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Volatile Reaction
A hitman gets swept up protecting the younger man who lives next door.
VOLATILE REACTION is an 18k MM erotic suspense thriller featuring a transmasc main character.
(Please review the author notes and tags located in the front matter before engaging with this work!)
VOLATILE REACTION is an 18k MM erotic suspense thriller featuring a transmasc main character.
(Please review the author notes and tags located in the front matter before engaging with this work!)
73 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2023
2 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 21, 2025
A short 18k novelette set during the 90s featuring a gruff hitman protecting his young (pre-op) transmasc neighbour.
This gives big grizzled German Shepard and feral alley cat vibes
3.5 stars. I want to be clear I did really enjoy this and if this had the meat on it to be a novella I think this would have crawled deeper into the crevices of my brain, but as it is, I don't think it'll take up long term real estate in my mind. This story was dark, gritty and sexy with a little dose of damaged souls finding their place together.
✨Content warnings✨ age gap vibes while never establishing an age gap, violence, death (minor character), implied sexual assault and implied sexual favours as currency, implied physical & verbal abuse, vaginal sex and oral sex. (honestly pretty mild for what I suspect this author is capable of lol)
This gives big grizzled German Shepard and feral alley cat vibes
3.5 stars. I want to be clear I did really enjoy this and if this had the meat on it to be a novella I think this would have crawled deeper into the crevices of my brain, but as it is, I don't think it'll take up long term real estate in my mind. This story was dark, gritty and sexy with a little dose of damaged souls finding their place together.
✨Content warnings✨ age gap vibes while never establishing an age gap, violence, death (minor character), implied sexual assault and implied sexual favours as currency, implied physical & verbal abuse, vaginal sex and oral sex. (honestly pretty mild for what I suspect this author is capable of lol)
November 14, 2024
He wants to feel a pulse weaken beneath his fingertips. Wants a death rattle to drown out the low roar in his ears.
Holy shit, I've finally finished a book for the first time...since that thing happened.
This was fantastic! Not-so-cold professional assassin initiates a semi-rescue scene with his kid neighbor, who is obviously not a kid - but hey, that's the true sign of getting old; you start calling people kids.
A closet BJ that the assassin cannot put a stop to because he has one hand on the closet doorknob so the neighbor's abusive roommate/lover can't open the door, and the other hand is holding a gun. I'm sorry, but that is just a great setup.
Ivan’s eyes widen as he shakes his head, unable to speak, but Noel drops to the floor, and with one hand on a gun and the other securing the doorknob, Ivan can’t stop him.
Can’t stop Noel’s nimble fingers from unbuttoning his jeans and reaching inside. Can’t stop Noel from pulling his cock out and fuck, he shouldn’t be this hard, not trapped in a goddamn closet while who-knows-what happens on the other side of the door.
Love the pre-op trans rep in this erotica novella. The consent was great. The sex scenes were top-notch. And the assassin is an unapologetic assassin, that's who he is, he likes to kill. And cuddle. Oh, and he resisted really hard.
The door slams on the tirade—a creative combination of fuck’s and goddamn’s and sonuvabitch—and Ivan glances over his shoulder to see the kid retreating toward the stairwell, shoulders hunched in an oversized leather jacket.
Not his problem. Uh-huh...sure.
MC Names: Ivan & Noel (the "kid")
Tags: features a pre- op transmasc character and takes place in a modern setting predating cell phones, explicit sexual content, violence, violent imagery, death (minor character), blood, drinking, smoking, implied sexual assault, implied physical & verbal abuse, character trauma, vaginal sex, oral sex, rough sex, dirty talk, anatomical terms (cunt, pussy, cock, tits, breasts), closet BJ, trans author.
Holy shit, I've finally finished a book for the first time...since that thing happened.
This was fantastic! Not-so-cold professional assassin initiates a semi-rescue scene with his kid neighbor, who is obviously not a kid - but hey, that's the true sign of getting old; you start calling people kids.
A closet BJ that the assassin cannot put a stop to because he has one hand on the closet doorknob so the neighbor's abusive roommate/lover can't open the door, and the other hand is holding a gun. I'm sorry, but that is just a great setup.
Ivan’s eyes widen as he shakes his head, unable to speak, but Noel drops to the floor, and with one hand on a gun and the other securing the doorknob, Ivan can’t stop him.
Can’t stop Noel’s nimble fingers from unbuttoning his jeans and reaching inside. Can’t stop Noel from pulling his cock out and fuck, he shouldn’t be this hard, not trapped in a goddamn closet while who-knows-what happens on the other side of the door.
Love the pre-op trans rep in this erotica novella. The consent was great. The sex scenes were top-notch. And the assassin is an unapologetic assassin, that's who he is, he likes to kill. And cuddle. Oh, and he resisted really hard.
The door slams on the tirade—a creative combination of fuck’s and goddamn’s and sonuvabitch—and Ivan glances over his shoulder to see the kid retreating toward the stairwell, shoulders hunched in an oversized leather jacket.
Not his problem. Uh-huh...sure.
MC Names: Ivan & Noel (the "kid")
Tags: features a pre- op transmasc character and takes place in a modern setting predating cell phones, explicit sexual content, violence, violent imagery, death (minor character), blood, drinking, smoking, implied sexual assault, implied physical & verbal abuse, character trauma, vaginal sex, oral sex, rough sex, dirty talk, anatomical terms (cunt, pussy, cock, tits, breasts), closet BJ, trans author.
October 15, 2023
Ivan didn't stand a chance against he/him pussy
I love being the target audience for this because I didn't know how much I needed to read about a pre-op transmasc character (as a trans/genderfluid person myself) until I finished this and couldn't stop thinking about it. I need MORE.
I love being the target audience for this because I didn't know how much I needed to read about a pre-op transmasc character (as a trans/genderfluid person myself) until I finished this and couldn't stop thinking about it. I need MORE.
August 6, 2023
Another review describes this as “two fucked up people getting together” and that’s very apt. We have Ivan, a grizzled and jaded hitman, and Noel, the young (20s) “kid” who lives in the same shitty apartment building with his dirtbag boyfriend. The blurb bills it as suspense, but I felt that less than. It was an inevitable feeling progression of these two towards each other. That feeling of building energy and intensity was also something I enjoyed in Lion’s Hunt, and is done well here.
This did feel like an “earlier” work than Lions Hunt. A bit messier writing, some ragged plot edges. But that also fit the whole vibe of the book. I found myself picking up a few chapters in the middle of the night when I woke up for a bit, and was disappointed when it was over so quickly.
This did feel like an “earlier” work than Lions Hunt. A bit messier writing, some ragged plot edges. But that also fit the whole vibe of the book. I found myself picking up a few chapters in the middle of the night when I woke up for a bit, and was disappointed when it was over so quickly.
September 27, 2024
Léon The Professional if Mathilda was a trans man and we finally got the smut we couldn't have. Raw and gritty on the outside, but sweet on the inside.
September 25, 2024
Well, well, well looks like I'm in need of more jaded hitman turned down-bad bodyguard romances in my life. The queerer, the better.
April 29, 2025
i would honestly love more ivan and noel content in a full length novel setting!! i definitely wouldnt be mad about more of ivan enjoying some boypussy 🤭
July 31, 2023
I'm not usually an erotic romance reader, but I really enjoyed this M/M short story with an assassin POV MC. Transmasc LI, transmasc author. HFN.
The author bills it as an erotic suspense thriller rather than erotic romance, but the suspense didn’t strike me as that suspense-y, idk. The aesthetic is more “two kinda messed up people clicking unexpectedly in gritty low-rent apartment building” than “sleek jetsetting assassin loses his heart” so if the former sounds like your jam, check it out. (And note, the neighbor guy is initially thought of by the assassin as “a kid” but he’s in his early 20s.)
The author bills it as an erotic suspense thriller rather than erotic romance, but the suspense didn’t strike me as that suspense-y, idk. The aesthetic is more “two kinda messed up people clicking unexpectedly in gritty low-rent apartment building” than “sleek jetsetting assassin loses his heart” so if the former sounds like your jam, check it out. (And note, the neighbor guy is initially thought of by the assassin as “a kid” but he’s in his early 20s.)
June 20, 2023
I have so many things to say about this. Firstly, I love being the target audience for this, because it was SO GOOD. As a transmasc person myself, I love the mlm rep. And also Ivan. . . man I have such a soft spot for assassin types, and Ivan is written so well and still feels human when he is doing his assignments and MANNN. Him and Noel had such chemistry in each of their scenes and I will definitely be re-reading this to be able to experience them all over again.
November 30, 2024
4.5 stars
This is essentially Léon The Professional, but more queer, Mathilda is a trans man, we get more spice, and there isn't any underlying pedophilia. All in all, this is a quick and spicy adventure that I quite enjoyed. Definitely worth checking out.
This is essentially Léon The Professional, but more queer, Mathilda is a trans man, we get more spice, and there isn't any underlying pedophilia. All in all, this is a quick and spicy adventure that I quite enjoyed. Definitely worth checking out.
December 27, 2023
I just love it when two fucked up people meet and decide "we can be fucked up together"
November 19, 2024
Really good. Interesting set up. I love the unapologetic assassin who is also a cuddle bear. The way Ivan took care of Noel was also adorable. I love the trans rep as well. A very solid novella that was fleshed out well, good characters, and interesting plot.
November 19, 2023
I would lay down my life for Magnus Thorne.
I managed to grab this while it was on sale and I just, everything Thorne writes makes me all googly eyed. I'm so in love.
This one took a bit more time to get to the smutty bits, we see a build-up of the relationship between Ivan and Noel and I really enjoyed that. I mean, the smut is great, fantastic, A++, but I do always love the anticipation beforehand.
I honestly didn't realise how short this one was with everything packed in, but once I finished I desperately just wish there was ten times more of it.
I managed to grab this while it was on sale and I just, everything Thorne writes makes me all googly eyed. I'm so in love.
This one took a bit more time to get to the smutty bits, we see a build-up of the relationship between Ivan and Noel and I really enjoyed that. I mean, the smut is great, fantastic, A++, but I do always love the anticipation beforehand.
I honestly didn't realise how short this one was with everything packed in, but once I finished I desperately just wish there was ten times more of it.
did-not-finish
June 29, 2025This is highly rated so clearly it works for some people, but not me. I stopped at 73% and couldn’t make myself power through. There’s really no romance, it’s just two messed up guys who live in the same building and lust. One scene felt between MCs very dubcon at best and really needed a tw in the tags, the “kid” (he’s in his 20s, not a kid, no worries there) came onto him in a closet when the hitmans hands were otherwise occupied holding a gun and the door closed, and even though he was into it, it was not comfortable for me to read. Really needed a tag for that
November 22, 2024
1st time reading a Magnus Thorne book and first finished book since "the happening." Holy shit! No wonder this has amazing reviews. I'm already looking for the next Magnus book to read. This was 🥵🥵 in so many ways. I need more of these two. I'm in love.
December 31, 2023
I’ve become obsessed with this author, I will literally read anything they write. I really enjoyed this, the cold, distant hit man for hire, Ivan, who gets involved with a troubled boy, Noel, who lives in the same apartment complex. Basically, two fucked up people getting together. Short and spicy, I definitely could have read more of these two.
October 19, 2023
Super good writing, loved the characters and story, just felt like the romance side of it all was a bit rushed into considering how both the characters are. BUT loved it a lot regardless.
November 26, 2023
4.5
The smut is so well written and the characters are fucked up, absolutely beautiful.
The smut is so well written and the characters are fucked up, absolutely beautiful.
September 17, 2024
i was immediately entranced by the dark and gritty vibes, this was so atmospheric and so so sexy
October 1, 2024
Uuuuh me ha gustado muuuuuchoooooo
March 28, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐
Volatile Reaction is a standalone novella from author Magnus Thorne. Here's what you can expect from Ivan and Noel:
🖤 MM erotic suspense thriller
🖤 Third person single point of view
🖤 Hopeful happily ever after
🖤 Novella
🖤 Stoic hitman and flirty neighbor
🖤 Pre-op transmasc main character
🖤 Early 90's urban winter setting
🖤 Dirty talk and scent kink
All characters depicted in this story are over the age of 18.
As always, ensure you review the content and trigger warnings to decide if this book is right for you. Note that this list of warnings and triggers may be incomplete. Please take care of yourself while reading.
Another amazing novella by Magnus Thorne! This 18k novella was another quick and steamy read, with an element of grit and suspense. The story is told entirely from Ivan's point of view. Ivan is a hitman that prefers to hide in the shadows and solitude, until he gets swept up protecting his beautiful young neighbor. You'll find yourself rooting for Ivan and Noel from the very beginning, as much as Ivan seems to want to push the younger man away. The spice in this book was so perfect for the characters, and the scene in the closet definitely isn't one I'll be forgetting anytime soon. Magnus has such a unique storytelling style that works so well for these high heat, gritty eroticas. I can't wait to delve into his other reads!
Volatile Reaction is a standalone novella from author Magnus Thorne. Here's what you can expect from Ivan and Noel:
🖤 MM erotic suspense thriller
🖤 Third person single point of view
🖤 Hopeful happily ever after
🖤 Novella
🖤 Stoic hitman and flirty neighbor
🖤 Pre-op transmasc main character
🖤 Early 90's urban winter setting
🖤 Dirty talk and scent kink
All characters depicted in this story are over the age of 18.
As always, ensure you review the content and trigger warnings to decide if this book is right for you. Note that this list of warnings and triggers may be incomplete. Please take care of yourself while reading.
Another amazing novella by Magnus Thorne! This 18k novella was another quick and steamy read, with an element of grit and suspense. The story is told entirely from Ivan's point of view. Ivan is a hitman that prefers to hide in the shadows and solitude, until he gets swept up protecting his beautiful young neighbor. You'll find yourself rooting for Ivan and Noel from the very beginning, as much as Ivan seems to want to push the younger man away. The spice in this book was so perfect for the characters, and the scene in the closet definitely isn't one I'll be forgetting anytime soon. Magnus has such a unique storytelling style that works so well for these high heat, gritty eroticas. I can't wait to delve into his other reads!
November 5, 2023
Oh my godddddddddd 🥵🥵🥵🥵
June 3, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
October 3, 2024
3.5 stars
Short and sexy novella about an assassin and his neighbour. I'll definitely check out more from this author!
Short and sexy novella about an assassin and his neighbour. I'll definitely check out more from this author!
December 6, 2024
noel is actually my baby and i love him what a couple what a book
Read
January 14, 2025This one wasn’t as much for me. Idk, I just got kinda bored.
And this author just does not like to write conclusions, lol.
And this author just does not like to write conclusions, lol.
July 27, 2025
nice.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews