Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

8 reviews

revolverreads's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Murder, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

charlottedejoya's review against another edition

dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Child death, and Death of parent

destinyv1711's review against another edition

emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

TW: 

• Abusive parents
• Aquaphobia/panic attacks
• Attempted murder/drowning
• Child abuse
• Death and violence
• Mentions of suicide

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts

Ended abruptly

netaliv3's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Grief, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Stalking, Vomit, and Violence

catnip159's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The book wasn't bad by any means, I think it was just...a lot. The first half of the book was pretty slow to allow the couple to get together (which was fine) but that only left the other half to tie up the loose ends of Alex's family/Ava's dad which seemed a bit rushed to me. There were three separate plot lines I could see with Ava's trama, the relationship, and Alex's family. On paper, that makes sense, but the book spent way too long on two plot lines without fully developing the last one making the third act seem a bit quick. I wanted more tension with the uncle and more interactions with him in general for him to become such a prominent character in the third act. I didn't buy Alex and the uncle's relationship because we didn't spend time with them until the book needed to tie up the loose ends of Alex's story. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Despite everything I've said about the third act I could not put this book down! The twists and turns kept me hooked the whole time despite it seeming fast. If you enjoy twists (even with their flaws) then you'll love this book!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Kidnapping

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

lea_talisa's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was absolutely captivated and read the book in one sitting. Yet I have to say I didn’t really like the way things moved towards the ending.
It wasn’t extraordinarily good but I had a great time reading it and couldn’t put it down so without rating it objectively I can say in my opinion it’s a good book with lots of ups and downs so you definitely won’t get bored 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Gaslighting

Moderate: Murder, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, and Gun violence

Minor: Toxic friendship, Kidnapping, Drug abuse, Addiction, and Suicidal thoughts

ka_ke's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What can I say? I’m a sucker for tall dark and moody guys. The sense of humour adds some lightness that I feel is necessary for this book. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content

Minor: Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, and Addiction

justs1h9am's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• 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

5.0

I miss Josh and Alex their relationship, hopefully they will become friends again in Josh’s book

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence