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Station Thirteen #1

Bite Before You Kiss

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Theo hates his stepbrother, River, ever since the night their parents died and Theo decided it was River’s fault.

Five years later, they crash back into each other’s lives when Theo’s fire crew responds to River’s car accident. With River too shaken to be alone and Theo too stubborn to walk away, they’re trapped together in a shoebox apartment for the night.

River’s mouthy. Theo’s furious. And the tension between them? One wrong move from explosive.

Bite Before You Kiss is a 19k word spicy dark novella with HEA. Tropes/
🔥 Stepbrothers
🔥 Enemies to lovers
🔥 Forced proximity
🔥 Hurt/comfort
Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.

83 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2025

50 people are currently reading
107 people want to read

About the author

Jenny Pineapple

31 books44 followers

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5 stars
83 (31%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Kati *☆・゚.
1,320 reviews711 followers
November 25, 2025
4**** stars


Deliciously heartbreaking, deliciously sweet and deliciously hot. All wrapped up in this intense short story.

“Excuse me?”
“I said bullshit.” I lean forward, getting in his face. “You’re not a decent person, Theo. Not to me. Never to me. So what’s this about? Guilt? Pity? Some fucked-up savior complex?”



************
Station Thirteen

Book 1 - Bite Before You Kiss - 4.0 stars
Book 2 - Not Safe For Command - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - Just Like Friends - 4.25 stars
Profile Image for Whitney.
315 reviews364 followers
October 6, 2025
Theo + River 🖤
Stepbrothers | Hate sex | Healing

Ms Jenny,
This would be so so good as a full-length book. Just sayin 😏



⚠️potential spoilers below in detailed tropes, content, and warning lists





Tropes/content:
Stepbrothers
Firefighter
Fighting as foreplay
Hate sex
Degradation
Healing sex
Apology sex
Bareback
Frotting
Strict roles
Healthy, vulnerable conversation the morning after beating the hell out of each other 😂
Long time love disguised as hate (from both sides)
Hurt/comfort
Tell me what you want
HFN


Warnings:
Car accident involving an MC (minor injuries)
Past car accident where parents died
Concussion
Violence between MCs (while one has a concussion)
Grief
Profile Image for Bernedine Nel.
23 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2026
I actually really enjoyed this book. Fast paced, kinda unhinged but sad as well.
Fun MM smutty romance.
Profile Image for Ren || Reading What I Want.
1,957 reviews157 followers
February 10, 2026
☆☆☆☆.5

How the fuck does this author make my heart HURT, make my heart SWOON, and then leave my heart HAPPY in under 90 pages. Like, what the fuck?

Emotional as fuck. Theo is a firefighter and when he pulls up to a bad accident, one of the drivers is none other than his stepbrother, River, an unwelcome blast from 5 years past. It's tense and sad and stressful. And hours later when something tells him to drive by the intersection and he spots River still there, he can't help but stop.

Their reunion is rough. Its raw and violent. It's heartbreaking and absolutely hot as fuck. It's brutally honest. It's unleashing years of hurt, anger, grief, guilt, and blame. It's unleashing hidden emotions and desires. That entire scene had me like 🫣😬😭🥺😳😵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵

Wowee, y'all.

I love this author. The PERFECT quick as fuck palate cleanser. I'm an addict and proud of it.

꧁𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁꧂
[pov]: 1st, dual
[spice level]: 🌶🌶🌶
[roles]: strict top/bottom
[om/ow drama]: 🚫
[3rd act breakup]: 🚫

♡ short novella
♡ stepbrothers
♡ hate(ish) to lovers
♡ grief trauma
♡ trigger warnings
Profile Image for Holly.
230 reviews
June 27, 2025
Bite Before You Kiss is a bite-sized (19 k word) shot of everything I love jam-packed into one night of forced proximity, unresolved grief, and toe-curling heat.

Quick take
Stepbrothers Theo (the stoic firefighter) and River (the prickly disaster) have avoided each other ever since the night their parents died while trying to rescue River from a bad date. When Theo’s crew pulls River from a wreck five years later, guilt drags him back to the one person he swore to hate. One storm-soaked night, one matchbox apartment, and years of bottled-up blame ignite into a volatile, deliciously filthy reconciliation.

What I devoured
Angst that hurts so good – Both men are drowning in survivor’s guilt. You feel every barb Theo throws and every flinch River can’t hide.

Forced-proximity tension – There is literally nowhere to escape—tiny apartment, broken elevator, and a universe of unsaid words.

Hurt/comfort done right – River’s trembling vulnerability vs. Theo’s rough tenderness had me clutching my e-reader.

Blistering spice – At 19k words there’s no time to waste, and Jenny Pineapple does not waste it. 🔥

Healing payoff – The HEA lands; the apology scene is cathartic without feeling rushed.

Minor nibble
I would happily inhale another 50 k words exploring their separate five-year fallout. (Jenny, please give us the director’s cut!)

Triggers / content warnings
Parental death (off-page), grief, survivor’s guilt, car accidents, explicit sexual content between consenting adult stepbrothers.

Spoiler zone
[spoiler]
River’s wreck mirrors the crash that killed their parents—poetic symmetry that forces Theo to relive the worst night of his life and finally own his part in the silence that followed.
Theo’s revelation—realizing he answered River’s panicked call then hung up—hit me like a punch. Watching him beg forgiveness while tending River’s stitched-up brow was perfection.
That final scene: Theo dragging River’s mattress into the living room so they can “start over together” left a lump in my throat and warmth everywhere else.
[/spoiler]

Final thoughts
If you crave a quick, dark-edged novella bursting with enemies-to-lovers snark, combustible chemistry, and a swoon-worthy reconciliation, Bite Before You Kiss will sink its teeth in and leave you grinning. I’d read it again at ten times the length—until then, I’ll be over here fanning myself and waiting for whatever Jenny Pineapple serves next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nina Diab.
5,338 reviews50 followers
July 5, 2025
'But I care. That’s the problem. Theo’s presence scrapes against something raw inside me, provoking reactions I’ve worked hard to suppress. For five years, I’ve lived feeling nothing, wanting nothing, drifting through each day in a numb fog. Yet ten minutes with Theo, and I’m angry, embarrassed, defensive— alive with emotions I don’t want.'

I loved this book. It was much more deep and emotional than I expected going into it. A hurt/comfort romance with two men whose world fell apart when their parents died in a car accident. Theo is angry and blames River. River says he's fine and hides behind a wall to protect himself. But you can see the vulnerability there. The hurt inside and the emptiness. But there's anger two. And unresolved emotion between them that turns to rage, fighting, and then shifts into a different kind of physical.

“You love it,” River pants, his fingers digging into my flesh. “Tell me this isn’t the most alive you’ve felt in years.”
'He’s right, and I hate him for it. Hate how my body responds to his, hate the electric current that runs between us, hate that nothing— not grief, not rage, not avoidance— has dimmed this impossible chemistry.'

I both loved and was impressed at the way Jenny Pineapple wrote their emotional journey across the story- how feelings shifted and transitioned. It was more than just attraction, it was also coming to terms with the past, finally opening up, learning the whole story without misconceptions, and grieving what was lost. The found family of firefighters was also heartwarming. The story itself felt perfect as it is, and yet I want more of both River and Theo, as well as with the other guys. I hope we get their stories. I really got invested with everyone. This was a beautiful romance and I think one of this author's best! 5 stars.
Profile Image for Kitchen Sink Books.
1,720 reviews42 followers
August 19, 2025
Theo and River, stepbrothers, enemies. They haven't seen one another for 5 years, since the fatal night their parents were killed in a car accident. Both have been living with the aftermath, without parents, without one another though neither would admit to any regret over the latter.

Theo has spent five years forgetting River ever existed, never speaking about the accident and instead building a semblance of a life, as his unpersonalised apartment shows. He has however also been saving lives as an EMT and firefighter.

River. Well all we know about his five years is that they have led him to a cheap apartment in a cheap part of town. He has also been blaming himself for the accident and hating Theo for the role he believes his stepbrother played.

A call to a car accident brings Theo and River face to face for the first time in those five years and the rage Theo feels has not diminished, he might insist River is checked out by paramedics but that is professional, so he tells himself. Driving back past the scene after his shift, finding River looking lost at the bus stop in the rain, taking him home, caring for him before they both turn to a physical fight to rid themselves of the anger - surely it is natural.

What it really is, they soon see and we read between the lines, is a realisation of the truth they have been keeping buried, too scared about what it might mean.

This book has bite. Theo and River have suppressed their feelings, their animosity, for too long, it needs an outlet, after they give it what they need comes the realisation, the time for talking, for admitting truths they have been scared to say are real. After the bite comes the care, the soothing, the kisses.

Powerful, raw and honest.
Profile Image for Sara Husser.
442 reviews7 followers
January 3, 2026
😈 Misunderstood Angry Step Brothers 👩‍🚒

"For five years, I've lived feeling nothing, wanting nothing, drifting through each day in a numb fog. Yet ten minutes with Theo, and I'm angry, embarrassed, defensive---alive with emotions I don't want."

"It's a hate boner. Don't mistake it for anything else."
"Keep telling yourself that."

This was such a fantastic short novella. This is my first book by this author and I will definitely be checking out her catalog. This had the best troupes. I love me a stepbrother enemies to lovers with hate sex and some hurt/comfort. For this story, being so short, it packed a punch.

This story follows River and Theo. Their parents got in a car accident and died. Theo blames River for this as they were on their way to pick him up from a failed date. Fast forward 5 years later and River is in a car accident. The fire department gets called out there and Theo runs into River as he's the firefighter on duty. Theo ends up going back to River's apartment as he has a concussion. From there, things get heated and spicy. They finally reveal what happened that night and their feelings for one another. These two were smoking hot together and the spice was 🔥🔥🔥🔥. So happy to see these broken boys happy and get their HEA!
Profile Image for Paige.
764 reviews13 followers
August 6, 2025
So this is on the higher end of three stars for me because I actually enjoyed it. I just needed it to be longer. This would be sooo good as a full length novel.

Theo and River were stepbrothers who lost their parents five years earlier. They left each other on bad terms blaming each other and even themselves for what happened. They meet again when River gets into a wreck and firefighter Theo helps him out. This book was all in one night save for the epilogue. I wouldn’t exactly call it dark like the title says though. It was an enjoyable read for being so short and I liked that the epilogue showed them in the future living together and loving each other and not another sex scene like most authors do. Definitely reading the next one.

NO CHEATING, OP DRAMA OR THIRD ACT. TALK OF LOSING LOVED ONES, HEA
1,300 reviews52 followers
December 30, 2025
This is a stepbrothers to more romance novella, featuring Theo Wells and River Quinn, and is book one in the Station Thirteen series.

Theo has hated his stepbrother River ever since the night their parents died, blaming him for the tragedy. Five years later, forced together after River’s car accident, anger and unresolved tension threaten to erupt between them in the cramped space of a single night.

This is a short, intense story packed with emotion and tension. Theo and River’s history is messy and heartbreaking, and being forced together brings all those feelings boiling to the surface.

Things to expect in this book are:
Book 1 in series
MM romance
Novella
Stepbrothers
Enemies
Forced proximity
Hurt / Comfort
Spicy times
Rough sex
C*m play
Mild degradation
Restraints
Secrets revealed
Admit feelings
HEA
Profile Image for Renae Reads.
772 reviews774 followers
June 29, 2025
I could not get enough of this stepbrother romance. It is primal, intense, and utterly addictive to watch these two grapple with their unresolved tension and overwhelming feelings. I loved the progression from hate/annoyance to undeniable chemistry and attraction that was both forceful and unavoidable.

The slow unraveling of these two and their slow realization was wonderfully executed. Overall, I loved this story and look forward to seeing what this author writes next. Such a fun read that I could not get enough of.
Profile Image for Nicole St. John.
234 reviews
October 8, 2025
Not what I was expecting.

I mean, nothing but the “MM” is accurate in the title. This might be the hardest thing to review. So, it surely wasn’t dark in the “dark romance” way. And they were former stepbrothers. So, that’s debatable. I wanted a short, spicy read as I wasn’t ready to start a new book, and this was very un-spicy. One scene and a handy is not enough to count as spicy. I think this could have been a great full length book, as I desperately wanted more info. I want to round up but just can’t.
Profile Image for Ryan Moore.
Author 47 books68 followers
December 22, 2025
This story takes dark M/M romance to an entirely new level. It’s an emotional, provocative, and addictive story about two stepbrothers bound by conflict and desire. The writing is fierce and unapologetic — every scene burns with intensity, but what makes it stand out is the emotion beneath it all.

The characters are flawed, haunted, and achingly human. You’ll feel every push, every pull, every moment of surrender. This one’s not for the faint of heart, but if you love your romances dark, complex, and passionate, it’s an absolute must-read.
Profile Image for Debbie Benson.
9,955 reviews35 followers
June 28, 2025
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Communication would have been good but better late than never. Years after their parents' deaths, another accident brings River and Theo back into contact. Theo's concern about River's injuries leads to them acting out on their anger and old feelings. I'm glad they finally talk and realize that they really love each other.
Profile Image for JJ.
342 reviews4 followers
December 10, 2025
It was a heavier read in a rather short story. So much misguided hatred, repressed desire, anger and heartbreak. All of that made the romance that much more fragile yet precious, a light in the darkness.

The degradation kink was pretty light (slut naming), bondage was very mild as well (tied hands), it wasn’t as fully intense dark as the blurb suggests. The book still delivered an intense hate fuck with a tender aftermath.
Profile Image for Laurie Jean.
176 reviews16 followers
February 4, 2026
Really good

Short but still delivers an emotional punch. Five years after the death of their parents in an accident, Theo and River, who haven't spoken since, meet again by chance. Theo hates River but one night filled with hatefulled sex leads to secrets finally being uncovered. My heart broke for these two and I'm glad they got to finally resolve their issues. Looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
Profile Image for Alix .
1,245 reviews45 followers
June 28, 2025
4.5 - I love the darker themes this author has been exploring in her recent stories! This is short and spicy goodness with a nice amount of development for a 19k short. Hurt/comfort, stepbrothers, and hot spice - what more could I want? Plus, the writing itself was lovely.

I received a complimentary copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jenifer.
2,822 reviews6 followers
June 28, 2025
A brutal and honest story that hits hard in the feels if you've ever lost someone in an accident before. There's violence, rough sex and some hidden tender moments. If you can get through the tough parts the sweet ending is worth it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Amanda Reeves.
3,711 reviews39 followers
June 27, 2025
Bite Before You Kiss is a stormy, short, steamy read about River and Theo. I loved this hurt/comfort, stepbrothers storyline and the wonderful characters. If I have any complaint, it's that I want even more of these two.
118 reviews
September 6, 2025
O.O OMG

So much nail biting, emotional damage. XP It was hard to not get lost in the feels. I like how the story focused on the main characters with minimal interaction from supporting characters.
Profile Image for Jennifer R.
393 reviews3 followers
November 29, 2025
Short and hot.. lots of biting. Haha. Amazing what she was able to get into 88 pages. I love novellas like this as a great little fukk fix, and in this case also a fighting fix. 😝 Breaking furniture before hand was crazy good fun
Profile Image for Maureen.
3,782 reviews40 followers
October 20, 2025
A shortish tale but the emotions spill off the pages. The hatred, the tension, the regret and the grief. So intensely written this is a powerful story of men learning a long overdue lesson.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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