Ana Huang is a prominent author in today's book scene. With many of her works achieving bestseller status and worldwide recognition, her writing journey has been a roaring success thus far. Here's a review on the book series that got the whole world talking about Huang and her works: Twisted.

Image Credit: Ee Lynn Gan

Twisted is Huang's 4-book-series depicting modern-world adult romances that often feature steamy scenes and dramatic plots. Across the 4 books, the romances of of a 4-member friend group - Ava Chen, Bridget von Ascheberg, Jules Ambrose, and Stella Alonso - are told, with each member having their own book.

While it is recommended to read the books in sequence, starting with Twisted Love; followed by Twisted Games and Twisted Hate; and ending with Twisted Lies, it is not completely necessary as its not hard to fill in the story gaps no matter which book you start from. But, reading it in the correct order does help immerse readers in the chronological flow of the stories and the Twisted world, hence is suggested.

Without further ado, here's a much-overdue review on Ana Huang's steamy young adult romance series that's been taking BookTok by storm since its debut in 2021!

1) Twisted Love

Image Credit: Ee Lynn Gan

The first book of the Twisted series follows Ava Chen, a young, kind, aspiring photographer, and her brother's best friend who is cold but brilliant, Alex Volkov, both of which are haunted by a traumatic past. When Ava's brother temporarily leaves the country, Alex is tasked with the job of quietly protecting Ava during his absence, marking the start of their romance. As their relationship deepens, hidden truths are unveiled and threaten to ruin their connection.

Thoughts:

Twisted Love was the first ever YA romance book I've read. While the 'steamy' scenes were quite shocking to me and sometimes had me skipping pages entirely, the depth of drama and emotion in the story was truly, unexpectedly powerful. The way the story developed with subtle foreshadowing and built-up tension made key moments all the more impactful and perfectly balanced drama with heartfelt scenes that got me smiling to myself way too many times.

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2) Twisted Games

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Being the crown princess of the small but prosperous nation of Eldorra, Bridget is constantly accompanied by her quiet yet watchful security detail. This book follows the story of the poised, duty-bound princess, and her loyal, protective bodyguard Rhys Larsen.

When unexpected circumstances arise, forcing Bridget closer to ascending the throne, her life becomes more restricted — and so does her relationship with Rhys. Forced to keep their growing feelings hidden, the two must navigate the fine line between duty and desire, all while the weight of responsibility threatens to pull them apart.

Thoughts:

As a first-time reader of the 'famous person x bodyguard' trope, Twisted Games did not disappoint. I initially thought it'd be somewhat cringy or overly-dramatic, but Bridget and Rhys truly won my heart with their story. Witnessing the struggles they both endured to somehow maintain their relationship while facing the weight of the world around them, feeling hopeless and overwhelmed at times, resonated with the tougher side of life. Needless to say, I finished the book in record time.

3) Twisted Hate

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This book, as suggested in its title, explores the 'enemies-to-lovers' trope between the gorgeous, very ambitious Jules Ambrose, and her bestie Ava's older brother, Josh Chen, the annoyingly-charming young doctor. When their hate for each other finally explodes and their resistance snaps, Josh proposes a mutually beneficial arrangement: becoming friends with benefits. Nothing emotional, just a way to escape the never-ending stresses of life.

Thoughts:

Definitely on the more explicit end of YA romances with more outward themes. Highlighting on the well-used enemies-to-lovers dynamic, this book is packed with lots of tension and emotional depth. It's the kind of book that has you rooting for the main couple and dissing anyone that stands between them. While the chemistry is undeniable, it's the hidden vulnerability on both ends that makes this story all the more relatable and heart-warming.

4) Twisted Lies

Image Credit: Ee Lynn Gan

The fourth and final book of the Twisted series follows Stella Alonso, a lifestyle influencer with a carefully-curated online image, and Christian Harper, her enigmatic landlord with a dark edge and hidden motives. When Stella finds herself in need of a fake boyfriend to boost her social media career, Christian steps into the role, blurring the line between pretense and something dangerously real. As their arrangement deepens and layers of truth are revealed, Stella is forced to question everything she thought she knew about him.

Thoughts:

Favourite part of this book was the ending. I will not spoil it, but it is the one of the most wholesome things I have ever read. I personally did get some 'stalker romance' vibes from this book but its not that intense.

The fake dating setup is a classic trope, but was executed really well. The chemistry buildup had me binge reading all the chapters! Though slightly more slower-paced, the character growth and relationship development makes this book a satisfying and mature end to the Twisted series.

Image Credit: Ee Lynn Gan

Final Thoughts:

As a first-time reader of YA (young adult) romances back then, I was completely taken aback by the style of writing and how much these books each felt like watching a 2 hour romance movie in the span of 300+ pages. The 'spice' was definitely something new to me which made me feel slightly uncomfortable at times and is not for everyone. But, if you're looking for steamy romances with lots of drama and feel-good moments, this series is perfect for you!