Twisted Hate (February 2023) Buddy Read Discussion - Sophie & Mark, Amanda

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the Twisted Hate Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on February 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 02/13
February 13th: Chapters 1- 7
February 14th: Chapters 8-14
February 15th: Chapters 15- 21
February 16th: Chapters 22- 28
February 17th: Chapters 29- 35
February 18th: Chapters 36- 42
February 19th: Chapters 43- 49

Week of 02/20
February 20th: Chapters 50- end

PARTICIPANTS
~ Sophie
~ Mark
~ Amanda

[Amanda]

Hello! I hope you are off to a good start reading!

This is a reread for me, but it has been a while so it was interesting to experience these first pages again. I don't have too many thoughts as it's still early on, but here's what I've been thinking:

Jules and Josh snipe at each other like little children, and I can't figure out if I find it amusing or just don't feel much about it at all. I don't think I feel much about the dynamic so far either way. It is kind of sweet that even though Josh finds Jules annoying ("hate" seems a bit too strong if I'm being honest), he still cares enough to worry about her and make sure she's safe.

I do wish Josh would make up with Alex. (view spoiler)[I know that Alex did enter the friendship with the intent to use Josh, but really... Josh shouldn't hold such a grudge now that it's all over. At the very least, he should act civil for Ava's sake. While I'm not sure if I would be able to forgive Alex, I'm also not a morally gray fiction MMC. I just feel like he should move on or at least start moving on. (hide spoiler)] I also wish I knew more about their friendship other than that it was strong and is now broken.

I don't remember Christian being so... weird(?) when I first read this book... Oh well.

I found several parts of these first seven chapters quite funny. Specifically, the first paragraph of chapter 1 and pretty much the entire scene involving Josh finding Jules with the mugger's gun right up until the police show up. There were a few moments when I had to smile.

That's where I am right now. Happy reading!

[Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

I agree with you about the fact that there isn't much that's happened yet. I also agree about Jules and Josh's sniping at each other doesn't really make me feel anything, I'm just very indifferent about it. I feel like it's meant to come off as banter, but it's honestly a little lack luster. I can see a lot of potential in this book and can really see myself enjoying it.

Chrisstian was being weird.... I suppose it was a teaser for his and Stella's book, but in Twisted Games he seemed like a pretty average billionaire broody MMC.

Jules' initial nonchalant behaviour towards the mugger was amusing, but also a little heartbreaking when you get further along in the chapter. I'm curious to find out more about her backstory.

I do really want to get into the deep of Josh and Alex's friendship and resolving. One of my favourite themes in romance novels is some sort of friendship problem/resolving the problem with side characters as I feels it really adds to the main characters depth and getting to know them more.

[Amanda]

Yeah, as the chapter progressed I did notice that Jules' reaction became a bit heartbreaking.

Today's chapters didn't really stick out to me much. I appreciate that there was space for Alex and Josh to work on their friendship, but it still feels like early stages.

My favorite part of these pages was when Josh was taking care of Jules. I kind of want someone to take care of me like that...

[Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Sorry I am late with the update....I've just had a busy few days.

I am up to chapter 43. I'm going to hide my comments/ opinions just in case anyone isn't at the same point.

Chapters 36-42
(view spoiler)[ Now that Jules has stolen Josh's painting, I'm really nervous for Jules when he inevitably finds out that it was her who took it. I do really feel for Jules, she has been through a lot and just can't seem to catch a break. I'm curious to see how Ava and Jules' other friends will react to her and Josh. I honestly think I prefer this book over the previous two in the series. I wish we saw a little more of Bridget and Rhys, but I get why we don't. The scavenger hunt that Josh set up for Jules was super sweet and I found it really funny how they dashed out of the restaurant when Alex and Ava showed up. (hide spoiler)]

What are your opinions on the book so far? Any likes or dislikes?
:)

[Amanda]

Hi! I'm at about the same point. I've had some family obligations to deal with so I haven't been posting much.

I think this book is better than Twisted Love, but I really liked Twisted Games so it's hard to say if I liked this better or the same. I agree, I would have liked to see more Bridget and Rhys.

I'm expecting some hardcore confusion when Jules and Ava's other friends find out about them.

That date... I think Josh Chen planned my dream date tbh. I want a bookstore scavenger hunt! The whole thing was super sweet. I loved how they seemed to agree so quickly on ducking out of the restaurant unseen. I had a good laugh.

I'm liking the book so far, especially now that it's past trying to convince me they were "enemies". I'm still unconvinced; they just kind of bickered like children and I didn't really feel one way or another about that.

I'm looking forward to what is to come. Happy reading!

[Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Ok so Josh knows, and his reaction wasn't exactly what I expected. Him tricking Jules into he'd forgiven her was cruel. I really feel for Jules. It seems like one bad thing after another in her life. I'm curious to see what Christian's favour from Jules is going to be, whether it's in this book or the next.

I left off reading when Jules was in the hospital and Josh was treating her. I really hope that Josh gets vengeance for her. Normally I wouldn't hope that hero protects and gets revenge for the heroine because in most books, to me, it just comes across as the hero fuelling his ego and borderline misogynistic, but I feel that it' about time that someone actually protects Jules.

I also am hoping that Josh has to GROVEL to win back Jules. Granted, Jules did steal from Josh but she was in a very difficult position and had very limited options.

What are your opinions? Anything you don't like? Happy reading :)

[Amanda]

I finished the book last night, so I'll hide my thoughts on the last part just in case.

I thought that chapters 43-49 were more charged than most of the book. It was one emotion after the next, and none of them were happy...

This is a reread for me, so I was expecting Josh's reaction, but I was surprised on the first read-around. I really felt it. Josh should not have been so cruel, and knowing Jules' experience with the blackmail tape, it really hit all wrong. I think it fit with the theme of the series (it does feature a bunch of morally gray, twisted MMCs), but it was a bit surprising how far he took it.

I'm with you. I usually think that the MMC looking to protect and get vengeance for the MFC tends to come off as more for himself and misogynistic than attractive, etc., but I do think that Jules needs some protection. (view spoiler)[I liked that he went all out and would have crossed the line when he got to Max, but Alex pulled him back. That's friendship, I guess. Josh is probably the most morally upright of the Twisted series MMCs (although I think Rhys was probably a bit more morally upright as well), so I was glad he didn't really cross the line. I think it fit well with his character, although I do think that, of all people, it was Alex who would burn the world down who stopped him.

The end was kind of meh for me if I'm honest. I was expecting it, and I didn't feel like their getting back together or anything that followed was particularly unique or really stuck out to me.
I appreciate that Josh realized he had treated Jules all wrong, but that was expected. I don't know what I would have done differently, but I was a bit disappointed in the end.

I did like that Jules made Josh wait. He deserved it and she needed to take time for herself. I also liked that Alex and Josh's friendship got back on track and I was able to feel like I knew more about them as friends. (hide spoiler)]

At the end of the day, I think I'd rate this book as a solid 3-star read. It was good, but not necessarily the most amazing or unique. It made for a pleasant read, though.

How did you like the book? I hope you enjoyed it!