In this 2nd installment of the Sugar and Vice series, we see the continuation of Reese and Evan’s story. In this alternate universe, Empaths like Reese are seen as a dangerous “other” by most people and are shunned because of it. Politicians are using their influence to scare the populous into thinking this way. They even helped train Evan a.k.a. “The Dead Man” as the enforcer that kills any empaths that go rogue. What they didn’t account for is that Evan and Reese develop a rapport. Add in Reese’s detective sister Jamey and the cooky medical examiner Aisha and you have a winning team to figure out the government’s secret plot!

I love how multifaceted this story is. There’s a grumpy-sunshine, slow-burn romance with a good amount of mystery and action thrown in. The banter and will they/won’t they in Evan and Reese’s relationship was on point! However, what surprised me was the amount of twists and turns, not to mention the cliff hanger! I can’t wait to read the next installment.

I just keep wanting more from this series?! I can't really explain it, but on paper, everything about this series should just draw me in, but I'm still struggling to connect with the characters :( I like them, but want to love them! Does that make sense? I also think the world building is all over the place and I'm having a hard time following everything. That might just be a "me" issue though.

Reece is infatuated with the Dead Man. Reece being an empath and the Dead Man being an empath hunter. But Reece does not care. Because he cares for him. And he knows deep down that the Dead Man, Evan, cares about him. Even lacks any emotion so Reece cannot projects into him. However, Even has this need to protect and save him. Even though Even has no emotion he is still very attracted to Reece and is risking everything to save him. But Reece sees this and will save Even first. Even at the cost of turning bad.

Paranormal Romance | Urban Fantasy Romance | mm
Omg ... it keeps getting better and better .... I love the originality and creativity of this series so much !!!

Reece and Evan...the empath and the empath hunter …
The sexual tension and attraction between the two had me rooting for them to get together !!!! I love the banter between the pair. They get more flirty knowing they can’t act on it. Empath hunter Evan Grayson is the Dead Man, transformed by a dark past into a perfect weapon against corrupted empaths. Nothing can distract him from stopping these superhuman killers—until he’s fighting a forbidden attraction to an empath on the verge of corruption.

Reece Davies struggles to keep his darker side in check. Evan is the one who keeps him grounded... when Reece becomes the next potential target, Evan rushes to be by his side.

the empath and the empath hunter …
The sexual tension and attraction between the two had me rooting for them to get together !!!!

It ended on a cliffhanger and I need moooreee!!!!
Thank you to netgalley for allowing me tonread this in return for my honest opinion

Following book 1, I was intrigued but not fully committed to this series. After this book, I'm invested and want the next book so we can get some resolution and hopefully get a lovely HEA for Rhys and Grayson. While the narrator isn't my favorite, I think he did a good job. I gave 4 stars since there were some points where I found the story a bit slow, but overall, I was happy with this.

The whole concept of empaths are so interesting and the forbidden love and all the feelings and powers and corruption is incredible really enjoyed the narrator

Another fun outing in this alternate Seattle where empaths are being profiled and legislated against. In this one, the "Will they - won't they?" sexual tension between Reece and Grayson goes on and on and on, which is a good distraction since the story itself is weaker than the first book in the series. Or perhaps the "Will they - won't they?" IS the story? You'll have to read it to find out. If you liked the first one, you'll enjoy this one too. It's a fun and well-narrated story. 3.75 rounded up.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HarlequinAudio, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook for review purposes. The book and audiobook are now available.

Twisted Shadows by Allie Therin picks up right where Liar City left off, deepening the intrigue and raising the stakes for Evan and Reece.

Here's a breakdown:

Intensifying Danger: The threat to empaths has escalated, and the hunters are closing in. Evan and Reece find themselves constantly on the run, their trust in each other tested by the ever-present danger.
Developing Romance: The simmering tension between Evan and Reece reaches a boiling point, leading to a passionate and forbidden romance. However, their growing feelings complicate their mission and put them both at greater risk.
Exploring the World: Therin expands the world-building, introducing new locations and characters, adding depth and complexity to the story.
Unraveling the Mystery: The mystery surrounding the organization hunting empaths deepens, with shocking revelations about its origins and goals.
Overall, Twisted Shadows is a thrilling and suspenseful sequel that builds upon the foundation laid in Liar City. The romance between Evan and Reece adds a compelling layer to the story, while the escalating danger keeps readers on the edge of their seats. If you enjoyed Liar City, you'll definitely want to pick up Twisted Shadows and continue the journey.

Allie Therin has done it again. Twisted Shadows is an absolutely brilliant follow up to Liar City. It had everything I’ve come to expect from Allie Therin - the world building, the unexpected twists, the snark, the flirting by way of insults. It was perfection.

This second book in the series gave more depth and background information to all the characters, especially Grayson and Reece. We get more insight into how they both think and why they make the decision they do - which was desperately needed after the breakneck pace of book one.

The snark and banter in this book is honestly a thing of beauty. I was seriously cackling out loud while reading. NO ONE writes feisty black cat twinks like Allie Therin and I eat up that snarky sass with a spoon.

The narration for this book was absolutely masterful and I loved every second. Joel Leslie absolutely brought these characters to life as only he can. I read the ebook as an arc over the summer and loved it but the read was a tad bittersweet because I knew Joel Leslie was going to absolutely kick this book out of the park and he absolutely did. It’s perfect. I basically listened to this entire book in a single sitting and regret nothing.

This could easily be my favorite Allie Therin book (which is saying something - I’ve read all of her books multiple times because I love them so). I cannot recommend this book enough. If you need me, I’ll just be over here impatiently waiting for the final installment.

In this next chapter of Evan’s story, we dive deeper into his relentless search for Empaths—uncovering the reasons behind his mission and the haunting history that shaped his path. As the layers peel back, we witness the evolution of his bond with Reece, a relationship rooted in both protection and survival. Evan’s struggle to shield Reece from the world—and the world from Reece—carries a weight of suspense that keeps you on edge. The revelations about the truths driving Evan’s choices add an even darker complexity to the tale. I can’t wait to see more of this gripping, emotionally charged world unfold.

⭐️ REVIEW ⭐️

Twisted Shadows is an amazing suspense-filled mystery combined with the slowest of slow burn romances. Allie Therin’s written a masterful continuation of the Sugar and Vice series, and has me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Evan Grayson aka The Dead Man and Reece Davies couldn’t be more different. Evan has no emotions, while Reece is a powerful empath. After the events of Liar City, Evan makes it his personal mission to protect Reece. I don’t want to spoil the plot details, just know that the story picks up after the events of Liar City, and this series should definitely be read in order.

I can’t overstate how much I adore Evan and Reece. This time, these two opposites get lots of forced proximity time while working together to figure out what’s really happening. The stakes continue to rise throughout the book, but the banter is top notch and keeps the story from becoming too dark. And while they are opposites on the surface, they both are lonely people who just want to help.

The audiobook is the perfect way to experience this story. As in Liar City, the first book in this series, Joel Leslie is amazing in this installment. Each character has a distinct voice, and Leslie seamlessly weaves them together while building the tension and suspense along the way.

Twisted Shadows is an intriguing mystery with the coziest, slowest slow burn romance ever, and banter and quips galore. Evan and Reece are wonderful characters, and I can’t recommend this series enough!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is book #2, and I have to say, I enjoyed this one so much more than book #1!!

Maybe because I'm familiar with the characters?
Maybe because it was just a sweeter rendition?
Not sure, but it's true!

We are back with Dead Man (the empath specialist/hunter) and Reece...the empath...as well as their assorted crew, including Reece's sister who is a detective (retired, I think...).

The antics are just hysterical on so many occasions, but I'm going to give a bit of a warning for those who may be against this: It is a bit heavy on the gay vibes, but also, just really sweet...

Reece is still pretty much madly falling for Evan Grayson (the Dead Man), BUT, he is not able to ever touch him...or pretty much anyone....

They are once again in a battle against time, and the time seems to be going by very quickly!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which was just released on 12/10/24, so you should be able to find it now.

#TwistedShadows by #AllieTherin and narrated sweetly by #JoelLeslie.

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5 ⭐ 2 🌶️ 4 🎧

Holy wow. I am loving this series so much! The slow burn has finally started burning, the suspense and twists are looming and that cliffhanger has me begging for more. I am so far gone for Reece and Grayson and really this whole cast of characters. I am so excited to see what's next.

As a Pacific Northwesterner, I freaking love how much of the PNW Allie has incorporated into this series. It's so much fun to recognize the places she name drops.

The audio was great. Joel Leslie does a great job with this story and I love how different his voices are for each of the main characters. This is definitely a recommended listen.

By golly does Allie Therin know how to write a trilogy. This book is the perfect addition to the Sugar & Vice series, giving the reader a heaping dose of plot and character development, without falling into the ‘stepping stone for the final book’ situation that so many sequels do.

Twisted Shadows gets off to a slow start with multiple other character perspectives when all I wanted was more Grayson and Reece, but this choice pays off. The slow start only adds to the building tension and drama that pervades throughout the book and brings so much fun to this politically fraught thriller.

The real highlight of this book is the relationship between Grayson and Reece. The moment Evan started narrating a chapter I knew we were in for a great time. The sexual tension, flirting and overwhelming intimacy (which occurs despite nearly no physical contact) have me so invested in their relationship. Allie Therin the power you hold making me blush at two characters simply holding eye contact. And when that slow burn finally paid off? It was everything I could have wanted.

And last but not least, the finale: A cliffhanger? A villain arc? An Evan and Jamie team up? I simply cannot wait for more.

The sequel to Liar City picks up immediately where book 1 ends. Reece Davies is a pacifist empath who deeply feels everything going on around him. Anxiety ridden, he makes all of his decisions based on how other people may be affected (emotionally or physically). On the one hand, this makes him the safest driver on the street, on the other hand, it can often lead to decision paralysis. Evan Grayson is the polar opposite of Reece: he's called "The Dead Man" because he feels absolutely no emotion, and if he touches an empath, it could obliterate them. Reece and Grayson are obviously very attracted to one another, because this is a romantic arc, and they can't even touch. But Reece's life is at risk because someone is trying to "corrupt" empaths, and while it's Grayson's job to control empaths, there's more to Reece that he feels a very strong need to protect.

I loved this followup to Liar City. Allie Therin laid a lot of important worldbuilding groundwork in book 1, and it pays off in book 2 as she adds a fast-paced plot and digs further into what an empath can truly feel.... and whether or not a Dead Man is even a human.

Do we call this romantasy? We might. It has a very strong romantic arc, which is a critical part of the story line. Maybe more like romantic speculative fiction, because there's not magic, even though it's an alternate universe Seattle.

I highly recommend this underrated series. It's good lite science fiction and a great entry point to the genre for those more comfortable with fantasy because of its focus on romance.

Joel Leslie is not my favorite narrator, but I find him more than satisfactory in this audiobook. (I tend to not like some of his accents for particular characters in other series.) I'm glad to have listened to this one.