This book had me from the dedication page. Twisted is the perfect word to describe this book.

Wow the relationship between Ivy and Wes is TWISTED! They definitely have some issues to work out. I love how the author threw me off so many different times all throughout the book.

I can’t say too much without spoiling but holy cannoli! I finished this in a day because I wanted to know!

A toxic relationship on the brink of disaster, a delightfully devious cast of characters, and beguiling and sinister twists you won’t see coming. What’s not to love? Told with Downing’s typical tongue-in-cheek sarcasm, you’ll find out what ‘Love is a serious mental disease’ really means.

Our main characters are Ivy and Wes, who have that kind of relationship we’ve all had at one time or another. You know the one. It’s toxic. You know it’s toxic. But you’re addicted. Obsessed. The problem is, addiction and obsession are never good.

Somehow Downing has written an unforgettable thriller with characters who are more antagonists than protagonists, and yet I rooted for them every step of the way, even while not trusting either of them in the slightest.

Wild, seductive and unputdownable.

3.5 stars, rounded down
Samantha Downing has a true ability to create creepy characters. Wes and Ivy are two twisted souls. They have a love/hate relationship with each other. Making up and breaking up since college. But they take it to extremes - trashing each other’s possessions, getting the cops involved. They are whack a doodle crazy. They are not folks I’d want to know in real life.
But they’re not the only ones that stand out as less than normal. There’s Bianca, the administrator at Wes’s office. She is not one for respecting boundaries. And a detective who seems keen to keep investigating them when Ivy makes the mistake of saying she’s being stalked. To be honest, there’s not a normal person in the whole cast of characters. Everyone seems to be just a tad “off”.
The book has a kind of skin crawling, guilty pleasure aspect to it. But the pacing was uneven and at times I will even admit to being bored. It didn’t help that none of the characters were fully fleshed out. But the ending kept me guessing because there were just so many ways this one could play out.
While not my favorite of her works, the ending redeemed what had been just a so-so book up until the 80% mark.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for an advance copy of this book.

This book was a slow burn. It took me awhile to get into the book. But I had just read another book by Samantha Downing so I figured that I would read her newest one too. I thought this book was just ok. I didn't love it because it took me a while to get into and then it fell flat for me.

The plot of this book is centered around Ivy and Wes' toxic love story, but I actually found it to be really... tame? Maybe I've read too many thrillers. 😅

The book chugs along super quickly, with short chapters that constantly shift points of view. I think I needed more character development to draw me into Ivy and Wes' story. I didn't feel like we were told that much about them, or what made them so irresistible to the other. I wanted to really FEEL those highs and lows of their relationship and what kept them coming back to each other for 10 years, but to me they both seemed really bland, so I couldn't understand their obsession with each other.

All that being said, it was a quick and easy read and I didn't have a terrible time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

The title says it all. Wes and Ivy have so many issues. Samantha adds so many twists to this story. She is definitely one of my go to authors.

My sister who had just read one of Samantha Downing's older books got me interested in reading her. I'm so glad she did because I found this book a fascinating read. I understand the psychology behind what is happening but it is still quite startling to read the story and know that some relationships are self destructive like this one. I've been married for 44 years so it is hard to imagine the lies and the sadistic games played to pull another person to you. This relationship was toxic and yet so enticing. Read on and enjoy. For readers who like Alice Feeney and JP Delany.

A Twisted Love Story is really a twisted toxic love story, It reminded me of a relationship Ive experienced for three years. Constantly playing the game of who can hurt each other the worse or who gets the best get back. I unexpectedly related to this book in many ways which is why I was able to give it 4 stars.

Truly a fast read, turn pager and plus it has short chapters!

Samantha Downing is the absolute BEST author when it comes to writing terrible characters that are extremely amusing, and who you secretly might be rooting for. That is no exception here. A Twisted Love Story is fast-paced, thrilling, darkly humorous, and...as the title suggests...twisted. I see this being one of the best books of the summer, and I'm thrilled I had a chance to read it. The only downside is waiting for Downing's next work of art, which we can only hope she's already working on.

Thank you to Berkley for a widget of the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 7/18/23.

A Twisted Love Story is a romantic suspense thriller that features its own Bonnie and Clyde couple, Wes and Ivy. They have been in a very toxic relationship for many years, off and on. After they had a significant disagreement, Ivy went to the cops and claimed that Wes was stalking her to get Wes’s attention once again. The claim got a local police officer's attention, and they are now investigating an unsolved crime case that happened several years prior. They believe that Wes and Ivy are hiding something from everyone.

The story immediately grabbed me, and I loved how fast-paced it was for how long the book was. However, there was something about the two main characters that drove me crazy. I felt that both Ivy and Wes were two very unlikeable characters, and they were a mess during the entire book. I never felt connected or invested in them, and they had no redeemable qualities. The book’s whodunnit story was the best part of the book, but the ending was just okay, where it did not shock or excite me. Although the story was entertaining at parts, and the whodunnit story kept me going, the book still fell flat for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for giving me a copy of the book.

To me, this is a great book to give people who love the second book and second and third seasons of You. A solid purchase for most mid to large sized libraries.

kay, this book doesn’t come out until July, but guess what? That is pool season, homies, and I am telling you THIS is what I’m talking about when it comes to poolside reads. If escapism in the form of tainted love is your jam, Wes and Ivy will deliver in spades.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Samantha Downing’s My Lovely Wife back in the day and have happily stalked followed along on this author’s journey as she went from a serial killing spouse, to family fuckery to her take on dark academia to this “love” story. I’m a forever fan and will read WHATEVER she releases. Sooooooo many Stars!!!!

ᴀ ᴛᴡɪsᴛᴇᴅ ʟᴏᴠᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ
sᴀᴍᴀɴᴛʜᴀ ᴅᴏᴡɴɪɴɢ
ʙᴇʀᴋʟᴇʏ ʙᴏᴏᴋs
ᴘᴜʙ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ: ᴊᴜʟʏ 𝟷𝟾 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟹
✩✩✩✩✩

Author @smariedowning never disappoints and her newest thriller 𝐴 𝑇𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 was 100% twisted and easily will be one of my top reads of 2023!

I was literally handcuffed to these chapters and so addicted to main character Wes & Ivy & their toxic relationship. These two are both crazy insane, entertaining, addictive to each other, and completely loveable in the weirdest of ways😂.

This story starts out with a bang and the intensity, twists, and drama, continues until the last chapter. We all know that couple that shouldn’t be together because they are bad for each other, always breaking up & getting back together- this is Wes and Ivy.

This book totally deserves to have the word “twisted” in it’s title and I promise you will be thinking “WTF!” as you read each chapter. So many jaw dropping moments and the writing was brilliant and flowed so well. OH and the ENDING- 🤯!

Easy FIVE STARS ⭐️ special thanks to @berkleypub @netgalley for the early copy. Preorder this one now, run don’t walk!

SYNOPSIS: “ Wes and Ivy are madly in love. They've never felt anything like it. It's the kind of romance people write stories about.

But what kind of story?

Because when it's good, it's great. Flowers. Grand gestures. Deep meaningful conversations where the whole world disappears.

When it's bad, it's really bad. Vengeful fights. Damaged property. Arrest warrants.

But their vicious cycle of catastrophic breakups and head-over-heels reconnections needs to end fast. Because suddenly, Wes and Ivy have a common enemy--and she's a detective.

There's something Wes and Ivy never talk about--in good times or bad. The night of their worst breakup, when one of them took things too far, and someone ended up dead.

If they can stick together, they can survive anything--even the tightening net of a police investigation.

Because one more breakup might just be their last…”

#bookstagram#bookstagrammer
#atwistedlovestory#berkleypublishing
#samanthadowning#bookreview
#bookrecommendations#mustread
#thrillerreads#thrillerrecs#addictive

The title for this book is so suitable. It definitely is twisted and kept me guessing throughout. I honestly wasn't sure if I would like the back and forth, on and off part of this relationship, but to my surprise, it kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing. Definitely a thriller that is not to be missed at all!

This was the perfect depiction of a delicious psychological suspense thriller should be! The characters Wes and Ivy were likeable as much as they were dislikeable. I really thought Samantha did an outstanding job of portraying dark and twisted characters. I was riveted from start to finish.

Wow! Why did I wait so long to read one of Samantha Downing's books? A Twisted Love Story is easily 4.5 stars, and I'm a huge new fan. Talk about an intense ride... I honestly thought I wouldn't love the break up / get back together again vicious circle that was promised in the book's description, but it's addictive. These two crazies belong together, and everyone who interfered in their love got some justice (good and bad). The cop had an axe to grind, and even though she was trying to do the right thing, it felt like there were nefarious motives, given her own backstory. Mostly because that went unresolved, plus the reality of the stalker's identity (I'm still unclear given something the protagonist said vs. what she said later - truth or lie?)... led me to knock off a half star. Great thriller. Definitely reading more from Downing in the next month!

In every book I've read from Samantha Downing (this one included) I HATED the main characters but ironically LOVED the books. Normally I need to find some redeeming qualities in the MCs but honestly, you don't need them in her books! They are EXCEPTIONAL. This one is about a very TOXIC relationship and how things aren't always what they seem. I ate it up!

I simply adore Downing and how every one of her books have had me glued to the pages. MORE MORE MORE! And I'll never get over this dedication: "For the man who inspired this book. You're damn right I wrote about you."

As a person who has been through her share of toxic relationships... blergh... I've certainly written books in my head about the men... ahem, BOYS... that have inspired them. And this twisted love story... well hot damn did some of it resonate. And did I learn to call the cops on an ex to get his attention? No... No, I most certainly did not ;).

Listen, Ivy and Wes are quite the interesting couple. No one understands why they are continuously drawn to each other with break up upon break up but they know they'll still find their way back to each other. What everyone doesn't know is the secret they hold close. Does this secret bring them closer or ultimately and finally break them apart?

What a page turner with a few surprises looped in to really keep you flying through these chapters. I'm not entirely sure how I felt about that ending though. However, while I ponder over that, if you love twisty thrillers that keep you guessing, go pick up anything by this author. Now. Go, I said!

The queen of twisted stories and characters is back another and buckle up because you’re in for a ride with this one!

Historically, I’ve loved Samantha Downing’s stuff because she has a way with creating some wild stories with despicable characters that in some ways you can’t help but admire. Enter Wes and Ivy— two people who have the most toxic on-again-off-again relationship for years. They are the definition of “when its good its incredible, when its bad, its terrible”.

Right away you are introduced to our duo and right away you can tell that something is very off about their relationship. As the story progresses, you learn more about their history and just how toxic it is. And when I say toxic I mean they are obsessive and addicted to each other and when things go south, they take on a whole new level of vengeance. It’s almost like a cat and mouse game between them and it’s fascinating to see just how far they will go to poke each other’s buttons.

The story itself follows these two and their current relationship and there is also an undercurrent of something a little dark. Because years ago during one of their worst downfalls, they were involved in something that they have never spoken about again. And now some people on the peripheral of their lives (coworkers, etc) are noticing the cracks in their facade and their secret is close to coming out. And the question of whether they will protect or throw one another under the bus is constantly in question and was interested to understand each other psyches, especially when it come to the other person and how the viewed everyone else.

While this was a quick read, I will say that at times it felt like I couldn’t find myself fully invested. BUT, this could’ve very easily due to the fact that I read this during a very busy week where I would only reach a chapter or two in a sitting, then not pick up again for a day. So I do think that contributed to how I felt a disconnect from the story.

Overall if you like a twisty book with some strange and very unlikable characters, this might be for you!

I am sorry, Samantha Downing - after reading 40% of this book on my kindle, I simply gave up and DNF-ed it.
I had to !

The Author's previous books were sensational - but this one: Complete Fail !

There is a lot of mental domestic relationship abuse in the story, however - I would rate this book also as mental abuse to the reader:
I came super-close to throwing my kindle against the wall a few times !

The story drags on and on, the interview between Karen the cop and Ivy are being endlessly repeated in the story (It was only 1 interview about Ivy accusing Wes of doing "stalkish things" over and over...). You will note this was also about Ivy's favorite chocolate, which Wes left half eaten - OVER AND OVER ! Wes is a weirdo, just as Ivy is, and it just seemed like the author wanted to write meaningless and repeating words in the story.

I hated all characters equally.

I was not impressed at all and sometimes I was utterly confused to read the same "scene" over and over - at different points in the story.

Ms. Downing, this was seriously not one of your best !

I am utterly disappointed.

Even if I am disappointed, I hope this will be an exception.

Sorry, but would highly recommend any of her previous works, but definitely NOT this one.