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mabelsyrup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My main takeaway from this is that Ana Huang rly knows how to write enemies to lovers, like she excels at it! Every single moment of banter and clap backs and (kinda) hate sex was SO GOOD. Matter of fact most of the dialogues are so fun and witty; idk what changed between Twisted Games and this one but the upgrade in writing was noticeable, Jules and Josh were imho really fleshed out and had their own personality and quirks and distinctive attitudes but at the same time their similarities and issues really connect them and establish the book’s theme of trust and intimacy.
Now Josh… mm mm MMH WHAT A MAN OOF. Again going back to how well him and Jules were fleshed out I noticed it most with him; in previous books the mmc were just hot, traumatized and possessive (which, nothing against it i still adore RHYS.. Alex is fine too) but Josh was just so real: suave, smug, cocky, practical, good at his job, funny, interesting, actually had a side plot that carried some weight to the plot when i thought he’d either not bring anything or his trauma with his dad would be super forced but surprise it was actually v good! although I did want to see more of his struggle, yes i been knew that Jules’s trauma is the main driving point but I could’ve used more from Josh’s side cuz what we got was compelling. there is one drawback tho and that’s chapter 46… istg i wanted to hit him in the face, and his apology wasn’t the best either, basically “I’m sorry i called you a whore I’m dumb lol” but other than that he’s a very close second after Rhys.
Jules was also fantastic; spunky, fun, witty, sexy, confident, smart, chaotic and sex positive. Idk if i wanna be her or be with her tbh. Her whole plot was very interesting and rough, it put her in a spot were you’d think she wouldn’t be any of the adjetives i just said but she remained the life of the party. Same as Josh she was v well fleshed out, not only bc of her plot but bc of how much we get to know of her and what she’s like, what she likes or doesn’t and the things that affect her. She is so far the best fmc of the series by a landslide.
The series still suffers from a weak ending, the last 2 chapters were cute but very meh. That and some overkill moments were they’re rly hammering the point of the story or trying to recap things from the other books so you can still “read them as standalones” bullllshiiitt. But literally that’s kinda my only criticisms. That and the fact that the author used the forbidden “our tongues fighting for dominance” phrase 💀 BUT she did also use the “who did this to you?” Phrase so maybe it cancels out.
TLDR: exceded expectations in every way, god tier banter, god tier hate sex, god tier main characters. But i won’t give it 5 stars or lower Twisted Games so they’ll have to share.
“He kissed the way we fought. Hard. Rough. Explosive. I hated how much i loved it” “Jules fucked the way she fought- fierce and fiery, no holds barred”
“I’d always been a chocolate guy, but cinnamon was fast becoming my new favorite flavor”
“What would it be like to be loved so deeply by someone I wouldn’t have to worry about every little move possibly driving them away”
“In a world where i was surrounded by death, she was the only thing that made me feel alive”
“One mistake I’ll never make is letting you go, not when there’s even a sliver of a chance left for us. Because the possibility of you is better than the reality of anyone else”
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Violence
zaynascz's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
- friends w benefits trope
- THAT scene after Jules confessed about the painting
- Josh
1. The friends with benefits trope isn’t my favourite because you don’t get the confession scene and the first kiss, but thats just my own personal opinion and isn’t my biggest problem with the book since its just a trope i don’t like and not a problem with the actual plot or writing as a whole.
2. Don’t even TRY to defend josh here because that was so wrong in so many different ways. I understand that he was hurt and felt betrayed, especially from past experiences but that was absolutely no excuse for manipulating Jules like that. Call it whatever you want but that was plain manipulation, and me personally would NOT have forgiven josh in that situation. Tbh i would’ve started going out with that Asher dude instead.
3. I think its clear why i hate josh. Although the max scene redeemed him, a little bit.
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide, Car accident, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Sexual content, Blood, Sexual harassment, Violence, Murder, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Fire/Fire injury
lujisa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Alcohol
amre23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Death, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, and Misogyny
Minor: Classism, Death of parent, Mental illness, Stalking, and Suicidal thoughts
lulaareads__'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Minor: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Pedophilia
ka_ke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Violence, Child abuse, Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Medical content, Pedophilia, and Vomit
Minor: Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore
culzean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Stalking, Torture, Car accident, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Sexism, Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Body shaming, Alcohol, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Classism, Murder, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Grief, and Bullying
bryelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Rape, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Vomit
lauramparis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, and Medical content
Minor: Abandonment, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, and Stalking
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ever since I read, and loved Twisted Love, where we get to see a few fiery interactions between Jules and Josh I knew I needed to read their book. We get enemies to lovers between Ava’s [the MC of Twisted Love] BFF and older brother and it is steamy.
Seven years ago Jules befriended Ava and Josh has been against the friendship ever since. Only seeing Jules as a bad influence who’s prone to trouble Josh doesn’t want his younger sister anywhere near her and has been very vocal about it.
A lifetime of people disregarding and making assumptions about her has led Jules to despise anyone who looks down on her especially overconfident, and rude, future doctors like Josh Chen.
Both Jules and Josh are positive they know exactly who the other is…and hate them. Little do they know when forced together they may find they’re not that different after all.
I was not prepared for how good this book was. A fan of enemies to lovers and the BFF’s brother tropes I knew I was going to enjoy reading this book I just didn’t anticipate how much. Not only do we get great tropes between Jules and Josh but we also get to see Josh handle his severed relationship with his father and his ex-BFF Alex. Getting to see both characters face their pasts and overcome them had me cheering for them individually as well as together.
Knowing nothing about book four, which will feature Stella and Christian, I’m excited to see what happens. I feel like we’ll finally get more information about the stalker Stella dealt with, and since Christian is in security maybe she goes to him for help…really curious to see their love story unfold.
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Abandonment, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, and Murder