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Till It Hurts
TILL IT HURTS is a complete stand alone at 110,000 words. Expect hate banter, plot twists, scorching chemistry and all the feels of a small town romance.
No one would say that our story is pretty.
But we were in love before we hated each other.
And we were friends long before that.
Growing up, I saw Jace Zielinski every day.
He lived next door. I cheered him on at football games. I gave him advice on girls. He was my brother’s best friend and the three of us were inseparable.
I didn’t realize I’d already fallen for Jace until the hot summer night when we kissed for the first time.
Our magical season felt like destiny.
And then came the disaster that tore us all to shreds.
I lost Jace. I lost my brother. In many ways I lost myself.
Ten years later, Jace is untouchable in a world of pro athlete fame and glory.
I never wanted to see him again and I’d definitely never pick him to be my hero.
Not even when I’m broke and terrified and running for my life.
But it seems I have no choice.
Somehow we’re both back in the same place where we started.
I have nowhere else to go and Jace refuses to leave.
We’re no longer the same kids who fell in love years ago.
Since then, we’ve become something cruel and terrible.
That doesn’t mean we’ll keep our hands to ourselves.
If anything, I want Jace more than ever.
And we’re foolish enough to repeat our own turbulent history.
Both the parts that felt crazy good.
And the parts that hurt the most.
No one would say that our story is pretty.
But we were in love before we hated each other.
And we were friends long before that.
Growing up, I saw Jace Zielinski every day.
He lived next door. I cheered him on at football games. I gave him advice on girls. He was my brother’s best friend and the three of us were inseparable.
I didn’t realize I’d already fallen for Jace until the hot summer night when we kissed for the first time.
Our magical season felt like destiny.
And then came the disaster that tore us all to shreds.
I lost Jace. I lost my brother. In many ways I lost myself.
Ten years later, Jace is untouchable in a world of pro athlete fame and glory.
I never wanted to see him again and I’d definitely never pick him to be my hero.
Not even when I’m broke and terrified and running for my life.
But it seems I have no choice.
Somehow we’re both back in the same place where we started.
I have nowhere else to go and Jace refuses to leave.
We’re no longer the same kids who fell in love years ago.
Since then, we’ve become something cruel and terrible.
That doesn’t mean we’ll keep our hands to ourselves.
If anything, I want Jace more than ever.
And we’re foolish enough to repeat our own turbulent history.
Both the parts that felt crazy good.
And the parts that hurt the most.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2021
1163 people are currently reading
4194 people want to read
About the author
Cora Brent
64 books3,757 followersI'm a huge fan of insta-love , grunge era flannel, my vintage Kenmore sewing machine, embroidered dishcloths and absolutely everything that has to do with 1980s pop culture (i.e. leg warmers, scrunchies, big hair, early Madonna, boom boxes, wood paneled walls, stonewash jeans, etc).
If you believe in Happily Ever After and improbable love stories, chances are I'll love you too!!
Email: corabrentwrites@yahoo.com
If you believe in Happily Ever After and improbable love stories, chances are I'll love you too!!
Email: corabrentwrites@yahoo.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 358 reviews
August 31, 2021
5 Second Chance Stars
What a supremely pleasant surprise this book was. It had everything I needed, including the angst and second chance feels I was looking for.
Normally with a second chance romance, I feel like one of the characters needs to grovel and beg for forgiveness in order for me to buy the story. Tori and Jace had a horrible situation come at them at a very young and vulnerable time in their lives. When it’s all said and done and both characters laid their cards on the table, I loved that they both deserved a happy ending.
What a supremely pleasant surprise this book was. It had everything I needed, including the angst and second chance feels I was looking for.
Normally with a second chance romance, I feel like one of the characters needs to grovel and beg for forgiveness in order for me to buy the story. Tori and Jace had a horrible situation come at them at a very young and vulnerable time in their lives. When it’s all said and done and both characters laid their cards on the table, I loved that they both deserved a happy ending.
August 29, 2021
Full review posted 8/28/21
This book dazzles with a deeply felt friends to lovers trope with an uncommon depth. It elicits tears and laughter within its stellar cast. Very enjoyable and engaging with a rollercoaster of emotions. Of course, nothing ever runs smoothly and their relationship implodes with a ten-year separation. Ahhh -- but the best is yet to come. And McClane, the pit-bull terrier offers a whole lotta extra sweet and lovable with his help.
I was hooked, and it was just the right book at just the right time.
This book dazzles with a deeply felt friends to lovers trope with an uncommon depth. It elicits tears and laughter within its stellar cast. Very enjoyable and engaging with a rollercoaster of emotions. Of course, nothing ever runs smoothly and their relationship implodes with a ten-year separation. Ahhh -- but the best is yet to come. And McClane, the pit-bull terrier offers a whole lotta extra sweet and lovable with his help.
I was hooked, and it was just the right book at just the right time.
January 29, 2023
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Contemporary Romance
Series : - Marketed as a standalone but I would consider it first in the series and to read Till Next Time next
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 5 +++ ★
★Review★
Loved this!! Not usually a fan of flashback chapters detailing how and when things go wrong as I don't like the feeling of impending doom - but it worked here as in the present the relationship was getting better as we were reading it all fall apart when they were teenagers. Loved Jace and how much he cared for Tori and Tori just broke my heart - the whole story was heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Straight onto Colt's book.
Genre : - Contemporary Romance
Series : - Marketed as a standalone but I would consider it first in the series and to read Till Next Time next
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 5 +++ ★
★Review★
Loved this!! Not usually a fan of flashback chapters detailing how and when things go wrong as I don't like the feeling of impending doom - but it worked here as in the present the relationship was getting better as we were reading it all fall apart when they were teenagers. Loved Jace and how much he cared for Tori and Tori just broke my heart - the whole story was heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Straight onto Colt's book.
September 1, 2021
My reading experience of TILL IT HURTS was a bit of a rollercoaster. Told in dual POV with flashback scenes to childhood, I started off falling completely in love with the younger versions of Tori, Jace and Colt. We find out that something happened that tore their friendship apart, resulting in Colt disappearing off the face of the earth, and Jace about to exact revenge on an unsuspecting Tori.
I adored this first part of the story and my heart ached as I begin to learn more about this trio. NFL hero Jace had returned to his home town and there was definitely no love lost between him and Tori, yet you could feel the chemistry oozing from the pages.
This middle part is where the rollercoaster took a dip...One minute Jace and Tori are slinging insults at each other and then on the next page he was asking her out on a date and it was like no time had passed and everything was forgotten. While I did love seeing these childhood lovers sort out their problems, I felt it happened all too suddenly.
Towards the end of the book we see the return of Colt (be still my heart) Now a grown man and changed from the troubled youngster he used to be, I truly adored the parts that he was in and started loving the story again. I hope that Colt gets his own book one day because I know he has an incredible story to tell.
This story was definitely heavy on the angst and emotion, but I kind of wish that they hadn't forgiven each other so easily. Plus all the drama was over a complete misunderstanding, meaning they spent 10 years apart for something really minor.
I adored this first part of the story and my heart ached as I begin to learn more about this trio. NFL hero Jace had returned to his home town and there was definitely no love lost between him and Tori, yet you could feel the chemistry oozing from the pages.
This middle part is where the rollercoaster took a dip...One minute Jace and Tori are slinging insults at each other and then on the next page he was asking her out on a date and it was like no time had passed and everything was forgotten. While I did love seeing these childhood lovers sort out their problems, I felt it happened all too suddenly.
Towards the end of the book we see the return of Colt (be still my heart) Now a grown man and changed from the troubled youngster he used to be, I truly adored the parts that he was in and started loving the story again. I hope that Colt gets his own book one day because I know he has an incredible story to tell.
This story was definitely heavy on the angst and emotion, but I kind of wish that they hadn't forgiven each other so easily. Plus all the drama was over a complete misunderstanding, meaning they spent 10 years apart for something really minor.
September 17, 2022
Not what I was expecting
I thought I was getting a second chance, angsty, emotional war between former lovers. What I got was an almost immediate get together and super fast resolution of everything and then a rehab stint. A big majority of the book seemed to focus on drug abuse and I didn't realize that's what I was signing up for. This book wasn't for me, but I'm sure there will be plenty of fans.
I thought I was getting a second chance, angsty, emotional war between former lovers. What I got was an almost immediate get together and super fast resolution of everything and then a rehab stint. A big majority of the book seemed to focus on drug abuse and I didn't realize that's what I was signing up for. This book wasn't for me, but I'm sure there will be plenty of fans.
August 7, 2021
***5 "Mr. Personality!!!" stars***
AVAILABLE NOW
"What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us." -Helen Keller
Wow!!! This story was so beautiful!!! Heartbreaking but beautiful!!!
I'm embarassed to say that this is my second time reading Mrs Brent, but both books spoke to me very deeply and from now on, I will follow her everywhere!!!!
This wasn't simply a love story... It was sooo much more!!!
It was a story of love, friendship, heartbreak and family!!!
It was a story about bonds that no matter what will happen and where life can lead you, they will remained untouchable and unbreakable!!!!
"The past can't be undone. But the present can still be fixed. And, hopefully, so can the future."
Tori, Jace and Colt were friends since childhood...
Jace and Colt were best friends...
Tori was Colt's sister and a part of the team...
On their teen years, Jace and Tori fell in love...
And then some tragic events led all three of them to drift apart from each other with bitter feelings lingering in between them.
"The days of that happy, carefree trio of children are long gone. There's nothing left of them but the bitter aftertaste of what used to be."
Ten years later, Tori's life is a mess...
She is homeless and jobless and the only solution is to return back in her hometown...
Jace is a famous NFL quarterback and he doesn't remind at all the sweet and kind boy of the past...
Lately, he is not satisfied with the way his life it is and when the opportunity is arising, he is taking it in order to get his revenge from the only woman that ever meant something to him!!!
"Our lives were hopelessly entangled long before our first kiss."
Well, honestly, things were very complicated and I can't tell you more cause I don't want to ruin this story for anyone who would like to give it a go!!!
I loved this story... I loved the flashbacks cause they made me understand these kids better...
I loved Tori and Jace on the present, even though their tons of baggages had turned them to different persons...
These two had something unique and even though the hateful banter, their love was always shining through the cracks!!!
"Nothing will ever cure me of him. Not years of separation or the echoes of heartache or the frank understanding that we ae not us anymore."
Tori was a lovely girl who got hit ugly from life... She was breaking my heart with her insecurities and phobias...
Jace had toughen up, but he was still the kind kid with his protective side and I loved him for that.
As for Colt??? Gawd, I just need more of him cause I'm very intrigued by him...
"I thought I could outrun my broken heart. What a fool I was."
I really loved this story...
I loved everything about this book...
The plotline was amazing, the characters were memorable and I loved the dog very much!!!!
These three deserved happiness after all these ugly shit that they had to get through in life and even though, one part of the deal made me extremely happy, I'm craving Colt's turn to resolve his issues and be kind of happy after all!!!
Thank you, Cora Brent, for a magnificent journey!!! I enjoyed every single moment in it!!!!
"If you're not willing to push yourself till it hurts then you're not doing life right."
**I recieved an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
AVAILABLE NOW
"What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us." -Helen Keller
Wow!!! This story was so beautiful!!! Heartbreaking but beautiful!!!
I'm embarassed to say that this is my second time reading Mrs Brent, but both books spoke to me very deeply and from now on, I will follow her everywhere!!!!
This wasn't simply a love story... It was sooo much more!!!
It was a story of love, friendship, heartbreak and family!!!
It was a story about bonds that no matter what will happen and where life can lead you, they will remained untouchable and unbreakable!!!!
"The past can't be undone. But the present can still be fixed. And, hopefully, so can the future."
Tori, Jace and Colt were friends since childhood...
Jace and Colt were best friends...
Tori was Colt's sister and a part of the team...
On their teen years, Jace and Tori fell in love...
And then some tragic events led all three of them to drift apart from each other with bitter feelings lingering in between them.
"The days of that happy, carefree trio of children are long gone. There's nothing left of them but the bitter aftertaste of what used to be."
Ten years later, Tori's life is a mess...
She is homeless and jobless and the only solution is to return back in her hometown...
Jace is a famous NFL quarterback and he doesn't remind at all the sweet and kind boy of the past...
Lately, he is not satisfied with the way his life it is and when the opportunity is arising, he is taking it in order to get his revenge from the only woman that ever meant something to him!!!
"Our lives were hopelessly entangled long before our first kiss."
Well, honestly, things were very complicated and I can't tell you more cause I don't want to ruin this story for anyone who would like to give it a go!!!
I loved this story... I loved the flashbacks cause they made me understand these kids better...
I loved Tori and Jace on the present, even though their tons of baggages had turned them to different persons...
These two had something unique and even though the hateful banter, their love was always shining through the cracks!!!
"Nothing will ever cure me of him. Not years of separation or the echoes of heartache or the frank understanding that we ae not us anymore."
Tori was a lovely girl who got hit ugly from life... She was breaking my heart with her insecurities and phobias...
Jace had toughen up, but he was still the kind kid with his protective side and I loved him for that.
As for Colt??? Gawd, I just need more of him cause I'm very intrigued by him...
"I thought I could outrun my broken heart. What a fool I was."
I really loved this story...
I loved everything about this book...
The plotline was amazing, the characters were memorable and I loved the dog very much!!!!
These three deserved happiness after all these ugly shit that they had to get through in life and even though, one part of the deal made me extremely happy, I'm craving Colt's turn to resolve his issues and be kind of happy after all!!!
Thank you, Cora Brent, for a magnificent journey!!! I enjoyed every single moment in it!!!!
"If you're not willing to push yourself till it hurts then you're not doing life right."
**I recieved an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
August 2, 2021
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
Star Rating : 4.5/5 Stars
POV : Dual
Cliffhanger : None
Hero : Jace
Heroine : Tori
Pace of the story : Moderate
Angst Rating : 6/10
Heat Rating : 5/10
Plot Summary :
Tori and Jace were always meant to be until they weren't. Life separated them and now after years , tori was back in town. Only the boy she once loved is not the same anymore. Jace is changed and his feelings about Tori. Can she bring back the boy she once loved and the one who loved her in return? Can they move past all the pain and heartache or are they doomed to be strangers all over again and forever?
Overall Opinion :
I have read a few books by this author but god she never fails to stun me! The angst in this one is amazing and I loved it so much for a standalone. Jace and Tori are perfect and their heartache was at times so much for me to handle but that is the best type of abst as I said before.
This book had it all. It had the best characters , the best plotline , the best ending and the best twists! I will highly recommend this standalone to all the contemporary angsty romance loving people out there! This one was more of an enjoyable one time read for me but it was amazing nonetheless!
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September 22, 2021
3.5 stars
This was a surprise hit for me. I never really know what I'm in store for with a lot of my KU romance picks but I have to say this was a good one. I love brother's best friend trope (and think it's severely underrated) which is why I picked this up in the first place. And I loved the chemistry between Jace and Tori was there, and I really loved Colev(Tori's brother and Jace's best friend) too. They all had really great relationships and I always appreciate and then and now format - thoigh this one did lean a little heavier on the now.
There is a side plot about Tori dealing with a workplace trauma and a subsequent substance addiction issue. While I appreciate the author trying to add some depth to the character, it really felt unnecessary to me and lacked some of the development I would have preferred. Though I can't speak to t accuracy of the plot.
Overall this was still a great read and I'll keep an eye out for more from Cora Brent.
This was a surprise hit for me. I never really know what I'm in store for with a lot of my KU romance picks but I have to say this was a good one. I love brother's best friend trope (and think it's severely underrated) which is why I picked this up in the first place. And I loved the chemistry between Jace and Tori was there, and I really loved Colev(Tori's brother and Jace's best friend) too. They all had really great relationships and I always appreciate and then and now format - thoigh this one did lean a little heavier on the now.
There is a side plot about Tori dealing with a workplace trauma and a subsequent substance addiction issue. While I appreciate the author trying to add some depth to the character, it really felt unnecessary to me and lacked some of the development I would have preferred. Though I can't speak to t accuracy of the plot.
Overall this was still a great read and I'll keep an eye out for more from Cora Brent.
January 28, 2025
3.5 🌟
PLS check TWS before reading this. 🚩🚩🚩
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, honestly never thought I would. I'm usually not a fan of second chance romances, where its the brothers bsf trope and where the chapters show then and now. But I didn't mind too much in this book. I really really enjoyed this but I'm definitely MORE intrigued about the next in this book.
The book about Colt who is this FMCS brother. He intrigued me the most in this book and he was the one I felt the most sorry for in this book.
So hopefully it's better. The ending for this book left me feeling a bit dissatisfied and it just felt like secrets were revealed too quickly and were rushed. So I hope the next is better. But other then that, i enjoyed this. 💓🫶
PLS check TWS before reading this. 🚩🚩🚩
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, honestly never thought I would. I'm usually not a fan of second chance romances, where its the brothers bsf trope and where the chapters show then and now. But I didn't mind too much in this book. I really really enjoyed this but I'm definitely MORE intrigued about the next in this book.
The book about Colt who is this FMCS brother. He intrigued me the most in this book and he was the one I felt the most sorry for in this book.
So hopefully it's better. The ending for this book left me feeling a bit dissatisfied and it just felt like secrets were revealed too quickly and were rushed. So I hope the next is better. But other then that, i enjoyed this. 💓🫶
November 7, 2023
This book was a good surprise!
There's something about watching a puppy love flourish between best friends, just to be crushed by miscommunication and inexperience.
Or to see all that frustration and resentment slowly fading when they're mature enough to see the truth.
This book was emotional even if it was also predictable with it's twists, they were good ones.
Bonus points for no third act breakup 👏🏻👏🏻
I'm now wishing for Tory's brother story! I don't think this book can be considered complete without it!
There's something about watching a puppy love flourish between best friends, just to be crushed by miscommunication and inexperience.
Or to see all that frustration and resentment slowly fading when they're mature enough to see the truth.
This book was emotional even if it was also predictable with it's twists, they were good ones.
Bonus points for no third act breakup 👏🏻👏🏻
I'm now wishing for Tory's brother story! I don't think this book can be considered complete without it!
July 24, 2021
(4.7 Stars)
The boy next door Jace Zielinski was Victoria “Tori” Malene’s everything…until he wasn’t. Tori doesn’t see Jace again until ten years pass when she returns home after a tragedy. Now that same boy is a ruthless pro footballer. His feelings for her changed over these years but can Jace remember the girl he once cared for? Can she find a way to move forward from her past? Wow, I was hooked from the very first chapter! This is an emotionally charged enemies to lovers, second chance romance and the characters are very well written. This is a little slower pace, told in both past and present tense to get the full picture of what has happened between these two. Can Jace and Tori find a way back to what they once felt? I really enjoyed their story and want more about Tori’s brother Colt. This also deals slightly with drug dependency if that’s is a trigger for you. Told in dual POV
The boy next door Jace Zielinski was Victoria “Tori” Malene’s everything…until he wasn’t. Tori doesn’t see Jace again until ten years pass when she returns home after a tragedy. Now that same boy is a ruthless pro footballer. His feelings for her changed over these years but can Jace remember the girl he once cared for? Can she find a way to move forward from her past? Wow, I was hooked from the very first chapter! This is an emotionally charged enemies to lovers, second chance romance and the characters are very well written. This is a little slower pace, told in both past and present tense to get the full picture of what has happened between these two. Can Jace and Tori find a way back to what they once felt? I really enjoyed their story and want more about Tori’s brother Colt. This also deals slightly with drug dependency if that’s is a trigger for you. Told in dual POV
July 30, 2021
Awesome Book!!
I fell in love with this book right away. It is so many things rolled into one really great book that I couldn’t put down. We have a second chance romance, brother’s best friend and sports romance that took me on one heck of a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Colt and Tori are brother and sister and they live next door to Jace and his grandmother. The three of them were connected at the hip all through their childhood and Grandma Gloria was there for all of them no matter how hard their homelife was. By high school so many things changed. Jace and Tori found that they had feelings beyond friendship for each other and then the news came that their mother was moving Tori and Colt out of town turning their life upside down even more. Colt was self-destructing and turning away from Tori and Tori and Jace had deep misunderstandings.
Now some years later Jace was the quarterback in the NFL leading his team to winning the Super Bowl. Chad was unreachable all these years and Tori was released from the hospital after a traumatic event with no place to live and all of her money going to medical bills and with an addiction to pain killers. Gloria died while Tori was in the hospital and found out that Gloria’s house was left to all three of them. Tori headed back to her hometown to the one place she had felt loved.
This book sure messed with my emotions with everything that has gone on for Colt, Jace and Tori. Eventually I got my HEA and it was so very worth the trip to get there. Loved it.
I fell in love with this book right away. It is so many things rolled into one really great book that I couldn’t put down. We have a second chance romance, brother’s best friend and sports romance that took me on one heck of a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Colt and Tori are brother and sister and they live next door to Jace and his grandmother. The three of them were connected at the hip all through their childhood and Grandma Gloria was there for all of them no matter how hard their homelife was. By high school so many things changed. Jace and Tori found that they had feelings beyond friendship for each other and then the news came that their mother was moving Tori and Colt out of town turning their life upside down even more. Colt was self-destructing and turning away from Tori and Tori and Jace had deep misunderstandings.
Now some years later Jace was the quarterback in the NFL leading his team to winning the Super Bowl. Chad was unreachable all these years and Tori was released from the hospital after a traumatic event with no place to live and all of her money going to medical bills and with an addiction to pain killers. Gloria died while Tori was in the hospital and found out that Gloria’s house was left to all three of them. Tori headed back to her hometown to the one place she had felt loved.
This book sure messed with my emotions with everything that has gone on for Colt, Jace and Tori. Eventually I got my HEA and it was so very worth the trip to get there. Loved it.
January 1, 2023
My first DNF in a long time.
Im 100% sure this book will appeal to a lot of people. It appealed to me, a lot. High school first love, torn apart only to be forced back together years later…What’s not to love?
Jace was the perfect first love, Tori was sweet and Colt was the obvious choice for troubled brother & best friend. There was rivalry, bad parenting, a surrogate grandmother, first times and bitch cheerleaders so what whet wrong?
The answer is a simple one…
… It bored me.
It’s slow pace and pointless rambling was too much to bare. I felt like I was constantly waiting for ages between things happening and it frustrated me to the point where I gave up and skim read to important parts which were lacking.
There was so much going for this book but it’s constant battle with throwing in hurdles left right and centre made the actual conflicts less impactful.
I desperately wanted to love this book, it’s elements were everything I love in my romances… it just wasn’t baked well enough.
Im 100% sure this book will appeal to a lot of people. It appealed to me, a lot. High school first love, torn apart only to be forced back together years later…What’s not to love?
Jace was the perfect first love, Tori was sweet and Colt was the obvious choice for troubled brother & best friend. There was rivalry, bad parenting, a surrogate grandmother, first times and bitch cheerleaders so what whet wrong?
The answer is a simple one…
… It bored me.
It’s slow pace and pointless rambling was too much to bare. I felt like I was constantly waiting for ages between things happening and it frustrated me to the point where I gave up and skim read to important parts which were lacking.
There was so much going for this book but it’s constant battle with throwing in hurdles left right and centre made the actual conflicts less impactful.
I desperately wanted to love this book, it’s elements were everything I love in my romances… it just wasn’t baked well enough.
July 29, 2021
I enjoyed this second chance story. Jace is my kind of H, grumpy, anti-social, misunderstood, and with a heart of gold. I really enjoyed the original trio friendship with Jace, Tori and her brother Colt. The breakdown of all their relationships works because they were so young when it happens. Good story. Not my all-time favorite Cora Brent book but a nice read and I am REALLY looking forward to a book about Colt now. Happy Reading!
August 31, 2021
First off, I must mention that the cover picture is completely misleading. This story focuses mostly on an adult football H. The cover misleads you to think that this is a NA story, which it really isn't.
This story started off strong and, at first, seemed to be the kind of bully story I enjoy. The first half of the book was entertaining and I enjoyed the writing. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the second half. The plot: Jace hates Tori for something that happened in their past and is looking forward to making her pay. Jace, Tori and Colt grew up together and in their teenage years, Jace and Tori fell in love. This story is revealed with flashbacks of the events that brought Jace and Tori together and the events that tore Jace, Tori and Colt apart. Unfortunately, as mentioned, the second half of the story just fell flat for me and morphed into the kind of story I detest.
The first half of the book was interesting with the suspence and angst. It's clear Jace hates Tori and their angry verbal sparring was entertaining. Unfortunately, that was the end of the chemistry between the two. Out of the blue, these 2 hook up and reunite overnight and suddenly all their hatred and sordid history is a thing of the past, literally. Neither of them is bothered by this history and they simply magically forgive each other and Hallmark takes over. Over time, they do explore their past and the events that led up to their teenage breakup but by this point, it is so anticlimactic that I didn't even care anymore...turns out their breakup was completely underwhelming anyway and their mutual hatred at the beginning of the story was unnecessary and pointless OTT drama.
There was potential for some great sex scenes, but it was totally unsatisfactory. Beginning from the first hookup scene and continuing throughout, it was just mediocre. Add to that the mediocre drama and the story become anticlimactic after a while.
The second half of the book basically deals with the H becoming a complete simp and "rescuing" the h. I was really hoping that their unresolved past would cause some more angst and push-pull but no such luck. They were practically a married couple after they first reunite and the story is a snorefest after that. The story completely dragged and there were so many unnecessary events that were described in detail but important events like the proposal and wedding were completely glossed over. Annoying!
I enjoyed the writing at the beginning of the story and although the author does ok in the second half, the momentum is lost. I simply finished this book because I was invested in the characters but the enjoyment level significantly declined after 50% of the way. The second half of the book felt like a totally different story told by the dreaded Hallmark author's of your Grandmother's generation.
Noteable characters - I'm not a huge fictional dog fan but McClane stole the show in this story. Colt, Tori's brother seems to be an interesting character and a potential bad boy alphahole. Perhaps his story will be more interesting. I may give it a shot.
This story started off strong and, at first, seemed to be the kind of bully story I enjoy. The first half of the book was entertaining and I enjoyed the writing. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the second half. The plot: Jace hates Tori for something that happened in their past and is looking forward to making her pay. Jace, Tori and Colt grew up together and in their teenage years, Jace and Tori fell in love. This story is revealed with flashbacks of the events that brought Jace and Tori together and the events that tore Jace, Tori and Colt apart. Unfortunately, as mentioned, the second half of the story just fell flat for me and morphed into the kind of story I detest.
The first half of the book was interesting with the suspence and angst. It's clear Jace hates Tori and their angry verbal sparring was entertaining. Unfortunately, that was the end of the chemistry between the two. Out of the blue, these 2 hook up and reunite overnight and suddenly all their hatred and sordid history is a thing of the past, literally. Neither of them is bothered by this history and they simply magically forgive each other and Hallmark takes over. Over time, they do explore their past and the events that led up to their teenage breakup but by this point, it is so anticlimactic that I didn't even care anymore...turns out their breakup was completely underwhelming anyway and their mutual hatred at the beginning of the story was unnecessary and pointless OTT drama.
There was potential for some great sex scenes, but it was totally unsatisfactory. Beginning from the first hookup scene and continuing throughout, it was just mediocre. Add to that the mediocre drama and the story become anticlimactic after a while.
The second half of the book basically deals with the H becoming a complete simp and "rescuing" the h. I was really hoping that their unresolved past would cause some more angst and push-pull but no such luck. They were practically a married couple after they first reunite and the story is a snorefest after that. The story completely dragged and there were so many unnecessary events that were described in detail but important events like the proposal and wedding were completely glossed over. Annoying!
I enjoyed the writing at the beginning of the story and although the author does ok in the second half, the momentum is lost. I simply finished this book because I was invested in the characters but the enjoyment level significantly declined after 50% of the way. The second half of the book felt like a totally different story told by the dreaded Hallmark author's of your Grandmother's generation.
Noteable characters - I'm not a huge fictional dog fan but McClane stole the show in this story. Colt, Tori's brother seems to be an interesting character and a potential bad boy alphahole. Perhaps his story will be more interesting. I may give it a shot.
July 30, 2021
Cora Brent writes my favorite, small town, angsty reads and Till it Hurts did not disappoint! It’s a brother’s best friend, second chance romance that delivers with all the feels. It’s a standalone, but I’m really hoping we’re going to be getting a book on Colt, lol! The storyline was fantastic. Written with interspersed flashbacks, we get the full emotional rollercoaster ride from childhood friends, to high school true loves, to the big reintroduction in each others’ lives so many years later. The drama. The big feelings. The hate and loathing. The forgiveness and healing. Jace is the perfect grumpy hero with all his softness saved for Tori. Super protective and willing to go above and beyond for her, even before they got close again. Tori was super relatable with her overwhelming struggles, trying to make it through on her own. I really just loved this story, it was well written, fast paced, and left you with all the warm fuzzies!
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: friends to lovers to enemies to lovers
Angst: 😰😰😰😰
Smexy: 🔥🔥
Triggers: addiction, assault and resulting PTSD
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: friends to lovers to enemies to lovers
Angst: 😰😰😰😰
Smexy: 🔥🔥
Triggers: addiction, assault and resulting PTSD
August 9, 2021
I’m in the minority here, sorry but the book was boringggg.
April 25, 2022
**Audiobook Review**
Till it Hurts is a heartbreakingly beautiful second chance/sports romance. I loved Jace and Tori’s young love story. They captured my heart right from the beginning and didn’t let go until the end.
Their reconnection, was painful and heartbreaking to work through and their journey to find forgiveness within each other was not easy, but so incredibly worth all they went through in the end.
The narration by Aaron Shedlock and Vanessa Edwin was fantastic. Their voices are engaging and captivating! Aaron’s portrayal of Jace was perfection. I love the emotion and passion in his every word and Vanessa’s portrayal of Tori was outstanding. These two were the perfect voices to bring Jace and Tori to life!
Till it Hurts is a heartbreakingly beautiful second chance/sports romance. I loved Jace and Tori’s young love story. They captured my heart right from the beginning and didn’t let go until the end.
Their reconnection, was painful and heartbreaking to work through and their journey to find forgiveness within each other was not easy, but so incredibly worth all they went through in the end.
The narration by Aaron Shedlock and Vanessa Edwin was fantastic. Their voices are engaging and captivating! Aaron’s portrayal of Jace was perfection. I love the emotion and passion in his every word and Vanessa’s portrayal of Tori was outstanding. These two were the perfect voices to bring Jace and Tori to life!
February 16, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
This was surprising and much better than I was expecting. While it did deal with the love story between Jace and Tori, it was more about the deep friendship between these three characters and the hard struggles they went through as teenagers, how they broke apart, and then reconnecting as adults.
I loved Jace and the relationship between him and Tori. His support of her recovery from addiction was wonderful to read.
There should be TW though - extensive discussion of substance abuse/drug addiction, miscarriage, violence/assult.
This was surprising and much better than I was expecting. While it did deal with the love story between Jace and Tori, it was more about the deep friendship between these three characters and the hard struggles they went through as teenagers, how they broke apart, and then reconnecting as adults.
I loved Jace and the relationship between him and Tori. His support of her recovery from addiction was wonderful to read.
There should be TW though - extensive discussion of substance abuse/drug addiction, miscarriage, violence/assult.
August 8, 2021
HEARTBREAKING & SWEET! FIRST LOVE + SMALL TOWN ROMANCE!
A story about friendships, first love, heartbreak and forgiveness!
It was so hard not to get pulled into Till It Hurts, it just covered so many tropes that I loved!
*Small town romance
*brother's best friend/best friend's sister
*(young) First love!!
*Second Chances
*Sports (football) romance
IF you love these type of romances...GRAB THIS ONE!!!
I was rooting for Jace & Tori from their first moments all the way to the end.
So many moments in this one will pull at your heartstrings & give you ALL THE FEELS!!!
AND THE TWISTS!!!!!
I'll say this one last thing....Cora Brent writes some of the most amazingly sweet and devoted heroes I've read! Jace was 100% SWOONWORTHY!
I am hoping to read a story starring Colt one day, I think his story might just break me!
A story about friendships, first love, heartbreak and forgiveness!
It was so hard not to get pulled into Till It Hurts, it just covered so many tropes that I loved!
*Small town romance
*brother's best friend/best friend's sister
*(young) First love!!
*Second Chances
*Sports (football) romance
IF you love these type of romances...GRAB THIS ONE!!!
I was rooting for Jace & Tori from their first moments all the way to the end.
So many moments in this one will pull at your heartstrings & give you ALL THE FEELS!!!
AND THE TWISTS!!!!!
I'll say this one last thing....Cora Brent writes some of the most amazingly sweet and devoted heroes I've read! Jace was 100% SWOONWORTHY!
I am hoping to read a story starring Colt one day, I think his story might just break me!
August 15, 2021
A heartbreaking second chance, brothers best friend romance that will bring all the feels
August 24, 2021
RTC…maybe
February 3, 2022
This book has chapters alternating between the past and the present from both the hero's and the heroine's POVs.
I love this trope. The past misunderstandings always hurt!! I'm just glad that the hero *suddenly* took a 180 and stopped being a shitty human being.
I love this trope. The past misunderstandings always hurt!! I'm just glad that the hero *suddenly* took a 180 and stopped being a shitty human being.
January 17, 2023
Thanx SamJ, this one was pretty good :D
September 16, 2021
4.5 star rating
This was a great romance! I just had a little issue with the direction of the story going back and forth from past to present. Nothing major. Just a little boredom. But, the characters were amazing. The storylines were intriguing. Nothing was held back; angst galore. A possible secret not fully resolved. Could possibly be resolved when Colt gets his own book. But, my favorite was the camaraderie between Tori, Jace and Colt. So much love between the trio whether it was siblings, friendship or young love.
This was a great romance! I just had a little issue with the direction of the story going back and forth from past to present. Nothing major. Just a little boredom. But, the characters were amazing. The storylines were intriguing. Nothing was held back; angst galore. A possible secret not fully resolved. Could possibly be resolved when Colt gets his own book. But, my favorite was the camaraderie between Tori, Jace and Colt. So much love between the trio whether it was siblings, friendship or young love.
April 2, 2024
If you ignore the cover, it's an alright book. 2.5 ⭐️
August 28, 2021
So I’m writing this review a few days after I finished it and I had to read the summary because I forgot it.
I couldn’t connect to the characters and I felt confused at times
But *spoiler* I totally get Tori’s reaction after the miscarriage
I couldn’t connect to the characters and I felt confused at times
But *spoiler* I totally get Tori’s reaction after the miscarriage
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2025
“Intanto inizio ringraziando l’autrice per aver scritto questa storia e la Hope Edizioni per averlo pubblicato e quindi abbiamo l’opportunità di leggerlo. Grazie 😘 ”
Recensione
Buon pomeriggio lettori,
Eccomi oggi con la recensione del libro FINO A FARTI MALE di Cora Bent. Storia molto bella, scritta bene e scorrevole! Una storia travolgente, intensa, emozionante, che lega i 3 protagonisti tra passato e presente, dove vivono l’amicizia che li unisce, l’evoluzione dall’amicizia all’amore ma soprattutto l’amicizia persa e poi ritrovata più forte di prima. Tori è dolce, responsabile che mette sempre il bisogno degli altri difronte ai propri, ma anche spezzata, ferita e spaventata, invece Jace inizialmente sembra stanco, afflitto ma realmente anche lui dietro questa corazza dietro cui si è nascosto troviamo un ragazzo affettuoso, con un lato romantico e dolce. Questi due protagonisti con la loro storia ci fanno capire attraverso il loro percorso e il dolore che provano che alla fine si può avere un lieto fine. 5⭐️
Cora ha una scrittura che ti rapisce, ti coinvolge e ti fa percepire quell’emozioni a pelle, ti catapulta nella storia come se stessi al loro posto. Sono molto contenta di essermi buttata su questa lettura.
Trama
Non riesco a ricordare un solo giorno della mia vita senza la presenza di Jace Zielinski al mio fianco. Lui è sempre stato accanto a me e a mio fratello Colt.
Noi tre siamo cresciuti insieme, non solo come amici, quasi come fratelli, e poi… Be’, poi io e Jace ci siamo resi conto che ci amavamo.
Jace Zielinski è anche stato il ragazzo che mi ha spezzato il cuore.
Quando torno nella mia città natale, l’ultima persona che vorrei incontrare è proprio Jace, ma il destino sembra avere in serbo ben altri piani…
Tori Malene è la sola ragazza che io abbia mai amato e che amerò mai.
La nostra amicizia d’infanzia, con gli anni, è diventata molto altro.
Per lei avrei sacrificato ogni cosa, ma Tori ha preferito allontanarmi dalla sua vita.
La sua decisione mi ha spezzato il cuore, ma, al contempo, mi ha reso ancora più forte, permettendomi di diventare una divinità del football.
Quando vengo informato del fatto che Tori è tornata nella città in cui siamo cresciuti, provo l’impellente bisogno di vendicarmi…
Quando hai amato fino a farti male, fin dove saresti in grado di spingerti?
Recensione
Buon pomeriggio lettori,
Eccomi oggi con la recensione del libro FINO A FARTI MALE di Cora Bent. Storia molto bella, scritta bene e scorrevole! Una storia travolgente, intensa, emozionante, che lega i 3 protagonisti tra passato e presente, dove vivono l’amicizia che li unisce, l’evoluzione dall’amicizia all’amore ma soprattutto l’amicizia persa e poi ritrovata più forte di prima. Tori è dolce, responsabile che mette sempre il bisogno degli altri difronte ai propri, ma anche spezzata, ferita e spaventata, invece Jace inizialmente sembra stanco, afflitto ma realmente anche lui dietro questa corazza dietro cui si è nascosto troviamo un ragazzo affettuoso, con un lato romantico e dolce. Questi due protagonisti con la loro storia ci fanno capire attraverso il loro percorso e il dolore che provano che alla fine si può avere un lieto fine. 5⭐️
Cora ha una scrittura che ti rapisce, ti coinvolge e ti fa percepire quell’emozioni a pelle, ti catapulta nella storia come se stessi al loro posto. Sono molto contenta di essermi buttata su questa lettura.
Trama
Non riesco a ricordare un solo giorno della mia vita senza la presenza di Jace Zielinski al mio fianco. Lui è sempre stato accanto a me e a mio fratello Colt.
Noi tre siamo cresciuti insieme, non solo come amici, quasi come fratelli, e poi… Be’, poi io e Jace ci siamo resi conto che ci amavamo.
Jace Zielinski è anche stato il ragazzo che mi ha spezzato il cuore.
Quando torno nella mia città natale, l’ultima persona che vorrei incontrare è proprio Jace, ma il destino sembra avere in serbo ben altri piani…
Tori Malene è la sola ragazza che io abbia mai amato e che amerò mai.
La nostra amicizia d’infanzia, con gli anni, è diventata molto altro.
Per lei avrei sacrificato ogni cosa, ma Tori ha preferito allontanarmi dalla sua vita.
La sua decisione mi ha spezzato il cuore, ma, al contempo, mi ha reso ancora più forte, permettendomi di diventare una divinità del football.
Quando vengo informato del fatto che Tori è tornata nella città in cui siamo cresciuti, provo l’impellente bisogno di vendicarmi…
Quando hai amato fino a farti male, fin dove saresti in grado di spingerti?
August 9, 2021
Such a wonderful story that takes you on a hard fought journey to a sweeeet HEA!
Don't know where to start with this goodness. Its so freaking good from start to finish! I especially loved the flips back to their pasts and into the now. It was so seamless it was like you were in their heads.
Tori is the sweet responsible girl next door. I love her she's always just trying to keep everyone happy. She has always looked after her younger brother Colt and when he becomes best friends with Jace the boy next door she takes on him too. They become an inseperable trio. As the years pass her feelings change and become much much more for Jace.
They have one perfect summer which unfortunately ends up ripping them all apart for years.
A series of horrific events bring Tori back home. Jace follows and here they begin their tough journey back to where they should always have been. Together.
I really did love Tori. We meet her at her lowest and boy do you feel her struggles. At the start she's scared and lonely and broken but over the pages you feel her strength start to build and with the help of Jace and Colt by the end shes a real warrior.
Jace is such a romantic! I loved him! Although hes jaded and bitter at the start its only because he was so hurt he acted this way. When you see the real jim he's very sweet and loving and just a bit of a hero really. Swoon!
Theres so much emotion packed in here between the main characters. So much hurt but also so much love. I really felt for all of them. For me the teary parts came from both their Colt connections. Two best friends reconnecting caused a few droplets lol but brother and sister coming together again? Yup bit of a tidal wave!
Loved the whole story from beginning to end. I was invested from page one and these guys take you on an uphill struggle to the sweetest of endings.
I can't bloody wait for Colts book! He needs an even happier ending! I mean the sickliest sweeted ending EVER! I'm mid broken hearted for him so it needs extra sugar coated happiness for him!
Highly recommend this emotional story. It breaks you then fixes you and leaves you so happy for them. All is right with the world! Well... except just need Colt to be fixed... hurry Cora! We need him smiling!
Don't know where to start with this goodness. Its so freaking good from start to finish! I especially loved the flips back to their pasts and into the now. It was so seamless it was like you were in their heads.
Tori is the sweet responsible girl next door. I love her she's always just trying to keep everyone happy. She has always looked after her younger brother Colt and when he becomes best friends with Jace the boy next door she takes on him too. They become an inseperable trio. As the years pass her feelings change and become much much more for Jace.
They have one perfect summer which unfortunately ends up ripping them all apart for years.
A series of horrific events bring Tori back home. Jace follows and here they begin their tough journey back to where they should always have been. Together.
I really did love Tori. We meet her at her lowest and boy do you feel her struggles. At the start she's scared and lonely and broken but over the pages you feel her strength start to build and with the help of Jace and Colt by the end shes a real warrior.
Jace is such a romantic! I loved him! Although hes jaded and bitter at the start its only because he was so hurt he acted this way. When you see the real jim he's very sweet and loving and just a bit of a hero really. Swoon!
Theres so much emotion packed in here between the main characters. So much hurt but also so much love. I really felt for all of them. For me the teary parts came from both their Colt connections. Two best friends reconnecting caused a few droplets lol but brother and sister coming together again? Yup bit of a tidal wave!
Loved the whole story from beginning to end. I was invested from page one and these guys take you on an uphill struggle to the sweetest of endings.
I can't bloody wait for Colts book! He needs an even happier ending! I mean the sickliest sweeted ending EVER! I'm mid broken hearted for him so it needs extra sugar coated happiness for him!
Highly recommend this emotional story. It breaks you then fixes you and leaves you so happy for them. All is right with the world! Well... except just need Colt to be fixed... hurry Cora! We need him smiling!
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