Psychological Thriller Review: This Might Hurt | Stephanie Wrobel

Who doesn’t love a cult-themed psychological thriller? In This Might Hurt, three women with different but connect stories are on journeys to face their fears no matter the cost. Absolutely gripping and a fantastic follow-up to Wrobel’s first book, Darling Rose Gold.

About the Book | This Might Hurt

Natalie hasn’t heard from her sister Kit in more than 6 months. Kit has always been troubled, experiencing high highs and low lows. After her most recent low, she found Wisewood. Set on a private island off the coast of Maine, Wisewood’s guests commit for 6-month stays where they forfeit all contact with the outside world.

During this time, the guests focus on confronting and letting go of their fears. Only through fearlessness can they become their maximized selves. They accomplish this through a variety of secret classes, work, and sessions.

When Natalie receives an email from Wisewood threatening to reveal a secret she kept from Kit, Natalie rushes to Wisewood to confess to her sister. But after arriving, it becomes clear Wisewood won’t let either of them go without a fight. Someone seems to be tailing her and a blizzard may trap them all on the island. Natalie is on a ticking clock to find her sister and help them both escape.

Review | This Might Hurt

The book opens on a jaw-dropping chapter, with a scene that seems to show some sort of extreme performance art that delivers on the shock factor. From there, the book moves to primarily focus on two sisters, Natalie and Kit. Natalie is meticulous, successful, and lives her life following rigid rules that have helped her to be as successful as she is. It also means she has few close friends. Kit on the other hand is much messier, constantly in cycles of ups and downs leading her to sob in the shower. Kit is directionless and she often felt a bit lost.

Now, the sisters are reeling from the death of their mother. Despite how different they are, it’s clear to the reader that Kit and Natalie care about one another. Which of course makes Kit’s decision to leave her life (and sister) behind and go to Wisewood, and the email Natalie receives threatening to expose a big secret she kept from Kit, a surprise to the reader.

I was captivated by Wisewood because it seemed so bizarre as an outsider. At the same time, Wrobel did a good job of showing how some people really fall for the methods at Wisewood and others don’t. I want to say more but I think it’s best I don’t spoil what happens at Wisewood and what the goal of the retreat is.

The novel is told in alternating chapters between Kit, Natalie, and an unnamed third woman whose identity later becomes clear. The mysterious narrator’s story is told through flashbacks to a childhood full of physical, mental, and emotional abuse by her father, who instilled a strict training regimen on his daughters.

This is a cleverly crafted story and I found it gripping, particularly the third narrator’s story. The trap set for Natalie proves that the only way for her (and the reader) to escape is by getting through the mysterious Wisewood and finding out its’ secrets. I had several theories about the third narrator and I liked the way that story and twist unfolded.

The overall vibe of the book was straight forward and then the tension was slowly increased until the plot felt so taut it would snap. I loved the slow build, the way the events unfolding from all three perspectives turned more and more twisted. I was riveted and wanted to know what would happen.

A twisted story that explores what it really means to be fearless and the darkness that comes along with finding out!

About the Author | Stephanie Wrobel

Stephanie Wrobel is the author of Darling Rose Gold, a USA Today and international bestseller that has sold in twenty-one countries and was shortlisted for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Wrobel grew up in Chicago and now lives in London. This Might Hurt is her second novel.

Read more about her life and books on her author’s page.