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Make It Hurt
I started a true crime podcast to chase the truth. But now a masked man is chasing me…
Launching After the Carver with my best friend was supposed to be the start of something exciting. A bold move to revive interest in an unsolved serial murder case that the world moved on from years ago. But the moment we posted our first episode, everything changed.
Someone’s watching me now… and I’m certain it’s the Carver himself.
He leaves me sinister notes. Sends me sick little gifts. Shows up in the dead of night and whispers that he’s been waiting for me all along.
He’s not just an obsessive stalker. Not just a ruthless predator. He’s a collector, and apparently, I’m the prize he’s always wanted. So now I’m caught in his web. Trapped between uncovering the truth and being claimed as his plaything.
When he comes for me, every instinct screams to run and hide… but some dark, twisted part of me doesn’t want to.
If I don’t get a hold of myself, I’ll stop chasing the killer… and start belonging to him.
***
Make It Hurt is a standalone 110k-word MF dark romance that contains dark topics/situations that may be triggering to some.
TWs - please check inside the book for a full list
Launching After the Carver with my best friend was supposed to be the start of something exciting. A bold move to revive interest in an unsolved serial murder case that the world moved on from years ago. But the moment we posted our first episode, everything changed.
Someone’s watching me now… and I’m certain it’s the Carver himself.
He leaves me sinister notes. Sends me sick little gifts. Shows up in the dead of night and whispers that he’s been waiting for me all along.
He’s not just an obsessive stalker. Not just a ruthless predator. He’s a collector, and apparently, I’m the prize he’s always wanted. So now I’m caught in his web. Trapped between uncovering the truth and being claimed as his plaything.
When he comes for me, every instinct screams to run and hide… but some dark, twisted part of me doesn’t want to.
If I don’t get a hold of myself, I’ll stop chasing the killer… and start belonging to him.
***
Make It Hurt is a standalone 110k-word MF dark romance that contains dark topics/situations that may be triggering to some.
TWs - please check inside the book for a full list
- GenresDark Romance
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
21 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Stella Hart
33 books302 followersStella Hart is the dark romance pen name of Alessandra Hart. She loves animals, red wine, and rainy days where she can curl up inside and plot new books instead of having to go out.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 15, 2025
Wow - I finished this in one day, I was hooked right until the end!!! Make sure to clear your calendars!!
Kennedy's father was the first victim of the Carver serial unaliver. She witnessed him being dragged away but was unable to do anything about it. Ten years later, she's started a podcast with her friend, Freya, about the Carver to see if anyone knows something that may be helpful, hoping that the podcast will trigger a long-forgotten memory and help solve the cold case.
But K, the unaliver, now has Kennedy on his radar and knows her deepest, darkest desires. He watches from afar, hacking into her life without her knowing. He's obsessed with and consumed by her, loving the games - the "chase" - waiting for the right time to strike.
I really enjoyed how the podcast fit into the story, it introduced us to the background of what happened and into the victims and suspects in a unique way. I had so many guesses as to who the unaliver was, but it kept changing the longer I read and the more we learned about the characters. There was only a brief moment in the middle of the book where I wanted the story to move faster, but I appreciated the suspense and build-up; it kept me guessing, just like it did for Kennedy. And the twist in the end did surprise me!!
K and Kennedy had a strong connection. Even though we don't know who K is, you could still feel a spark between them, and the steamy scenes were detailed and super hot! Their relationship was complicated in that she didn't know exactly who he was for most of the book, but it worked really well, and in the end, everything came together nicely!
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice/Heat Intensity: 3 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: K & Kellen
Darkness: 3 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤 (I didn't find it super dark [compared to other books I've read], but it is about serial unalivers)
Type of book: MF, Fast Burn, Duel 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone Novel
Title: Series- : Book
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA
*OTT Possessive, obsessive, dominant, and protective MMC
*Fear Kink
*Primal Play
*Captive/Kidnapping/Drugging
*Mental Health
*Stalker
*Serial Unaliver
*Knife/Blood Play
*No cheating or sharing
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some. Please check the authors' TW/CW before reading! 18+
*I received an early copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving this review.
Kennedy's father was the first victim of the Carver serial unaliver. She witnessed him being dragged away but was unable to do anything about it. Ten years later, she's started a podcast with her friend, Freya, about the Carver to see if anyone knows something that may be helpful, hoping that the podcast will trigger a long-forgotten memory and help solve the cold case.
But K, the unaliver, now has Kennedy on his radar and knows her deepest, darkest desires. He watches from afar, hacking into her life without her knowing. He's obsessed with and consumed by her, loving the games - the "chase" - waiting for the right time to strike.
I really enjoyed how the podcast fit into the story, it introduced us to the background of what happened and into the victims and suspects in a unique way. I had so many guesses as to who the unaliver was, but it kept changing the longer I read and the more we learned about the characters. There was only a brief moment in the middle of the book where I wanted the story to move faster, but I appreciated the suspense and build-up; it kept me guessing, just like it did for Kennedy. And the twist in the end did surprise me!!
K and Kennedy had a strong connection. Even though we don't know who K is, you could still feel a spark between them, and the steamy scenes were detailed and super hot! Their relationship was complicated in that she didn't know exactly who he was for most of the book, but it worked really well, and in the end, everything came together nicely!
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice/Heat Intensity: 3 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: K & Kellen
Darkness: 3 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤 (I didn't find it super dark [compared to other books I've read], but it is about serial unalivers)
Type of book: MF, Fast Burn, Duel 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone Novel
Title: Series- : Book
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA
*OTT Possessive, obsessive, dominant, and protective MMC
*Fear Kink
*Primal Play
*Captive/Kidnapping/Drugging
*Mental Health
*Stalker
*Serial Unaliver
*Knife/Blood Play
*No cheating or sharing
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some. Please check the authors' TW/CW before reading! 18+
*I received an early copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving this review.
September 30, 2025
Hold on to your seat, as you’ll never imagine how this story ends!
I feel for the strong female protagonist, Kennedy who witnessed her father being kidnapped by a serial killer when she was young and her psyche is never the same. Fast forward to after her college graduation and she along with her best friend, Freya start a podcast about the serial killer that became known as the "Carver" with the hopes of unraveling whodunit! There is a lot in play with Kennedy from her free professional psychiatric counseling ending with her graduation, yet the psychologist offers something that feels off to her; Declan, her stepbrother moves back to his father's house after his divorce and a drunken episode goes wrong in flames; and finally Detective Malachi Sieger who is recently assigned to the case due his success with cold cases and who has more at stake than Kennedy realizes. As the podcasts takes off, weird events occur around Kennedy in regards to the case, making you seriously wonder if perhaps the "Carver" is still out there. How will it all end? You'll have to read to find out and don't expect to put this book down until you turn the last page as will be caught up in the suspense of whodunit!
I feel for the strong female protagonist, Kennedy who witnessed her father being kidnapped by a serial killer when she was young and her psyche is never the same. Fast forward to after her college graduation and she along with her best friend, Freya start a podcast about the serial killer that became known as the "Carver" with the hopes of unraveling whodunit! There is a lot in play with Kennedy from her free professional psychiatric counseling ending with her graduation, yet the psychologist offers something that feels off to her; Declan, her stepbrother moves back to his father's house after his divorce and a drunken episode goes wrong in flames; and finally Detective Malachi Sieger who is recently assigned to the case due his success with cold cases and who has more at stake than Kennedy realizes. As the podcasts takes off, weird events occur around Kennedy in regards to the case, making you seriously wonder if perhaps the "Carver" is still out there. How will it all end? You'll have to read to find out and don't expect to put this book down until you turn the last page as will be caught up in the suspense of whodunit!
October 7, 2025
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review.
This book is absolutely amazing. Once you start it, you won't be able to lay it down. This is the story of Kennedy and K. Her father is the first victim of the Carver serial killer. She witnessed him being dragged away but could not do a thing about it. Ten years have not passed and she and her friend Freya have started a podcast about the Carver to see if anyone knows something that could be helpful in capturing him. Now however K has Kennedy on his radar. He knows her deepest darkest desire as he watches her from afar and hacks into her life without her having a clue he is doing it. He is a man obsessed to say the least. He is consumed with the thrill of the chance and all thing her. But he is just biding his time until the time is right to strike. I don't think I have read a book with a podcast in it like this one. I really loved that part of the book. Oh, who am I kidding. I loved it all. I love the connection that K and Kennedy shared. I loved that we don't know who K is but that spark for sure is there between them. This is a great book and one you do not want to miss.
This book is absolutely amazing. Once you start it, you won't be able to lay it down. This is the story of Kennedy and K. Her father is the first victim of the Carver serial killer. She witnessed him being dragged away but could not do a thing about it. Ten years have not passed and she and her friend Freya have started a podcast about the Carver to see if anyone knows something that could be helpful in capturing him. Now however K has Kennedy on his radar. He knows her deepest darkest desire as he watches her from afar and hacks into her life without her having a clue he is doing it. He is a man obsessed to say the least. He is consumed with the thrill of the chance and all thing her. But he is just biding his time until the time is right to strike. I don't think I have read a book with a podcast in it like this one. I really loved that part of the book. Oh, who am I kidding. I loved it all. I love the connection that K and Kennedy shared. I loved that we don't know who K is but that spark for sure is there between them. This is a great book and one you do not want to miss.
September 29, 2025
This is only my second time reading a serial killer book and every-time I think.. NOPE not going to like it and then… Im sucked so deep into it so I might actually just admit to enjoying it when its written in a DARK ROMANCE Stalker kinda vibe.. lols
Dark, Stalker,Twisted… Did not see it coming at all!!
Well I did not see the twists and Im not going to spoil it for you either so go in and read it in the dark with no indication of whats coming. BEST way to do it.
But I will tell you its good in a very dark and twisted way.
If you have triggers around blood, gore, stalkerish type of dark things, this might be your que to turn around.
If not and you appreciate all the twist and turns it can take you on, then go ahead.
Please always take note that if you have issues around mental health or suffer from it then your health comes first. This might be triggering in more than one way.
“My stomach lurched again. “You’re a fucking psychopath,” I bit out. “But I’m your psychopath, aren’t I?” he said. “Isn’t that what you like?”
Dark, Stalker,Twisted… Did not see it coming at all!!
Well I did not see the twists and Im not going to spoil it for you either so go in and read it in the dark with no indication of whats coming. BEST way to do it.
But I will tell you its good in a very dark and twisted way.
If you have triggers around blood, gore, stalkerish type of dark things, this might be your que to turn around.
If not and you appreciate all the twist and turns it can take you on, then go ahead.
Please always take note that if you have issues around mental health or suffer from it then your health comes first. This might be triggering in more than one way.
“My stomach lurched again. “You’re a fucking psychopath,” I bit out. “But I’m your psychopath, aren’t I?” he said. “Isn’t that what you like?”
September 23, 2025
Story 5 ⭐️
Spice 4 🌶️
A stalker romance where you don’t get confirmation of the stalkers identity until 2/3 of the way through to book is rare. There are 3 characters who could be the stalker and there are hints dropped that make it possible to really be any of them prior to the reveal.
The identity isn’t the biggest twist in the novel either. There are even bigger twists that get revealed after the stalkers identity is revealed.
Very happy with which character it was that turned out to be the stalker. Very enjoyable book with a satisfying ending.
Spice 4 🌶️
A stalker romance where you don’t get confirmation of the stalkers identity until 2/3 of the way through to book is rare. There are 3 characters who could be the stalker and there are hints dropped that make it possible to really be any of them prior to the reveal.
The identity isn’t the biggest twist in the novel either. There are even bigger twists that get revealed after the stalkers identity is revealed.
Very happy with which character it was that turned out to be the stalker. Very enjoyable book with a satisfying ending.
September 30, 2025
This dark stalker romance hooked me right away with its unique spin of podcast clips throughout the story. I also loved the dual POV and getting inside the mind of both interesting MCs. I devoured this book. I loved the mystery and suspense hanging on the edge of my seat eager to find out what happened next and who the mystery masked man was. So freaking deliciously dark and twisted.
Contains:
Stalker
Serial unaliver
Morally-gray
Captive
Masked man
Primal
Spicy
Explicit
Graphic
Dual POV
Check TW
Contains:
Stalker
Serial unaliver
Morally-gray
Captive
Masked man
Primal
Spicy
Explicit
Graphic
Dual POV
Check TW
October 13, 2025
Kennedy started a podcast, After the Carver, to solve the mystery of her father's kidnapping and murder. This podcast also brought out a stalker who falls for Kennedy. This is a dark, twisted stalker romance with danger, mystery, suspense, drama, and a storyline that had me on the edge of my seat, wondering who the stalker was and what would happen next. The writing is well done, the characters are well developed, and the ending is great. Make it Hurt is a great story! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
September 30, 2025
I absolutely loved this book!!! Its like a Good Girl's Guide to Murder with a steamy adult twist.
The podcast setting keeps you on your toes trying to figure out who the Carver is, who is after Kennedy and who you can and can't trust.
And the realization Kennedy discovers about herself is so hot.
Definitely another great Stella Hart book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The podcast setting keeps you on your toes trying to figure out who the Carver is, who is after Kennedy and who you can and can't trust.
And the realization Kennedy discovers about herself is so hot.
Definitely another great Stella Hart book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2025
This a dark and slightly terrifying/scintillating read with Kennedy and "K". Kennedy has been making a true crime podcast about a serial killer with a friend when things start to happen. With an obsessive stalker, a masked man, knife play and plenty more, this is not for the faint of heart. Please check the trigger warnings (or shopping list, it depends how you feel, IYKYK).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 15, 2025
Kennedy started a podcast with her friend Fraya to get answers to her fathers disappearance at the hands of the Carver murderer. Only she finds herself the obssesion of K, will he hold the answers she seeks or will she be another victim? Well written the story captivates and holds you're attention with suspense and keeps you guessing till the very end. Steamy dark themes desires and more!
September 30, 2025
I am not usually a fan of stalker romances, but something about this one, made me want to read it and im so glad i did, as this had all the right feels, the mystery, the obsession and the darkness and im glad we were left so long guessing who the stalker was, it really added to the tension! Loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 28, 2025
This book really captured my attention and had me anxiously staying up late to keep those pages turning. Suspense, tension, intensity and twists make this dark stalker romance a very juicy and hard to resist read.
October 23, 2025
Tingly!!
A twisty, little tale of a cruel serial killer and one on the hunt for him. Brought together by events set in motion years ago, this story will keep you guessing with all the characters, twists, and turns and revelations!
A twisty, little tale of a cruel serial killer and one on the hunt for him. Brought together by events set in motion years ago, this story will keep you guessing with all the characters, twists, and turns and revelations!
November 9, 2025
In my opinion it is not a dark romance more of a mystery and crime book with a little touch of dark romance. I was really into this book the plot kept twisting and twisting when i thought i had it figured out it always surprised me and the ending never saw it coming.
Definitely worth reading
Definitely worth reading
November 25, 2025
Honestly was more into the mystery than the romance. I felt like there wasn’t a good enough foundation for the romance cause it felt like it came out of nowhere, especially the first hook up. And some of the murder mystery plot got to be a bit nonsensical. But it was entertaining nonetheless lol
November 29, 2025
The whole podcasts about cold cases/serial killer cases plot was acc fun.
December 8, 2025
This book! This freaking book 🙌 10/10 all the stars ✨ So many twists and turns. I’m actually bummed I’ve read it because I would LOVE to experience this book for the first time again!!!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews