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Hurt
When it comes to matters of the heart, Nicole Landers has made some wrong choices. But now Nicole, one of the top real estate agents in Chattanooga, thinks she’s finally made the right one in Jamie Tate. Despite a serious Johnny Cash obsession and a tendency to shy away from long-term commitment, Jamie seems to be the perfect choice. Jamie is kind, loving and especially nice to Nicole’s elderly grandmother. Now all Nicole has to do is convince the attractive police detective that it's time to take things to the next level.
Jamie is crazy in love with Nicole and ready to move their relationship forward. Jamie decides it’s finally time to sell her home and move in together—something that Nicole has been talking about doing for months. Knowing that Nicole believes her to be commitment-shy, Jamie thinks it might be fun to surprise her with the move. However, things take on an ironic twist when an old friend Jamie hasn’t seen in years comes by to look at the house, setting into motion a series of events that leaves more than just Nicole and Jamie’s relationship in jeopardy.
Jamie is crazy in love with Nicole and ready to move their relationship forward. Jamie decides it’s finally time to sell her home and move in together—something that Nicole has been talking about doing for months. Knowing that Nicole believes her to be commitment-shy, Jamie thinks it might be fun to surprise her with the move. However, things take on an ironic twist when an old friend Jamie hasn’t seen in years comes by to look at the house, setting into motion a series of events that leaves more than just Nicole and Jamie’s relationship in jeopardy.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2015
28 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Lila Bruce
16 books62 followersLila Bruce makes her home in the mountains of North Georgia, where the air is sweet and the summers are hot. Growing up in a military family, she traveled extensively as a child, living everywhere from Maine to Mississippi, Germany to Georgia, and a few parts in between. Lila loves to read and write contemporary lesbian romances, and is a sucker for a happy ending. When not writing, she spends her days adding to her ever-growing pack of basset hounds, consuming unhealthy amounts of coffee, and dreaming of the day she's able to leave her evil day job behind.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 30, 2020
Hurt is a comedy of sorts, based on lack of communication between Jamie and her girlfriend Nicole. Jamie wants to surprise Nicole with a marriage proposal but goes about it all wrong, and keeps getting caught by her girlfriend in compromising positions.
This is not Lila Bruce’s best but it’s nice, and Hope Newhouse’s narration makes it very sweet (and brings my rating up from 3* when I first read this book to 4*). Both MCs are adorable and sexy, the secondary cast – Jamie’s colleagues, Nicole’s best friend, the neighbour… – adds fun and great lines. Jamie’s obsession with Johnny Cash is cringe-making in a hilarious way, and Nicole’s insecurities feel genuine.
Very enjoyable. And it deserves a better cover.
This is not Lila Bruce’s best but it’s nice, and Hope Newhouse’s narration makes it very sweet (and brings my rating up from 3* when I first read this book to 4*). Both MCs are adorable and sexy, the secondary cast – Jamie’s colleagues, Nicole’s best friend, the neighbour… – adds fun and great lines. Jamie’s obsession with Johnny Cash is cringe-making in a hilarious way, and Nicole’s insecurities feel genuine.
Very enjoyable. And it deserves a better cover.
August 20, 2022
3.5 star rating
Short romantic tale. We have a supposedly wonderful relationship that may burn to ashes if both participants don't exercise more trust with one another. Add in Granny Nana and Julie the bestie and tge whole relationship might as well just burn.
Short romantic tale. We have a supposedly wonderful relationship that may burn to ashes if both participants don't exercise more trust with one another. Add in Granny Nana and Julie the bestie and tge whole relationship might as well just burn.
December 28, 2015
I liked the writing, the relationship, the humour and Jamie and Nicole. The misunderstandings as plot device almost made me stop reading in frustration but the author pulled out of her tailspin with more humour, clever dialogue and a sweet resolution.
Will definitely look for more books by Lila Bruce.
Will definitely look for more books by Lila Bruce.
December 18, 2015
The plot is a cliche, but author's whipped up all elements fantastically and executed them without a hitch. Lila Bruce has just joined the league of my favorite authors.
June 13, 2020
“We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”
- Dr Seuss -
One of the greatest author summed up Hurt by Lila Bruce perfectly. Hands up and down, this is one of the best Lesfic I have read this year. If you decide to read it, please remember Seuss' words while reading it and you'll fall truly - madly - deeply with Hurt just like I did.
Lila Bruce, I don't care who you are, where you're from, what you did, as long as you keep writing. I solemnly swear that I'll do my best to help you leave your evil day job. First, Chasing Shadows then Hurt, both books are outstanding! Your words hug my heart from the first sentence to The End.
Chasing Shadow: " For a dead woman, Loralyn Baker looked pretty damned good "
Hurt: " In Nicole Landers’ mind, the world was broken up into two distinct sets of people. There were shower people, and then there were bath people "
Your stories will keep me company for days to come as I recall the scenes, characters, and the laugh out loud moments.
Side note, I miss you ladies. Stay safe, be happy and read on!
- Dr Seuss -
One of the greatest author summed up Hurt by Lila Bruce perfectly. Hands up and down, this is one of the best Lesfic I have read this year. If you decide to read it, please remember Seuss' words while reading it and you'll fall truly - madly - deeply with Hurt just like I did.
Lila Bruce, I don't care who you are, where you're from, what you did, as long as you keep writing. I solemnly swear that I'll do my best to help you leave your evil day job. First, Chasing Shadows then Hurt, both books are outstanding! Your words hug my heart from the first sentence to The End.
Chasing Shadow: " For a dead woman, Loralyn Baker looked pretty damned good "
Hurt: " In Nicole Landers’ mind, the world was broken up into two distinct sets of people. There were shower people, and then there were bath people "
Your stories will keep me company for days to come as I recall the scenes, characters, and the laugh out loud moments.
Side note, I miss you ladies. Stay safe, be happy and read on!
June 18, 2015
ThreeStar
I quite liked the humour in this novel and the allegories made by Nicole were amusing. I did get a little frustrated in the continual misconceptions and errors made by both women and thought this went on a little too long. Would have liked more than just one misunderstanding after another.
A happy easy to read book that appeals when you want to escape reality for a short while and know you will finish the book on a happy ending.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Chris
I quite liked the humour in this novel and the allegories made by Nicole were amusing. I did get a little frustrated in the continual misconceptions and errors made by both women and thought this went on a little too long. Would have liked more than just one misunderstanding after another.
A happy easy to read book that appeals when you want to escape reality for a short while and know you will finish the book on a happy ending.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Chris
June 16, 2020
I enjoyed this book. A lesbian who loves Johnny Cash! You can’t go wrong!!
June 29, 2015
I absolutely loved this book! This is by far my favorite one of Lila Bruce's books. It is definitely worth the read! It's fun and without giving anything away, I do feel it does ring true to life as far as how sometimes things happen that can lead us in one direction when in fact it was by a misunderstanding.
Life is unpredictable and things don't always happen the way we want them to happen. This is also a work of fiction, so I do not understand the comments that say this is not a believable story or that there are too many misunderstandings in the storyline.
Great story to read anytime of the year. I love Lila Bruce's humor and wit. Great read!
Life is unpredictable and things don't always happen the way we want them to happen. This is also a work of fiction, so I do not understand the comments that say this is not a believable story or that there are too many misunderstandings in the storyline.
Great story to read anytime of the year. I love Lila Bruce's humor and wit. Great read!
June 27, 2015
Misunderstandings lead to issues. With Jamie and Nicole the issues lead to headache and heartache. For the reader head shaking, laughter and many "oh come on". Entertaining light read that may have you thinking about the road to good intentions.
February 16, 2016
A "bunch of misunderstandings" kind of story with a nice dose of humor. So far best by the author.
October 22, 2019
ADORABLE!!!
Nicole is a real estate agent in love with Jamie. Jamie is a Johnny Cash obsessed police detective who loves Nicole right back. After nearly two years and multiple attempts at move in together talks, Jamie finally decides the time is right but wants to surprise her woman. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans…
This was SUCH a good story!! Wonderfully written and executed, it is a story of love and near loss, assumptions and misconception, anger and sorrow and finally peace and joy. These women are lovely. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Jamie, in spite of her country music addiction. Nicole was sweet too but a serious lack of trust nearly cost her everything that matters. I read this book really fast, it just flowed so well, it was over before I knew it, but nothing was left out. It was great. Ms Bruce is an excellent author and I cannot wait to devour more words from her!!
August 29, 2021
My heart goes out to Jamie because she is just trying to surprise her girlfriend and things just keep going against her. Nicole has been hurt before and can’t help but think the worst as things start happening. Add a in an elderly Nana and a few other interesting characters and the story turns into a romcom classic. The narrator Hope Newhouse was very good and so familiar. She sounds just like Faith Clarke from Her Best Friends Sister.
February 17, 2015
As the second title I've read from Bruce, this was the stronger piece. The characters manage to consistently have distinct voices, and the use of biting Southern humor is well-placed in scenes. The grammar and punctuation errors are infrequent, but noticeable. Despite some technical strengths for this story, I felt an absence of chemistry between the MCs and thus was not drawn to care deeply about their outcome. Perhaps the lack of internal monologue limited the narrative POV too much for my taste.
January 28, 2015
I could do with a more interesting plot than the totally contrived misunderstanding that drives most of this book, but the characters were pretty good and I bought the relationship, at least. It was a pretty fun read outside of my continued annoyance with miscommunication as a plot device.
December 14, 2015
Hurt by Lila Bruce: http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwid... 2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
December 15, 2020
Ok
This was an ok read. I guess the moral is so not try and surprise someone who is liable to be paranoid. Also, if you have a question for your partner about what they have been up to, just ask the damn question, not expect them to read your mind or try and figure out what, 'is there something you want to tell me?' means, because if the person has done nothing bad they will have zero clue what you are on about. I think the story was supposed to be sweet, but I ended up feeling emotionally manipulated on behalf of the detective. So in that sense, maybe the extent of the misunderstanding between the two mains might have been overdone as I don't think that was the response the author was after. I felt like shouting at the book at some points. Still, if you are after a fast and easy read with emotive qualities, then you may enjoy this.
This was an ok read. I guess the moral is so not try and surprise someone who is liable to be paranoid. Also, if you have a question for your partner about what they have been up to, just ask the damn question, not expect them to read your mind or try and figure out what, 'is there something you want to tell me?' means, because if the person has done nothing bad they will have zero clue what you are on about. I think the story was supposed to be sweet, but I ended up feeling emotionally manipulated on behalf of the detective. So in that sense, maybe the extent of the misunderstanding between the two mains might have been overdone as I don't think that was the response the author was after. I felt like shouting at the book at some points. Still, if you are after a fast and easy read with emotive qualities, then you may enjoy this.
May 19, 2020
In a way, I did want to get mad at one of the main characters as soon as the fatal flaw in her plan was revealed. Because *at that point*, she should have come clean to her partner about it. I mean, wouldn't it be *as* wonderful and *as* precious, if it was not presented as a fait accompli, given that it would mean her partner wouldn't be hurt any further? No! That is not how we humans work! And, so, we get to go along the comedic/dramatic journey with our MCs, to the end. Which was all the more sweet because of the previous hardship. I cannot rightly get mad at the author for the way people are! So, excellent story!
May 29, 2018
I Loved the story starting with Jamie and Nicole as a couple, I love reading about a couple after the HEA ending. The Romantic scenes were excellent. Misunderstands galore but full of humour and action. I thought the scenes with Nana very realistic. Read this book in one sitting I had to see what happened. Marvellous well written entertaining story. This is the second book that I have read by Lila Bruce, and will read more books by this author.
May 22, 2019
When the past bleeds into the present
This book has all of the right ingredients. The characters are well developed and relatable, the storyline is relatable and well paced.
This is a story of how Nicole allows her past hurts to bleed into her present relationship. The negative impact sends her relationship with Jamie on rollercoaster ride. It forces Jamie to prove her love for Nicole, but will Nicole continue to allow her past dictate her future?
This book has all of the right ingredients. The characters are well developed and relatable, the storyline is relatable and well paced.
This is a story of how Nicole allows her past hurts to bleed into her present relationship. The negative impact sends her relationship with Jamie on rollercoaster ride. It forces Jamie to prove her love for Nicole, but will Nicole continue to allow her past dictate her future?
December 20, 2018
Learning to love again.
Nicole had walked in on her girlfriend with another woman. A successful real estate agent, she meets Jamie, a policewoman, whom she falls for and wants forever. But then history seems to repeat itself and things get complicated. Can cops be trusted? Great story. Great author. Recommend.
Nicole had walked in on her girlfriend with another woman. A successful real estate agent, she meets Jamie, a policewoman, whom she falls for and wants forever. But then history seems to repeat itself and things get complicated. Can cops be trusted? Great story. Great author. Recommend.
June 4, 2019
Excellent!
Sometimes even the best laid plans can go awry. A monumental misunderstanding, an 80 year old nursing home escapee, a little white lie in the name of a surprise, and more bring this well written tale an air of authenticity. As they say, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". Put this book on your must read list.
Sometimes even the best laid plans can go awry. A monumental misunderstanding, an 80 year old nursing home escapee, a little white lie in the name of a surprise, and more bring this well written tale an air of authenticity. As they say, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". Put this book on your must read list.
April 11, 2020
Good
So, everyone has a past that dictates how they view and process life. Unfortunately, sometimes that can color your perception of innocent happenings. And sometimes no matter how hard you try, life can still turn to shit on a dime. But hopefully, in the end, it all ends up being worth it.
So, everyone has a past that dictates how they view and process life. Unfortunately, sometimes that can color your perception of innocent happenings. And sometimes no matter how hard you try, life can still turn to shit on a dime. But hopefully, in the end, it all ends up being worth it.
May 27, 2020
Engaging!
I enjoyed listening to this story of interesting women who are stuck in a cycle of misunderstandings. Jamie, Nicole and their cohorts drew me into their story making me like them and hope for a happy ending to their story.
Hope Newhouse gives Jamie the perfect voice and has an engaging narrative style.
Audiobook
I enjoyed listening to this story of interesting women who are stuck in a cycle of misunderstandings. Jamie, Nicole and their cohorts drew me into their story making me like them and hope for a happy ending to their story.
Hope Newhouse gives Jamie the perfect voice and has an engaging narrative style.
Audiobook
April 23, 2019
Well Done!
This was a great telling of misunderstandings gone wrong. The characters were connectable and the chemistry was off the charts. Being vulnerable and sentimental pays off. Good Job!
This was a great telling of misunderstandings gone wrong. The characters were connectable and the chemistry was off the charts. Being vulnerable and sentimental pays off. Good Job!
June 7, 2021
I recommend this book
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are very well written and very likable. Very sweet romance. Once I started reading I didn't want to stop. Thanks for another good read.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are very well written and very likable. Very sweet romance. Once I started reading I didn't want to stop. Thanks for another good read.
June 5, 2018
Liked the humour.
June 17, 2015
I was sent this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I quite liked the humour in this novel and the allegories made by Nicole were amusing. I did get a little frustrated in the continual misconceptions and errors made by both women and thought this went on a little too long. Would have liked more than just one misunderstanding after another.
A happy easy to read book that appeals when you want to escape reality for a short while and know you will finish the book on a happy ending.
I quite liked the humour in this novel and the allegories made by Nicole were amusing. I did get a little frustrated in the continual misconceptions and errors made by both women and thought this went on a little too long. Would have liked more than just one misunderstanding after another.
A happy easy to read book that appeals when you want to escape reality for a short while and know you will finish the book on a happy ending.
December 21, 2015
I read this in one sitting because I needed to know what happen but when we allow past hurts to hinder us from experiencing a real relationship this is what happens. I really enjoyed the emotional roller coaster.
November 7, 2016
This is yet another great read!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews