Love Don't Have to Hurt

by Lucinda John

***A Standalone Novel****

Aimee's dreams of a professional dancer had to be placed on hold when her father died of cancer. Living paycheck to paycheck, Aimee works to help her mother pay of her debts, take cares of her brother, and attend a few classes at a community college. When Aimee's best friend, Shanice presents her with the idea of dancing at a strip club for extra money, she meets Lucas.
A punch, slap, and a few kicks is how Aimee can explain her abusive relationship with Lucas. The guy that is suppose to be her safe haven, is the one that is causing her the most pain; physically and emotionally. Aimee feels obligated to stay with Lucas because of how he changed her and her family's lives, but when things turn fatally will Aimee learns that love is not suppose to hurt? Or will it be too late?

Genres: African American

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2016

Reviews

[Elle1986 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigh... being completely honest I don't know what to rate this book. If I base it on the story line and removed my feelings completely... I would say a 4.

First I want to say thank to the author for a complete book without part 2,3,4,5 etc. I was refreshing to know that I would be done once the book came to an end....Well thinking about it I am not quite sure how anyone could stomach more than one book with this level of abuse.

I found myself repeating "This is not real" but it went in one ear and out the other because I have watched numerous shows, interviews etc with this same pattern of abuse. This book freaked me out a little because the situation could quite honestly be real... I am sure right now there is someone living in this exact hell.

This book is hard to stomach, if you are looking for unicorns and glitter look else where... if you are like me and read this book because you assume that there will be a HEA.... I guess you can say it was but to be honest by the time I reached the end no amount of patch work could undo the 75% abuse I just read about.


So... now I'm off to find some unicorns and glitter like ASAP

[Dana McLeod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very emotional read

Wow, this book was quite emotional!!! Aimee most definitely went thru it with Lucas!!! He was brutally beating her!!! Im so happy that there was a happy ending. I gave it 4 stars because it was a lot of name mix ups, and I feel like with the 18 yr time laspe, the author should have showed that. Aimee was listening to the same songs her daughter was listening to 18 yrs prior.

[TuraReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an eye opener...this book really hit home!....there were so many times where I wanted to stop reading & back away from this emotional read..but I just couldn't. The author definitely addressed an issue that's current in many homes. I felt so bad for Ammie & Ammesha..they really didn't know how to be loved because they never witnessed it correctly, while Lucas and John used love as a tool for control! I really hated them!!!!(thankfully the died)...overall this was a great standalone & it's highly recommended!

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I think ever female should read. It took me a while to read this because, I became emotional. You can never judge a person for staying in situations, you never know what you may do. The abuse that these ladies took made them stronger in the long run. I was so happy that Aimee and her daughter, didn't allow the abuse to ruin their happy ending.

[Pat Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brutal

Somehow the author got to a happy ending despite the horrific abuse displayed in this book. Four generations of women suffered through domestic violence and the eldest two seemed to accept it as the law of the land. But telling your daughter to learn to accept it really had me reeling. It was misleading that the abusers were wealthy, prominent or powerful as if that was the reason the women couldn't leave. Domestic violence crosses all races, ages and economic statuses. And the abusers have many reasons for their actions, such as insecurity or learning it in childhood. It's misleading that these women escaped with their lives because so many don't. At the first sign of abuse, run and don't look back. Abusers don't change; the abuse gets worse.

[💖📚BOOKZAMILLION📖💘 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. VERY emotional and this is another one of those books that all women should read. Especially young women. I liked the book. The storyline seemed so real. I loved the writing. This author is very versatile and quickly becoming one of my favorites.


On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being absolute trash and 10 being good as good can be:

Total Book Experience 10/10
Plot/Storyline 10/10
Writing (Errors) 10/10
Characters 10/10

[Kami Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Wow! This story pulled me in and i couldn't put it down. This is an unfortunate issue that alot of women deal with and sad because they don't all have happy endings. I'm so glad the generational curse was broken

[Gloria Posey · Rating 4 out of 5]

AWESOME!!!!

I really enjoyed this book it was 3 generations of abuse and,it really opened your eyes to like Mother like Daughter I gave it only 4 stars because of typos but the story line was 🔥

[Twigi718 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reads

Finally an ending I'm loving.....this was a. Great story it can and I hope will serve as a lesson and tools for those suffering st the hands of domestic violence ...

[BEAUTIFUL MEEKA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo

This story was on Point it will help someone I'm sure. It gave key points and nuggets for potential situations. Lucinda you did it again

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it

I’m so happy she still had her mom what a blessing she finally found a good man she deserved it knowing what her mother went through what a good book.

[Tijuana Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in tears, I know how hard it is to get out of an abusive relationship. For many people on the outside looking in they always say that the woman is stupid. In this book Amiee like so many Wien today, thought she had her Prince Charming. Lucas was the typical fine rich man we as women always want. By the time Amiee was ready to leave him, it was to late and she almost lost her life. Luckily for her he killed his self, she never knew that she was apart of a pattern of battered women in her family. Her mama was a battered woman and in her opinion, if you didn't make him mad he wouldn't beat you. Years later she saw she gave her daughter bad advice. Then you Ameisha, even tho she was just a baby when her father beat on her mama. I was over joyed that she beat the odds and was able to kill her abuser, thanks to Alex. In life we all need a Alex, but for most of us we fall for John's and get so wrapped up in feelings for them we forget about our one selfs. I loved loved this story, Lucinda John this book was real and the issue is very important. I would definitely recommend everybody to read this book, you never know someone close to you could be going thru the same thing as Amiee. Trust me, when you're in an abusive relationship you learn how to cover bruises and make like everything is good......

[Monica Edmonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg!!!!!Amazing Story

What can I say besides this story touch on a lot,it seems so real. The storyline for this story is right on point. (Spoiler alert) As I was reading this story it brought tears to my eyes because of what Aimee went through with Lucas being in an abusive relationship or marriage. That's all I'm going to say don't want to give the whole book away but I must say that Lucinda John really took her writing to another level when she wrote this book because this book was so real and it touch on real life issues and I pretty sure that their is someone out their that can relate to these issues. This is the best story out today and if I could give this book more than five stars I would because it deserves it and more. Lucinda John you did an awesome job on this one and I can't wait to read more of your work.

[Tierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never read a book that made me cringe so much. Aimee went through so many changes with Lucas that it hurt me. Some of the scene were deep, and it clearly had me hating Lucas. Even when she tried to do better she was put back in her situation and her family support system was no help. She the worst mother a woman could have. I had to take a couples pauses just understand Why? The story then takes you on another journey with Aimesha, she goes through abuse too, but Aimesha learns from her past that this vicious cycle will not cintinue when she has so much to live for. With help from a great friend she takes matters into her own hands when the opportunity presents itself...I clapped on that part...Whew!!! Beside some editing mistakes the story's flow was great. I'm angry and happy but I enjoyed it.

[Gilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! MUST READ!

This book right here had me on an emotional roller coaster. The things domestic violence victims go through is so heart wrenching and disturbing. Lucus, hmmm, Jordan, when lucus had hit his wife, that should have been the end of him. Jordan, knowing what his brother was capable of and what they went through, should have been more active and protective. To me, he didn't do enough to help the situation. But then again that was his brother. Aimesha, it was sad she had to experience that viscous cycle, but was glad at the end she and her mother ended up as survivors and also used their experiences to help other domestic violence victims. Great read! Great writing, great material, great author, never disappoint. Great job!

[Monique Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!!!

Okay I don't know where to begin....This was most definitely a good interesting read. I felt bad for Aimee she endured all that she did and just when she decided to cry out for help the one person that suppose to help basically turns you away is crazy. Debra was a total trip I understand about learned behavior but as a mother you should want more for her child. Lucas was just a lunatic, the was Lucinda wrote this book made you yell at the characters, cry with them just to get mad all over again. Trust me if you decide to read this you won't be disappointed.

[Daylana Dyal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This definitely was a novel to read! I was quite emotional as it hit close to home. I was happy Meme was able to end that cycle. As it is such a viscous one to be a part of. I think this is a book all women should read. Love is blind and it will take over your mind. Its important to understand the difference between love and obsession. It is a huge difference and we may want to believe its love but in actuality its control. It was a good message, hard read due to the emotional rollercoaster. But the message was solid!

[Itatshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional read but it was sooooo good that i couldn't stop reading. So many times i want to say these women are stupid for staying and i would leave but i honestly don't know what I'd do in this situation. Love is powerful and even the strongest woman and become weak when it comes to loving someone. I'm glad everyone got their happy ending even though they had to go through hell to get it.

[Dee Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so profound & intense, my heart really went out to Aimee. What she experienced from the hands of Lucas, no one should have to encounter. Richly detailed, at times I had to pause reading for this story was so well written, I felt as if I personally knew these characters. From page 1 until the end, this story was definitely a page turner, generations accepting what they felt was love. Lucinda John really put her master storyteller cap on to write this story. Highly recommended

[Quanisha Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't always have to become a product of the environment

Love Dont have to hurt was A great read. I didn't think it was end the way for Lucas and Aimee I thought it would be the other way around I'm glad their story end it the way it did and not the other way around. I'm glad Amiesha was able to end the abusive cycle started by her grandparents. This story was really heartfelt. I enjoyed it

[Shanta Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been in an abusive relationship but I know someone who has. This book had me going through so many emotions and screaming at Aimee & Aimesha to just get out! I was happy that Carol & Roger were willing to help Aimee even when she didn't want to help herself. For Lucas and Jordan to be brothers they were like night and day. This book just goes to show you how generational curses happen until someone has the strength to break them.

[Brittany Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow.... where do I start. First and foremost i gave this book 4 stars for the simple fact that the same cycle of abuse became redundant...I had an idea of how the book was going to end and I like to stay guessing, this book had no twists so i didnt rate it a 5 however it was still a good read...In real life i hope no one would allow such pain that Aimee, her mother and her daughter allowed... Lucas was a selfish man and one of my favorite parts of the book was when he decided to kill himself.

[OhhSlimmm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abuse

This family cycle of abuse needed to be told. Aimee suffered in silence long enough at the hands of her husband, Lucas, until one fatal incident ended everything. Following her mom footsteps, Aimesha learned the hands of abuse from a man who told her the same thing her father told her mom. I’m one of the few readers who enjoy DV books because I learn something different new each book and this book was really good.

[joan brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read

I wish that I could of gave this book a 20 star rating. Every Woman should read this book. The cycle of domestic violent have been passed down from generation to generation. It is never OK for a man to hit woman. We are not animals, we don't need to be train. This book will really piss you off. But I was really happy with the ending.

[BookishhTori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left me in Awe. I enjoyed everything this story was about and even learned a few things. When I stated I thought this was gonna be a typical storyline, but I was wrong in every way. This book went more in depth and I enjoyed every page. Lucinda you've really out done yourself yet again.
#PageTurner
#AwesomeStandAlone
#1LucindaJohnFan

[Kimberly Speaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

This was a crazy one for sure...very emotional and powerful...I cried and got upset ....loved the storyline even tho some things took place that shouldn't have especially if it was 20 years later ...as far as songs or things that couldn't have happened years ago...otherwise I loved it. Nice job.

[Breionna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I loved the realness of this book. Lucinda John did a great job of showing how domestic violence can be passed down from generation to generation. Aimee had to go through so many lows to be able to see how her life had drastically affected her daughter's life. I am just glad she was able to step up and be there for her daughter in her time of need.

[Rhonda Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story line it's an eye opener as to how generational curses can be passed down through the family and how you live by site of what we see our parents going through and doing not by what they try to instill in us. Hopefully this book will help someone going through to speak out and get help you don't have to be stuck in your situation. Very powerful book!

[joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

This was a good book. I have to admit when Aimee kept going back to her husband and protecting him I was getting so dam mad. Like I was literally screaming for him to kill her stupid self since she wanted to be stupid and stay with a man that beats her. Anyway I'm really happy Amishea kill that bastard John, and ended up with Alex a real man. Good story

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love does not equal pain

This was a real good book that was full of drama. I didn't know whether to cheer Aimee on or be upset with her. It definitely spoke on the generational curses that many families deal with. My only problem is that there were a few errors that were hard to overlook