Meet Eva, who can’t feel pain, and Anna, who can’t escape it.

Everyone has heard about the case of Eva Reid. Ever since she was born, she’s felt no she can get a paper cut, break a limb and even give birth without feeling a single thing. Her life has long captivated the fascination of reporters and researchers—including Dr. Nate Reid, Eva’s husband and acclaimed scientist renowned for his work in the Pain Laboratory. Also among them is Anna Tate, a ruthless journalist with a dark past of her own. When Eva is suddenly found dead inside her home, it raises a flurry of questions around the last night of her life—and who might’ve been involved. Anna finds herself growing increasingly obsessed with Eva’s protected, painless existence, her promising career as a psychotherapist and especially her toxic relationship to the alluring Dr. Reid, whom Eva met and married as his former patient. But what other secrets could they be hiding? When Dr. Reid embarks on the process of writing a book about Eva, an opportunity arises for Anna to work on it alongside him. As she slowly inserts herself into their home to uncover what’s fact and what’s fiction, shocking discoveries await her—and not everyone may come out unscathed…

I received an ALC of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

I hadn’t heard of this book until I saw it listed in an email from a publisher offering an audiobook for review. I decided to give it a go, and while familiar in structure, it kept me engaged with a few unexpected twists.

The book begins with the shocking discovery of Eva Reid’s lifeless body in her home. Eva was born with a condition that prevented her from ever feeling physical pain. Her rare condition has always drawn intrigue—both scientific and personal. Her husband, Dr. Nate Reid, is a celebrated scientist who built his career studying pain, including Eva’s condition.

Anna Tate is a journalist drawn to the case. Anna has a troubled past, which helps drive her tenacious personality, and she becomes determined to find out if Eva truly overdosed or if something else was at play. When Anna is pegged to help pen Nate’s biography, she gets a front-row seat and access to their home – a home that may hold the answers she seeks. Anna places herself into the Reid household, peeling back layers of their relationship and uncovering secrets that cast doubt on Nate’s intentions and Eva’s death. Nate’s clinical fascination with Eva, combined with the power dynamics of their marriage, raises red flags that Anna can’t ignore. But the more time she spends with Nate, the more she can’t help but feel drawn to him – which may be her downfall.

Anna’s character is especially intriguing. While Eva couldn’t feel physical pain, Anna discovered that the woman definitely had a lot of emotional pain she carried with her – and Anna understands all too well what carrying a lifetime of emotional baggage can do to you. A survivor of her own traumas, she’s relentless in her pursuit of the truth, though she is not without her flaws. Her obsession with Eva’s seemingly “perfect” existence creates a compelling tension throughout the story.

While many of the characters are well-drawn, some of the supporting cast – particularly the character of Nate – feel more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. Nate’s character hit every beat you would expect, and I found him to be somewhat dull.

While the premise is fascinating and the character dynamics compelling, the mystery itself unfolds in a somewhat predictable manner. Cook employs many familiar tropes of the domestic thriller genre: the brilliant yet sinister husband, the “perfect” wife with a hidden darkness, and the obsessive outsider determined to uncover the truth. However, Cook manages to inject enough surprises to keep the reader guessing, particularly in the book’s second half. The revelations, while not groundbreaking, are satisfying and well-paced.
What really grabbed me was the novel’s exploration of pain – not just as a physical sensation but as an emotional and psychological force. Eva’s inability to feel pain is juxtaposed with Anna’s inability to escape it, creating a powerful contrast.

Alix Dunmore narrates the audiobook, and she did a great job! Her performance elevates the material, bringing nuance and vitality to the characters. Her portrayal of Anna is particularly strong, capturing the journalist’s mix of determination, vulnerability, and bitterness. Dunmore’s narration enhances the tension in key moments, adding to the atmosphere and tension.

If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers with layered protagonists and enjoy pondering the complexities of human nature, You Can’t Hurt Me is a solid choice. While it may not redefine the genre, its engaging premise, unexpected twists, and excellent audiobook narration make it a worthwhile addition to your reading list.