Destructive Relations

Destined to Fail #1

by Hayden Hall, Zachary Zaba (Narrator)

Parrish Turner has always been my ultimate fantasy. He was my gay awakening, my sweetest torture, and my forbidden fruit ever since my father remarried and merged our families.

And he never even noticed me. The most I got from him was a passing growl. And it was enough to make me wild with desire. Until he left.

Now, five years after I’d last seen him, we’re back in the same house. Even worse, we’re in tight quarters, forced to share the same bed. Luckily, it's only for a couple of weeks. But that is long enough for my will to cave in. Especially now that I’ve got nothing else to lose, and Parrish is starting to tease me in ways I can’t interpret. Either he's trying to bully me for fun, or he's flirting. With him, the two are never far apart.

He blurs the line between right and wrong. And I can’t resist the temptation that could only ever end in the destruction of whatever family we have left.

Destructive Relations is the first novel in the Destined to Fail series. You can expect forced proximity (only one bed), two young men who hate each other, forbidden love, heart, heat, humor, and a happily ever after.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Forced Proximity, Contemporary, LGBT, BDSM

7 pages, Audible Audio

First published March 9, 2023

About the author

Gay. Sweet. Steamy.

Hayden Hall writes MM romance novels. He is a boyfriend, a globetrotter, and an avid romance reader.

Hayden's mission is to author a catalog of captivating and steamy MM romance novels which gather a devoted community around the Happily Ever Afters.

His stories are sweet with just the right amount of naughty.

You can get in touch with Hayden on Facebook or through his website at haydenhallwrites.com

Reviews

[Megan [Semi-Hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

MM Romance
Stepbrothers
3 Stars ⭐️

I had this lovely review written and then I accidentally deleted it 🤬 sooo here’s what you get instead.

✅Requested an arc from the author after liking the blurb.

✅The first 25% bored the absolute fuck out of me and I was just totally distracted and probably would have DNF’d it had it not been an arc.

✅But somehow at 35% this book picked up and I started liking it.

✅The unresolved sexual tension is the best ever in this book. I applaud this author for making them resist each other for so long because it was fuck hot when they finally came together.

✅However, their relationship felt too superficial even though Levi supposedly loved Parrish since he was 16. Parrish was Levi’s big gay awakening but Parrish also ignored Levi and had a ton of animosity towards him for reasons.

✅The family dynamic in this book is seriously fucked up and I’ve lived it only it wasn’t my mother but my paternal grandmother so I understood on a personal level how Parrish felt. That’s probably why this book made me super teary eyed at times because there’s something so incredibly heartbreaking about being rejected by someone who is supposed to love you unconditionally. It fucked me and my relationships up for years and reading this I wondered if I would have hated my brother too if he had just been a stepbrother and we hadn’t grown up together. I’ve never held any of it against my brother but I understand why Parrish held animosity towards Levi even if it wasn’t his fault.

✅The sex scenes were fuck hot. There’s something to be said about gay men writing gay sex scenes. Nothing compares, it’s just hot.

✅I usually hate 3rd act conflicts but this made sense to the story and I loved their make up scene. I loved the epilogue too but I could have gone without hearing about the fam. But I also understood it because I’ve lived this part too. 🤷🏻‍♀️

✅It’s about time this author put out a book cover that doesn’t make me cringe and it matches the description of Parrish exactly.

✅I’m super conflicted about this book because some things just did not work for me but the things that did, I loved. Hence the 3 star rating.

[martina (the life of a chaotic reader) · Rating 2 out of 5]

oh boy, where do i start.
first of all let me say boring . there isn’t a prettier way to say it. and i can’t understand how you can make a forbidden stepbrother story so boring .

the characters are unbearable. all of them and for different reasons. like statistically there should be some nice characters, right?? noooooo, there are only assholes.
the only one that didn’t get on my nerves was the drunk aunt. i liked her.

i genuinely don’t understand why the MCs love each other. they don’t see each other for five years, they fight and then they fuck and they’re in love???? why??? they don’t even try to get to know each other. that’s just a bad love story.

i would like to add that please, for the love of god, if you’re 28 and actively trying to mess with your family because you’re petty, go see a therapist.

[Mila · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3.0 rating***

This was my third book with the stepbro trope. But this one idk just wasn't it. It's not the author it's me.
Hi, I'm the problem, it's me.. 🙃


I received an advance review copy for free in exchange for an honest review, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Drusilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!!! dear beloved panties ... rest in peace

The story itself is not really special. Two stepbrothers who can not stand each other and constantly fight fall in love with each other.
So I honestly don't know why the book is so insanely good. The build up to the first kiss takes almost the first half of the book. Actually something that bores me quickly. But holy cow, was it good. The anticipation of the first kiss was insane. And the first kiss itself ... gaaah ... unbelievable.

That instant before we touched seemed to last forever, though my heart only beat once in all the eternity between one moment and the next.

The intensity with which he kissed me was so like him. Dangerous. Fiery. Destructive. 😳😳😳

yes, it destroyed me ... properly

The sex … 😲 I’ve read a ton of filthy and romantic vanilla scenes, nothing is comparable. I think I need to revisit certain pages, because … intense and hot, I can’t find the right words.

He yanked me down, impaling me on his length until my eyes widened and I got what I was promised. Rough fucking to leave me senseless. Never to forget the time I played with fire. But all it did was make me want to carry a lighter wherever I went. 🔥🔥🔥

The heartbreak hurt beyond words, but oh my God the reunion, the confession of love, just wow 😍

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Every page, every bit of space on the quality cream paper, was filled with portraits. Some fantastically stylized, others oddly accurate, but all of them were of me. Me as I had been five, six, seven years ago. Every single one."

I do enjoy a Hayden Hall book, they are always a quick and easy read, steamy in all the right places and not too angsty, and Destructive Relations hits the mark too.

Destructive Relations is a MM step-brother, enemies (but were they really) to lovers, forced proximity read, the first in the Destined to Fail series. This is Parrish and Levi's story. I always have a soft spot for the "bad boy but only because life dealt him a crappy hand" character and Parrish is all that. He is a little bit broken but Levi (eventually!) provides the medicine.

You'll enjoy Destructive Relations if you like:

❣️MM step-brother romance
❣️Enemies to lovers
❣️Forced proximity
❣️Only one bed
❣️Steamy
❣️"Mine"
❣️HEA

4 steamy stars

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parrish was the spark that lit the fuse I hadn’t known was in me.

Parrish and Levi are stepbrothers. Parrish was always treated like trash and Levi was the percieved golden child. Parrish was kicked out of the house 5 years ago and never looked back. Levi has had a secret crush on Parrish since he realized he was gay.

The guy had nothing sacred in this world. But the saddest part? That was exactly what attracted me to him so much. The careless, ruthless actions and views of his. The fact that he would burn this house down to the ground just to make me blush is the sweetest pain I knew. The way he could spin me around his little finger. I loved being on my knees, both figuratively and literally. And nobody had ever known how to make me feel that way better than Parrish. No guy I’d ever been with came close to what I imagined Parrish could do.

I loved Parrish and Levi together. I really enjoyed seeing the gradual progression from estranged stepbrothers, to a tepid alliance, to maybe a friendship, to hooking up to more.

I have fucking loved him since I was fourteen. Loved and hated in equal parts for a goddamn decade until he gave me such a huge taste of life that nobody would ever come close to him. I would die a lonely man with one good memory of Parrish, but still happy that I’d had that much at all.

I've seen some reviews that don't understand how these two are together. I think that the transition I described above from enemies to lovers took some time. It wasn't immediate and that makes sense here. The slower build up really adds to the story. Sometimes the realization of your feelings for someone is subtle. I enjoyed it.

You’re fucking enjoying this, you dirty boy, I thought. But the thought was immediately disrupted when my heart throbbed hard and I realized I was, too. Fuck, it feels good to touch him.

I’ve also read some reviews that said the beginning was boring. I don’t agree. I think it makes sense for the story. You can’t just jump into hooking up after so much past drama and time apart. These two were never really friends before. It makes sense that there is some time to get to know one another.

I hadn’t known how much I liked his attention until the moment I thought I was losing it for good. I hadn’t realized how much more there was between us, though never tangible or real, until the bastards tried to take it away.

Parrish has been and still is dealt a garbage hand by their parents. He was and is constantly treated as less than. No one has ever really stood up for him. Their parents also really hurt Levi as well by putting him up on such a high pedestal.

I enjoyed all the flirting and teasing Parrish did to Levi. Partly, because it helped Parrish realize he did feel something positive for Levi. It also really added to the sexual tension. And wow that first sex scene! Super hot.

I don’t want anyone else to play with you like I do.” The smoky quality of his voice reached a new level of sexy. I licked my lips. “Don’t let them, then.” “I won’t,” he promised.

I enjoyed him when he was fiery and rash and stubborn, but I adored him when he was obedient and completely mine.

I loved seeing Parrish come to get to know the real Levi. Turns out they have things in common and can really understand one another. I also appreciated how protective he was of Levi and did his best to help remove some of Levi's stress. Loved seeing Levi start to come out of his shell and actually stand up to his parents both for Parrish and himself in the book.

All of the parents in this book are trash. They really give a perfect example of how not to be. Also Jarred can go fall off a cliff. Natalie was awesome in this. Talk about a bomb ass sister. Lauren also was enjoyable, especially in that scene towards the end.

He had the healing touch of some mythological, magical being that nobody but me knew about. He was so goddamn special that I wanted to kick myself for not seeing it five years ago.

*** I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion. ***

[magic_of_darkness_and_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best stepbrothers romance I've ever read. I loved everything about Parish and Levi. These two wholeheartedly stole my whole heart, and I was happy to give it on a silver platter. I can already say without a doubt that this is one of my favorite books this year.

I could give him both heaven and hell. I could make him kneel, but I could also make him fly.

It has been a long time since I wrote a review of a book. I barely have time to read, let alone write reviews. However, the moment I finished Destructive Relations, I knew I will be writing one. This book grabbed my whole heart, and there's no way I wasn't going to pour all of the emotions in a review.

I would recommend going into this book blind. Experience everything first hand. My review bellow contains small spoilers, and that's why I'm saying this. I was so surprised by this book in the best possible way. So, go ahead and do that too if you love stepbrothers romance, forbidden feelings, possessiveness, intense lust, desire, love, and hate.

First, when I started this book, all I knew was the blurb and that it was a stepbrothers romance. I love this trope, so I picked it up immediately. I expected something fluffy, but I was sooo wrong. This book was such a pleasant surprise that I don't even know how to put it all into words.

Parrish is the bad boy, the troublemaker, the "failure" of the family. Why failure? Because their parents are freaking messed up. Parrish never wanted a stepdad. He was happy with just his sister and mother. But one day, he gets a stepdad and in addition a stepbrother he never wanted. The resentment, the pain bled through every word and emotion of Parrish. His mother always had this twisted image of a perfect family and a perfect son. And she got what she wanted... just not in the face of her own son.

Levi is the boy who is deemed "perfect" and an example of what a good son and a man should be. He is always put on a pedestal. He does what his parents ask and never gets into confrontation. Parrish detests this about him. He hates his guts because Levi is the "perfect" son, he is the one their parents always compare him with.

With this said, I was surprised by the beginning of the book. We have intense enemies-to-lovers-stepbrothers (no, actually, they are not enemies, Levi never saw his as an enemy. He saw his as so much more, but Parrish hates him with everything in him. Parrish often didn't even acknowledge his existence while they were growing up)

It had always been Parrish, one way or another.

Levi and Parrish haven't seen each other for five years. Not since that night when Parrish got kicked out of their family house and the night when everything changed between them. When the flame of something forbidden started.

Both of them are forced to go back home for their sister's wedding. Well, Levi isn't exactly forced. He has to go home because he doesn't have another choice. The "perfect" boy has a secret and he's petrified his parents finding out. And no, it's not that he has lusted after his stepbrother for years. Though that can beat the other secret when compared. The meeting between these two again is explosive and intense. Levi is no longer 18. He's a grown up and different from the bubbly teenager Parrish remembers him to be.

However, all these years of resentment, hate, and pain are still there.

Then what happens when these two are forced to share a room?

What happens when Parrish can't help himself but push Levi again and again. At first because he's having fun getting a rise out of him and seeing him flustered. Playing with him or at least that's what he's trying to convince himself he's doing.

What happens when the tension between these two grows and grows with every next page. The desire, the undeniable and all-consuming lust overtaking everything else, including common sense and the reality of them being stepbrothers?

Let me tell you, the tension, the explosive desire, the forbidden feelings that flamed in both of them made me turn page after page. I couldn't stop reading. Hayden Hall's writing grabbed me from the very first page. I was sucked into the words, in the world of Parrish and Levi, into their powerful emotions that bled through every page, sentence, and word. I was wholeheartedly consumed by these two. The heartbreak, the injustice, the intense hate followed by lust and emotions hard to explain for Parrish, the extreme desire and love Levi had for years for his stepbrother, the forbidden desire that was so perfectly portrayed and expressed here. The sweet, sweet forbidden taste was so perfectly written. You can feel the forbidden aspect of this book. It's part of the whole story, not just there in the background.

"While your mine, I'm taking that worry away from you, Levi. It's mine to deal with."

When these two came together, holy moly, it was explosive and so delicious. The smut part is one of the best I've read. And it only made this book so much better. Though what really won me was Parrish and Levi's feelings. They were sooo intense and portrayed in a way that made my eyes water (and I'm not talking only about the love). I adored the characters' development. Especially Parrish's development. The man that we see in the beginning and at the end of the book are very different. I freaking cried at the last chapters and the epilogue. Seeing Parrish like that for Levi pierced back the pieces of my heart that broke in the beginning. It was something I needed desperately without even knowing it, and Hayden Hall delivered in a way I couldn't even imagine.

He loved hard and fast. And I loved him just as much.

Aghhh, I LOVE, ADORE Parrish and Levi!!!!!!

And guess what I will be doing now? Going through the backlist of Hayden Hall. I can't believe I haven't read more books by him. His writing is incredible!!!

[Enay QueerBooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - this book is the perfect example why you shouldn’t read & take notice of other GR reviews. The top reviews are lukewarm. But stepbrothers are my crack, so I decided to ignore them. And I’m so bloody glad I did!

Swoon /5 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Angst /5 🥺🥺🥺🥺
Steam /5 ♨️ ♨️♨️♨️♨️
Plot /5 🧐🧐🧐🧐
LOLs /5 🤭🤭🤭🤭

This grumpy/sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, bad boy/nerd stepbrother romance, with a hint of found family, has a solid plot line that managed to surprise me multiple times.

I adored the connection between Parrish & Levi, but I particularly loved wounded bad boy Parrish. He couldn’t trust people to be there for him when his life experience had been rejection from everyone, and he couldn’t trust love when he’d never received it unconditionally. He broke my heart in numerous places. Sweet Levi was just what he needed, once he realised that the mutual feelings were real. And once they caved in to their attraction…. JAAAAYSUS, was it dirty hot. Parrish, with his Dom vibes, had a mouth on him (in more ways than one!) Thinking they were safe to explore their passion was their undoing, and the climax when their truly hideous family found out? Although I knew it was coming it didn’t go down as I expected. And again poor Parrish broke my heart. All good though, because they get their HEA.

This is my first book from this author, and it def won’t be my last!

Check out my reviews and MM content on Instagram, Facebook & Bookbub, all under the same name!

[Lilly [Hiatus due to School]]

DNF.

[haletostilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new-to-me-author was a total hit. I'm so glad I picked this up! I just couldn't put it down and only sleep forced me to.

A step-brothers romance done right. Levi and Parrish treated them being step-brothers with the right amount of "this is wrong" as well as their parents. Now, Parrish didn't like Levi much for the 7 years they were around each other before Parrish leaves, and thus he didn't pay much attention to him before the present (well and also Levi was 5 years younger than him on top of that), and he never fully saw Levi as a brother or much of anything before present time.

And Levi was 14 - and Parrish was 19 - fell hard for him and hasn't been able to fall out of love with him. And before he realized it, there was always something he felt around Parrish the 3 years prior to that, that he didn't quite understand at 11 years old.

So Levi never saw Parrish as much of a brother either.

But when they start things in present time - 23 and 28 years old, respectively - they still know it's wrong and try their best to hide it from everyone.

Now, Parrish's sister, Natalie, isn't surprised when it eventually comes out and she's known since Levi was 16, but it was fine because that means she's had *years* to wrap her head around it. And not *everyone* has to be so upset by it. If at least the parents are, I'm good. And they were! It helps when the step-brothers know it's wrong and act like it's wrong but still do it anyway because they can't help themselves.

Which happens with these two. It was just too good. I loved their chemistry, it was 🔥 and the sex scenes were so delicious.

Their falling in love - on Parrish's end, at least. For Levi he's already there - might have happened fairly quickly - less than two weeks, but it never felt fast, which I appreciated. If things are gonna happen fast in a story, I at least want it to not *feel* fast, if that makes sense? Like them being in love by the end of the 2 weeks makes total sense because I felt it plenty before they declare said love.

This was just such a fun read with great use of the step-brother taboo and sizzling chemistry. This had definitely endeared me to this author and I'm diving into his next book in this series next. I just want to read more! 😍

Definitely, highly recommended! Two massive thumbs up from me!

Onto the next! 😁

[Rina Pride · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars 🌟

I really like stories with half-siblings who aren't actually siblings . After I read For the fans by nyla K I didn't find any other book as impactful with half-siblings. I liked Destructive Relations, it didn't have anything very impactful but it was a good story with that theme.

[ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stepbrothers with animosity and unrequited feelings. Also, Seme/Uke vibes.

Trust Hayden for easy reads, set in cute little towns, and well written steamy scenes with hot boys.

[Dani (Daniiireads)]

TOD 54%

I typically enjoy Hayden’s writing, but this was really bad 😬

[E.L. Ough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looooooved this book!! I personally think Hayden’s writing is coming on so well, every book I read from him is getting better and this one is going into my top reads!!
I mean I cried!!
Like I have a black heart and I’m not a cryer! Very few books get to me in a way that makes my eyes leek!!

I loved that this was an enemies to lovers but you had to dam well wait for that spice to hit! It wasn’t like “oh we don’t like each other then one kiss and it’s all over”!!! No no no!! You had to play the waiting game and feel that angst build up! Then Jeeze when they get together it was chiefs kiss!!!

This was about two boys thrown together through marriage, no one asked if they were ok with being brothers or helped them out to bond they just expected it from them.
Parrish was an A-hole for sure but I think I would be too if I was treated so badly. But the emotions you get out of him were all consuming and I felt his pain.
Levi was a total marshmallow for Parrish but stood his ground when it counted most.

The push and pull between them was great and when that spice hit 🔥🔥🔥 the chemistry and connection between them was perfect.

These men got their hard earned HEA and I loved every page!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Book content-

💙Stepbrothers
💙Light Dom/Sub
💙Enemies to lovers
💙Forced proximity
💙One bed
💙All the spice
💙Pining
💙Heartache
💙Crappy family

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot. Two stepbros who don't get along find that underneath all that tension is heat and more. The paths they take to get to their HEA weren't boring to me, but realistic and full of heart and heat. Haven't read this author before but inclined to check out more of his work.

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I don't want anyone else to play with you like I do."

"Don't let them, then."

"We'll burn in hell for this."


Well Well Well...Wasn't this a deliciously steamy, forbidden step brother romance. I absolutely loved the sexual tension throughout this entire story. First, it's more of a tease than anything. Returning home after 5 years, Parrish doesn't plan on making any amends. He left his step brother Levi and parents behind in the rear view mirror, but he couldn't do the same with his beloved sister. If it wasn't for her upcoming nuptials, Parrish would be miles away, living his life the way he has for half a decade. On his own terms. No one there to constantly compare him to his spoiled, bratty step brother who could do no wrong. There may be a tad bit of resentment there. Ok way more than a tad.

For a long time Levi used to idolize his older step brother. Then, as he got older his idolizing turned into something much more worrisome for him. Lust. Want. Need. He craved Parrish's attention, yet that was one thing Parrish never gave him. Until the week of his sisters upcoming wedding. Parrish has made it his mission to torture him, however I don't think his plan turned out like he was expecting. Instead of making Levi hate him, it made Levi want him more, and there's little that excites Parrish more than a willing twink at his mercy.

This book was a bit kinky and the steam was freaking H-O-T. It was also quite emotional. Their parents like to make it out like Parrish is the bad guy, but it's the parents themselves who are the real villians of the story. They are self serving and cruel. Their children exist as tools for their social climbing and when Parrish refused to be that for them, they decided to rid themselves of the problem. Trash humans if there ever were ones. Thankfully Levi and their sister finally get this memo, though much family drama has to happen for this to occur. The epilogue was definitely the most romantic part of the book and I appreciated being able to see the sweet side of Parrish. It really solidified the HEA in the end.

[✨Lucy IntheSky☄️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to give this book 2.5⭐ for Levi and Parrish💙, but not the story itself.

This was my first time reading this author and the book just came out, so I gave it a shot.
I'm coming from a place where one of my fav tropes is enemies-to-lovers, step brothers, hey, even brothers, and I don't want to be too harsh here, but I have to be honest.




In short, Levi and Parrish were step brothers, living together for about 7 years, with Levi being the golden and Parrish being the bad boy of the family. When Levi hit puberty, he also realised he's gay and pretty much fell in love with Parrish.
They didn't get along and when Parrish got kicked out, they had a moment where he realised that Levi wants him.


This was my Levi and Parrish is on the cover. Both delicious.



About 5 years pass where they meet again, but this time, Levi can't hide his feelings anymore and Parrish takes advantage of that. What begins as a joke, turns out to be something they both want.

The premise was promising. I could vividly see and feel Levi and Parrish, feel their sizzling chemistry and Levi's longing, I could imagine the passion they felt when they had sex and the emotions that were overflowing when they finally got to their happy ending.



The problem was, the book didn't really portray any of that , I had to paint my own story in my mind along with reading this one.

🟢 This story needed depth, it should have been a bit more developed and it should have had a little bit of some serious angst.
🔴 It needed pining, intense pining.
🔵 There were internal monologues and explanations, but not much dialogues between the MC , and the dialogues that were there, weren't satisfying.
🟣 A lot of sex or intimacy in general was off-page. For the most part I felt like they were just fooling around, the intimate parts of the story didn't evoke anything inside of me, it wasn't forbidden or amazingly life transforming , maybe something Levi and Parrish were searching for their whole lives, no, it was just sex.
🟡 It said the book had light BDSM, but I felt that part was completely unnecessary. Parrish is a passionate guy who feels a lot and I felt like his character would be so much better without the D/s/boy parts . I felt like he never really experienced love and devotion, someone who's loyal and wants him as he is, so he needed softening of his very hard edges, he had to become gentle, loving, accepting and the author gave us that Parrish at the end of the book and in the epilogue.
🟠 The side characters weren't well developed at all. As a matter of fact, they were complete assholes. Parrish's sister seemed ok, but she, again, wasn't developed, so I couldn't care less about her or anyone else, actually if the story focused more on Levi and Parrish, it would definitely be much, much better .


So at the end of the day I'm sorry Levi and Parrish didn't get the story they deserved , at least that's how I feel. They needed an angsty, strong enemies-to-lovers story that would do these amazing characters justice.

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If there still existed any crack in my heart, I could feel it heal instantly."

Um, wow! Literally just finished and feeling a little emotional, which is rare for me.

I loved everything about Destructive Relations. The animosity between Levi and Parrish at first as Parrish blamed Levi, however wrongly, for being the golden child was so well done. It got mean but never really cruel. There was a fine line that they danced around.

The relationship was hot and heavy, and then heartbreaking. Loved it all.

That epilogue! Perfectly wrapped up.

I'm still processing the book so I might come back to my review later to add more thoughts. Fantastic read

[Rielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stepbrothers, only one bed, enemies to lovers, and a lots of teasing.

I loved this story. The enemies to lovers was one-sided because one of the MCs has been pining for his stepbrother since he was a teenager. The years of sexual frustration are only made worse when his step brother finds out and decides to torment him about it. Clearly, that doesn’t turn out how he expects it to.

There’s tension surrounding the family in this book. The hate comes from the parents treating the older MC horribly and kicking him out in the beginning of the book (not due to homophobia). That’s there throughout the story, but it’s not too much and you definitely start rooting for some good no contact early on. Besides that, pretty low angst.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. After seven years of family drama, Parrish has finally been thrown out on the streets. Out of the family house, a house without a warm loving family feels. With venom, he parted from his younger stepbrother Levi. He hated the guy, even more, because of their last awkward situation.

Five years forward and they meet again, for their sister’s wedding.
Parrish is still acting pissed off at Levi, and Levi? He feels awful Parrish he hates his guts, he had feelings for Parrish since… ever, and can’t stop lusting over Parrish.

Forced to sleep together in one bed. Their interactions are changing, Parrish and Levi are playing with fire, and it’s getting hot between them.
It’s impossible but there’s something growing and every soul will despise them.

The parents are the keeping-up appearance ones, ugh. Not my kind, I cringed watching them.

The further the story the more emotional it got.
The buildup was excellently done, with just the right pace the important parts were carefully revealed, I loved the way it was put together. It was substantial, emotional, with all the feels.
Compliments, the author did a great job.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to vibe with this book so much but I found myself a bit bored. And I admit that I did skim parts.

I do have a couple things I wished would’ve been written differently because I didn’t find the rationale adequate or even remit plausible.

Levi should’ve had something to do with why Parrish had to leave home since bullying at 28 is lame and made no sense when Levi had literally never done anything to him. I think if Parrish and Levi would’ve had a good relationship then a betrayal would’ve been a great setup for the reunion and made the tension so much more meaningful. Cause as it stands Parrish just seemed like a punk.

I also felt like Levi should’ve already graduated since he was 23. He wasn’t going for a masters or phd so being in college that long when he was an excellent student didn’t make sense. I think losing a prestigious job would’ve been better and much more worthy of bragging about (as the parents were know to do.) We also didn’t ever really find out what happened for YEARS while Levi was in college. Seems really strange it all fell apart with only 4 months to go. Like what?!?!

I also felt like we just didn’t get enough background or setup for why Parrish was seen as such a fuck up. The stuff he mentions was just kid crap. It wasn’t shocking.

I also felt like the setup for the one bed trope didn’t make sense. The author threw in this weird drunk aunt with a broken heart who literally added nothing to the story. It would’ve made more sense for the parents to convert Parrish’s old room into an office or craft room thereby erasing his presence from the house and furthering the whole issue of him not being accepted and kicked out. Just another reminder of their dislike of him and expanding on how vapid they were.

The end was a lot. And yet not enough. It felt like a tornado of activity but we didn’t get to see much. It all exploded and then it’s like we just walked away.

I did however love the passion and sex between Parrish and Levi. It was super hot and steamy! I also loved their little getaway! It was so sweet and romantic. I even thought the epilogue was cute.

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 2 out of 5]

You ever met a man that's so insanely hot but such a massive asshole that it ruins everything?

The model on this is such a perfect match for the description of Parrish in the book.

Parrish on the cover is 🔥🥵 but Parrish in the book is such a colossal turd.

I don't really like mean MCs. Nothing about it screams romance to me. Especially when the person he's being mean to didn't do anything to him.

Two stars. One for the cover model and one for Levi.

Negative stars for Parrish. Death to Parrish.

[DeniReadsMostlyMM · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC Review***

This is my honest review for the ARC I received.

I really enjoyed this forbidden/taboo/stepbrother romance! I love a bad boy with a soft spot for 1-2 people tops. Hayden Hall totally delivers this in the form of Parrish, bad boy extraordinaire. He cannot stand his younger stepbrother, Levi. Parrish has no warmth in his heart for Levi when they first become “brothers.” At 16, Parrish could care less about his 11 year old insta-brother. Parrish is really close with his biological sister, Natalie, though. Those two have a special bond that withstands Parrish getting kicked out of their parents’ home at 23. I loved how real they were with one another.

Hall sets the Prologue to this book up so well. In the aftermath of getting kicked out of the house, Parrish and then-18-year-old Levi have a memorable parting, to say the least. Parrish ignores what happens and leaves. 5 years later, a 28 year old Parrish and 23 year old Levi, reunite for Natalie’s wedding. One “only one bed” situation later and we have the perfect recipe for temptation. (Side note: I LOVED that Parrish was doing so well in the present day. Owning his own tattoo shop and living in New York was the best way to combat his parents’ toxic behavior).

I appreciate the attention to detail that Hall provides in Parrish’s torment of Levi. He knows exactly what he’s doing. I also appreciated the explanation behind Parrish’s attitude. He’s had a pretty tough break constantly being compared to Levi by their parents, and found lacking. Parrish knows that his mother cares more about appearances than him. Parrish is so used to rejection in some shape or form, he can’t fathom anyone wanting to be with him long term, let alone love him. He can’t even say those three words out loud. He mouths them to his sister. This man deserves so much love.

So it works out that Levi has been in love with Parrish for a long time. Levi resists his thoughts/feelings towards Parrish at first because he doesn’t want to rock the boat or ruin the family. That said, Levi isn’t the golden boy he’s made out to be. He’s keeping a couple of big secrets from his parents. I loved the push and pull between these MCs. There’s emotional complexity in this novel. These two men really care for one another, though it’s a journey admitting it. Parrish’s possessiveness was appealing. Parrish’s moments of vulnerability made me want to give the guy a hug. Totally swoon worthy. Other moments that made me swoon? Levi standing up for Parrish. Parrish taking the fall for Levi (well he at least tries to). The scene in New York (that was a double swoon). The epilogue (also a double swoon).

If you’re a fan of forbidden romance, this book is definitely for you. It has a little bit of kink. A good dose of spice. There’s angst. There’s forced proximity. There’s heart. There’s humor. There’s a hard earned HEA.

[Boyanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf-ing at 34%
shit book. it reads like a middle-aged person who never outgrew their bad-boy asshole faze in high-school. awful

[S a n d r a · Rating 3 out of 5]

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This was my first time reading the author and it was a pretty nice discovery. Destructive Relations was a fast and addictive read about two stepbrothers that reunite after some years apart and who are forced to share a room... And you know what proximity does to enemies, right?

Parrish is the older one and the bad boy with a bad rep. His relationship with his parents (more accurately with his mom and his stepfather) has always been bumpy, since they got married when he was sixteen. And the issues between the three only worsened until he got kicked out when he was twenty three. Now, five years after that, he's happy, has his own tattoo parlor and a nice life in New York, far from his so called family.

The only family member Parrish keeps contact with is Natalie, his little sister, and the reason why five years later he goes back to his old small town, when he meets again the whole family, little stepbrother included.

Levi was eighteen when Parrish got kicked out. They never had a good relationship due to the way the parents treated them: while they had only bad words for Parrish, Levi was the perfect son and they always compared the two, making Parrish hate him. But does Levi hate his brother too?

When they reunite for Natalie's wedding, they are forced to share Levi's older room... and the bed. You can imagine how this goes, right? Both feel irritated about having to share space with the other, and there's a tension between the two that's bound to explode sooner or later. But they don't like each other, and what's worse, they are family, so when it's obvious they both crave the same the must decide if it's worth the risk.

More than enemies to lovers I would say it's an enemies to lust to lovers. The two, but specially Parrish, play with fire since they reunite, and when tension builds too much they can't no longer ignore what they feel, they cave in. Their encounters where steamy, light BDSM and hot.

Their parents are not that likeable, really. Because of this I maybe didn't feel the forbidden romance too much. I mean, yes, they hide what they have becuase they know their parents won't allow and drama will arise, but unlike when families are tight and losing the parents is something to be sad about, this time I felt like it wouldn't be such a loss. And what if they don't accept it? We are talking about a couple that kicked out one of their kids and never again thought twice about it.

What I did enjoy was them falling in love. I feel like with Levi it was a made deal since the guy has been crushing for long, but with Parrish things were different. Not only the way he sees Levi changes, we are also talking about a guy not used to be loved or fought over. Watching him first get interested in the boy that's changed so much and then how his feelings shift and grow as their temporary realtionship goes on was nice.

The drama at the end was nice enough. Maybe a bit rushed, but I feel like I could relate to evey party's feelings, and it was great!

I can't wait to read more of this author, I will probably try some of HH's other titles before the next book of this series comes out (I'm guessing the next MC will be Austin, the rent boy that's Parrish's neighbor!

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reason My Heart Beat

“What are you doing?” “Cuddling you to sleep,” he said matter-of-factly. “So that I can sleep, too.” “What? That’s not what…” I blurted. “Shh,” he said soothingly. Everything about it was so fake and designed to push my buttons that I couldn’t even be outraged, but had to admire his resolve. His open palm pressed against the middle of my chest and he gave a little rub-rub. Then, he lifted his hand and began rubbing the soft spot of my ear with his fingers. “There, there. Would you like a little lullaby?” “Parrish, stop,” I growled, but a moan left my nose as soon as my words were out.

Hayden Hall has drawn us into his new Destined to Fail series, with fury and frustration. Destructive Relations teeters on the proverbial fence, as step brothers Parrish and Levi crash through barriers of their own, and those around them, to find a reason for their hearts to beat.

Not a fluffy read, we live through Parrish, as he is tormented by being the ‘chosen’ outcast in his blended family, unaware of the admiration and longing of his younger golden child of a step brother. As family dynamics often provide, a rift occurs and the boys are separated for five years- years where each becomes someone he never expected to be.

A family gathering calls the clan together, and sleeping arrangements that initially feel benign become torturous. That’s when Parrish the Tease comes out to play.

But when hearts are involved, playtime can cause everlasting burns to those hearts that need to heal.

I have honestly enjoyed my time reading each of Hayden’s books, but I must share that the dark crevasses we are starting to see in his writing are showing a depth that many may not have realized was brewing. I am thrilled with his deeper dives into the feelings of his characters. We are seeing raw emotions on many levels, and enjoying when that pain leads to pleasure, along side of his characters.

Just like in each of us, the dark we have hidden is found to be the raw center of Hall’s relationship writing expertise. The balance of pure emotion that Hayden Hall achieves creates a book that is worthy of his reader. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[melanatedbookjunkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hayden Hall is a new to me author and I am blown away by “Destructive Relations”. I’m so obsessed with these characters, it’s not even funny. Levi and Parrish are stepbrothers in a pretty dysfunctional family. Parrish is the outcast, the bad boy, while Levi is the good boy that their parents put on a pedestal. I love me some Parrish! He was sexy without trying too hard. He refused to mold into the person his parents thought he should be. He was real and authentic. Straight up with no chaser. No wonder Levi was under a spell because Parrish was everything. Levi was super cute and super sweet. He spent his whole life just playing the background and going along with his parents expectations. I loved seeing him thrive while around Parrish and revealing a hidden talent that Parrish pushed him to pursue. The amount of pining and sexual tension in this story was off the charts. I really loved their banter and the little cat and mouse games they played. The pacing of the story was perfect. These two were so different, but perfect for each other. I really loved Parrish’s sister Natalie as well! I’m so glad she smartened and took control of her life at the end. She really had the guys’ best interest at heart and tried her best to get them to see how much they needed each other.

[Ana Nimity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy and satisfying

I enjoyed this spicy enemies to lovers story, made all the spicier by the circumstances. It's a little melodramatic in places and to me,, the MCs seem younger than their ages, but I still loved the progress of their romance. I believe this was my first book by this author, but I will definitely read more!

[Autumn]

dnf chapter 10

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was mostly good, fairly hot, with great sexual tension in the first half and great sexual encounters in the second half. Still, the gears start to grind a bit towards the end and it starts to wear out its welcome.