A review by admya
Light It Up Red by Kylie Kent

5.0

Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 

Light It Up Red by Kylie Kent is a gripping romance that intertwines the thrill of sports with the perilous world of organized crime. The novel follows the lives of Travis and Liliana, whose love story is fraught with danger, passion, and familial loyalty. 

Travis is a charismatic athlete whose life takes a dramatic turn when he finds himself in a hospital bed, his shirt stained with blood. His obsession with the color red symbolizes the intensity of his feelings and the perilous situations he finds himself in. From the red lights of the goalposts to the red lipstick of the woman he loves, Travis’s world is painted with shades of danger and desire. His resilience and bravery, especially in the face of Liliana’s intimidating family, make him a compelling and admirable protagonist. 

Liliana, on the other hand, is a character torn between her heart and her heritage. As the daughter of Theo Valentino, the Don of the Valentino Crime Family, she’s accustomed to a life filled with threats and violence. Her internal conflict is palpable as she struggles to reconcile her love for Travis with the dangerous reality of her family’s influence. Liliana's journey is one of self-discovery and difficult choices, illustrating the complexities of loyalty and love in a world ruled by power and fear. 

Kylie Kent’s writing is vivid and immersive, drawing readers into a narrative that is as much about the intensity of romance as it is about the looming threat of crime. The chemistry between Travis and Liliana is electric, with their interactions providing both heartwarming and heart-wrenching moments. The plot is fast-paced, with suspenseful twists that keep readers on edge, eagerly turning pages to uncover the fate of this star-crossed couple. 

The thematic use of the color red throughout the novel serves as a powerful motif, symbolizing not only love and passion but also danger and violence. This duality reflects the central tension in the story: the fight between the allure of a loving relationship and the brutal reality of the crime-ridden world they inhabit. 

However, Light It Up Red is more than just a romance or a crime thriller; it’s a story about courage, sacrifice, and the lengths one will go to for the people they love. It’s about finding light in the darkest of places and the redemptive power of love, even when surrounded by bloodshed and betrayal. 

In conclusion, Kylie Kent delivers a compelling tale in Light It Up Red that will appeal to fans of romance and crime fiction. With its dynamic characters, intense plot, and evocative writing, this book is a rollercoaster of emotions that doesn’t disappoint. Whether you’re drawn to stories of forbidden love, intense family drama, or thrilling action, Light It Up Red is a novel that promises to captivate and entertain.