Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Twisted Lies by Ana Huang

46 reviews

ajboyd_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I LOVE THEM SO F-ING MUCH!!!!!

I've always loved the secret-admirer trope, the one who watches from afar (as a protector, not a stalker) ((sounds the same, but in my mind, it isn't ;)))

Christian is such a mood, and his drive to succeed in life by manipulation and the power of favours is so hot to me, it's insane.

Stella on the other hand is so cute and deserves so much more than what anyone can truly give her. She didn't care that her family disapporoves of her dream of becoming a designer, so long as someone believes in her.

And Christian is her person <3.

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thelostbookmark22's review against another edition

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dark relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

• Christian Harper 🙌🏻
• loved Stella's personality and caring nature
• their interactions are to die for
• really enjoyed the small plot twists
• felt like it started kind of too fast


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namenotimportant's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Not my favourite book in the series. It took me some time to get into and I was definitely not a fan of Christian's
brutal side. I guess the explicit scene on what he did to Julian was just too much for me. The fact that he never faced consequences for the shit he does (kidnapping/torturing/killing) is the biggest red flag ever.
Normally I like when the MMC is a little possessive over the FMC, but this was way too much. The way he called her "Mine" from the beginning... Just no.
I loved that we got to see how the other couples relationships developed.

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queenie_ofthe_void's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This one was probably my least favorite. Not because it was bad. But I binged the series and I feel a little burnt out. Also Stella more Christian piqued my interest in the other books so I mostly just read this one to round the series out.

Alex/Ava --> Best Plot
Rhys/Bridget --> Best Tension (Fav Boy)
Josh/Jules --> Best Spice/Best Laughs (Fav girl)
Stella/Christian --> Best Mystery

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btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75


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ode_to_readers's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

So I will start by saying I don't think this was a book that suited my usual tastes. I have read some dark romances before but I'm a sap for contemporary all day every day. 

This one started off well- you were thrown straight into the story where they meet. Now keep in mind that I haven't read any of the other books in the series (and from what I gather, you don't really need to unless you want to see some glimpses of the characters lives from the previous books) so I don't know this author's style of writing very well.

I was intrigued by Stella. Her trauma from the stalker was pretty well done. It wasn't just mentioned and forgotten about- Ana Huang made sure that she jumped if a presence wasn't announced beforehand and made sure to keep some tension in scenes where she felt like she was being watched. She definitely undergoes some character growth but seems to start relying on Christian too much and gets too used to his help...and money. Her family just sucked overall and I don't think they should have been worthy of forgiveness.

Christian didn't really feel authentic. There was no reason for his violent behaviour/nature and his enjoyment of torture, His reason for his obsession with Stella doesn't seem to be enough for what it manifested into. It was overall quite weird and uncomfortable but he does help her gain her confidence. 

Overall I just didn't vibe with this book though. It might be good for a dark romance for others but it felt too cliche and boring to me. I didn't feel compelled to finish the book. There were scenes which felt excessive or unnecessary that I didn't think added to the story either, 


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aliciachauhan_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.25


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queencariad's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Okay so this one may actually be my favorite of the series!

I related a lot to Stella (the anxiety and panic attacks, the people pleasing tendencies…), and Christian’s over-the-top sternness at the beginning got me CACKLING so many times.

I loved all the little things that built their relationship: the hair washing, the night at the gallery that wasn’t actually required, Christian encouraging her during her first photoshoot, the dinner at the Alonso’s house… The list is long! And I would even include the most controversial things Christian did for her— because I just dig morally grey love interests with only a soft spot for their girl!

Christian doesn’t believe in love and it shows, because he doesn’t even realize how WHIPPED he is right from the start! It was great seeing him slowly opening up and being vulnerable around Stella. The buildup and the slowburn between them were done just right.
For once, I felt like the conflict/fallout was redeemable but not too ridiculous either.

The smut was great as well. Christian is HOT hot. And so is Stella. Bisexual panic at its finest. 

On a side characters’ note: I hated Stella’s family (they did got better, thankfully), but it was perfectly balanced by all the amazing moments with the other Twisted couples!! Absolutely adored the banter between the boys and just the girls supporting each other. This volume wrapped up the series really nicely and the end got me actually quite emotional!

Only complaint would be that I regularly felt like I had already read some paragraphs/lines in the other Twisted books… but well, I guess that’s just the author’s style and the way she writes her love interests and their reactions.

4.5 stars

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lauramparis's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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bryelle's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This book was okay. I loved the twisted series but this felt like the book plateaued so early. Twisted Hate even felt like it set this book’s plot up too well. It was a cute end to the series. Just was expected more. 

Stella is an influencer who has had a stalker for 2 years. He has been silent for a while but comes up again after she starts to fake date her landlord and security expert, Christian. Christian has been infatuated with Stella for a little bit and they start to get closer. 

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