The Hurt Between Us

by Mariah L. Stevens

Five years ago, Aiyana Davis graduated with the scars of relentless bullying and a trauma no one knew Cailen Evans helped cause. Now, she’s a gifted but unknown singer with three songs and a plan.

Cailen, once her tormentor, is the lead vocalist of a popular metalcore band. He’s arrogant, jaded, and exactly like she remembers: an asshole. Five years later, Aiyana decides it’s time to cash in on the bill he owes her for everything he put her through. On the final night of his band’s tour, Aiyana sneaks onto his tour bus and lies in wait with a flash drive and one demand: give her studio time.

When the desire to follow her dreams blurs the line between attraction and hatred, Aiyana must choose between the justice she came for and the future she never thought she’d want…with the one person she hates most of all.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance

277 pages, Paperback

Published June 13, 2025

About the author

Mariah L. Stevens is a half-Black author and artist who lives in the PNW. She is diagnosed with Autism, BiPolar 1, and CPTSD. Mariah has been writing since she was 13 years old, and she plans to use her passion and life experience to help other survivors through the power of prose. She is a sex trafficking and Bulimia survivor that advocates for recovery and a life worth living. She encourages mental health awareness, as well as ED awareness in Black individuals, and weaves all of these elements into her work with the sole purpose of helping others seek recovery.

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Mariah is a very creative person. She loves to write, draw, design fabric, sew lolita-style dresses, design her own book covers, and do different types of crafting. She loves Japanese fashion, Kingdom Hearts, Disneyland, and her cat, Chiiyo.

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Mariah listens to metalcore and post-hardcore, has way too many pictures of MGK and Zendaya in her phone, and has 3 Kingdom Hearts tattoos.

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She also really loves Godzilla.

Reviews

[Disgusted Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a toxic mess so just know that before you go downloading this onto ur kindle

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. Aiyana and Cailen are everything!! I loved everything about this book (except Noah, he can get fucked).

[Katelynn Seaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so emotional! From Cailen and Aiyana’s past to the present, to obstacles they tackled together it was a chefs kiss. It was at times repetitive about what had happened between them and she wanted an apology that he just wouldn’t give. But to watch the character development they both had it was something I could look over.

[Rachael Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This bully romance had me up and down with emotions. the angst was spot on and the build up was intense. sometimes I wanted to strangle aiyana and others I wanted to just hug her. the plot twists kept me on the edge and I couldn't put it down. amazing writing!

[Margarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Mariah Stevens for an ARC copy of this book!

Such beautiful writing 😍 honestly this one was a very emotional read, all the feels - I was right there with Aiyana through her anxiety attacks, her anger, and her pride and excitement for her music ❤️ this was truly beautiful book with so much to unpack between Cailen and Aiyana. I’m glad that they both got the closure they needed and were able to continue on their healing journeys ❤️

This is a bully romance, at first it’s VERY heated between them and you can’t help but wonder 🤔 how is Aiyana not punching Cailen’s lights out on a daily??? Cuz he really does say some outta pocket things sometimes 😂 but she puts him in his place without physical violence (mostly) and they do eventually talk it all out and air out the past they share.

There are HEAVY topics involved in this book such as narcotic drug use (past) eating disorder (past) attempted SA (past and present) kidnapping/imprisonment, and physical violence to name a few.

There is open door spice as well, not too many scenes in the beginning/middle it’s mostly towards the end chapters that it gets pretty hot and heavy 😏 It honestly starts as some angry smexy times but that’s a given in an enemies-to-lovers book 😂

❤️❤️❤️❤️
🌶️🌶️.5

[Abhijeet Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"As weak as it felt to admit it, she had died that day. The gentle innocence of her childhood and teenage years had been destroyed, rocketing her into an adulthood that she wanted no part of."

The Hurt Between Us by Mariah L. Stevens is a dark romance with a touch of thriller. And this is my review as an ARC reader.

It's the story of Aiyana Davis, a budding singer who's still haunted by her high school bully, Cailen Evans. And five years later now, she must confront her past to make a name in the industry. The story is about her seeking what Cailen owes her, while also opening herself to the possibility of love with the very person who once hurt her most.

The writing is soft and thoughtful. It makes you feel comfortable with yourself. It touches on various difficult subjects like bullying, panic attacks, and past trauma, but these are handled gently and realistically.

The incident of bullying is repeated over and over, but it doesn't drag the story. It's more like struggles are acknowledged as a part of the healing process. They feel like part of the characters’ lives without taking over the story.

The dark secrets of Cailen has also been given proper space, revealing why he was the way he was. His character development by the end felt spectacular. He changed for the better, bit by bit.

And just when I thought the story might start dragging, it took an interesting turn. In fact, the book has several odd surprises that keeps you hooked throughout.

The Hurt Between Us is about the messy healing process, the tension between hate and desire, and the unexpected ways love finds your way through mutual pain.

Recommended for fans of dark romance and those who like enemies-to-lovers dramas.

[Aurélie Aertgeerts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful, gripping story!

Aiyana was tormented by Cailen in high school, and without his knowledge, he caused an event that deeply traumatised her.
5 years later, he succeeded in a career similar to what she wants, so she’s asking him for a favour. But in doing so, she has to face her trauma, conflicting feelings and find ways to heal herself.
This story has a lot of built up, and a very surprising plot twist towards the end.

I can’t say I experienced anything close to what the main characters and author have, but this story felt intimate, personable. The depiction of traumatic reactions and panic attacks were so realistic I wanted to reach out and soothe the characters myself!

A great reminder that sometimes, you forgive the people who hurt you for your own sake. And to never give up on your dreams, even if you have to get creative to get there!

The only thing that bugged me a little was reading a bit too often that he was her high school bully. Other than that very small detail, this story was very well written!
I would have loved more chapters with flashbacks to high school!

I saw this author talk about her book on Threads, and how the ARC requests were available, and after reading the blurb, I applied and was very happy to be selected! Thank you!

[Joia Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariah did the impossible, she made me like a bully romance!! I usually am adamantly against reading bully romances but I've read several of this author's books and loved them all so I decided to give it a shot.

I think this book worked for me because she took the toxic parts of this trope and didn't completely explain or wash them away with lust. Them hooking up made sense because they were always attracted to each other, but even when they started I appreciated that Aiyana's conflict with the situation was fleshed out. I also appreciated that she would bring it up to him every time and how she wouldn't back down about needing an apology. It was frustrating when Cailen just flat out wouldn't apologize and when the reason finally did come, I love that it didn't fully absolve him but I understood and felt that he truly was remorseful. And even better that he didn't just throw an "I love you" to just erase everything he did. Also, despite there being a significant amount of spice in this, every scene seemed purposeful and important to the story and moved the plot along.
Overall, I love the way this author writes her characters and portrays emotions and I'll continue to read anything she puts out.

[Jessie Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love myself some angsty banter and this story 100% provides that!

The MFC has gone through some tough situations and she wants to seek down an apology! Will she ever receive one...well you gotta read the book to find out ^_^

Just a few tropes that come to mind:

Angsty banter
School bully
Touch Her and 🔪 vibes
Forced proximity
Attempted SA

I finished this story in one sitting. It was very well written. I really loved Cailen... he has 2 sides and both were likeable. The MFC made me feel like she needed a big bear hug but I liked her too. The band group was there for them. I needed some Alejandro interaction... he's a bf...he only gets mentioned but I feel like he would have a lot to say on the matter as well.

I really loved it! I'll be buying a physical copy once Available.

I feel this story could be added to... like some side books or stories for some of the other characters...or extra chapters with back story 😍😍

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bully romance ✔️
Happily ever after ✔️
Aspiring singer ✔️
Metal band singer ✔️

This book was amazing!

The angst, the banter, the emotions between the two. They both have their issues, which are very heavy, so check the triggers before reading, but they overcome them while also repping mental health along the way.

The story begins in high school and evolves into adulthood. It's a long journey for our main characters, and you can see the impact that high-school period had on them both. I really enjoyed the chaos between them and then the friends that tried to keep them grounded throughout. It was a good aspect on finding your people to help you along the way while going through some serious traumas.

I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this amazing novel and am leaving a review of my own thoughts and feelings.

[Salima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aiyana was bullied by Cailen in high school. Poor girl went through so much trauma and now she has alot of anxiety and trauma from everything she endured. She picks herself back up and gets Cailen to help her with a singing career as he’s in a band and doing well. Cailen helps her out. He’s lost in his own world and tries to make peace with things in his life. They both gravitate to each other.

I love how the author portrayed anger, sadness, anxiety, panic attacks, depression and forgiveness. The Hurt Between Us by Mariah L. Steven was beautifully written with lots of thought put into it. You could feel the emotions of the characters. Absolutely devoured it. Can’t wait for more books by Mariah L. Stevens!!!

[Sarah Rassool · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

My first bully romance and I ate it up! I loved the mental health rep and getting to read about how the darkness consumes us in ways we don’t even understand. A&C were perfect together. They immediately have banter and yearning in between the lines.

Romance, amazing. Characters and development, phenomenal. Plot, amazing. I wasn’t entirely a fan of the conflict that happened toward the end but enjoyed the ending over all.

Worth a read and a wonderful palate cleanse in the dark romance genre.

[Rhiannon Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first bully romance that I’ve read in a while and I throughly enjoyed it. I enjoy the authors writing and the way they write their characters. Aiyana and Cailen’s story was very engaging and I really loved their journey and their healing after everything that happened. I can’t wait to read the other works written by this author. They are very interesting and I highly recommend them.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️

Genre/Tropes ✨bully romance, contemporary romance, rockstar romance, enemies to lovers

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. There were some parts that were slow to me but mostly I really wanted to know everything that had happened and why it kept happening. I wanted answers as bad as Aiyana and was so frustrated with Cailen. And don't even get me started on creepy Noah. I usually say I had fun reading a book. That can't be said for this book, it's too heavy. But I did enjoy reading it and it hit me in the feels, which is all I ask of any book.

[Renee Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a huge fan of bully romances but this book hit different. I was rooting for both of them thru the whole book. First read for me by Mariah Stevens and I will for sure be checking out some of her other books!

[enchanted_reader1976 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bully romance. It has angst and plot twists you don’t expect. Great read

[Bridgette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knocked a star off because at the beginning I just couldn’t stand how these characters were acting. But once they actually started communicating it got pretty good.

[Coralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it . Amazing read

[Madebymeliandco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm blown away by the way Mariah writes; the weight of the themes in this book are heavy, and I can't say the story ever felt lighthearted. Some bits of language felt repetitive, but overall, I felt every emotion of the FMC, and understood the war she waged within herself. My heart broke more than once for both of the main characters, and while some may question the FMC's choices and actions, she was entirely relatable if you are reading from a trauma informed point of view. This story was a rollercoaster of emotions and I'd make sure you read the trigger lists. This isn't a dark romance, or even a typical one; it's romance between two broken individuals working towards healing themselves and each other. In their perspectives, this is a realistic and relatable real world possibility with raw feelings, emotional expression (or lack thereof), and trauma bonding of sorts.

[thriftlibreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The banter between Aiyana(FMC) and Cailen(MMC) had me switching sides on who I agreed with depending on the conversation. It was a slow burn enemies to lovers story mainly revolving around the bully romance trope. Their story touches on many heavy themes and I’m glad it showcased a pro-recovery stance.

The spice level I would say is a 3 out of 5. About half way through the book is when you start seeing the open door romance. Some of the scenes made me question whether they’d actually happen IRL but as someone who has never faced such circumstances, I can’t speak to the reality behind them.

I wish we had more development on some of the side characters. They somewhat disappear towards the end of the story, Amina, for example. I felt she would have been a crucial lifeline for Aiyana. Especially during the events that unfold towards the end.