Twisted Love is the first book in Ana Huang’s popular Twisted series. It follows the tumultuous and complicated relationship between Alex and Wren, two high school seniors who share a dark secret from their past.
Alex and Wren have known each other since childhood, growing up as neighbors and best friends. Their bond is unbreakable until a traumatic event shatters their trust and forces them apart. Years later, they are reunited at their high school reunion, and their intense connection reignites.
As they navigate their complex feelings and grapple with the lingering pain of their past, Alex and Wren find themselves drawn to each other in a way they can’t resist. Their relationship is filled with passion, danger, and a twisted obsession that threatens to consume them both.
Chapters 1–7 Analysis
The vehicle trip between Alex and Ava at the beginning of the story establishes the emotional and personal gap between the two and lays the ground for a “grumpy/sunshine romance,” a popular trope in romance novels in which a gloomy character falls in love with a cheerful one. Furthermore, Alex’s commitment to protect Ava and his intention to relocate next door to her during Josh’s absence establish the trope of forced proximity, which frequently drives the plot of romance novels. Despite the eventual partnership that such clichés anticipate, Alex’s unapproachable demeanor and proclivity for casual flings make him appear an odd candidate for Ava. The fact that Josh is both Ava’s brother and Alex’s closest friend adds another layer of complication, keeping them apart for a some time—as indicated by another romance trope and the novel’s original indie subtitle, A Brother’s closest Friend Romance. Despite these hurdles, Ava’s meeting with her friends, during which they agree to try Operation Emotion on Alex, will offer Alex and Ava with the opportunity to lay the groundwork for their future romantic engagement. This activity will also help to shift Alex’s primary motivation: the need for vengeance for his family’s murder.
Because Alex believes that The Vulnerability of Intimacy is a weakness he cannot afford, his emotional hesitation creates a substantial barrier that he and Ava must finally overcome in order to continue in their fledgling relationship. The existence of this psychological barrier is implied early on by Alex’s preference for sexual encounters that do not involve face-to-face contact or kissing, and this lack of intimacy, even in the most intimate of acts, directly contradicts the fundamentals of Ava’s open, genuine personality and her desire for intimacy and connection. To further complicate the characters’ eventual bond, Ava does not like Alex as the novel begins, calling him “cold and arrogant”. Their first negative perceptions of one another demonstrate that they have a long way to go before they are ready to pursue a romantic relationship with one another.
The depths of Alex’s inner traumas are revealed as the strain he feels after swearing to protect Ava triggers a flashback of the night his family was slaughtered in front of his eyes. Alex is plagued by his inability to protect his own family from violence, thus the mere thought of failing Ava in the same way retraumatizes him in the present, demonstrating how deeply The Lasting Effects of Childhood Trauma affect his daily life. To compound the problem, his lack of humanity is evident when he ruthlessly fires Andrew and shows little remorse for upending the man’s life and career. The long-term repercussions of childhood trauma are also evident in Ava’s memory problems and night terrors, which are typically triggered by stressful environments and circumstances. These difficulties influence both protagonists’ actions, direct their goals, and shape the evolution of their mutual connection throughout the story.
Alex’s terrible flashbacks begin with the phrase “Blood. Everywhere.” On my hands. On my clothing. Ana Huang’s careful repetition of this word signals that Alex is being triggered, allowing readers to anticipate painful flashbacks before they occur. By introducing Alex’s flashbacks and Ava’s night terrors so early in the novel, Huang foreshadows the profound impact that half-forgotten memories will have on the plot’s trajectory; each flashback also serves a practical purpose of delivering exposition in an emotionally dynamic manner as the author gradually illuminates her characters’ origins.
The darkness and severity of Alex and Ava’s pasts add to the novel’s eerie and scary atmosphere. While most romances are lighter in tone, and while Ava’s hopeful attitude adds a spark of optimism to the plot, the first few chapters foreshadow difficulty ahead. When Ava wakes up from a night terror at 4:44 a.m., a “pinprick of dread blossom[s] at the base of her neck and slither[s] down her spine” because four is regarded unlucky in her culture because to the resemblance in sound between the word for “four” and the word for “death”. The choice of visuals to conjure this superstition heightens the ominous connotations of Ava’s childhood memories. Because the plot is told in the first person limited point of view and alternates carefully between Alex and Ava’s perspectives, the work as a whole conveys a sense of urgency. The approach also provides emotional depth to the story and establishes the characters’ close relationship with their suffering. In this sense, the narrative’s general gravity, paired with occasional lightheartedness to give contrast, emphasizes the weight that these unresolved traumas carry in the individuals’ lives.
Huang uses foreshadowing extensively throughout the work, not only in flashbacks and nightmares, but also in phone calls, dialogue, and interior thoughts. For example, Ivan’s mysterious call regarding Alex’s revenge scheme, the insinuation that Josh only trusts Alex to protect Ava, and Ava’s anguish over her lost memories are all foreshadowing moments that point to later conflict. The hurdles, tone, and use of foreshadowing all contribute to both a burgeoning romance and a powerful conflict that threatens to destroy their developing relationship.
Chapters 8–15 Analysis
The antics that erupt as a result of Operation Emotion form a minor but important emotional bond that will continue to draw Alex and Ava closer together. Although Ava considers the operation a failure because each phase fails to elicit the desired reaction, she is able to provoke a variety of emotional responses from Alex—even if they are not what she expected. Throughout the many phases, Alex cancels a date at the last minute to stay in and watch movies with Ava, demonstrating his underlying attraction to her. The two also have many meaningful conversations, and Ava can evoke smiles from Alex, who gives her the moniker “Sunshine” to emphasize her positive disposition. Comical moments also occur, as illustrated by Ava misinterpreting a spontaneous comment as a sexual advance, eliciting a smile from Alex and impressing her with the beauty of his rare pleasant expression. In this way, each little move forward heightens the narrative’s sexual tension and mutual attraction.
While Ava’s objectives are initially motivated only by Operation Emotion, Alex’s are driven by a trauma-based desire to protect her from harm. Throughout the process, he grows more physically attracted to her, and while he can handle this without pain, the knowledge that he is actually beginning to enjoy her company on an emotional level prompts him to form defensive barriers and momentarily withdraw himself from Ava. As their connection matures and develops, Alex gradually begins to demonstrate The Vulnerability of Intimacy, but this is an accidental change on his part, and he rejects the process at every stage. His struggle to contain his emotions reaches a climax when he expresses envy over Ava’s decision to dance with another guy at the Thayer Charity Gala. However, it is not until Ava’s photography session with Alex that she finally admits her attraction to him aloud, and while Alex shuts down and retreats shortly after her admission, Ava captures a brief flash of desire in one of her photographs, indicating that the interest is more than mutual, despite Alex’s attempts to deny his own emotions. This realization of their mutual attraction foreshadows a climactic moment in the story, in which the sexual tension will be satisfied.
Liam’s outrageous behavior and assault on Ava highlight her lack of control over her own life, as she is continually threatened by external forces. Despite her desire to leave her relationship with Liam, he refuses to accept her rejection, even verbally abusing her. This experience fuels her concerns about being unlovable. Similarly, when Liam grabs her in rage rather than allowing her to walk away, he deprives her of her agency in the world, much as Josh’s overprotectiveness, while well-intended, deprives her of her own freedom to choose. In stark contrast to this dynamic, Alex shows great control when he first discovers Liam cornering Ava in the coatroom, allowing Ava to threaten Liam and take violent action against him. Only when Liam lifts a hand against her in retaliation does Alex intervene. In this case, Liam acts as a counterbalance to Alex, as he wants to take away Ava’s power while Alex refuses to take control of her actions.
Throughout these chapters, Alex and Ava are still dealing with the long-term effects of childhood trauma. When Alex encounters Ava’s night terrors for the first time, his impotence in the moment rekindles his own unresolved pain over not being able to help when someone he cares about is in misery or worse. In addition to dealing with repeated flashbacks, Alex suffers from insomnia and spends his nights obsessing about horrific memories that fuel his desire for vengeance. Furthermore, following the gala, the horror of the evening causes one of Ava’s own traumatic memories to resurface, revealing a link between particular stressors or triggers (e.g., assault) and her suppressed memories.
Some parts of the story become more delicate as Alex and Ava’s relationship grows stronger, while others become more lighter as Ava’s bungled attempts to finish the various stages of Operation Emotion. This dynamic is most pronounced during the happiness phase, when Ava attempts to take Alex on a picnic in the park and is humiliated by a dog peeing on Alex’s shoes. Huang uses a casual, conversational tone in this section to heighten the more frivolous attitude; for example, when Ava first brainstorms what may make Alex happy, she says, “Love?” Okay, it is funny. Alex Volkov is in love. Sure”. While there are certainly moments of foreboding and unease throughout the story, these moments of levity serve to gradually lighten the mood and hint that good times will come for both characters.
Chapters 16–26 Analysis
With the conclusion of Operation Emotion, Alex and Ava need a new purpose to stay together. Thus, Huang uses the character of Madeline Hauss as an opposing force to spark the conflict that causes the “damsel in distress” trope typical in romance, giving Alex and Ava a new common goal: teaching Ava to swim. The inclusion of a new environment, the pool, heightens the sexual tension between Ava and Alex, compelling the couple to act on their attraction to one another.
Alex’s determined measures to undermine Liam’s personal life reveal the extent of his affections for Ava. Although he is hesitant to accept his new emotions of passion and protectiveness, Alex demonstrates a much greater openness to the darker feelings that accompany such positive emotions, the most prominent of which is his sense of anger, which drives him to seek retribution for the ways Liam has wronged Ava. These interpersonal issues from Alex’s and Ava’s previous relationships fuel Alex’s desire to protect Ava in ways that much exceed his initial vow to Josh. Thus, Alex’s birthday becomes a watershed event in his ongoing character development, as he finally discloses the unresolved trauma of his past to Ava, and his willingness to show her his own vulnerability results in the intense kiss that he immediately deems a mistake. This momentary attempt to connect, followed by an abrupt retreat, demonstrates how deeply his views about The Vulnerability of Intimacy impair his ability to develop healthy adult relationships.
When Alex and Ava give in to their sexual cravings, Alex finally accepts intimacy. While such a bond is vulnerable, he finds contradictory power in their first sexual session, which was hungry and possessive. The force of this connection leads Alex to breach his own boundaries, kissing Ava and then pushing his forehead against hers. Alex’s decision to embark into a relationship with Ava demonstrates that she is gradually becoming a priority in his life. While this decision complicates his plans to exact revenge on the business partner who murdered his family, Alex finds it more difficult to control his emotions.
Ava’s character development is aided by Madeline’s actual shove into the sea, as the information she reveals about Alex’s darker sexual tastes leads Ava in a new direction in her fledgling relationship. As a result, her willingness to embrace this aspect of sex, as well as the power that comes with it, are transforming. Furthermore, the growing emotional connection between the two during the swimming classes motivates Ava to pursue her goals.
These chapters also highlight the contrast between swimming and drowning and show how Ava’s decisions influence how she perceives her own success or failure. With Alex’s assistance, however, Ava’s mastery of the literal ability of swimming helps her to begin figuratively floating rather than drowning in the pattern of her own life, and thus the lessons empower her to seek what she truly desires: sex and a deeper relationship with Alex. She will keep swimming forward, figuratively speaking, as her friendship with Alex inspires her to make even more risky decisions for herself. In this way, having sex with Alex allows Ava to discover “strength in weakness, control in submission”. By “choosing to let go, [she had] never felt more powerful”, this pattern indicates a crucial finding that enables her to reclaim her identity and regain control of her life. As they continue to have sex, Ava describes it as “soul destroying in the best possible way”, demonstrating how transforming the event is for her. For the first time, Ava understands that intimacy and connection are not meant to undermine or intensify her insecurities. Instead, closeness has the potential to be both therapeutic and empowering.
In stark contrast to the successful image of swimming, drowning episodes are often associated with periods of fear or regression, such as when Ava allows her past to prevent her from making her next move, or when her lack of confidence in her own strength leads to Josh or her friends taking over her life. In this segment, Ava eventually starts swimming, and Alex serves as her figurative lifejacket. She is making progress, but she will eventually need to learn to swim without the “lifejacket,” or she will always rely on others rather than herself.
Ava’s contact with her father, Michael, marks a significant shift in the story’s tone. Whereas the preceding chapters had a more adventurous and romantic tone, the story suddenly becomes dark and frightening. Both father and daughter’s failure to connect, as well as the constant pressure in their relationship, highlight Ava’s lack of affection from her family. The juxtaposition of this loveless scene with Michael, coming right after an intimate weekend with Alex, is startling and invokes Ava’s suspicion in him, even if she can’t fully justify it. The subtle foreshadowing where Ava wonders why her father connects with Josh more easily than with her will come to fruition later in the story, when she discovers that she, unlike Josh, is not Michael’s biological child. Although this revelation will not come until later chapters, the mood in this early encounter swiftly shifts from awkward to downright ominous when Ava notices Michael staring at her as if “he didn’t know her.” Like he despised her. “As if he feared her.”.
The quick mood fluctuations in this portion of the novel highlight the internal tensions that both Ava and Alex experience. On the one hand, they’re creating a romance that feels like a beacon of hope, a light in the darkness. However, The Lasting Effects of Childhood Trauma are closing in on them both, heightening the overall tension as the drama nears its climax. While Alex struggles with his need for vengeance and his new relationship with Ava, Ava is making progress by gradually overcoming her phobias and strengthening her bond with Alex, even as memories of her past threaten to upend her newfound ties.
Chapters 27–35 Analysis
The gloomy tone that Ava alluded at during her earlier encounter with Michael reappears throughout Thanksgiving. Ava’s night terrors are triggered by the lake behind her house and the strain to keep her and Alex’s relationship a secret. When Ava retrieves a memory proving that Michael, not her mother, pushed her into the water, she experiences anagnorisis—a moment in which a protagonist realizes either their own or someone else’s true identity and endures a radical change in viewpoint. This understanding is quickly followed by another flash of anagnorisis, as she recalls Michael attempting to suffocate her with a pillow. With these personal insights, Ava’s world is forever altered, and she is forced to face that Michael is not the dependable parent she thought he was. While the new information sheds light on her previous mysteries, it also demonstrates that her father never truly loved her, reinforcing Ava’s opinion that she is unworthy of love.
Alex also battles with a storm of internal conflict in the weeks following Thanksgiving, particularly after discovering that his uncle Ivan, not Michael, ordered his parents’ murder. His 16 years of meticulous planning have been futile, and his 8 years of lying to Josh and Ava have filled him with remorse. When Alex decides to preserve his secrets rather than reveal them to Ava, it demonstrates his persistent desire for vengeance, which is now directed toward Ivan. He also struggles with an internal conflict between his need for vengeance and his desire to protect Ava; unfortunately, whether Alex tells the truth or continues to lie, he will still damage her.
Ava is relieved that her connection with Michael has always been remote, confessing that if they had been closer, “she wasn’t sure [she]’d be able to take the heartbreak”, and her reaction to Michael’s betrayal foreshadows how she would respond when she discovers Alex’s falsehoods. This foreshadowing is reinforced during the scene at the diner, when she asks Alex to give her the truth, saying, “Michael has lied to me my entire life, and I don’t want you to start”. Ava’s ignorance of Alex’s years of lies, along with her conviction that he has always been truthful with her, raises the stakes for Alex, implying that he is on the verge of losing his connection with Ava as a result of his own deceptions. This dynamic is all the more absurd when Alex’s sole chance to save her from Ivan is to lie—to deny his love for her in order to ensure her safety.
The suspense builds considerably during these chapters, as one plotline develops and intertwines with the others. For example, Ava confronts her father, whose attempts to gaslight and manipulate her compound the severity of his betrayal, which foreshadows others that will follow. Similarly, Ivan takes advantage of the budding connection between Alex and Ava, using Ava as leverage to push Alex’s hand and reclaim his position in the corporation. Throughout the rapid plot twists of the kidnapping scenario, Huang uses vivid descriptions to change the rhythm and intensify the tension, drama, and emotional reactions of the characters. For example, she paints a vivid picture of Ivan’s “haggard” appearance, with “scaly red patches and nasty-looking pustular eruptions on his skin”. These descriptions are designed to disgust, and Ivan’s true nature as the villain of the story takes on a physical manifestation just as hideous as his underlying motivations.
Alex’s inner emotional landscape is also enhanced, as when he sees evidence that Ivan harmed Ava, a “[w]ild, all-consuming anger erupt in his stomach until it fills every inch of [his] being” . This description puts Alex’s emotions to the forefront of the chapter, demonstrating how far he has come in accepting The Vulnerability of Intimacy. These different disputes highlight the complexities of their relationship’s growth. Alex allows Ava to confront her father, just like he did with Liam. This provides Ava authority over the situation and the ability to deal with conflicts in her life on her own, which is an important part of her character development. Despite Alex’s reluctance to accept his own sentiments, he expresses his love for Ava by saying, “You are the light to my dark. ” Without you, I am lost”. His response represents how Ava has transformed him for the better and indicates that he is actively confronting his feelings. Finally, it is apparent that her good impact is altering his core views about his deepest aspirations and life.
Chapter 36: Epilogue Analysis
Following the usual arrangement of romantic narrative lines, these chapters depict the third-act breakup. In this often used trope, the man frequently ends the relationship to protect the lady in some way. In this version of the trope, the novel’s major conflict has already been resolved, and the direct causes of Alex and Ava’s childhood traumas have been acknowledged and conquered. However, the emotional repercussions from this intense chain of events leads to their split, and during their subsequent separation, both characters are pushed to grow and develop even more, making brave decisions that dramatically alter their lives. Only when they come back together as equals will the relationship be truly resumed.
Romances frequently contain one or both love interests working on personal development to demonstrate that they are ready for a partnership. By letting Ava walk away, Alex succumbs to his crippling dread of failing to protect her. Although his decision wounds her in the present, and he wants nothing more than to keep her close, he lets her go out of fear that her proximity to him may put her in danger in the future. While Alex believes his action is unselfish, or at the very least, a form of penance, he uses it to justify allowing his dread of The Vulnerability of Intimacy to govern him. However, Alex eventually regains control of his own development by employing the same limitless patience that served him so well in previous revenge plots; this time, however, he concentrates his effort and passion into improving his relationship with Ava in London. As a result, Alex initially attempts to lavish Ava with presents, but the gifts, while kind, lack the emotional depth required to restore their bond. To totally restore Ava’s trust and demonstrate that their relationship was genuine, Alex must fully accept his vulnerabilities, which he accomplishes by singing at Ava’s art exhibition, baring his soul in the most vulnerable way conceivable. Thus, the serenade serves as a vehicle for the last-minute reconciliation of lovers, which frequently dominates the endings of romantic stories.
In this segment, while Alex moves closer to achieving the essential personal growth, the impact of Alex’s betrayal temporarily halts her progress. It ruins all she is and erodes the powerful image she has made of herself, resulting in a period of regression. However, such a regression is inevitable because Alex has aided Ava with the majority of her development thus far, and Ava must eventually acquire the strength to do things on her own. When Ava confronts her fear of swimming alone, followed by her fear of going overseas to attend the WYP fellowship in London, she completes her development and fully overcomes the obstacles that held her back for the remainder of the novel. Her pleasure now depends purely on herself, and she has let go of the urge to control the actions and sentiments of others, instead choosing to love herself. These moments of personal triumph also reinforce the sense of swimming rather than sinking in life. Ava is finally learning to swim by rising above the currents that have dragged her beneath since childhood, instead shaping her destiny and climbing toward success in her job and personal life.
Weather plays an important role in portraying the changing moods of this section, as the type of the weather in every given scene provides insight into the tumultuous emotions that drive the plot. After Alex’s treachery, for example, Ava interprets the weather as drab and lifeless, mirroring her own sluggishness. Similarly, a storm weighs down on Alex when he departs Ava’s and Josh’s neighborhood following the breakup, symbolizing his grief over losing Ava. Finally, when Ava confronts her concerns and changes her fellowship site, a rainbow emerges, blazing like a beacon of hope.
In addition to these subtle emotional nuances, Huang uses the epilogue to provide a final snapshot of Alex’s shift in values. His job hours are reduced to allow him more time for his personal relationships, and he and Ava freely exhibit affection in front of Ralph and Missy on Thanksgiving. The epilogue also indicates that Josh has not yet forgiven Alex and is now at odds with Ava as a result of their revived romance, implying that there is still much growing and healing to be done. Alex and Ava both have to deal with the long-term effects of childhood trauma. The Thanksgiving celebration, on the other hand, creates a festive and optimistic atmosphere for the future. Regardless of the concerns that remain unresolved and will most certainly be addressed in future parts, the romance concludes happily ever after for the two main characters, which is the most defining feature of the romance genre.
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