Kiss the Villain

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual content.



Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Did Kiss the Villain feel believable in the context of its dark romance genre, or did any parts of the narrative push the boundaries of romantic conventions too far?

2. If you could change one element of the book (e.g., a plot point, character decision, the ending, etc.), what would it be, and why?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Kent uses Gareth and Kayden’s relationship to explore the complex nature of their dominant-submissive relationship. How did the relationship between Kayden and Gareth challenge your views on love, control, and healing?

2. How did you respond to the morally gray or taboo elements of the story? Did they provoke any particular thoughts or feelings?

3. Many of the characters in the novel struggle with the obligations and pressures of their relationships. Have you ever been in a position where you felt trapped by loyalty or obligation, like some of the characters in the book? How did you address it?

4. Consider the range of characters in Kiss the Villain. Which character did you most relate to in the story, and why?

5. The novel explores the complex nature of vulnerability, both its difficulties and its rewards. Were there moments in the narrative that reminded you of your experiences with vulnerability? How did you deal with them?

Examine the book’s relevance to broader societal issues, cultural trends, and ethical dilemmas. 

1. Consider the legal context that runs throughout the background of the narrative. How does the book’s treatment of elite privilege and the systems that protect powerful people connect to real-world concerns?

2. In what ways does the story reflect or bypass real-world conversations about consent, trauma, or justice?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and use of narrative techniques.

1. Discuss Kent’s decision to use a dual perspective narrative structure for the novel and how it affected your reading experience (i.e., by enhancing your understanding of the characters’ motivations).

2. What symbols or repeated imagery, like strawberries, archery, or animals, stood out to you? What do you think they represent?

3. Consider the academic setting of the narrative. How does it add to the tone, power dynamics, and stakes of the story?

4. Did Kayden and/or Gareth undergo believable character growth by the end of the novel? Why, or why not?

5. Discuss Kent’s use of delayed reveals to create suspense by exposing the characters’ hidden pasts. Was it effective? How did it contribute to the themes of the novel?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book’s content and themes.

1. If the book were adapted into a miniseries, how would you structure the episodes? What would the major cliffhangers be, and how would you heighten the dramatic aspects of the story?

2. Write a short scene showing Gareth and Kayden 10 years later. What’s changed within their relationship and what hasn’t?

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