I actually liked this a lot more than I thought I would, although there were some problems. But overall, I enjoyed it and can't wait to continue the series.

Let's get into it... Alex is Ava's brother's best friend, so props for that trope because I'm a sucker for it and I think it's in my top five tropes. There's just something about it that HITS. And since we also get chapters from Alex's POV, that means the best friend's little sister trope is present and the forbidden want? Yes, please.

Other tropes present: grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, hates everyone but her, touch her and I'll kill you, groveling, rich guy, murder mystery, possessive alpha, etc.

Props to the author for the Asian representation (Ava is Chinese). She sort of annoyed me, but grew on me as the book went on. Alex though? Holy crap. I would let him do unspeakable things to me, just as he did to Ava in this book. Yes, he's extremely intense and brooding, borderline scary but I believe this has to do with how he was raised, and Ava certainly softened him up. Sometimes it takes the right woman (and love) to do that. Their chemistry was palpable and I was rooting for them, despite them being opposites. I loved seeing them get their happy ending.

The supporting characters were a big win. I know we see them because they're all going to have their own books and this thrills me because I can't wait to see their relationships develop.

Yes, the plot and the dialogue left somewhat to be desired, and could seem cringey and cliche at times, but for what it's worth, I enjoyed it. It was such a nice escape and a good read.

I wasn't sure how I would feel about Josh and Jules but I ended up really liking them as a couple. Not my favorite Twisted Series couple, but I love these two. This was SUCH an amazing take on an enemies to lovers romance, and their chemistry was just out of this world, from hating each other to eventually loving each other.

The irony is not lost on me that Josh gave Ava such CRAP for being with Alex, and yet Josh gets with Ava's (his sister's) best friend, Jules. HE HAS NO ROOM TO TALK, OKAY?

With that being said, I'm so glad they DID get together. I truly felt like they were made for each other. They pushed and pulled and brought out the best in each other, and made each other better people. The tropes were just done so well here and I ate it all up. At first, I wanted to hate Josh (and at times, I did) but I really grew to love him. And Jules? That's my girl. I love how fiery she is and how she made a great life out of what could have been truly terrible for her. She's a fighter.

I LOVED all of the scenes we get with the other couples, like Alex and Ava and Rhys and Bridget. It felt like my family was coming home and I adore them all. I especially loved the little glimpses we get to see of Christian and Stella (I mean, they were breadcrumbs, let's be honest) because their story is the next book and I cannot wait. Dare I say it might be my favorite one yet.

I absolutely loved the development of Josh and Alex's relatonship that we get to see. This was so beautiful to me. I loved that these two best friends found each other again. It was really the highlight for me.

That third act conflict though? THIS is why I took off a star. Honestly, Jules' dilemma could have been EASILY solved if she had just talked to Josh and told him what she needed. But instead, she committed an act that violated him (not sexually) and I just really felt like that was over the top and unneccesary because he would have helped her IF SHE WOULD HAVE JUST ASKED HIM. I know it was for the drama of the book and the plot; yes, I get that. But... it just didn't feel right. And then, THAT SCENE where they supposedly reconcile and he basically takes it back... well, YES I do think it was questionable but I don't think it's what others are making it out to be. I could totally understand Josh's fury in that moment, and in the context of the book and the actions between the two of them, it made sense. But, as a rape survivor myself, I really don't think it was a nonconsensual situation or a violation. Should there be a trigger warning? Maybe so. But take this all with a grain of salt.

ALSO, WTF IS THE DEAL WITH MAGDA? I can't wait to find out in Twisted Lies.

Lauren Asher knows how to write a grumpy/sunshine trope, that's for sure.

In order to receive his inheritance, Declan Kane must marry and produce an heir. Iris, his assistant, finds a woman who will marry him, but Declan scares her off and so Iris steps in to help and SHE marries Declan instead.

Declan is cold and a huge grump (sometimes he goes BEYOND grump, sometimes he's just downright mean) and Iris is all butterflies and rainbows. Opposites attract, right? Not at first. This is a marriage of convenience story, after all. Neither of them TRULY wants to be in this situation at the start, but of course... they fall in love and live happily ever after.

Now for what happens in between: I truly love that Iris goes out of her way to help Declan and she's the only one who can get through to him. She stepped up to help him when no one else would. Her friendship with Cal is just perfection. I actually love that she has Cal in her corner throughout the entire book. Iris is definitely not afraid to speak her mind and it was refreshing to see her put Declan in his place more than once. Declan's determination to not be like his father was admirable, and his growth and development throughout the book was stellar. Their banter was amazing! Yes, it was sort of a slow burn and it took them FOREVER to actually hook up, but it was WORTH IT!

Tropes we got to see: workplace romance, boss/employee, grumpy/sunshine, age gap, interracial romance, marriage of convenience, fake dating, forced close proximity, etc.

Declan telling Iris he loves her in three different languages while they have sex? YES. Declan giving up work for Iris during their fake honeymoon? YES. Declan making changes to his company to make things easier for Iris and her dyslexia? YES. Declan running out of the shower to show Iris the leopard? YES. Declan groevling which included buying her a home that contains a greenhouse for her plants, driving a minivan and getting her the exact dog she told him about? YES.

I didn't know what to expect from this book, as this was my first time reading anything by this author and I haven't read any other book in this series. It blew me away! It was SO GOOD. I absolutely adore this book. Single dad, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, firefighter/veteran, girl next door - this hit all the right notes.

After his divorce, Dex moves with his two daughters next door to Winnie and sparks fly. He tries to deny them at first of course, saying she's too young and doesn't have enough experience and that he has too much baggage and screwed up his last relationship, so he doesn't think they'd be a good fit. Well... of course they spectacularly fail.

Dex and Winnie had major chemistry from the start and I think him literally seeing her naked on night one (accidentally) was definitely the catalyst. They happen to be exact same age gap as my husband and I when we met and got together, so I resonated with them and the obstacles they faced. But, watching them fall in love and overcome it all to get their happy ending was perfection. That bonus epilogue had me jumping for joy.

Whew, and the smut in this one. Ignite as a title is very appropriate because wow, it was absolute fire between these two.

Can we talk about Dex's daughters, Hallie and Luna? They were literally the best part of the book. They were HILARIOUS and I love them both so much. I laughed out loud so many times. Dex trying to parent them was also extremely humorous and heartwarming at the same time. Plus, Winnie's relationship with the girls was so pure and touching.

I loved everything about this book and wanted more and was sad when it ended. Melanie Harlow is a fantastic author with a gift of storytelling.

So many things to say about this one...

First of all, it's definitely not as good as the first book. Like, by a long shot. JP and Kelsey didn't have the chemistry that Lottie and Huxley had. Not only that, but Kelsey spent the entire book shitting all over JP and not giving him the time of day, and treating him like garbage. She was annoying at best, downright unreadable at worst. JP was bending over backwards to be the man she wanted and she was rude to him at every single turn. JP could really do so much better. I feel like Meghan Quinn just had a single male character and a single female character from the first book and decided to write a book about them, just putting them together for the sake of writing a sequel to her very popular (and good) first book. It was literally just a five hundred page mess. It definitely felt like a rush job with no forethought. Also, the author would put stuff like *mentally cries* and *rolls eyes* in the chapters. This isn't a Tumblr post. You're writing a novel. Why would you do that? It's just plain weird. I gave this two stars because I did love seeing Lottie and Huxley in this book. I missed them. But, you can miss this book. It wasn't great.

This will be my comprehensive review of the whole series.

Mindfuck is certainly an appropriate title for this amazing series. I cannot believe I put off reading it for so long because it is absolutely AMAZING. When I heard that this is the series that features the "FBI agent who falls in love with a serial killer that he is investigating", I was hesitant. I wasn't sure I would like it or that someone would be able to pull that off. Well, I was so wrong and I'm glad I get to eat my words. I legit would love if some streaming service adapted this because I think everyone should see it on the screen and I think it would be perfect for a television show or movie.

Logan and Lana are the duo I didn't know I needed, followed closely by Jake and Hadley. SSA Bennett is *that* man, perfection in a body. And Lana? She's that girl. The hero of all heroes. She puts every other hero to shame. Also, can you imagine having a ride or die like Jake? One could only hope to have a best friend as loyal and smart and cunning and Jake. And Hadley came out of nowhere, with her fierceness and smarts and loyalty. The core four were so perfectly written and everything you want and more of out of main and supporting characters.

Don't be fooled though. This isn't just a romance. While that is a huge component of this series, it's about so much more than that. Lana is a survivor and arguably the strongest heroine ever written. This series is about strength, independence, grief, perserverance, healing, and one woman's will to survive and seek justice, no matter the cost. The importance of a survivor not being silenced and making her voice heard is probably the most prominent message of the series. Please make note of the trigger warnings, as there are a LOT, but believe me - it is worth the read. The plot was so well written, and the depth of the characters was truly incredible.

I ate this up and could not stop reading this. I cried the last few chapters and through the epilogue (which was insanely amazing) because it was THAT good. Sadly, the author passed away and never got to see how popular her books got or how people enjoyed this series.

I've actually never read a Devney Perry/Willa Nash novel, but I've heard such great things about this series that I had to go ahead and dive in.

I was so impressed right from the start. This is a small town, contemporary romance with a dual POV. Griffin and Winslow had electric chemistry that you could just feel through the page, only made more obvious when Winslow ends up as more than the "tourist" he thought she was, thinking he would never see her again. Then, they end up having to solve a murder together, which only heightens their obvious attraction to one another. What starts casual eventually ends up as something more. I loved not only the romance between Griffin and Winslow, but also the plot. I love when a book has more than just a romance and has an actual plot to go along with it, and this certainly did. It's one wild ride and adventure, a mystery I just wanted answers to. It totally sucked me in.

I think this is a great first book for this series and I can't wait for the next book!

This book was absolute perfection from the very first page to the very last page. I thought I loved the first book, and I did, but this one completely blew me away. I literally cannot stop thinking about it and it has been days since I finished it. It's one of those books that you know will be a five star read like fifty pages into it and you have to ask yourself, "Once I finish this, will I ever have another five star read like this one again?" This is a book that feels like home and feels like it is written directly to you and for you. This book is to die for.

Memphis Ward is a single mother escaping her glamorous life in New York. What was once a picturesque luxurious life has turned into a life where she is broke and forced to start over at a minimum wage job in a small town where she doesn't know anyone. Eloise, the manager of the inn where Memphis gets a job as a housekeeper, offers to let Memphis and her son Drake stay in an above garage apartment while she gets her footing, a place that is owned by her brother, Knox Eden. Knox reluctantly allows them to stay, grumpy and annoyed by someone coming in and messing up his private and quiet life. Her chaotic arrival changes everything for him and he soon discovers he wants more out of his life, and that Memphis and Drake are it for him.

First of all, Memphis and Knox had some absolutely amazing chemistry. I knew they'd end up together and they are just one of those book couples that you know are destined to be together and meant for each other. They helped each other grow and become better people, while still maintaning the best parts of themselves and truly never trying to change each other. I greatly admire the strong will and tenacity and ability to survive that Memphis possessed. She would literally rather go hungry than not give everything that her son wanted and needed and more. Knox is a grumpy, tattoed chef who values family above all else. The way that Knox took care of both Memphis and Drake brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. I was absolutely floored by the way he took care of them both, making Memphis see that this man was willing to give her the world and then some. That epilogue was absolutely beautiful too!

“I’m not the kind of man who gives up what’s good. And we’re good. We’re fucking good, honey.”

“I cook for you because it’s how I show someone I care. I cook for you because I love the look on your face after that first bite. I cook for you because I’d rather cook for you than anyone else.”

“I'm going to take them. I'm going to take all your bests. Every damn one until you can't keep track of the top five anymore because there are so many bests that you'll need a hundred to capture them all.”

This was my first Mariana Zapata book, and I know she is the slow burn queen. But, I also know that her books are stellar, so I figured it was time to dive in and read one.

I DON'T KNOW WHY I WAITED SO LONG.

This was everything, and so worth the hype she and it gets. She really knows how to tell a story, and she can world build like nobody's business. This was also the ultimate enemies to friends to lovers. Jasmine and Ivan are competitive figure skaters who have always hated each other, but Ivan asks Jasmine to pair up with him. She reluctantly says yes, and only does so because she knows this is the only option, but it turns out to be the best thing to ever happen to them both. As the story unfolds, we see Jasmine and Ivan throughout the seasons of the year, getting closer and closer and discovering things about each other that make them both believe that there is more than meets the eye. The relationship development and growth was probably one of the best I have ever read, and to be honest, I wouldn't even classify this as a romance book. First of all, they do not even kiss until like 90%, and do not truly get together until about 97%. What this book is really about is telling Jasmine's story and telling Ivan's story, and then tying them together as a story that encompasses the two of them. It's about struggle and perserverance and defying the odds and chasing your dreams, and about friendship and partnership. It's about how one person can change your life, and that sometimes it's okay to find something different that you never thought you'd want but know you need. Jasmine was one strong woman, and her only weakness seemed to be Ivan. I loved that about her, and so did he. Ivan loved Jasmine, flaws and all, and loved her strong will and determination to never give up. Ivan's love shines through page after page, and it is clear what he loves more than ice skating: Jasmine Santos.

THAT EPILOGUE WAS SO PERFECT. I damn near cried.

This is a beautiful tale that Mariana Zapata tells, and it is easily now one of my favorite books.

“Because I’m okay with you having ten other people be your favorite. But you’re always going to be my favorite person. Always, no matter what.”

“I love you so much I spend all day with you, and it still isn’t enough for me. I love you so much, if I can’t skate with you, I don’t want to skate with anyone else. I love you so fucking much, Jasmine, that if I broke my ankle during a program, I would get up and finish it for you, to get you what you’ve always wanted.”

“I believe in you. In us. Regardless of what happens, you will always be the best partner I’ve ever had. You’ll always be the hardest working person I’ve ever known. There will only ever be you.”