Is Stephanie Wrobel the master of writing about horrible parents and dysfunctional families? Perhaps., maybe she is.

Well, in this latest novel it’s not the horrible “Poisonous Patty” - the mother from Darling Rose Gold, but a cruel and repulsive father who sets the backdrop of this story. A man so dreadful it makes my stomach twist. Thankfully, this is only a small part of the story, but a part that will become the pathway to something bigger…

Natalie’s sister Kit has entered a health retreat over six months ago, one that requires no contact with the outside world for six-months. I mean absolutely no contact with anyone in any form for six-months. But when Natalie receives a threatening email from the retreat red flags go up, and now she becomes desperate to find her sister. However, getting on the private island where the retreat is located proves almost impossible. Natalie needs to go and save her sister, but once she finally gets there, it becomes clear that Kit’s loyalty is to the mysterious Teacher. And Teacher is unwilling to see her cult, um I mean health retreat, fall apart.

My thoughts: although a good story, This Might Hurt has a really great beginning and a really great ending – full of intensity and family dysfunction – but I felt like the middle parts fell flat. Told with alternating chapters, we read of how the Teacher became to be, and also how tragedy divided two sisters.

Good, but not as good as Darling Rose Gold. 3 stars.

This Might Hurt is told through two storylines; Rebecca's and Natalie's. For me, Rebecca's storyline was the most interesting, see how she grew up and what she went through made me understand her "now" character so much better. Natalie's timeline was the present so we got to see how these storylines intertwined. I will say, it did take me a hot minute to figure the two storylines out since they're not marked who is speaking. However, it didn't take away the read for me.

If you enjoy cult-like books with dual timelines than I think this is definitely worth checking out. I've seen a lot of not so great reviews about this one BUT I seriously enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down and I needed to know how it was going to end. Now I will say, the ending did let me down alittle. I wanted more of a wow factor. But hey, we can't win them all! So although there are some lower star ratings on this book, I think if it sounds interesting to you, you should check it out for yourself ! You might just end up really enjoying it like me.

this might hurt started strong i couldn't put it down for the first half but than it got tiresome and i couldn't wait to be done with it 😬

i really did not care for all the magic chapters, i absolutely didn't care for that character and once you connect the dots about who this is about half way through its pretty boring. but the book think you're stupid and have the big reveal about 100 pages after you already figured it out *roll eyes*

every characters are annoying, i usually don't mind it but with this book it was hard to get through.

i skimmed the last 1/4 of the book because there's so many filler chapter that don't bring anything except the fact that it makes the book longer.

if you like slow slow slow burn thrillers (ish) you'll love this one but if you are looking for something with a lot of action i would skip this one.

unfortunately i think stephanie wrobel is just not for me 😢 as much as i want to love her books they just don't work for me 🤷‍♀️

3.5 stars

This Might Hurt by Stephanie Wrobel is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Simon and Schuster and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Natalie Collins has not heard from her sister Kit in over six months.  They haven't been close in a long time, but they've still kept in touch.  Their mother's passing was hard on them both, but Kit took it exceptionally hard.

But Kit has found Wisewood.  Although other self-help groups have not worked, this looks really promising.  She signed up for six months on the island, and has found what she was looking for.  The residents of Wisewood sign an NDA to never discuss what happens on the island.  They have no access to the outside world - no internet, no phones, no contact with family or friends.  Their time is spent with chores, and learning to become fearless.  Their "Teacher" accepts nothing less than loyalty.

Natalie finally receives a rather menacing email from Wisewood threatening to tell Kit what Natalie has done.  She heads to the island.  She must be the one to tell Natalie.  But what she finds is not really her sister anymore.  The new Kit is much stronger, much more determined, and much less friendly.


My Opinions:   
First, I found the cover to be really boring.

Second, it didn't start out too promising.   It was boring, it was slow moving, and I didn't like any of the characters.

The story is told in different time-lines, and by three people...Natalie, Kit, and another unidentified person.  Unfortunately, as the chapters for the unidentified character didn't have a heading, I thought they were from Natalie's perspective, as they usually followed her chapter.  This was really confusing until I figure out it must be a third person.  By then I was a little annoyed.

The plot looks at how a child who has a demanding and abusive father can grow up to be just as manipulative and abusive with others.  It is about creating your own cult, and having a "god" complex.   It is about fear, and grief, and guilt, and why people are always looking for a way to better themselves, and the different reasons why people resort to joining a cult.

So, overall, the book was okay, but the last 20-25% improved it immensely -- which was when it got good (sort of a long time to wait, though).  I loved the twist at the end.

An incredibly twisty and compelling read. This is an excellent follow up to Wrobel's debut novel, Darling Rose Gold.

This book has an beautifully designed cover and is a respectable thriller. From the first chapter, there was tension and Stephanie Wrobel keeps it going throughout the novel with twists and turns. The story is told by several narrators, two sisters and a 3rd who is unknown for a time, with a turn that takes the reader by surprise and one actually thinks, how did the author do that? And do it so well? When the story moves to Wisewood, an exclusive island self-help retreat, the thrill continues because of the cult-like vibes and creepiness surrounding Wisewood’s founder, the staff, the guests, and the island itself. This novel had me turning pages, continually feeling the tension, wondering how it would end, but in the end, the thriller aspect of the novel fell a little flat and I wanted more depth out of the plot resolution and the characters. I did enjoy the thriller-y aspect of this book and the author’s writing. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

So I was totally into this book and was hooked on the mysteries surrounding Wisewood, and peering into the past to determine the behaviours of the main characters which were all very well developed. That ending though?!! For me it feels unfinished and lacking in so many ways: all most like the reader gets to decide the fate of the characters we were so invested in. I feel like there was great potential here that was lost

“The difference between a cocoon and a straightjacket was perspective.”
THIS MIGHT HURT - STEPHANIE WROBEL

book description:
“a dark, thrilling novel about two sisters - one trapped in the clutches of a cult, the other in a web of her own lies.” (goodreads)

that description just scratches the surface. this book was twisted! it almost felt like I was holding my breath during some parts because I knew something was coming but didn’t quite know what it was. I’ve never been a part of a cult (and tbh don’t plan to!) but I guess that’s probably how one might feel! 😅

wrobel‘s first novel, DARLING ROSE GOLD, was just as twisted and psychologically messed up, so it should come as no surprise that this follows in its footsteps

I LOVED Rose Gold so was very excited to have the opportunity to read This Might Hurt. I really enjoy the dark humour and social commentary, plus the analysis of trauma and its impact on siblings and decision making....Did it feel disjointed at times? Yes. Did I still enjoy it? Yes. I look forward to what Wrobel writes next.

I loved this author’s previous novel, Darling Rose Gold, and I was hoping to similarly enjoy this one. However, I found the different points of view in different time frames and different plot lines confusing, disjointed and hard to follow. I do like multiple POVs but it did not work in this novel for me. In addition, parts of the plot were disconcerting to read and towards the end, I caught myself skimming the pages to reach the end. The main character was also very weird and over the top, in my view, which made it hard for me to engage with her storyline.

Thanks t0 Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This had me wrapped around it's pinky finger from the start.
Intense, interesting and super messed up.
Who doesn't enjoy a book about cults/communes?
I do wish there had been more wrapped up in the end, buuut...
I'll allow it for the entertainment factor.
Much love to NetGalley with Simon & Schuster Canada for my DRC.

3.5 stars
This Might Hurt takes some post-read pondering!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for my eARC for review.
The story begins with Natalie receiving an email about her sister Kit, from an anonymous someone from the Wildwood resort.
Wildwood is located on a private island in Maine, where guests must commit to six-month stays with no contact to the outside world. This is to achieve their "maximized selves" and improvement sessions are led by the mysterious Teacher.
Kit fled to Wildwood months earlier and has not been heard from since.
There are some vague Dharma Initiative vibes going on.
The concept branches off from there, relaying Natalie and Kit's stories in differing timelines, as well as that of a character unlike anyone I've experienced in any book before.
I was a huge fan of Stephanie Wrobel's debut novel, Darling Rose Gold. This Might Hurt didn't impact me the same way, but do know I couldn't put it down. Like, 2 a.m. reading sessions happening.
The twisty plotlines left me with many questions, but it's one I won't stop thinking about anytime soon.
Recommended!
For release on Feb. 22.

As children, Natalie was always like a mother figure to her younger sister Kit. She always ensured that gifts were under the tree and that her basic needs were met. Their mother was just not that interested. When Natalie, now an adult and a strategist for a large firm, gets an email from someone claiming they are going to let Kit in on a big secret if Natalie doesn’t come herself and do it, Natalie decides to travel to the small island of Wisewood and tell her sister before she finds out from someone else. Kit who is staying at the self-improvement retreat for 6 months where no outside contact is allowed is deeply involved in the program a.k.a cult.

In This Might Hurt we also meet a mentalist who was inspired by Houdini and is now sharing her wisdom with others at Wisewood. The goal is a Maximized Self; think Maslow’s Hierarchy but on steroids.

Multiple POVs bring the story to fruition and there is a sense of unease that exists within the pages. There are several characters and it is fairly important to try and keep track of all of them. They each have a unique story to tell. The setting of an isolated island in winter adds to the sense of foreboding. The backgrounds of the main characters makes the reader appreciate how they came to be who they currently are.

The secret itself was a bit of a let down but the twists along the way kept the mystery factor high for me. The deep faith that one of the characters has for their position in life was interesting and oh so satisfying near the end of the story.

Thank you to @netgalley and @simonschusterca for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. This Might Hurt publishes February 22, 2022.

This was a disappointing read for me, especially since it was one of the releases I had been most looking forward to this year. I think it is mistakingly categorized as a thriller, as I found it to be so slowly paced that even the elements of suspense were dragged out. Although the potential of storyline and content was strong, the execution was subpar at best. The last third of the book was rapidly and messily “wrapped up” in an unsatisfying manner. If you go in with no expectations, you may enjoy this novel more than I did. However, there is no comparison to Wrobel’s debut Darling Rose Gold, which seems to be a consistent takeaway from others reviews.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC!

The review on the cover called this one “unsettling” and “dark” - both very accurate descriptions. #thismighthurt by Stephanie Wrobel creepy in the best way.

Natalie’s sister Kit left for a wellness retreat more than 6 months ago, and Nat hasn’t heard from her since. After receiving a strange email, Nat travels to Wisewood to find her sister and take her home. There, she discovers that bringing her home might not be too easy and that the secrets, hurt feelings, and betrayals that each sister carries will be used against them by the forces that run Wisewood.

Parts of this were disturbing, and there are lots of scenes with psychological abuse, violence, and trauma that were stressful to read. This was overall a good read if you’re in the mood for a dark, culty suspense novel.

I really disliked the opener for this book. It was so off-putting, I almost set the book aside. But it seemed disconnected to the first chapter so I decided to keep going.

But honestly I kept trying and trying to get into this book and I finally had to set it aside. I just couldn’t make myself care about the characters or the story. I am sure some people will love this book and I feel bad about not finishing it, but life’s too short to read books that don’t hold my interest.

My thanks to Net Galley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the opportunity to read this copy of This Might Hurt.

This Might Hurt is a slow burn thriller that lacks the unsettling atmosphere a novel like this depends on and is so slow paced a novel that it was difficult to get through.

This Might Hurt has an interesting premise and is the reason I requested the novel, however it falls flat with the lack of atmosphere despite the setting. Natalie receives a cryptic email and feels compelled to track her sister down at Wisewood, a private island community committed to becoming their Maximized Selves. This is where the lack of atmosphere becomes painfully obvious. Natalie really only experiences two weird things then seemingly ignores them only to freak out and be suspicious of Wisewood later to ratchet up the tension as the novel comes to an end.

This Might Hurt has three POVs and it is not readily apparent who each of these characters are as the story progressed. I’m not sure what Wrobel was trying to accomplish, but I feel like it would have served the novel better had it been clear from the beginning.

It wasn’t until around 80% mark of the novel where the slow paced evaporated and the plot came together. This last 20% is the reason I rated the novel three stars instead of two. The ending was exciting and would have landed better had the previous 80% of the novel set up the ending properly.

Overall, The Might Hurt has an interesting premise but falls flat in its execution. It’s a slow paced thriller that takes too long to hook readers.

This book was just good. Seemed a lot at the beginning surrounded the secret. Which to me fell flat. The separate storylines at first I wasn't sure where they were going but glad they made sense at the end. Not a book I would clamor to pick up.


Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

A thrilling novel about two sisters. Natalie hasn’t spoken to her sister, Kit, in approximately six months since she joined Wisewood, a seeming cult. When Natalie receives a menacing email from a Wisewood account, she realizes she must find her sister and share her secrets.
Told from the viewpoint of many characters, This Might Hurt explores the power of magic, family, and secrets. Good read.

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me - I was really excited to read it, but it was incredibly slow, and I had a very hard time getting into it. The concept is really interesting, but I was a bit bored, and didn't enjoy this as much as I wished I would. I didn't end up finishing it, and only made it about a third of the way in.

I would still read other books from the author, just unfortunately, this one wasn't for me.