REVIEW: Love Hurts by Maplestyle

Some stories have such a big following that it’s hard to remember where you first heard about them because every-freaking-body you know is reading them.  They're the stories that are recognized by initials or stand-apart details and are immediately connected to an author's name. They get you talking, screaming, and swooning about fic, and often become the standard by which other stories are compared. These are those stories.

We've invited four guest reviewers to share their thoughts on some of our recent ‘we can’t stop talking about them’ favorites.

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Love Hurts by Maplestyle

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11347807/1/

I met Edward Cullen on my first day at my new high school. From that moment on we were practically joined at the hip. We dated for the rest of Junior year and all of Senior. Though we didn't take that ultimate step in our relationship, we were very much in love… or so I thought. Rated M

Midnight Cougar~

Maple is one special lady, an author I adore and respect, and it’s an honour to be her beta. She is so creative and always brings her readers something unique when she writes a story—I never know what to expect, and I love that about her.  Love Hurts is no exception to this.

When Maple asked if I’d have time to beta a one shot for her, an idea that had hit her from the song Love Hurts by Nazareth, and she just had to write, I said, yes, I’d make time—and I’m sure glad I did. I devoured those 6000 words quickly… and then I had an idea. I told Maple I thought she had a gem there, that it was too good to give it all at once, and that she should consider presenting it to her readers as a full story… in drabble form. She already had it sort of separated, so we tweaked and played and edited, and you all got Maple’s mind-blowing drabble story Love Hurts.

Maple ‘got me,’ as I’m sure she got many of you, right till the end. I won’t say anymore, in case you haven’t had the pleasure to read it yet, but believe me… it’s very well-crafted and well-narrated by… well, that unknown is part of Maple’s ingenious writing of this story. Its presentation will make you believe that love really and truly does hurt, and you’ll be aching and feeling and so emotionally invested in the story, that you won’t even know what hit you, until the perfect ending.

I met Edward Cullen on my first day at my new high school. From that moment on we were practically joined at the hip. We dated for the rest of Junior year and all of Senior. Though we didn’t take that ultimate step in our relationship, we were very much in love… or so I thought.

As one reader said, that summary alone gave her “a twinge,” but that’s only the beginning, dear readers.

This story generated a lot of discussion and high anxiety from its readers—as one said after reading, “I was stretched, pulled, and wrung out over this story. I loved it!” and another summed it up, “If you like angst, heartbreak, and a little mystery thrown in, but want a quick read, this is a great story!”

And there you have it; it might be short—each drabble chapter’s word length and completion of the story at only 17 chapters—but Maple packed it with a powerful punch. And that, to me, is the makings of a well-written, memorable read. Well done, my friend.  xox

CullensTwiMistress~

When Maple invited me to read Love Hurts, I had no idea what I was getting into. She hadn’t told me she was writing anything, so colour me surprised as hell when I started reading this little gem.

Love Hurts, chapter 2“Social media can be a very glorious thing. It can keep people who have no choice but to be apart connected, it can reunite old loves and family, it can be used to share photos and to keep in touch with friends, old and new.

Social media can also be very hurtful. It can be a way bullies torment their prey after the school day is over, it can be used to lure people into unsafe relationships, and it can even be used as a tool for stalking people.

In my case, Social Media, namely Facebook, was the place I watched the love of my life fall in love… with someone else.”

I had the honour of reading Love Hurts all at once. I was captivated by this character and I could totally relate to her story. Watching someone you love (or once loved) fall for someone else isn’t easy when you haven’t quite moved on and Maple captured it perfectly. When Maple started posting the story in short drabble-like chapters, I knew she was getting to something. It felt like torture as I read each increment. Even though I knew the ending, reading each little morsel made my gut twist. I won’t ruin the ending, but let’s just say it ended the way a story like this should. If you haven’t read it, go… Now… It’s a short read and won’t leave you disappointed.

Annie Butts~

Love Hurts is the perfect way to describe this fic. You feel the pain that she is feeling as she is seeing Edward's new relationship start to develop. Every picture, every status update is like another pinprick to the heart. This is a fic you can't stop clicking the next button on. I was lucky enough to be a pre-reader. Seeing everyone's reactions as it was unfolding was a lot of fun :) If you haven't read this yet, do it now. You won't be disappointed. Then help me beg for an EPOV. Love ya May, my sister in Rage.

MrsSpaceCowboy~

Recently, I was in the mood for some serious angst, so I spent an afternoon lurking on Facebook. There was a lot of buzz about the story Love Hurts by Maplestyle. It was complete (and I love the author), so I decided to check it out. 

This story perfectly captures the pain of young love. The melancholy tone is present from the first chapter to the last. I knew from the beginning that my heart was going to hurt. It was the end of chapter two that hooked me, though.

In my case, Social Media, namely Facebook, was the place I watched the love of my life fall in love… with someone else.What follows is a story about coming to terms with the end of a relationship. Breaking up is hard. Watching the person you love move on is even harder.

What I love most about Love Hurts is the realism. We’ve all been there – caring too much for someone who doesn’t feel the same anymore. The stages of grief are woven organically into the narrative and made my chest ache when I read certain chapters. And when I reached the end of the story, I sent Maplestyle a review to thank her for making me cry.

~~~♥~~~

Thank you to our guest reviewers Midnight Cougar, CullensTwiMistress, Annie Butts, and MrsSpaceCowboy for sharing their thoughts on this amazing fic.