Kiss the Villain Review

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and it definitely delivered. Kiss the Villain is an MM dark romance following Garret Carson—who, if you’ve been reading the Legacy of Gods series, you’ll recognize as the golden boy of the Heathens—and Kayden Lockwood, a criminal teaching criminal law. Yes, you read that right.

What makes this story so compelling is the way it peels back Garret’s perfect image and shows you everything that’s been hiding underneath. It’s about power, obsession, dominance, and possession—but also about identity, and the tension between the role someone plays and who they really are. These characters are not good people, and the book doesn’t pretend otherwise, but somehow, I still found myself rooting for them.

Please don’t forget to check the trigger warnings!

Rina Kent has a way of writing complex characters that stay with you long after the last page. The story is dark and intense, and while it’s not overflowing with spice, what’s there is well done and fits the tone of the book.

I gave it 4 stars overall, and I’m really excited for where this new series is going. We already know Vaughn is next, and I have a few theories about book three—can’t wait to see who it’s about.

Kiss the Villain by Rina Kent

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating

🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice

#kissthevillain #rinakent #darkromance #mmromance #booktok

2025/4/12 Edited to

... Read moreOkay, fellow dark romance addicts, let's talk more about 'Kiss the Villain' because my initial review barely scratched the surface of this masterpiece! When I first picked it up, I was already hooked by the promise of an M/M dark romance, and Rina Kent truly delivered. The dynamic between Garret Carson and Kayden Lockwood is just... chefs kiss. It's not just a 'professor x student' trope; it's a battle of wills between 'morally gray x morally black' characters that keeps you on the edge of your seat. What really captivated me was watching their 'enemies to lovers' journey unfold. It’s less about a slow burn and more about an explosive, inevitable collision. Kayden, the criminal law professor, and Garret, the Heathen's golden boy, challenge each other in ways that are both thrilling and unsettling. You know these characters aren't 'good' people, but Rina Kent has this incredible talent for making you understand their depths, their motivations, and yes, even root for their twisted love story. Their power struggles and the sheer obsession they develop for each other are truly what define this book. Every interaction is loaded with tension, making those 'kiss chapters' and intense moments feel so earned and impactful. Now, let's address the burning question: the spice! My 3 chili peppers rating isn't just for show. While 'Kiss the Villain' isn't explicitly overflowing with constant steamy scenes, the spice it does contain is incredibly potent and perfectly woven into the dark, intense atmosphere. It’s not just physical; it's deeply psychological, reflecting the dominance, possession, and raw desire between Kayden and Garret. The intimate moments are designed to enhance their complicated relationship, making them feel raw, vulnerable, and incredibly powerful. If you're looking for scenes that push boundaries and explore the darker facets of desire within a relationship built on power and obsession, you won't be disappointed. Just remember those crucial trigger warnings – this book is dark for a reason! Rina Kent has a distinct style that consistently draws me in, and 'Kiss the Villain' is no exception. Her ability to craft complex characters within the 'Legacy of Gods' series, where everyone is interconnected yet distinct, is phenomenal. The way she designs her book covers, often featuring a moody, dark image of a man, perfectly sets the tone for the morally ambiguous worlds she builds. If you’ve enjoyed her other M/M books or dark romances, you'll feel right at home here. She gives you just enough information about the broader series plot to keep you intrigued for future releases, like Vaughn's upcoming story, making you eager to check for the next 'Rina Kent release date.' Beyond the pages, this book has sparked so much discussion online, especially on BookTok! The 'Kayden and Garret fanart' I've seen is incredible, capturing their intense dynamic so well. It's a testament to how deeply these characters resonate with readers. Connecting with other fans, sharing theories, and seeing how artists interpret these complex relationships adds another layer to the reading experience. Whether you're decoding the nuances of their morally ambiguous actions or just appreciating the intense chemistry, 'Kiss the Villain' is a book that stays with you and makes you want to explore the fan community. It's a truly immersive reading experience, definitely one of my top dark romance picks of the year!

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