July 2024 First in a Series BOTM - Twisted Love, by Ana Huang

[Alaina]

He has a heart of ice...but for her, he'd burn the world.

Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can’t escape.

Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart.

But when he’s forced to look after his best friend’s sister, he starts to feel something in his chest:

A crack.
A melt.
A fire that could end his world as he knew it.

***

Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can’t remember.

But despite her broken past, she’s never stopped seeing the beauty in the world…including the heart beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn’t want.

Her brother’s best friend.
Her neighbor.
Her savior and her downfall.

Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen—but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both…and everything they hold dear.

Twisted Love is a brother’s best friend/opposites attract romance with a hint of suspense. It's book one in the Twisted series but can be read as a standalone.

WARNING: This book contains a possessive, morally gray alphahole; explicit sexual content, and profanity. No cheating or menage, but if you're looking for a traditionally sweet, loveable hero, this is not the book for you. Recommended for 18+.

**This BOTM thread will be open until August 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Laura]

Up to chapter 7
(view spoiler)[ nothing interesting yet...except these nightmares that Ava has.
Hoping this picks up a bit (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Up to chapter 15
(view spoiler)[I did not see that coming..Ava's mom tried to drown her?
Ava's attempts to get Alex to notice her are working. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

I am starting this today ☺️

[Grace]

Laura wrote: "Up to chapter 7"


(view spoiler)[they're interesting characters. I am not a fan of how many nightmares and flashback we've got so far in just 21% of the book, but this seems to be the driver of the story for both.

I am suspecting maybe the uncle has something to do with Alex's parents death. But too early to tell.

And I am wondering whether the abstract painting is something more.

It does feel insta attraction. Tho not clear if that attraction from both has been there before or started at the timeline of the beginning of the book. Maybe before if we already got an aggressively protective reaction from Alex. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

I am not a fan of cliché sentences being thrown in randomly, especially uncalled for.
(view spoiler)[we've got: she'll be the death of me. (Completely uncalled for and way too early for). And the Operation Emotion being called the bane of her (Ava) existence (which made no sense). (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

Chapter 8 - 18
(view spoiler)[ We're starting to get a better idea of what's going on with both their pasts. It felt that someone tried to hurt her from the first nightmare, I just wasn't expecting that to be her mom.
And even though there is tension and slowburn, I am not sure their chemistry is showing as it should be. Yes they are opposites attract, but I feel something is missing?
I am glad he wasn't the one saving her, power to her and to Ana Huang for making her save herself and her friend help her not him, but it was still a perfect opportunity for him to hug her when she came back after the pool incident with Madeline. Not sure why it was cut abruptly with no affection exchange. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Up to chapter 24
(view spoiler)[ I'm not sure I've read a book before with a male character like Alex...he's definitely not warm is he? I do think he tries to keep her at bay because he doesn't believe he is good enough for her. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Up to chapter 31
(view spoiler)[ Ohhh, it was her dad not her mom who tried to kill her
I bet the dad caused her mom to over dose

Love is a tricky thing..I'm sure Alex will get there too. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

I am at chapter 26 and this is starting to lose me a little bit. Does it pick up and get better?

[Grace]

Okay now I am upset. Chp 34
(view spoiler)[I bet from the beginning that the uncle was behind Alex's family's death. And tho I suspected Alex might have been after Josh and Ava's father like twice (because of Michael's vibes and because Alex said Ava will be a distraction he didn't need) I was really upset to find out that he was in fact after him. Alex trusted Josh more than anyone!!!!! He didn't make a move on Ava before!!!!! He regarded them with so much respect!!!! How could he have been after them???!!!!! The internal dialogue doesn't line up!!!! How? (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I don't think it gets any better
I'm 77% through
(view spoiler)[ I figured it was the uncle as well
I don't think my rating will change...I'm at a 2 star. I can't see anything happening in the small amount I have left that will increase my rating (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

I finished it yesterday, the last couple of chapters had some redeeming qualities but not good enough

[Laura]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
Not my favorite book. I liked Ava and her group of friends. I think the title is definitely correct. Not sure if I'll continue the series or not. (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

just started, can't wait to see what everyone thinks!

[Kim]

Ch.1-10 (view spoiler)[ I love a morally grey MMC and a dual POV book so I'm already interested. nothing has really happened for it being about a quarter of the way through. lots of hinting at dark pasts, like murdered parents and Ava drowning so we will see where this goes. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Grace wrote: "I am not a fan of cliché sentences being thrown in randomly, especially uncalled for.
[spoilers removed]"

I 100% agree with this lol. unnecessarily dramatic that adds nothing

[Grace]

Kim Happy Reading! I look forward to read your thoughts

[Kim]

Up through Ch.20 and (view spoiler)[ yet nothing of real importance has happened at almost 50%?! I don’t think I’m a slow burn girlie haha. Their kiss on his birthday is the closest to spice we have gotten! What’re we doing here! Dealing with childhood trauma individually or ignoring trauma and screwing the hot guy?! lol. As someone who has done neither I get that I can’t judge the process but over 100 pages and months?! Give a girl something lol (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ah I was too inpatient lol

[Grace]

hahahaha well...

[Kim]

Ch.22-42 (view spoiler)[ well a lot has certainly happened. I had a feeling her dad was who Alex was after but I never saw the psycho killer piece coming. Who just casually tries to kill a child for looking like their mom?! Crazy. Bridget is a bomb ass friend though, getting him to cave like that. Princess for the win lol. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I knew she’d forgive him but I’m glad she took a full year. The only thing worse than insta love is insta forgiveness. I won’t be reading the second book though. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

Kim wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

I agree with you on that.
I also don't think I will read book 2. The style wasn't attractive enough for me, nor the side characters. Actually Bridget definitely for the win but the others... meh

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

I’m starting this!

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ So I’m wondering if this has a mob storyline. I can’t believe it has over a million ratings. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ Her comparing him to Voldemort 😂 I always love a HP reference (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ Her ex is a real douche canoe (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 22 (view spoiler)[ Well, that’s a little weird. He’s awful possessive when it’s not a relationship (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 24 (view spoiler)[ Ok. I guess it is exclusive… 😂 That was quick. (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Haha right?!

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 29 (view spoiler)[ Wow, this storyline has gotten far out (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 33 (view spoiler)[ So both of the have family that’s betrayed them. 🙄 The book was going so well… (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 36 (view spoiler)[ I don’t understand why he’s sticking to his lie now that his uncle is dead. This book is stupid. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

Finished. I don’t even know what to say really 😂

[Alaina]

Today is the last day to add comments for BOTM points!

[Alaina]

Starting this now. Just want to know what I remember from over a year ago and I still feel the same lol. Listening to the audiobook this time around.

[Alaina]

Shannon The Show Stopper wrote: "End of chapter 2 [spoilers removed]"

I never even noticed this book had that many ratings!

[Alaina]

Shannon The Show Stopper wrote: "End of chapter 4 [spoilers removed]"

LOL I love when that happens too

[Alaina]

Laura wrote: "Up to chapter 7..."

Yeah, it's an okay start, for sure. I'm definitely feeling different with the audiobook, which is weird.

[Alaina]

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[Okay, so she is testing him with different scenarios which is kind of entertaining. He's basically putting up with her because deep down he likes her. Also, he was there for the nightmare or night terror. I just... I don't know if it's the audiobook or something... but I feel nothing. Maybe I'm just being picky right now. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Kim wrote: "Ch.1-10 [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I need more.

[Alaina]

Laura wrote: "Up to chapter 15. "

Yeah, that was something!

[Alaina]

Grace wrote: "Chapter 8 - 18.."

I like knowing more about their pasts and I definitely think something is missing. There is nothing wrong with a slow burn here or there, but it does feel a bit off.

[Alaina]

Shannon The Show Stopper wrote: "End of chapter 13 [spoilers removed]"

God, he totally is!

[Alaina]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[As someone who has no idea how to swim, I like that she is learning how to do so. I am hoping that while he helps her, it brings them a bit closer to one another. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Shannon The Show Stopper wrote: "End of chapter 22 [spoilers removed]"

RIGHT? Kind of annoying

[Alaina]

Shannon The Show Stopper wrote: "End of chapter 24 [spoilers removed]"

but answering a business phone call in the middle?!?!

[Alaina]

Laura wrote: "Up to chapter 24
[spoilers removed]"

I keep waiting for him to become like a marshmallow of a guy because of his feelings for her

[Alaina]

Kim wrote: "Up through Ch.20 and [spoilers removed]"

We definitely got spice after that lol