Even If It Hurts
Content & Trigger Warnings
There’s some heavy shit in this book. People are doing the wrong things for the right reasons. But some are just plain awful. Before you begin reading this book, please read over this list, and make an informed choice if this book is for you. This story doesn’t pull punches. It gets intense. You’ve been warned (lovingly). If you’re expecting the sweet fluff I normally write, turn back. This isn’t my usual style of book. This one’s messy, morally grey, emotionally loaded, and of course, hot. I give a shit about your mental health. Please take care while reading.
DARK THEMES
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Breaking and entering (multiple instances)
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Criminal behavior by MMC (felonies including surveillance, B&E, stealing medical records)
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Depression and suicidal ideation
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Emotional manipulation
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Family abandonment and dysfunction
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Funeral home setting, including funerals and grief
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Mental health struggles, including attempted suicide and overdose of prescription meds (on-page)
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Mortuary setting, including scenes in mortuary with dead bodies
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Non-consensual surveillance: hidden cameras installed and used without knowledge or consent
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Obsessed MMC whose behavior escalates to illegal activity
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Off-page mentions of substance abuse and overdose from past
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Online identity deception (MMC interacts with FMC under false identity while knowing her IRL)
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Realistic medical treatment depictions (hospital, injuries, discharge)
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Realistic hospital & mental health ward depictions, and conversations around suicide
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Religious trauma
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Stalking (including interstate travel, staking out residence, mapping routines)
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Scripture weaponization
VIOLENCE / BODY HORROR
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Animal violence (dog stabbed—not by either MCs—& dog attacks.)
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Blood and injury including: gunshot wounds, knife wounds, stabbings, and bodily harm
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Death (referenced and present)
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Mortician MC handling corpses
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Murder (shooting & stabbing)
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Physical violence and fighting
SEXUAL CONTENT
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Backstory includes teenage years (ages 16-17): mentions of stalking, self-pleasure, and mental health struggles (not detailed)
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Bondage / Restraints (medium to light)
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Breath Play / Choking (medium)
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Consensual non-consent (CNC) / Fear play
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Degradation (Light)
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Detailed, high-heat sex scenes, including sex in a graveyard
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Dom/sub dynamic
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Emotional masochism
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Explicit discussion of sexual acts as fantasies
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Impact play (light to medium)
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Masturbation / Cam play / Sexting
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Power exchange
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Praise kink
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Voyeurism (both consensual cam work AND non-consensual surveillance)
ADDITIONAL NOTES
The MMC commits serious crimes that have consequences. His lies and criminal behavior are revealed to the FMC where she holds him accountable for his actions. There is character growth and accountability, but this is a dark journey. If you’re uncomfortable with protagonists who commit felonies or surveillance without consent, this book may not be for you.