More like 2.5 ⭐️ because:

. The title is misleading. Where’s the hurt?
. So it’s gonna be miscommunication? Really?
. If the woman is portrayed as a bitch on the second book istg

Giving the next one a chance because it’s from Roe’s POV, but I don’t have high hopes.

Let me just start by saying I devour everything Cara writes. She is an absolute one-click author for me, and I haven't read a book of hers yet that I didn't like. However, I am basically allergic to reading angst so when I found out this book had it and that it was titled "This Will Hurt"...gulp. Cara doesn't do me dirty, and if I can get through the first couple books of her Auctioned series, I know I can get through anything. But I'm not a darn masochist, Cara! Why do you wanna hurt me?!?

Sigh. But of course I still grabbed the ARC for this book because I'm not stupid. And honestly my fears were unwarranted because while there WAS angst, it wasn't overwhelming. It was kind of like the whole boiling a frog thing. I jumped in the pot while the water was cool and she just slowly turned up the heat until whoops...I'm boiling in this darn angst! But then it was the end of the book sooooo. Now I get to take a break from it, and simultaneously suffer through wanting to know how everything gets resolved. And from Roe's perspective! Which, heck yes. I'm excited for.

I don't want to give spoilers so I'll keep it simple. This book spans a few years (which normally I'm not a fan of whatsoever but it was all linear at least so I coped). We get to see the evolution of Roe and Jake's friendship and their business. Sidenote: can I just say I LOVED their business; it's "in the business" like in Noah, but not really. I liked seeing it from the ground up.

We also get to see the evolution of how these two are in relationships. With women. That's where things start to hurt. I absolutely loved how Jake and Nikki's relationship evolved; I am sick of OW drama and how catty women can be shown in situations like theirs so it was refreshing to read.

And through the book, we learn of a memory that Jake has repressed for a long time, and him coming to terms with it. Rampant homophobia, especially internalized homophobia, is a topic I typically steer clear of because...angst. And it does hurt. Cara's not wrong.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'll enjoy it more when the sequel is out because I HATE cliffhangers and waiting. I typically avoid reading duets or series until everything is out, but again, it's obvious that Cara has me breaking all my rules. Thankfully the next book comes out really soon so I won't have to wait long!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Well, this definitely lives up to its name. My eyes are still puffy from the tears.

Jake and Roe have such an amazing journey to their relationship in this book. The wonderfully quirky way they meet, the friendship they form, and the emotions and feelings they both have all add up to a perfect story. The build-up in this book is incredible. It's a delicate simmer until it boils over. And Roe and Jake are freaking magic.

My heart is still not ok from that ending, and I'm ready for part two.

This book did hurt. The reason? It was just a long prequel! Did I love it? Yes. Does it remind me of “If we could go back”? A little. Should it exist? A case could be made for no.

I truly believe that part I and II of this story could have just been one long book. But that didn’t take away from my love for Roe and Jake and the angst, pining, and torture they’re going to go through next book towards their happily ever after.

***ARC Review***

This is my honest review for the ARC I received.

The title says it all. I’m glad I knew going in that this was a duet or I’d be devastated for Jake. This book is a slow burn but overflowing with emotional intensity. This book spans years. (It starts in 2010). Part I is told from Jake’s point of view. It tells the story of how Jake and Roe (Monroe) become really close friends. They meet in LA at a documentary filmmaking class. They decide to work together and the pair grow exceptionally close.

Jake is a former Marine. Jake struggles with affection, due to a past trauma instigated by his mother about his Grandpa. This is a childhood incident that really affects him, but he suppresses for a long time. His family is very traditional/conservative. Roe’s family is Catholic, but very open-minded.

Both men consider themselves to be straight at first, then Roe confesses he thinks he might be bi to Jake. (Things get interesting with the Tequila Licking at the bar)! Jake has a son, Colin, with his ex-girlfriend Nikki. Nikki and Jake have an amicable relationship. Roe’s girlfriend (then fiancée) gets pregnant later in the story, so he too will become a dad.

The connection between the the MCs is very strong. Dee does an excellent job of showing how close they are and how much they care for one another. There’s a nod to found family in this story. Things change around the 62% mark for Jake and Roe. After a night out in Vegas, the pair get physical. It’s a very steamy one-off, but afterwards, Jake struggles with his newfound attraction towards Roe.

The day of Roe’s wedding is just gah! I wanted to hug Jake so badly. He was really going through it. All of his feelings towards Roe. The realization he makes and the decision to keep it quiet. This book’s epilogue gave me all the feels! I need Roe’s book because I need to know how things end up for these best friends. I cannot wait and definitely looking forward to Part II.

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.