Great romantic read with low drama. Fast paced novel with a great build world. Perfect read for an afternoon. Arc provided by Netgalley

Ayra's father is forcing her to marry to make alliances, her brother has gone off the deep end in a big way, and to top it all off, her reaper powers have been awakened, something she hoped would never happen. Who the hell wants to put down other werewolves for a living?
This was a decent read with a standard story. I liked the characters and the flow of the story. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I had a hard time getting into TWICE TURNED in the beginning due to not reading the first book, ONCE BITTEN. There were unfamiliar words and world-building issues that I had to stop reading to figure out. Luckily there was a handy dictionary of terms included which greatly helped me understand what exactly was going on and I was able to get the hang of the general plot pretty quickly. It's a decently paced book with tons of chase scenes, massive fights, and twists and turns. While I liked the plot which was a "catch-me if you can" sort of story, I really enjoyed the emotional journey Arya goes on.

I liked seeing Arya work to move beyond her abusive family life and find her strength as an independent woman figuring out her special reaper powers. She's a compelling character who you immediately want to root for based on a pretty awful moment in the first pages of this book. She has attachment and trust issues which leads to some not to good personality quirks. This is really understandable though due to living in an emotionally and physically abusive household her whole life and being a reaper which puts a whole host of other issues she has to deal with on her. It's great to see her survive and thrive despite her past and present situations. Vidar is an excellent match for an abuse victim like Arya and someone dealing with a rather violence filled position as a reaper of rogue wolves. He's caring, patient and willing to accept her for what she is. I wasn't a fan of the reason for them to be separated which was a "I can't tell you a thing for vague reasons that could have been solved really easily" issue.

The Icelandic terminology and spin on werewolves was interesting but I had trouble understanding the structure of the packs in this story. They seem to be loosely affiliated and not super family based? But there is an umbrella pack which I didn't understand. I felt like I was piecing together this world and people's positions in it to the extend that I felt kind of disconnected from the world. That's not to say I didn't enjoy aspects of TWICE TURNED. I just felt there was something missing and the ending sort of just ended abruptly with little solid conclusion.

The storyline of this paranormal story was certainly intriguing, as it kept me wanting to know more as I turned each page. Despite not knowing all of the characters I was able to follow the conversations with ease. I would love to see a continuation of the series.

While I enjoyed the story, I continually felt disconnected and left with questions which I felt may have been answered if I had read the first book in the series. This is the second in the The Wolves of Hemlock Hollow but it is considered a standalone read. However, I highly recommend reading the series in order.

This was the first time I had read anything by this author. As I said, I would recommend tackling this series in order to create a more in depth understanding of the characters.

Being a werewolf is tough enough, but being a reaper; someone that puts an end to bad werewolves is certain to be an even tougher and lonely road for Ayra. Well, at least she thought it would be until her once-close friend, Vidar, waltzes back into her life and insists on being by her side every step of the way, as she faces down a very dangerous threat. Will Ayra and Vidar be strong enough to put an end to someone that threatens not only her kind, but humans too; or will they lose their shot at happy ever after?

Not having read the first book of this series, I wasn't sure what to expect. Yet, in saying that, with this being a paranormal romance and a story encompassing werewolves, I knew this would be my kind of story; a story where I would be enthralled by the main characters and their journey to happy ever after. And certainly, it did that and more. The way this story started grabbed my attention immediately, as the hero is very determined and isn't about to let anything stand in his way of being by Ayra's side, which is proven by his actions and attitude to the situation he's in. Will Vidar get what he want - a way to get back to Ayra in order to be able to help her?

As for the dialogue, it was very entertaining and intense due to the main characters back stories; the level of paranormal action that sees the heroine kick a lot of butt and show that she's no longer the weakling she once was; and the obstacles these two face on their journey to happy ever after including whether they'd come out on top against the bad guys the closer to the danger they get. Moreover, the heroine is resilient and courageous, which is proven by everything she does to keep herself and her kind safe from the threat they face. I also liked the way the heroine interacted with various secondary characters and was willing to accept help and guidance, even though it isn't always easy for her to accept. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was her determination to do what's right, even knowing how much danger she and Vidar will face.

While the hero, he was marvellous because of the confidence he has in his skills to keep the heroine safe and the way he was determined to be by her side no matter how much she tries to push him away. No way can she get rid of him. Furthermore, I liked how Vidar and Ayra challenge each other because she needs to realize that there's one person she can count on -- him. Will Ayra put her trust in Vidar? Will Vidar be able to prove that he has what it takes to be by her side, especially since he has to be tough enough to be able to handle her magic as a reaper?

Overall, Ms. McCorkle has delivered a very interesting and satisfying read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was intense; the romance was nicely-detailed and had me hoping for the best for this pair since the ending had me on the edge-of-my-seat with worry for the main characters because of what's going on. Will Ayra and Vidar be able to handle everything thrown at them? I would recommend Twice Turned by Heather McCorkle, if you enjoy paranormal romance, the friends to lovers trope or books by authors NJ Walters, Lisa Kessler, Opal Carew and Milly Taiden.

Despite being the second in a series, this novel can be enjoyed as a standalone. That being said, reading the first one may give the reader a better understanding of the world and mythology. The mythology of the werewolves is interesting, managing to be both original and unoriginal at the same time. Regardless, it adds a little something to the story itself.

The story also has good character development. Although the heroine can be unlikable or confusing at parts, she is a strong female lead in a unique situation. The hero is fairly likable and a good match for the heroine. Despite this, the misunderstanding between them can be rather tedious.

Overall, the novel is well written. While fast-paced, it flows easily and keeps the reader interested.

Ayra is finally starting to figure out her place in the world when Vidar’s returns to Iceland looking hotter than ever but he’s only paying attention to her because she’s the reaper although he swears he’s the only one who can help her on her journey.

Ayra and Vidar’s are both strong, compelling characters whom easily pull readers in with lots of emotional saturated events that keep them connected to the story and the characters because they just have to find out what is going to happen. Vidar and Ayra’s romance is quite a ride of ups and downs because of the issues facing Ayra and of course the whole being forced to marry in order to make alliances but also because to the pain of past issues, but the sizzling chemistry is undeniable and readers can feel it heating up the pages during this couple’s journey.

Twice Turned is a fast paced and smooth flowing, full of thrills and excitement as Ayra and Vidar try to stop her brother and deal with Ayra’s reaper powers. Surprising twists along the way ensure that the readers don’t want to put the book down, especially as they discover just how far off the deep end her brother has fallen and that’s not to mention all the assassins coming out the woodwork at every turn.

I haven’t read the first book in The Wolves of Hemlock Hollow series, yet, I had a little trouble at first with picking up on the structure and unique elements and unfamiliar words that this fascinating world is comprised of, but Heather McCorkle describes her world and her characters in vivid detail which brings it all to life and though I recommend it be read in order, it doesn't have to be. I will definitely be checking out more books by this author and of course reading Once Bitten and looking forward to the next one is this series.

While the author says this is a standalone, I think it would be best to read the first book. Even having read the first book, there's a lot of background that took a while to sink in for me.

In this particular world, werewolves were created by the Norse Gods and originated from Iceland, and are basically modern day Vikings. Ayra was raised in Hemlock Hollow, a rural town comprised entirely of werewolves. She was born with a birthmark that marks her as the reaper, a werewolf whose job is to kill werewolves who are unable to control their change. She's the monster the other monsters fear, but she's also a young woman who loves motorcycles and comic books, and who never wanted this power - unlike her brother. When her reaper powers are activated, her life is thrown into disarray, and she discovers that her abusive older brother has actually been changing people into werewolves against their will. On top of all that, her childhood best friend, Vidar, has returned after four years studying in Iceland - four years in which she's barely heard a word from him - and now he's been assigned as the reaper's guardian. As it becomes clear that her brother is not the only one gunning for her, can Ayra and Vidar survive long enough to rekindle their teenage love?

I liked Ayra. Though her role as the reaper has been forced on her, she's done her best to live up to it. She's pretty kickass, partly due to her innate reaper abilities, and partly because of the "training" forced on her by her family. Vidar was simply adorable. Ayra remembers him as her comic book nerd best friend, and he's still that, but years of studying in Iceland have honed him into (he hopes) someone who can protect Ayra. While Ayra's motivated by the need to stop her brother from enacting his grand scheme, Vidar just wants to protect her.

I think my main issue was the various bits of misunderstandings that kept Ayra and Vidar apart. Ayra thinks anyone who tries to be nice to her or get close to her is only doing it because she's the reaper, not out of any interest in Ayra herself. She thinks this applies even to Vidar, blaming him for abandoning her to her family's abuse. Vidar, on the other hand, has been forbidden from communicating with her while he was training in Iceland, and forbidden to explain that his vow of celibacy only extends until she picks a guardian (in order to prevent an attachment before the guardian is picked). I'm not a fan of this type of misunderstanding, to say the least, and I was disappointed to see it be pretty much the only thing keeping them apart. While I thought Vidar always acted with Ayra in mind (or what he thought Ayra would want or need), Ayra's motivations were murkier to me. She's simultaneously happy to see her best friend again and pissed that he's been gone for so long with practically no word, and her actions seesaw between those two emotions without much warning.

While I thought the Icelandic-spin on werewolves was interesting, some of the other world building fell short for me. There are multiple packs in Hemlock Hollow, though it's never really explained what the function of the packs is (or what an umbrella pack is) or why they're more than one. There are, apparently multiple types of shifter, not just werewolves, and a big shifter council that apparently does nothing more than make stupid decisions, along with vampires and some other mythical creatures that I'm not sue how'll fit into the greater story.

And on that note, I'm not sure if I'll continue reading the series. There were parts I found interesting - Ayra and Vidar's relationship, mostly - but too much of the rest of it wasn't to my taste. If you're looking for a Viking take on werewolves with a kickass heroine and nerdy hero, this may be the book for you.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This story revolves around Ayra – a previously abused and battered member of a wealthy family of shifters with a historic lineage. They have in the past produced a line of reapers so they feel a bit too entitled for their own good. Ayra, now gifted with the power to know when a shifter has gone off the rails and killed people, is tasked with hunting those bad guys down and killing them. Along with that power comes some other wicked superhero abilities, like the power to channel lightning, suck other shifter energy, and be generally one tough cookie.

Ayra’s older brother is on a warpath that is forcing her hand. Sure, he’s a jerk, but he’s still family. Trying to figure out a way to track him down ends up putting her face-to-face with her magically disappearing BFF. Vidar went off to college and ended up becoming a monk of sorts. This type of monkhood, however, is secretly designed to create the perfect protector for the chosen reaper. Vidar is especially determined to be that man since he’s in love with Ayra.

These two dance around the issue and fight against all the odds to end up as a superhero crime fighting team. There’s lots of action, assassination attempts, other shifters, and even vampires along the way to a HEA. It feels like there is a lot more to these stories than I know yet and that has definitely given me a feeling of… incompleteness at the conclusion of this tale.

This is my first book by the author and I thought the book was very interesting and I enjoyed it. I was instantly rooting for Ayra and Vidar lol! The book is action packed and Ayra is badass! Vidar is a sweetheart since all he wanted was to be worthy of Ayra and be near her in anyway he could! It is a stand-alone so I’m not sure if reading the first book will help but I felt lost at some points. I just needed a little more history but overall I liked the book and wouldn’t mind reading another.

Vidar Balderson is at last going home. He has been in training for four years, to take his place alongside his best childhood friend, the only woman he will ever want. He has learned how to be the wolf she needs.
Ayra Vladisdotter is the Reaper. She is the monster who puts down the condemned killers among the shifters. She might only be a little white wolf but she has more power than any normal wolf.
Our heroine hates what she must do, but it draws her closer all the time. Our hero must balance her emotions and power. Not easy to do when there are assassins after her and she is stalking the worst killer there is.
Lots of danger and excitement. Marvelous characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
It is the second book in a series but easily read on it's own. There are links to the first book but not enough to spoil that one for you, but I think they are better read in order.
Great fun.

Four years ago, Ayra's father is forcing her to marry to make alliances, her brother has gone off the deep end in a big way, and to top it all off, her reaper powers have been awakened, something she hoped would never happen. Who the hell wants to put down other werewolves for a living?

And now, just as she's starting to figure out her place in the world, Vidar's back from Iceland, looking hotter than ever and still managing to ring all her bells with just a look. All Ayra wants to do is lose herself in him, in the past, but it's never going to happen. He's only back and paying attention to her because she's the reaper. And there's a little snag in the form of a vow of celibacy he took.

The sparks are undeniable, and Vidar swears he's the only one who can help her on her journey. But he already left her once...- Goodreads

I was excited this read. I was because this is around the time I begin craving paranormal romances or some form of supernatural romance. This book fits that description. Werewolves living in the modern age, still keeping with certain traditions, fighting to save not only the world but all werewolf kind; I'm all over it.

However, Ayra was not really a like-able character. Every other word that came out of her mouth was I'm a killer, a reaper, no one likes me for me and treats me differently because of my power blah blah blah. She does that way too many times with her internal thoughts and when she is speaking with Vidar.

The story is told through Ayra and Vidar's point of view. I prefer Vidar narration as he was much more level headed. His goal was always to protect Ayra and make sure she keeps from going over the edge. Yea, a bit stereotypical, that this powerful female werewolf needs protection but what I liked about him was he allowed Ayra to do her and only stepped in when things were getting to far. Also his love for her was/is genuine. Not just because of the history the two have but because of the woman she is, powers or not. 

My biggest issue with this read is it was too modern. There was not enough mythology tied into this book and that was a disappointment. I appreciate how the author was able to make it modern, but there wasn't a balance to highlight the history that these werewolves hold on to so dearly.

Overall not a bad read. It was a nice fuller. However, I wanted more depth to Ayra and the overall werewolf community. 

2.5. Pickles