Summary
Falling in love is easy. Staying in love is hard. In this heart-pounding follow-up to Tangled by New York Times bestseller Emma Chase, Kate reveals that there is trouble in paradise, when unexpected circumstances force her and Drew to “renegotiate” their relationship.
There are two kinds of people in the world. The ones who look first, and the ones who leap. I’ve always been more of a looker. Cautious. A planner. That changed after I met Drew Evans. He was so persistent. So sure of himself—and of me.
But not all love stories end happily ever after. Did you think Drew and I were going to ride off into the sunset? Join the club. Now I have to make a choice; the most important of my life. Drew already made his—in fact, he tried to decide for the both of us. But you know that’s just not my style. So I came back to Greenville, Ohio, alone. Well, sort of alone…
What I’ve come to realize is that old habits die hard, and sometimes you have to go back to where you began before you can move ahead.
Review
Let me start by saying that I’m the type of reader who loves it when the character telling the story speaks directly to me as the reader. It definitely adds to my enjoyment of the text as a whole because it draws me in and refuses to let me go. There’s a bigger investment for me because I’m not just on the outside looking in; I feel like I’m in the same room with the characters, experiencing all of the ups and downs right along with them.
In Twisted, the story is told through Kate’s point of view. It’s two years later, and she makes mention at the beginning of the text that the “honeymoon” is over and that her relationship with Drew has spontaneously combusted. What follows is a flashback of what led to the big blow out and then what happens in the week that follows.
I have to say that regardless of how much I loved Drew in Tangled, I still think he’s an asshat. I definitely have a love/hate relationship with hm. Yes, he’s humorous and witty, but he’s also a chauvinistic pig most of the time. His honesty is enduring until it’s so in your face that you just want to throttle him. When he does something, he goes balls to the wall and puts all of himself into it…too bad this time around, that mentality backfires BIG TIME! He shreds Kate’s heart with every manipulative act and venomous word he utters; to the point that there is likely no going back.
Kate…I really couldn’t get a good sense of her in Tangled. I loved that she gave just as good as she got when it came to Drew, but I didn’t see the depth of her character because I didn’t get to hear/see her side of the story. With Twisted being told through Kate’s eyes, I’m able to witness and understand all of the emotions that Kate is feeling as she musters all the strength she can to take care of herself once all hell breaks loose between her and Drew. It makes sense that the book is consumed with angst. Women are much more emotional than men…Kate definitely handles things way different than what I would have expected from Drew, which is exactly why the book works so well. Drew trying to get the girl in book one has a much different feel than the emotional anguish in book two. This book would definitely not have had the depth it does if Drew told this story.
Twisted is a perfect title for book 2. Kate’s twisted in knots over all that Drew puts her through, and the fact that miscommunication is at the heart of their issues makes it even more troublesome. I love the fact that Kate makes a stand and takes care of herself through all of the turmoil. She’s always been a strong, independent woman, but she ups it a notch and grows as an individual, not needing a man at her side all of the time.
Emma Chase is a fantastic writer. She’s definitely in a class of her own when it comes to the male point of view. I’ve never read a better text written by a woman that truly captures the male perspective like Tangled does. Even though Twisted is told through the female point of view, it still has Emma’s signature humor, though not as much as book 1, as well as sexy scenes. When you add in the angst that consumes book 2, it makes for one hell of a ride. The only aspect that I could have done with a little less of was all of the reminiscing when Kate is back in Ohio. I understand that it gave Kate a way to forget for a bit about the events of the present, but I didn’t quite see the need for as much as was given. Overall, though, Twisted is a great addition to the Tangled series, and I can’t wait for Matt and Dee Dee’s story in book 3, Tamed.
4 poison apples
Excerpt
I close my eyes and let his words wash over me. Drew has an amazing voice. Calm and soothing – but devilishly seductive at the same time. He totally could’ve gone into radio.
I press another button.
And this time his tone is teasing. “Kaate, you’re late. . Tell Delores to pick out her own god damn shoes. You’ve got a boyfriend who’s sitting in a big, frothy Jacuzzi all by his lonesome. Come home, sweetheart. I’m here waiting for you.”
If only that was true today.
There’s more – some are quick and to the point, some are downright dirty. And I listen to every single one. He doesn’t say ‘I love you’ in any of them – but he doesn’t have to. I hear it in every word. Every time he says my name.
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