Title: Twisted Love
Series: Twisted #1 (Standalone)
Author: Ana Huang
Genre: New Adult Romance
Published: 29th April 2021
Format: e-ARC provided by the author
Pages: 339
Twisted Love - Review
Twisted Love by Ana Huang is a New Adult Romance, the first book in the Twisted series that follows Ava Chen and Alex Volkov. It has a mix of some amazing tropes – brother’s best friend, alpha dark hero, neighbors, suspense, and dark elements that you usually don’t see in the usual NA Romances.
Also, let us all take a minute (or two, or even five) to gawk at this gorgeous AF cover. I love it so much! He definitely rocks Alex Volkov.
I’ve been in a weird book slump since the start of March, and no books really caught my eye. Then, one day, Ana contacted me about this book and sent me the blurb. The moment I read – ‘This book contains a possessive alpha/antihero’, I was a goner. I’m all in for alpha heroes, guys!
If my review doesn’t convince you to read this book, maybe these Twisted Love Quotes will help along the way 😉
This is my first read by Ana Huang, and definitely not the last. At first, I wondered how Twisted Love would be different from the other books that follow similar tropes.
But Ana brought me out of that weird slump. Her writing style is smooth. After a couple of chapters, I was absorbed into the story, liking Ava for her sunshine like personality and intrigued by Alex and his mysterious past. The story is in dual POVs so we get to know both of them.
The plot is evenly paced and quite interesting! A steamy read with a perfect mix of darkness and light, the mystery surrounding both the characters and the suspense weaving its way throughout the story. Although predictable, I certainly didn’t see how everything would play out.
There’s Ava’s cheery character and playful moments with her friends. Intermingling with that is Alex’s and Ava’s dark past catching up to them. Alex has some hidden motivation, Ava’s just trying to keep the hope of light in her. There are some villainous characters out to get them. It made for a really interesting read.
Ava Chen is a sweet, naive girl, with a past that haunts her. What should have broken her, instead made her a strong person. She refuses to drown in the darkness and she’s this ball of sunshine, striving to believe in the goodness of other people.
I loved her genuineness. She didn’t come off as being naïve in a deliberate way. She loves her brother Josh and has an amazing group of friends. They are a close-knit group, and I wish I was a part of that!
Alex… well, I started reading this book for him, and damn, he completely took over my mind. From his first entrance, this enigmatic character intrigued me. Best friends with Josh, he’s always looked at Ava as his sister – we know how’s that going to go lol. Eventually, when Josh entrusts Alex to take care of his sister, he moves into Josh’s home, right next to Ava’s.
Alex is a sexy, dirty alpha male. He remembers everything that’s happened in his life. (Hyperthymesia – It was a new term for me.) His dark past drives all of his actions (which the author brilliantly laid out in chapters – giving us bits and pieces). I love how possessive and protective he is about Ava. He exudes this cold, emotionless personality to others, but those walls come crashing down with Ava.
Ava and Alex have amazing chemistry. They just balance each other out. Throughout the story, you see them growing together as individuals and as a couple. There’s also the darkness in their story that plays in.
One of the reasons it jumped quickly into my favorite list is the NA Romance that took me back to those days where I would devour literally any college/brother’s best friend romances.
Twisted Love by Ana Huang kept me engaged, made me love the main and the supportive characters. It has a unique touch despite the cliches. I recommend this book if you love New Adult Romance reads.
ALSO READ: Books Like Fifty Shades of Grey.
Twisted Love FAQs that I see on the net:
Is Twisted Love a series?
No, Twisted Love by Ana Huang is a standalone and the first book in the Twisted series. This is the reading order:
#1 Twisted Love
#2 Twisted Games
#3 Twisted Hate
#4 Twisted Lies
Does Twisted Love have a Happy Ending?
Yes, it does. And I loved it. If you love a good groveling by the hero after all his misdeeds, read this!
Is Twisted Love spicy?
Yes, it is explicit. Alex gets rough with Ava and he loves dirty filthy talk. So if you love that, this book is for you.
What is Twisted Love Age Rating?
The recommended age is 18+ as it features some dark elements.
What are the Twisted Love Trigger Warnings?
Without giving away too many spoilers – It contains a dark possessive anti-hero, explicit sexual content, stalking, and violence. If you have read Dark Romances before, then go for this one!
Is there a Twisted Love Bonus Scene?
Yes! You can get this bonus scene on this link. Ana was also a part of the Nightingale Anthology for Ukraine. Her story features Ava and Alex. I have yet to read it though.
Twisted Love Blurb
He has a heart of ice…but for her, he’d burn the world.
Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can’t escape.
Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart.
But when he’s forced to look after his best friend’s sister, he starts to feel something in his chest:
A crack.
A melt.
A fire that could end his world as he knew it.
***
Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can’t remember.
But despite her broken past, she’s never stopped seeing the beauty in the world…including the heart beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn’t want.
Her brother’s best friend.
Her neighbor.
Her savior and her downfall.
Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen—but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both…and everything they hold dear.
Twisted Love is a brother’s best friend/opposites attract romance with a hint of suspense. It’s book one in the Twisted series but can be read as a standalone.
WARNING: This book contains a possessive alpha/antihero, explicit sexual content, and profanity. No cheating or menage, but if you’re looking for a traditionally sweet, loveable hero, this is not the book for you. Recommended for 18+.
Purchase Links
About Ana Huang:
Ana Huang is an author of primarily steamy New Adult and contemporary romance. Her stories range from lighthearted to dark, but they all have HEAs with plenty of banter and swoon sprinkled in. Besides reading and writing, Ana loves traveling, is obsessed with hot chocolate, and has multiple relationships with fictional boyfriends.
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