Hurt for Me
A single mother’s brutal past threatens to destroy the new life she’s built in this suspenseful dark romance set in the underground world of kink. Rae Dixon is lucky to be alive. Fifteen years ago, she survived being trafficked and abused, escaping her captors to reclaim her life. Now, she’s running a thriving business with her best friend and raising a teenage daughter on her own. Rae’s finally in control―literally. As Mistress V, Rae is the one calling the shots catering to Oklahoma City’s elite in her private dungeon, which is fronted by a spa. But when a client goes missing, Rae’s world spins out of control. Detective Dayton Clearwater shows up at the spa, sparking panic when he asks questions that risk exposing Rae’s true business. After several young women from her underground community disappear, too, Rae spots a chillingly familiar pattern. Together, she and Detective Clearwater must find answers before more lives are destroyed, including those they love.
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Book Accolades
Why You'll Love This
Hurt For Me by Heather Levy was a lot of “firsts” for me! It was my Amazon First Reads pick, the first book I finished in 2024, and my first 5 star read of 2024! And it will be my first review of 2024. 😏 The book is a thriller with a dual timeline following our MC, Rae, a dominatrix with a rough past. There were so many things that worked well for me in this book. I loved the information on the BDSM lifestyle and the importance given to consent. Even though the book heavily features the lifestyle, I thought it struck the perfect balance between being a thriller and the couple of sex scenes. I also loved how fully formed Rae’s character is and how all of her relationships felt so authentic. I loved how she survived and thrived despite her past and became a badass adult who would do anything for those she loves. Another thing I loved was Detective Clearwater’s character and how he was written. Finally, the commentary. I don’t want to get into too many specifics in case of spoilers, but just how in certain situations Rae is mindful of what she says and how she says it to be considerate, I loved that. The way certain identities are mentioned and the struggles they face while also having our MC challenge the negative viewpoints. Also, highlighting that sex work is nothing to be ashamed of and the very real danger that sex workers face and how not much is done to get justice for them. That is the sad reality of our society and I liked that the author didn’t shy away from bringing this to the readers’ attention. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers and strong female leads.
I grabbed this book as my Amazon First Reads choice for January and was so glad I did. It marks my first five star read of 2024! A captivating read I could not put down, Hurt for Me was a fantastic murder mystery with a unique plot based around BDSM with some dark romance thrown in. The Characters: Rae Dixon aka Mistress V ~ The story goes back and forth from past to present based on Rae's point of view. We learn of her horrific childhood, teen years and escape from a life she was forced into. Fast forward to present day, Rae runs a successful and confidential dominatrix business with affluential clients. When one of her clients goes missing and she is one of the last people to see him, her hidden lifestyle is in danger of being exposed. Detective Dayton Clearwater ~ Tall, dark, handsome and invested in solving this case for more reasons than it just being assigned to him. Other characters include Rae's daughter Lily, her best friend Angel and, from her past, Viv, her own personal angel who helped save her. The writing was riveting and held my attention from the first page to the last. The character development was powerful and the storyline, unique and fast paced. This ending had me on the edge of my seat. If I had to suggest one small detail which I would have been okay with...more spice in the book lol. There are trigger warnings including sex trafficking, kidnapping and child abuse - do you research to ensure this is the right read for you. If you don't have triggers, I totally recommend this. It was a great weekend binge read.
An emotional thought provoking piece of literature. How people are judged who are different, this human process never diminishes, but we are all human and need to be treated as such. Sex workers are professional trade people and their skills mean just as much as a diploma in education. the storyline of how people reinvent themselves and deal with adversity is openly honest and painfully emotional.