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The Way It Hurts: Small Town Fame
What if the person the rockstar had a crush on was me?
KAT
I met him once in the hospital during the darkest time of my life.
He was a famous rockstar there to meet a girl who was also sick. But he stopped to talk to me too.
And while I wanted to talk to him, my life had just been ruined. The person I loved was now dead. There was no room for anyone else when the grief was still so raw.
DANE
I met her years ago. In her darkest days. I don't think she even remembers our very first encounter.
But I still remember Kat. And that horrible thing that happened to her.
Because of that, I watch over her.
But, more than that, I think I love her.
The problem is, if she ever knew my secret, she would hate me.
KAT
I met him once in the hospital during the darkest time of my life.
He was a famous rockstar there to meet a girl who was also sick. But he stopped to talk to me too.
And while I wanted to talk to him, my life had just been ruined. The person I loved was now dead. There was no room for anyone else when the grief was still so raw.
DANE
I met her years ago. In her darkest days. I don't think she even remembers our very first encounter.
But I still remember Kat. And that horrible thing that happened to her.
Because of that, I watch over her.
But, more than that, I think I love her.
The problem is, if she ever knew my secret, she would hate me.
435 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2025
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 31, 2025
Kat and Dane’s story is emotional, memorable and riveting. They meet at the worst moment of her life, the moment that changes both of their lives forever. She has no memory of that first meeting when she meets him again years later, but he knows all about her. Kat is still grieving her husband and the life they had dreamed they would have. She never expected to fall in love again, much less with Dane, a famous rockstar, all around charmer and far too handsome for his own good. Yet, there is an unexpected connection with him, a feeling of safety and comfort that she finds irresistible and just a bit scary. She has loved and lost one man, is she ready to open her heart to another? It seems so, though she has no idea of the secrets Dane is keeping from her.
Dane finally gets a chance to reconnect with the woman who stole his heart the moment they met. He has told himself to stay away, to avoid her at all costs, but his heart says otherwise. A heavy burden of guilt ways heavily on his soul. As he and Kat grow closer, his conscience is begging him to tell her everything about their first meeting on that terrible night she lost so much. Can their love survive the revelation of his secret?
Both Kat and Dane are intriguing characters, with hidden depths, strengths and heartaches. Dane’s devotion to her borders on obsession, but he is also a man with a conscience, a deep sense of loyalty and responsibility. He also has a need to take care of those close to him, to protect them and keep them safe. It is his deep love and conscience that prod Dane to tell Kat his guilty secret, even knowing it could destroy everything between them. The author brought such nuance and emotion to these characters that I couldn’t help but be invested in their story and seeing them get a happily ever after.
I highly recommend this emotional and riveting book.
Dane finally gets a chance to reconnect with the woman who stole his heart the moment they met. He has told himself to stay away, to avoid her at all costs, but his heart says otherwise. A heavy burden of guilt ways heavily on his soul. As he and Kat grow closer, his conscience is begging him to tell her everything about their first meeting on that terrible night she lost so much. Can their love survive the revelation of his secret?
Both Kat and Dane are intriguing characters, with hidden depths, strengths and heartaches. Dane’s devotion to her borders on obsession, but he is also a man with a conscience, a deep sense of loyalty and responsibility. He also has a need to take care of those close to him, to protect them and keep them safe. It is his deep love and conscience that prod Dane to tell Kat his guilty secret, even knowing it could destroy everything between them. The author brought such nuance and emotion to these characters that I couldn’t help but be invested in their story and seeing them get a happily ever after.
I highly recommend this emotional and riveting book.
July 11, 2025
You’re married to your best friend. The one you met in kindergarten. Now is the time for “happily ever after”. But someone decides it’s ok to drive drunk and high and now you’ve spent the last three years grieving. Why? How can life be so unfair?
Dane was there at the accident. That’s where he fell in love with you. Problem is he feels responsible for the death of your husband. Fate brings the two of you together so Dane can try to pull you back to the land of the living. Will it work? What other pain is waiting for you both? Can you love again? Will you?
Dane was there at the accident. That’s where he fell in love with you. Problem is he feels responsible for the death of your husband. Fate brings the two of you together so Dane can try to pull you back to the land of the living. Will it work? What other pain is waiting for you both? Can you love again? Will you?
July 27, 2025
I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ARC reader for ‘The way it hurts’
This book took me on an unforgettable emotional ride—heartbreak, love, and buried secrets all masterfully woven together. The author’s talent shines through every page, capturing the rawness of pain and the beauty of second chances.
As the second book in the series, it deepens the world of this small town and the characters in it, while still standing strong on its own. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend for fans of heartfelt contemporary fiction with substance.
This book took me on an unforgettable emotional ride—heartbreak, love, and buried secrets all masterfully woven together. The author’s talent shines through every page, capturing the rawness of pain and the beauty of second chances.
As the second book in the series, it deepens the world of this small town and the characters in it, while still standing strong on its own. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend for fans of heartfelt contemporary fiction with substance.
July 31, 2025
This story is a heartbreaking tale of love of loved one and how someone new can come into your life and show you the way to make it through all the grief and find love again. Dane and Kat's story is ultimately a forever kind of love however there's miles of grief, heartache, despair, loss, and pain to go through to get there. It's deep and emotional so if you're looking for a consistent happy story this might not be for you. Don't get me wrong the ending is worth it.
September 11, 2025
The Way It Hurts by megan wild, is a heartfelt and beautifully written story about love, loss, and second chances. Kat’s grief is so raw and relatable that it tugs at your heart, while Dane’s quiet devotion and tenderness make you believe in healing through love. This book doesn’t just tell a romance, it captures the pain of heartbreak and the hope of finding light again. Truly moving and unforgettable.
July 15, 2025
This story was emotional and deeply moving. Kat and Dane go through so much. I kept rooting for this couple to make it. It was great to see Charli and Jax and other characters from the first book. I cannot wait to read Francesca and Cole's story. I received an ARC of this book and am leaving an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews