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A review by anoveldestination
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
After reading this, I kind of wish I didn't know how to swim, so I could have my brother's super hot friend teach me how to swim. (I also wish I had a brother, so I could have a brother with super hot friends.)
However, overall, this wasn't my favorite romance book. I thought the characters were unrealistic and too exaggerated. I typically love a grumpy/sunshine romance and a billionaire romance, but I think this book is an example of too much of a good thing. I don't think people like Alex Volkov exist. I actually laughed when his character was first introduced: genius IQ, billions of dollars since he was a teenager, a penchant for vengeance, and no problem with violence. He felt like a collection of romance genre tropes, rather than a real person. I would've liked to see some aspects of his character toned down. I would buy the inability to forget information if it wasn't also combined with an extraordinary explanation for how he built his wealth.
Ava was more realistic and relatable. Although, she, of course, also had to have a complicated extraordinary backstory. I'm also just so over heroines in romance novels' biggest flaws being that they're too loving and hopeful. It's like telling someone at a job interview that your biggest weakness is being a perfectionist when we all know that's probably not most people's biggest weakness and you're just saying it too sound good. If we like flawed heroes in romance novels, why can't we see heroines with more flaws or at least flaws other than being too loving and optimistic?
My other main issue with the book was the writing style. The dialogue between Alex and Ava felt too poetic at times. It felt like the author was presenting her interpretation of love, rather than a conversation between the characters. In my opinion, the romance was also too insta-lovey. I like insta-love when it's properly explained or seems reasonable for the characters and world of the book. However, Ava and Alex seem to make a big leap from attraction to love, and I would've liked a more gradual build.
Finally, the plot was just ridiculous, and I didn't need that much action in a romance book. The book could've either cut Alex or Ava's dramatic plotline; I don't think it needed both.
However, overall, this wasn't my favorite romance book. I thought the characters were unrealistic and too exaggerated. I typically love a grumpy/sunshine romance and a billionaire romance, but I think this book is an example of too much of a good thing. I don't think people like Alex Volkov exist. I actually laughed when his character was first introduced: genius IQ, billions of dollars since he was a teenager, a penchant for vengeance, and no problem with violence. He felt like a collection of romance genre tropes, rather than a real person. I would've liked to see some aspects of his character toned down. I would buy the inability to forget information if it wasn't also combined with an extraordinary explanation for how he built his wealth.
Ava was more realistic and relatable. Although, she, of course, also had to have a complicated extraordinary backstory. I'm also just so over heroines in romance novels' biggest flaws being that they're too loving and hopeful. It's like telling someone at a job interview that your biggest weakness is being a perfectionist when we all know that's probably not most people's biggest weakness and you're just saying it too sound good. If we like flawed heroes in romance novels, why can't we see heroines with more flaws or at least flaws other than being too loving and optimistic?
My other main issue with the book was the writing style. The dialogue between Alex and Ava felt too poetic at times. It felt like the author was presenting her interpretation of love, rather than a conversation between the characters. In my opinion, the romance was also too insta-lovey. I like insta-love when it's properly explained or seems reasonable for the characters and world of the book. However, Ava and Alex seem to make a big leap from attraction to love, and I would've liked a more gradual build.
Finally, the plot was just ridiculous, and I didn't need that much action in a romance book. The book could've either cut Alex or Ava's dramatic plotline; I don't think it needed both.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Violence, Child abuse, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Gaslighting and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual assault