Ratings126
Average rating3.4
Inspired by real-life events, TWISTED is a Fascinating Adult Suspense Thriller about vulnerability, courage and the art of making a living in the sex trade. Coming of Age, Suspense Thriller... "A gripping and mature story deftly woven by Lola Smirnova, "Twisted" is the kind of suspense novel that will linger in the mind and imagination long after it is finished and set back upon the shelf. "Twisted" introduces an extraordinarily gifted author to an appreciative readership looking eagerly toward her next literary effort."- Midwest Book Review Back in the 90's, the corrupt post-Soviet Ukraine with its faltering economy is thrown into a devastating depression. Times are hard. Opportunities are scarce. Three young and eager sisters - Natalia, Lena and Julia - dream of a better life, and weigh their options: do they stay and struggle like their parents, or join scores of their compatriots in the sex trade in glittering western European cities, who earn in a night what they'd take several months to earn at home? Naive and tempted by the allure of 'quick' money, the girls set off on an adventure that changes their lives forever... For sensible, resilient and calculating Lena and Natalia, the transition to the underworld of Luxembourg's deceptive champagne bars is eye-opening, but smooth. But for fragile, brittle Julia, haunted by a childhood assault, the change is more than just vocational. Struggling to adapt, she turns to alcohol and drugs, exposing herself to increasing danger and depravity; and, ultimately, betrayal, when a deceitful client, who claims to love her, drugs her and cleans her out. Despite her sisters' best efforts to intervene, she finds herself in Istanbul - culturally a world apart - in an attempt to make back the money and self-respect she's lost. Vulnerable without the protection of Luxembourg's champagne bars, she descends into a hell of drugs and high-risk sex until, at the novel's terrible climax, a kidnapping, brutal assault and one-sided justice system lead to her imprisonment and a threat of deportation. How will Natalia and Lena save Julia? 'TWISTED' IS THE FIRST BOOK OF A TRILOGY. THE SECOND ONE - 'CRAVED' IS COMING OUT VERY SOON! To stay updated follow Lola on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/twistedlolasmirnova or Twitter - @BookTwisted. "Charged with some disturbing sexual scenes (including rape), the book manages a steady, readable flow as it shines a light on the multifaceted world of the European sex trade."- Kirkus Reviews "Smirnova takes us on a philosophical and pseudo-psychological pilgrimage through the sexual underworld as Julia, in first person narrative, describes her struggling introduction into a profession where she can ply the only skills currently marketable." - 5 star review from Readers' Favorite "I highly recommend 'Twisted' to open-minded readers who aren't afraid of a little blood, sweat and semen. It's sure to shock and surprise you, with both its storyline and its literary value." - 5 star review from Red City Review "In the meantime, Smirnova hopes that Twisted will raise awareness to the problems of the sex industry... Kudos to Smirnova for an outstanding job achieving that goal!"- 5 star review from Pacific Book Review "It is up front and direct; Smirnova thankfully avoids the guileless euphemism that writers with less comfort about sex and sex work use in their sex scenes. It also explores the business with a sensitivity and respect - though not approval - that is rare."- Foreword Clarion Reviews "While the subject matter does not make for a light read, a breezy writing style and Julia's willingness to fully and shamelessly lift the veil on her controversial lifestyle makes an irresistible combination."- IndieReader
Featured Series
4 primary booksTwisted is a 4-book series with 4 primary works first released in 2014 with contributions by Ana Huang, Julia V. Sánchez, and Jo Ho.
Reviews with the most likes.
DNFing for now. Ava is way to whiny for me to want to read. Maybe I will try again later.
Honestly, I don't know what to think about this book... It started soft and fluffy, however halfway through everything changed drasticly. At some point I was reading mafia romance without understanding how I get here and what is actually happening!
The author tried to write about everything: brother's best friend (whitch was useless!), grumpy hero (I found it a little anoying) and the mafia part (whitch was too much for my taste).
Overall I think the characters aren't bad written, but the story is a little over the place.
I love the relationship that Ava had with her brother. I did not like her best friend Jules too much at first. By the end of the book I was okay with Jules. Alex was a little bit awkward but I did like him at the end.
This is GOOD!
Now I understand what all the hype is about.
This isn't just your average steamy romance, there are so many extra layers (particularly with the hero Alex) that the reader is totally drawn in.
Page turner!