Twisted Lies - Ana Huang

 

(The MMC is called Christian, you tell me the rating)

Christian Harper and Stella Alonso aka butterfly. This had that thriller element to it which I so needed.

A story featuring stalkers, thriller, betrayal, and love. Spice too, if you’re interested…

We have a billionaire tech-genius with an aspiring designer and fashion blogger. It doesn’t get much more gold than that. Remember Harper Security? Well, there’s a whole book on it now.

Stella works for a fashion magazine and gets fired from it after attending an event. That event was for Delamonte, whose brand she becomes the face of. Christian Harper owns the apartment complex where Stella and Jules live. In Twisted Hate we see how they basically get it for free because the rent isn’t even rent, especially for a place like that. The only reason he drops it is for Stella, and we find out why later. Well, once Jules leaves to live with Josh, he lets Stella stay at reduced rent on the condition that she waters his plants. This guy is whipped.

Christian Harper hasn’t had it easy either. He was brought up in terrible circumstances and has made a fortune from nothing. From helping Jules get back her power from Max to helping Rhys get back with Bridget, Christian can be your best friend… or your worst enemy. Dante Russo has been on the end of that line already, and it was so petty but so Harper-coded. Christian has had an obsession with Stella for 5 years. Look, I’m a very impatient individual, so how people do this for 5 years just goes beyond my mental or emotional capacity.

Christian Harper had many enemies yet the biggest of them all was Mr. Unicorn. As in a stuff animal unicorn. Yes, it is that deep. And hilarious!

We see a brief mention in Twisted Hate about this stalker that Bridget had, who then just all of a sudden left. It was traumatic for Stella, no less so when someone leaves something for her at her apartment. The first person she runs to is Christian. This is after they decide to fake-date so that Stella can grow her Instagram page. And by the way, what? I didn’t even know there was a fake-dating trope. Anyways, that’s when you start to see the teddy side a bit more of Christian and learn more about Stella.

The moment that had me kicking my feet was when Christian came back from drinking. I’m not going to tell you anymore other than the fact that OH MY GOD. The mood-board of Stella’s coming to life with the help of Christian, alongside the way he stood up for her at the first dinner they had with her family, was heart-touching. For some reason, when Christian said Stella’s was starting to wilt at home, I was howling. The spice was very spicy, like Christian GREY spice from Fifty Shades of Grey It’s the name Christian – they’re all so dominant. Christian Grey, Christian Harper, and Christian Allister. Need I say more?

Why did they break up again? I can’t remember. I think it was because she found pictures and other information about herself while cleaning his office. Personally, it wasn’t that deep; however, I get the betrayal from Stella’s point of view. Well, Stella gets kidnapped by the stalker even Christian couldn’t figure out, and it turns out Brock (his right-hand man) was also a mole for Chris aka Stella’s stalker. He was selling information, and after setting a trap, it became apparent it was Brock all along. Idiot. Spoiler – he dies. Don’t feel bad for a second.

The way in which Christian dealt with the stalker was bone rattling. Also, I can’t forge to mention the notes he wrote for her during their break up. Look, there is one that made me cry fat tears. I won’t tell you which one but there is an unsaid sense of community all over BookTok for that one note. I want a Christian. Romantic and heart-breaking at the same time.

Magda. That damn painting came full circle, and I’ll tell you why. Magda was the name of Christian’s mother, who made this eyesore of a painting. We see how in Twisted Hate, Max goes after it by asking Jules to steal it since Josh bought it. It gets stolen, then given back to its rightful owner at the time. Christian then makes Dante Russo buy it until he knows what to do with it, and we also later see that both Josh and Jules are invited to the exhibition in New York. The painting was worth everything in a sentimental sense but nothing in the monetary sense. The reason why everyone was after it was because Christian made it appear as if it was one of a kind, valuable asset for the riches. Going back to the point before, you know what scene I’m on about if you have read King of Wrath. That painting was burnt by Christian in Twisted Lies but it has to be by far one of the best interconnected series I have read that includes something like a painting in each book. That painting was the bane of everyone’s existence.

This book finally ranks number 1 on my pyramid. Everything was PERFECTION. As a reader, it had everything I wanted: the tropes, humour, thrill, spice, all the way to the happily ever after. Murder someone for me and I’ll call you a romantic. I’m just a bit sour that Ana never put the proposal scene in the book because that was the favour Christian asked for from Jules. Other than that, I couldn’t fault it and have re-read it many times since. The most out of all the books from this series. As an editor, the literature was some of the best I have seen. In terms of progression, from Twisted Love to Twisted Lies, it was more seamless, effortless, and flowed like silk. Just the right amount of description to dialogue. I’m currently reading Rivals by Jilly Cooper, only after I watched the series. I didn’t even know it was based on a novel. Is it as interesting as the series? Yes. Is it hard to read? Also yes, because that was a different era of literature. 1988 to be exact. I wasn’t born until 12 year later and didn’t start getting properly into reading until 2020 so sue me.

The question that started it all: Is it as good as everyone is saying? Yes. Yes, it is. I get the hype. I mean, I read them all, didn’t I? You have to understand that okay, so maybe you do question it all after reading Twisted Love, however, this is a progressive series. Just think, if that first book was that immaculate, then the rest would have nothing to beat. Rome wasn’t built in a day, guys.

One more petty thing before I go – just stop putting real people on covers. It doesn’t eat. It never had before and never will in the future. Case closed.

It was a bittersweet ending to this series. It was a journey about 4 friends that ended with happily ever after’s.

These paper pages are the unsaid trinity of entering the world of reading, so pick them up.

I shall be back with more reviews soon. I’m writing the 2024 wrap-up as we speak.

Until next time. 

Mwah, 

Vivian.