Twisted Valentine

by Isabel Lucero

Kaspian doesn't ask for much, only the undivided attention of the man he's obsessed with. But lately Quin seems preoccupied, and when Kaspian spots him talking to a guy at work, he sees red.

Clingy, obsessive, impulsive, and sociopathic, the thought of anyone else getting Quin's attention has Kaspian's blood boiling.

What follows is a twisted journey filled with lies, surprises, sex, and ultimately...a bloodbath.

Twisted Valentine is a short story that follows the characters from Dysfunctional. This is a dark romance that features content not suited for everyone.

Genres: M M Romance, Dark, Dark Romance, Novella, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2023

About the author

Isabel Lucero is a bestselling author, finding joy in giving readers books for every mood.

Born in a small town in New Mexico, Isabel was lucky enough to escape and travel the world thanks to her husband's career in the Air Force. Her and her husband have three kids and two dogs together, and currently reside in Delaware. When Isabel isn't on mommy duty or writing her next book, she can be found reading, or in the nearest Target buying things she doesn't need.

Isabel loves connecting with her readers and fans of books in general. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

https://www.facebook.com/authorisabel...
https://twitter.com/AuthorIsabel
http://instagram.com/isabel__lucero
http://authorisabellucero.blogspot.com/

Reviews

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

“You are a nightmare in the best way. My heart races when you’re around. The things we do together make my adrenaline pump, filling me with an intoxication you can’t get from any drug on the planet. The dark imagery you’re capable of creating with a weapon and your hands gives me a thrill similar to when I plunge a knife into someone’s heart. You are a nightmare, Kaspian, but there’s nothing negative about that.”

[Adela · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Loved this novella! I’m so glad this exists because I wasn’t ready to be done with Kaspian and Ezra.

Definitely more exciting. This novella takes place two years later and I was glad to see that they continued to fully be themselves even after some time. This was a perfect story about their lives. This novella was a way more interesting epilogue than the one in the book 🤔 both stories combined are a 5⭐️.

[Tania ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

« 𝒲𝑒 𝓉𝒶𝓈𝓉𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝓉𝑜𝑔𝑒𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇. 𝐿𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓈𝒾𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝑜𝓈. »

[Mysti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwww our babies are back for a very "romantic" valentines!

Yeah, we’re fucked up. We do things in ways others don’t. Our love language is violence and our troubles run deep, but you can’t tell me we aren’t the perfect fucking couple.

Kaspian and Quin (formerly known as Ezra) have moved into a fun new location, and since they plan to stay there, they try to keep their favorite forms of entertainment to a minimum. When Valentines approaches, they each decide to gift the other the perfect surprise. Let the fun and sexy times commence!

Seriously - love these guys.

SEX: So freaking hot. I can't get enough of them. If I had to pick something to change, I'd wish for more "switch" time. But that's seriously just nitpicking on my part.

TRIGGERS: Come one. If you read the last book, then you already know what to expect. Surprisingly, it still makes me a little sad that they don't murder with a purpose. All of their victims are innocent. Oh well - at least this author is on a truth train with them.

"You taste so fucking good,"

"Oh yeah? What do I taste like?"

"My favorite things.... Deviance, malevolence, and depravity."

[Books and Gems · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟

audio read 🎧 — J Tipstone and Mac Rae
**Audiobook included with Dysfunctional

Ezra (Quin) and Kaspian 🖤

These two are still being just as toxic, with like a smidge of sweetness in their own way.

This was a dark, entertaining novella about some realistic struggles these two murdery men would be faced with considering their urges and distrust.

.

.

.

.


‼️⚠️ Potential spoilers ⚠️‼️

Dynamic: MM — vers

Sharing? No

Cheating? No

Breakup? No

Sex scene with OM or OW No


‼️⚠️ Content ⚠️‼️

— psychopath x sociopath
— stalking
— obsessive and possessive
— piercings and tattoos
— slight age gap
— branding / carving
— 🔪 and 🩸play
— rimming
— snowballing
— “baby”
— established couple
— novella

[Leigh Gaskill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Kaspian and Quin and I was so happy we got to visit them again (and I got to add this gorgeous book to my collection!)

This is one wild ride from start to finish, and the unexpected twist at the end made me chuckle! Kaspian and Quin really are perfect for each other! Can’t get enough of my murder babes (these are thinking thoughts lol).

[Audiobook S1ut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these psychos. Another full five stars for this novella; they're still my favorite psychopathic couple in all of queer fiction. I love you too Onely James, it's not a competition and I'm sure you'd love this series!

This is like if Dexter from that TV show ended up with Delilah but Delilah was even more sociopathic and also a man. Except this series is a million times better.

The narrators did such a phenomenal job, I'll be on the lookout for any other queer books they narrate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[BrooklynBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

whoa!

Sooo I’ve never read Dysfunctional (yet) so this is my first introduction to Kas & Quin and now I can’t wait to pick up their book!!! These guys are sexy, hilarious, and CRAZY!! This is a super short, fun read involving lots of hot MM scenes, some unaliving, and lots of blood!!! Excellent!! 5 stars!

[Majmozzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never rooted so hard for two psychopaths in my WHOLE life!!!

[Thunderiffurthermore · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh god i love those two soooo MUCH!

[Ziezie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6 stars

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dual Narration Audio - love this this was included with the audio for Dysfunctional and so glad I listened! Dysfunctional ended like most books do - with a HEA. Twisted Valentine was a nice revisit showing us that while we heard the HEA, they definitely still have issues to overcome with each other even after a couple of years.

SHAME ON ME - initially I was right where Kaspian was like "Ezra what the actual F*CK are you doing" until it finally clicked in my head what he was doing to/for Kaspian and then I couldn't help but smirk and sit back to see how the story was going to turn out.

When we get to the reveal scene I cracked out laughing I just couldn't get over how everything ended up turning out. Not sure if we will ever get more of these two but I'd love to get another book just all about their road trip mentioned at the end!

[Lauri MissDysfunktion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Valentine is set in the Dysfunctional world and should not be read without first reading Dysfunctional.

I loved being able to revisit these characters and originally read this story when it featured in the Anti-Valentine Anthology.
Highly recommended grabbing this book. If you haven't read Dysfunctional and need a dark and twisted fix then this is your sign!

[kym.etherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

"this one little line here turns this shape into a Q instead of a circle, but it also gives the K a starting point. we give each other what we need, quin. i thought it was perfect for us"

this only felt right to start this review with my favourite quote from kaspian & quintin. they are quite literally the perfect couple,in every single way! i've been looking for more queer pairings & this was rec'd by one of my lovely booksta icons who i follow. and boy did she not disappoint in rec'ing this! i also saw the SE & knew instantly that i had to read about these two, like right now!

murderous,depraved but deeply in love man. what more could you want? kaspian and quin are the most perfect MM pairing and their dynamic between them is incredible,the push and pull,the light vs dark vibe is beautiful. they are literally so perfect for each other.

for a novella,and my first time reading one of isabel's books it did not disappoint,i absoultely loved it all! such a strong plot like even for somebody who isn't familiar with K & Q. i'm pretty sure this isn't the first book in the series of sorts so this is my first time meeting them and i can't wait to go back and read dysfunctional. i'm so excited to get to know more about these two.

a valentines story,with an MM pairing,with plot laced with spice that feels so perfect for an MM storyline but a plot that carries perfectly,what isn't their to love?

characters? 5⭐️ kaspian and quintin are a roman empire for me i fear, kaspian is everything i expect from a strong alpha male but the way he changes so beautifully for quin is so beautiful. even in a novella the character development is very much there,from start to finish. and for less than 100 pages you really get to know quin and kaspian.

plot? 5⭐️ the plot line really hooked me,i am a sucker for holiday novellas. and valentines is my favourite! but not just that as somebody who is just meeting K & Q,you really learn a lot in such a short amount of time,so much so i didn't feel like their was any holes had i not read dysfunctional first. which is art in its finest form. it's written so beautifully! the style is great too! super great pacing!

spice? 🌶️🌶️🌶️ she is spicy! but not in an average way! this is packed full of passion,of lust of violence throughout,that crosses over into the spice but it is done in such a way it does not feel like it is unrealistic,it's honestly a joy to read and so immersive,you can almost like sense the tension they have through the pages!

overall?? 5⭐️ such a beautiful MM read,devoured in one sitting,it was honestly a joy to read and i'm not usually a dark romance gal these days but this is an exception! i can not wait to read more of isabel's works and the way she focuses on queer characters will forever have my heart,this was a one i didn't see much about and i can't wait to share more about this with all my friends! i gots a feeling it's a crowd fave waiting to happen!🩶

[Colleen (colleenreads40) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Valentine is a short story featuring the characters from Isabel Lucero's novel, Dysfunctional. I think you could read it alone, but it was way more fun to read it after I finished the full-length novel. It's a quick read at only 75 pages. This is a dark romance with content warnings, so please review and take care of yourself when reading.

Two years after the events of Dysfunctional, Kas lives and breathes for the undivided attention of Ezra. When it appears Ezra's working late and Kas spots him with someone else, his volatile rage bubbles over. And one thing is for sure when Kas's rage goes unchecked - blood will be shed.

He won't just think of me as his favorite. I'll be the blood in his veins, the air in his lungs, and the only thing keeping him alive.

We pick up two years after the bloodbath that was the end of Dysfunctional. This was exciting for me, because a unique "couple" like Kas and Ezra? I wondered how they could make it work when they relocated to Alaska. Kas knows that Ezra can't truly love him, not in the traditional sense, and Kas also doesn't express love like a neurotypical individual does. The result is pure chaos, which we've come to expect from Kas and Ezra. It follows them.

This short story following the Dysfunctional characters was further proof that romance novels can look however you want them to! Kas and Ezra are probably the most unique, non-standard couple I've ever encountered and despite their savage depravity, I still found myself rooting for them not to get caught in the end. Once again, Lucero has outdone herself with the spice in this book. I think this short story is the perfect extended epilogue for Kas and Ezra and of course, send help for anyone that gets in their way or hurts one of them. Because it isn't a matter of if they'll spill more blood, it's only a matter of when. Another great read for spooky season!

"Kaspian," I start, staring into his eyes. "You're my beautiful nightmare. The only person I ever want to deal with on a regular basis."

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5

TW - graphic violence, murder, self harm (past, recounted - MMC (psychopath) was experimenting with knives)

CW - blood play, knife play incl the carving of words into the skin, snowballing, sadism, light somno

Tropes - novella, MM, Valentine's Day, age gap (25M 32M), serial killers, stalker, obsessed, possessive, jealous, MMCs only like each other

This Valentine's short follows Quin (MMC) and Kaspian (MMC) who we meet in Dysfunctional are they are still as unhinged as when we met them then 😅😅

In this short, Kaspian's jealousy gets the best of him and one thing leads to another and things get... bloody but, Quin remains 10 steps ahead, naturally.

The passion between these 2 is *chef's kiss*

Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪

🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quintin and Kaspian have now been in Alaska for over two years. Kaspian knows that Quin isn’t (traditionally) romantic, but he’d like for them to do something as a couple for Valentine’s Day.

The men are working at a sea life center; Quintin as a security guard, Kaspian manning the gift shop.

Not as irritating as Dysfunctional with A) too many women or B) constant reminds that both men are bisexual.

But the lack of description of their appearances, and the poorly-described sex is actually worse than book one. I don’t recall her sex writing being this bad in Dysfunctional. There’s zero physiology.

The blood play is done well. Some of the prose is strong. And much of the dialogue is as well.

The author is so fixated with her narrow definitions of socio and psycho that she refuses to let the men feel “normal” emotions (what are those, anyway?). Really questionable—as in, Onley James levels of questionable—rep of ASPD. It’s not something monolithic.

[Dorch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Valentine is a fun return to the world of Dysfunctional with more blood play, more tattoo scars, more jealousy, more stalking, more murder, more sex, and more games. This novella is even darker than the first book as it delves deeper into how their minds work and how they deal with their differences in their relationship. I loved this analysis.

In Twisted Valentine, Kaspian and Quin are settled in Alaska with new identities two years after the end of Dysfunctional. This short novel features three kills and involves a misunderstanding over Kaspian's Valentine's Day present. In the end, Kaspian's plan doesn't make much sense and is all over the place, which is most likely the point as an example of showing not telling.

[Mary *~* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio: 6/5 stars, same as Dysfunctional. The way chapter 10 is engraved in my brain now, thanks to J. Tipstone... This man is just one of the best, and I hope he gets the credit he deserves.
Book: 6/5 stars. If possible, I liked this one more than the original novel. The MCs really went a bit feral over one another, in their own ways. I do so much enjoy Quintin's controlled monstrocity vs Kaspian's barely contained beast. It was so gritty, so passionate. The obsession, the predatory intent, the overwhelming emotions. This stuff is dark but in the best way. Chef's kiss!

[Stacy Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dysfunction and Twisted Valentine are a duet series that follows a psychopath and sociopath. It is a a M/M serial Killers, age gap, obsessive MMCs with secert identities, dark romance. I felt that the beginning was a little slow but when it got hot it burns. Is it a toxic relationship of course, does it work for them, only in the best ways. I did listen to this on audible and my only compliment that it was done in Dual and not Duet. Usually I DNF dual right away, but because it was M/M I was able to listen to it.

[Sierra Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love K and Q!

I seriously love them so much 🤣 I couldn't help but laugh when Kas got the wrong guy 🤣 Quin is such a hard ass so the fact that he was trying to do this sweet thing and it almost kind of backfired was so entertaining to read. I do wish we would've had just a little more insight on their day to day "normalcy" as a couple learning to live together and such, but overall it was such a good short read! & I'm happy we got to see more of them🥰

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 I absolutely adored revisiting Kaspian and Quinton in this Valentines Day novella! This takes place 2 years after they get to Alaska and are in their routine over there. I love that they keep everything so real, there’s still no trust between them and they still are true to themselves and each other. What they have is visceral and all consuming and it’s their version of love even though they wouldn’t call it that.

If you read and loved Dysfunctional then this is a must read!!

[Jessie Blossom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I had to see what else happened with these two crazy romantic killers.

Kaspian knows Ezra isn’t romantic but still he wants something for Valentine’s Day but when Ezra starts being secretive Kaspian gets his stalker on to see what his man is up to.

This is only short but packs a lot in, I was flipping the pages to see what new twist would be unveiled, these two
Definitely keep you on your feet.

[Helen Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's just something about Quin and Kas that draws me in. Although these two men are unable to feel traditional romantic love, they have formed a deep attachment to each other. I feel as if I should be horrified to enjoy their murderous activities, but somehow I'm captivated. Their Valentine's Day gifts to each other were out of the ordinary, to say the least. It was a mesmerizing read that at times went a bit overboard, but overall I enjoyed the ride and the ending.

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sucker for MM romance and cherry on top when they are both obsessed with each other and are totally psychos.

Kaspin was madly obsessed with Quin and can’t bear the thought of someone even looking at Quin. His obsession with Quin knows no bounds. They are so freaking adorable. They have their own way of love. I seriously love them so much that I finished it within less than an hour. Laughed my lungs out when Kaspin got the wrong guy. I just love them.

[zephyrbaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

This was a quick little bonus story set in the same world as Dysfunctional, following Kaspian and Ezra again. It was fine. For such a short novella, I actually appreciated that there was a bit of conflict and a misunderstanding between them, instead of it just being a simple moment of happiness. It gave the story a bit more depth and made the ending feel more satisfying. Overall, a decent addition for those who loved Dysfunctional.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

🫀Twisted Valentine by Isabel Lucero 🫀

🖤 Killer Psychopath
🖤 Obsessive Sociopath
🖤 Possessive MC
🖤 Stalker Vibes
🩸Blood & Knife Kink

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Humour: 🤭🤭🤭
Intimacy: 🫂🫂
Angst: 🥺🥺

First person dual pov 👀

CW : Violence. Murder. Graphic & violent sex scenes. Blood. Knife play.

[⋆˚ʚ Abril ɞ˚⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

📚⇢ Esta es una historia corta acerca de nuestros queridos Quintin y Kaspian en su nueva vida en Alaska, aquí podemos ver como es que ambos han caído en la monotonía y eso comienza a afectar en su relación; todo se torna misterioso cuando Kaspian descubre a Quin hablando con otro hombre, y su posesividad salta a la acción para descubrir quién es y así poder eliminarlo.

📚⇢ Esto fue divertido y doloroso de leer, tenemos a nuestros protagonistas siendo ellos mismos (Quin, un apático astuto, y Kas, un celoso impulsivo), después de los malentendidos y las peleas viene la reconciliación con sangre, sexo y confesiones que podrían considerarse amorosas para este par de loquitos.

[Denise DeLeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you weren’t ready to say goodbye to these two, this is a perfect little addition to their book! I’m not sure if you can call gruesome murder, obsession & toxicity lighthearted but this book includes all of that in spades & still feels a bit lighter. It also has a lot of funny parts. It’s a quick, fun, spicy read for anyone who adores this psychopath & his obsessive sociopath partner!

[Siobhan Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting to read these two again and their novella…I miss them already and know I’ll want to do another reread. They made me laugh and swoon, which should be difficult for two serial killers. But they didn’t disappoint for their messed up Valentine’s gifts to each other. Please read Dysfunctional and then read this. It’s AMAZING!!!!!