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Famous Young Things #1
Hamartia
Raphael We met once two years ago - a few awful moments I’d rather forget - but he’s lived in my head ever since. Lee Jaehyun. K-pop idol and star of every filthy fantasy I have these days. I should be thinking about the fact we just won our first Grammy, I should be focussing on our next album. I should be planning my wedding. But I’m not; I’m thinking about him. About what his mouth might taste like and what that body might look like under those carefully curated clothes. About how he might feel in my arms and what my name might sound like from his mouth when he’s turned on . I’m not sure what this is; the near obsession I have with this guy, but it’s burrowed itself deep and refuses to give an inch. I’ll go insane if I can’t have him just once. Once to scratch the itch, douse the flames. Except, it turns out once isn’t enough, and it’s not dousing the flames it’s striking a match and I’m about to blow my entire life up.
Jaehyun Raphael Scott is going to break my heart. He’s an American rockstar, engaged to be married, and straight. He’ll get tired of whatever this is soon enough. Then he’ll go back to his beautiful actress girlfriend and I’ll be alone again. I’m fine with that. But it doesn’t mean I won’t take what he’s offering me right now. His shining American smile, his beautiful open heart, the desperate kisses he presses into my skin. No, Raphael Scott won’t break me, nothing can. I’ve fortified myself against this sort of thing. My body, my art; all of it is armour. This soft American boy has no hope on earth of breaking it.
Hamartia is an opposites-attract, bisexual awakening, Rockstar x K-pop idol mm romance featuring sex, drugs, and rock and roll… and some K-pop. It features themes of a mature nature.
Jaehyun Raphael Scott is going to break my heart. He’s an American rockstar, engaged to be married, and straight. He’ll get tired of whatever this is soon enough. Then he’ll go back to his beautiful actress girlfriend and I’ll be alone again. I’m fine with that. But it doesn’t mean I won’t take what he’s offering me right now. His shining American smile, his beautiful open heart, the desperate kisses he presses into my skin. No, Raphael Scott won’t break me, nothing can. I’ve fortified myself against this sort of thing. My body, my art; all of it is armour. This soft American boy has no hope on earth of breaking it.
Hamartia is an opposites-attract, bisexual awakening, Rockstar x K-pop idol mm romance featuring sex, drugs, and rock and roll… and some K-pop. It features themes of a mature nature.
402 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2023
532 people are currently reading
4379 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 811 reviews
January 9, 2024
✦ when i saw that this was a rockstar x kpop idol MM romance i was super excited, because omg, the potential for a great story..? sadly, this was just an okay read for me. it could have been way better.
✦ first of all, the relationship was mostly built on lust. something about Raphael's sudden obsession, lust and insane infatuation for Jae just didn't feel real or genuine. the sex was pretty hot for the most part, sure, but when it comes to making a connection feel real or convincing, it needs to be built on more than that for me.
✦ i also wanted more of Jaehyun's pov, because a lot of the time i had no clue what he even felt. he became clearer to me in the second half of the book, but his actual feelings were pretty much a mystery for a while there.
✦ another problem here for me was that the mc Raphael was so unlikeable for most of this book. i guess it was mostly because of the cheating. Camilla deserved better than being cheated on, ignored and kept on the side for no reason other than to suffer. the way she wasn't even that upset when she found he had cheated was also very unrealistic imo, even if she had been hiding certain things too.
✦ one thing happened at around 90% that i absolutely HATED. if you've read the book or any spoilers you know exactly what i'm talking about lmao. i literally wanted to dnf when i accidentally saw that spoiler. like why the fuck would you do that, author? genuine question.
✦ the way everything got wrapped up almost too perfectly at the end. like girlie... no way would all that shit get sorted out this quickly irl lmao. if you know anything about the kpop industry, you can imagine what type of chaos this type of situation would cause.
✦ anywayssss basically this was an okay read overall. i know i mostly complained about things i didn't like in my review, but it wasn't actually a terrible book. if you want an easy and sexy read and can deal with cheating in books, this isn't a bad choice. :)
✦ first of all, the relationship was mostly built on lust. something about Raphael's sudden obsession, lust and insane infatuation for Jae just didn't feel real or genuine. the sex was pretty hot for the most part, sure, but when it comes to making a connection feel real or convincing, it needs to be built on more than that for me.
✦ i also wanted more of Jaehyun's pov, because a lot of the time i had no clue what he even felt. he became clearer to me in the second half of the book, but his actual feelings were pretty much a mystery for a while there.
✦ another problem here for me was that the mc Raphael was so unlikeable for most of this book. i guess it was mostly because of the cheating. Camilla deserved better than being cheated on, ignored and kept on the side for no reason other than to suffer. the way she wasn't even that upset when she found he had cheated was also very unrealistic imo, even if she had been hiding certain things too.
✦ one thing happened at around 90% that i absolutely HATED. if you've read the book or any spoilers you know exactly what i'm talking about lmao. i literally wanted to dnf when i accidentally saw that spoiler. like why the fuck would you do that, author? genuine question.
✦ the way everything got wrapped up almost too perfectly at the end. like girlie... no way would all that shit get sorted out this quickly irl lmao. if you know anything about the kpop industry, you can imagine what type of chaos this type of situation would cause.
✦ anywayssss basically this was an okay read overall. i know i mostly complained about things i didn't like in my review, but it wasn't actually a terrible book. if you want an easy and sexy read and can deal with cheating in books, this isn't a bad choice. :)
April 10, 2023
released today!
This was so good! If you saw my updates then you will know that I am obsessed. I felt so sad when it was over but also happy and content with the ending.
KPop Idol x Rockstar!
Quietly pining
One sided lust at first sight
Innocent obsessing
Hot stoic Korean men
Bi-awakening
Stolen moments
Realistic music industry vibes (hotels, award shows, concerts, interviews, fashion)
The visuals, the tension, the steam 🔥, the dialogue that gave me crazy butterflies…on point.
Besides the chemistry, their communication was a highlight. Coming from different cultures and speaking different languages, things would get lost in translation/misunderstood but they always communicated to clear it up, clarity as Jaehyun would say. This led to many satisfying and revealing conversations.
Raphael and Jaehyun 🖤
Can’t wait to see whose story is next. Kai or Xan? 🤞🏼
LQ: You tweeted once about the inevitability of things. Of love and fame and death. It was a quote from your father. Do you believe that this was all…inevitable?
RS: [A soft laugh] Me falling in love with a guy? Ha, probably, you know. I’m sure the second he was born he was meant for me.
CW: cheating (not between MCs), drug use/drinking, very brief MF sex scene
ARC read but I will be buying the paperback when it is released
This was so good! If you saw my updates then you will know that I am obsessed. I felt so sad when it was over but also happy and content with the ending.
KPop Idol x Rockstar!
Quietly pining
One sided lust at first sight
Innocent obsessing
Hot stoic Korean men
Bi-awakening
Stolen moments
Realistic music industry vibes (hotels, award shows, concerts, interviews, fashion)
The visuals, the tension, the steam 🔥, the dialogue that gave me crazy butterflies…on point.
Besides the chemistry, their communication was a highlight. Coming from different cultures and speaking different languages, things would get lost in translation/misunderstood but they always communicated to clear it up, clarity as Jaehyun would say. This led to many satisfying and revealing conversations.
Raphael and Jaehyun 🖤
Can’t wait to see whose story is next. Kai or Xan? 🤞🏼
LQ: You tweeted once about the inevitability of things. Of love and fame and death. It was a quote from your father. Do you believe that this was all…inevitable?
RS: [A soft laugh] Me falling in love with a guy? Ha, probably, you know. I’m sure the second he was born he was meant for me.
CW: cheating (not between MCs), drug use/drinking, very brief MF sex scene
ARC read but I will be buying the paperback when it is released
March 11, 2025
I really loved this story. I love a good opposites attract and this story completely sold me on this pair. Hamartia focuses on the relationship between an American rockstar, Raphael, and a famous K-Pop idol, Jaehyun. Their story is complicated, emotional, and full of so much heart. Their care and love for one another were so endearing to see finally realized. This pair really worked hard for their HEA and I was completely enamored with their love story.
One of my favorite parts of this story is when Raphael first sees Jaehyun for the first time. This moment is described as utterly magical and transcendent. Rafa's instant attraction spikes his curiosity which leads to almost two years of Instagram stalking by following Jae's every move before he even speaks a word.
Their romance slowly develops once Rafa finds the nerve to have a single friendly conversation and the rest of their story consists of a slow-building romance that once it finds its stride completely takes over both Raphael and Jaehyun's lives.
I really loved getting this intimate romance between two vulnerable and sweet characters. It was such a joy to read and I cannot wait to read more from this author.
One of my favorite parts of this story is when Raphael first sees Jaehyun for the first time. This moment is described as utterly magical and transcendent. Rafa's instant attraction spikes his curiosity which leads to almost two years of Instagram stalking by following Jae's every move before he even speaks a word.
Their romance slowly develops once Rafa finds the nerve to have a single friendly conversation and the rest of their story consists of a slow-building romance that once it finds its stride completely takes over both Raphael and Jaehyun's lives.
I really loved getting this intimate romance between two vulnerable and sweet characters. It was such a joy to read and I cannot wait to read more from this author.
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April 10, 2023
K-pop Idol x Rockstar romance? I had no clue what to expect going in but goodness was Hamartia a ride.
We have Raphael, the lead singer of Dead Poets, a popular rock band. He encounters Jaehyun, a K-pop Idol, at an event and it’s an instant obsession with this man. He wants to reach out to him due to the comments he and his bandmates made in their presence, but for two years, he has obsessively kept tabs on him. He’s engaged, yet all he can think about is that beautiful man while he questions his sexuality and reevaluates his life.
Despite achieving such high success both nationally and internationally with his fellow group members in K:OS, Jaehyun is constantly pushing himself, trying to achieve perfection while living under a microscope from his label and feeling like a disappointment due to his sexuality. He is filled with anxiety feeling like he’s never enough which leads to major insecurities.
I really liked how Scarlett Drake addressed the issues idols have in Korea when it comes to how their label controls everything. Korea is a conservative and collectivist society. One wrong move or action deemed “inappropriate” by cultural standards can destroy everything you worked for while impacting everyone close to you. Your life is not your own. I also loved how they captured the feel and atmosphere at a K-pop concert!
Obsession. Not even insta lust; it’s insta obsession.
Raphael literally stalked Jaehyun for almost two years online. Keeping tabs and notifications on for anything and everything related to him. This is all while still with his fiance mind you. Jaehyun completely takes over his mind and soul to the point of no return.
Their sexual chemistry was just perfection. When these two come together...no words. Scarlett Drake wrote some very steamy, erotic and sensual sex scenes, in my opinion. I love lots of sex in my romances, so I was very happy. I also loved how Raphael did not have a gay/bi freak out. Once he was in, he was all in and embraced his sexuality and attraction to Jaehyung.
When you have language and cultural barriers, things can easily get lost in translations which leads to misunderstandings, BUT I was so happy that they tried to best avoid that. Being upfront and clear about their needs, expectations and thoughts so they could navigate their budding relationship.
This story is very relationship focused and character driven, which I liked, so while the music and band aspect was there, it’s kinda in the background, but it didn’t bother me. However, there’s a fair amount of drama. Band, family, group, label, relationship and pregnancy drama. Could Raphael have handled some situations better? Absolutely. But I could not hate Raphael and cheered for both Jaehyun and him to get their hard earned happy ever after.
Overall I had such a fun time reading Hamartia! Scarlett Drake is a new to me author and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for their future works.
TWs: Drugs/Alcohol use, cheating (not between MCs), one MC has brief on-page sex with a woman, and pregnancy.
We have Raphael, the lead singer of Dead Poets, a popular rock band. He encounters Jaehyun, a K-pop Idol, at an event and it’s an instant obsession with this man. He wants to reach out to him due to the comments he and his bandmates made in their presence, but for two years, he has obsessively kept tabs on him. He’s engaged, yet all he can think about is that beautiful man while he questions his sexuality and reevaluates his life.
Despite achieving such high success both nationally and internationally with his fellow group members in K:OS, Jaehyun is constantly pushing himself, trying to achieve perfection while living under a microscope from his label and feeling like a disappointment due to his sexuality. He is filled with anxiety feeling like he’s never enough which leads to major insecurities.
“Because everyone who’s ever loved me—who has ever tried to be with me—has always decided that in the end it is too hard. That I am too…difficult.” He shakes his head like that’s not quite what he meant. “That it is too much hard work to be with me. To love me.”
I really liked how Scarlett Drake addressed the issues idols have in Korea when it comes to how their label controls everything. Korea is a conservative and collectivist society. One wrong move or action deemed “inappropriate” by cultural standards can destroy everything you worked for while impacting everyone close to you. Your life is not your own. I also loved how they captured the feel and atmosphere at a K-pop concert!
Obsession. Not even insta lust; it’s insta obsession.
“I mean, it sounds ridiculous, I know. But it was like I heard angels singing or something the first time I saw him. I’d never seen anything as beautiful or as…fuck…as perfect as him.”
“I want you. I don’t know what this is but I haven’t been able to think in a straight line since I saw you and it’s driving me insane. I want…to touch you, breathe you in, kiss you, taste you, and I don’t know what any of it means. It’s… it’s like I’m fucking obsessed. I feel obsessed. Have you ever been obsessed with anything? Ever wanted something so much it makes every breath you have to take without it, pointless?”
“It feels like divinity. And he’s my god.”
Raphael literally stalked Jaehyun for almost two years online. Keeping tabs and notifications on for anything and everything related to him. This is all while still with his fiance mind you. Jaehyun completely takes over his mind and soul to the point of no return.
Their sexual chemistry was just perfection. When these two come together...no words. Scarlett Drake wrote some very steamy, erotic and sensual sex scenes, in my opinion. I love lots of sex in my romances, so I was very happy. I also loved how Raphael did not have a gay/bi freak out. Once he was in, he was all in and embraced his sexuality and attraction to Jaehyung.
When you have language and cultural barriers, things can easily get lost in translations which leads to misunderstandings, BUT I was so happy that they tried to best avoid that. Being upfront and clear about their needs, expectations and thoughts so they could navigate their budding relationship.
This story is very relationship focused and character driven, which I liked, so while the music and band aspect was there, it’s kinda in the background, but it didn’t bother me. However, there’s a fair amount of drama. Band, family, group, label, relationship and pregnancy drama. Could Raphael have handled some situations better? Absolutely. But I could not hate Raphael and cheered for both Jaehyun and him to get their hard earned happy ever after.
“But when I opened that door and saw you standing there…” I take a deep breath. “I felt relieved. Happy. Warm and happy. When I am with you, I feel… happy.” And enough. “Happier than I can remember feeling for a long time.”
Overall I had such a fun time reading Hamartia! Scarlett Drake is a new to me author and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for their future works.
TWs: Drugs/Alcohol use, cheating (not between MCs), one MC has brief on-page sex with a woman, and pregnancy.
November 9, 2024
Was talking to friends about this book, and remembered how trash it is. So I came to edit my review, to politely say to this book, go fuck yourself 🌈
Cheating on your girlfriend because you’re confused about your sexuality, isn’t it.
The whole ”oh no I feel guilty for my fiancée for one second, oh well I’m confused, let’s just fu*k some more and see how I feel” is just horrendous and I hate the disrespect the gf’s always get.
🌈 Dump her (respectfully of course) and be gay🌈
This book didn’t deserve its hype.
The relationships secrecy wasn’t even viable. He won a Grammy and then just yeeted himself into a private world where he dicks a k-pop star and “it’s not cheating because I’m not gay” kinda vibes happen.
Nek minut, insert story complication here.
The girlfriend is pregnant.
It’s unnecessary.
Book, go home, you’re drunk and unenjoyable.
Cheating on your girlfriend because you’re confused about your sexuality, isn’t it.
The whole ”oh no I feel guilty for my fiancée for one second, oh well I’m confused, let’s just fu*k some more and see how I feel” is just horrendous and I hate the disrespect the gf’s always get.
🌈 Dump her (respectfully of course) and be gay🌈
This book didn’t deserve its hype.
The relationships secrecy wasn’t even viable. He won a Grammy and then just yeeted himself into a private world where he dicks a k-pop star and “it’s not cheating because I’m not gay” kinda vibes happen.
Nek minut, insert story complication here.
The girlfriend is pregnant.
It’s unnecessary.
Book, go home, you’re drunk and unenjoyable.
October 20, 2024
"He'd given me a look. A look that shifted something inside me in a way that all those separate parts that made up the whole changed imperceptibly. So that they didn't fit back the way they were supposed to."
I read a lot of MM romance, usually the darker MM romance, but a trusted booksta friend (thanks Emma 💗) recommended Hamartia: An MM Rockstar x K-pop idol romance by Scarlett Drake and I am soooo glad she did! This is an absolute gem of a book, quite different to others I have read in the rockstar romance genre.
Hamartia: An MM Rockstar x K-pop idol romance is essentially a MM romance, a love story, between Raphael (Raph) the lead singer in American rock band and Lee Jaehyun (Jae) a K-pop idol in a hugely successful Korean group. As you can tell from the blurb, and for those who may require TWs, Raph has a fiancee (Camille) for most of the book (there is an MF sex scene) and whilst there is therefore cheating, it's not between the male MCs and Raph is no longer intimate with Cam once he starts a physical relationship with Jae. Personally, I don't like the cheating trope but Scarlett Drake handles this part of the love story so well and quite differently to others I've read. Don't let it put you off reading this one.
Hamartia: An MM Rockstar x K-pop idol romance takes place over a few years, and allows for a real slow burn romance, even though Raph essentially falls in lust at first sight with Jae much to his confusion, given he believed himself to be absolutely straight. The journey he takes to full self-awareness and acceptance of his feelings is wonderful. He is fearless and so protective of everyone he cares about. Jae is just adorable, his composure, his strength, the way he hides his feelings, the way he wants to protect his band and Raph - love, love, loved them both. Bravo Scarlett Drake on some stunning character building ❣️.
With Raph being American and Jae Korean, language and communication was often an issue - not so much the actual spoken English, but understanding the nuances and hidden meanings behind the words, and the way different cultures perceive ideas and gestures and present their feelings. And then of course there's the representation of the K-pop phenomena and how it is often perceived in western culture all seamlessly interwoven into the love story.
Whilst not without its share of angst and obstacles along the way, including a huge intake of breath moment towards the end, our boys DO get their much deserved HEA. Oh and did I mention the steam when Raph and Jae finally give in to their attraction?! *fans herself*
This was my first Scarlett Drake read but it sure won't be my last!
I adored everything about Hamartia: An MM Rockstar x K-pop idol romance.
5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I read a lot of MM romance, usually the darker MM romance, but a trusted booksta friend (thanks Emma 💗) recommended Hamartia: An MM Rockstar x K-pop idol romance by Scarlett Drake and I am soooo glad she did! This is an absolute gem of a book, quite different to others I have read in the rockstar romance genre.
Hamartia: An MM Rockstar x K-pop idol romance is essentially a MM romance, a love story, between Raphael (Raph) the lead singer in American rock band and Lee Jaehyun (Jae) a K-pop idol in a hugely successful Korean group. As you can tell from the blurb, and for those who may require TWs, Raph has a fiancee (Camille) for most of the book (there is an MF sex scene) and whilst there is therefore cheating, it's not between the male MCs and Raph is no longer intimate with Cam once he starts a physical relationship with Jae. Personally, I don't like the cheating trope but Scarlett Drake handles this part of the love story so well and quite differently to others I've read. Don't let it put you off reading this one.
Hamartia: An MM Rockstar x K-pop idol romance takes place over a few years, and allows for a real slow burn romance, even though Raph essentially falls in lust at first sight with Jae much to his confusion, given he believed himself to be absolutely straight. The journey he takes to full self-awareness and acceptance of his feelings is wonderful. He is fearless and so protective of everyone he cares about. Jae is just adorable, his composure, his strength, the way he hides his feelings, the way he wants to protect his band and Raph - love, love, loved them both. Bravo Scarlett Drake on some stunning character building ❣️.
With Raph being American and Jae Korean, language and communication was often an issue - not so much the actual spoken English, but understanding the nuances and hidden meanings behind the words, and the way different cultures perceive ideas and gestures and present their feelings. And then of course there's the representation of the K-pop phenomena and how it is often perceived in western culture all seamlessly interwoven into the love story.
Whilst not without its share of angst and obstacles along the way, including a huge intake of breath moment towards the end, our boys DO get their much deserved HEA. Oh and did I mention the steam when Raph and Jae finally give in to their attraction?! *fans herself*
This was my first Scarlett Drake read but it sure won't be my last!
I adored everything about Hamartia: An MM Rockstar x K-pop idol romance.
5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 15, 2024
Actual rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5
Spice rating 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
Audio rating 🎧🎧🎧🎧.5 / 5
EDIT: what is it about M/M romance that gives butterflies in stomach? Why can't M/F romance be like that? You can't tell me it's only the addition of same body parts, something else is going on here. I can't simultaneously want to be Jae and be with Jae? Anyone else? No? Just me?
When I said I dislike rock star romance, I meant I dislike all rock star romance books that aren't this one.
This, undeniably 5-star, M/M romance between a K-Pop Idol and a Rockstar was faaaantastic. I devoured the audio in 2 days (and this boy is thiiiiickk). There are some CW's which some readers might have a reaction to, but for me those were easy to overlook. I really understood Rafa's obsession with Jae, the way he was written, he came off of the page as this ethereal enigmatic human. I don't like K-Pop but I could see being into Jae, with his pink or silver hair and jewelry.
The spice was fabulously spicing 💦, the writing was rich and fragrant, and even the aspect of musician stardom felt realistic. If you want a mid-level angsty and utterly romantic M/M to get you into the genre and give you ALL the feels, Hamartia is the way to go. 💜
Spice rating 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
Audio rating 🎧🎧🎧🎧.5 / 5
EDIT: what is it about M/M romance that gives butterflies in stomach? Why can't M/F romance be like that? You can't tell me it's only the addition of same body parts, something else is going on here. I can't simultaneously want to be Jae and be with Jae? Anyone else? No? Just me?
When I said I dislike rock star romance, I meant I dislike all rock star romance books that aren't this one.
This, undeniably 5-star, M/M romance between a K-Pop Idol and a Rockstar was faaaantastic. I devoured the audio in 2 days (and this boy is thiiiiickk). There are some CW's which some readers might have a reaction to, but for me those were easy to overlook. I really understood Rafa's obsession with Jae, the way he was written, he came off of the page as this ethereal enigmatic human. I don't like K-Pop but I could see being into Jae, with his pink or silver hair and jewelry.
The spice was fabulously spicing 💦, the writing was rich and fragrant, and even the aspect of musician stardom felt realistic. If you want a mid-level angsty and utterly romantic M/M to get you into the genre and give you ALL the feels, Hamartia is the way to go. 💜
dnf
April 13, 2023i can’t anymore.
May 31, 2025
All of my friends seem to love this book, but I read most of the story with this look on my face:
I don't like MCs who cheat and are just $hits in general. Being a bumbling, "in my feels," musician doesn't excuse anything. The sex was hot, the romance was meh, and the story was okay. Not the book for me, really.
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I don't like MCs who cheat and are just $hits in general. Being a bumbling, "in my feels," musician doesn't excuse anything. The sex was hot, the romance was meh, and the story was okay. Not the book for me, really.
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December 26, 2025
1/5 (dnf @ 30%)
this is the book y'all were hyping up? genuinely?
i hate rating stories i didn't finish so low bc it feels unfair—what if the book somehow dramatically improves in the pages to come?—but in this case, i decided to make an exception. i pushed through 10 grueling chapters before finally calling it quits.
hamartia reads like fanfic (not the good kind) in the sense that everything is very convenient to the point of being unbelievable and cheesy. not only that, but raphael's wattpad-esque insta-lust at first sight and his obsession with jaehyun afterwards felt extremely OTT and creepy. to put it plainly: he's giving down-bad stalker.
he's also giving POS scumbag for cheating on his fiancée camille, who is literally planning their wedding while he's off having sex with someone else. cheating isn't necessarily a dealbreaker for me when reading a romance story, but here it just felt exceptionally douchebaggy. raphael's been having nonstop fantasies about jaehyun, excessively stalking his instagram activity, and constantly hoping he'll run into him irl (seriously putting some of the most deranged of kpop stans to shame)—all while still being in a relationship with his fianceé. the way he would brush her off or ignore her, whether it was in person or on the phone, just to pay attention to jaehyun made him come off as a huge jerk. it was honestly comical reading while knowing that i was somehow expected to be sympathizing with or rooting for his character. #proudmisandrist
also... haven encouraging raphael to find jaehyun at the party bc she wanted something to happen between them, knowing full well he's engaged (not even just in a relationship, but literally engaged to be married to someone) was so utterly insane to me. first off... clearly not a girl's girl. second—if there'd been some crazy, passionate love story between raphael and jaehyun going on then it'd be a bit more understandable. but all this bc dude was jerking off to fantasies about the other guy in fishnets and panties sucking his dick? spare me.
one last niggle. though i'm not korean, i'm somewhat familiar with korean culture, and the name boohyin (one of jaehyun's bandmates), not to be confused with boohyun, looked a bit strange to me while reading. out of sheer curiousity, i typed it in google to see if it was an actual legit name, and absolutely nothing came up. the author couldn't have been bothered to do five seconds of research, or at the very least use a korean male name generator website? 😭 and please don't try to tell me boohyin is the fake stage name he created for himself.
i was really hoping to like this book bc of all the high ratings and praise, but i personally couldn't take any more of raphael's shitty behavior to continue on and see if it got better. it is what it is.
(side note: i have a very strong theory that jaehyun's character is largely based off of jimin from bts. jimin sweetie, i'm so sorry.)
this is the book y'all were hyping up? genuinely?
i hate rating stories i didn't finish so low bc it feels unfair—what if the book somehow dramatically improves in the pages to come?—but in this case, i decided to make an exception. i pushed through 10 grueling chapters before finally calling it quits.
hamartia reads like fanfic (not the good kind) in the sense that everything is very convenient to the point of being unbelievable and cheesy. not only that, but raphael's wattpad-esque insta-lust at first sight and his obsession with jaehyun afterwards felt extremely OTT and creepy. to put it plainly: he's giving down-bad stalker.
he's also giving POS scumbag for cheating on his fiancée camille, who is literally planning their wedding while he's off having sex with someone else. cheating isn't necessarily a dealbreaker for me when reading a romance story, but here it just felt exceptionally douchebaggy. raphael's been having nonstop fantasies about jaehyun, excessively stalking his instagram activity, and constantly hoping he'll run into him irl (seriously putting some of the most deranged of kpop stans to shame)—all while still being in a relationship with his fianceé. the way he would brush her off or ignore her, whether it was in person or on the phone, just to pay attention to jaehyun made him come off as a huge jerk. it was honestly comical reading while knowing that i was somehow expected to be sympathizing with or rooting for his character. #proudmisandrist
also... haven encouraging raphael to find jaehyun at the party bc she wanted something to happen between them, knowing full well he's engaged (not even just in a relationship, but literally engaged to be married to someone) was so utterly insane to me. first off... clearly not a girl's girl. second—if there'd been some crazy, passionate love story between raphael and jaehyun going on then it'd be a bit more understandable. but all this bc dude was jerking off to fantasies about the other guy in fishnets and panties sucking his dick? spare me.
one last niggle. though i'm not korean, i'm somewhat familiar with korean culture, and the name boohyin (one of jaehyun's bandmates), not to be confused with boohyun, looked a bit strange to me while reading. out of sheer curiousity, i typed it in google to see if it was an actual legit name, and absolutely nothing came up. the author couldn't have been bothered to do five seconds of research, or at the very least use a korean male name generator website? 😭 and please don't try to tell me boohyin is the fake stage name he created for himself.
i was really hoping to like this book bc of all the high ratings and praise, but i personally couldn't take any more of raphael's shitty behavior to continue on and see if it got better. it is what it is.
(side note: i have a very strong theory that jaehyun's character is largely based off of jimin from bts. jimin sweetie, i'm so sorry.)
March 18, 2023
Good lord did I love this book. I haven’t read anything by Scarlett before, but she is on my go to list now.
This book had so so much heart to it and I loved that it focused on the relationship as the main plot with the band blending around them. Beautifully written.
Jaehyun and Raphael. From complete opposite worlds, but wow do they fit together and completely blow you away.
First of all, the steam, it’s packed full and it’s written in such a beautiful erotic way that I felt it to my bones. Raph was so fearless when it came to his feelings for Jae, I wasn’t expecting it.
I just rooted for these two. Jae, oh my god I loved him, sweet sweet Jaehyun 🥹 stubborn but boy does he deserve his HEA with his American Rock Star “dude”.
It is such a great story, I read it in one sitting as it just pulled me in. I loved the structure to the story and how it was written, the opening parts so different in its presentation to characters of a book. It was refreshing and just so damn wonderful.
Highly highly recommend. Love these boys. Especially my Jae 🥰🥰 he is bae.
This book had so so much heart to it and I loved that it focused on the relationship as the main plot with the band blending around them. Beautifully written.
Jaehyun and Raphael. From complete opposite worlds, but wow do they fit together and completely blow you away.
First of all, the steam, it’s packed full and it’s written in such a beautiful erotic way that I felt it to my bones. Raph was so fearless when it came to his feelings for Jae, I wasn’t expecting it.
I just rooted for these two. Jae, oh my god I loved him, sweet sweet Jaehyun 🥹 stubborn but boy does he deserve his HEA with his American Rock Star “dude”.
It is such a great story, I read it in one sitting as it just pulled me in. I loved the structure to the story and how it was written, the opening parts so different in its presentation to characters of a book. It was refreshing and just so damn wonderful.
Highly highly recommend. Love these boys. Especially my Jae 🥰🥰 he is bae.
April 21, 2023
⭐︎
4.5 Stars Rounded Up!
⭐︎
Almost 500 pages to read? No problem.
This was so so good, I couldn't put it down! Only RL stuff forcing me to put it down got me to put it down.
Did this need a tad more editing? Yes, there were some typos here or there - and that dreaded getting the years wrong (in the epilogue it says 2 and half years later...then it's mentioned Raphael and Camille's daughter is turning 3...when Camille is only 3 months pregnant at the end of the main story...meaning she'd had the kid 6 months later...putting the kid at 2 years old, not 3 *sighhh*....also don't worry about the pregnancy thing, it doesn't get in the way of our MC's HEA). Also there was a mistake of saying Raphael's band one Record of the Year at he Grammy's when they won Album of the Year, but I digress.
The grammar mistakes weren't too bad in the long run, and didn't distract badly enough to give more than .5 stars off of this.
Also, this is tagged as cheating and no cheating, as Raphael and Jaehyun start their relationship when Raphael is still in a relationship with Camille, so that's where the cheating comes in. But they never cheat on each other.
Raphael and Jae had amazing chemistry right off the bat. Rapha's obsession with Jae was there from the start, and he spends 2 years practically online stalking the guy and having fantasy after fantasy about him.
For Jae, it's a little different, as he heard with Rapha and his band mates were saying about him in a bathroom - and it wasn't nice or fun things - at a music event in Paris, so while he doesn't forget that moment, it's not for the better.
Rapha regretted it right away, and the minute he saw Jae he was spellbound. He even describes Jae as looking like an angel when he first sees him. From that second on, he's a goner, but doesn't quite know it yet. And also given he was straight before he met Jae - or seemingly straight - that also throws him for a loop.
When, over 2 years later, they run into each other again and things don't go the best - Jae accidentally rams a door in Rapha's nose and Rapha was all awkward - as he is like a boy with a school crush at first, honestly - before that happened.
But it's a start of a great love story. As they meet again a few times over the coming months, they start to get closer and when Rapha makes his move, they start their thing.
This takes place fairly quickly from November to late December, but it's an intense month, month and a half or so. Raphael was already half in love with Jae, and just getting to know him over those few weeks cements it for him.
Given how it was for Jae's POV, he takes longer to get there.
I gotta say, if we didn't get his POV in a few chapters here and there, at times I would have been 100% worried about his feelings. Because Jae is very stoic on the outside, is very good at keeping his emotions off his face when he wants to. So it's hard to tell just how into Raphael he is at times. But then we get his chapters and there's so much more going on under the surface and really helped me understand him and where he was coming from.
And when you think about it, he and Rapha have their affair turned relationship all happen within the span of almost 2 months. That's not long at all, so how long it takes Jae to get there is perfectly reasonable.
Also, yeah it's fast. But it's been 2 years of obsession for Raphael and then a pretty intense start, that by the end it's believable for Jae to get there as well. So the fastness of them getting together didn't bother me, because their connection was just so good and it was believable when Raphael got to love first and then Jae followed.
And yes, Raphael is cheating, which isn't okay. But if you can get past that, if you don't mind MC's cheating on other's with each other in a story, then definitely go for it. This is just so so good.
And it all works out in the end as well. Raphael actually doesn't take too long, in the grand scheme of things, to tell Camille the truth. Now, at first he just says he's met "someone" but at least he's honest about meeting anyone to her.
After that their relationship status is kinda ambiguous for a few weeks before Raphael formally ends it over the phone with her. I was so happy when he did that, because the ambiguity of if they were all the way broken up or just figuring things out or what was driving me crazy.
Also, Camille was a great character. She didn't deserve what Raphael did to her, but I liked that she wasn't made a villain at all. Raphael was in the wrong and there's no doubt about it. But Camille acts very graciously over the whole thing, and how she's able to get past it in the end and find her own happiness with someone else is so great. I was happy for her at the end.
It was like...if Jae hadn't come along, Raphael and Camille probably would have been happy together. It would have been fine. But was Raphael truly in love with her? No. He loved her, but I don't think he was ever in love with her. And given that Jae *was* a thing and he'd actually met her the same night in Paris after he'd 'met' Jae, it was just ultimately never going to work out.
For Raphael, there really was only one person for him, and that was Jae. Jae gets there too, but he had a lot of understandable fears that held him back for awhile before he comes to his realization of love and being ready to fight for their relationship too.
I do kinda wish there'd been a *tad* more focus at the end on them being outed to the world and the world's reaction to that. But in the end it wasn't too big a deal.
Seeing them happy and in love at the end was perfection.
I just absolutely loved this. It was so so good. Now I want to read more by this lovely author. Onto the next! 😍🥰😘
Almost 500 pages to read? No problem.
This was so so good, I couldn't put it down! Only RL stuff forcing me to put it down got me to put it down.
Did this need a tad more editing? Yes, there were some typos here or there - and that dreaded getting the years wrong (in the epilogue it says 2 and half years later...then it's mentioned Raphael and Camille's daughter is turning 3...when Camille is only 3 months pregnant at the end of the main story...meaning she'd had the kid 6 months later...putting the kid at 2 years old, not 3 *sighhh*....also don't worry about the pregnancy thing, it doesn't get in the way of our MC's HEA). Also there was a mistake of saying Raphael's band one Record of the Year at he Grammy's when they won Album of the Year, but I digress.
The grammar mistakes weren't too bad in the long run, and didn't distract badly enough to give more than .5 stars off of this.
Also, this is tagged as cheating and no cheating, as Raphael and Jaehyun start their relationship when Raphael is still in a relationship with Camille, so that's where the cheating comes in. But they never cheat on each other.
Raphael and Jae had amazing chemistry right off the bat. Rapha's obsession with Jae was there from the start, and he spends 2 years practically online stalking the guy and having fantasy after fantasy about him.
For Jae, it's a little different, as he heard with Rapha and his band mates were saying about him in a bathroom - and it wasn't nice or fun things - at a music event in Paris, so while he doesn't forget that moment, it's not for the better.
Rapha regretted it right away, and the minute he saw Jae he was spellbound. He even describes Jae as looking like an angel when he first sees him. From that second on, he's a goner, but doesn't quite know it yet. And also given he was straight before he met Jae - or seemingly straight - that also throws him for a loop.
When, over 2 years later, they run into each other again and things don't go the best - Jae accidentally rams a door in Rapha's nose and Rapha was all awkward - as he is like a boy with a school crush at first, honestly - before that happened.
But it's a start of a great love story. As they meet again a few times over the coming months, they start to get closer and when Rapha makes his move, they start their thing.
This takes place fairly quickly from November to late December, but it's an intense month, month and a half or so. Raphael was already half in love with Jae, and just getting to know him over those few weeks cements it for him.
Given how it was for Jae's POV, he takes longer to get there.
I gotta say, if we didn't get his POV in a few chapters here and there, at times I would have been 100% worried about his feelings. Because Jae is very stoic on the outside, is very good at keeping his emotions off his face when he wants to. So it's hard to tell just how into Raphael he is at times. But then we get his chapters and there's so much more going on under the surface and really helped me understand him and where he was coming from.
And when you think about it, he and Rapha have their affair turned relationship all happen within the span of almost 2 months. That's not long at all, so how long it takes Jae to get there is perfectly reasonable.
Also, yeah it's fast. But it's been 2 years of obsession for Raphael and then a pretty intense start, that by the end it's believable for Jae to get there as well. So the fastness of them getting together didn't bother me, because their connection was just so good and it was believable when Raphael got to love first and then Jae followed.
And yes, Raphael is cheating, which isn't okay. But if you can get past that, if you don't mind MC's cheating on other's with each other in a story, then definitely go for it. This is just so so good.
And it all works out in the end as well. Raphael actually doesn't take too long, in the grand scheme of things, to tell Camille the truth. Now, at first he just says he's met "someone" but at least he's honest about meeting anyone to her.
After that their relationship status is kinda ambiguous for a few weeks before Raphael formally ends it over the phone with her. I was so happy when he did that, because the ambiguity of if they were all the way broken up or just figuring things out or what was driving me crazy.
Also, Camille was a great character. She didn't deserve what Raphael did to her, but I liked that she wasn't made a villain at all. Raphael was in the wrong and there's no doubt about it. But Camille acts very graciously over the whole thing, and how she's able to get past it in the end and find her own happiness with someone else is so great. I was happy for her at the end.
It was like...if Jae hadn't come along, Raphael and Camille probably would have been happy together. It would have been fine. But was Raphael truly in love with her? No. He loved her, but I don't think he was ever in love with her. And given that Jae *was* a thing and he'd actually met her the same night in Paris after he'd 'met' Jae, it was just ultimately never going to work out.
For Raphael, there really was only one person for him, and that was Jae. Jae gets there too, but he had a lot of understandable fears that held him back for awhile before he comes to his realization of love and being ready to fight for their relationship too.
I do kinda wish there'd been a *tad* more focus at the end on them being outed to the world and the world's reaction to that. But in the end it wasn't too big a deal.
Seeing them happy and in love at the end was perfection.
I just absolutely loved this. It was so so good. Now I want to read more by this lovely author. Onto the next! 😍🥰😘
November 7, 2025
****4.5 Stars****
This was so good!
I’m a total sucker for vulnerable characters, and these two had it in spades. Both carried emotional scars that felt deeply believable, making their connection all the more compelling.
The pacing was perfect! The author gave them room to breathe, letting the obsession simmer before genuine feelings began to surface. That slow build created just the right amount of tension and anticipation.
And finally, the chemistry? Absolutely off the charts. Super hot!♨️🔥🔥
This was so good!
I’m a total sucker for vulnerable characters, and these two had it in spades. Both carried emotional scars that felt deeply believable, making their connection all the more compelling.
The pacing was perfect! The author gave them room to breathe, letting the obsession simmer before genuine feelings began to surface. That slow build created just the right amount of tension and anticipation.
And finally, the chemistry? Absolutely off the charts. Super hot!♨️🔥🔥
March 16, 2025
Blew my expectations
I expected it to be not well written and kind of fan-girly. Boy, was I wrong. I was hooked throughout the book (the beginning made me a bit apprehensive about how it will end) but it ended up being a lot better than I could have imagined. This is going to be one of my favourites, and I will definitely need to buy a physical copy now.
I expected it to be not well written and kind of fan-girly. Boy, was I wrong. I was hooked throughout the book (the beginning made me a bit apprehensive about how it will end) but it ended up being a lot better than I could have imagined. This is going to be one of my favourites, and I will definitely need to buy a physical copy now.
February 28, 2025
3.5**** stars
5 stars for the love story itself, tho
I loved this story but I also kinda didn’t like it (or at least parts of it and basics about it). You know that feeling? Anyway. It was intense and the love story itself was beautiful —full of longing, uncertainty and a soul-crushing love you risk everything for. Just the way I like it.
I can’t put into words all the feelings and thoughts I have about this book, the good and the not so good. Still, it definitely was a story and romance I haven’t read before and I appreciate this book and the author for putting something different to read in my hands.
**********
Famous Young Things Series
Book 1 - Hamartia - 3.5 stars
Book 2 - Limerence - 4.5 stars
5 stars for the love story itself, tho
I loved this story but I also kinda didn’t like it (or at least parts of it and basics about it). You know that feeling? Anyway. It was intense and the love story itself was beautiful —full of longing, uncertainty and a soul-crushing love you risk everything for. Just the way I like it.
“I am scared, Raphael,” he says in a small voice.
“What of? Tell me. […]”
“Of everything,” he says. “Of having you and losing you, of having you and losing everything else.”
I can’t put into words all the feelings and thoughts I have about this book, the good and the not so good. Still, it definitely was a story and romance I haven’t read before and I appreciate this book and the author for putting something different to read in my hands.
**********
Famous Young Things Series
Book 1 - Hamartia - 3.5 stars
Book 2 - Limerence - 4.5 stars
June 25, 2023
This is what I’m talking about all the time!! Cheating trope is the best! The forbidden aspect the hiding the heartbreak.. awww so delicious!
I’m not fun of K-pop neither rock bands so that part was only a background noise to me, but very clever by the author. Everyone knows how controlled the K-pop stars life is, and Jae’s reservation makes sense in the book. So this has 2 reasons to the characters to hide, and for Jae to being scared of the relationship, and finally it’s not a sport romance!
Only setback for me was the surprise pregnancy. How I hate them! I had to take a break from the book after that phone call, but luckily it was okay at the end. It wasn’t dragged out long and it didn’t change the story line that much.
I’m so happy to find this book! I was waiting for a good cheating story years now, and this book delivers!
I want to thank to Patrícia, who urged me to start this book immediately 😃 thanks Partícia!
If you know any similar books where the characters cheat this wholeheartedly then please let me know 😃
This is my song for the book
https://youtu.be/uqwxQ-IgLP0
I’m not fun of K-pop neither rock bands so that part was only a background noise to me, but very clever by the author. Everyone knows how controlled the K-pop stars life is, and Jae’s reservation makes sense in the book. So this has 2 reasons to the characters to hide, and for Jae to being scared of the relationship, and finally it’s not a sport romance!
Only setback for me was the surprise pregnancy. How I hate them! I had to take a break from the book after that phone call, but luckily it was okay at the end. It wasn’t dragged out long and it didn’t change the story line that much.
I’m so happy to find this book! I was waiting for a good cheating story years now, and this book delivers!
I want to thank to Patrícia, who urged me to start this book immediately 😃 thanks Partícia!
If you know any similar books where the characters cheat this wholeheartedly then please let me know 😃
This is my song for the book
https://youtu.be/uqwxQ-IgLP0
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2023
I ateee this book up -I am obsessed and will probably re-read it before my next book! I've been reading a lot of hurt/comfort recently so this was such a nice breath of fresh air.
Even though the plot is pretty straightforward, it totally sucked me in and the spice/chemistry was sooo good! I genuinely could not put this book down (I was reading it on 3 different devices so I wouldn't get separation anxiety LOL).
Some of the best scenes felt like a Heated Rivalry/The Long Game alternate universe fanfic and I mean that in the best way possible.
The only thing is I wish it was longer, which is definitely a me thing because this book is over 450 pages. I would happily read more books about Jaehyun and Raphael. :)
Even though the plot is pretty straightforward, it totally sucked me in and the spice/chemistry was sooo good! I genuinely could not put this book down (I was reading it on 3 different devices so I wouldn't get separation anxiety LOL).
Some of the best scenes felt like a Heated Rivalry/The Long Game alternate universe fanfic and I mean that in the best way possible.
The only thing is I wish it was longer, which is definitely a me thing because this book is over 450 pages. I would happily read more books about Jaehyun and Raphael. :)
July 14, 2024
This book consumed me. It was emotionally charged… I LOVED it.
It gave me some anxiety, I wanted so bad to read the ending but I persevered and it was 100% worth it.
I love how the majority of chapters were Raphael’s POV which made Jaehyun even more enigmatic and every time it was his POV I would be extra focused because I needed to know everything about his feelings.
I read on kindle with Audio as well and narration is chefs kiss! Beautiful! Amazing!!! Fantastic!!! Zachary Zaba voiced both Rapha and Jae so so well, the Korean words were beautifully pronounced and I used Chat GPT to translate them, I was soooo invested in everything interesting mentioned in the book.
I loved the ending, I love how obsessed Rapha was with Jae, the language barrier was so endearing and I love how they both agreed to communicate clearly with each other.
“Dangsin-eun na-ege neomu keun sangcheoleul jul geos-ibnida. an geulae?
"당신은 나에게 너무 큰 상처를 줄 것입니다. 안 그래?"
"You will hurt me a lot. Won't you?"
It gave me some anxiety, I wanted so bad to read the ending but I persevered and it was 100% worth it.
I love how the majority of chapters were Raphael’s POV which made Jaehyun even more enigmatic and every time it was his POV I would be extra focused because I needed to know everything about his feelings.
I read on kindle with Audio as well and narration is chefs kiss! Beautiful! Amazing!!! Fantastic!!! Zachary Zaba voiced both Rapha and Jae so so well, the Korean words were beautifully pronounced and I used Chat GPT to translate them, I was soooo invested in everything interesting mentioned in the book.
I loved the ending, I love how obsessed Rapha was with Jae, the language barrier was so endearing and I love how they both agreed to communicate clearly with each other.
“Dangsin-eun na-ege neomu keun sangcheoleul jul geos-ibnida. an geulae?
"당신은 나에게 너무 큰 상처를 줄 것입니다. 안 그래?"
"You will hurt me a lot. Won't you?"
April 20, 2025
This was sort of ok? Like, I can see why so many people like it, yet I feel it was just fine.
There were a lot of open story lines that we never see the conclusion, and I kind of sort of hated everyone in this book as well. Also, the lack of chapters from Jae's POV just makes him seem cold and aloof. I honestly don't understand how Rapahel falls in love with him so fast when they have met for 2 weeks and the other guy is always cold towards him.
There were a lot of open story lines that we never see the conclusion, and I kind of sort of hated everyone in this book as well. Also, the lack of chapters from Jae's POV just makes him seem cold and aloof. I honestly don't understand how Rapahel falls in love with him so fast when they have met for 2 weeks and the other guy is always cold towards him.
August 23, 2023
I need you all to stop what you are doing and go read this book right now.
What the fuck. How? What? Who? Where did this book come from?? I almost didn't pick this one up, I don't have a lot of interest in K-pop culture and I thought that that would translate into not really getting this book. But that cover, and that title, were intriguing, and having seen some great reviews by my GR friends, I started this book yesterday and finished, breathlessly, today. And let me tell that my day was a god-damn emotional rollercoaster. I regret nothing.
The premise of this book is that an American rock star, reaching the pinnacle of his fame, develops a bizarre sexual obsession with a male Korean K-pop idol after the most fleeting of encounters. The thing is, he's straight, and in a long term relationship with an amazing woman. But when chance puts them in the same place at the same time years later, our rock star - Raphael - is unable to resist the pull to Jaehyung. They embark on an unbelievably intense affair, like, I literally had goosebumps every time they interacted. But as you can imagine, an American rock star and a K-pop idol romance seems doomed from the start. The romance is fraught, both of these men have serious issues they are dealing with and at times the relationship seems a little bit unbalanced because Raphael worships the ground Jae walks on, but Jae is much harder to read and much more reserved with his feelings. Everything happens so fast. Their chemistry is literally off the charts, and there is so much sex in this book, it was sublime. I have no idea where Scarlett Drake came from, but homegirl really knows how to write a sex scene. The characters are well-developed and three-dimensional, and you can't help rooting from them, even when they are not doing the right thing.
What I really loved about this book was that it was a show more than tell situation. At no point did the author gloss over interactions between the MCs. We spend every minute with them, we feel every feeling. We have a well-fleshed-0ut overview of their lives outside each other, but ultimately we have a front row seat to them falling in love, and it's painful, and messy, and glorious. The author also didn't do that thing I hate in novels with infidelity, where she makes the female partner just a terrible person to make the male character sympathetic. Camille, Raphael's fiancée, is actually such a cool person, and I appreciated this. There was also some eleventh hour drama that I could have done without, but in the end it served its purpose and drove the plot along.
Could this be my favourite MM book of all time? I don't know, I have to sit with it for a while. But it is for sure top 10. If you were on the fence about this book, get off and go read it. I could not recommend it more.
What the fuck. How? What? Who? Where did this book come from?? I almost didn't pick this one up, I don't have a lot of interest in K-pop culture and I thought that that would translate into not really getting this book. But that cover, and that title, were intriguing, and having seen some great reviews by my GR friends, I started this book yesterday and finished, breathlessly, today. And let me tell that my day was a god-damn emotional rollercoaster. I regret nothing.
The premise of this book is that an American rock star, reaching the pinnacle of his fame, develops a bizarre sexual obsession with a male Korean K-pop idol after the most fleeting of encounters. The thing is, he's straight, and in a long term relationship with an amazing woman. But when chance puts them in the same place at the same time years later, our rock star - Raphael - is unable to resist the pull to Jaehyung. They embark on an unbelievably intense affair, like, I literally had goosebumps every time they interacted. But as you can imagine, an American rock star and a K-pop idol romance seems doomed from the start. The romance is fraught, both of these men have serious issues they are dealing with and at times the relationship seems a little bit unbalanced because Raphael worships the ground Jae walks on, but Jae is much harder to read and much more reserved with his feelings. Everything happens so fast. Their chemistry is literally off the charts, and there is so much sex in this book, it was sublime. I have no idea where Scarlett Drake came from, but homegirl really knows how to write a sex scene. The characters are well-developed and three-dimensional, and you can't help rooting from them, even when they are not doing the right thing.
What I really loved about this book was that it was a show more than tell situation. At no point did the author gloss over interactions between the MCs. We spend every minute with them, we feel every feeling. We have a well-fleshed-0ut overview of their lives outside each other, but ultimately we have a front row seat to them falling in love, and it's painful, and messy, and glorious. The author also didn't do that thing I hate in novels with infidelity, where she makes the female partner just a terrible person to make the male character sympathetic. Camille, Raphael's fiancée, is actually such a cool person, and I appreciated this. There was also some eleventh hour drama that I could have done without, but in the end it served its purpose and drove the plot along.
Could this be my favourite MM book of all time? I don't know, I have to sit with it for a while. But it is for sure top 10. If you were on the fence about this book, get off and go read it. I could not recommend it more.
March 17, 2023
FIRSTLY, yes I received an ARC for this and I am one of the lucky ones who got to set my eyes on this before release date.
I want to be very clear: I'm not giving this 5 stars because I got an ARC.
I know sometimes when people get ARCS and write a review they give 5 stars and I come on here reading the review and I always feel like those 5 stars are never sincere and given as a 'hey I got a free book, here's a free review, 5 stars' and it drives me CRAZY.
I had already preordered this book before getting an ARC & I read it with full intention of giving it my full, honest review.
These 5 stars really come from a sincere place, from my full attention as a reader & Kpop stan & fellow indie author.
So, here it is. I'll speak about different aspects so you get my gist.
OBVIOUSLY, SPOILERS BELOW. Do not read if you don't want any.
.
.
.
THE BACKDROP OF THE STORY
The premise is simple: male cis straight rock star falls madly in love with a k-pop idol.
Yet there's more to it than just romance.
I think what I really liked about it was the 'more'.
There's a whole discussion to be had when thinking about the music industry and how it varies from one country to the other - especially the western music industry when compared to Kpop and Idol industry. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then I think this book subdly illustrates the inherent differences in the system and their impact on the individual artists or groups.
Here, the differences we all perceive as passive listeners or active group fans were discussed in a way that both exposed the bad and the good of the industry. And it's not done in a boring 'exposure' way, it's just threaded in the story via dialogues or thoughts of Raph & Jae - exposing both Raph's western view and Jae's Korean idol perspective.
It was done so in a way that wasn't condoning or condescending, it was simply facts and observation. To me, a kpop stan who is well aware of the kinds of discrimination Kpop artists face in the western industry and media, it felt 'good' to finally see it aknowledged.
I think it really grounded the fiction into a reality that many Idols go through. It made Raphael's shift in perspective (not talking about his sexuality, I'm talking about his general outlook on the industry he's a part of) more believable and 'genuine' - he really saw himself and his thoughts change after being exposed to the hardwork and talent of Kpop idols (in this case, Jae's group) and really respected Jae's talent, art, and music from an objective level - not just because he was in love with him.
THE MULTICULTURAL ROMANCE
Creating romance between characters who have such different backgrounds is sometimes tricky and can fall into cliché.
It's not the case here.
You can tell a lot of research has gone into it, even in the way the dialogues between Jae and Raph are crafted: they aren't both native english speakers.
Raph is, Jae is not. There has to be a learning process, and I don't mean a thing where Jae has to learn english - I mean a learning phase for both where they have to understand that the way westerners speak isn't the same as how koreans might speak or interprent certain things said. There's many moments where they missunderstand each other (and fortunately, it does not go into a miss com trope) and where Jae has to simply remind Raph to be clear with his intentions & what he means because otherwise there is an invisible barrier between them.
I think these moments really grounded the story even more, made it more realistic, because there was an honesty between them that can be plausible between two real people falling in love but being from entirely different cultures and having entirely different ways of thinking thoughts and speaking them.
THE CHEATING
Yes. There is cheating.
Raph is engaged.
I promise you the cheating isn't threaded in a way you've seen it before - or at least, I haven't see it dealt like this before.
It's not about the act in itself.
It's about the thoughts that come with it. The guilt, the what ifs, the questions that tear down everything you thought you knew about yourself. Raph goes through it all, and Cam (his fiancé) is really mature & doesn't come off as overbearing and annoying and not really as a victim, either.
There's nuances to everyone, including her.
Most characters are nuanced, actually. Of course, you always only see Raph or Jae's POV, but you can tell some things from what they know of other characters. Everyone's human, in ways that again feel very genuine and at times a little heartbreaking. There's backstories to Raph & Jae, too - so you understand certain choices and thoughts better.
THE ROMANCE
Okay well ... This is probably the main reason you're here. All my babbling was to let you know there's more to romance and that the MORE makes it feel even better.
Raph and Jae are absolutely adorable.
Cute. Funny. Kind. Sexy. Hungry. Desperate. Sad. Everything.
Raph goes through something lifechanging, and that is discovering Jae.
Not just discovering him as an artist. Discovering him as everything that he is.
A perfectionist. A wounded soul. Someone fragile but also somehow indestructible. Someone soft but harsh, with needs and wantings like everyone else - all wrapped in the beautiful face of an angel. Because trust me, Jae is probably the most beautiful being on earth.
Everything about him is ethereal.
And it is beautiful to see Raph completely spiral and fall out of control on his ascension to heaven - that is, in Jae's arms.
And bed.
THE SMUTT
What can I say. It's vivid, passionate, descriptive - I can't even describe it because honestly you just have to read it. At first, there's want - pure desire, obsessive lust. Then come other things. Feelings, greed, jealously. Everything comes together in an explosive display of passion and love.
THE STYLE
It was a waterfall of emotions, thoughts, introspection, dialogue, things - but at no point was it overbearing with lenghty descriptions or over exposure. At no point was it 'I, I, I, I,' - the first person POV was well written, it flowed naturally, following thought patterns and situation analysis anyone could be having.
SO, please.
If you enjoy MM, give this a read. And if you don't, this could be a good intro - because it's also Raph's first experience with a man, so in a way you're discovering it with him.
If you enjoy contemporary romance, give it a read.
If you are a kpop stan, hello !!! This is for you.
There was literally nothing I didn't like.
Again, not saying this because I got an ARC. Saying this because I truly apreciated this book and I am always honest with my thoughts.
I want to be very clear: I'm not giving this 5 stars because I got an ARC.
I know sometimes when people get ARCS and write a review they give 5 stars and I come on here reading the review and I always feel like those 5 stars are never sincere and given as a 'hey I got a free book, here's a free review, 5 stars' and it drives me CRAZY.
I had already preordered this book before getting an ARC & I read it with full intention of giving it my full, honest review.
These 5 stars really come from a sincere place, from my full attention as a reader & Kpop stan & fellow indie author.
So, here it is. I'll speak about different aspects so you get my gist.
OBVIOUSLY, SPOILERS BELOW. Do not read if you don't want any.
.
.
.
THE BACKDROP OF THE STORY
The premise is simple: male cis straight rock star falls madly in love with a k-pop idol.
Yet there's more to it than just romance.
I think what I really liked about it was the 'more'.
There's a whole discussion to be had when thinking about the music industry and how it varies from one country to the other - especially the western music industry when compared to Kpop and Idol industry. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then I think this book subdly illustrates the inherent differences in the system and their impact on the individual artists or groups.
Here, the differences we all perceive as passive listeners or active group fans were discussed in a way that both exposed the bad and the good of the industry. And it's not done in a boring 'exposure' way, it's just threaded in the story via dialogues or thoughts of Raph & Jae - exposing both Raph's western view and Jae's Korean idol perspective.
It was done so in a way that wasn't condoning or condescending, it was simply facts and observation. To me, a kpop stan who is well aware of the kinds of discrimination Kpop artists face in the western industry and media, it felt 'good' to finally see it aknowledged.
I think it really grounded the fiction into a reality that many Idols go through. It made Raphael's shift in perspective (not talking about his sexuality, I'm talking about his general outlook on the industry he's a part of) more believable and 'genuine' - he really saw himself and his thoughts change after being exposed to the hardwork and talent of Kpop idols (in this case, Jae's group) and really respected Jae's talent, art, and music from an objective level - not just because he was in love with him.
THE MULTICULTURAL ROMANCE
Creating romance between characters who have such different backgrounds is sometimes tricky and can fall into cliché.
It's not the case here.
You can tell a lot of research has gone into it, even in the way the dialogues between Jae and Raph are crafted: they aren't both native english speakers.
Raph is, Jae is not. There has to be a learning process, and I don't mean a thing where Jae has to learn english - I mean a learning phase for both where they have to understand that the way westerners speak isn't the same as how koreans might speak or interprent certain things said. There's many moments where they missunderstand each other (and fortunately, it does not go into a miss com trope) and where Jae has to simply remind Raph to be clear with his intentions & what he means because otherwise there is an invisible barrier between them.
I think these moments really grounded the story even more, made it more realistic, because there was an honesty between them that can be plausible between two real people falling in love but being from entirely different cultures and having entirely different ways of thinking thoughts and speaking them.
THE CHEATING
Yes. There is cheating.
Raph is engaged.
I promise you the cheating isn't threaded in a way you've seen it before - or at least, I haven't see it dealt like this before.
It's not about the act in itself.
It's about the thoughts that come with it. The guilt, the what ifs, the questions that tear down everything you thought you knew about yourself. Raph goes through it all, and Cam (his fiancé) is really mature & doesn't come off as overbearing and annoying and not really as a victim, either.
There's nuances to everyone, including her.
Most characters are nuanced, actually. Of course, you always only see Raph or Jae's POV, but you can tell some things from what they know of other characters. Everyone's human, in ways that again feel very genuine and at times a little heartbreaking. There's backstories to Raph & Jae, too - so you understand certain choices and thoughts better.
THE ROMANCE
Okay well ... This is probably the main reason you're here. All my babbling was to let you know there's more to romance and that the MORE makes it feel even better.
Raph and Jae are absolutely adorable.
Cute. Funny. Kind. Sexy. Hungry. Desperate. Sad. Everything.
Raph goes through something lifechanging, and that is discovering Jae.
Not just discovering him as an artist. Discovering him as everything that he is.
A perfectionist. A wounded soul. Someone fragile but also somehow indestructible. Someone soft but harsh, with needs and wantings like everyone else - all wrapped in the beautiful face of an angel. Because trust me, Jae is probably the most beautiful being on earth.
Everything about him is ethereal.
And it is beautiful to see Raph completely spiral and fall out of control on his ascension to heaven - that is, in Jae's arms.
And bed.
THE SMUTT
What can I say. It's vivid, passionate, descriptive - I can't even describe it because honestly you just have to read it. At first, there's want - pure desire, obsessive lust. Then come other things. Feelings, greed, jealously. Everything comes together in an explosive display of passion and love.
THE STYLE
It was a waterfall of emotions, thoughts, introspection, dialogue, things - but at no point was it overbearing with lenghty descriptions or over exposure. At no point was it 'I, I, I, I,' - the first person POV was well written, it flowed naturally, following thought patterns and situation analysis anyone could be having.
SO, please.
If you enjoy MM, give this a read. And if you don't, this could be a good intro - because it's also Raph's first experience with a man, so in a way you're discovering it with him.
If you enjoy contemporary romance, give it a read.
If you are a kpop stan, hello !!! This is for you.
There was literally nothing I didn't like.
Again, not saying this because I got an ARC. Saying this because I truly apreciated this book and I am always honest with my thoughts.
December 3, 2025
Книга точно не моя, я і раніше не хотіла її читати але таки наважилась. Більше так робити не буду, якщо не моя то і починати не буду.
Тут кейпоп, я взагалі не фанатка, але ладно.
Мені і по сюжету не сподобалось, хоча його не так і багато, більше сцен сексу і скиглення про те як чоловік який думав що він гетеро, навіть має наречену, мріє про хлопця якого бачив в туалеті 🤦🏿♀️
І тут такий бац, а я вже не гетеро, ну маладєц🤦🏿♀️ але для чого морочити голову людям і зраджувати своїй нареченій. Камілла теж не така простенька як здавалась, хоча вони мене всі дивували в цій книзі. Навіть адекватної людини за цілу книгу не знайшлось.
Сумно, дуже сумно.
Тут кейпоп, я взагалі не фанатка, але ладно.
Мені і по сюжету не сподобалось, хоча його не так і багато, більше сцен сексу і скиглення про те як чоловік який думав що він гетеро, навіть має наречену, мріє про хлопця якого бачив в туалеті 🤦🏿♀️
І тут такий бац, а я вже не гетеро, ну маладєц🤦🏿♀️ але для чого морочити голову людям і зраджувати своїй нареченій. Камілла теж не така простенька як здавалась, хоча вони мене всі дивували в цій книзі. Навіть адекватної людини за цілу книгу не знайшлось.
Сумно, дуже сумно.
July 19, 2023
2/5 stars
I wanted to like this, so badly. But it fell flat…a lot of times. There were so many many tiny things that I hated and it kept multiplying as I read. First Raphael is obsessed over Jae. And I loved that. BUT, I hated how he didn’t break up with Camille before starting something with Jae. Cheating is fine when it’s done right. In some cases I’m fine with cheating because the person that they are with are usually terrible, but this wasn’t the case. Camille was so nice and you can tell how much she loved Raphael. It rubbed me the wrong way how he and Jae were off doing things, while Raphael blatantly ignored Cam’s calls and texts. If you aren’t in love with her then fucking end it. But I’m glad she found someone at the end.
Another thing while Raphael was boy obsessed, Jae was acting like their relationship would end any second. At one point he was thinking about fucking Raphael and his best friend at the same time. Like what in the actual fuck. He barely showed any love towards Raphael and I understood at first because he is guarded, but towards the end it was so frustrating seeing Raphael being heard over heels in love while Jae never gave an ounce back at some times. Though I do have to say there were some cute moment between them, but the bad outweighed the good most of the times.
There are spoilers beyond this point so be aware.
Can we just talk about the end. Like the third act conflict is supposed to be at like 70%. Tell me why there were two things introduced as “conflicts” at 90%. Fucking 90%. In what way shape or form is that supposed to make any sense. Since there were two conflicts at 90%, there was no way for it to resolve properly. There should have been more chapters after Jae came to LA. ALSO PREGNANCY??? Like dude what the fuck. I love kids in books but they need to be established in the beginning or epilogue NOT 90% when the characters are almost to there happily ever after. It made no fucking sense in my head.
I just wanted more scenes of Jae meeting the band. That brings to my next point the band? What happened to them. They were only there when it was relevant. If a main character is in a band, I want the band to be there for the book. Like i want to know what happens to them? Like I understand that Raphael has a solo career, but what lead them to make that decision. So many things would have been better if there was like 50 more pages explaining that. Even though the book was already 450 pages. You would expect a well rounded story, but there were so many plot holes. Like god. Also I heard that Kai and Xan are getting a story. Like I might pick it up if it seems interesting, but still this was a mildly okay-ish book with too much shit that I hated.
I wanted to like this, so badly. But it fell flat…a lot of times. There were so many many tiny things that I hated and it kept multiplying as I read. First Raphael is obsessed over Jae. And I loved that. BUT, I hated how he didn’t break up with Camille before starting something with Jae. Cheating is fine when it’s done right. In some cases I’m fine with cheating because the person that they are with are usually terrible, but this wasn’t the case. Camille was so nice and you can tell how much she loved Raphael. It rubbed me the wrong way how he and Jae were off doing things, while Raphael blatantly ignored Cam’s calls and texts. If you aren’t in love with her then fucking end it. But I’m glad she found someone at the end.
Another thing while Raphael was boy obsessed, Jae was acting like their relationship would end any second. At one point he was thinking about fucking Raphael and his best friend at the same time. Like what in the actual fuck. He barely showed any love towards Raphael and I understood at first because he is guarded, but towards the end it was so frustrating seeing Raphael being heard over heels in love while Jae never gave an ounce back at some times. Though I do have to say there were some cute moment between them, but the bad outweighed the good most of the times.
There are spoilers beyond this point so be aware.
Can we just talk about the end. Like the third act conflict is supposed to be at like 70%. Tell me why there were two things introduced as “conflicts” at 90%. Fucking 90%. In what way shape or form is that supposed to make any sense. Since there were two conflicts at 90%, there was no way for it to resolve properly. There should have been more chapters after Jae came to LA. ALSO PREGNANCY??? Like dude what the fuck. I love kids in books but they need to be established in the beginning or epilogue NOT 90% when the characters are almost to there happily ever after. It made no fucking sense in my head.
I just wanted more scenes of Jae meeting the band. That brings to my next point the band? What happened to them. They were only there when it was relevant. If a main character is in a band, I want the band to be there for the book. Like i want to know what happens to them? Like I understand that Raphael has a solo career, but what lead them to make that decision. So many things would have been better if there was like 50 more pages explaining that. Even though the book was already 450 pages. You would expect a well rounded story, but there were so many plot holes. Like god. Also I heard that Kai and Xan are getting a story. Like I might pick it up if it seems interesting, but still this was a mildly okay-ish book with too much shit that I hated.
April 23, 2024
The communication in this book was great but at times frustrated me! Jae and Raphael’s had great communication and were very clear with each other despite the language barrier! I just wished Rapha would have had that same energy with Camille!! If not for the OTT drama at the 90% and the long winded cheating, this would have been a 5 star for me! But also me reading about a poet and song writer while Tswift drops TTPD in the same weekend, I was unwell 🤣
This book came recommended to me by Dee and Monika! Y’all will be billed for my therapy!
There were so many swoon moments!
Favorite lines as always:
“For you to think I was worth it. For you not to walk away. For you to fucking choose me”
“Green tea reminds me of you”
“My heart feels too battered and bruised to deal with it now. A limping, war-ravaged thing.”
“I’m not breathing as I stand there, between life and death, waiting on him to fucking say something. Call ceasefire on this. Put me out of my misery.”
“Please let me have this again. Please don’t let this be the last time”
“As long as it takes, I’ll wait for you”
“I feel like when I’m with you it’s like being lost somewhere. Somewhere new, somewhere that’s beautiful and different and smells great.” I sniff under his jaw again and he laughs, ticklish. “And I really fucking like it here, Jae.”
“Even if this flickers out and dies, as all things that burn as brightly as this do, he deserves that”
“I wasn’t even sure what this was because it’s big, you know? It’s really fucking big, mom. Maybe even blow-my-entire-life-up big and I’m not quite ready to do that yet. I’m scared, I guess. But he makes me feel like maybe the aftermath wouldn’t be bad at all. That what we’d be left with after the dust settled would be all I‘d need. Perfect, actually. I don’t think I’d need that much if I had him. He’s kind of everything…he’s enough. And I’d be enough too, you know?”
“Home can be anywhere, I think.”
“Any choice in which he’s an option, I’ll always choose him”
This book came recommended to me by Dee and Monika! Y’all will be billed for my therapy!
There were so many swoon moments!
Favorite lines as always:
“For you to think I was worth it. For you not to walk away. For you to fucking choose me”
“Green tea reminds me of you”
“My heart feels too battered and bruised to deal with it now. A limping, war-ravaged thing.”
“I’m not breathing as I stand there, between life and death, waiting on him to fucking say something. Call ceasefire on this. Put me out of my misery.”
“Please let me have this again. Please don’t let this be the last time”
“As long as it takes, I’ll wait for you”
“I feel like when I’m with you it’s like being lost somewhere. Somewhere new, somewhere that’s beautiful and different and smells great.” I sniff under his jaw again and he laughs, ticklish. “And I really fucking like it here, Jae.”
“Even if this flickers out and dies, as all things that burn as brightly as this do, he deserves that”
“I wasn’t even sure what this was because it’s big, you know? It’s really fucking big, mom. Maybe even blow-my-entire-life-up big and I’m not quite ready to do that yet. I’m scared, I guess. But he makes me feel like maybe the aftermath wouldn’t be bad at all. That what we’d be left with after the dust settled would be all I‘d need. Perfect, actually. I don’t think I’d need that much if I had him. He’s kind of everything…he’s enough. And I’d be enough too, you know?”
“Home can be anywhere, I think.”
“Any choice in which he’s an option, I’ll always choose him”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2023
Straight engaged rockstar becomes obsessed with gay K-Pop idol. Creepy start with stalker vibes. We’re talking obsessed for two years. Online stalking. Dreaming about him. Fantasizing. After they met once for two minutes.
But him…well, he was my inevitability. He was when it started. When everything else ended. Everything I was before. He was the moon and the stars and everything in-between and all I wanted to do was worship at his feet. The band, my girlfriend, my dad, everything that I thought was important to me, just ceased to exist the moment I first saw him. I’m not proud of that. But it’s what it was.
And then they meet again. Rapha is planning his wedding to Camille. The Dead Poets’ last album is a huge success. And Rapha’s obsession is right there.
Once they meet again, we go from completely obsessed to pretty much immediately sweetly in love. Jae is a bit confused by all this adoration. 🤣
It shouldn’t have worked. But I was just as obsessed as Rapha, page after page, loving every interaction, every incredible sex scene, every new feeling and discovery.
Yes, there is cheating. Yes, Camille didn’t deserve this. But I loved that Rapha didn’t play on both sides. He cheated, but the way it happened was inevitable and made it more acceptable, imo. But if cheating is a big no no for you, stay away from this one. 🤷♀️
But him…well, he was my inevitability. He was when it started. When everything else ended. Everything I was before. He was the moon and the stars and everything in-between and all I wanted to do was worship at his feet. The band, my girlfriend, my dad, everything that I thought was important to me, just ceased to exist the moment I first saw him. I’m not proud of that. But it’s what it was.
And then they meet again. Rapha is planning his wedding to Camille. The Dead Poets’ last album is a huge success. And Rapha’s obsession is right there.
Once they meet again, we go from completely obsessed to pretty much immediately sweetly in love. Jae is a bit confused by all this adoration. 🤣
It shouldn’t have worked. But I was just as obsessed as Rapha, page after page, loving every interaction, every incredible sex scene, every new feeling and discovery.
Yes, there is cheating. Yes, Camille didn’t deserve this. But I loved that Rapha didn’t play on both sides. He cheated, but the way it happened was inevitable and made it more acceptable, imo. But if cheating is a big no no for you, stay away from this one. 🤷♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2023
This book started out very promising but deflated like a balloon. I abandoned it halfway through because the story doesn't seem to progress. The only thing Raphael has said in 160+ pages is how pretty Jae is and that he is straight and he doesn't understand that he is attracted to this man, an attraction that seems only physical by the way. And let's not skip the part where he is promised to marry a woman in a few months and he is cheating on her with Jae.
As a side note, I'm an ARMY and Jae is very obviously based on Jimin and there's a reason why I don't read fanfics about BTS, it makes me super uncomfortable imagining them having sex, it's like I'm reading sexual scenes about my brother ew
As a side note, I'm an ARMY and Jae is very obviously based on Jimin and there's a reason why I don't read fanfics about BTS, it makes me super uncomfortable imagining them having sex, it's like I'm reading sexual scenes about my brother ew
March 19, 2023
This was my first foray into the world of MM romance AND my introduction into anything remotely K-pop related, but I DO love a rockstar romance, particularly anything with a lot of angst, spice and obsession, so it seemed like a good place to start.
First of all, I’ll say I have ZERO issues with cheating in fiction and that’s not because I condone it in real life, but because it IS real life and I’d much rather read something that is real, than I would want to see it airbrushed out of stories. But if it’s not for you, then it’s not for you - DNF, move on, have a nice life. For me, I felt like the act of cheating was done in a real life way. There was guilt, there was shame, there was upset and pain. There was never anything here that I felt glorified the act of adultery in anyway, it was very true in how it portrayed something many of us will experience.
As for Rapha and Jae - the sweetest, hottest boys to exist. Ever. I loved how, despite the fact they’re both famous, the story really works hard to highlight their differences, personally and culturally, and there are some great references and details in here that show how much work the author put into researching the ins and outs of the music world and in the cultural nuances of the US and Korea. What we end up with is a kind of opposites attract/against all odds romance which takes you on a rollercoaster from start to finish, as we’re never sure if things will work out or not. There’s a lot these boys have to battle with.
What I loved about this is that it would have been easy for the author to write a hot as hell, glamorous but shallow rockstar romance story, but that easy route has been actively avoided throughout because what Hamartia actually is, is a well-researched, well-thought out story with so many layers that it’ll keep readers hooked. Yes, it’s SPICY (soooo hot) but there’s so much emotion, so much love, pretty angsty, with a healthy dose of obsession, passion and intrigue that there’s something to keep you turning every page wanting more.
This was a winner for me and I’m so glad this was my introduction to MM romance! 5 stars!
**Reviewer received an ARC for an honest review**
First of all, I’ll say I have ZERO issues with cheating in fiction and that’s not because I condone it in real life, but because it IS real life and I’d much rather read something that is real, than I would want to see it airbrushed out of stories. But if it’s not for you, then it’s not for you - DNF, move on, have a nice life. For me, I felt like the act of cheating was done in a real life way. There was guilt, there was shame, there was upset and pain. There was never anything here that I felt glorified the act of adultery in anyway, it was very true in how it portrayed something many of us will experience.
As for Rapha and Jae - the sweetest, hottest boys to exist. Ever. I loved how, despite the fact they’re both famous, the story really works hard to highlight their differences, personally and culturally, and there are some great references and details in here that show how much work the author put into researching the ins and outs of the music world and in the cultural nuances of the US and Korea. What we end up with is a kind of opposites attract/against all odds romance which takes you on a rollercoaster from start to finish, as we’re never sure if things will work out or not. There’s a lot these boys have to battle with.
What I loved about this is that it would have been easy for the author to write a hot as hell, glamorous but shallow rockstar romance story, but that easy route has been actively avoided throughout because what Hamartia actually is, is a well-researched, well-thought out story with so many layers that it’ll keep readers hooked. Yes, it’s SPICY (soooo hot) but there’s so much emotion, so much love, pretty angsty, with a healthy dose of obsession, passion and intrigue that there’s something to keep you turning every page wanting more.
This was a winner for me and I’m so glad this was my introduction to MM romance! 5 stars!
**Reviewer received an ARC for an honest review**
June 3, 2024
‘i’d never had an inkling i liked men before that moment, and you know, i still don’t know if i do. i haven’t been able to definite it, honestly.
but him…well, he was my inevitability.’
despite raphael's addiction to feet fetish (which is kinda true though, to be honest), i enjoyed this book 💞
yes, i saw that one t!kt0k creator who recommends this book. yes, i'm interested with the synopsis after i watch that video. and i like it. but the reason why i didn't give this five stars is the typographical errors (i mean, sooo many of them). but that does mean that i want to dnf the book? ABSOLUTELY NOT! i devoured it until epilogue 🤩
and also, raphael and jaehyun's chemistry is sooo cute, i can't with them 🥹
─────────────────────────
pre-read:
a band member and a k-pop idol? i'm freaking in! 🙋♀️
but him…well, he was my inevitability.’
despite raphael's addiction to feet fetish (
yes, i saw that one t!kt0k creator who recommends this book. yes, i'm interested with the synopsis after i watch that video. and i like it. but the reason why i didn't give this five stars is the typographical errors (i mean, sooo many of them). but that does mean that i want to dnf the book? ABSOLUTELY NOT! i devoured it until epilogue 🤩
and also, raphael and jaehyun's chemistry is sooo cute, i can't with them 🥹
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pre-read:
a band member and a k-pop idol? i'm freaking in! 🙋♀️
July 7, 2025
5th read and still 5 stars!!!
June 28, 2023
I think I liked this, but honestly I’m just glad it’s over with. Maybe my brain isn’t in the right mindset to read this book, so maybe that’s why it’s not braining right when I think of writing a review. I’m not going to. There wasn’t necessarily anything I disliked about this book (other than a part at the end that is kinda spoilery so I am nervous to mention, but there is still a HEA), but there isn’t anything I necessarily adored either. I did like how poetic the words were and how poetic Raphael was. I am a sucker usually when main characters are like “in my eyes he hung the moon and the stars and everything in between” blah blah blah. I did like that. I am also very much into my K-Pop era now because of this. But that’s it. That’s all I have got. I may write a better review some day, but that’s not likely.
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