When you’re the heir to the Russian Bratva, nothing is off-limits. So when my sights are set on keeping the broken little blonde who just ran into me, that’s exactly what I do.
I keep her. Even if she’s not so sure she wants to be kept.
Caitlyn is afraid to trust me, and knowing her history, I don’t blame her. Lucky for us, I’m a patient man. I’ll give her time to catch up with the fact that she’s mine. I’ll wait.
Caitlyn
I had two choices. Run and attempt to survive. Or stay and die.
I chose to survive, only to run right into the arms of a different kind of danger.
Neo says he wants to help, but he doesn’t know my secret. He has no idea what kind of monster is chasing me. It’s only a matter of time before my past catches up with us. I just hope no one gets hurt in the crossfire when it does.
Kylie made the leap from kindergarten teacher to romance author, living out her dream to deliver sexy, always and forever romances. She loves a happily ever after story with tons of built in steam.
She currently resides in Perth, Australia and when she is not dreaming up the latest romance she can be found spending time with her three children and her husband of twenty years, her very own real life instant-love.
Come join me in my reading group on Facebook Kylie's Steam Room.
------------- ⭐ 5 STARS — KYLIE KENT AND HER SHORT STORIES OWN ME ⭐
Neo is exactly why I love Kylie Kent’s short stories — they’re quick, addictive, and so easy to devour in one sitting, but still packed with that signature Petrov‑Valentino chaos we all show up for. I love how she gives us these bite‑sized glimpses into the heirs’ lives without dragging anything out; it’s no‑nonsense, straight to the point, and somehow still delivers all the heat, drama, and family energy I crave. Neo’s story hit that perfect sweet spot: fun, fast, and satisfying, like a little treat between the bigger books. Honestly, I just love watching the next generation grow into their roles, and this one was exactly what I expected from Mama Kent — sharp, entertaining, and effortlessly enjoyable. -------
I had a really fun time reading this little novella. Honestly at this point if Kyle writes it I will read it.
This was incredibly fast paced, there is some action packed into here and it was the perfect thing to read in order to break up some of those bigger books I find myself reading.
Caitlyn our FMC has experienced her fair share of trauma and abuse in life. Nothing seems to go right for her except for the fact that she managed to escape her situation and became a survivor. She's trying to start fresh even when it means living with the constant fear of being found and having to live in some less than ideal circumstances. She is strong, she is a little bit flighty but she is learning how to be herself again and to ask for exactly what she wants because at the end of the day her choices matter.
Neo our MMC is obsessive, he is possessive and he is protective. That's a triple threat right there if you ask me and we love it. Neo also happens to be the next heir to the Bratva thrown and he definitely lives up to his legacy. When he accidentally encounters Caitlyn, he knows that she will be his. He makes it his mission to protect her from her demons and to personally exterminate them if you get my gist. Although he is very cold towards pretty much everyone except for his family, he is very patient with Caitlyn and gives her the opportunity to make decisions for herself even when he wants to act like a total caveman.
I loved the sweet moments sprinkled throughout this book and also the chemistry between these two. I only wish this story was a little longer because I could definitely binge read another 400 pages about them easily. I would definitely recommend especially if you are on the market for a short read with a mafia man who has an incredibly sweet side for his woman.
I had a great time reading this short Novella. It's a fast paced, action packed story, to binge in one sitting.
The survival strength of our FMC Caitlyn and our obsessive, I get what I want MMC Neo, creates a passionate storyline of opposites, meeting at the right time under terrible circumstances.
A perfect Valentine's read full of passion, patience and persistence.
💚Neo
When you’re the heir to the Russian Bratva, nothing is off-limits. So when my sights are set on keeping the broken little blonde who just ran into me, that’s exactly what I do.
I keep her. Even if she’s not so sure she wants to be kept.
Caitlyn is afraid to trust me, and knowing her history, I don’t blame her. Lucky for us, I’m a patient man. I’ll give her time to catch up with the fact that she’s mine. I’ll wait.
💚Caitlyn
I had two choices. Run and attempt to survive. Or stay and die.
I chose to survive, only to run right into the arms of a different kind of danger.
Neo says he wants to help, but he doesn’t know my secret. He has no idea what kind of monster is chasing me. It’s only a matter of time before my past catches up with us. I just hope no one gets hurt in the crossfire when it does.
Caitlyn and Neo, WOW, a very fast moving story. The first introduction to Neo is him unaliving someone. He is then called to the local police station to get his sister. Caitlyn is there after being mugged. Neo sees her, and this tough guy goes into protective mode instantly. Turns out she is running from a violent ex. I really enjoyed their quick journey to love. No epilogue 😒 Steamy, no cheating, likeable characters and found family
Quick read slightly underwhelming as it all takes place over a 24 hour period and so much happens that they fall in love? Caitlin has suffered domestic violence and is on the run and Neo finds her and wins her trust in less then 24 hours? It’s not believable at all and because it’s a novella instead of full length there is no time to understand the characters and also so much talk on what Neo is going to do to her abuser and it ends abruptly. Very confusing Kylie is an instant love stories and I am normally a fan but this just felt unfinished sadly
If you are looking for a novella this is for you. We meet Caitlyn and Neo. Caitlyn has to choose whether to run or attempt to survice she picks survive. Little did she expect to run into a different kind of danger. Neo is a the to the Russian Bratva. When he sees Caitlyn he decides to keep her even if she doesn’t want to be kept.
Neo and Caitlyn's story felt incomplete to me. I know it's a novella, but I've read other Valentino novellas that have done more justice to the leads than this one did. It had all the right components, but the abrupt end left me wanting more. That being said, the touch her and die vibes were everything. We know Valentino men fall hard and fast, which of course happened to Neo. I absolutely loved the banter and teasing between all the Valentino's. Always good seeing old characters but I am partial to the parents of this third gen series. That always brings a smile to my face.
Short and somewhat sweet. Feel like it would have made a fantastic full length novel but a little too unbelievable even in this universe. Spice not up to her normal levels.
Was more about how neo was obsessed with her than any real plot. All came to a head in the last chapter. Really needed more to wrap up. Could’ve used an epilogue
Absolutely devoured this short story! These two had a heaping of chemistry that blended with the fast pace of their relationship. There’s trauma, action, spice and everything that makes me love Kylie Kent’s stories. No matter what length, I always crave more of the couples she creates.
From the day that Neo (quite literally) bumps into Caitlyn, it’s instant attraction between the two. But Neo is not just some guy with charm, he is the heir to the Petrov empire, born into two of the most powerful families and carries a legacy that most people would run from. For a girl like Caitlyn who is on the run from her own dangerous past, he’s all kinds of wrong. But what Caitlyn does not expect is that behind all this is just a man willing to offer her something she has never truly had before: freedom, safety, the space to choose her own life and above all, love.
“I can’t explain it, but I just know you are the other half of my soul.”
Y’all, Neo is a Valentino Petrov through and through, so why are we even surprised at this point? Fierce when he needs to be, commanding without even trying but SO unbelievably soft for his woman. His possessiveness was top tier but what I loved most was his patience. I loved that he never rushed Caitlyn, instead giving her the time and safety to learn to trust him, to step outside of her shell, and to finally ASK for what she truly wanted. Watching him gently coax her into her own power while still being that protective Petrov heir was everything.
Caitlyn absolutely pulled at my heart. She has been through so much, dealing with the kind of past that would break most people, questioning the good in people but she never lost her will to keep moving. With Neo, you could see her be cautious and question this too-good-to-be-true kind of attraction but eventually she softens. He brought out her agency, her voice, her confidence. She did not shrink for him but rather grew with him which was just so darn loveable.
“Our story is only just beginning.”
This was super short, a surprised release that really flew by in this sweet, instalove style romance but it still felt complete. And let me tell you, any day I get to see Izzy and Mikhail living their best lives is a win for me! Kylie Kent really is a queen because she excels at long duets and trilogies but she also proves here that she can deliver fully fleshed out romance and layered characters even in a shorter format. I binged this one in one sitting and loved every moment of it!
Well, Kylie Kent just dropped us a new leading man and Neo Valentino-Petrov is worthy of the book boyfriend title.
He’s got the goods to backup his title. Neo might not be the oldest of the siblings but he’s the one who will take over the Petrov family and he’s more than ready and not only that but he wants it. He’s ready to be the boss and willing to do whatever needs to be done as the boss.
Caitlyn literally runs into him and from that very first moment there was something about her that Neo felt pulled towards. Caitlyn though is not ready for any man let alone a man like Neo. She’s been through a lot over the past few years and is just trying to survive.
Despite Neo’s brutal tendencies and the fact that he will get rid of any obstacle in his way, Caitlyn brings out his softer side but for her Neo would burn the world down.
I loved the family interactions, not just because they were fun but because there was a chance to revisit some of my favourites.
Neo left me wanting more. Not because the story wasn’t good or didn’t wrap up the ending well. No, the reason I wanted more was because it was so I good I didn’t want to put it down and it ended too soon.
This book just makes me want to start the Valentino series all over again.
If you’re looking for a quick mafia fix with danger and a hero who falls hard… let me give you the tea on "Neo".
Besties… this novella wastes 🚫time. The storyline is very much bam, bam, bam... straight to the good stuff. But honestly? That’s exactly what one should expect from a novella, 😏 and it totally delivered. The suspense and drama kept things interesting even though the story moves fast.
Neo... our Russian Bratva heir... is dark, dangerous, and completely head over heels the moment he meets Caitlyn. The insta-lust is REAL, but what made this fun was how soft he becomes around her. She’s running from a terrifying past, and the whole 'damsel in distress' moment had Neo locking into full protective mode. And let me tell you… a violent mafia man turning into a melted puddle for one woman? I ate that up!
The banter between Neo and his family had me giggling while the tension kept me hooked. It has a little spice, suspense, and the perfect under-2-hour dark romance fix.
Honestly, you can never go wrong with Kylie Kent. She always has my TBR-approved stamp.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 1.5/5
🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
Neo is dark, addictive, and built on that dangerous kind of devotion where the MMC doesn’t ask — he decides.
Kylie Kent leans fully into the bratva romance vibe with this one, and it works because the intensity never feels half-hearted. Neo is possessive, patient, and terrifyingly certain — the kind of man who doesn’t believe in “off-limits,” especially when he’s decided someone belongs to him.
What makes this story hit is Caitlyn. She isn’t written as weak — she’s written as someone who’s already survived enough to know that trusting the wrong person can get you killed. Her fear feels earned, her hesitation makes sense, and the tension between survival and surrender stays strong throughout.
The romance has that classic push-pull of danger and safety: Neo is absolutely a threat to everyone else… but to Caitlyn, he’s the first person who might actually be able to keep her alive. And with her past creeping closer the entire time, the stakes stay high and the pacing stays tight.
If you like your romance dark, protective, possessive, and full of “touch her and die” energy, this is a solid hit for the shelf.
Anything Kylie Kent writes is automatically a 5-star read for me. I don’t even question it at this point — I just dive in.
Neo is another quick hit in the Valentino Mafia world, and when I say quick… I mean QUICK. Under 150 pages. I read it in a couple of hours and couldn’t put it down. It’s fast, addictive, and pure obsessive energy from the start.
This one gives you:
💥 Love at first sight 💥 Immediate “who hurt you?” 💥 Instant “you’re mine” 💥 Protective, possessive mafia man energy
Neo does not hesitate. He sees her and that’s it — she’s his.
Now let’s talk spice level — because this one is much lighter than you might expect from mafia romance.
🌶️ Spice: 2/5
It’s there… but it’s not detailed. It’s more kissing depth, tension, and chemistry than explicit, drawn-out scenes. There’s one actual sex scene, but it’s very quick — like “it happens and then it’s over.” No lingering descriptions, no goosebumps, no slow-build intensity that makes your stomach flip.
So don’t go in expecting high-heat, in-depth spice. This is more sweet-obsessive than dirty-obsessive.
Because the book is so short, the relationship moves FAST. We’re talking “I love you” within days. There’s no major third-act breakup. No long separation. No big dramatic mafia chaos pulling them apart. It’s immediate connection, immediate devotion, immediate resolution.
If you’re in the mood for: ✔️ A quick mafia fix ✔️ Instant obsession ✔️ Protective alpha energy ✔️ Fast read you can finish in one sitting
You’ll love it.
If you’re wanting: ❌ Deep plot twists ❌ Heavy angst ❌ Long emotional build ❌ High-detail spice
This one won’t fully satisfy that craving.
For me? Still 5 stars — because Kylie can literally write anything in this world and I’ll eat it up every time. But compared to some darker, more intense mafia reads, this one is softer and much lighter on spice.
It’s a quick obsession fix — not a full emotional rollercoaster.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I ate this up in one breath!! Loved it! Neo heir to the Bratva and holy hello, gorgeous crosses paths with Caitlyn, timid, scared, and clearly running from something… and I was hooked from page one. Their chemistry is instant, intense, and so satisfying. I absolutely loved this novella! Honestly, all of Kylie Valentino books are amazing. This couple is among my favorite .They’re perfect for each other. Neo’s protective edge mixed with Caitlyn’s quiet strength created a dynamic I couldn’t stop reading. Now I need more of their story. More scenes, more danger, more longing all of it. I cannot wait to see them cameo in future books because I am not ready to say goodbye. Beautifully done as always, Kylie! I’m obsessed. 💕📚🔥
This book was so good, I read it twice from cover to cover and loved it as much, if not more, the second time. But that’s not surprising since it’s a Kylie Kent book. Neo is just perfect. Morally gray in the best way, burn the world for her, instantly in love, devoted and loyal to his family even when they are too nosy, funny and sexy as ever. Caitlyn is scarred but strong, she stood up for herself and is starting a new life, she’s so sweet, you want to wrap her in a big hug, she’s scared to love but Neo is patient. He showed her with his actions, not just pretty words. They were so perfect for each other. I could’ve read another 500 pages of this book and it would not be enough. I hope we get more from the Valentino-Petrov family!
Neo is a good guy. The way that he rescued Caitlyn and the ways that he cared for afterwards is very endearing. He never pushed Caitlyn outside of her comfort zone. He just showed her that there are good guys still left.
The spice level is more of a slow burn one, but it is the perfect one. Based on Caitlyn's previous relationship and her low self-esteem, I loved seeing Neo just be there for her and help her lift herself up. This way, it made what they were feeling for one another more organic.
Haha. It is always a fun time when Neo's sister, Mabilia is in a scene. I loved her story, so it was nice to see her make an appearance in this book. This book is not to be missed. Read it now and fall in love with Neo and Caitlyn.
This was as short face paced novella. Neo meets Caitlyn bailing his sister out. Kylie is awesome when it comes to her insta love. This one didn't disappoint. Do I was it was a full novel yes, but that's because I fell in love with Neo and didn't want the story to end. I love how Caitlyn wanted to be independent, but also she felt the pull to Neo. Neo like most of his family fell hard and fast and it was great. If you have loved the rest of the stories within this world, then I would suggest you pick this up and check it out. Just remember this is a novella and a quick fast paced read, but just as amazing as all of Kylie's other books.
Neo by Kylie Kent is a high-intensity, easy to binge mafia romance. Caitlyn and Neo’s chemistry is immediate and overwhelming—in all the best ways, of course!
Neo, heir to the Petrov Bratva, is extremely patient and completely obsessive. Caitlyn is running from an abusive ex and fiercely protective of her own safety. Now, if he can only convince her that she’s always safe with him.
If you’re a fan of insta-everything’s that end with a happily ever after, then you’ll love Neo!
My only critique is the abrupt ending — it left me wanting more.
*Please read trigger and content warnings.*
I received an advanced copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Good story love this family. Neo is the Bratva heir and when he goes to get his sister out of jail he meets Caitlin who has just been mugged and her purse stolen. He falls for her and talks her into letting him take her to a doctor to be checked out then takes her home with him. Her ex who she ran away from because he beats her is looking for her. Neo talks her into staying with him,working for him. Good story but to short!
Loved this! A Kylie Kent novella is the best mental reset during a book slump, and Neo was no exception. The banter between Neo and his siblings was nostalgic, and he was a total consent king to our FMC Caitlyn. It was of course a swift read, but held all of the tension, insta-love, and morally gray subplot that we know and love when it comes to Valentino or Petrov stories. Solid 5 star read, and I can't wait for Lex to get his novella.
Aww I just love this word, these characters and this family.
Neo, just like his namesake, he is ruthless and the boss. You do not mess with him or mess with what belongs to him.
Caitlyn who is running away from her shitty ex finds that he new found freedom is not off to a good start. But then she bumps into Neo and the second their eyes connect she was officially his even if she wants nothing to do with him.
Heir to the Russian Bratva … Neo Valentino-Petrov … he sees her coming out of a police station and he is immediately enthralled . Caitlyn captures his attention and makes him want to do and be things he never thought was possible . When he finds out why she is running and why he decides to take away any obstacles that will keep her from choosing him !
I love a good damsel in distress with an unhinged man romance. Neo may enjoy unaliving people but he gave life to Caitlyn. She went from jumping at raised voices and her own shadow to having Neo want to give her the world while plotting the slow death of her abusive ex. I love a Valentino man, but add the Petrov side and it got better. Kylieverse is my favorite place to be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Wow, loved Neo and Caitlyn's story. I wanted it much longer. It would have been great to witness the family dinner at Theo and Holly's. I keep imagining Izzy and Mikhail waiting for Neo in the basement with Henry! I wish the Author would have made this longer. It was so good then cut short.
Why was this book not longer??? I loved Neo and Caitlyn, I wanted so much more! I seriously chewed through this book so entrapped by it! Loved the cameos of the family and cousins, wished there was so much more time and growing together! Please don’t say this is the end 😭😭