Touch Him and Die

by Jenny Pineapple

In their world, wanting is dangerous. Loving each other could be lethal.

Alex has spent his life in control—of his family, his future, himself. As heir to a powerful Russian mafia empire, he knows weakness gets you killed.

His stepbrother Vincent has always been Alex’s greatest weakness. Five years ago, Vincent vanished without a trace.
Now fate shoves them together at a crowded house party, and old wounds bleed fresh. Alex tells himself it’s unfinished business—until obsession drives him into Vincent’s shadows. To see the man he’s become. To want him again.

Touch Him and Die is a 44k-word novella
🔥 Stepbrothers
🔥 Taboo / Forbidden Romance
🔥 First Person, Dual POV
🔥 Mafia Heir
🔥 Obsession / Stalking
🔥 Nightclub Heat
🔥 Dark Past, Dangerous Future

Genres: M M Romance, Novella, LGBT

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2025

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Alex, our parents are right down the hall.”
I rotate my hips, grinding against him, and his words dissolve into a gasp. “Do you care?” I ask, dragging my lips down his throat. “Because I don’t.”
“We’re stepbrothers,” he utters while his body betrays him, pressing forward to increase the delicious friction between us. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

Stepbrothers Alex and Vince reunite unexpectedly after 5 years with no contact. Alex is instantly obsessed with Vincent, and wants to spend just as much time with him as he did when they were teenagers. But why did Vincent leave last time, and what does he seem so scared of?
This was a surprise- it's not super smutty and has a very cute plot. I'm a sucker for forbidden love stories and this one delivered!

The only person in the entire world who can wreck me like this is my stepbrother.

[Renae Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic forbidden romance between stepbrothers who are infatuated with one another. However, due to the fallout of their budding romance, they are separated for five years. What happens next is a reunion that makes time stand still. They are still in love with one another, and the risks regarding their reawakened feelings put everything at risk.

Overall, I couldn't get enough of this story and its incredibly hot romance. The dancing, the push and pull dynamic, and the chemistry all came together to create a perfect romance I couldn't put down.

*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mannnnn Jenny P knows what she's doing. I honestly thought this was gonna be the first of her books that I dnf'd. By 40% I was really not impressed with Alex as a hero - he came off too entitled for me in the beginning and I did not appreciate his attitude toward Vincent's job. I get conveying that it's disappointing/baffling/upsetting that someone who had such a love and talent for ballet would end up doing anything other than that as a career, but it felt like Alex had particularly judgy feelings about Vincent stripping and he could fuck off with that. And the problem with not liking Alex very much was that I didn't like Vincent much better. He was definitely a more sympathetic MC, but I just didn't feel strongly toward him.

But then! WTF? Along came like the 50ish% mark and JP decided to give me everything. There was a Russian pet name, calming him down during a panic attack, possessiveness that felt sexy instead of entitled, "you're so beautiful", OTT protective mode activation, red lace panties!!!, a "mine"/"yours" moment, and one of the sexiest first time anal sex scenes I've read in a while (seriously it was so 🔥).

Everything between like 55-90% was absolutely everything I could wish for. But then the ending made me pouty. Maybe I just have hate in my heart but I don't think everyone deserves forgiveness. I was really hoping for some douchebags to get their comeuppance and they really fucking didn't and that really fucking annoyed me.

So wth do I do with that? I wasn't vibing at the start and I am miffed about the ending, but a large middle chunk had me completely fucking sat. Whatevs. 3.5 stars rounded up for the Russian sweet talk.

Pet names: solnyshko

“Tell me you don’t want this,” I challenge, voice rough with need. “Tell me to stop, and I will.”

“Why are you doing this?” The question hangs between us, loaded with too many possible answers. Because I can’t stop thinking about you. Because you left without saying goodbye. Because you were the only person who ever saw me as something more than Yuri Orlov’s son. Because touching you feels like touching a live wire, and I’ve been numb for too long.

“You walk around like you don’t belong to anyone,” I say, my voice low and rough. “You belong to me, Vincent. You always did.”

“Alex,” he gasps as I move to his neck, teeth grazing the sensitive skin below his ear. “Fuck, Alex.” His voice, breathy and desperate, is the most erotic thing I’ve ever heard. I want to wreck him, to make him say my name like that again and again, until it’s the only word he remembers.

“You were never meant to dance for anyone but me,” Alex continues, his voice dropping to a rough whisper. “Never meant to be touched by anyone but me.”

“Say it,” Alex demands, halting his movement. “Say you were always supposed to be mine.” The words rise to my lips without conscious thought, pulled from some deep, honest place inside me that’s been waiting years to speak this truth. “I was always yours,” I gasp, tears springing to my eyes from the emotion as much as the physical sensation. “Always meant to be yours, Alex. Only yours.”

“You’re going to ruin me, Alex,” I whisper, giving voice to the fear that’s been lurking beneath the surface since the moment I saw him again at that frat party. “You’re going to ruin me for everyone else.” Alex tightens his grip on me, his lips brushing against my ear as he speaks directly into it, low and certain. “You were always mine to ruin.”

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Safety (may contain spoilers)

SA/rape: None. One of Vincent's customers tries to get a little handsy but Alex is immediately there to tell the guy to fuck off.

Other person drama: The main timeline starts with Alex just having hooked up in a bathroom at a party - no details but it very much set him up as being kind of a dick/dismissive of people he hooks up with. He also has an on again off again gf that his dad is trying to marry him off to. He isn't interested in her but she appears in a couple scenes - one of which makes Vincent feel a bit insecure. But neither are with or interested in anyone else once they see each other again after the 5 year separation.

[Anna]

dnf @ 39%

Too angsty. I don’t like either MC’s. 🫤

[Raven || The Reader Identity · Rating 5 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ ★ ✬

I think as long as these remain so short, I can never full 5 star this author's books because I NEED MORE.

Holy crap, this story was so good. Definitely a little basic BUT the writing is incredibly addictive. I'm serious y'all.

Both Alex and Vincent were great characters. Vincent was strong despite his circumstances and Alex and his stalking had me giggling. He just couldn't stay away. Vincent was his sunshine and Alex craved the heat.

Not much spice and that suuuuucked with all the tension. WHY are authors removing spice? Give us the spice!!! Don't listen to those prudes who don't like smut on every other page!

Loved how Alex stood up for Vincent in the end and how Vincent put his trust in him. I loved the friend group as well.

I just needed more, y'all. Much more.

꧁𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁꧂
[pov]: 1st, dual
[spice level]: 🌶🌶🌶
[roles]: strict top/bottom
[om/ow drama]: OW; jealousy but it's handled quickly
[3rd act breakup]: 🚫

♡ stepbrothers to lovers
🕺 dancer/mafia son (ish)
♡ gay awakening
🕺 first times
♡ 'touch him and die' vibes

[Cath · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️

One of JP’s slower shorts with a longer build-up, but it’s JP... she never really misses for me 🤭

I wasn’t a big fan of how long it took to find out why Vincent left 5 years ago without a trace or even a goodbye. I usually don’t mind that kind of delay, but here it felt like a bit much.

BUT HEY! I was on the edge of a reading slump, and this one pulled me right out, so it did its job anyway 🙈

[Sara Husser · Rating 5 out of 5]

🩰Because touching you feels like touching a live wire, and I've been numb for too long🖤

"In the dim light, Vincent moves as if he's made of something other than flesh and bone--something liquid and ethereal. Something I could never be."

"I left that life behind. Alex Orlov might be a ghost from my past, but I'll be d***** if I let him haunt my presnt."

"I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. He's so beautiful when he's angry--all fire and sharp edges."

"Because I can't stop thinking about you. Because you left without saying goodbye. Because you were the only person who ever saw me as something more than Yuri Orlov's son. Because touching you feels like touching a live wire, and I've been numb for too long."

"You walk around like you don't belong to anyone. You belong to me, Vincent. You always did."

"There's only Vincent and me, connected by something that's both new and ancient, something that's been waiting for us to acknowledge it for years."

"You were never meant to dance for anyone but me. Never meant to be touched by anyone but me."

"You're going to ruin me, Alex. You're going to ruin me for everyone else."
"You were always mine to ruin."

"I'd rather be nothing with him than everything without him."

"Solnyshko. It's about time you understood. I'm not letting you disappear again."

I love every book by this author. I say that every time I read a new book by her but it's true 😅. And this book is definitely in the top five for me. This had such a great storyline and I was happy it was a little bit longer than her normal books she writes. This had some fantastic troupes like: Stepbrothers, Forbidden Relationship, Mafia Heir/Ballet Dancer, Obsession/Stalking, and Bi Awakening. The spice in this was amazing as always 🔥🔥🔥.

This story follows Alex and Vincent. This story starts off 5 years ago and shows these two younger as stepbrothers. They had a close relationship and both were falling for one another. Alex's dad is homophobic and didn't want Vincent corrupting his son and ruining his empire. He basically made Vincent leave. Now we're five years later in the present time and these two bump into each other when Vincent is dancing at a frat party 😏. Alex stalks him and finds out where he works as a stripper. Alex wants to know why he left without saying goodbye, but Vincent is too scared to rehash the past. Things heat up fast and these two fall even harder than before. Can these two find a way to be together and finally be happy or will Alex's father continue to pose a threat to them?

These two were sexy, adorable, and fit together perfectly. I loved how opposite these two were as well. Alex really fought to be with Vincent and I was so happy he stood up to his father. My heart broke for Vincent. Even his own mother didn't help him. I loved the connection between these two men. Alex was such a supportive partner to Vincent. I loved the ending and how he made his dreams come true. I also loved him speaking Russian to Vincent 🥵. The chemistry and steamy scenes were fantastic 🔥🔥🥵. Another great story for Jenny!

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Alex control has never been a question, his father has instilled it in him. He has always been in, had and commanded control. That commanding nature has followed him, supported him, got him through many things. Now he is a student, destined to work for the family firm, to continue the control they have, the power, the financial prowess. But power does not bring happiness, at least not for Alex. The power that his father wields made his stepbrother, Vincent, disappear without a trace, in the middle of the night, five years ago.

When Vincent reappears, one of a group of erotic dancers hired for a frat house party Alex doesn't know if he should be livid with anger, flooded with relief or somewhere between the two. Vincent is refusing to give any answers, refusing to say why he left without a word. Alex is determined to learn the truth and to show the world that Vincent is his and his alone.

This is a dark and powerful romance. It deals with the impact of power and control that can be wielded for good and bad. There is stalking - Alex stalks Vincent though he tells himself it is because he wants answers. There is the taboo of a forbidden romance between stepbrothers (though I agree with them, there is no blood relation here.) There are hints at mafia, at arranged marriages and at violence should things not go to plan. There is also a deep, genuine, bottomless pit of love between two men who cannot be whole without one another.

Jenny Pineapple captures passion, heat and so much more in this intense, gripping, thrilling story. I couldn't get enough, or bear to put it down!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great forbidden read
Five years ago Alex 17 couldn’t take his eyes off his stepbrother Vincent 18 an incident happened one night when Alex was watching Vincent dance. His father told Alex to leave the studio as he needed to talk to Vincent. And that was the last time he saw Vincent. Vincent ran away that night leaving Alex wondering what really happened. Now five years on he is in college doing the normal frat parties every weekend. But one night one of the frat house bought some exotic dancers to perform and Alex comes face-to-face with Vincent once again. When Alex tries to talk to Vincent, he tells him to leave it and forget he saw him, but Alex isn’t about to let his stepbrother vanish once again.
There’s a lot going on in this short Read. You’ve got the chemistry of Alex and Vincent but there’s a truth to what happened five years ago that Vincent doesn’t want to share. But the more Alex watches Vincent the more he has a feelings for him and the more time that Vincent knows Alex is watching him The harder it is to ignore him.
There is a dark side to this story but what really shines for me is the chemistry between Alex and Vincent. But could they have a life together?? I was really rooting for these two and I’ve got to say that the strength that they find together is what made this book really, really hot. A great Read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Pineapple honestly never misses for me 🙌 Her books are my go-to when I want something lighter but still super well-written and completely addictive. This one was a bit longer than her usual… but was I complaining? Absolutely not 😌💅 I was living for it.

We follow Alex and Vincent — stepbrothers wrapped up in a mafia family dynamic 😮‍🔥 After Vincent disappears from Alex’s life, he suddenly crashes back in five years later… and Alex? Fully in his stalker era 👀 determined to figure out why Vincent left him behind.

And let me tell you… this book had EVERYTHING 😩✨
stepbrothers ✔️
pining ✔️
forbidden tension ✔️
lingerie (!!) ✔️
dancing ✔️
found family vibes ✔️

I was hooked from the very beginning. The pull between Alex and Vincent was instant — that kind of tension you can feel through the pages. Vincent tries to resist (for very valid reasons), but the push and pull between them? Ugh, I ate it up 🫠💔

Watching them circle each other and slowly find their way back was just chef—okay wait, not saying that phrase 😌—but you get me. It was GOOD. Their chemistry? Off the charts. The emotional buildup? Worth it.

And yes… the spice 🌶️🔥
HOT. Like hot hot. Could there have been more? Sure. But honestly, what we got worked perfectly for their story and didn’t take away from how invested I was in them.

And that ending?! 😭👏
SO satisfying. I’m already desperate for more — not just Alex and Vincent, but this whole friend group too.

If you’re into messy feelings, forbidden love, and characters you can’t stop thinking about… definitely give this one a go 💋📚

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for Touch Him and Die by Jenny Pineapple

Another great book by Jenny Pineapple. This had a lot of my favorite tropes.

Forbidden Love
Mafia
Obsession with Stalking
Dark Past with So Much Danger

How can you go wrong with these tropes in this book? Alex has always had control of his family and what he chooses for his life to grow into. Being an heir to what is meant to be for him, the top dog of the Mafia family. He can't show any weakness at all, or it can cause death. He will not allow that to happen. The one weakness that Alex has is his stepbrother, Vincent. He disappeared several years ago to keep him safe. All his hard work to keep Vincent safe is thrown out the window when they see each other at a party. Will the two men finally get their happy ever after finally? Or will death be their future?

Wow, loved it. loved it so much. It has so many of my tropes that I couldn't wait to start this book as soon as I received my ARC for review.
I just know that Jenny Pineapple is becoming higher on my list of authors I love.

Nicole Harvey
Recieved an ARC for this book

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly forbidden relationship blooms so beautifully in this story. There's even a bit of suspense in unraveling why Vincent ran away so many years ago and why he's hesitant to reconnect with Alex, even though everything in his body screams at him to do it. Yuri scared me even through the pages where I knew I was safe from him. Perfect way to write a villain. And the ending to this story - priceless and so full of love it just warmed my heart.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Alex wants Vincent but his father interferes and forces Vincent to leave. It takes years for Alex to find Vincent again and this time he won't let him get away. When his father tries to force them apart again, they both fight back with Alex making his father back off. I liked that they are finally able to be together.

[Amanda Carpenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a wee bit heartbreaking but overall worth the drama, Vincent disappeared in the middle of the night and his step brother had no idea why for over 5 years. Alex is at a party and he comes across his Step brother who disappeared with no word 5 years ago, he then stalks and gets into Vincent’s life to find out what happened and why he left him.

Secrets come to light, family members are put to shame and both characters find out who they are and what they want.

[Casey Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

This book deserves so many more reviews than it has gotten! This was my first time reading this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great characters with sweet longing, angsty confessions and a perfect hea. And all of that in less than 200 pages. It felt well edited and fresh. Can't wait to read more of her work!

[Wilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's good to have someone believe in you!

Loved this read from the being to end. I was so hooked. Just love, love, JENNY PINEAPPLE'S reads. I always can't wait for a new one. So glad I found this author. I start her books early so I'm not up all night because I would be. Keeps me smiling.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I absolutely loved this story. The title says it all, this was a fantastic story about possessiveness and danger and a lot of heat. There were some sweet moments too and I just loved the dynamic between these two.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to slow to start for me but got it definitely got better towards the end. And I enjoyed the happy ending! We love a bit of touch him and die.
I was an easy quick read once it gets going, I did find it frustrating the resistance but suppose that's part of the character building

[Mary *~* · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/5 stars. Wow, just wow. If I wasn’t already hooked on this author’s writing, this novella would have completely pushed me over the edge. It was brilliant. The build up, the feels, the chemistry. Glorious. Instant favorite.

[~BookNeeds~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really endearing.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting

Alex and Vincent story is one of my favorites. They had to overcome some huge obstacles. I’m glad that their past did not hinder their future.