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Twisted Love by Ana Huang is one of the books BookTok made big: a cold, vengeful billionaire, his best friend’s cheerful sister and a lot of drama. We analysed reviews online and summarise what readers love and what they criticize.

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At a glance

  • Author: Ana Huang
  • Published: 2021, first self-published, relaunched by Bloom Books in 2022
  • Series: Twisted, book 1 of 4
  • Genre: Contemporary romance, new adult
  • Tropes: Grumpy/sunshine, brother’s best friend, morally grey hero

What is it about?

Alex Volkov is rich, closed off and pursuing a revenge plan. His best friend asks him to look after his younger sister Ava Chen, a cheerful photographer. Both carry difficult experiences from their past.

What readers love about Twisted Love

  • The chemistry: Reviews praise the palpable tension between Alex and Ava.
  • Grumpy/sunshine in its purest form: Fans of the trope get exactly what they want, including a grand apology at the end.
  • Characters with history: Both leads have a past that gives them depth.
  • Pace and twists: The book reads quickly, and twists keep readers hooked.

What readers criticize

  • Predictable: Several reviews find the plot clichéd and the twists too clearly signposted.
  • Alex’s behaviour: Some readers find him manipulative, and his change does not feel earned to them.
  • An unequal relationship: Ava’s quick forgiveness seems unrealistic to some.
  • Overdramatic: The emotions feel exaggerated in places.
  • Pace: According to one review, the first half drags while the ending is too fast.

Content notes

We did not find an official list in our sources. The book deals with trauma from both leads‘ pasts and contains explicit scenes. Check the author’s notes before reading.

Success

According to Wikipedia, the book went viral on TikTok, was then relaunched and spent 61 weeks on the New York Times paperback bestseller list. Ana Huang was one of the best-selling BookTok authors in 2024.

What writers can learn from it

  • An antihero needs a real transformation. Readers forgive a lot when they see the character change.
  • Dose your foreshadowing. Hints that are too obvious take the punch out of a twist.
  • Both sides need weight. If one character only forgives, the relationship feels lopsided.

Conclusion

Twisted Love is an emotional, dramatic BookTok romance with a cold hero and a warm-hearted heroine. Fans of grumpy/sunshine with lots of feeling will find what they are looking for. Readers looking for a surprising plot and a healthy relationship dynamic probably will not.

Sources

For this overview we analysed the following reviews and articles:

Ratings as of November 2026.

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