Twisted Games - Ana Huang
“Be careful, Mr. Larson, or I’ll think you’ll actually
like me.” Stop. Just stop it because Rhys isn’t real, Eldora does not exist,
and I’m not a Bridget von Ascheberg.
Ana Huang said this was inspired by The Princess
Diaries, and she wasn’t lying. It so was, but 100x better. The nickname
here is simply "princess," which is suitable and fitting.
Where do I even begin? We have Bridget, who’s 10 years
younger than Rhys, her bodyguard. Bridget left Eldora to study abroad and get a
sense of normality. From partying to volunteering at the animal shelter, she
tries her best. After losing her parents at a young age, she’s the closest to
her brother, Nikolai, and her grandfather. Rhys Larsen, on the other hand, is
an ex-Navy SEAL and works for Harper Security. Side Note: love Christian
Harper. Any fictional character called Christian is usually a great sign.
Anyways, back to Larsen. He's gruff and arrogant with black hair, a muscled
frame, and gunmetal eyes. Did I mention the jagged scar going through his left
brow? Let’s just say this new pairing brings about some growing pains, which
leads to other pain that ends in a trip to Costa Rica—and so much more.
Remember the kidnapping I told you about in the
previous review? I forgot to mention that a certain princess was there with
Ava. That’s when Bridget was put under stricter restrictions by her bodyguard.
After graduating, a shooting took place in which slowly, something started to
bubble between Rhys and the princess. I’d say that was the most pivotal
moment.
Upon hearing about the heart attack of her
grandfather, they both rush to Eldora to find out Nikolia has decided to
abdicate. However, on the plane ride, they both bonded a lot over the loss of
loved ones and Rhys’s abusive single parent. Anyways, Bridget is off on her
horse, only to be hit by a branch and left in the rain. Of course, Rhys finds
her after threatening her staff—because why wouldn’t he? Everything gets
frosty. On the secret balcony, which now Rhys is a part of, things get just a
little bit cold. Cold as in Rhys says he will now leave when she returns to the
palace due to his contract, and Bridget doesn’t like the feeling of being
dismissed so easily. So, what does she do? Decides to make life hell for her
new bodyguard once they go back to university. Let’s just say living one's life
as a party isn’t for the bodyguard.
This leads to more gentle gestures. It was thoughtful
of Rhys to set up a living-room music festival experience, almost like the real
thing, and then that damn bucket list number. I’m not telling you, but read it.
They go to Costa Rica and then do what you do in Costa Rica. Can you
guess?
After Costa Rica, Rhys declines the offer given by
Bridget to become his permanent bodyguard. True to his word, what happens in
Costa Rica stayed right there. The most awkward morning after ever. Well, he’s
an idiot. He soon understands his mistakes and then comes rushing back. Did I
mention he returns when Bridget’s grandfather is now looking for a husband for
the future queen? This is when it starts to really get good.
PSA: Mr.
Larsen stays away from addictive things, including alcohol, but the breakup hit
him so hard that it worked him up. There’s also a cousin of the princess
involved, but I’ll let you read up on him.
The sneaking around, the late-night hook-ups, and all
those small special moments—including Rhys’s jealousy—really made part 2 that
much better. Let’s just say videos get leaked, some crawling happens (IYKYK)
laws get changed, and maybe a wedding happens where no one can find Josh and
Jules. Thank God for grandads, especially that one of a princess.
I’d say the most heartbreaking moments were when
Bridget couldn’t peacefully visit her parents’ graves and when she realized who
was leaking things to the press, alongside the blackmail. I know what it feels
like to be betrayed by those whom you trust so much, so saying I felt for
Bridget is an understatement.
This ranks first for me as book #1 in the Twisted
Series. Everything was perfect and paced so beautifully. There wasn’t a moment
where I wanted to put the book down. It was alarming how much I preferred it
over Twisted Love. Written perfectly to a T.
The best reading moments for me were when they did
something *cough* *cough* at night in a place where it started to rain,
the reconciliation after the breakup, and when the voting happened to change
laws. The badass moments were when Christian Harper grilled Larson and then
Bridget reached out to none other than Mr. Volkov himself. If you remember the
end of Twisted Love then you know how iconic the meaning was behind it
for Twisted Games.
I cannot recommend it enough. I’m sure it’s readable
as a standalone, but why would you want to? There’s nothing better than an
interconnected series, and it only gets better if it’s written by Ana
Huang.
Don’t delay these paper pages like I did.
Mwah!
Vivian.
Don’t forget to
keep reading, because as long as you do, it’s making a struggling authors day
that much better. Reach for the starts of success.
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