Not that Twisted

“Love always wins.”

A Twisted Love Story is a psychological thriller about a couple whose toxic relationship revolves around mind games. But in the end, love rules--even if it means murder.

Wes and Ivy met in college and have dated on and off for 10 years. Their relationship can be described as destructive--they play mind games, push each other's buttons, manipulate, and taunt each other. They make up and break up constantly. But their games have gone too far, especially when their past crimes become exposed.

The narrative alternates between Wes, Ivy, Bianca (an administrative assistant at Wes’ company,) and Karen, a sex crimes detective. I enjoyed Bianca’s POV the most, but her voice fades as events shift. Wes and Ivy are both horrible people. Karen’s background adds a new perspective to their relationship, but her bias undermines their dynamic.

None of the characters were likable, but their stories are vague enough that I was invested in finding out what was happening.

Wes and Ivy are the main attraction. While I was fascinated by their relationship in the beginning, their drama became tiresome, and I just wanted it to end already.

A Twisted Love Story reminds me a little bit of My Lovely Wife, which also explores unhealthy relationship dynamics. Downing has a knack for creating fascinating, twisted characters, and Wes and Ivy are no exception, but I think their games could have gone further--instead, they were repetitive, baseline, and, after a while, boring. At the same time, I did get sucked into this novel. The final events were a little crazy and unpredictable and made this novel fun to read.

Thank you to Elisha Katz of Berkley Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book!

3.5 stars

A Twisted Love Story by Samatha Downing in three words - Unpredictable, dramatic and completely crazy!

Let's start with the dedication that reads "For the man who inspired this book-You’re damn right I wrote about you" Naturally, this instantly piqued my interest!

In a nutshell, this story is about Ivy and Wes, a couple who met in college, fell in love, broke up then got back together countless times. It's been ten years and the trend continues. They both cross line upon line, there are secrets, lies and insane revelations, a murder and an ongoing investigation. Additionally, messed up side characters make the plot even more compelling. The funny part is, despite their extremely toxic and dysfunctional relationship, I couldn't help rooting for both Wes and Ivy!

All that being said, I started losing interest when it got very repetitive in the middle. I also wished it was more twisted. I was particularly disappointed that there was no HUGE reveal and unfortunately the final one was very guessable. However, I did like the way it ended.

Overall, an enjoyable summer thriller and I will be looking forward to Samatha Downing's next book. Until then For Your Own Good remains my favorite.

I wanted to like this one but it felt like I started the book and was in the middle of the book. Not only did I not get what was going on but the characters just repelled me from wanting to read more sadly.

this is a slow burn domestic suspense. I find this hard to rate because it was very entertaining but there was too much going on at once and it got confusing. i also wasn't a fan of the convoluted ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ivy and Wes are not your average happily ever after a couple. Nope, not by a long shot. There’s just something about them together that sets off major warning bells. But no matter how many times they break up, they still seem to wind up back together.
As cray cray as their relationship is, the people around them might just be worse. An oh so nosy coworker, a detective who can’t, or won’t stay away, friends( or frenemies) who they would both be better off without. You name it and it’s almost a guarantee that one or both of them have some seriously warped people in their lives. A
decision by Ivy to pull Wes back into her orbit winds up having unexpected consequences. Yeah, I say that even Ivy might’ve gone down a different path if she could’ve foreseen the future. I’m not going to say much more about A Twisted Love Story since I don’t want to venture into spoiler territory.
No idea how Samantha Downing comes up with these over-the-top characters, but I’ll never say no to one of her books or stories.
My favorite book so far is still My Lovely Wife, though I’ve enjoyed everything the author has written.

I was so excited to get an early copy of A Twisted Love Story as I adore this author’s books.

Wes and Ivy, Ivy and Wes.
Their relationship is on again off again and on again.

I expected this book to be more about vicious murders and less about toxic a relationship. Don’t get me wrong, I liked it, it just wasn’t what I expected. At all.

I enjoyed the cat and mouse and the game of who could be worse. To be honest they could have both been worse. It was a bit, dare I say, tame?

There was a few twists and the ending def gave it a bit more of a push for me. I was surprised! That’s always a great thing.

A fun, fast and addicting read for me. Different is good. Not great here but good! I’ll always be a reader of this author as I love her surprises and her books are always fun and different for sure.

Thanks for the early copy!

I did not love, nor hate this. This was a middle of the road thriller for me.

It definitely kept me interested and kept me turning the pages, it made for easy reading so if you're someone who just picks up a thriller just to have the most mindless reading experience as possible and be titillated by suspense or the creep factor, then you will do just fine with this one.

The twisted love story at hand is about Ivy and Wes, and obviously the apt title tells us to expect their love to be "twisted." I assumed it would be two psychopaths that enjoy killing together but love each other so much that would die for each other kind of thing, but it's actually much more complicated than that. And their love story is not only twisted, but their love and relationship is also toxic as well. It's exactly what one would think of when you hear people say" toxic" and "volatile.". There are high highs and low lows, there's physicality, and abuse, then there's making up and sex, there's cruelty and anger and secrets and just toxicity all around. But the most surprising thing about it here was that I somehow found myself rooting for this couple even tho in any ordinary situation I would be telling these people to run, far in the opposite direction.

I did not think that the characters were very fleshed out, their relationship had more of a presence than either one of these characters did individually. I don't normally expect particularly fleshed out or dynamic characters in thriller mysteries, but in this case the lack of character work made it easier to get sick of their shtick. I can understand volatility within a relationship, and I know that plenty of people stay in those types of relationships, maybe even enjoy them, but the extent of their damage to each other made me get bored of that dynamic pretty quick.

I was not very interested in the other side stories, or even the drama going on in terms of what the couple was doing, i was really only interested in if their relationship was going to survive. I wanted it to despite all the icky parts.

Not my favorite thriller and it actually had a few little bits that bored me but the ending was decent, i really could not guess which way it was going to turn out. This was a 3.5 for me rounded up.

Wes and Ivy are madly in love…until they aren’t. Their on-again, off-again relationship comes with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but now there’s a detective involved and they’re not sure their relationship can survive it. Will their love keep them together or lead to one of them ratting the other out?

A TWISTED LOVE STORY by Samantha Downing totes some of the qualities her previous books are known for: unlikeable characters, short chapters, a quick pace, and multiple POVs, buuuuut not so much shock value in this one.

I hate to say that this is my least favorite of Downing’s work and it has a lot to do with the fact that I wanted (needed) the main characters to be more awful than they were (heyyy, I’m a cynic)!

There was also so much buildup surrounding this big mysterious past event (literally the glue to the story) that I couldn't help but feel completely let down and underwhelmed by the time the reveal came.

I’ll still pick up Downing’s next book because she has a great track record, but this one just wasn’t my fave.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: July 18

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the ARC of this book.

First let me say I've read all of Samantha Downings books and I really love her as an author. Her books for me are a little roller coaster like in the way that I LOVED MY LOVELY WIFE, FOR YOUR OWN GOOD was very good but not as good as the first and then HE STARTED IT came out and i liked that book as well but it seemed like nothing was going to be as good as MY LOVELY WIFE. i had to face it and then, A TWISTED LOVE STORY is set to come out. If you have heard of Samantha Downing, but never read her, A TWISTED LOVE STORY would be my 1st recommendation above the other three, and I genuinely liked them, a lot.

In this book her inscription, "For the man who inspired this book, You're damn right I wrote about you!" gripped me and the story didn't even begin.

I loved the whole idea of this book, a toxic relationship, with a bunch of other hypocrites thrown in pointing fingers at them for being passionately in love, but loving too hard and the break ups even worse. Wes and Ivy, a couple who remind me of my fiancé of 16 yrs (ONLY IN THE WAY, THAT THEY'VE NEVER LOVED HARD, OH WELL JUST JEALOUS). Anyway that's the ONLY way I can relate to these two. What a twisted couple. I love it. When they're in love, they are soooo in love, when they fight its the worst and leads to horrible breakups. They are EQUALLY terrible to each other. But Ivy seeing Wes during one of their breakups, gets the idea to play a prank and report him to the cops for stalking her.

Of course what starts out as a little dangerous fun, plus gets them back together, right after the detective comes to his work. But the detective on the case wants to be a hero and she starts digging into their relationship and finds something they said they'd never ever tell anyone. It's that bad.

No matter what, I still rooted for them and you might too. Out in July. Get ready to pre-order this one!

Wes and Ivy have a complicated relationships. Some days it's head over heels love, while others are screaming disasters. They have a constant back and forth, until Ivy takes it too far. Her accusation leads a cop onto a crime that should have stayed buried. When the cop starts asking questions, will Ivy and Wes turn on each other or will they remain steadfast in love? Soon other people begin butting in where they don't belong. No telling how many people might not be around to tell their side of the story.
Samantha Downing built a tornado of a couple. They love, envy, and hate each other. It's a never ending cycle. Quick read that leaves you wanting more.

4.5/5

If you like reading about toxic relationships this was one dark and twisted tale. I was immediately drawn into this one, the way the author wrote and left little tidbits and clues throughout kept me so intrigued and flipping the pages to see what little bit of information she would reveal next. Ivy and Wes were both super interesting characters and I could never quite figure out who was reliable or if either of them even were. You also get to the perspective of a detective and this was another interesting aspect that gave everything a cat and mouse feeling. I really enjoyed this addictive read, if you like Carola Lovering this had a similar vibe.

I love Samantha Downing! Her stories always make you wonder if you absolutely love or absolutely hate her main characters and thats exactly where I was with the two main characters here. Their relationship...toxic doesn't begin to cover it but you began to pull for them despite everything (or did you??). Her writing is so intelligent and fun and always a roller coaster ride. Will highly recommend. Also loved the cover art of this one.

I had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to read this book, and while it began slowly, it gradually grew more captivating, making it impossible for me to put it down. The story revolved around a couple whose relationship was anything but ordinary, as they continuously drifted apart and came back together in a unique way.

What made this book stand out was its exploration of the complexities within their relationship. Despite not always comprehending or relating to their choices, I found myself deeply intrigued by the intricacies of their connection. Their ups and downs fascinated me, evoking a mix of empathy and curiosity.

Rather than fitting into the mold of a typical thriller, this book delved into the realm of drama. It delved into the raw emotions and experiences of the characters, providing an introspective portrayal of love, longing, and the intricate nature of human relationships.

The interplay between mystery and drama added depth and tension to the narrative, keeping me engrossed. While the main focus remained on the couple and their relationship, the underlying mysteries and secrets surrounding their decisions added an extra layer of intrigue, keeping me eagerly turning the pages, longing for answers and understanding.

The ending of the book, which held significant weight, provided a satisfying conclusion that tied everything together. It offered a sense of closure while leaving room for reflection. It left me contemplating the choices the characters made and the impact of their actions.

In conclusion, this book immersed me in an unconventional love story, where the unique dynamics of a couple's relationship took center stage. The exploration of their distinctive way of coming together and drifting apart created a compelling and thought-provoking narrative. While not a traditional thriller, the blend of drama and mystery added depth and allure. I highly recommend this book to those seeking an engaging and contemplative journey into the complexities of human connections.

I would like to express my gratitude to Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley, for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Susan it was nice discussing with you about.

This was a difficult read for me. However I should have expected that, as the title suggests, it was twisted in a way that I found a little over written. There were too many explanations for what was going on and it took me a long time to get through a book by an author whose books I can normally whiz through because they are so compelling. And the ending just left me with more questions than answers. The premise was good, the actual tell, not so much.

I really liked the development of the main characters and their love story. It seems they always found a way to get to each other. The twists kept me until the very end! I enjoyed that I was not able to predict what was going to happen. Samantha Downing is a favorite of mine.

DNF at 24%. Every single chapter was repetitive and the story of their toxic relationship dragged. Another reader told me the ending when I asked and it sounded like I didn't miss much...

A decent novel if you like stories about toxic relationships but not Downing's best. Rather than get invested in these two characters and their twisted relationship, I really just hated both of them. Ivy was the worst, and did things to deliberately set Wes off, which led to a bunch of drama that eventually led to catastrophe. Bound by a shared secret, Ivy and Wes can't seem to let each other go but now their relationship is being tested from the outside, by those determined to make them pay for their past sins. A solid three stars. Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a WILD RIDE, and I loved every second of it. My first @smariedowning book did not disappoint, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!

This relationship was TOXIC and just went I thought it couldn’t get any more insane, something else would happen. The ending was so SHOCKING! I had no clue that was coming. This is a must read this summer! Releasing in July!

Thank you @netgalley and @berkleypub for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Alright, I have to say that this summer jam packed with some awesome thriller book releases! WHOA! I have read some amazing thrillers recently-including @smariedowning up-coming book! Thank you to the tagged publisher & @netgalley for my #gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review!


✨𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?

I am a HUGE fan of Downing’s previous books, so I was so excited when I received a galley of her up-coming release which is a love story, or rather a toxic addictive twisted love (hence the title). Downing’s writing is addictive, and all of her books have grasped me in from the beginning-and this one is no different. This one hit close to home, having been in a toxic relationship before, I cheered Downing on when I read her book dedication page which states “For the man who inspired this book.You’re damn right I wrote about you.” LOVE it and talk about girl power, karma, and redemption! YOU GO GIRL 💪🏻👏🏻
Ivy and Wes are a couple who are continually drawn to each other and cannot stay away from one another, despite the shit they put each other through. Break up after break up, yet they always find their way back to one another. Downing definitely makes this one relatable, suspenseful, twisty, TOXIC, & ADDICTIVE. This couple is a mess, yet I was drawn to them and their story, and was eager to find out what happened next. Downing has definitely become an auto-buy author for me! I LOVED THE ENDING-Downing absolutely nailed it with this one-and what a roller coaster ride it was!

✨𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?

Nothing TBH-although this is on the longer side at 400 pages, I did not feel like it was bogged down at all.

✨𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?

EVERYONE should read this one! Thriller lover or not, definitely pick this one up!



𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5

This one is tough to rate because although I did not like any of the characters, I could not stop turning the pages to find out what happens next. I was hoping that they got what was coming to the in the end so I hung in there.