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elise_74's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
stephanie_jmc's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Meh. 6/10. Super predictable. Was expecting it to be much different and thought it would anchor more on the concept of individuals who have an inability to feel physical pain (as the synopsis indicates). I was expecting something much more sinister in a “psychological thriller” that has a character with the inability to feel pain and was unfortunately let down. Everything in this book regarding the “twist” was predictable to me from about 1/4 way through the book.
It was an easy enough read and I did enjoy the writing style. But I wouldn’t really recommend to be honest.
It was an easy enough read and I did enjoy the writing style. But I wouldn’t really recommend to be honest.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Abortion
Minor: Addiction
justreaditalreadypod's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I received an ALC of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
I hadn't heard of this book until I saw it listed in an email from a publisher offering an audiobook for review. I decided to give it a go, and while familiar in structure, it kept me engaged with a few unexpected twists.
The book begins with the shocking discovery of Eva Reid's lifeless body in her home. Eva was born with a condition that prevented her from ever feeling physical pain. Her rare condition has always drawn intrigue—both scientific and personal. Her husband, Dr. Nate Reid, is a celebrated scientist who built his career studying pain, including Eva's condition.
Anna Tate is a journalist drawn to the case. Anna has a troubled past, which helps drive her tenacious personality, and she becomes determined to find out if Eva truly overdosed or if something else was at play. When Anna is pegged to help pen Nate's biography, she gets a front-row seat and access to their home - a home that may hold the answers she seeks. Anna places herself into the Reid household, peeling back layers of their relationship and uncovering secrets that cast doubt on Nate's intentions and Eva's death. Nate's clinical fascination with Eva, combined with the power dynamics of their marriage, raises red flags that Anna can't ignore. But the more time she spends with Nate, the more she can't help but feel drawn to him - which may be her downfall.
Anna's character is especially intriguing. While Eva couldn't feel physical pain, Anna discovered that the woman definitely had a lot of emotional pain she carried with her - and Anna understands all too well what carrying a lifetime of emotional baggage can do to you. A survivor of her own traumas, she's relentless in her pursuit of the truth, though she is not without her flaws. Her obsession with Eva's seemingly "perfect" existence creates a compelling tension throughout the story.
While many of the characters are well-drawn, some of the supporting cast - particularly the character of Nate - feel more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. Nate's character hit every beat you would expect, and I found him to be somewhat dull.
While the premise is fascinating and the character dynamics compelling, the mystery itself unfolds in a somewhat predictable manner. Cook employs many familiar tropes of the domestic thriller genre: the brilliant yet sinister husband, the "perfect" wife with a hidden darkness, and the obsessive outsider determined to uncover the truth. However, Cook manages to inject enough surprises to keep the reader guessing, particularly in the book's second half. The revelations, while not groundbreaking, are satisfying and well-paced.
What really grabbed me was the novel's exploration of pain - not just as a physical sensation but as an emotional and psychological force. Eva's inability to feel pain is juxtaposed with Anna's inability to escape it, creating a powerful contrast.
Alix Dunmore narrates the audiobook, and she did a great job! Her performance elevates the material, bringing nuance and vitality to the characters. Her portrayal of Anna is particularly strong, capturing the journalist’s mix of determination, vulnerability, and bitterness. Dunmore’s narration enhances the tension in key moments, adding to the atmosphere and tension.
If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers with layered protagonists and enjoy pondering the complexities of human nature, You Can’t Hurt Me is a solid choice. While it may not redefine the genre, its engaging premise, unexpected twists, and excellent audiobook narration make it a worthwhile addition to your reading list.
no_more_shelf_control's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I am so grateful to @htp_hive @htpbooks & @harlequin_audio @netgalley for 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑪𝑨𝑵'𝑻 𝑯𝑼𝑹𝑻 𝑴𝑬 𝒃𝒚 𝑬𝒎𝒎𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒌 & 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒙 𝑫𝒖𝒏𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆.
I found the idea of a woman who can feel no pain fascinating. Then to find out that she is only posthumously in the story piqued my interest further. Eva's husband, Nate is a researcher specifically on pain. He wants to write a book about Eva and needs the help of a ghostwriter, which Anna works her way into with her journalistic skills. Secrets begin to rise to the surface about the truth of Eva and Nate, and Anna's too.
Beginning this in written form was helpful with some of the epistolary chapters, and then heading to work and having the audio keep me company was fabulous, finally to return home and finish the final chapters with the quick turn of the page was perfect. I love that I can stay in a story all day!
I enjoyed some of the deeper probing of the questions of the value of pain in this book. While none of us wish for it or run to it, pain is an essential human experience in all its physical and emotional forms. To not feel it is to lack something that goes deeper. I did appreciate this viewpoint, though I will still do my best to avoid pain!
This is a relatively quick story at just under 300 pages and gives a bit of thought inside of this novel. I very much appreciated the way the book started and ended. Very clever structuring! It's worth a quick refresh of the 1st chapter after the epilogue to smirk a bit.
I found the idea of a woman who can feel no pain fascinating. Then to find out that she is only posthumously in the story piqued my interest further. Eva's husband, Nate is a researcher specifically on pain. He wants to write a book about Eva and needs the help of a ghostwriter, which Anna works her way into with her journalistic skills. Secrets begin to rise to the surface about the truth of Eva and Nate, and Anna's too.
Beginning this in written form was helpful with some of the epistolary chapters, and then heading to work and having the audio keep me company was fabulous, finally to return home and finish the final chapters with the quick turn of the page was perfect. I love that I can stay in a story all day!
I enjoyed some of the deeper probing of the questions of the value of pain in this book. While none of us wish for it or run to it, pain is an essential human experience in all its physical and emotional forms. To not feel it is to lack something that goes deeper. I did appreciate this viewpoint, though I will still do my best to avoid pain!
This is a relatively quick story at just under 300 pages and gives a bit of thought inside of this novel. I very much appreciated the way the book started and ended. Very clever structuring! It's worth a quick refresh of the 1st chapter after the epilogue to smirk a bit.
tanyakonerman's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
speedreadstagram's review against another edition
4.0
What a fast-paced intriguing read that was a lot of fun. Because of the intriguing plot and fast paced this is one that I didn’t want to put down and read in one sitting over the course of a few hours. I picked this one up because the premise seems like a new take on a familiar plot, and that it was exactly what I got. I loved that Eva had a rare medical condition and married someone in a field that sought to explain things. There was plenty of tension in the book as well, the author did a great job portraying things so I stayed on the edge of my seat guessing what was going to happen. This book does have an unreliable narrator so if that isn’t your thing you might not enjoy, in the case of this book it worked for me and I had fun with it. My biggest drawback is the ending, it wasn’t exactly how I wanted to see things end and I would have preferred things be a bit tighter.
Thank you to @hanoversquarepress @htp_hive and @netgalley for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to @hanoversquarepress @htp_hive and @netgalley for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.
rachelly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
holdmethrillme's review against another edition
2.0
This book had the potential to be really good, but it was too slow moving for my liking. I did like the storyline overall and enjoyed the big reveal but would have liked to have seen more twists and misdirections throughout the story. I also didn’t end up feeling particularly connected to any of the characters. I listened to the audiobook and read the digital book and at times I had times distinguishing which character’s POV I was listening to.
sandra_buckwell's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Enjoyable, but it didn't quite work for me.
gabydarling's review against another edition
This was very boring. Seemed to go nowhere. Dnf @ 13%, I tried and just couldn’t.
The writing was clunky and difficult to read. The story had no hook.
The writing was clunky and difficult to read. The story had no hook.