How Many Steps Does It Take To Turn an SM R*pe Novella into a Comedy Skit Novel Review

My Thoughts on How Many Steps Does It Take To Turn an SM R*pe Novella into a Comedy Skit

This title alone hooked me, and I have to say, the story mostly delivered on its promise of bizarre humor. "How Many Steps..." is a short, complete novel that takes a pretty dark premise and somehow manages to wring out consistent laughs, though it also packs an unexpected emotional punch.

First Impressions

Going in, I expected something raunchy and probably a bit disturbing. What I found was surprisingly…fluffy? At least, parts of it were. The initial setup is that the main character transmigrates into an SM r*pe novel, and his immediate reaction is to try and weasel his way out of his fate through sheer comedic audacity. It's a wild ride from the start.

What Works Well

The humor is definitely the strongest aspect. The MC's internal monologue and his completely absurd explanations of SM toys to the male lead are genuinely hilarious. I found myself chuckling consistently. The story shines in its ability to take a dark premise and make it lighthearted, without completely dismissing the underlying issues. The male lead is unexpectedly sweet and not at all what you'd expect from the setup, which is a refreshing twist. The author is sly, the supposed shou turns out to be a gong! And the MC is quite the hunk, or at least, the writing makes him seem so.

Areas of Concern

While the humor is great, the tonal shifts can be a bit jarring. There's a tragic backstory that's revealed later on, and it does feel somewhat out of left field, even if there are hints dropped along the way. Some readers might find the ending a bit confusing, and the romance, while enjoyable, isn't the most developed thing about the story. It's also worth noting that if you're looking for explicit SM content, you won't find it here. The story subverts those expectations pretty quickly.

Final Verdict

Despite some tonal inconsistencies and potential confusion, "How Many Steps Does It Take To Turn an SM R*pe Novella into a Comedy Skit" is a worthwhile read. It's short, funny, and surprisingly heartwarming. If you're looking for something lighthearted with a dash of darkness and don't mind a bit of absurdity, I'd recommend giving it a shot. I came for the smut, but stayed for the story.