Story Summary
Twisted Love is a steamy grumpy x sunshine, brother's best friend romance between Alex Volkov, a cold, brilliant businessman scarred by tragedy, and Ava Chen, a sweet, artistic college student haunted by childhood trauma. When Ava's brother asks Alex to look after her while he's abroad, their forced proximity sparks a passionate, forbidden romance filled with steam, angst, jealousy, and healing. As their love deepens, buried secrets resurface, putting their relationship—and their lives—at risk.
Main Characters
Alex Volkov
- • Age: 28
- • Ethnicity: Russian-American
- • Hair Color: Dark brown/black
- • Eye Color: Ice blue
- • Identity: Billionaire tech CEO / best friend's brother
A ruthless, emotionally guarded man haunted by his family's past, who hides his vulnerability beneath power and control.
Ava Chen
- • Age: 22
- • Ethnicity: Chinese-American
- • Hair Color: Long black
- • Eye Color: Brown
- • Identity: Photography student / free spirit
A bright, compassionate woman scarred by repressed childhood trauma, whose sunshine melts Alex's icy armor.
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Every Spicy Chapter – Breakdown & Highlights
Twisted Love is known for its detailed spicy scenes, and Ana Huang definitely delivers the heat. Below is a breakdown of each major spicy chapter or scene – including the setting, characters involved, type of intimacy, its role in the story, and a direct quote from the book to give you a taste of the steam. (Be warned: these get explicit!)
Chapter 10
After a movie night, Ava wakes up in Alex's bed – and finds her hand very inappropriately placed. This scene is more comedic than full-on sexual, but it crackles with awkward sexual tension.
"Please remove your hand from my cock unless you plan on doing something with it."
Chapter 19
During Alex's surprise birthday party at his friend Ralph's house, Alex and Ava end up alone doing dishes. Emotions run high as Alex opens up about his tragic family past for the first time. Overwhelmed by compassion and longing, Ava initiates a gentle kiss. What starts chaste erupts into a heated make-out on the counter: Alex suddenly pins her, deepens the kiss with tongue, and lifts her leg around his waist.
"Tell me to stop, Sunshine."
Chapter 22
After resolving their fight, Alex takes Ava to a luxurious penthouse suite (following a heated scene by a pool – Ava had just bravely completed a swimming lesson). Ava shyly admits she might like Alex's rougher side, essentially "inviting herself into the lion's den." That's all the permission Alex needs.
"Get up…You're about to find out what happens when you invite yourself into the lion's den."
Chapter 23–24
After that crazy night, they spent hours together, and by the next day, they were still all over each other. Ava jokingly asks if that means they're just friends with benefits: "So, is that what we are? Just fuck buddies?" Alex's reply, given while he's already getting ready for another round, shows how much he's grown emotionally. This chapter is all about passion, and it really signals that they're officially a couple now.
"Among other things. You want to fuck, we fuck. You want to date, we date. You want to call me your boyfriend, I'll call you my girlfriend."
Chapter 26
By now, Alex and Ava are happily together, but the spice doesn't let up! In Chapter 26, during a fall fair (with friends nearby), Alex gets frisky in public. Ava has a minor cut on her arm, and Alex uses it as a ruse to sneak her into a private first-aid tent.
"Come for me like a little slut."
Chapter 34
Late in the story, Alex briefly pulls away when his revenge mission and a hidden family secret weigh on him. Ava is hurt by his coldness, which occurs right after she confessed she loves him. In Chapter 34, they finally reconcile at Ava's dad's house over winter break. Ava tearfully tells Alex she misses him, and he admits he misses her too. The air clears, and Ava—ever nurturing—offers to help "alleviate that stress" from work.
"I hadn't touched her in a week, and I was dying to tie her down and have my way with her"
Chapter 43
In the last chapter, after all the chaos is over and the bad guy is taken down, Alex and Ava finally get back together for good. Ava's throwing a photography exhibition to show off her work, and Alex shows up to cheer her on. But when he notices another guy (a family friend) getting a little too close to Ava, his jealousy kicks in. He grabs her and pulls her into a back room, where they end up having a super intense quickie against the wall.
"Tell me who you belong to." "I belong to you."
Goodreads Reader Reactions
Twisted Love blew up on BookTok and Goodreads, racking up over 1.5 million ratings (average ~3.7/5) – which shows how polarizing this book can be. Some readers absolutely swooned for Alex and Ava's chemistry and the addictive drama, while others found parts of the story "cringey" or cliché. Here's a look at a few representative Goodreads-style reactions (with quotes from reviewers):
Positive Reactions:
Readers were captivated by the romance in *Twisted Love*, particularly the tension between Ava and Alex. They enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine dynamic and praised the steamy scenes, with one notable quote being Alex's vow to "burn down the world" for Ava. Many appreciated the character growth and were eager to continue the series.
"Spent several days in a Twisted Series induced trance, regret nothing, 8 million stars out of 5"
"KICKING MY FEET IN THE AIR SCREAMING CRYING BLUSHING ALL OF THE ABOVE. I am a SUCKER for men like Alex Volkov. CALL ME TOXIC IDC! But wait this had more action in it than I expected, and I loved every second of it! JESUS. I'M STARTING TWISTED GAMES ASAP."
"I thought Alex and Ava were both engaging mcs. I liked that Ava stuck to her dreams and aspirations and could go on and conquer her fears even without Alex at her side. Alex was that swoon-worthy mix of hard and soft - yes, at times, it was cliche as fuck, but this is a romance book, and that's how it's supposed to be."
Critical Reactions:
Some Goodreads members disliked the book for its cheesy dialogue and Alex's unrealistic portrayal as a possessive alpha hero. Critics found the plot twists ridiculous and described it as "mind-rot material" with cliché moments. A harsh 1★ review advised readers to "spare your brain cells" and called it disappointing.
Reactions to Twisted Love vary widely. Fans of dark romances may love it, while others might find it unrealistic. Its popularity has generated a lot of discussion, especially within the Twisted series.
Where to Buy or Read Twisted Love
If you want to dive into Twisted Love, there are plenty of legal ways to get your hands on it. Here are some major platforms where the book is available:
- Amazon: Available in multiple formats – paperback, Kindle eBook, and on Kindle Unlimited (subscribers can read it as part of their plan). An Audible audiobook edition (narrated by Cindy Kay & Aiden Snow) is also on Amazon/Audible.
- Barnes & Noble: Offers the trade paperback in-store and online, and an eBook via the Nook store.
- Kobo & Apple Books: The eBook can be purchased on Rakuten Kobo and Apple's Books store for those using those e-readers/apps.
- Book Depository/Indie Bookstores: Since a new paperback edition was published by Bloom Books, you can order Twisted Love through international retailers like Book Depository or request it at your local indie bookstore (ISBN: 9781728274867 for the paperback).
- Libraries: Check your library's digital collection – the eBook and audiobook are commonly found on OverDrive/Libby. Physically, many libraries carry the Twisted series due to its popularity – you might be surprised to find this spicy title on your library's romance shelf!
Regardless of the format you choose, prepare for a wild ride with Alex and Ava. And if you finish it craving more, remember it's book one of a four-book series – each following different couples in Ava's friend group (and each bringing its own trope and spice level).
Related Books: The Twisted Series & Similar Reads
If you're obsessed with Twisted Love – whether it's the billionaire alpha hero, the sunshine heroine, or the mix of angst and spice – there are plenty of books to keep the vibes going. First, let's look at Ana Huang's own series, and then some other BookTok-favorite romances with similar energy:
Twisted Games (Book 2 of the Twisted Series, 2021)
The sequel follows Princess Bridget von Ascheberg and stoic bodyguard Rhys Larsen in a sizzling forbidden romance full of palace intrigue. It's heavier on angst and slow burn, but just as spicy.
Twisted Hate (Book 3, 2022)
A fiery enemies-to-lovers story between Jules Ambrose (Ava's sharp-tongued friend) and her longtime nemesis Josh Chen. Expect banter, hate sex, and one of Ana Huang's most beloved couples.
Twisted Lies (Book 4, 2022)
Stella Alonso's story with Christian Harper, a morally gray billionaire who pretends to be her boyfriend in a fake-dating setup. The spice is high, the tension delicious.
Other BookTok-Recommended Reads:
King of Wrath by Ana Huang
The first in her Kings of Sin series, featuring ruthless billionaire Dante Russo and heiress Vivian Lau in an arranged marriage romance. It's angsty, glamorous, and steamy – perfect for fans of Alex Volkov.
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
While lighter in tone, Hazelwood's trademark grumpy x sunshine dynamic mirrors Ava and Alex's vibe, with academia as the backdrop.
Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings
A toxic, angsty, high-drama romance that BookTok readers often pair with Ana Huang's books. If you liked the push-pull of Alex and Ava, this delivers emotional chaos.
The Fine Print by Lauren Asher
Part of the Dreamland Billionaires series, this book follows a broody billionaire and a sunshine heroine in a theme park empire setting. The banter, spice, and grumpy x sunshine pairing make it a natural fit for fans.
Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher
The second Dreamland book, featuring marriage-of-convenience with a grumpy CEO – another must-read if you loved Alex Volkov's icy exterior hiding deep passion.
From Ana Huang's own interconnected universe to billionaire bad boys and BookTok's most dramatic romances, these reads will keep you swimming in angst, spice, and swoony heroes long after you close Twisted Love.
Frequently Asked Questions
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