Was slightly disappointed by this book, it had a lot of promise but for me failed to deliver. Took a while to get into the story, and the character development wasn’t there.

Not my favourite from this author but I think that's an expectation thing rather than anything else. The expectation of a twisty unexpected thriller when what you actually get is a psychological drama about a toxic relationship.

Wes and Ivy are certainly an intriguing pairing, neither of them good for the other yet somehow unable to remain apart. This, of course, leads to trouble and its definitely a story you need to see through to the end.

What was lacking for this reader was the likeable nature the author normally brings to her morally dubious characters and any sense of worry for their outcome. You kind of care but not so much.

Overall a fun and quite addictive read if you approach it without the word "thriller" in your head.

I had high hopes for this book but I found although it had my interest at the beginning the middle part felt dragged out and not a lot actually happened! It failed to hold my attention and the characters were not very likeable so I was not invested into the story

I usually love Samantha's books, but for me this fell flat and to be honest I didn't finish it.
Not sure what happened, but hopefully Samantha's next book will be back up to standard.

I really enjoyed My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing, so I was excited to get stuck into this one.
Sadly, the story just fell flat for me, and it was just OK overall. No character was likeable or relatable, it got unbelievable at times and I was just looking forward to the end.
Big thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I usually love this authors books and get into them pretty much instantly.

This one took me a while, just when I was thinking of putting it down (stop listening as I read with my ears and eyes occasionally) it picked up, either that or my brain decided to pay better attention!
Whichever it was I ended up really liking this.

I also liked playing “the thriller guessing game” too, the one that says, yes yes it’s her! No no it’s him! Totally into it and I enjoyed that the ending didn’t fall flat.

I loved My Lovely Wife by Downing, and I still recommend it years after reading. The type of 'twisted love story' I need in my life.
So, when I saw Downing had written a novel with this title, I was so excited for it.
The reality, is a disappointment.
I think the only thing that kept me reading was the narrator Karissa Vacker, and the hope that Downing would have an ending to end all endings. The toxic relationship of Wes and Ivy was intriguing to begin with, and I listened to half the book in the first day, but I expected much more dark events in their lives.
There was just nothing to write home about for me.

Wes and ivy are bad for each other. They are also madly in love, the kinda of love they right stories about but 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 and they have secrets they can never let anyone find out.

Unfortunately this story just didn’t go far enough for me, I want the toxic darkness of this authors debut (My lovely wife) but it just did reach those heights for me.

I love a book from this author, like a book and unfortunately had two I was fond of. I will definitely keep giving this author a try because I do enjoy the writing style most of the time. They have a talent for writing unlikable characters that still keep you engaged with the story.

If you want a story of toxic love, bad decisions and small mystery that will keep you guessing with a third act show stopper this will do it for you. I just didn’t think it went far enough for me having seen what this author can do.

I was really looking forward to this I really wanted to like it and kept on reading thinking i would get to a point where i started enjoying it more but i really struggled. I did finish it but I didn’t like the characters and felt they were a little and felt they weren’t big enough personalities for the story-line.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this arc.

I always really enjoy Samantha Downing's books and A Twisted Love Story was no exception. Gripping from the very beginning, it refused to let go until long after the story ended. Would definitely recommend!

A dark psychological thriller that explores the tangled relationship of Wes and Ivy. A couple that can't stay apart or stay together. When Ivy reports Wes to the police for stalking, a detective uncovers something from their past that could prevent any chance of a happily ever after. Fast-paced.

I really loved the different character dynamics and perspectives that we got to read from, and how all of them were deeply flawed but very interesting. I particularly liked Bianca’s storylines and the way in which she was spying on everyone in the office. She was the underdog who was figuring out all of the secrets and it was really fun to learn about her.

I also loved the interactions between Wes and Ivy and the detective. You always thought you knew what was going on but then there’d be little twists throughout the story that would completely put things you’d already learnt into perspective - it was definitely interesting.

This story had so much promise - It could have gone so much deeper with its exploration of toxic relationships. I just feel like it was a bit tame and would have been much more impactful as a story if it really went for it - If we really got to see Wes and Ivy at their worst. I’ve read a lot of other books by Samantha Downing that are very wild and over the top and I just wish that this had gone in the same direction as those others.

It did feel as if their character traits outside of the relationship were a bit for show - It didn’t really make sense why Ivy was learning Chinese, for example, and it would just come up at the most random moments and was almost jarring to the plot and character developments.

There were maybe just a few too many characters that we were getting the perspectives from. I think it would have benefitted from toning it down a bit with the number of characters that we had but giving them much more personality and drama.

Finally, I just have to say that the ending was just a little bit too perfect for me. Everything wrapped up really nicely which was not the tone of the rest of the book. I just wish that Wes and Ivy had received some consequences for their actions and the terrible things they'd done throughout the book - even if that was personal consequences within their relationship. It was just all a bit nice for what the book was trying to be.

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑎 𝑡𝑜𝑥𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙….

Ivy and Wes are obsessed with each other. Which, isn’t always a good thing. When things between them are good, it’s fairytale. However, when things are bad it’s a vicious circle of break ups, damaged property and arrests.

Ivy reports Wes to the police (Detective Karen) for stalking. After he is spoken to, the couple rekindle their relationship. However, good old Detective Karen is not going to let this lie. Add in Bianca, who is Wes’ very nosy PA.

I admire the antics between this couple. They have no shame. This is a pair who have secrets to uncover and as a good girl I have been amazed at the things that have uncovered.

This is a book filled with a cycle of intense love and vicious break ups. Twisted is definitely an understatement. This is full of games, unlikeable characters.

Downing has created a masterpiece which is full of twists, suspense and surprises. This is one addictive, fast paced rollercoaster read which I wish I could experience again for the first time.

I adore Samantha Downing books and each one gets better and better. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to other fans of the genre.

This is brilliant from beginning to end. My hugest thanks to Kallie @michaeljbooks for my #atwistedlovestoryreadalong spot.

A twisted love story is definitely the correct title for this book!

I absolutely love this author's writing style and once again, this was well written.

Wes and Ivy are in love. Their relationship is not your usual love story. They have constant break-ups, then get back together. Sometimes it's toxic, or even worse, can cause death!

Totally unlikeable main characters but compelling reading!

After Ivy reports a stalker, detective Karen Colglazier investigates and will not give up. Another unlikeable character!

Heath is Ivy's best friend, who clearly doesn't like Wes, and yes, he is totally unlikeable too!

If you enjoy a book full of twisted unlikeable characters with an intriguing storyline, then this is for you.

I wouldn't consider this a thriller as such, more of a twisted drama.

This was such a fantastic read , didn’t want to leave it down, so well written and such an intriguing psychological thriller I wanted to get to the end which kept you guessing right to the end . The story unfolded leaving you shocked and wanting more at the end of each chapter with brilliant characters and a great story line. Would really highly recommend this book as a must read .

I chose to read a free eARC of A Twisted Love Story but that has in no way influenced my review.

Samantha Downing's For Your Own Good was one of my top ten books of 2021. I LOVED IT! So, having promised that I would read more by this author, I jumped at the chance to read Downing's latest offering, A Twisted Love Story. Downing really knows how to tell a story and that is made even more evident thanks to the author's latest book. She also knows how to write a twisted character. In For Your Own Good we had the devilish Teddy. In A Twisted Love Story we get two for the price of one, a twisted and toxic couple - Wes and Ivy.

Wes and Ivy met in college. Ten years later and they've broken up for the hundredth time. Wes is about ready to move on to pastures new. That is until a detective turns up at his office to ask if he knows anything about his ex-girlfriend, Ivy, being stalked. It doesn't take long for Wes to realise that Ivy, the once love of his life, has given the detective his name as prime suspect. Rather than getting angry and drunk at this latest development, Wes turns up on Ivy's doorstep and the two decide to give their relationship another go. But the detective can't help but feel highly suspicious of Wes. There's something about him that she just can't shake. Something unnerving. Something she can't help but recognise as an officer in the Sex Crimes Unit. And Detective Karen Colglazier would be right to be suspicious. Because Wes and Ivy have a devastating secret. One they'll do anything to protect....

A Twisted Love Story is a highly intriguing tale with a cast of thoroughly unlikeable characters that I was loathe to put down for any length of time. Wes and Ivy are clearly very bad for each other but the pull between them just won't let them be. They're intrinsically drawn to each other and don't see the damage they're causing. I found them both a little infuriating at times but I was fully engaged in their story and wanted to see how things would turn out for them. There's a lovely sense of impending doom from the moment the reader meets these two toxic beings and it's carried through the book with skill.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. If you're a fan of psychological fiction featuring a toxic relationship then you absolutely must read A Twisted Love Story. Downing brings her characters to life with such aplomb that you'll be dragged into Wes and Ivy's twisted world whether you choose to go or not! The supporting cast are as equally unlikable with Detective Karen Colglazier acting like a dog with a bone. She becomes obsessed with Wes, throwing everything into her investigation of him and becoming woefully biased. The admin assistant in Wes's office also has a starring role in the story. Bianca is extremely nosey and feels it's her responsibility to keep a close watch on her colleagues. When a detective comes sniffing around Wes, it immediately starts alarm bells ringing for Bianca and her prying reaches an extreme level. But why is she so interested? I enjoyed this twisted cat and mouse tale but couldn't help but compare it to Downing's debut, My Lovely Wife, which also features a highly toxic couple on the slippery slope to destruction. And I was a little disappointed by the end. After the dramatic build-up, the ending fell a little flat for me. I'm sure I'll be in the minority there though. If you're a fan of dark and devious relationships than A Twisted Love Story is the book for you. Recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of A Twisted Love Story. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

This was a twistingly chilly read. Who doesn’t love a dark love story? I will be recommending to all!

A fast-paced read, neither of the main characters were likeable and it was hard to tell who was the biggest game player!

Captivating, entrancing, nerve wracking and all kinds of thrilling, Samantha Downing has another fantastic title on her hands.

This was my second outing with this author and this has confirmed that she is not an author for me.
I will start out by saying, this is not a thriller, this is just a drama about two messy people in a messy relationship with lots of other people who get involved who shouldn’t be involved.
There are certain twists that seem like they could be interesting but end up going…nowhere.

I don’t think the author knew herself where this book was going and quite frankly what you’re left with is a complete mess of a story that is disjointed and disappointing.

The “big” twist is not surprising or shocking, it left me feeling very underwhelmed. This book felt like Samantha Downing had a word count to hit by a certain date and she wrote a pile of waffle to hit it.
I think it’s time for me to call it quits with this author.