Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Twisted Love

There is something so unsexy about a man who claims he would burn the world for her but can’t even use his fists when his uncle kidnaps and almost kills her. Men can be so unreliable these days.

This month, we dove headfirst into "Twisted Love" by Ana Huang. The vermilion red flags are bright and waving in your face as you open this book, because nothing screams Wattpad like a classic playlist for a novel.

However, to be fair, this book was fun to read. It hits all the tropes you'd expect from a romance novel, particularly one with an icy male lead. Alex Volkov is meant to be dangerous, he’s meant to be serving body and face, but the only thing he should really be serving is some jail time. Especially for giving Ava absolutely no warning before "unloading" himself all over his face.

Also, if you're going to promise a dangerous male lead, it's important to actually let them exhibit a bit of darkness and danger.

Ava carries obvious trauma, having survived a harrowing incident involving drowning. Much of the narrative revolves around Alex and Ava navigating her trauma together, both emotionally and physically. He has a knack for making her wet, whether it's in or out of the pool... if you catch our drift. However, their escapades extend to inappropriate public locations, like getting her all hot and bothered during dinner at a friend's house. At least Ava’s blessed with a fantastic group of friends who each possess distinct personalities that hint at their future successes in their own sequels.

Our protagonists initially have minimal issues with Ava’s brother, mainly because they whisked him off to South America as swiftly as Disney dispatches its princesses' mothers to their graves. Predictably, the villains and plot twists lack surprise, and the inevitable conflict between the main couple can be seen from a mile away.

What we didn’t expect was Alex's impromptu serenade with a guitar. That scene truly had us wondering if rich people need poor friends to remind them that they are not good at everything, and money can’t buy talent. Because the hill we will die on is that Alex is a bad singer, and an even worse boyfriend for upstaging Ava at her event.

This book serves as a cautionary tale on what not to do in a relationship. You'll either love it, hate it, or perhaps just DNF it, but we invite you to join us as we delve into more detail on our podcast, "Revolver Reads: A Bookclub Russian Roulette." Find us on your preferred podcast platform or simply @revolverreads on Instagram, and share your thoughts. If you have any future book suggestions for our roulette wheel, feel free to email us at [email protected].

Content Warnings

bees_bookcorner's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

If I had to describe this in three words or less, it would be: La petite mort.

🚩🚩🚩

There is DV (domestic violence) in this book. I’m a DV advocate and this book triggered vicarious trauma I didn’t even know I have, if it was listed in the Trigger Warnings it would’ve helped me mentally prepare myself for that.
Besides it not being on the TW list, I disliked how Liam’s actions were never labeled as such. It felt like it was brushed over and kind of used as a plot device. 85% loved what Alex did to him, but it could’ve been worse. Should’ve been pure agony for him!!!
It also felt that Alex’s stalking was in a way ‘romanticized’. What he did when he arrived in London was DV.
Was his persistence to get Ava back kinda sweet at the end? Yes, it still felt gross and yucky though • - •.
Please take care of yourself, you’re mental health matters <3

Content Warnings

nailartklaudia's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

yoghurtcrumbs's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

First of all, I was very entertained by this book and had a good time reading it. However, that doesn't mean that it's particularly good.

What makes me go 'meh' the most is the character Alex.

For a so called 'genius' he really makes some dumb ass decisions throughout the book. Like oh noo who could've expected that Ava would get drawn into this? Yea.

The spicy scenes are good in my opinion, as they are rough but 100% consensual. Some other things don't reflect that consent though,

as he straight up turns into a stalker to get her forgiveness in the end. He doesn't take a no for an answer and takes every chance of getting away from him away from her.

I usually like the grumpy x sunshine trope and yea, the posessiveness is kinda hot but

not taking a no for an answer and turning into a stalker...?

...Nah.
Also... Ana Huang said in an interview that she likes 'morally grey characters' like Alex. And I get it. But yoo that might be... a bit much...?

He seeks justice himself and violently kills two people in the process and then turns the damn house to ashes to hide it all (Men would do anything instead of going to therapy lmao). And Ava just kind of... ignores that and is only hurt because she thinks his feelings for her are a lie. Everything else is just kind of overlooked.

The girl friend group are likeble though, as is her brother Josh. The plot was thrilling, though a little bit predictable. I'd say it's an easy read, and, as I said, still entertaining. Maybe a good entry into darker romance.
I will keep reading the series and I'm looking forward to the other characters, couples and tropes.

Content Warnings