them? Maybe both, seeing the title of this duology.

I loved reading their story. We were a part of their journey throughout and I'm excited for Nikky and Jake's next adventure - ;) - because Colin is the best boy!

Now waiting for the the Hurt to be Brought in major ways in Part II!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This is a highly emotional, wonderful book. This was such a great start to the book and I can't wait to see what comes next for Jake and Roe.

Whats the need for 2 books, seriously

It was nice. But I didn't actually like the Vegas night; y'all move way too fast.

the plot in the middle dragged on a bit, but the ending was...
wow...
perfect

2.5