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Hurt People
She learned to read hands before she learned to read books.
Willow Jones knows the difference between a touch that asks and a touch that takes. She's known it since she was five years old and a stranger's hands taught her that safety is a word other people get to use.
Now she's eighteen and in a constant state of survival.
Surviving a boyfriend whose love arrives wrapped in poison, surviving a trailer where the walls carry everything, surviving a school that accepted her as a line item and expects her to be grateful.
Then Grayson Parker says her name like it holds weight.
He's her teacher, but he’s also the first person who's ever told her to keep going.
In a world where every hand she's ever known has left a mark, Willow has to learn the hardest lesson of all: that wanting something for herself isn't the same as deserving the wreckage that follows.
Hurt people hurt people. But that was never the whole sentence.
Willow Jones knows the difference between a touch that asks and a touch that takes. She's known it since she was five years old and a stranger's hands taught her that safety is a word other people get to use.
Now she's eighteen and in a constant state of survival.
Surviving a boyfriend whose love arrives wrapped in poison, surviving a trailer where the walls carry everything, surviving a school that accepted her as a line item and expects her to be grateful.
Then Grayson Parker says her name like it holds weight.
He's her teacher, but he’s also the first person who's ever told her to keep going.
In a world where every hand she's ever known has left a mark, Willow has to learn the hardest lesson of all: that wanting something for herself isn't the same as deserving the wreckage that follows.
Hurt people hurt people. But that was never the whole sentence.
- GenresRomance
Unknown Binding
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
September 18, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story broke my heart.
Not because it is relentlessly graphic or because every terrible thing Willow has endured is described in excruciating detail.
In fact, I was grateful that the author chose not to go deeply into some of the abuse, especially when it comes to Willow’s childhood.
I find those scenes incredibly difficult to read, and the way they are handled here gives us enough to understand the magnitude of what she went through without turning her suffering into something to be consumed.
Because the greatest horror in this story is not always physical.
It is psychological.
It is the constant tension that follows Willow everywhere.
The way she watches people.
Measures every word.
Calculates every reaction.
Thinks before she speaks.
Tries not to attract attention.
Tries not to anger Dean.
Tries to appear fine when she is anything but fine.
She has spent so much of her life surviving that simply existing without fear feels almost foreign to her.
Willow is, in many ways, a girl who has been drowning for most of her life, desperately trying to keep her head above a cold and violent sea.
And she is incredibly brave.
Not because she is fearless, but because she keeps going despite being terrified.
Greyson becomes the first person who makes her feel as though she can finally breathe with her head above the water.
Through books, quiet support, kindness, and his presence, he gives Willow something she has barely known before: a space where she can slowly begin to be herself.
I appreciated that the story does not pretend their relationship is simple or acceptable simply because there are feelings involved.
The student/teacher dynamic creates an undeniable ethical boundary, and I think the way the story handles that matters.
And then there is Dean.
Oh, Dean....
I had very little patience for him from the beginning.
His own abusive environment may help explain where some of his behaviour comes from, but it certainly does not excuse what he does to Willow.
Watching him manipulate, diminish, control, and psychologically hurt her made me want to reach through the pages more than once.
What impressed me most about this book, though, was the way the author creates tension without needing to constantly show us violence.
You can feel Willow's fear in the way she thinks, behaves, chooses, and relates to the people around her.
The writing pays close attention to her emotional state, and there were moments when the tension was almost tangible.
I also loved the importance of books within the story.
For Willow, they become more than something to read.
They become a doorway into another world, a place to breathe, and eventually a way of understanding that perhaps her life does not have to remain the way it has always been.
I didn't love this story in the way I love the books that completely consume me.
But I couldn't be indifferent to it.
And somehow, that feels even more important.
This book left me thinking about Willow long after I finished reading.
About children who grow up without the safety, love, and protection they should have been able to take for granted.
About the adults who are supposed to protect them and sometimes fail them.
About systems that can become more concerned with passing responsibility along than with actually seeing the child standing in front of them.
There are, thankfully, people who do protect, nurture, foster, and love these children as they deserve.
But this story made me think about the ones who fall through the cracks.
The children whose childhood becomes a succession of traumas while the adults around them somehow fail to see the full picture.
That is a terrifying thought.
And yet, this is not a story without light.
It is painful, but it is also hopeful.
There is darkness here, but there is love.
There is fear, but there is courage.
There is trauma, but there is the possibility of healing.
And ultimately, there is hope.
The ending felt almost poetic to me.
Not because everything that happened can simply be erased, but because it felt like the closing of a circle, the kind of ending that reminds us that what happened to someone does not have to determine everything that comes after.
It reminded me that sometimes surviving is only the first step.
Sometimes, the real victory is finally learning that you are allowed to live.
This is a painful story, but it is also a story about perseverance, love, and finding a way forward when life has given you every reason to stop.
I didn't finish it thinking, "I loved this book."
I finished it thinking, "this story deserves to be read".
And shared.
And, perhaps most importantly, reflected upon.
Because children like Willow should never have to become this strong just to survive.
This story broke my heart.
Not because it is relentlessly graphic or because every terrible thing Willow has endured is described in excruciating detail.
In fact, I was grateful that the author chose not to go deeply into some of the abuse, especially when it comes to Willow’s childhood.
I find those scenes incredibly difficult to read, and the way they are handled here gives us enough to understand the magnitude of what she went through without turning her suffering into something to be consumed.
Because the greatest horror in this story is not always physical.
It is psychological.
It is the constant tension that follows Willow everywhere.
The way she watches people.
Measures every word.
Calculates every reaction.
Thinks before she speaks.
Tries not to attract attention.
Tries not to anger Dean.
Tries to appear fine when she is anything but fine.
She has spent so much of her life surviving that simply existing without fear feels almost foreign to her.
Willow is, in many ways, a girl who has been drowning for most of her life, desperately trying to keep her head above a cold and violent sea.
And she is incredibly brave.
Not because she is fearless, but because she keeps going despite being terrified.
Greyson becomes the first person who makes her feel as though she can finally breathe with her head above the water.
Through books, quiet support, kindness, and his presence, he gives Willow something she has barely known before: a space where she can slowly begin to be herself.
I appreciated that the story does not pretend their relationship is simple or acceptable simply because there are feelings involved.
The student/teacher dynamic creates an undeniable ethical boundary, and I think the way the story handles that matters.
And then there is Dean.
Oh, Dean....
I had very little patience for him from the beginning.
His own abusive environment may help explain where some of his behaviour comes from, but it certainly does not excuse what he does to Willow.
Watching him manipulate, diminish, control, and psychologically hurt her made me want to reach through the pages more than once.
What impressed me most about this book, though, was the way the author creates tension without needing to constantly show us violence.
You can feel Willow's fear in the way she thinks, behaves, chooses, and relates to the people around her.
The writing pays close attention to her emotional state, and there were moments when the tension was almost tangible.
I also loved the importance of books within the story.
For Willow, they become more than something to read.
They become a doorway into another world, a place to breathe, and eventually a way of understanding that perhaps her life does not have to remain the way it has always been.
I didn't love this story in the way I love the books that completely consume me.
But I couldn't be indifferent to it.
And somehow, that feels even more important.
This book left me thinking about Willow long after I finished reading.
About children who grow up without the safety, love, and protection they should have been able to take for granted.
About the adults who are supposed to protect them and sometimes fail them.
About systems that can become more concerned with passing responsibility along than with actually seeing the child standing in front of them.
There are, thankfully, people who do protect, nurture, foster, and love these children as they deserve.
But this story made me think about the ones who fall through the cracks.
The children whose childhood becomes a succession of traumas while the adults around them somehow fail to see the full picture.
That is a terrifying thought.
And yet, this is not a story without light.
It is painful, but it is also hopeful.
There is darkness here, but there is love.
There is fear, but there is courage.
There is trauma, but there is the possibility of healing.
And ultimately, there is hope.
The ending felt almost poetic to me.
Not because everything that happened can simply be erased, but because it felt like the closing of a circle, the kind of ending that reminds us that what happened to someone does not have to determine everything that comes after.
It reminded me that sometimes surviving is only the first step.
Sometimes, the real victory is finally learning that you are allowed to live.
This is a painful story, but it is also a story about perseverance, love, and finding a way forward when life has given you every reason to stop.
I didn't finish it thinking, "I loved this book."
I finished it thinking, "this story deserves to be read".
And shared.
And, perhaps most importantly, reflected upon.
Because children like Willow should never have to become this strong just to survive.
November 1, 2026
This book touched on subject that some might find hard
however i found interesting I learned something new so I was enthrolled
the way the fml calculated" if I accept these flower it mean it means i accept the consequence later as there alway consequences" the way she moulded herself to be seen as invisible as that mean less danger the way she read thee room to avoid the beating
Starts with willow being thrown into forster care at the age of 4 and ends up with the wrong people they look nice on the outside but soon she realise her new home is a dog kennel
the saute took pity on her and she ticked the right boxes so they offered her a place in a posh school
she meet dean who trying not to be like his farther but still misses up and in there 2 year together she still hiding the bruise
But soon walks in grayson the new English teacher with his own heartfelt backstory they of course develop a relationship which is well written and definitely built on trust so sweet to read
The only downside for me is
even with the rumour of student x teacher not much is done
Yes he left the school when their was only whispers and no proof
however there was not really a consequences they just hid it she moved in and they avoid eyes and once she graduated it was all out and show no question no authority no papers felt that was a bit flat
I like how jade finally when from just a small character to a familiar one when she confronted willow she stood by her friend even after all the truth came out she was read to kill Dean "start with his pancreas useless like him" was nice for her to have someone other than grayson on her side
Thank you for the opportunity to read this in advance
however i found interesting I learned something new so I was enthrolled
the way the fml calculated" if I accept these flower it mean it means i accept the consequence later as there alway consequences" the way she moulded herself to be seen as invisible as that mean less danger the way she read thee room to avoid the beating
Starts with willow being thrown into forster care at the age of 4 and ends up with the wrong people they look nice on the outside but soon she realise her new home is a dog kennel
the saute took pity on her and she ticked the right boxes so they offered her a place in a posh school
she meet dean who trying not to be like his farther but still misses up and in there 2 year together she still hiding the bruise
But soon walks in grayson the new English teacher with his own heartfelt backstory they of course develop a relationship which is well written and definitely built on trust so sweet to read
The only downside for me is
even with the rumour of student x teacher not much is done
Yes he left the school when their was only whispers and no proof
however there was not really a consequences they just hid it she moved in and they avoid eyes and once she graduated it was all out and show no question no authority no papers felt that was a bit flat
I like how jade finally when from just a small character to a familiar one when she confronted willow she stood by her friend even after all the truth came out she was read to kill Dean "start with his pancreas useless like him" was nice for her to have someone other than grayson on her side
Thank you for the opportunity to read this in advance
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2026
WOW! It's really hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that this is a debut. Maisie's writing it beautiful!
"I know the mechanics. All the things a kiss can be— claimed, offered, withheld, used like punctuation at the end of a sentence you weren’t allowed to finish. I thought I understood the full range. I didn’t know it could feel like being asked."
I do have a few technical notes that kept it from being a 5 star. While the writing was beautiful with all the metaphors and ways she described stuff, it did begin to feel repetitive at times. Also, and this may be more of a preference thing since I'm use to 800-1000 page books, but I felt that the story could of been drawn out a little more. It felt rushed at times.
Also, I know that some people may take issue with this being a high school teacher x student romance, but it really made since for the story and I loved Grayson! He truly was (almost) the only person in Willow's life who looked out for her. And while there is some spice in the story, it really is not even close to being the main focus.
And putting her relationship with Grayson aside, I love how she wrote Willow's relationship with gaslighting, abusive high school boyfriend. I've thankfully never been a relationship like that, but it really opened up my mind to how woman in those relationships think and process everything.
"I know what the flowers are. I know what taking them means. I know it will cost me later, in ways I can’t calculate yet, in the currency that always comes due. I know all of it."
Overall, I will be looking forward to reading more by Maisie in the future and I think she has a strong future ahead of her just based off this debut.
▫️teacher x student romance
▫️angst
▫️mental health and DV awareness
▫️slow burn
▫️forbidden & secret relationship
"I know the mechanics. All the things a kiss can be— claimed, offered, withheld, used like punctuation at the end of a sentence you weren’t allowed to finish. I thought I understood the full range. I didn’t know it could feel like being asked."
I do have a few technical notes that kept it from being a 5 star. While the writing was beautiful with all the metaphors and ways she described stuff, it did begin to feel repetitive at times. Also, and this may be more of a preference thing since I'm use to 800-1000 page books, but I felt that the story could of been drawn out a little more. It felt rushed at times.
Also, I know that some people may take issue with this being a high school teacher x student romance, but it really made since for the story and I loved Grayson! He truly was (almost) the only person in Willow's life who looked out for her. And while there is some spice in the story, it really is not even close to being the main focus.
And putting her relationship with Grayson aside, I love how she wrote Willow's relationship with gaslighting, abusive high school boyfriend. I've thankfully never been a relationship like that, but it really opened up my mind to how woman in those relationships think and process everything.
"I know what the flowers are. I know what taking them means. I know it will cost me later, in ways I can’t calculate yet, in the currency that always comes due. I know all of it."
Overall, I will be looking forward to reading more by Maisie in the future and I think she has a strong future ahead of her just based off this debut.
▫️teacher x student romance
▫️angst
▫️mental health and DV awareness
▫️slow burn
▫️forbidden & secret relationship
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Maybe hurt people heal too”… 🥹😮💨
First things first, INFINITY stars. Period, hands down. I will think about this book for the rest of my entire life. I’m fairly certain this is maybe authors debut novel and she gets every piece of my standing ovation and I’ll read ANYTHING she writes. I’ll read this book again and again.
The impact from this book was full body. It wasn’t soft or easy, it was every sharp edge that made you feel it going through.. Willow and i have shared so many similarities sometimes i thought i was reading about myself. The journey my baby willow endured and her still being thankful for life. 😭😭 i cried throughout this entire book. I love them so much..
The fact that they were fostering.. wow. A full circle moment for some of my favorite characters ever.
I found my Gray in life. 💙
First things first, INFINITY stars. Period, hands down. I will think about this book for the rest of my entire life. I’m fairly certain this is maybe authors debut novel and she gets every piece of my standing ovation and I’ll read ANYTHING she writes. I’ll read this book again and again.
The impact from this book was full body. It wasn’t soft or easy, it was every sharp edge that made you feel it going through.. Willow and i have shared so many similarities sometimes i thought i was reading about myself. The journey my baby willow endured and her still being thankful for life. 😭😭 i cried throughout this entire book. I love them so much..
The fact that they were fostering.. wow. A full circle moment for some of my favorite characters ever.
I found my Gray in life. 💙
October 11, 2026
⚠️⚠️Check all TW⚠️⚠️⚠️
This book had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning. I haven’t read a book like this in a long time. This is a debut book and it was so good.
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Did Not Finish
October 20, 2026DNF at 50%
What started out strong slowly lost its steam. There was plenty of descriptive, vivid writing, but the focus seemed to be more on the setting and past scenarios than on developing the characters themselves. I was given details about the world around them, but very little that helped me feel connected to the people actually inhabiting it.
Around the 30% mark, I started to feel bored, and the story began to feel stagnant rather than like it was building toward something. I kept reading, hoping the pacing would pick up and I'd eventually feel more invested in the characters, but unfortunately, that never happened. For me, all the descriptive writing in the world couldn't make up for the lack of character connection or a sense of progression.
What started out strong slowly lost its steam. There was plenty of descriptive, vivid writing, but the focus seemed to be more on the setting and past scenarios than on developing the characters themselves. I was given details about the world around them, but very little that helped me feel connected to the people actually inhabiting it.
Around the 30% mark, I started to feel bored, and the story began to feel stagnant rather than like it was building toward something. I kept reading, hoping the pacing would pick up and I'd eventually feel more invested in the characters, but unfortunately, that never happened. For me, all the descriptive writing in the world couldn't make up for the lack of character connection or a sense of progression.
October 3, 2026
I absolutely adored this book! I had a hard time putting it down.
Not sure I would consider this safe for the safety gang— on page scene with OM. She stays with her abusive boyfriend up until about 40%. It didn’t bother me but I know some people appreciate a warning. Dean is a real POS. Definitely takes advantage of the fact that she is vulnerable bc of her upbringing.
The only thing I would change about this book is to make it dual POV. The book was mainly about Willow, her trauma, and character growth. For a single POV the author does a great job of letting us get to know Grayson but I wanted more from him.
Not sure I would consider this safe for the safety gang— on page scene with OM. She stays with her abusive boyfriend up until about 40%. It didn’t bother me but I know some people appreciate a warning. Dean is a real POS. Definitely takes advantage of the fact that she is vulnerable bc of her upbringing.
The only thing I would change about this book is to make it dual POV. The book was mainly about Willow, her trauma, and character growth. For a single POV the author does a great job of letting us get to know Grayson but I wanted more from him.
October 9, 2026
DNF @ 42%
I am so sorry, but I just could not get into this book. The repetition of words and phrases really killed it for me, even more so than how every feeling or action had to be described. I lost count of how many times something “landed” or “shifted”. There was nothing happy in this book or at least not up to the point I made it to.
I am so sorry, but I just could not get into this book. The repetition of words and phrases really killed it for me, even more so than how every feeling or action had to be described. I lost count of how many times something “landed” or “shifted”. There was nothing happy in this book or at least not up to the point I made it to.
Review of advance copy received from Author
**This was given by the author as an Arc read, I was not paid to leave a review**
I don't really know where to start, I devoured this book in 1 evening, i had to keep going, i needed to know what happened next.
Willow is 1 hell of a girl, who has struggled all her life by other people's hands/behaviour. She lost her parents at such a young age, and from then on was mistreated severely.... I mean making her sleep in a kennel was just the start.....
My heart broke for her, I wished so badly to jump in the story to help her. There's the boyfriend, with his abusive dad and learnt behaviour from that, his 'apologies', the flowers, the empty promises, she needed someone safe and got him, someone who blamed his hateful speech and physical blows on his father, yet they were his words/fists, despicable creature!!
Then enter Grayson Parker, the English teacher who loves the subject he teaches and wants to let the students he teaches rise up and make their own decisions about their work, challenges them to make them dig deep, everything a great English teacher should do. He notices Willow's work, he sees the signs of abuse she's hiding in her writing, he wants to help after knowing how destructive an abuser can be, and they fall, you see if happening, the first kiss, they do not know each other yet, then when they realise its teacher/student, they try to stay away, but are constantly drawn back together, he is he4 safety net to start with, then it develops into so much more.
Forbidden - yes, absolutely....
Immoral- completely...
If in real life - abuse of power/stature, criminal offence, in literature however - so hot!!! Haha.
I absolutely loved this book, and I'm so glad I was able to read it as an Arc reader. Thank you Maisie.
I don't really know where to start, I devoured this book in 1 evening, i had to keep going, i needed to know what happened next.
Willow is 1 hell of a girl, who has struggled all her life by other people's hands/behaviour. She lost her parents at such a young age, and from then on was mistreated severely.... I mean making her sleep in a kennel was just the start.....
My heart broke for her, I wished so badly to jump in the story to help her. There's the boyfriend, with his abusive dad and learnt behaviour from that, his 'apologies', the flowers, the empty promises, she needed someone safe and got him, someone who blamed his hateful speech and physical blows on his father, yet they were his words/fists, despicable creature!!
Then enter Grayson Parker, the English teacher who loves the subject he teaches and wants to let the students he teaches rise up and make their own decisions about their work, challenges them to make them dig deep, everything a great English teacher should do. He notices Willow's work, he sees the signs of abuse she's hiding in her writing, he wants to help after knowing how destructive an abuser can be, and they fall, you see if happening, the first kiss, they do not know each other yet, then when they realise its teacher/student, they try to stay away, but are constantly drawn back together, he is he4 safety net to start with, then it develops into so much more.
Forbidden - yes, absolutely....
Immoral- completely...
If in real life - abuse of power/stature, criminal offence, in literature however - so hot!!! Haha.
I absolutely loved this book, and I'm so glad I was able to read it as an Arc reader. Thank you Maisie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Maisie for the opportunity to review this book!
Hurt People by Maisie Maeve is one of those books that stays with you.
Willow wears her experiences in her bones. Her trauma is never softened or simplified, and the resilience she shows in learning to live beyond it feels remarkably raw and honest. She is a character who feels deeply human... flawed, hurting, and determined to keep moving forward.
Grayson’s role in her journey is just as compelling. I loved the way he can hold space for Willow while still challenging her, both emotionally and academically. Their connection feels grounded in genuine understanding, and their conversations about writing, books, and ideas were some of my favorite parts of the story. They reveal a relationship that goes far beyond attraction.
Maisie Maeve’s writing is immersive, particularly in the quieter moments. The emotional weight of each scene comes through in the characters’ thoughts and conversations, creating a sense of intimacy that makes it easy to get lost in their experiences.
And the spice? Delicious. More importantly, it serves the story. The intimate scenes deepen the characters’ relationship and reflect where they are emotionally rather than existing simply for the sake of spice, which makes them that much more satisfying.
A raw, emotionally immersive story about trauma, resilience, connection, and finding someone who challenges you to become more of yourself.
Hurt People by Maisie Maeve is one of those books that stays with you.
Willow wears her experiences in her bones. Her trauma is never softened or simplified, and the resilience she shows in learning to live beyond it feels remarkably raw and honest. She is a character who feels deeply human... flawed, hurting, and determined to keep moving forward.
Grayson’s role in her journey is just as compelling. I loved the way he can hold space for Willow while still challenging her, both emotionally and academically. Their connection feels grounded in genuine understanding, and their conversations about writing, books, and ideas were some of my favorite parts of the story. They reveal a relationship that goes far beyond attraction.
Maisie Maeve’s writing is immersive, particularly in the quieter moments. The emotional weight of each scene comes through in the characters’ thoughts and conversations, creating a sense of intimacy that makes it easy to get lost in their experiences.
And the spice? Delicious. More importantly, it serves the story. The intimate scenes deepen the characters’ relationship and reflect where they are emotionally rather than existing simply for the sake of spice, which makes them that much more satisfying.
A raw, emotionally immersive story about trauma, resilience, connection, and finding someone who challenges you to become more of yourself.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This one blew me away. I came in expecting Dark Notes - something that was pretty angsty and a lil' taboo. But no, this was beautifully written. The author writes with so much imagery and emotion, I'm honestly going to re-read it. The FMC (Willow) is a foster kid who's had her share of crap placements, crap 'parents' and current crap boyfriend. She's learned to navigate situations on autopilot like a lot of abuse survivors do. The author never describes the situations in any sort of detail, just bits and pieces, but it's enough to view her as someone who could really use a safe place to land.
Enter Greyson. He's the first person who has looked at all she was, but wanted her anyways. His past experiences allow him to recognize her behavior as someone who always makes herself the smallest in the room; small means safe. BUT, then he's her English teacher at the prep-school where she's only attending due to scholarship. Queue the forbidden relationship trope and I'm here for it!
This is a slow burn, occurring over an entire school year. Willow juggles challenges with her not-so-nice boyfriend, her conflicting feelings towards her teacher, her constantly hiding who she is from her prep-school class mates. There are beautifully written references to classic novels such as the Great Gatsby and Scarlet Letter; the author works the subject matter of those books to her story as part of the syllabus of Greyson's class. I loved all of it. The progression of the story, the quiet strength of Willow that seems to grow louder with each chapter was wonderful. Even the choice of her name, 'Willow' - as something that bends in a storm but never breaks. Kuddo's to the author!
As a final note, I love the title. I love the evolution from "Hurt People Hurt People" to "Hurt People Heal People"
Enter Greyson. He's the first person who has looked at all she was, but wanted her anyways. His past experiences allow him to recognize her behavior as someone who always makes herself the smallest in the room; small means safe. BUT, then he's her English teacher at the prep-school where she's only attending due to scholarship. Queue the forbidden relationship trope and I'm here for it!
This is a slow burn, occurring over an entire school year. Willow juggles challenges with her not-so-nice boyfriend, her conflicting feelings towards her teacher, her constantly hiding who she is from her prep-school class mates. There are beautifully written references to classic novels such as the Great Gatsby and Scarlet Letter; the author works the subject matter of those books to her story as part of the syllabus of Greyson's class. I loved all of it. The progression of the story, the quiet strength of Willow that seems to grow louder with each chapter was wonderful. Even the choice of her name, 'Willow' - as something that bends in a storm but never breaks. Kuddo's to the author!
As a final note, I love the title. I love the evolution from "Hurt People Hurt People" to "Hurt People Heal People"
October 22, 2026
ARC Review
Heart People carried a lot of emotional weight through the traumatic past of Willow, and I appreciated that the author didn’t shy away from showing how deeply those experiences continued to affect her. Her healing journey felt like the heart of the book, and those moments were some of the strongest parts of the story.
That said, I was left wanting so much more from the romance. I really liked the MMC Grayson and felt like he had a lot of potential, but he didn’t get nearly enough page time for me to fully connect with him. As a couple, their relationship felt underdeveloped, and I struggled to become emotionally invested because there wasn’t enough buildup or meaningful time spent between them. I was waiting for more of the storyline between them but felt like it was more focused on Willow and her ex-boyfriend Dean.
The writing style was very unique and this could have been part of why I struggled so much to connect to the characters. Willow’s past and trauma was so heartbreaking and I do feel like she healed a lot throughout the book but I feel like the story was rushed and had me wanting more.
Overall, I enjoyed the premise and the emotional themes, but I finished wishing the story had slowed down and given both the characters and their romance more room to grow.
Heart People carried a lot of emotional weight through the traumatic past of Willow, and I appreciated that the author didn’t shy away from showing how deeply those experiences continued to affect her. Her healing journey felt like the heart of the book, and those moments were some of the strongest parts of the story.
That said, I was left wanting so much more from the romance. I really liked the MMC Grayson and felt like he had a lot of potential, but he didn’t get nearly enough page time for me to fully connect with him. As a couple, their relationship felt underdeveloped, and I struggled to become emotionally invested because there wasn’t enough buildup or meaningful time spent between them. I was waiting for more of the storyline between them but felt like it was more focused on Willow and her ex-boyfriend Dean.
The writing style was very unique and this could have been part of why I struggled so much to connect to the characters. Willow’s past and trauma was so heartbreaking and I do feel like she healed a lot throughout the book but I feel like the story was rushed and had me wanting more.
Overall, I enjoyed the premise and the emotional themes, but I finished wishing the story had slowed down and given both the characters and their romance more room to grow.
October 25, 2026
I did really enjoy this book, but there were a few things that let it down for me.
I found the writing a bit too much at times. I felt like there were so many metaphors and descriptions that it sometimes took away from what was actually happening. Some parts just felt a bit dragged out when they didn’t really need to be.
I also wish we got to know more about Willow’s past, especially her time in foster care. I feel like there was so much more that could have been explored there, and I would’ve loved to have a bit more background on what she went through and how it affected her.
That being said, I did really like Willow and Grayson together and I think the heavier topics were handled well. I liked seeing them work through things and grow together.
Overall, I still enjoyed the story and I’m glad I read it! I just wish we got a bit more depth in certain areas and a little less of the overly descriptive writing. I think I would’ve connected with the story a lot more if that was the case.
I found the writing a bit too much at times. I felt like there were so many metaphors and descriptions that it sometimes took away from what was actually happening. Some parts just felt a bit dragged out when they didn’t really need to be.
I also wish we got to know more about Willow’s past, especially her time in foster care. I feel like there was so much more that could have been explored there, and I would’ve loved to have a bit more background on what she went through and how it affected her.
That being said, I did really like Willow and Grayson together and I think the heavier topics were handled well. I liked seeing them work through things and grow together.
Overall, I still enjoyed the story and I’m glad I read it! I just wish we got a bit more depth in certain areas and a little less of the overly descriptive writing. I think I would’ve connected with the story a lot more if that was the case.
November 9, 2026
One of the most beautiful, gut-wrenching books I’ve read all year! 🤧
The emotional connection between Grayson and Willow was so profound I had to remind myself that these are just fictional characters and not events happening in real time.
There’s something so deeply heartfelt about the journey these characters went through to finally be able to express their love to one another without guilt or the trauma of their pasts.
The student-teacher relationship in this book was unlike any other I’ve read before partially because I got to see their feelings build up towards true love rather than pure lust —there was real emotional tension and angst here. Not only that, but Willow is such a strong-willed female main character and her ability to stand up for herself against her abuser had me rooting for her through and through.
The textbook readings they did in class were such accurate portrayals of the current stages of their relationship to the point where I wasn’t sure if there was going to be a happy ending for these characters.
The emotional connection between Grayson and Willow was so profound I had to remind myself that these are just fictional characters and not events happening in real time.
There’s something so deeply heartfelt about the journey these characters went through to finally be able to express their love to one another without guilt or the trauma of their pasts.
The student-teacher relationship in this book was unlike any other I’ve read before partially because I got to see their feelings build up towards true love rather than pure lust —there was real emotional tension and angst here. Not only that, but Willow is such a strong-willed female main character and her ability to stand up for herself against her abuser had me rooting for her through and through.
The textbook readings they did in class were such accurate portrayals of the current stages of their relationship to the point where I wasn’t sure if there was going to be a happy ending for these characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story absolutely broke my heart. 💔
“Maybe hurt people heal too”…
Not because the story is relentlessly graphic or because every horrible thing Willow endured is described in painful detail. In fact, I really appreciated that the author chose to hold back when it came to some of the abuse, especially the things Willow experienced as a child.
Those kinds of scenes are incredibly difficult for me to read, and I thought they were handled thoughtfully here. We are given enough to understand just how devastating her experiences were without her suffering ever feeling like it was being used for shock value.
Because in this story, the greatest horrors aren’t always the physical ones.
Willow’s trauma, her journey, and her growth are very much at the heart of the book, and I thought her character development was incredibly moving. Watching her navigate everything she had been through and slowly find her way toward healing really stayed with me.
My one wish? I really wanted this to be dual POV. The story is primarily centered around Willow, and understandably so, but even though the author did a great job giving us glimpses into Grayson through a single POV, I still found myself wanting MORE from him. I wanted to understand his thoughts, his feelings, and his perspective on everything happening between them.
Still, this was such an emotional and heartbreaking read, and that line—“Maybe hurt people heal too”—really captures so much of what this story is about.
“Maybe hurt people heal too”…
Not because the story is relentlessly graphic or because every horrible thing Willow endured is described in painful detail. In fact, I really appreciated that the author chose to hold back when it came to some of the abuse, especially the things Willow experienced as a child.
Those kinds of scenes are incredibly difficult for me to read, and I thought they were handled thoughtfully here. We are given enough to understand just how devastating her experiences were without her suffering ever feeling like it was being used for shock value.
Because in this story, the greatest horrors aren’t always the physical ones.
Willow’s trauma, her journey, and her growth are very much at the heart of the book, and I thought her character development was incredibly moving. Watching her navigate everything she had been through and slowly find her way toward healing really stayed with me.
My one wish? I really wanted this to be dual POV. The story is primarily centered around Willow, and understandably so, but even though the author did a great job giving us glimpses into Grayson through a single POV, I still found myself wanting MORE from him. I wanted to understand his thoughts, his feelings, and his perspective on everything happening between them.
Still, this was such an emotional and heartbreaking read, and that line—“Maybe hurt people heal too”—really captures so much of what this story is about.
Did Not Finish
October 20, 2026DNF at 60%
What started out as strong with writing that pulled me in just really became over the top to the point I couldn’t continue. Every little thing was described to the point that nothing was moving forward. We never even got a good description of the MMC or what he was about. Needed more about him or his POV. I appreciate the vividness and descriptions but it just became too over the top for me.
What started out as strong with writing that pulled me in just really became over the top to the point I couldn’t continue. Every little thing was described to the point that nothing was moving forward. We never even got a good description of the MMC or what he was about. Needed more about him or his POV. I appreciate the vividness and descriptions but it just became too over the top for me.
October 21, 2026
Willow + Grayson
-forbidden romance
-student x teacher
-secret relationship
-mental health & dv awareness
-slow burn + angst
this story was heavy & had great development…the author uses A LOT of purple prose & i’m still not quite sure what i think of it here…when normally i am a big fan haha but it was still beautiful all the same lol
-forbidden romance
-student x teacher
-secret relationship
-mental health & dv awareness
-slow burn + angst
this story was heavy & had great development…the author uses A LOT of purple prose & i’m still not quite sure what i think of it here…when normally i am a big fan haha but it was still beautiful all the same lol
Read
October 17, 2026I enjoyed this well enough, but I just couldn't shake that the writing reminded me of the format of a Linkedin post. Everything is a metaphor, everything is a simile - it gets twisty and convoluted where the writing could be sharp and clear. It made me question whether this was written with the assistance of AI.
I think there are parts of this book where the writing is strong and the author has a clear voice but unfortunately, for me, that was muddied by abundance of overwriting present. When the writing itself distracts me from the actual content of the book, it feels like the writing is performative.
I think there are parts of this book where the writing is strong and the author has a clear voice but unfortunately, for me, that was muddied by abundance of overwriting present. When the writing itself distracts me from the actual content of the book, it feels like the writing is performative.
September 18, 2026
I received the e-arc for Hurt People earlier this week and I finished it within a few hours (took a night to wrap it up.) I loved the story sooo much. It was such a heartbreaking yet tender tale that saw light at the end in form of the love and comfort that Gray and Willow find in each other. I adore Greyson so much, he was so real and raw. How could I not fall for him? The maturity, intensity of care and patience he has towards Willow despite his grief ridden past made me weep and feel for him so so much. And Willow...😭the world tried to break her in so many ways since she was a kiddo but her resilience, tender heart with spine of steel...wow. Gray and Willow together are fire and passion. From the first meet to their journey of professional boundaries to finding solace in each other. The relationship dynamics were explored so beautifully and maturely. Thanks for writing not only about being a victim of abuse but also rising from its ashes and finding love. Greyson has his own set of skeletons and yet he wants to protect Willow and🥺 Willow tries to be there for him as much as he becomes her peaceful place in a difficult world. I loved the storyline, the leads and how it explores the theme that it takes so much from within to choose what could be when what there is, whether good or bad, is all you've ever known or life has given you. Waiting for more from the author.
Love,
S.
Love,
S.
September 12, 2026
Absolutely Devastated in the Best Way Possible 🤍
If you’re scrolling through reviews trying to decide if Hurt People is worth your time, stop looking and just go read it. Seriously. This book will strip your soul bare and leave you piecing yourself back together in the absolute best way.
I read this book in one day and it absolutely wrecked me. Maisie Maeve’s writing style is pure, raw magic—it’s exquisite. I honestly don't think I've ever cried this hard over a book before, simply because of how deeply every single word cut. The scenes are so vividly set, pulling up memories that were buried so deeply.
The main character? She felt like a mirror. It’s like the author peeked into the darkest, most private corners of my life—the exact parts I’ve never dared to share out loud—and put them right onto the paper. That numbing weight, the brutal rawness, and that heavy, familiar feeling of settling for what’s safe because you don't think you deserve anything more... it hit so close to home.
To the author: thank you for making us feel seen. Thank you for giving a voice to the heavy thoughts we turn over and over in our heads, the ones we keep locked away because we're terrified of being "too much" or feeling like a burden. You made those hidden feelings heard 🤍🥹
If you need a story that reaches straight into your chest, shatters your heart, and honors every piece of it, do yourself a favor and dive in immediately. 5/5 stars doesn't even come close. It truly has become my favorite book of the year and is in the top three reads in my life. I truly cannot wait to read more of her books in the future.🙏
If you’re scrolling through reviews trying to decide if Hurt People is worth your time, stop looking and just go read it. Seriously. This book will strip your soul bare and leave you piecing yourself back together in the absolute best way.
I read this book in one day and it absolutely wrecked me. Maisie Maeve’s writing style is pure, raw magic—it’s exquisite. I honestly don't think I've ever cried this hard over a book before, simply because of how deeply every single word cut. The scenes are so vividly set, pulling up memories that were buried so deeply.
The main character? She felt like a mirror. It’s like the author peeked into the darkest, most private corners of my life—the exact parts I’ve never dared to share out loud—and put them right onto the paper. That numbing weight, the brutal rawness, and that heavy, familiar feeling of settling for what’s safe because you don't think you deserve anything more... it hit so close to home.
To the author: thank you for making us feel seen. Thank you for giving a voice to the heavy thoughts we turn over and over in our heads, the ones we keep locked away because we're terrified of being "too much" or feeling like a burden. You made those hidden feelings heard 🤍🥹
If you need a story that reaches straight into your chest, shatters your heart, and honors every piece of it, do yourself a favor and dive in immediately. 5/5 stars doesn't even come close. It truly has become my favorite book of the year and is in the top three reads in my life. I truly cannot wait to read more of her books in the future.🙏
October 16, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author.
First of all, this is a DEBUT novel. A DEBUT. And i genuinely believe Maisie Maeve is going to be a very big author one day because the writing in this book is just beautiful.
It's hard to explain how i feel about Hurt People because saying i loved Willow's story feels strange when her story is so tragic and heartbreaking. But the way this author writes emotions is genuinely incredible.
When there was tension, i felt it in my bones. When there was hope, i felt it. When there was fear, love, peace, violence, and abuse, i felt every single bit of it.
The descriptions were so powerful that i wasn't simply reading about Willow's feelings, i was experiencing them alongside her.
I also really loved Willow and Grayson's relationship. I know a student/teacher romance isn't everyone's cup of tea, but this didn't feel like your typical student/teacher romance to me.
Their relationship felt realistic within the context of the story, and i appreciated that the book didn't simply romanticize the forbidden aspect of their relationship or treat it as something that made their romance hotter or more exciting. The complications and the fact that their situation wasn't entirely right were acknowledged throughout the story.
There was more to their relationship than the simple appeal of something forbidden.
Another thing is that, i liked seeing the way the RIGHT kind of love was portrayed as something that could give someone hope when they finally allowed themselves to experience it.
And i very much valued that romantic love wasn't the only kind of love that mattered in this book. The love and support you can receive from a friend, a partner and the people who genuinely care about you were just as important.
Something else that surprised me was how much i enjoyed the repetition in the writing. Usually repetition is something that bothers me in books, especially when certain feelings or descriptions are repeated too often.
But here, it felt intentional. It wasn't only in the way Willow's feelings were described, but also in the way she observed people, noticed their mannerisms and picked up on little details about their behavior. As those observations came up again throughout the story, they started to feel familiar, almost as though we were getting to know these people through Willow's eyes and learning to recognize their little habits alongside her.
There were a few moments where i felt the pacing was a little rushed, particularly one part of the story, but it wasn't enough to take away from my overall reading experience. The writing, the emotional depth and the way everything made me feel mattered so much more to me honestly.
And oh that epilogue, i ADORED it !!
I'm genuinely so grateful that i had the opportunity to read this book early. Maisie Maeve, if this is what you're capable of writing in your debut, i cannot wait to see what you give us next. You have such a beautiful way of putting emotions into words, and i’ll definitely be looking forward to reading more of your work.
First of all, this is a DEBUT novel. A DEBUT. And i genuinely believe Maisie Maeve is going to be a very big author one day because the writing in this book is just beautiful.
It's hard to explain how i feel about Hurt People because saying i loved Willow's story feels strange when her story is so tragic and heartbreaking. But the way this author writes emotions is genuinely incredible.
When there was tension, i felt it in my bones. When there was hope, i felt it. When there was fear, love, peace, violence, and abuse, i felt every single bit of it.
The descriptions were so powerful that i wasn't simply reading about Willow's feelings, i was experiencing them alongside her.
I also really loved Willow and Grayson's relationship. I know a student/teacher romance isn't everyone's cup of tea, but this didn't feel like your typical student/teacher romance to me.
Their relationship felt realistic within the context of the story, and i appreciated that the book didn't simply romanticize the forbidden aspect of their relationship or treat it as something that made their romance hotter or more exciting. The complications and the fact that their situation wasn't entirely right were acknowledged throughout the story.
There was more to their relationship than the simple appeal of something forbidden.
Another thing is that, i liked seeing the way the RIGHT kind of love was portrayed as something that could give someone hope when they finally allowed themselves to experience it.
And i very much valued that romantic love wasn't the only kind of love that mattered in this book. The love and support you can receive from a friend, a partner and the people who genuinely care about you were just as important.
Something else that surprised me was how much i enjoyed the repetition in the writing. Usually repetition is something that bothers me in books, especially when certain feelings or descriptions are repeated too often.
But here, it felt intentional. It wasn't only in the way Willow's feelings were described, but also in the way she observed people, noticed their mannerisms and picked up on little details about their behavior. As those observations came up again throughout the story, they started to feel familiar, almost as though we were getting to know these people through Willow's eyes and learning to recognize their little habits alongside her.
There were a few moments where i felt the pacing was a little rushed, particularly one part of the story, but it wasn't enough to take away from my overall reading experience. The writing, the emotional depth and the way everything made me feel mattered so much more to me honestly.
And oh that epilogue, i ADORED it !!
I'm genuinely so grateful that i had the opportunity to read this book early. Maisie Maeve, if this is what you're capable of writing in your debut, i cannot wait to see what you give us next. You have such a beautiful way of putting emotions into words, and i’ll definitely be looking forward to reading more of your work.
October 11, 2026
Hurt People hurt me in the best way possible. 🖤
I tend to stay away from emotionally draining stories but wow. This book restored me liking my heart broken a bit.
It can be a heavily triggered book, so check your warnings before diving in.
Our FMC Willow goes through hell and back from the age of 5 to 18. From the broken foster system, home after home and then in the hands of a monster boyfriend. She doesn’t get a break for a good minute. But her character evolves so beautifully. She owns her self worth but it is LONG road for her to take back her power.
Willow was such a complex character, she was so cautious with everything she did. She thought about everything more than twice and she carried so much trauma and heartbreak. She was so used to doing everything alone that when Grayson came along she fought back so hard because no one ever had her best interest at heart.
Grayson our walking green flag, I fell in love with this man. He carried trauma from his childhood that ate him alive and he carried it alone for so long. He was so patient and so much angst.. Both characters were so beautifully broken in their own ways.
This was a lightly spiced book. It was 95% plot and 5% spice and I was more than okay with this. The spicy scenes made so much sense for the characters and the book. This book focused on mental health and how the system truly can fail children making them carry life long trauma.
Jade was a side character and she stole my heart. Besides Gray she was the only one who knew Willow and wanted the best for her. Once she opened up and told others about the burdens she carried she was free.
The ending was absolutely perfect. I loved both of the main characters and fell in love with this book. I was happy to get my heart broken and then healed. I absolutely cried so many tears. This book was so beautifully written. And the HEA was EARNED!!
This was Maisie’s debut novel and you couldn’t tell. This is a MUST read. 🖤
I tend to stay away from emotionally draining stories but wow. This book restored me liking my heart broken a bit.
It can be a heavily triggered book, so check your warnings before diving in.
Our FMC Willow goes through hell and back from the age of 5 to 18. From the broken foster system, home after home and then in the hands of a monster boyfriend. She doesn’t get a break for a good minute. But her character evolves so beautifully. She owns her self worth but it is LONG road for her to take back her power.
Willow was such a complex character, she was so cautious with everything she did. She thought about everything more than twice and she carried so much trauma and heartbreak. She was so used to doing everything alone that when Grayson came along she fought back so hard because no one ever had her best interest at heart.
Grayson our walking green flag, I fell in love with this man. He carried trauma from his childhood that ate him alive and he carried it alone for so long. He was so patient and so much angst.. Both characters were so beautifully broken in their own ways.
This was a lightly spiced book. It was 95% plot and 5% spice and I was more than okay with this. The spicy scenes made so much sense for the characters and the book. This book focused on mental health and how the system truly can fail children making them carry life long trauma.
Jade was a side character and she stole my heart. Besides Gray she was the only one who knew Willow and wanted the best for her. Once she opened up and told others about the burdens she carried she was free.
The ending was absolutely perfect. I loved both of the main characters and fell in love with this book. I was happy to get my heart broken and then healed. I absolutely cried so many tears. This book was so beautifully written. And the HEA was EARNED!!
This was Maisie’s debut novel and you couldn’t tell. This is a MUST read. 🖤
November 6, 2026
Hurt People by Maisie Maeve is a book that tackles some serious and heavy topics. It's definitely not your typical romance filled with rainbows and butterflies. Honestly, when I first read the summary, I had a different idea of how the story would unfold. I assumed that since this was a romance novel, it would lean more towards the teacher-student dynamic. However, that wasn't exactly the case. I expected not only a romance but also a journey exploring their lives and how things were when they first met.
Honestly speaking, although I did enjoy reading the book, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. There were some parts of the story that felt a little drawn out. While we were given glimpses of Willow's younger years, I would have appreciated seeing more of her past so we could better understand why she is the way she is now. I think exploring that part of her life could have made for a meaningful character arc and made it easier for readers to connect with her.
Unfortunately, the author's writing style also didn't quite match what I'm used to and enjoy reading. There were so many metaphors woven into the sentences that, at times, I found myself disconnecting from the story. It felt a little overwhelming, and there were moments when I had to reread certain passages just to understand what was being conveyed. I wish the writing had been a little simpler so the focus could remain on the story rather than the writing itself.
I'll end this review with the things I liked. Despite the teacher-student romance premise, I actually enjoyed seeing Willow and Greyson together. I also believe that the heavy topics in the story were handled and discussed with a lot of caution and care. Most of all, I appreciated seeing their journey towards healing and personal growth.
Many thanks to Maisie Maeve for giving me the opportunity to read this book. Every opinion shared here is entirely my own and honest.
Honestly speaking, although I did enjoy reading the book, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. There were some parts of the story that felt a little drawn out. While we were given glimpses of Willow's younger years, I would have appreciated seeing more of her past so we could better understand why she is the way she is now. I think exploring that part of her life could have made for a meaningful character arc and made it easier for readers to connect with her.
Unfortunately, the author's writing style also didn't quite match what I'm used to and enjoy reading. There were so many metaphors woven into the sentences that, at times, I found myself disconnecting from the story. It felt a little overwhelming, and there were moments when I had to reread certain passages just to understand what was being conveyed. I wish the writing had been a little simpler so the focus could remain on the story rather than the writing itself.
I'll end this review with the things I liked. Despite the teacher-student romance premise, I actually enjoyed seeing Willow and Greyson together. I also believe that the heavy topics in the story were handled and discussed with a lot of caution and care. Most of all, I appreciated seeing their journey towards healing and personal growth.
Many thanks to Maisie Maeve for giving me the opportunity to read this book. Every opinion shared here is entirely my own and honest.
November 6, 2026
I'm going to start this review off by saying that if abus1v3 themes is triggering for you, please proceed with caution while reading this book. This book talks about heavy topic matter in detail so just be mindful of that and your own mental health. <33
I knew when I saw this book that it was going to be a heavy read, its why I wanted to read it. I like when books are raw and real, and this one was that and then some.
Willow's character broke my heart, she's been through so much in her life, loss, grief, being taken advantage of by the adults around her that were supposed to look after her.. being treated poorly is something she just got used to. Until Grayson. Grayson changes everything.
The writing of this book was exceptional! Seeing as how Grayson is an English teacher, most of this story took place in his classroom seeing how him and his students dissect the books they are currently working through. Which I honestly found quite fascinating! My classes were never like that but if they were I would've enjoyed them more. The way this author wrote about topics that are so heavy and raw, while somehow making it beautiful, was a really fantastic accomplishment. Sometimes I got horrified at the things Willow has experienced, and then I felt relief when she finally started to take steps to become a version of herself SHE chose to be. Sure, Grayson gave her support and encouragement, but she's the one who took those steps and those moments were monumental. Those were the ones that made the heartache a little less painful.
All in all, a very beautiful and poignant read!
I knew when I saw this book that it was going to be a heavy read, its why I wanted to read it. I like when books are raw and real, and this one was that and then some.
Willow's character broke my heart, she's been through so much in her life, loss, grief, being taken advantage of by the adults around her that were supposed to look after her.. being treated poorly is something she just got used to. Until Grayson. Grayson changes everything.
The writing of this book was exceptional! Seeing as how Grayson is an English teacher, most of this story took place in his classroom seeing how him and his students dissect the books they are currently working through. Which I honestly found quite fascinating! My classes were never like that but if they were I would've enjoyed them more. The way this author wrote about topics that are so heavy and raw, while somehow making it beautiful, was a really fantastic accomplishment. Sometimes I got horrified at the things Willow has experienced, and then I felt relief when she finally started to take steps to become a version of herself SHE chose to be. Sure, Grayson gave her support and encouragement, but she's the one who took those steps and those moments were monumental. Those were the ones that made the heartache a little less painful.
All in all, a very beautiful and poignant read!
November 10, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from Author
I'm usually not a fan of using metaphors a lot in books. Some people don't even know how to write them in a way it actually makes sense.
This author absolutely knows what she's writing.
This one got me the most: Dean wasn’t kissing me. I was the fire hydrant he was pissing on.
Now let's talk about characters.
The difference between Dean and Grayson...
A small part of me pities Dean. He wasn't always a monster. His father made him this way. A clone of his cruelty.
But Grayson grew up in the same kind of situation and he didn't become another clone of his father.
That proves that we choose who we are and who we want to be. But at the same time I think not everyone is strong enough to fight against any type of abuse.
Either way, I think Dean is a lost cause. He doesn't want to change. He knows what he does is wrong, but he doesn't want to stop doing it because he likes to be in control. If he can't control his life, he needs to control someone else's life.
“Because that’s the thing, Dean. I’m the only one who’s ever seen you. The real you. I’m the only person alive who’s stood inside the full truth of you and I’m still standing.”
My favorite character is Willow. She fought and finally realized she does need professional help and she wants to get better instead of staying inside the repeating cycle.
My final thoughts are that I absolutely enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read future books by this author.
I want to thank the author for the advanced copy :)
I'm usually not a fan of using metaphors a lot in books. Some people don't even know how to write them in a way it actually makes sense.
This author absolutely knows what she's writing.
This one got me the most: Dean wasn’t kissing me. I was the fire hydrant he was pissing on.
Now let's talk about characters.
The difference between Dean and Grayson...
A small part of me pities Dean. He wasn't always a monster. His father made him this way. A clone of his cruelty.
But Grayson grew up in the same kind of situation and he didn't become another clone of his father.
That proves that we choose who we are and who we want to be. But at the same time I think not everyone is strong enough to fight against any type of abuse.
Either way, I think Dean is a lost cause. He doesn't want to change. He knows what he does is wrong, but he doesn't want to stop doing it because he likes to be in control. If he can't control his life, he needs to control someone else's life.
“Because that’s the thing, Dean. I’m the only one who’s ever seen you. The real you. I’m the only person alive who’s stood inside the full truth of you and I’m still standing.”
My favorite character is Willow. She fought and finally realized she does need professional help and she wants to get better instead of staying inside the repeating cycle.
My final thoughts are that I absolutely enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read future books by this author.
I want to thank the author for the advanced copy :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2026
I knew when I read the synopsis that this was going to be a dark and complex read, but knowing something, and experiencing it are two different things.
You understand Willow on such a deep level as you witness her transition of being a daughter to two loving parents, to being a number in a system. She learns early in life about the masks that people wear and how their words can sound like one thing but underneath mean something completely different. The fact that as a small child, her foster home made her sleep in a wire dog kennel in the basement was just heart breaking.
Being witness to Willow going through all of these abusive relationships and seeing the damage it has done to her overall mental health was a very somber thing. She has her coping mechanisms, whether she realizes it or not, that allow her to survive this entire time. She is constantly logging people's body language, which is something that's helped her determine whether she was in danger or not. The fact that she compulsively does this with even the most basic interactions just goes to show how on edge and on alert she is at all time.
This story is not a fluff piece. It deals heavily with mental, and physical abuse, both past and present. You're there from the start of it, up until the end of the abuse. I thought the author did a great job writing the book in such a way made us feel like we were Willow, rather than telling us what she was going through.
You understand Willow on such a deep level as you witness her transition of being a daughter to two loving parents, to being a number in a system. She learns early in life about the masks that people wear and how their words can sound like one thing but underneath mean something completely different. The fact that as a small child, her foster home made her sleep in a wire dog kennel in the basement was just heart breaking.
Being witness to Willow going through all of these abusive relationships and seeing the damage it has done to her overall mental health was a very somber thing. She has her coping mechanisms, whether she realizes it or not, that allow her to survive this entire time. She is constantly logging people's body language, which is something that's helped her determine whether she was in danger or not. The fact that she compulsively does this with even the most basic interactions just goes to show how on edge and on alert she is at all time.
This story is not a fluff piece. It deals heavily with mental, and physical abuse, both past and present. You're there from the start of it, up until the end of the abuse. I thought the author did a great job writing the book in such a way made us feel like we were Willow, rather than telling us what she was going through.
November 5, 2026
Hurt People is a dark, heartbreaking romance about Willow, a girl who has spent most of her life trying to survive the people and places that were supposed to keep her safe. Her past, unsafe home and relationship have taught her to stay quiet and make herself small. Then Grayson enters her life and little by little, things begin to change.
Grayson was impossible not to love. He was patient, caring, and became the person Willow could lean on when everything felt like too much. I loved the way he listened to her and supported her without trying to take away her choices. Their connection had some complicated circumstances, but the moments they shared through books, writing and conversations were some of my favorites.
Willow’s growth was my favorite part. Seeing her start to speak up, trust herself and believe she deserved more had me feeling so proud of her. Jade was also exactly the friend Willow needed. She listened, believed her and did not let Willow feel alone once she knew the truth.
At its heart, this is Willow’s story about finding her voice, learning that safety is possible and realizing she does not have to keep surviving alone. I also loved the message that hurt people do not have to keep hurting people. They can heal people, too. If you enjoy dark romances with characters you can truly care about, I think you should give it a try.
Thank you to Maisie Maeve for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Grayson was impossible not to love. He was patient, caring, and became the person Willow could lean on when everything felt like too much. I loved the way he listened to her and supported her without trying to take away her choices. Their connection had some complicated circumstances, but the moments they shared through books, writing and conversations were some of my favorites.
Willow’s growth was my favorite part. Seeing her start to speak up, trust herself and believe she deserved more had me feeling so proud of her. Jade was also exactly the friend Willow needed. She listened, believed her and did not let Willow feel alone once she knew the truth.
At its heart, this is Willow’s story about finding her voice, learning that safety is possible and realizing she does not have to keep surviving alone. I also loved the message that hurt people do not have to keep hurting people. They can heal people, too. If you enjoy dark romances with characters you can truly care about, I think you should give it a try.
Thank you to Maisie Maeve for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
September 5, 2026
I received an ARC for this book for my honest review !
I am honestly so surprised that this is this authors debut novel. From the second I picked this book up I was consumed with Willow’s story. I read it in a single sitting and didn’t put it down until I was done which was around 2am.
The writing in this is phenomenal.
I love a good depressed fmc but she was also so strong and kept pushing to stay (pay attention to your mental health before/while reading this book) You felt everything Willow was going through. Even though you want to hate Dean (her bf in the beginning) you can understand why she kept forgiving him. I felt like I was Willow with the way her emotions and thoughts were written. I wanted to scream at her while giving her the biggest hug.
Then there’s our mmc Grayson who is doing what he thinks is right because the entire system has failed them both. He is everything she needs. Keep in mind that this is a SLOW burn and it isn’t the typical possessive student teacher I am used to but none of that would have worked for this story. The slow burn made everything worth it and it made sense for Willows story.
Bottom line I think this book was fantastic and I can’t wait to see more from this author !
I am honestly so surprised that this is this authors debut novel. From the second I picked this book up I was consumed with Willow’s story. I read it in a single sitting and didn’t put it down until I was done which was around 2am.
The writing in this is phenomenal.
I love a good depressed fmc but she was also so strong and kept pushing to stay (pay attention to your mental health before/while reading this book) You felt everything Willow was going through. Even though you want to hate Dean (her bf in the beginning) you can understand why she kept forgiving him. I felt like I was Willow with the way her emotions and thoughts were written. I wanted to scream at her while giving her the biggest hug.
Then there’s our mmc Grayson who is doing what he thinks is right because the entire system has failed them both. He is everything she needs. Keep in mind that this is a SLOW burn and it isn’t the typical possessive student teacher I am used to but none of that would have worked for this story. The slow burn made everything worth it and it made sense for Willows story.
Bottom line I think this book was fantastic and I can’t wait to see more from this author !
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Received Advanced Reader Copy from author*
The teacher-student trope is one I always approach cautiously. When it’s done right, though, it’s one of my favorite tropes, and Maisie Maeve did it phenomenally.
This book hooked me from the very first chapter.
The dynamic between Willow and Greyson is such a compelling example of what it looks like to break the cycle of hurt and trauma. The title, Hurt People, immediately made me think of the quote, “hurt people hurt people,” which feels like one of the central themes woven throughout the entire story.
I especially loved seeing the differences between Dean and Willow’s hurt versus Greyson’s, and how each of their individual traumas manifests throughout the story. They’ve all hurt each other in completely different ways, and watching those dynamics unfold on the page was fascinating as a reader.
Maisie Maeve did such a great job of making the characters’ pain feel complex rather than simply good versus bad. The story really captures how unresolved hurt can be passed from person to person, and more importantly, what it can look like when someone finally chooses to break that cycle.
The teacher-student trope is one I always approach cautiously. When it’s done right, though, it’s one of my favorite tropes, and Maisie Maeve did it phenomenally.
This book hooked me from the very first chapter.
The dynamic between Willow and Greyson is such a compelling example of what it looks like to break the cycle of hurt and trauma. The title, Hurt People, immediately made me think of the quote, “hurt people hurt people,” which feels like one of the central themes woven throughout the entire story.
I especially loved seeing the differences between Dean and Willow’s hurt versus Greyson’s, and how each of their individual traumas manifests throughout the story. They’ve all hurt each other in completely different ways, and watching those dynamics unfold on the page was fascinating as a reader.
Maisie Maeve did such a great job of making the characters’ pain feel complex rather than simply good versus bad. The story really captures how unresolved hurt can be passed from person to person, and more importantly, what it can look like when someone finally chooses to break that cycle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2026
This is such an intriguing and emotional story. Maisie’s writing is so captivating, the imagery she portrays is what initially grasped my attention and kept me hooked. I love a good forbidden romance and this one hit that sweet spot perfectly! It’s on the shorter side and I was easily able to devour Grayson and Willows story in just a few hours.
My heart broke over and over for Willow and then again for Grayson and honestly even a little bit for Dean. But the love Grayson shows for Willow was so perfect for what she needed that it slowly healed that heartbreak. Didn’t take it away, definitely left a scar but he was the balm to that heartache.
There’s so much depth to this story that I wish it was longer, because I want more. I want to know more about Willows time when she was younger, how her relationship with Dean began, etc. and I really enjoy a single POV but I would have LOVED to get Grayson POV so I could get to know him a little better and understand his pull towards Willow more. Regardless, I enjoyed this book and had such a hard time putting it down to go back to real life a few times. I am looking forward to what Maisie writes next!
My heart broke over and over for Willow and then again for Grayson and honestly even a little bit for Dean. But the love Grayson shows for Willow was so perfect for what she needed that it slowly healed that heartbreak. Didn’t take it away, definitely left a scar but he was the balm to that heartache.
There’s so much depth to this story that I wish it was longer, because I want more. I want to know more about Willows time when she was younger, how her relationship with Dean began, etc. and I really enjoy a single POV but I would have LOVED to get Grayson POV so I could get to know him a little better and understand his pull towards Willow more. Regardless, I enjoyed this book and had such a hard time putting it down to go back to real life a few times. I am looking forward to what Maisie writes next!
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