The Bookish Mindset

Over the past year or so I’ve been reading the Twisted and let me tell you, it’s been a rollercoaster. If you’ve not heard of them then you’ve somehow managed to miss the Bookstagram and Booktok craze, I’m almost proud of you.

Here they are in order if you’re in that group:

Twisted Love
Twisted Games
Twisted Hate
Twisted Lies

While it’s called a series, they can work as standalones but obviously be prepared for minor spoilers if you read ahead. Each book features one of four friends as our FMC. The MC’s are interconnected too which is a nice touch.

Each has their own tropes and all contain a good amount of spice, crazy plot and a smattering of trigger warnings too (please check them!).

 

Let me review them as a series first –

Do I think this series is worth a read? If smut with dramatic plot lines are your thing then absolutely. They’re a bit mad but certainly gripped me. I definitely had a favourite of the four but we’ll get into that later.

These were easy wins for me, Ana Huang writes men well. I am a fan and I am absolutely going to continue with her King of series. Huang has a brilliant mixture of drama and spice and it really hits the spot for me. Her characters are developed, their actions believable and their feelings swoon worthy. We’ve got mental health rep, positive therapy rep, strong friendships and well written women. And delicious men, did I mention that?

So now for the individual reviews:

Twisted Love
Alex is a man not to be crossed. From traumatic beginnings, he’s built himself an icy fortress he doesn’t plan on moving from. Silent, deadly and about as emotional as a pebble.

Ava is the sun that melts Alex’s ice. She refuses to let her past shadow her and is the damsel everyone (her brother) believes needs protecting, much to her dislike.

As their lives intertwine, their pasts rear their ugly heads and throws the two up against each other and the world.

The first of the twisted series and my gateway to Ana Huang. I absolutely binged this first one late last year and really enjoyed it. Dramatic plot and horny MC’s? Love it. Brothers best friend is always good fun and paired with grumpy/sunshine is very likeable.

I did think the ending missed the mark a little for me on this but it was fine. The plot was juicy (but maybe because I don’t read too many complex plots it was more than usual for me?) and it had me eager to find out more for sure.

Twisted Games
Bridget has long accepted she’s an actual princess, but having an older brother has meant she’s never really been worried about it. Until he abdicates..

Meanwhile, Rhys has also kept it 100% professional with his clients, being a bodyguard has its troubles and it’s just easier that way. Enter Bridget. And well, you can guess the rest..

Hands down, these two are easily my favourite Twisted couple so far. I love their chemistry, their backstory, their everything. For those that have read it, the flowerpot (we love a jealous man).

This was my first bodyguard romance and I really enjoyed it. Feels similar to fake dating with the chemistry than inevitably blooms.

Twisted Hate
Despite knowing each other for years, Josh and Jules have never seen eye to eye. They actively seek to embarrass and torture the other. And they do so, often.

One night brings them together, but can they leave it there at just a one time thing?

So this one was an absolute miss for me.

This is your classic enemies to lovers. There’s some real spite, and then spice, between Josh and Jules. Josh had some nice points (PMS care – outstanding), but had the lowest of the lows to accompany them. It would be spoilers to tell you THE scene that threw it for but slide into my DM’s to chat for sure.

MINOR SPOILER(?) – Also there’s some serious drama in this that isn’t slightly hinted on the blurb which kinda lost me a bit..

However, I have to say, I really enjoyed meeting them again in Twisted Lies so I’m glad I ended the series on better terms with them.

Twisted Lies
Stella has been building her social media presence for years and it’s getting closer and closer to what she wants. But when dark parts of her past start haunting her again, she escapes to somewhere she never thought she would.. right into the arms of Christian.

Christian Harper, head of Harper Security is a powerful and dangerous man. Not known for his generosity, but that changes with Stella. He’ll do everything in his power to protect her.

Now if you’ve been following my Instagram for a little while (and if not, why not?) you’ll know that fake dating is one of my favourite tropes. Pair that with billionaire and touch her and die tropes and you have yourself a winner. These two are another beautiful match and a beautiful end to the series.

So to summarise, my order of preference is:

Twisted Games
Twisted Lies
Twisted Love
Twisted Hate

Bridget and Rhys come out on top, closely followed by Stella and Christian. Rhys has such a soft gooey centre under his tough exterior and I’m here for it. Christian is in awe of Stella constantly and I love it.

Now don’t come for me, I know so many of you loved Twisted Hate and that’s cool. If you don’t mind spoilers then I’ll go into more detail, but there were just other things I loved in the others.

So, what do you think? Adding them to your TBR soon? If so, you can find them here through my affiliate link with Bookshop.org.