Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (4.5/5)

Hello friends! I just finished Love Hurts by Mandi Beck, and let me tell you, this book is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. I received a signed copy as part of my Romance Reveal Book Box, and I’m already itching to dive into the sequel because I have to know what happens next.

Love Hurts is the story of Frankie and Deacon, two people whose lives have been intertwined since childhood. Their families are basically one big, chaotic unit, and Frankie considers Deacon her best friend. But Deacon? He’s been in love with Frankie for as long as he can remember, convinced he’ll never be good enough for her. Frankie, meanwhile, is living with her boyfriend Drew, and when he proposes at her birthday party, it seems like Deacon has missed his chance. But in true Deacon fashion, he finally confesses his feelings to Frankie at that very same party, turning everything upside down.

What follows is a whirlwind of heartbreak, longing, and second chances. Deacon leaves for his next round of MMA fights, and Frankie tries to move forward with her life. But when tragedy strikes and Frankie ends up in a coma after a violent altercation with Drew, Deacon drops everything to be by her side. The quote that stuck with me most is Deacon’s raw determination:

“I’m not me without her. I’ll fight for her to come back to me. I’ll fight hard enough for both of us if I have to, and I’ll love her even harder. When she does open those beautiful eyes of hers, I will love her fucking harder still.”

The chemistry between Deacon and Frankie is off the charts, but what really got me was how messy, real, and complicated their relationship is. Deacon is brash, passionate, and sometimes makes boneheaded decisions, but his love for Frankie is absolute. Frankie, for her part, is strong and resilient-even when life keeps throwing punches. Their journey from best friends to lovers is anything but smooth, and I found myself yelling at both of them more than once, but I was rooting for them the whole way.

Mandi Beck doesn’t shy away from the angst or the heat-this book is packed with both. The MMA backdrop adds a gritty edge, and even though I’m not usually a fan of fighter romances, Deacon made me want to tune in for every round. The family dynamics, the Chicago setting, and the fierce loyalty between these characters pulled me right in and made me feel like I was part of the story.

If I have any complaint, it’s that I wish we got more of Frankie’s perspective. Most of the book is told from Deacon’s POV, and while it’s intense and raw, I wanted to see more of what was going on in Frankie’s head-especially after everything she goes through. And just a heads-up: this book ends on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger, so have the next one ready because you’ll need answers ASAP.

Love Hurts is gritty, sexy, and full of heart. If you love a friends-to-lovers romance with a side of family chaos and a hero who will fight for his girl no matter what, you’ll want to pick this one up. I can’t wait to see where Frankie and Deacon’s story goes next. Until next time, happy reading-and get ready for a wild ride!