Summary
Twisted Love by Ana Huang is a contemporary romance, marking the debut of Ana Huang’s bestselling Twisted series. The story follows Ava Chen, a photographer, and Alex Volkov, her brother's best friend, as they move from initial conflict to a developing relationship. While reflecting the trope of a grumpy/sunshine romance, the novel explores serious issues, including healing from trauma, power dynamics, and navigating the balance between fear and new beginnings.
Plot
Twisted Love centers on Ava Chen and Alex Volkov and their complicated relationship. Ava, a photography student with a troubled past, meets Alex after her brother, Josh, leaves for an overseas internship. Alex, tasked with ensuring Ava's well-being, harbors his own motives rooted in past trauma.
The story begins with Ava stranded in the rain and Alex offering assistance. Their initial meetings are tense, as Ava finds Alex's demeanor intimidating. Although Alex maintains emotional distance, a connection forms. This deepens when Ava organizes Alex's first birthday party since a family tragedy, highlighting his isolation. Their relationship moves forward when Alex kisses Ava, initially dismissing it as a mistake but acknowledging their chemistry.
As their relationship develops, buried traumas and family secrets come to light. Ava's PTSD resurfaces when an encounter with her ex-boyfriend, Liam, triggers disturbing memories of her reaction to doubts about her paternity. The plot thickens when Alex learns his uncle, Ivan, was behind his family's murder, fueling Alex's revenge. The tension escalates as Ivan kidnaps Ava and her friend Bridget. Alex feigns indifference towards Ava to safeguard her, which fractures their bond. Ava is devastated, and Alex finds himself isolated.
Realizing his deep feelings for Ava, Alex seeks to make amends. He misses her at the airport as she departs for a fellowship in London, leaving unresolved emotions. For two years, Alex tries to win her forgiveness through persistent gestures. The story culminates at Ava's art exhibition, where Alex buys her artwork and publicly declares his love for her. Ultimately, Ava forgives him.
Characters
Ava Chen: Ava is a 22-year-old photographer who uses her lens to explore the world. Her journey involves confronting past traumas and uncovering hidden family secrets that reshape her understanding of personal identity.
Alex Volkov: At 26, Alex serves as a COO whose life is influenced by a childhood tragedy. He promises to watch after Ava as a favor to her brother, his best friend. His stoic demeanor shifts as he develops feelings for Ava.
Josh Chen: Ava’s brother, Josh trusts Alex with her safety, creating tension rooted in the contrast between Josh's outgoing nature and Alex's reserved personality.
Ivan Volkov: Ivan, the CEO of the Archer Group, is a key antagonist. His betrayal impacts Alex’s quest for vengeance and justice, illustrating themes of power and corruption.
Michael Chen: Initially supportive, Michael emerges as a significant antagonist. His secretive actions affect Ava’s life, influencing the plot’s complexity.
Bridget, Jules, and Stella: Ava’s friends, Bridget, Jules, and Stella each make an important contribution to the story.
Themes
Twisted Love by Ana Huang features themes of love, revenge, trauma, and redemption. The story follows Ava Chen and Alex Volkov, whose relationship explores love's capacity for healing. Their grumpy/sunshine dynamic challenges Alex's emotional distance and prompts Ava to address her childhood traumas.
Revenge drives Alex, while his connection with Ava offers a chance for redemption. This demonstrates how love can transform and heal past wounds. Trauma also plays a significant role. Ava deals with repressed memories, and Alex's hyperthymesia shows the impact of childhood experiences on adulthood. Ava faces nightmares, and Alex displays emotional numbness, highlighting their histories' influence on actions and relationships.
Redemption is central in Alex's shift from a revenge-driven strategist to a partner open to vulnerability. This change questions his beliefs about power and control, underlining the novel's theme of intimacy and healing in the face of betrayal. Through these themes, Huang explores the emotional journey parallel to the protagonists' romantic development.
Romantic tropes
Brother’s best friend: The romance develops as Alex, tasked with protecting his best friend's sister Ava, navigates family obligations. Their relationship grows amid these challenges, presenting a forbidden aspect.
Opposites attract: Ava's optimism contrasts with Alex's cynicism, creating chemistry. Their differences fuel attraction and create challenges, complementing each other in unexpected ways.
Grumpy vs. sunshine: Ava's cheerful nature and Alex's serious demeanor create a dynamic filled with tension and subtle affection. Their interactions reveal their complex relationship.
Forced proximity: Living next to each other, Ava and Alex experience frequent interactions that intensify romantic tension.
Interracial romance: The cultural diversity of Ava and Alex’s backgrounds introduces themes of love beyond boundaries, adding depth to their relationship.
Narrative style
Ana Huang uses a dual narrative structure in Twisted Love to explore the psychology of both protagonists. The narrative alternates between Alex and Ava, showcasing their distinct personalities. This provides insight into their personal challenges. Alex faces internal conflict about a significant decision. The structure introduces suspense as secrets from their pasts emerge gradually.
Quick facts
Twisted Love is the first book in Ana Huang's bestselling Twisted series but can also be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
Twisted Love became a phenomenon on TikTok and was a USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and IndieReader bestseller.
Twisted Love combines spicy romance with emotional depth, exploring themes like betrayal, trauma, and redemption.
Main characters Ava Chen and Alex Volkov represent a grumpy/sunshine dynamic and a brother's best friend trope.
Alex Volkov, portrayed as a possessive antihero, suffers from hyperthymesia, a rare condition allowing him to remember every detail of his life.
Ava Chen, a photography student, deals with nightmares and amnesia stemming from traumatic childhood experiences.
Alex witnessed his parents' murder, committed by his uncle, prompting a lifelong quest for vengeance and influencing his complex emotional portrayal.
An Operation Emotion subplot, conducted by Ava and her friends, humorously attempts to provoke emotional reactions from Alex.
Twisted Love features a dual POV narration, giving deeper insight into the characters' emotional complexities and motivations.
The audiobook version is performed by two accomplished narrators, Cindy Kay and Aiden Snow.
Cultural diversity is prominent, with Ava's Asian heritage and Alex's Ukrainian background enriching the narrative.
Twisted Love contains explicit themes designed for mature audiences, blending steamy scenes with psychological drama.
About the author
Ana Huang is a bestselling author of contemporary romance and new adult fiction. Along with love, her novels often explore themes of trauma and redemption, with emotional depth and complex psychological elements. She is best known for her Twisted series, featuring multilayered characters navigating affection, redemption, and revenge. Launched in 2021 with Twisted, the series includes Twisted Games, Twisted Hate, and Twisted Lies.
