This Hurts was the first novel release by Aapri Books & Publishing on July 19, 2010. The novel was also the first full length novel written by newcommer Shaun Mathis and is classified as an erotica tragedgy. Although This Hurts received little promotion, This Hurts went on to win 13 independent author awards as well as selling more than 7,218 copies at various book fairs, online sales, and via word of mouth. The success of This Hurts prompted Shaun to pen the sequel, This Still Hurts, which sold considerably well due to the following This Hurts has created. Currently, both This Hurts & This Still Hurts are unavailable for purchase. However, Aapri Books & Publishing plans to re-release both novels mid-2010.

by Denise Austin

I have finished reading This Hurts and I am blown away at how real the story is. Shaun has depicted finding, gambling & loosing love in it's truest most honest form. I am not afraid to admit I cried a couple of times especially at the end. I have read many stories but what Shaun has written goes far beyond anything I have read thus far. Shaun has mastered the ability to capture and lock on to your attention painting a picture that you see with your heart & your emotions. If Shaun is writing a second book I can't wait to read it and I strongly encourage anyone to read Shaun’s book! Much success to Shaun Mathis. You truly have a gift.

8 Sep 2007

by Gene McVay

Shaun M Mathis' book, This Hurts, certainly captures the reader's attention holding one in rapt surrender as the story drips from the pages. There is a hint of tenderness and compassion amid the mature and explicit aspects of the work. Readers will be impressed with the realism which sometimes delves into the dark sides of the human psyche. The dominating emotions that run through a young man's body as he contemplates his sweetheart are especially poignant. Shaun pulls no punches in this book and has a bright future as a writer.

 17 Oct 2007

By Yasmin Mills

Shaun I loved your book! I can’t get over how real the characters are and the way you depicted every triumph and trial in Syncere’s life. I normally would shy from a book this size, however the first two pages got me and I was hooked after that. I read your book in two days. I love the way Syncere’s dialogue was the opposite of his narrative. I think it was very creative and smart to show the dual sides of a person, especially one like Syncere. Just when I hated him I began to sympathize with him and all that he was going through. Great job! Can’t wait for part II.

 5 Dec 2007

By Emily Nezvesky

Shaun, I got your book and I had to fight my boyfriend to read it because he wont put it down. He tries to take it to work with him lmaoo! It's real good though Shaun. Your story can deffinitly teach people a lot of things about determination, love, ambition and life. I was surprised to see the detail in which you described every woman in the book. I had absolutely no idea that men looked at women the way you painted in your story. That was great to see! Take care of yaself and make sure you send an email when your in town.

30 Dec 2007

By Brandon Fisher

Yo. My girl got me your book for Christmas and I wondered why. I first flipped through the pages and got annoyed by the size of the print. It is too small and has a lot of pages. I picked it up again while sitting in my car waiting for my girl to get her nails done. The first three pages are crazy! From there I read it. I feel like you watched me for a couple of years and put it in your book. To be honest I feel like you were telling my story. It let me take a step outside myself to see the things I am doing and how it’s affecting the people in my life. I really relate to the main character because I have been where he is and I know what it is like to be torn between two women. The good thing is I now know the potential outcome of my actions if I keep doing the dirt I’m doing. I know my girl ain’t dumb but just like the dude in the book I walk around as if she’s going to always be here. Reading your book I now know that ain’t realistic. Us men claim we want the perfect woman and when we finally find her we think there is someone better. I didn’t realize I was doing that until I finished your book. You’ve helped me open my eyes and it’s time I manned up.

22 Jan 2008

by Varonica Dennis

Hi Shaun! We met at the book fair in Harlem last summer (maybe you remember me, maybe not) I brought your book and when I started to read it reminded me of a situation my boyfriend and I were going through at the time. I always wondered why men play the field when they have a champion at home? Reading your book I know that it isn’t just because of the sex but for the attention. My boyfriend has a myspace page full of females on his friends list and his facebook page is no better. I keep asking him why he talks to so many females and he says just because. I see that my boyfriend and Syncere are a lot alike. Brandon and I can’t see each other as often as we like so he tries to fill my void the way Syncere did in the book. Basically you’ve helped me to see that men long for the type of attention and affection women do. Prior to reading I thought all men cheated and it was purely sexually related. Now I know that isn’t true. It can be deeper than that and now Brandon and I are working on our relationship. Your book spoke to me like nothing I’ve ever read before which surprised me. Most books read like a “story”. You can pretty much predict the climax and ending. I want to tell you that your book kept me itching to turn the page. You know you wrong for ending it the way you did. In short I want to say good job and its cool to see someone so young write something entertaining and prolific. All black men should take a lesson from you and Syncere. Sorry so long!

 31 Mar 2008

By Ingrid Brown, Author of Village Vengeance

Well Shaun, I finished your book today. I'm not a book reviewer but I will tell you what I think. The story line is good! It's a long book but it held my attention from beginning to end. I went through several different emotions so far as Syncere is concerned. Initially, I thought he was just a "dog" playing women with no thought about their feelings, however, as the book continued I began to see him as a frightened person who was afraid to let go of anyone because of his extreme fear of being alone. Which image is correct? Personally, in the beginning, I had trouble with the profanity. I'm sure others, especially those in your age group, will have no problem. I'm ole school---my son is four years older than you. LOL!! All in all I think you wrote a wonderful novel and the ending certainly lends itself to a sequel. I would love to see Syncere mature and make better decisions in his personal life. Also, it will be nice to see a young black man become successful without the use of drugs or any other illegal activities I'd like to know about his relationship with his mother...you can take this story any place you want. Congratulations of a job well done. Ingrid Brown P.S. I hope I wasn't too hard on Kendra. She just made me mad.