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A review by mabelsyrup
Twisted Hate by Ana Huang
funny
tense
fast-paced
- 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
I can’t believe I’m saying this but this is in fact the best one of the series so far… yeah
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”
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”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Violence