This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
About The Book
She can never be his…but he’s taking her anyway.
Stoic, broody, and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has two rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever.
He has never once been tempted to break those rules…until her.
Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak that matches his own and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She’s nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed.
Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defenses until he’s faced with a truth he can no longer deny: he swore an oath to protect her, but all he wants is to ruin her. Take her.
Because she’s his.
His princess.
His forbidden fruit.
His every depraved fantasy.
***
Regal, strong-willed, and bound by the chains of duty, Princess Bridget dreams of the freedom to live and love as she chooses.
But when her brother abdicates, she’s suddenly faced with the prospect of a loveless, politically expedient marriage and a throne she never wanted.
And as she navigates the intricacies—and treacheries—of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can’t have.
Her bodyguard.
Her protector.
Her ultimate ruin.
Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a kingdom…and doom them both.
Twisted Games is a slow to medium burn contemporary royal bodyguard romance. It’s book two of the Twisted series but can be read as a standalone.
Warning: This book contains a possessive alpha hero, explicit sexual content, and profanity.
My Review
First Impressions
Twisted Games is the second book in the “Twisted” series and I am not sure why it took me so long to read this. I had a fun time with Twisted Games and was so curious to see where the author would take this story as their story was a bit teased there. But I have to say that Twisted Games was so much more than I ever expected. I actually ended up five starring this book, it was THAT good! I honestly know that my review will not be able to praise this book enough. There was so much in this one that just delivered in all the ways that I need in a solid romance. My heart was so quickly won over by Rhys and Bridget’s romance. It does have a sense of forbidden love and I really enjoyed how this author implemented this and the steam is HOT!! I really love how this author handles her sexual content, it just is so well balanced with the story without it feeling like its erotic romance, just well done bedroom scenes.
Summary
Our story starts outs with Bridget getting a new bodyguard, as her current one has other obligations. Instantly Rhys and Bridget do not get along, there is a strong attraction between them and Rhys is working at keeping it as professional as he can, but Bridget doesn’t make it easy for him. Bridget and Rhys in the beginning of their relationship, do not get along, as they are complete opposites and just don’t work so well together. But then slowly something more starts to build between them which turns into a strong friendship, and then it turns into something so much deeper than either of them expected. But when Bridget’s brother chooses to abdicate the throne, it comes to Bridget to be the heir to the throne. And the budding romance that has been building between Bridget and Rhys gets put to a hault as there is a marriage law that prevents Bridget from marrying anyone not a royal. But as Rhys and Bridget work through the issues that they face, they come to realize that their love is stronger than any law….
What I Loved
There were so many elements to this story that I fell so hard for. The characters were so delightful. The hero is a tortured and brooding male. He has gone through hell and back, and is overprotective but in a way that Bridget needs. He knows how to work a woman in the bedroom but is also fiercely loyal and driven. Then we have Bridget, who is kind and energetic and enjoyed life to its fullest. No two people could be more opposite from each other. Bridget values her freedom which is why we see her in the states at the beginning, people don’t treat her like she is to be judged under a microscope. But when it becomes apparent that she will need to step up, she does her duty to her family and country and steps up to the plate to get things done and prepare as best she can to be queen. I really enjoyed how the author implemented the forbidden tone of the romance and how the conflict was resolved. It was done SO well that really capitalized on the talents of both the hero and heroine. It was also fun to see all the secrets that were revealed and seeing Rhys make friends with the most unlikely characters that you just don’t see coming. As for the romance itself, it was true perfection. It worked so well and was built gradually in a way that will work for any romance reader whether you are a fan of slow burn or not. As there is a strong level of steam from the beginning of the story. I loved Rhys and Bridget together, they make such a beautiful pair in how well they balance each other out and find their way to their well deserve happy ever after!
What I Struggled With
Nothing…it was a perfect read for me!
The Narration
I really enjoyed the duo POV and it was done so beautifully. The narrators really reflected well on the personality of each character and I was so surprised at the inflections that were done just right for this book. I enjoyed both voices so well and I felt like they represented their characters in such a way that made them more relatable than if you had just been physically reading them.
Overall View
I found Twisted Games to be such a delightful mix of well-built chemistry, strong friendship ties, and a love worth fighting for. The story was captured in such a way that will endear its reader instantly and leave one with a smile on your face!
Book Details
Title: Twisted Games
Author: Ana Huang
Genre: Contemporary New Adult Romance
Format: Audiobook
Source: Hoopla Digital
Length: 13 Hours and 14 Mins
About the Narrators
Cindy Kay is a Chinese-Thai-American narrator and educator who grew up in the California Bay Area and lives in the Rockies. Her work has been described as listening to a “cozy best friend.” She narrates fiction and nonfiction, and has studied Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, and Japanese.
Aiden Snow is a romance and erotica narrator who has been called “the crown prince of audio romance.” His rich baritone has garnered a solid fan base and has allowed him to range from paranormal romance to military romance, from “motorcycle bad boy” to “boardroom dom.” To him, every romance is true love, and every erotic romance is true desire.
Book Links
Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Kobo| Goodreads| LibraryThing| Storygraph| Literal Club| Audible| Anyplay
Book Evaluation
Storytelling Quality: 5
Story Itself: 5
Character Development: 5
Writing Style: 5
World Building 5
Feels + The Romantic Heart 5
Pacing 5
Plot 5
Narration= 5
Cover Art 5
Ending 5
Book Ratings
Rating of the Book
Steam Level
Simmering cup of tea—soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin’ by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin’ up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Series Order
Twisted
Twisted Love-Pub 2021 #1 in the Series
Twisted Games-Pub 2021 #2 in the Series
Twisted Hate-Pub 2022 #3 in the Series
Twisted Lies-Pub 2022 #4 in the Series
About The Author
Ana Huang is an author of steamy New Adult and contemporary romance. Her stories range from lighthearted to dark, but they all have HEAs with plenty of banter and swoon sprinkled in.
Besides reading and writing, Ana loves traveling, is obsessed with hot chocolate, and has multiple relationships with fictional boyfriends.
This sounds like a series I would enjoy. I guess I need to look into this author’s work one day. Great review, Renee.
You’re making me want to get back to this series. I read a book later in it. Maybe #3? And I planned to go back and never did. Great review!
Love this review! And now I have to add this to my tbr lol 🙂
I know that this author is very popular on Instagram but I haven’t had a chance to read any of her books yet. This sounds like a series to definitely try!
I’m glad you loved this book so much! It’s on my physical TBR, so hopefully I enjoy it just as much.