Twisted Love (January 2023) Buddy Read Discussion - Sophie & Mark

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the Twisted Love Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on January 1st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 01/01
January 1st: Chapters 1-5

Week of 01/02
January 2nd: Chapters 6-11
January 3rd: Chapters 12- 17
January 4th: Chapters 18-23
January 5th: Chapters 24-29
January 6th: Chapters 30-35
January 7th: Chapters 36-41
January 8th: Chapters 42- end

PARTICIPANTS
~ Sophie
~ Mark

[Mark]

I’m addicted to this book already, I like how protective Alex is over Ava but at times it really annoys me like interrupting her photo shoot like they were dating or something. I understand that’s the purpose of the book. Chapter 5 has me excited for the rest of the book because he’s finally starting to accept that he’s feeling something towards Ava and that she’s appearing in his thoughts more.

[Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

I've just finished chapter 11 and I'm low-key obsessed. The grumpy-sunshine trope is hitting, and I coincidentally love that his nickname for her is Sunshine. I'm really curious to find out more about Alex's past becuase it has clearly shaped him into who he is today, and Alex is written in a way that I feel like he doesn't just blend in with all of the other male MC's from other books. This book has already had me laughing out loud multiple times, especially at the robot part in chapter 8. I definitley like Huang's writing and I'm relieved that I picked up the entire series so that I can binge them.

[Mark]

Okay so I finished the book and I’m having mixed feelings especially after reading some reviews. There was one that stood out to me about how every trope was touched on in some part of the book which was true. The possession, CEO buy you anything, the neighbor/brother’s bf, the no feelings except for her, etc. the plot twist for sure caught me off guard I was not expecting the tie into the family history of Alex and Ava and was for sure not expecting the uncle thing. I gave it 4 stars because there are some cringey parts that I couldn’t get over like the singing and Ava’s poor me attitude towards the end of the book after her breakup of a boy she didn’t know that long and who warned her just really annoyed me lol but eventually I got over it because they got back together.

One thing I’m excited for is the next book, the cliffhanger that she dropped about Bridget and Rhys because she claimed to hate her bodyguard I’m sure it’s going to be steamy.

What was your favorite part of the book Sophie?

Least favorite?

[Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

I ended up giving the book 3.5 stars. I kind of wish that the characters were a little more flushed out. They felt very surface level. I feel as though Alex's character development was very abrupt, like it happened over night. And I don't think that were was a defining moment to justify it being written that way. Considering that the brothers best friend trope is probably my favourite trope, the book fell a little flat for me. I think it would've been better if Josh had been around rather than going away. I agree with you when you said that there was a lot of tropes in there- probably too many, which for me, made it feel like a little jumbled, almost like the author was trying too hard to make the book amazing.

The singing was super cringy lmao. She really didn't need to write that. I didn't predict the uncle thing, but I did suspect the Michael being Alex's target plot line.

I feel like what I've written sounds super judgemntal and harsh considering I did actually like the book. There was some funny moments. My favourites being the ones where Ava proclaims that Alex had a stick stuck up his ass, and the one where Ava teases Alex about being a robot.

I was really intrigued by the cliffhanger. Bridget being a princess is a refreshing change when it comes to new adult books. I feel like we only see Princesses in YA dystopians, so I'm curious to see the royal perspective in the next book.

[Mark]

Yeah I agree my review was maybe harsh too but I enjoyed the book too! I do agree with Josh being around more and him like being suspicious of them or maybe catching on would be better. It was just too easy for them to mess around and then tell him when he got back.

I also liked the princess thing and how she just had a regular group of friends and that it wasn’t blown overboard but I can’t speak for the next book since she’ll now be royalty. Guess we’ll see! I’m down for starting the book today or waiting until tomorrow