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키스 프롬 헬
세계적인 미디어 재벌의 사생아 요한. 하루아침에 어머니를 잃은 그는 난생처음 만난 아버지를 따라 영국으로 건너간다. 그리고 그곳에서 제 인생을 송두리째 흔들어 놓을 천사를 만난다. 이전에는 존재하는지조차 몰랐던 이복동생 발렌타인이었다.
“약속해, 요한. 우리는 늘 서로가 첫 번째인 거야.”
발렌타인은 교묘하게 덫을 치며 요한의 세계를 축소하고, 매일 밤 그를 자신의 품으로 길들인다. 시간이 흐를수록 둘의 관계는 외줄을 타듯 아슬아슬해지고, 요한을 향한 발렌타인의 집착 역시 극단으로 치닫는다. 그리고 고등학교 졸업을 앞둔 어느 날, 둘의 관계를 단숨에 바꾸어 버리는 사건이 발생하는데…….
* * *
“인정하기 싫지?” 발렌타인은 자신의 어깨에 이마를 기댄 요한에게 나지막하게 속삭였다.
“사실은 너도 원한다는 거.”
“……읏.”
허리를 치대는 감각에 요한은 헐떡이는 숨을 내뱉었다. 그를 밀어내기 위해 뻗었던 두 손은 어느새 부들부들 떨리며 주먹을 말아 쥔 채였다. 등 뒤로 샤워 부스의 유리문이 닫혔고, 곧이어 뜨거운 물이 전신으로 쏟아져 내렸다.
두 개의 나체가 빈틈없이 엉겨 붙었다. 숨을 제대도 쉴 수 없는 것이 세차게 쏟아지는 물줄기 때문인지 아니면 발렌타인 때문인지, 요한은 도무지 알 수 없었다.
“솔직해지는 게 무서우면 지금처럼 외면해도 돼. 넌 그냥 그 상태로 있어.”
“하아…… 흐으…….”
“이기적인 내가 억지를 부리는 거라고 칠게. 그러니까 요한, 쓸데없는 죄책감은 집어치우고…….” 우리 그동안 못 했던 거 하자.
“약속해, 요한. 우리는 늘 서로가 첫 번째인 거야.”
발렌타인은 교묘하게 덫을 치며 요한의 세계를 축소하고, 매일 밤 그를 자신의 품으로 길들인다. 시간이 흐를수록 둘의 관계는 외줄을 타듯 아슬아슬해지고, 요한을 향한 발렌타인의 집착 역시 극단으로 치닫는다. 그리고 고등학교 졸업을 앞둔 어느 날, 둘의 관계를 단숨에 바꾸어 버리는 사건이 발생하는데…….
* * *
“인정하기 싫지?” 발렌타인은 자신의 어깨에 이마를 기댄 요한에게 나지막하게 속삭였다.
“사실은 너도 원한다는 거.”
“……읏.”
허리를 치대는 감각에 요한은 헐떡이는 숨을 내뱉었다. 그를 밀어내기 위해 뻗었던 두 손은 어느새 부들부들 떨리며 주먹을 말아 쥔 채였다. 등 뒤로 샤워 부스의 유리문이 닫혔고, 곧이어 뜨거운 물이 전신으로 쏟아져 내렸다.
두 개의 나체가 빈틈없이 엉겨 붙었다. 숨을 제대도 쉴 수 없는 것이 세차게 쏟아지는 물줄기 때문인지 아니면 발렌타인 때문인지, 요한은 도무지 알 수 없었다.
“솔직해지는 게 무서우면 지금처럼 외면해도 돼. 넌 그냥 그 상태로 있어.”
“하아…… 흐으…….”
“이기적인 내가 억지를 부리는 거라고 칠게. 그러니까 요한, 쓸데없는 죄책감은 집어치우고…….” 우리 그동안 못 했던 거 하자.
1831 pages, ebook
Published March 7, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 1, 2026
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
John and Valentine's relationship literally began with The Kiss From Hell, spiraling into depths of tasting a forbidden fruit in the most unfortunate of moments that spurred John to fearing and fleeing for his life. 😟 In an omegaverse, where mating with family members is not considered taboo, it is strange that it was not the fact that they were half-brothers that served as their major obstacle, but the traumatic ordeal John faced during his first heat, in which Valentine behaved so horrifying and inappropriately so, it damaged their bond entirely.
It is also dysfunctional dynamics such as this which remind me that psychological romances, where the tormentor is the pursuer, who believes that his most wicked ways of proving his love is true and pure, while the tormented tries in vain to plead his case that this is not love, nor obsession, but deliberate assault, is a difficult brand for me to stomach. *phew* That was a mouthful of an explanation. 😅 And a form of brotherly love that offered no reconciliation until all else failed is also another reason for the heavy sigh that escaped me. 😮💨
“Amidst the maelstrom of negative emotions—betrayal, anger, and a jumble of others—a few positive emotions managed to emerge, like flowers amidst rubbish.”
I'm always inwardly screaming and internally venting at the frustrated way in which the author weaves the circumstances in such a way that paints Valentine as just as much a victim as John. 😒 For how certain reveals showcase him in a more forgiving light, for how John can reason that perhaps they are destined for each other, for how their relationship was borne out of a necessary need on his part that turned into an unhealthy possessive greed on Valentine's part of never wanting to part from him.
It's a heartbreaking climb, one where many a moment the length of the story was not the challenge, but rather my patience. All the while I lamented for John's sorrows, it was blindingly apparent that all roads would lead to Valentine, a place to belong. 🥺 Even when trapped in his captivity - it was the childish, selfish naivete of a man who, somehow, wanted his affections to be returned. His realization of regret and sorrow over his part in hurting John was the redeeming factor of his growth. No matter how late, it happened at a crucial standstill of John's own precarious footing with his family. ❤️🩹
“I love you so much… Can’t you?”
The crescendo really did build up well. 🙂↕️ It was not a rollercoaster of emotions, but a ski slope of wavering feelings —love, hate, fear, anger, longing, resentment—, hindered by reason. A twisted special attachment that went tragically awry in the worst means possible. I <felt for John of being a helpless victim who had lost his own will for living. carrying a profound scar in your heart. 😢 It was those manipulative ploys of Valentine that encouraged John to see the better side of him that sadly also had me raging inside.
Maybe I'm stupid, or just love has a way of blinding me, but I understood and begrudgingly accepted how they really did have no choice but to be together, built on a childhood codependency that cemented their future. 🩶🩶 The mutual confession of acceptance, of change, did make my heart go dokidoki. Even as I mentally kicked Valentine for getting the easy way out with a plot twist, nah , diversion, that made it easier for John to forgive him, with a final sense of relief. 😔
“For John, Valentine was both heaven and hell, joy and fear, pleasure and pain.”
None of the romantic interludes - spicy or affectionate - I particularly liked, as the majority were non consensual and coercive with hidden motives. 🤨 However, there was one character - a student from their days at Heritage College, a stand-up guy who, honestly, I would have loved if he had been John's soulmate. Now you’re the only friend I have left. 🤧 From their first meeting as misunderstood rivals, to the entire time he served as John's confidante and friend, those tender gestures of trust and fondness. That was a set-up I would have loved to have seen grown into something more meaningful. 💓
Oh, and major kudos to the cover. It perfectly captures the two of them; from their physical appearances to the nature of their relationship. 👌🏻 Beautiful John, who's helpless to Valentine, whose control is felt both in presence and in the shadows for how he possessively cradles him and eyes onlookers who dare to drive a wedge between them, masterfully manipulating everything so that John would be convinced to believe that their fates had been entwined from the very start. 🥀
“We will always be the most important person to each other.”
John and Valentine's relationship literally began with The Kiss From Hell, spiraling into depths of tasting a forbidden fruit in the most unfortunate of moments that spurred John to fearing and fleeing for his life. 😟 In an omegaverse, where mating with family members is not considered taboo, it is strange that it was not the fact that they were half-brothers that served as their major obstacle, but the traumatic ordeal John faced during his first heat, in which Valentine behaved so horrifying and inappropriately so, it damaged their bond entirely.
It is also dysfunctional dynamics such as this which remind me that psychological romances, where the tormentor is the pursuer, who believes that his most wicked ways of proving his love is true and pure, while the tormented tries in vain to plead his case that this is not love, nor obsession, but deliberate assault, is a difficult brand for me to stomach. *phew* That was a mouthful of an explanation. 😅 And a form of brotherly love that offered no reconciliation until all else failed is also another reason for the heavy sigh that escaped me. 😮💨
“Amidst the maelstrom of negative emotions—betrayal, anger, and a jumble of others—a few positive emotions managed to emerge, like flowers amidst rubbish.”
I'm always inwardly screaming and internally venting at the frustrated way in which the author weaves the circumstances in such a way that paints Valentine as just as much a victim as John. 😒 For how certain reveals showcase him in a more forgiving light, for how John can reason that perhaps they are destined for each other, for how their relationship was borne out of a necessary need on his part that turned into an unhealthy possessive greed on Valentine's part of never wanting to part from him.
It's a heartbreaking climb, one where many a moment the length of the story was not the challenge, but rather my patience. All the while I lamented for John's sorrows, it was blindingly apparent that all roads would lead to Valentine, a place to belong. 🥺 Even when trapped in his captivity - it was the childish, selfish naivete of a man who, somehow, wanted his affections to be returned. His realization of regret and sorrow over his part in hurting John was the redeeming factor of his growth. No matter how late, it happened at a crucial standstill of John's own precarious footing with his family. ❤️🩹
“I love you so much… Can’t you?”
The crescendo really did build up well. 🙂↕️ It was not a rollercoaster of emotions, but a ski slope of wavering feelings —love, hate, fear, anger, longing, resentment—, hindered by reason. A twisted special attachment that went tragically awry in the worst means possible. I <felt for John of being a helpless victim who had lost his own will for living. carrying a profound scar in your heart. 😢 It was those manipulative ploys of Valentine that encouraged John to see the better side of him that sadly also had me raging inside.
Maybe I'm stupid, or just love has a way of blinding me, but I understood and begrudgingly accepted how they really did have no choice but to be together, built on a childhood codependency that cemented their future. 🩶🩶 The mutual confession of acceptance, of change, did make my heart go dokidoki. Even as I mentally kicked Valentine for getting the easy way out with a plot twist, nah , diversion, that made it easier for John to forgive him, with a final sense of relief. 😔
“For John, Valentine was both heaven and hell, joy and fear, pleasure and pain.”
None of the romantic interludes - spicy or affectionate - I particularly liked, as the majority were non consensual and coercive with hidden motives. 🤨 However, there was one character - a student from their days at Heritage College, a stand-up guy who, honestly, I would have loved if he had been John's soulmate. Now you’re the only friend I have left. 🤧 From their first meeting as misunderstood rivals, to the entire time he served as John's confidante and friend, those tender gestures of trust and fondness. That was a set-up I would have loved to have seen grown into something more meaningful. 💓
Oh, and major kudos to the cover. It perfectly captures the two of them; from their physical appearances to the nature of their relationship. 👌🏻 Beautiful John, who's helpless to Valentine, whose control is felt both in presence and in the shadows for how he possessively cradles him and eyes onlookers who dare to drive a wedge between them, masterfully manipulating everything so that John would be convinced to believe that their fates had been entwined from the very start. 🥀
June 25, 2026
〝John’s daily life without Valentine was peaceful but empty. He couldn’t decide which was better: the excitement of a turbulent life involving risks and uncertainties or the safety of a monotonous and peaceful routine.〞
How do I start? It's not perfect but something about this book is so important to me, so... There were times when I got bored, especially during the middle parts, but I still kept going because I always wanted to know what would happen next to John and Valentine. I just couldn't stop wondering where their story would end. Especially to John. He has become someone special to me, though are no sexual urges or desires, he comes to me as a long lost friend whom I once picked apples with in papa's orchard.
“It’s interesting how you’re a young man proving his existence through purposeless kindness.”
“It’s a meager existence.”
And yes, John is definitely the heart of this novel for me. He's not a "weak" protagonist at all. His progress, self-awareness, healing, and the way he constantly reflects on himself made him such an incredible character to follow. I don't want to project too much, but he's someone I aspire to be in many ways. He doesn't always know what he wants, and that's what makes him feel so real. He understands that Valentine can only bring him pain and destruction, yet he can't stop himself from returning to the same place he desperately wants to escape. His identity crisis, his loneliness, his fear of depending on someone, and his constant struggle between running away and staying all felt painfully human. Watching him slowly recognize his own feelings—not because someone convinced him, but because he finally understood himself—was easily my favorite part of the story. I love John so much. He is so important to me. One thing I especially appreciated was that the novel never treated healing as something linear. Even after they got back together, John still admitted that there would be days he'd resent Valentine, blame him, or want to run away. It never expected him to simply forgive and forget. Instead, it let him remain human, and I think that's what made his journey so meaningful, especially to me.
“Unconsciously, John pressed his lips together in an attempt to steady his trembling heart. Here, his heart wavered, and even if he were to take Valentine’s hand once more, all that awaited them was destruction. Therefore, he needed to stop at this point. When faced with a relationship so twisted that it was impossible to know where it would go, the only viable solution was to end it.〞
Then there's Valentine. Honestly, he was the reason I even picked this novel up in the first place. I wanted to see how far he would go in possessing the older brother he loved. I thought this would be something like a very obsessive top that would really do everything bad to get their beloved. I expected a lot of obsession, manipulation, and possessiveness, which is true a bit, but I didn't expect him to become so utterly pathetic because of love. Feels like a wife-chasing crematorium! Watching Valentine completely fall apart whenever John slipped away from him was so satisfying. His crying, his desperation, his groveling... it was so delicious to read. Underneath all of that madness was someone who genuinely loved John in the only way he knew how, and watching him slowly realize that love without respect would only destroy the person he loved became one of the strongest parts of the novel. I love him for that.
〝It was true that John had opened his heart to Valentine more than before. However, there still remained a psychological distance between them that couldn’t be compared to the past. Engaging in impulsive sex brought John a fleeting sense of satisfaction, but it held no deeper meaning for him. At least, that’s what John believed. Valentine’s request to share their daily lives together caused more discomfort and hesitation for John than the physical intimacy they shared.〞
I also love how the story never really tried to erase the harm Valentine caused. One scene that really stood out to me was when John asked about his first heat cycle, and Valentine didn't make excuses or hide behind his love. He admitted that he had taken advantage of John and plainly called himself the perpetrator while calling John the victim. The novel doesn't ask to forget what happened, just made Valentine carry that guilt instead. And Valentine never expected forgiveness; he simply promised to keep trying to become someone worthy of standing beside John. I really appreciated that level of accountability because it's something I don't often see in stories like this.
〝While everything still felt uncertain, one thing was clear: John no longer wanted to live passively, allowing life to dictate his path. As all his will to escape vanished, so did his vague fears. It was a paradox that breaking free from everything left him with a newfound sense of freedom. He wanted to embrace this opportunity for change, even if it wasn’t too late.〞
I also really loved how much their dynamic changed throughout the story. At the beginning, everything was built on control, obsession, fear, and misunderstandings. But by the end, their relationship no longer revolved around possession. It revolved around choice. John wasn't forced to stay anymore, he chose to. And Valentine, for the first time, chose to wait instead of forcing an answer out of John.
“I’m not asking you to do anything. I’m not that shameless.”
“…”
“I’m just… asking if I can love you.”
And the extras honestly made the ending even stronger. Instead of giving us a perfect happily-ever-after, they showed what rebuilding actually looks like. John talking about going to college, Valentine openly taking responsibility for the trauma he caused, John admitting that some days he still resents Valentine, and both of them trying to figure out what a peaceful relationship even looks like all felt like a natural continuation of everything they had been through. I also loved that John slowly began including Valentine in his future. Rather than grand declarations of love, it was the small conversations about the future, growing older together, and even discussing possibilities they never would've considered before that made their relationship feel real. Everything was so cute and lovely. Although I am looking for something feral, something like this is okay too.
〝Valentine wanted only one thing from John – his love. And John didn’t think he could fulfill that wish. It had never been an option from the start, so he couldn’t share emotions he didn’t even fully understand.〞
I also appreciated that the story never pretended love magically fixed everything. I don't like "in the name of love" ending bs that some novels try to push, how the story handled their ending is really a cherry on top. John didn't suddenly forgive Valentine, nor did Valentine magically become a different person. Valentine is still clingy, dramatic, obsessive, and hopelessly in love with John, but now that love exists within a relationship built on mutual choice instead of coercion. They both acknowledged that they still had unresolved problems, that they would probably hurt each other again, and that healing wouldn't be linear. They simply chose to keep trying. They chose each other while fully understanding how difficult that decision would be. It's a bit cliche and boring, but very meaningful in its own way.
〝Pregnancy was never a consideration for him. Aside from the physical complications involved, a child had no emotional significance for him. Not too long ago, John had struggled to regain control of his life, being on the edge of chaos. The burden of his life still felt heavy, but he had made considerable progress. Despite this, the scars and vulnerabilities hidden within him could resurface at any moment. John didn’t see himself as a fully matured adult capable of taking responsibility for someone else’s life. Yet, he held hope he would strengthen and be more mature as time passed.〞
I'm really glad I stayed until the end because I really, really loved their journey! I've been saying this again and again, but the portrayal was really so good. Also, some of the side characters needed recognition like Joseph! Man, he was nothing but respectful to everything about John's decisions. I so love his character too. I hope he finds happiness himself. Anyway! I think that's all, I can't help but giggle at that extra where Valentine (also me) thought that John was pregnant, but also very glad he's not. John needs something more than another human being to care for. Glad the author didn't do that to them. Good! I don't have any more complaints.
How do I start? It's not perfect but something about this book is so important to me, so... There were times when I got bored, especially during the middle parts, but I still kept going because I always wanted to know what would happen next to John and Valentine. I just couldn't stop wondering where their story would end. Especially to John. He has become someone special to me, though are no sexual urges or desires, he comes to me as a long lost friend whom I once picked apples with in papa's orchard.
“It’s interesting how you’re a young man proving his existence through purposeless kindness.”
“It’s a meager existence.”
And yes, John is definitely the heart of this novel for me. He's not a "weak" protagonist at all. His progress, self-awareness, healing, and the way he constantly reflects on himself made him such an incredible character to follow. I don't want to project too much, but he's someone I aspire to be in many ways. He doesn't always know what he wants, and that's what makes him feel so real. He understands that Valentine can only bring him pain and destruction, yet he can't stop himself from returning to the same place he desperately wants to escape. His identity crisis, his loneliness, his fear of depending on someone, and his constant struggle between running away and staying all felt painfully human. Watching him slowly recognize his own feelings—not because someone convinced him, but because he finally understood himself—was easily my favorite part of the story. I love John so much. He is so important to me. One thing I especially appreciated was that the novel never treated healing as something linear. Even after they got back together, John still admitted that there would be days he'd resent Valentine, blame him, or want to run away. It never expected him to simply forgive and forget. Instead, it let him remain human, and I think that's what made his journey so meaningful, especially to me.
“Unconsciously, John pressed his lips together in an attempt to steady his trembling heart. Here, his heart wavered, and even if he were to take Valentine’s hand once more, all that awaited them was destruction. Therefore, he needed to stop at this point. When faced with a relationship so twisted that it was impossible to know where it would go, the only viable solution was to end it.〞
Then there's Valentine. Honestly, he was the reason I even picked this novel up in the first place. I wanted to see how far he would go in possessing the older brother he loved. I thought this would be something like a very obsessive top that would really do everything bad to get their beloved. I expected a lot of obsession, manipulation, and possessiveness, which is true a bit, but I didn't expect him to become so utterly pathetic because of love. Feels like a wife-chasing crematorium! Watching Valentine completely fall apart whenever John slipped away from him was so satisfying. His crying, his desperation, his groveling... it was so delicious to read. Underneath all of that madness was someone who genuinely loved John in the only way he knew how, and watching him slowly realize that love without respect would only destroy the person he loved became one of the strongest parts of the novel. I love him for that.
〝It was true that John had opened his heart to Valentine more than before. However, there still remained a psychological distance between them that couldn’t be compared to the past. Engaging in impulsive sex brought John a fleeting sense of satisfaction, but it held no deeper meaning for him. At least, that’s what John believed. Valentine’s request to share their daily lives together caused more discomfort and hesitation for John than the physical intimacy they shared.〞
I also love how the story never really tried to erase the harm Valentine caused. One scene that really stood out to me was when John asked about his first heat cycle, and Valentine didn't make excuses or hide behind his love. He admitted that he had taken advantage of John and plainly called himself the perpetrator while calling John the victim. The novel doesn't ask to forget what happened, just made Valentine carry that guilt instead. And Valentine never expected forgiveness; he simply promised to keep trying to become someone worthy of standing beside John. I really appreciated that level of accountability because it's something I don't often see in stories like this.
〝While everything still felt uncertain, one thing was clear: John no longer wanted to live passively, allowing life to dictate his path. As all his will to escape vanished, so did his vague fears. It was a paradox that breaking free from everything left him with a newfound sense of freedom. He wanted to embrace this opportunity for change, even if it wasn’t too late.〞
I also really loved how much their dynamic changed throughout the story. At the beginning, everything was built on control, obsession, fear, and misunderstandings. But by the end, their relationship no longer revolved around possession. It revolved around choice. John wasn't forced to stay anymore, he chose to. And Valentine, for the first time, chose to wait instead of forcing an answer out of John.
“I’m not asking you to do anything. I’m not that shameless.”
“…”
“I’m just… asking if I can love you.”
And the extras honestly made the ending even stronger. Instead of giving us a perfect happily-ever-after, they showed what rebuilding actually looks like. John talking about going to college, Valentine openly taking responsibility for the trauma he caused, John admitting that some days he still resents Valentine, and both of them trying to figure out what a peaceful relationship even looks like all felt like a natural continuation of everything they had been through. I also loved that John slowly began including Valentine in his future. Rather than grand declarations of love, it was the small conversations about the future, growing older together, and even discussing possibilities they never would've considered before that made their relationship feel real. Everything was so cute and lovely. Although I am looking for something feral, something like this is okay too.
〝Valentine wanted only one thing from John – his love. And John didn’t think he could fulfill that wish. It had never been an option from the start, so he couldn’t share emotions he didn’t even fully understand.〞
I also appreciated that the story never pretended love magically fixed everything. I don't like "in the name of love" ending bs that some novels try to push, how the story handled their ending is really a cherry on top. John didn't suddenly forgive Valentine, nor did Valentine magically become a different person. Valentine is still clingy, dramatic, obsessive, and hopelessly in love with John, but now that love exists within a relationship built on mutual choice instead of coercion. They both acknowledged that they still had unresolved problems, that they would probably hurt each other again, and that healing wouldn't be linear. They simply chose to keep trying. They chose each other while fully understanding how difficult that decision would be. It's a bit cliche and boring, but very meaningful in its own way.
〝Pregnancy was never a consideration for him. Aside from the physical complications involved, a child had no emotional significance for him. Not too long ago, John had struggled to regain control of his life, being on the edge of chaos. The burden of his life still felt heavy, but he had made considerable progress. Despite this, the scars and vulnerabilities hidden within him could resurface at any moment. John didn’t see himself as a fully matured adult capable of taking responsibility for someone else’s life. Yet, he held hope he would strengthen and be more mature as time passed.〞
I'm really glad I stayed until the end because I really, really loved their journey! I've been saying this again and again, but the portrayal was really so good. Also, some of the side characters needed recognition like Joseph! Man, he was nothing but respectful to everything about John's decisions. I so love his character too. I hope he finds happiness himself. Anyway! I think that's all, I can't help but giggle at that extra where Valentine (also me) thought that John was pregnant, but also very glad he's not. John needs something more than another human being to care for. Glad the author didn't do that to them. Good! I don't have any more complaints.
December 20, 2025
4.5⭐
No le doy las 5 estrellitas nada más porque me da rabia que me hiciera llorar tanto🥺
Todo fue taaaaan frustrante, la impotencia que te hace sentir, las ganas que tenia de meterme a la novela para matar a varios personajes y/o cachetear a otros. Y la impaciencia por el tan esperado reencuentro, se me hizo eterno😫
Todo se fue construyendo de a poco, muchos muchísimos altibajos, escapes, malos entendidos, los pequeñísimos (migajas) momentos dulces.
Aunque confieso que el final para mi, fue agridulce. No sé si fue por esperarlo tanto, o porque en realidad esperaba (otra cosa) más.
Como que si pero no, nose... Te deja una sensación rara.
No le doy las 5 estrellitas nada más porque me da rabia que me hiciera llorar tanto🥺
Todo fue taaaaan frustrante, la impotencia que te hace sentir, las ganas que tenia de meterme a la novela para matar a varios personajes y/o cachetear a otros. Y la impaciencia por el tan esperado reencuentro, se me hizo eterno😫
Todo se fue construyendo de a poco, muchos muchísimos altibajos, escapes, malos entendidos, los pequeñísimos (migajas) momentos dulces.
Aunque confieso que el final para mi, fue agridulce. No sé si fue por esperarlo tanto, o porque en realidad esperaba (otra cosa) más.
Como que si pero no, nose... Te deja una sensación rara.
September 23, 2025
4.5 stars. Holy shit, this was amazing. Leave it to asian BL novels to deliver exactly the type of dark stories and unhealthy dynamics I love. This was a short one but somehow it felt very close to being perfect because of how it tackled everything I wanted.
The story is simple but effective. John is a teen that discovers his father is a rich man, so he is brought to his mansion to be part of the family. He meets a kid that is younger than him there, Valentine, who will now be his step brother. From the moment Valentine sees him, he becomes attached to John and both turn out to be get very close as they grow up together. When they go to the same school, things change. Valentine starts behaving in a certain way towards him but John doesn't think it's out of place since he's an alpha. That is, until Valentine begins his advances.
I really liked how eerie things felt from the beginning. From the moment Valentine appeared, I knew there was something else about him. It made the story feel thrilling and I was at the edge of my seat because things just felt wrong. And boy, it really went all downhill.
The novel surprised me more than once because it went beyond that what I expected. I also didn't think Valentine would be my favorite character. He sure isn't a good person, but he's really interesting and exactly the flavor of MLs that I love. Ruthless and dangerous. John was great as MC too, most of the decisions he took were reasonable and he felt real - especially given everything he went through. I also liked that he was resilient and tried his best to get up back on his feet despite what life threw at him.
The evolution of the dynamic was another great thing. It stayed consistently fascinating through the entire novel, even more so considering the MCs are step brothers. There is a lot of guilt and shame involved, which made sense given that John wasn't prepared for such type of affection coming from Valentine. What's more heartbreaking is that there is a line near the end where John admits to his feelings and how things would've gone differently if Valentine had acted at a different pace. The 'forbidden' theme stayed as a central part of the story, it's another thing that I loved because it represented an actual obstacle and threat.
Speaking about obstacles, I wanted to mention that there was a side character I really liked and could even be considered a 'second ML' (although maybe not given how consistent the main pairing was). I loved that this person added drama to the story. He and John definitely had good chemistry and I was very into the idea of them as a possible couple. He served as a mirror to display what Valentine wasn't.
Valentine's journey as a character was amazing. I cannot say he's redeemable because the things he did just aren't forgivable, but considering this is fiction I could definitely see his growth and even felt that his groveling/chasing is a perfect example of how to do these tropes. I don't always want a terrible character to be redeemed, I like some awful ones as they are. I don't really care about them being likeable or not neither. All I want in a book is for the MCs to have a solid construction. The novel managed to do that and a good job in their development as individuals and the relationship.
I ended up going down the rabbit hole along with John and Valentine. Are they healthy as a pair? Absolutely not. Do I loved them together despite everything? Hell yes. Would both be better without the other? Possibly, but the real fact is that neither would survive that.
The only reason this novel isn't a perfect 5 stars for me is that there were some parts from the last chapters that I wanted to be executed in a slower pace. Besides that, the ending was brilliant and exactly what I wanted within the circumstances. It felt satisfying and a well done conclusion to the chaos.
Overall, this was a compelling and thrilling novel that explores themes of obsession, codependency and a forbidden attraction.
Tags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: third person
-Content warnings:
-Elements:
-Sexual act(s):
-Dynamic:
The story is simple but effective. John is a teen that discovers his father is a rich man, so he is brought to his mansion to be part of the family. He meets a kid that is younger than him there, Valentine, who will now be his step brother. From the moment Valentine sees him, he becomes attached to John and both turn out to be get very close as they grow up together. When they go to the same school, things change. Valentine starts behaving in a certain way towards him but John doesn't think it's out of place since he's an alpha. That is, until Valentine begins his advances.
I really liked how eerie things felt from the beginning. From the moment Valentine appeared, I knew there was something else about him. It made the story feel thrilling and I was at the edge of my seat because things just felt wrong. And boy, it really went all downhill.
The novel surprised me more than once because it went beyond that what I expected. I also didn't think Valentine would be my favorite character. He sure isn't a good person, but he's really interesting and exactly the flavor of MLs that I love. Ruthless and dangerous. John was great as MC too, most of the decisions he took were reasonable and he felt real - especially given everything he went through. I also liked that he was resilient and tried his best to get up back on his feet despite what life threw at him.
The evolution of the dynamic was another great thing. It stayed consistently fascinating through the entire novel, even more so considering the MCs are step brothers. There is a lot of guilt and shame involved, which made sense given that John wasn't prepared for such type of affection coming from Valentine. What's more heartbreaking is that there is a line near the end where John admits to his feelings and how things would've gone differently if Valentine had acted at a different pace. The 'forbidden' theme stayed as a central part of the story, it's another thing that I loved because it represented an actual obstacle and threat.
Speaking about obstacles, I wanted to mention that there was a side character I really liked and could even be considered a 'second ML' (although maybe not given how consistent the main pairing was). I loved that this person added drama to the story. He and John definitely had good chemistry and I was very into the idea of them as a possible couple. He served as a mirror to display what Valentine wasn't.
Valentine's journey as a character was amazing. I cannot say he's redeemable because the things he did just aren't forgivable, but considering this is fiction I could definitely see his growth and even felt that his groveling/chasing is a perfect example of how to do these tropes. I don't always want a terrible character to be redeemed, I like some awful ones as they are. I don't really care about them being likeable or not neither. All I want in a book is for the MCs to have a solid construction. The novel managed to do that and a good job in their development as individuals and the relationship.
I ended up going down the rabbit hole along with John and Valentine. Are they healthy as a pair? Absolutely not. Do I loved them together despite everything? Hell yes. Would both be better without the other? Possibly, but the real fact is that neither would survive that.
The only reason this novel isn't a perfect 5 stars for me is that there were some parts from the last chapters that I wanted to be executed in a slower pace. Besides that, the ending was brilliant and exactly what I wanted within the circumstances. It felt satisfying and a well done conclusion to the chaos.
Overall, this was a compelling and thrilling novel that explores themes of obsession, codependency and a forbidden attraction.
Tags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: third person
-Content warnings:
-Elements:
-Sexual act(s):
-Dynamic:
August 12, 2026
I LOVE THIS BOOK!❤️🔥🥰
Valentine & John's chemistry was everything!💞 They're my first Asian fictional taboo couple, and they really made it worth every second of my reading time! Such an amazing story I'll never forget! 🥰🥰
Valentine & John's chemistry was everything!💞 They're my first Asian fictional taboo couple, and they really made it worth every second of my reading time! Such an amazing story I'll never forget! 🥰🥰
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