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Kiss Me Twisted
Love didn’t save her—it twisted her.
Berkley Monroe survived the fire, the secrets, and the truths she never saw coming. But survival isn’t healing, and everything that follows feels sharper, darker, more fragile. Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson want her—all of her—but trust doesn’t come easily when your body remembers what your heart wishes it could forget. Loving them as one is dangerous enough. Letting herself need them may be the most terrifying risk of all.
As Berk struggles under the weight of her trauma, the line between protection and possession begins to blur. The men who would burn the world for her are fighting battles of their own—rage, guilt, obsession—and the past isn’t finished clawing its way back into their lives. Powerful enemies move in silence, lies tighten like a noose, and every step forward threatens to pull them deeper into a twisted game of control and retaliation. In this world, vulnerability is a weapon, and someone is always watching.
Kiss Me Twisted dives headfirst into the brutal middle of love—where desire crashes into fear, trust is carved out inch by agonizing inch, and healing is raw, messy, and anything but kind. Some loves aren’t meant to rescue you. Some demand that you survive them first. And when everything is already shattered, the only question left is how much more you’re willing to lose before you finally strike back.
If you crave dark romance, possessive devotion, emotional wreckage, and a heroine fighting to trust the men who want all of her—this is where it gets twisted. Kiss Me Twisted is Book Two of Four in the Ashes of Us series, and once you step into the aftermath, there’s no turning back.
Content This series explores dark and emotionally intense themes, including trauma, violence, and morally gray characters. Full trigger warnings are available in the front matter.
Berkley Monroe survived the fire, the secrets, and the truths she never saw coming. But survival isn’t healing, and everything that follows feels sharper, darker, more fragile. Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson want her—all of her—but trust doesn’t come easily when your body remembers what your heart wishes it could forget. Loving them as one is dangerous enough. Letting herself need them may be the most terrifying risk of all.
As Berk struggles under the weight of her trauma, the line between protection and possession begins to blur. The men who would burn the world for her are fighting battles of their own—rage, guilt, obsession—and the past isn’t finished clawing its way back into their lives. Powerful enemies move in silence, lies tighten like a noose, and every step forward threatens to pull them deeper into a twisted game of control and retaliation. In this world, vulnerability is a weapon, and someone is always watching.
Kiss Me Twisted dives headfirst into the brutal middle of love—where desire crashes into fear, trust is carved out inch by agonizing inch, and healing is raw, messy, and anything but kind. Some loves aren’t meant to rescue you. Some demand that you survive them first. And when everything is already shattered, the only question left is how much more you’re willing to lose before you finally strike back.
If you crave dark romance, possessive devotion, emotional wreckage, and a heroine fighting to trust the men who want all of her—this is where it gets twisted. Kiss Me Twisted is Book Two of Four in the Ashes of Us series, and once you step into the aftermath, there’s no turning back.
Content This series explores dark and emotionally intense themes, including trauma, violence, and morally gray characters. Full trigger warnings are available in the front matter.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
March 11, 2026
Kiss Me Twisted by Ava RuinMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Kiss Me Twisted, is the second book in the Ashes of Us series. Unfortunately I was not paying attention to that when I started this book, so it looks like I am going to have to go back and read book one before I continue on to book three. This is the first book by Ava Ruin that I have had the privilege to read and it will not be my last.
I absolutely LOVED Berkley's character development. I loved that she didn't let her past break her, but that it made her stronger, more passionate and devoted to her cause. Ronan, Rowen, and Emerson (swoon). I love her bestie Reign too. If you love dark romance and why-choose then this is a must read!
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March 4, 2026
4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Kiss Me Twisted is Book 2 in the Ashes of Us series...and I highly recommend reading this series in order. This story is full of so many secrets, revenge, shadows and true survival....some things I did not see coming. The aftermath of injustice that happens....unimaginable.
Rowan, Ronan and Emerson are each feeling hurt, distrust and grief of their loss of Berkley....but the unknown in the dark is Berkley was never lost....just plotting and planning to bring down her own revenge on those who wronged her and her best friend, Reign. As the layers of this story peel away, this book really takes a hold of you....
I cannot wait until Book 3 to see what happens next....
Kiss Me Twisted is Book 2 in the Ashes of Us series...and I highly recommend reading this series in order. This story is full of so many secrets, revenge, shadows and true survival....some things I did not see coming. The aftermath of injustice that happens....unimaginable.
Rowan, Ronan and Emerson are each feeling hurt, distrust and grief of their loss of Berkley....but the unknown in the dark is Berkley was never lost....just plotting and planning to bring down her own revenge on those who wronged her and her best friend, Reign. As the layers of this story peel away, this book really takes a hold of you....
I cannot wait until Book 3 to see what happens next....
February 25, 2026
5 out of 5 Stars
Kiss Me Twisted (Ashes of Us #2) by Ava Ruin
This is not the first book I've read by the author. Kiss Me Twisted is the second book in the Ashes of Us Series. If you haven't read the first book then I suggest reading it before reading this. The gang is back and it's not good. Twists and turns are throughout the book. The writing is fantastic and will have you on the edge of your seat.
Berkley is back and she's not the girl they remember. She's survived a lot more than anyone thinks and she's going to get her revenge. She goes to a boxing ring to spy on her boys and to let her frustration out. When she's finally found out she asks Rowen this: “I said, where the f**k is Reign, Rowen?!”
Rowen and Ronan have been changing places for their fights and no one can tell. But the night he decides to get in the cage he finds the eyes of someone that feels familiar. He has given up on Berk because he thinks she cheated. He thinks she hurt them and his sister before dying in a fire. Then something happens and when he finds out that Cupcake is her he breaks. He says this to Emerson when another one of their businesses goes up in flames: “No chance. Whoever’s behind it? They’re not just setting fires. They’re aiming to cripple the business— piece by piece.”
Emerson feels the same way although he does doubt that she would hurt the four of them because that wasn't her. Berk has been floating through his mind throughout the years. He's never forgotten her, but he is blinded by the business side of things to see that she was right there. He says this in agreement to Rowen's comment: “Yeah. We need to finalize the plan. Before we lose control of what’s left.”
Ronan is the only one who hasn't given up on Berk. He knows in his heart that she's not dead. When he sees her at the cage he knows it's her. He follows her after he receives a call from his dad. When he finds her she's setting up a big bang. He lets her leave, but he follows her. When he catches up to her he says this to her: “Berk… where the hell have you been hiding? You know they told us you were dead. That you burned with the house.”
Kiss Me Twisted (Ashes of Us #2) by Ava Ruin
This is not the first book I've read by the author. Kiss Me Twisted is the second book in the Ashes of Us Series. If you haven't read the first book then I suggest reading it before reading this. The gang is back and it's not good. Twists and turns are throughout the book. The writing is fantastic and will have you on the edge of your seat.
Berkley is back and she's not the girl they remember. She's survived a lot more than anyone thinks and she's going to get her revenge. She goes to a boxing ring to spy on her boys and to let her frustration out. When she's finally found out she asks Rowen this: “I said, where the f**k is Reign, Rowen?!”
Rowen and Ronan have been changing places for their fights and no one can tell. But the night he decides to get in the cage he finds the eyes of someone that feels familiar. He has given up on Berk because he thinks she cheated. He thinks she hurt them and his sister before dying in a fire. Then something happens and when he finds out that Cupcake is her he breaks. He says this to Emerson when another one of their businesses goes up in flames: “No chance. Whoever’s behind it? They’re not just setting fires. They’re aiming to cripple the business— piece by piece.”
Emerson feels the same way although he does doubt that she would hurt the four of them because that wasn't her. Berk has been floating through his mind throughout the years. He's never forgotten her, but he is blinded by the business side of things to see that she was right there. He says this in agreement to Rowen's comment: “Yeah. We need to finalize the plan. Before we lose control of what’s left.”
Ronan is the only one who hasn't given up on Berk. He knows in his heart that she's not dead. When he sees her at the cage he knows it's her. He follows her after he receives a call from his dad. When he finds her she's setting up a big bang. He lets her leave, but he follows her. When he catches up to her he says this to her: “Berk… where the hell have you been hiding? You know they told us you were dead. That you burned with the house.”
February 21, 2026
4 stars
Ava Ruin returns with Kiss Me Twisted, and if Before I Burn threw us into the fire, this book drags us straight into the aftermath—raw, shaken, and still smouldering. This second instalment in the Ashes of Us series is darker, heavier, and far more emotionally charged. Berkley Monroe survived, but survival is only the beginning, and Ruin makes sure we feel every jagged edge of what comes next.
Where book one simmered with tension and forbidden pull, this one digs deeper into the damage left behind. Berk is fractured in ways she can’t hide, and the Calder boys—Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson—aren’t exactly steady themselves. Their devotion is fierce, possessive, and sometimes overwhelming, and that blurred line between protection and control gives the story its sharpest bite. Loving them as one was complicated before; now it’s dangerous in a whole new way.
The emotional weight hits early. Trauma, fear, obsession, guilt—everything is dialled up, and Ruin doesn’t shy away from the messy parts of healing. There’s a constant sense that something is watching, waiting, tightening around them. Powerful enemies move quietly, lies stack up, and the past refuses to stay buried. That creeping dread from book one is still here, but now it’s darker, more intimate, like a shadow pressed against the back of your neck.
Because this is book two of four, nothing is neatly resolved, and honestly, that works. This is the brutal centre of the journey—where desire collides with fear, trust is earned inch by painful inch, and love becomes something you survive before you can ever fully embrace it.
If you’re into dark romance with possessive devotion, emotional wreckage, and a heroine clawing her way back to trust, this one delivers exactly what it promises. It’s intense, twisted, and full of that “something is about to break” tension that keeps you hooked. I’m definitely curious to see just how much darker things get from here.
Ava Ruin returns with Kiss Me Twisted, and if Before I Burn threw us into the fire, this book drags us straight into the aftermath—raw, shaken, and still smouldering. This second instalment in the Ashes of Us series is darker, heavier, and far more emotionally charged. Berkley Monroe survived, but survival is only the beginning, and Ruin makes sure we feel every jagged edge of what comes next.
Where book one simmered with tension and forbidden pull, this one digs deeper into the damage left behind. Berk is fractured in ways she can’t hide, and the Calder boys—Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson—aren’t exactly steady themselves. Their devotion is fierce, possessive, and sometimes overwhelming, and that blurred line between protection and control gives the story its sharpest bite. Loving them as one was complicated before; now it’s dangerous in a whole new way.
The emotional weight hits early. Trauma, fear, obsession, guilt—everything is dialled up, and Ruin doesn’t shy away from the messy parts of healing. There’s a constant sense that something is watching, waiting, tightening around them. Powerful enemies move quietly, lies stack up, and the past refuses to stay buried. That creeping dread from book one is still here, but now it’s darker, more intimate, like a shadow pressed against the back of your neck.
Because this is book two of four, nothing is neatly resolved, and honestly, that works. This is the brutal centre of the journey—where desire collides with fear, trust is earned inch by painful inch, and love becomes something you survive before you can ever fully embrace it.
If you’re into dark romance with possessive devotion, emotional wreckage, and a heroine clawing her way back to trust, this one delivers exactly what it promises. It’s intense, twisted, and full of that “something is about to break” tension that keeps you hooked. I’m definitely curious to see just how much darker things get from here.
March 3, 2026
Berkley returns but not as the sweet loving girl from book 1. In Kiss Me Twisted she’s hardened and is out for the ultimate revenge. Revenge for her and her father but also for Reign.
It’s been 5 years and in that time she’s remained hidden. Let everyone including the guys think she perished in the fire at her home. When in reality her dad’s right hand got her out. But unfortunately not without some damage first. Help her train for her eventual revenge.
It’s time to dismantle the empire that tried to kill her piece by piece. She needs to remain in the shadows, she doesn’t know what would happen if they recognized her. First the warehouse and then the judge, were just the beginnings of her plans. Unfortunately it was her need to let loose in an underground fight club that put her on someone’s radar.
Ronan knew from the minute he saw this purple haired pixie it was her. The one who could bring him to his knees. But parts of him doubted it and he needed to be positive. Bringing her up caused fights, because aside from being led to believe she was dead, they were also led to believe she betrayed all 4 of them.
Will Ronan confirm?
Will Berkley be able to remain in the shadows?
What will Dean and Bryce do about their empire beginning to crumble?
So many questions, with some answers. It's up to you to dig into book 2 to find them. It’s definitely not a standalone, so make sure you’ve read book 1 first. While I wait for book 3 to be released.
It’s been 5 years and in that time she’s remained hidden. Let everyone including the guys think she perished in the fire at her home. When in reality her dad’s right hand got her out. But unfortunately not without some damage first. Help her train for her eventual revenge.
It’s time to dismantle the empire that tried to kill her piece by piece. She needs to remain in the shadows, she doesn’t know what would happen if they recognized her. First the warehouse and then the judge, were just the beginnings of her plans. Unfortunately it was her need to let loose in an underground fight club that put her on someone’s radar.
Ronan knew from the minute he saw this purple haired pixie it was her. The one who could bring him to his knees. But parts of him doubted it and he needed to be positive. Bringing her up caused fights, because aside from being led to believe she was dead, they were also led to believe she betrayed all 4 of them.
Will Ronan confirm?
Will Berkley be able to remain in the shadows?
What will Dean and Bryce do about their empire beginning to crumble?
So many questions, with some answers. It's up to you to dig into book 2 to find them. It’s definitely not a standalone, so make sure you’ve read book 1 first. While I wait for book 3 to be released.
March 10, 2026
This is book 2 in the series and I didn't read book 1 first. That said, it can be done but the first book explains so much that is continued into book 2. If you haven't read the first one yet go and do that and then read this one. If you're like me, you will definitely be reading the first book after completing this one. Let's start with how amazing the author is with the way they have delivered the story to the readers. This book is so meticulously written that the reader can just get lost in the words. The pace of the book is well timed with the way the reader would feel that it should naturally flow. The main female character has a certain female empowerment that is a breath of fresh air. She has been through some stuff that could have crushed her but she took all that and turned into a fire that burns inside herself. She uses that fuel to push through everything in her life. I absolutely loved that. This book did end on a cliff hanger but the reader won't be made at it. If you are like me you might want to wait so you can read the third book right away. I am not a patient person. This book is a dark romance and do not take the trigger warnings lightly. There is suspense, drama, danger, and steam in this book. I can't say enough amazing things about this book and author but if I keep going, I am going to end up giving spoilers and the book is to good to do that to it. If you like dark romance, you will love this author and want to devour everything they have written.
March 10, 2026
Kiss me twisted by Ava Ruin is the second book in the series. While I suppose it can be read as a stand alone, I really wished I had read the first book before reading this one. The prologue does give you some background from the first, but I don't know. I just felt like I, personally, was missing out on details and the growth of their journey. But I am also one who likes the build up and just felt like the first book might have given me more into the plot.
As always, please read the trigger warnings before delving into any book. Normally I call it the menu, but this one just hits differently than other dark romances I've read. One of the biggest ones that I know might trigger people is SA. I'm sure it will be in the first one too based on the prologue so please be careful.
This book takes place 5 years after the first book. All of the guys believe B betrayed them, and also think she is dead thanks to a house fire that took the life of her father. Unknowingly to anyone, she wasn't dead. The head of security for her father had saved her. Trained her. And now? Now she is back for revenge. Not only for herself and her father, but also for her best friend who was like a sister to her in every way that mattered, Reign.
This is a short book, you can get it done in one sitting. If you just need a quick filler between larger ones, this is good for that. The story will suck you in and keep you turning to the next page
As always, please read the trigger warnings before delving into any book. Normally I call it the menu, but this one just hits differently than other dark romances I've read. One of the biggest ones that I know might trigger people is SA. I'm sure it will be in the first one too based on the prologue so please be careful.
This book takes place 5 years after the first book. All of the guys believe B betrayed them, and also think she is dead thanks to a house fire that took the life of her father. Unknowingly to anyone, she wasn't dead. The head of security for her father had saved her. Trained her. And now? Now she is back for revenge. Not only for herself and her father, but also for her best friend who was like a sister to her in every way that mattered, Reign.
This is a short book, you can get it done in one sitting. If you just need a quick filler between larger ones, this is good for that. The story will suck you in and keep you turning to the next page
March 3, 2026
This author is new to me. I did not read book 1 on this series so I’m not really sure what has happened before this book however, it gives a pretty good description from the beginning of this book. Rowen and Ronan are twins. Emerson is their best friend. Almost like another brother. All 3 of them has something going with Berkley. One night they were supposed to meet up but their fathers sent them away to the cabin. While the boys were at the cabin with little to no cellphone service, the dads were quite busy. The two of them along with some friends had it planned perfectly. Drug the girls….Berkley and Reign and SA them. The boys returned home to find out Berkley and her dad died in a fire at their house. Only Berk didn’t die…she was saved and taken away. She was training to be an absolutely beast to get her revenge. When the guys see her from afar 5 years later, it’s like they were seeing a ghost. Different colored hair and eyes but Ronan knew immediately who she was. There’s no proof of what happened all those years ago but Berk has a way to find the proof. Nothing will stop her from getting her sweet revenge on the men responsible. When she finds herself in Reigns old bedroom and checking a secret spot only the two girls know about, there’s a letter and Reigns old phone…things are about to get interesting.
March 10, 2026
This book blew me away. Here you have Berkley or Berk for short, that has survived something so life altering traumatic by the families she trusted. But instead of being a shell of herself, she turns that madness into pure straight hellfire. Wanting revenge for the life they stole from her and her friend Reign. Having everyone believe she is dead does have its advantages in her plan for revenge. She is getting closer to all the pieces playing out but can she keep her distance from the boys she gave her heart and soul to before everything in her life blew up. Now Men, Ronan, Rowen and Emerson are also trying to get out of their father’s grasps. As well as their father’s business endeavors that seem to have their own horrible dirty secrets that they have kept from their sons. But someone is several steps ahead of them and exacting the same plan they have been waiting for. Can these three see that the one girl they have been missing all these years, truly be alive and be one and the same. Or will they be too blind to hatred to see what is right in front of them. Do recommend you read the first book in this series: Before I Burn. This will give you the story of everyone leading up to this book. I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone, but please read the warnings on both books before you fall into Berk’s world.
February 26, 2026
Again , loving this cover ! Having read the first book I assumed I knew what I was letting myself in for and we all know what happens when we assume right !?
Berkeley had her hand full literally and figuratively she’s survived but is so absorbed with revenge and hurt that she’s not really living and she has gone through more than anyone realises and throw on the craving or yearning she has for these men and she’s one big ball of anxiety and tension ….
Berkeley isn’t the only one battling , Rowan , Ronan and Emerson are having a hard time dealing with everything that’s happened and that’s happening now , truly is a glorious mess and the past just wants to cling to these people and I want sure if my heart was going to handle it 🙈
My head and my heart was spinning with all the twists , the twins have been swooping out in the rink , they thought Berkeley has died and she hadn’t , they were keen to blame her for everything going on and yet they weren’t all on the same page which meant they were at loggerheads because Berkeley wouldn’t come after them like that , would she !?
I felt battered and bruised when I finished this read but like a sucker for punishment I’ll be back for more 😉
Berkeley had her hand full literally and figuratively she’s survived but is so absorbed with revenge and hurt that she’s not really living and she has gone through more than anyone realises and throw on the craving or yearning she has for these men and she’s one big ball of anxiety and tension ….
Berkeley isn’t the only one battling , Rowan , Ronan and Emerson are having a hard time dealing with everything that’s happened and that’s happening now , truly is a glorious mess and the past just wants to cling to these people and I want sure if my heart was going to handle it 🙈
My head and my heart was spinning with all the twists , the twins have been swooping out in the rink , they thought Berkeley has died and she hadn’t , they were keen to blame her for everything going on and yet they weren’t all on the same page which meant they were at loggerheads because Berkeley wouldn’t come after them like that , would she !?
I felt battered and bruised when I finished this read but like a sucker for punishment I’ll be back for more 😉
February 26, 2026
Kiss Me Twisted (Ashes of Us) by Ava Ruin
4 of 5 Stars
The drama, emotion and angst continues in this second book in this gripping dark romance series. In the aftermath of the ending of book one, the Calder boys believe Berkley died in the fire. However, she survived and now wants revenge for the secrets and lies she discovered, but is struggling, and is only just surviving whilst she tries to heal from her past trauma.
Meanwhile, Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson are fighting their own battles, grief and anger. When they discover Berk is alive they want her back, but she’s unable to trust them and knows that loving them is dangerous. Powerful enemies are still watching, and once again the four of them are pulled into a twisted game of control and retaliation.
The fast paced storyline continues from the previous book so you do need to have read ‘Before I Burn’ first. I felt like I was in the middle of the emotional wreckage from page one, as the descriptive narrative brings the story vividly to life. I was also totally invested in the dark, brutal, real love story between Berk and the Calder boys. It does deal with intense themes, such as trauma and violence, so do read the trigger warnings before reading. I can’t wait for book three!!!
4 of 5 Stars
The drama, emotion and angst continues in this second book in this gripping dark romance series. In the aftermath of the ending of book one, the Calder boys believe Berkley died in the fire. However, she survived and now wants revenge for the secrets and lies she discovered, but is struggling, and is only just surviving whilst she tries to heal from her past trauma.
Meanwhile, Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson are fighting their own battles, grief and anger. When they discover Berk is alive they want her back, but she’s unable to trust them and knows that loving them is dangerous. Powerful enemies are still watching, and once again the four of them are pulled into a twisted game of control and retaliation.
The fast paced storyline continues from the previous book so you do need to have read ‘Before I Burn’ first. I felt like I was in the middle of the emotional wreckage from page one, as the descriptive narrative brings the story vividly to life. I was also totally invested in the dark, brutal, real love story between Berk and the Calder boys. It does deal with intense themes, such as trauma and violence, so do read the trigger warnings before reading. I can’t wait for book three!!!
February 28, 2026
3.5 Stars
Kiss Me Twisted is the second book in the Ashes of Us series by Ava Ruin. It is an intense, emotionally charged continuation of the Ashes of Us series that takes hold of you right from the very first page. This isn’t just a romance - it’s a raw exploration of survival, trauma, and the messy, jagged edges of love that’s been forged in fire.
If you though the first book was intense – well Ms. Ruin turns up the dial even higher on this one to dark, passionate, and entirely devastating.
Berkley Monroe is not the same woman she was before - she’s sharper, more guarded, and painfully aware that survival doesn’t automatically mean healing. Ms. Ruin perfectly captures that fragile space between vulnerability and strength, making Berkley’s journey strike a chord.
The chemistry between characters is electric - even so, Ms. Ruin doesn’t shy away from showing the darker sides of love - the obsession, the fear, and the way it can twist and transform you.
If you enjoy romance with grit, complex characters, and a touch of danger - then Kiss Me Twisted will probably leave you breathless and a just little haunted. It’s not a light read, but it’s one that definitely lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.
Happy Reading…
Kiss Me Twisted is the second book in the Ashes of Us series by Ava Ruin. It is an intense, emotionally charged continuation of the Ashes of Us series that takes hold of you right from the very first page. This isn’t just a romance - it’s a raw exploration of survival, trauma, and the messy, jagged edges of love that’s been forged in fire.
If you though the first book was intense – well Ms. Ruin turns up the dial even higher on this one to dark, passionate, and entirely devastating.
Berkley Monroe is not the same woman she was before - she’s sharper, more guarded, and painfully aware that survival doesn’t automatically mean healing. Ms. Ruin perfectly captures that fragile space between vulnerability and strength, making Berkley’s journey strike a chord.
The chemistry between characters is electric - even so, Ms. Ruin doesn’t shy away from showing the darker sides of love - the obsession, the fear, and the way it can twist and transform you.
If you enjoy romance with grit, complex characters, and a touch of danger - then Kiss Me Twisted will probably leave you breathless and a just little haunted. It’s not a light read, but it’s one that definitely lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.
Happy Reading…
March 6, 2026
This is the second book in the Ashes of Us Series. I would highly recommend reading these books in order as this book follows on from the first so you need to read that to understand the characters and their story and why we find them where they are now.
This is a dark romance, filled with angst, revenge, and so many twists and turns. It also deal with trauma and how someone learns to move through the trauma and start to heal. This is a very emotionally charged read.
Berkley Monroe has returned but she isn’t the sweet girl that Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson remember. Berkeley is back with one thing on her mind and that is revenge against the people who caused her trauma.
The boys are dealing with their own trauma and emotions as they suffer with feelings of
guilt and rage against what Berkeley has gone through.
As danger closes in closer to them the worst thing to do is show any weakness. Allowing herself to need Rowan, Ronan and Emerson is something that she will not allowed herself to do.
Can she trust the men enough to surrender to them completely? Will her past trauma stop her from allowing herself to be vulnerable again?
This was a really emotional story which doesn’t end. It just keeps you hanging on for the ride and waiting for the next book.
This is a dark romance, filled with angst, revenge, and so many twists and turns. It also deal with trauma and how someone learns to move through the trauma and start to heal. This is a very emotionally charged read.
Berkley Monroe has returned but she isn’t the sweet girl that Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson remember. Berkeley is back with one thing on her mind and that is revenge against the people who caused her trauma.
The boys are dealing with their own trauma and emotions as they suffer with feelings of
guilt and rage against what Berkeley has gone through.
As danger closes in closer to them the worst thing to do is show any weakness. Allowing herself to need Rowan, Ronan and Emerson is something that she will not allowed herself to do.
Can she trust the men enough to surrender to them completely? Will her past trauma stop her from allowing herself to be vulnerable again?
This was a really emotional story which doesn’t end. It just keeps you hanging on for the ride and waiting for the next book.
March 12, 2026
Kiss Me Twisted was such a messy, intense, addictive read. Ava Ruin really knows how to write dark romance with that perfect mix of chemistry, angst, and emotional chaos. The tension between the characters was strong from the start, and I kept turning the pages just to see how everything would unfold. I really enjoyed Kiss Me Twisted because it gave me exactly what I wanted from a darker romance - intensity, emotion, chaos, and chemistry. Ava Ruin has a way of writing relationships that feel messy and consuming, and that is what really kept me hooked. The connections between the characters felt sharp, obsessive, and emotionally charged, which made this story that much harder to put down.
This definitely is not a sweet, light romance—it is dramatic, obsessive, and full of that toxic-but-can’t-look-away energy that dark romance readers love. The characters were flawed, passionate, and pulled me right into their story. If you like darker relationships, high emotion, and romance that feels a little unhinged, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
For me, Kiss Me Twisted was the kind of book that kept my attention because it was bold, emotional, and just toxic enough to be addictive. I can't wait to pick up book 3 in this series!
This definitely is not a sweet, light romance—it is dramatic, obsessive, and full of that toxic-but-can’t-look-away energy that dark romance readers love. The characters were flawed, passionate, and pulled me right into their story. If you like darker relationships, high emotion, and romance that feels a little unhinged, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
For me, Kiss Me Twisted was the kind of book that kept my attention because it was bold, emotional, and just toxic enough to be addictive. I can't wait to pick up book 3 in this series!
March 11, 2026
Berkley Monroe is a young woman with a traumatic past when she survived the flames of betrayal and had to leave the world she wanted and knew behind including her best friend and three loves, but now she is back, dark and dangerous after being brought up on a diet of revenge and retaliation, all to free the men she loves from their past as well.
The boys she knew and the men she now sees are complete opposites, but at the same time she can still see them deep within, Rowan, Ronan and Emerson, the three which balance and ground her, but she cannot claim them yet, not until her vengeance is complete, but what she doesn't know is that they are doing the same thing to escape their own darkness.
With their stories overlapping, will they be able to find each other through the darkness and shadows and if they do, will they be able to reconnect, or will their love be more dangerous than what they are fighting, something will burn, but who will it be? This is a very dark romance where grief is sharp and the edges are dangerous to all around them and the fire within is fuelled by rage and betrayal.
The boys she knew and the men she now sees are complete opposites, but at the same time she can still see them deep within, Rowan, Ronan and Emerson, the three which balance and ground her, but she cannot claim them yet, not until her vengeance is complete, but what she doesn't know is that they are doing the same thing to escape their own darkness.
With their stories overlapping, will they be able to find each other through the darkness and shadows and if they do, will they be able to reconnect, or will their love be more dangerous than what they are fighting, something will burn, but who will it be? This is a very dark romance where grief is sharp and the edges are dangerous to all around them and the fire within is fuelled by rage and betrayal.
February 23, 2026
This is the second book in this series that I enjoyed reading. This is a series that you need to read in order to help your enjoyment of the characters and where they have been up to now. This is a darker romance story where the characters will keep you coming back for more. I enjoyed this author’s use of details to not only bring life to the characters but gives the story a realistic feel as well. This is a story where the characters will take you on a roller coaster of emotions. As obsession, control and healing are things that are needed but it also means things will be messy. You don’t want to miss what happens to Beck in this installment of the series. I enjoyed all the characters and what they bring to the story. They are engaging, strong and well developed. I enjoyed watching the growth of this story which had me turning pages fast. I also found this story to be fast paced and a must read story. I look forward to the next book in this series for sure. I highly recommend this book.
February 27, 2026
Kiss Me Twisted (Ashes of Us) by Ava Ruin. This is book 3 in the Ashes of Us series and it is a Dark Romance. In this book Berkeley not only survives the flames she comes out swinging. She is full of hate, resentment and revenge and she is not going to stop until she gets what she is gunning for. Rowan, Ronan and Emerson are fighting their own feelings thinking they have lost Berk and when they realize she survived they want her back more than anything but Berk can't trust them. She can't trust anyone. Berk knows that loving the boys is dangerous because so many are watching her every move and the wrong one can cause all hell to break loose again. This book is full of all things romance, hate, love, lust, mistrust, deceit. Can Berk get back on her feet and learn to trust again. Does she even want to. Will she continue to survive even though several people want her dead? This is such a good series and I can't wait for the 4th and final book. I highly recommend reading them in order because they each pick up right where the previous one left off.
March 3, 2026
Kiss Me Twisted by Ava Ruin
5 Stars
I just finished this book and wow… I’m still recovering. It picks up five years after the first
one, and Berkley is not the same girl we met before. She survived but it changed her. She’s
darker, harder, and honestly? She’s turned into a full-on raging ninja who takes no hostages, and
I LOVE her for it. The evolution is intense and completely gripping.
From beginning to end, I was on the edge of my seat. My emotions were all over the place the
entire time. One minute I was stressed, the next heartbroken, then cheering. It’s violent and
brutal in parts, but somehow also incredibly beautiful. That balance takes skill, and the author
absolutely nailed it. That said, it’s very intense, so definitely read the trigger warnings before
diving in.
I love, loved, loved this book and I am anxiously waiting for book three. It cannot come fast
enough. Seriously. I need it yesterday. The author did an awesome job with this one. If you’re
ready for something dark, emotional, and totally consuming, this is it.
5 Stars
I just finished this book and wow… I’m still recovering. It picks up five years after the first
one, and Berkley is not the same girl we met before. She survived but it changed her. She’s
darker, harder, and honestly? She’s turned into a full-on raging ninja who takes no hostages, and
I LOVE her for it. The evolution is intense and completely gripping.
From beginning to end, I was on the edge of my seat. My emotions were all over the place the
entire time. One minute I was stressed, the next heartbroken, then cheering. It’s violent and
brutal in parts, but somehow also incredibly beautiful. That balance takes skill, and the author
absolutely nailed it. That said, it’s very intense, so definitely read the trigger warnings before
diving in.
I love, loved, loved this book and I am anxiously waiting for book three. It cannot come fast
enough. Seriously. I need it yesterday. The author did an awesome job with this one. If you’re
ready for something dark, emotional, and totally consuming, this is it.
March 2, 2026
Kiss Me Twisted by Ava Ruin
5 Star Review
Twisted indeed! This story is so full of twist and turns. Ronan, Rowen, Em are all sure that Berkley is dead after the fire took home, that their lives have fallen apart. Turning to violence, fighting, and desperately trying to secretly take down the corrupt business of their fathers’. They have a plan and expect it to work smoothly.
Enter "Cupcake" who is a dangerous female fighter with an agenda of her own. Every breath she takes is either for violent release or pure vengeance. She lost everything the day of the fire, her father, her best friend, and her boys. Her heart was shattered and she had nothing left but the darkness.
This book was a real page-turner and kept me on the edge of my seat. The emotional roller coaster thoughout kept me wanting to shake some of the characters and make them see what was right in front of to them. The writing is descriptive and real. I could see the action playing like a movie in my head. I cannot wait until March 20th for the next book to come out.
5 Star Review
Twisted indeed! This story is so full of twist and turns. Ronan, Rowen, Em are all sure that Berkley is dead after the fire took home, that their lives have fallen apart. Turning to violence, fighting, and desperately trying to secretly take down the corrupt business of their fathers’. They have a plan and expect it to work smoothly.
Enter "Cupcake" who is a dangerous female fighter with an agenda of her own. Every breath she takes is either for violent release or pure vengeance. She lost everything the day of the fire, her father, her best friend, and her boys. Her heart was shattered and she had nothing left but the darkness.
This book was a real page-turner and kept me on the edge of my seat. The emotional roller coaster thoughout kept me wanting to shake some of the characters and make them see what was right in front of to them. The writing is descriptive and real. I could see the action playing like a movie in my head. I cannot wait until March 20th for the next book to come out.
March 9, 2026
I have read a couple of books from this author and she continues to blow my mind. This is the second book to the very addictive Ashes of Us series. You do need to read the first book because this book also deals with the same main characters. This is a dark romance and reverse harem so I would check your triggers before reading this book. I was so excited for this next book I started it right away. You will fall in love with all of these characters all over again. I could not put this book down until the end.I can’t wait to see what this amazing author will write about next.
Berkley Monroe is now trying to heal from the horrible fire that she was involved in. She is grateful that she got out in time. Berkley is confused more than ever because the Calder brothers have deeper feelings for her. She loves each one of them in a different way. Berkley knows that her world can be dangerous and love doesn’t fit in the rules. She wants someone in her corner but will it that bring more danger and violence?
Berkley Monroe is now trying to heal from the horrible fire that she was involved in. She is grateful that she got out in time. Berkley is confused more than ever because the Calder brothers have deeper feelings for her. She loves each one of them in a different way. Berkley knows that her world can be dangerous and love doesn’t fit in the rules. She wants someone in her corner but will it that bring more danger and violence?
March 9, 2026
Kiss Me Twisted is a dark, emotional continuation of the series. If you enjoy dark romance with complicated relationships, protective love interests, and a heroine trying to heal while everything around her is chaotic, this one is definitely worth picking up. Its a dramatic and emotional sequel that digs deeper into the characters and leaves you wanting to see how everything will finally unfold. One thing I liked about this book is how intense the relationships are. Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson are still fiercely protective of Berkley, sometimes to the point of obsession. Their dynamic with her is messy, passionate, and full of tension, which keeps the story interesting the whole way through. The emotional struggles Berkley faces feel raw and real, and you can really feel how hard she’s fighting to hold herself together. The pacing is pretty steady, mixing emotional moments with suspense and drama. It feels like a middle part of a bigger story, building the relationships and raising the stakes for what’s coming next.
March 10, 2026
I absolutely love this author and Kiss Me Twisted reminded me why I keep coming back for more. The story throws you straight into the messy aftermath of everything Berkley survived, and it feels darker, sharper, and way more emotional than I expected. Berk’s struggle with trust and healing felt incredibly raw, and I loved how imperfect and real it all was. Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson are intense in the best dark-romance way! I may have a crush or two at this point. Or three. their devotion is fierce, complicated, and sometimes a little terrifying. The tension between protection and possession kept me hooked the whole time. I also loved how the danger in the background never really lets the characters breathe, which makes the stakes feel even higher. This book really leans into the idea that love doesn’t magically fix everything, and I appreciated how honest that felt. If you like dark romance with emotional chaos, morally gray characters, and relationships that are beautifully complicated, this one is definitely worth the ride. I am beyond stoked for the next one!
March 10, 2026
Kiss Me Twisted is the 2nd book in the Ashes of Us series. I loved the first book, loved the second, and am now waiting for the 3rd to release. Berkeley, the MFC, returns but as a different girl. After everyone thought she was dead from a fire, she spent years preparing for payback. She planned on returning the favor for what a group of men did to her and her best friend. Her plan was going great; however, she had to be careful not to run into her ex-boyfriends. The boyfriends think she is dead, but there is something weird that occurred around her “death”. However, with no proof, they decide to take matters into their own hands and also try to bring down a corrupt group that their families are involved with. With both taking down the same group, they are bound to run into each other, but she is not quite ready for what that means, and neither are they. Will they believe her when she tells them what happened? Will they be able to forgive her for not seeking them out earlier? I am waiting patiently for the next book to find out!!
March 5, 2026
Kiss Me Twisted is the second book in the Ashes of Us series. The book explores themes of healing vs. survival, identity, trust, trauma, revenge and the cost of vengeance, and morally gray romance. The story follows Berkley Monroe, a survivor who returns after five years in hiding, scarred, hardened, and determined to dismantle the empire that destroyed her life. Her re emergence forces Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson to confront their grief, guilt, and obsessive loyalty as they struggle to reconcile the girl they lost with the fierce, guarded woman she’s become. Berkley’s resilience and sharp edges drive the narrative, while the Calder boys bring a mix of protectiveness, volatility, and emotional conflict that fuels the tension. This book is darker, more intense, and deeply character driven, with high emotional stakes and a storyline that sets up even greater turmoil for the third book in the Ashes of Us series.
March 8, 2026
Trigger warning: SA mentioned and other traumatic events. If this is something you're uncomfortable with, this might not be the book for you.
First time reading Ava Ruin and WOW!! I seriously could not put this book down.
Even though this is the second book in the series and I jumped right in without reading the first one, it still worked really well as a standalone. I was pulled in right away. The storyline was easy to follow, the pacing kept me hooked, and the lead character, Berk, was so easy to root for.
I was so invested in the story that before I even finished processing everything that happened, I had already pre-ordered my copy of book 3. Safe to say I’m officially hooked!
Now I’ll definitely be going back to start the series from the beginning so I can get the full experience… and also to help pass the time while I wait for book 3 to come out.
Thankfully, book 3 releases March 20th, so at least it’s not a long wait ;)
First time reading Ava Ruin and WOW!! I seriously could not put this book down.
Even though this is the second book in the series and I jumped right in without reading the first one, it still worked really well as a standalone. I was pulled in right away. The storyline was easy to follow, the pacing kept me hooked, and the lead character, Berk, was so easy to root for.
I was so invested in the story that before I even finished processing everything that happened, I had already pre-ordered my copy of book 3. Safe to say I’m officially hooked!
Now I’ll definitely be going back to start the series from the beginning so I can get the full experience… and also to help pass the time while I wait for book 3 to come out.
Thankfully, book 3 releases March 20th, so at least it’s not a long wait ;)
March 11, 2026
Kiss Me Twisted by Ava Ruin is an absolute knockout. This second installment in the Ashes of Us series takes everything raw, fragile, and dangerous about love and survival, and twists it into a story that’s impossible to put down. Berkley’s journey through trauma, trust, and desire is both heartbreaking and breathtaking, while Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson bring a storm of devotion, rage, and obsession that keeps the tension razor-sharp.
The writing is dark, emotional, and beautifully brutal—every page feels like a battle between vulnerability and power. Ava Ruin doesn’t shy away from the messy truth of healing, and that makes this book unforgettable.
This is definitely my top series for 2026 thus far, and I can’t wait to see how the aftermath continues to unfold. If you crave dark romance with possessive devotion, emotional wreckage, and a heroine who refuses to break, Kiss Me Twisted delivers it all.
The writing is dark, emotional, and beautifully brutal—every page feels like a battle between vulnerability and power. Ava Ruin doesn’t shy away from the messy truth of healing, and that makes this book unforgettable.
This is definitely my top series for 2026 thus far, and I can’t wait to see how the aftermath continues to unfold. If you crave dark romance with possessive devotion, emotional wreckage, and a heroine who refuses to break, Kiss Me Twisted delivers it all.
March 9, 2026
This is the 2nd book in the Ashes of Us series, and I definitely recommend reading them in order. When I read the first one, I felt like it was a prequel of a sorts, and that maybe you needed to read this book to better understand the characters before diving into the short Before I Burn book, but that is not the case. This is a very easy, short read and picks up the pieces from book one 5 years later. Berkley is now a highly trained fighter and borderline assassin type, but with only one goal: revenge. She was trained by her rescuer, who has died shortly before the 2nd book begins, so we don't see much of him or her training at all. She is no longer the sweet, innocent Berk, but a ruthless, possibly slightly deranged, girl hellbent on destroying the men who broke her.
Overall, it was a good read and will definitely pick up the next.
Overall, it was a good read and will definitely pick up the next.
March 11, 2026
Oh Lord. That cliffhanger and now I have ten days to stew in it until book three, Break Me Better, comes out on March 20th, 2026. That said this is book two and please give yourself the full experience and go read book one and come back I promise you won’t regret it. Ava Ruin knows how you ruin you through and through. The emotional rollercoasters this series has taken me on and we are only halfway through I just can’t imagine where it will go next. Book one lit the match and started the fire but now five years has passed. Berkley has been hiding in the shadows, training and waiting for the right moment. One night removes some of the shadows and now Ronan is watching trying to confirm. I won’t say anymore more I don’t wanna risk ruining anything for you but please let the next ten days go by quickly I must know what happens next.
February 27, 2026
Having read the first book in the series I could not wait to get my hand on this book! This is a book I devoured in one sitting because I had to know how things would play out following the events of book one. I could not wait to get back into these characters and everything that had happened.
As with the first book I was completely captivated by this story. The characters are the kind I cannot take my eyes away from. I have to read more of the book just to dive deeper into their story. Throughout this whole book the author has you on the edge of your seat. I couldn’t have predicted so much of what happened, which made this book even more exciting to read. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
As with the first book I was completely captivated by this story. The characters are the kind I cannot take my eyes away from. I have to read more of the book just to dive deeper into their story. Throughout this whole book the author has you on the edge of your seat. I couldn’t have predicted so much of what happened, which made this book even more exciting to read. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
March 3, 2026
Kiss Me Twisted by Ava Ruin is the second book in the Ashes of Us series. I read this book as a standalone, but I highly recommend that you read the books in order – not because you can’t follow the story, but because you will want to read every single word in this series. Berkley Monroe survives the fire that Rowen, Ronon and Emerson believed killed her. She is out for revenge against the people who hurt her and nothing is going to get in her way. I don’t want to spoil this story for you. There are so many twists and turns that you find yourself saying OMG out loud. Give yourself plenty of time to read because you won’t be able to put this book down. It’s definitely a read-in-one-sitting book! Ms. Ruin and this series just made the top of my favorite’s list.
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