Love Hurts

Fire and Ice #9

by Tara Conrad

Anthony
Everything I ever desired was within my grasp. Until a fateful day altered its trajectory.
In a world where everyone’s struggling, I convince myself that I must be strong. Determined to maintain an appearance of resilience, I bury my emotions, shielding myself from their potential harm.
An unexpected rush of attraction overwhelms me when a handsome stranger, with captivating baby blue eyes walks through my door.
I have an instinctive desire to care for and protect him. However, I can’t help but wonder—would he be interested in an older man?
Leopold
My life has been far from what one might label as perfect. It seems as if every choice I make is predestined for failure.
When the storms of life rage their fiercest, an unexpected opportunity arises, offering me the chance to start over.
But no matter how hard I try to do the right things, it seems as if the universe conspires against me. I’m dealt one suffocating blow after another. The voices telling me I’m not worth it grow louder until I can’t ignore them anymore.
Then he appears—the man whose eyes radiate gentleness and kindness. However, I carry a warning of trouble.
As much as I crave him, the painful truth is, I can never have him.

Love Hurts can be read out of order in the Fire and Ice Series

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Contemporary, LGBT

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2024

About the author

Tara Conrad writes sizzling, emotionally charged romances that blend passion, angst, and unforgettable love stories. From dark Irish mafia worlds to steamy second chances and spicy club romances, her books are filled with captivating plots, deep emotional connections, and characters who love hard—and fight harder for their happily ever after.

Tara is married to her real-life hero, George. They’ve been in love for over 30 years, and it was his encouragement that launched her writing journey. Their enduring bond inspires every story she tells.

Looking for your next binge-worthy romance?
Explore Tara’s best sellers now.

Reviews

[Kyrstyn Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Tara's writing last summer and she again has captured my attention and pulled out all the emotion. Please check the trigger warnings.

Tara has a wonderful way of gently bringing you into the lives of her characters and laying the foundation for beautiful love stories. She unfolds the layers of each character and explores the circumstances in their lives that form who they are and how they react to each other. This is a strong suit of Tara's and I find it to be a wonderful way to tell a story. I am always enraptured by her stories.

Anthony and Leopold! How can you not be moved by their story. I appreciate the build up and foundation that is created for the reader so they can come on the journey. I don't think this story could have been told without the foundation that Tara created.

I cried as I read the beginning of the book knowing where it was headed. That tells you the author created something wonderful. Something that touches the soul. She did not take the easy way and have Anthony healed and moving on in six weeks. She painted a beautiful portrait of him rebuilding his life and allowing new characters in and out of his life to help him find a new place in his life.

How could you not be moved by Leopold's story! Tara told it with care, love and respect for Leopold. He was not a one dimensional character. She carefully led the reader on his journey and the reader is invested in wanting to see him overcome his experiences.

I feel that Tara is a masterful storyteller and this series shows it! I also appreciate how the reader can see multiple points of view of the same situation in the way she writes her stories.

Thank you for another 5 star read and sharing this beautiful story.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing I will say is that both the main characters have very difficult back stories, so definitely check the triggers before reading. It gets intense at times, and ultimately taking care of self when reading is super important. I really enjoyed this book. I read it in one sitting. I fell in love with the two main characters and seeing their progression through their tragedies was satisfying. I am looking forward to seeing where their story goes.

[FS Meurinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The compelling tale of Anthony and Leopold moved me. Leopold's arrival challenges Anthony's face of toughness, a young man whose life's hardships have left him unworthy of love. Their instant connection sparks a tumultuous journey of self-discovery and healing. This emotionally charged novel skillfully navigates the complexities of love, resilience, and the courage to face one's past. It's a poignant reminder of the power of love to conquer adversity. This book captivated me with its depth, and I highly recommend it to those who appreciate a story that tugs at the heartstrings.

[Jessica Sexton · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️
1/5 🌶️

Have a box of Kleenex available for this read. It was so amazing to see where both Tony and Leo have come from. We know them as the amazing Dom/sub couple that have done so much for their Fire and Ice family but who knew their pasts were so haunted. Leo is this bubbly amazing adorable guy that I want to be friends with and now knowing the horrors he’s lived with makes me want to hug him. If you love Fire and Ice or even if you have never read it you need to read this!

[Mika Rayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this from start to finish! The research was on point for the unfortunate things that happened in the beginning. Poor Kameron. The spice was a yes and the ending was raw and emotional. Well written.

[Cherise Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tara ripped out my heart with this one. I want to say it was without warning, but the book is literally called Love Hurts so… there’s your warning. I’m only giving this heartbreaking beauty 4 stars because I wish its sequel Love Heals was one big novel. I’ve never been a fan of cliffhangers.

[books.n.ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so good! A wonderful and emotional M/M romance. Both characters have really tough back stories so please be mindful of triggers. But even with that, their story was so beautiful and full of strength and resilience! Have your tissues handy as you’ll need them!

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely wonderful, I've read the whole fire and ice so I know leo is with Tony but this background on how they both went through to get together was heartbreaking but the courage and strength they both endured was Heartwarming and I knew Kam led Tony to that night and found Leo. I can't wait until the final book. I highly recommend this book and series
I received this ARC in exchange for honest review.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in Tony and Leo’s story. They both go through A LOT so if you are a sensitive reader, be warned- but also know that this author always makes the journey worth it. I laughed, I cried and I felt a mourning I haven’t felt in many years… but I also CANNOT wait for the next book to see how their love comes together. The one thing that makes this whole book easier is that from reading other books in the Fire and Ice series, we know they get a happy ending…. It’s just finding out how that I can’t wait to learn!!!

[Bloody Blogger Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOT TISSUES‼️
Tara Conrad delivers a phenomenal MM book from the Fire and Ice Series (book 9). This is the story of Anthony & Leopold. It unfolds with the individual history of each up until they meet. The storyline then develops into their complicated relationship. Anthony is amazing, and Leopold is a fun and lovable man. These two will steal your heart! With vivid characters and a great world build, this book will make you ugly cry (tissues please), laugh and fight along with them. The feels are strong and will pull on your heartstrings. I don't do spoilers because it takes away from the stor, but the blurb gives you a good prologue. I highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed. I freaking loved it!

[Arin Baur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness does this book pull at all emotions I been involved in the fire and ice series from the beginning and been looking forward to getting to know more in depth about Tony and Leo characters. With this series it pulls you in all the way especially with amazing characters and their heartstrings stories among so much more. This story did not disappoint its full of struggles with both characters having tragic encounters in their lives and trying desperately to make things better. It definitely shows you somewhat how the characters become how they are the people they are portrayed in the other counters from the other books. With everything that happens especially with Leo I would be carful reading this book please look at the TW and if necessary give yourself breaks for reading. It’s very intense scenarios I would say this for sure a tear jerker type of book. With coming from horrible situations plus bad people trust is very difficult for Leo among many others things but when he meets Tony he feels something that he doesn’t know how to handle. I’m looking forward to see where things go from here and is hoping Leo gets justice for all the crap people put him through. There is plenty of suspenseful, violent content crime so much inner turmoil and strong in my opinion too. I couldn’t put this down it does end on a cliffhanger. If you love all the other fire and ice books you don’t want to miss this one:)

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found out about this book from one of the promotions where books are offered at free or reduced cost and picked it up.

I have a lot of conflicted feelings after reading this. Kameron’s storyline was hard to read, even this many years later.

Anything the author could do to Leopold, they did. I had issues with how quickly Leo trusted Krew - like almost out of nowhere. Here this kid is betrayed by his parents, barely escapes with his life, finds what he calls a father figure in Romero and almost immediately gives that up for this dude who treats him like garbage. It wasn’t believable because there wasn’t a lot of context around -why- he would willingly choose that over the stability of the center. It felt like trauma for trauma’s sake.

Tony and Kam were darling. Tony’s journey stood out in the book and while he also experienced immense grief, it was almost like his story gave us a break from the horror of Leo’s.

This is a two-parter, continued in the next book Love Heals.

[Pebbles Lacasse · Rating 5 out of 5]

so many emotions!!

The story basically follows the lives of two separate people. They are both suffering horrible traumas either of the heart, physical, or both. The stories don’t merge until the end of the book.
My heart bleeds for these characters. 9/11 was horrible for everyone in the world, including these characters. With the loss of his husband, he’s tries to get back to the living.
A young man is shunned from his family because he is gay and forced into a recovery program. That is nothing even close to “recovery” in any way shape or form. They are brutal and awful. Caution if you’re sensitive to sexual abuse.
If you are sensitive about the world trade center falling, you may wish to avoid this book. It’s an up close and personal description of what it could have been like for two people madly in love involved in that situation on that day. Aside from that, it’s a very great book.

[Donna Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning keep your tissues handy when reading this book, this is a very well written M/M romance and it is filled with plenty of twist and turns. If you’re cool with M/M romance this book is definitely down your alley. Add it to your TBR you won’t be disappointed.

[Sonia N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tara Conrad is a very gifted author. I have read her books and loved them.
But, I do not read M/M books. I’m sorry but I did not finish this book.