Twist Me

What a dark and forbidden, and yet intoxicating and addictive listen! I could not put my earbuds down--and listened to this entire book in less than 12 hours! Twist Me elicited such an intriguing mix of emotions constantly causing me to experience a push and pull between excitement, joy, sadness, and fear; not too mention anxiety as to what might happen next. Moreover, this book had me constantly questioning how notwithstanding the dark and taboo subject, I just could not get enough of this story. Even now, after finishing book 1, I find myself craving book 2, Keep Me. Moreover, if you're an audiobook lover, like me, then Shirl Rae's talented narration, makes this a natural choice to experience in audiobook format. Before going further, a few warnings are in order. Please note that this is a dark romance that centers around a kidnapping. There are also elements of BDSM, and dubious or lack of consent scenes. Therefore this book may not be appropriate for all romance audiences. However, if you enjoy dark romances, then this is definitely a series not to miss. Please also note that to get the full story you will need to commit to read or listen to the entire trilogy. The heroine, Nora Leston, is just about to graduate high school, when she meets a dark and mysterious and yet strangely alluring older man named Julian at a nightclub. Though she manages to flee that night, she couldn't help but be both attracted and scared of him. So imagine her surprise and apprehension when Julian continues to randomly appear in other places where Nora visits. Until that one fateful day, when Julian completely and irrevocably changes her life, by kidnapping Nora. Just what does Julian want and why Nora? Moreover, can their possibly be any happiness in Nora's life as a captive? Shirl Rae does a fabulous job of narrating Twist Me. From Julian's strangely hypnotic and yet somewhat psychopathic voice, to the dichotomy that is the fragile and yet strangely brave Nora, Ms. Rae's renditions for each character helps the listener conjure up visual images of the characters that the authors have penned. Ms. Rae's timing is also perfectly suited for maximum enjoyment of the particular mood of the scene being enacted. This was my first experience with Ms. Rae as narrator, but I will definitely be looking for more of her works in the future. All in all, this was a fascinating listen. The hero managed to draw me in notwithstanding his nontraditional ways. There was just something about his alpha, protective and strangely vulnerable human nature that draws the reader/listener in. Moreover, the writing is so well put together that you almost feel as if you're experiencing the heroine's constant mix of emotions personally. I highly recommend Twist Me to dark romance lovers who have not yet read or listened to it. Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

“You’re completely mine. I’m the only one who’s ever been inside your pretty little p**** y.” Books in the Twist Me Trilogy should be read in order: Book 1: Twist Me Book 2: Keep Me Book 3: Hold Me Twist Me (book 1) follows recent high school graduate Nora Leston in events leading up to and after she was kidnapped by heir and arms dealer Julian Esguerra. He saw her, he wanted her so he took her… Violence, rape, darkness mar their journey, yet on a remote island far away from civilization a bond is formed, an attraction. How long can they stay cocooned? Conflicted emotions about desiring her captor is just one of Nora’s obstacles… JULIAN ESGUERRA: 29-32 years/Colombian/American/Heir/Arms dealer/Black hair/Blue eyes. Seven words to describe Julian Esguerra: Determined, entitled, broken, flawed, ruthless, possessive and analytical. NORA LESTON: 17-21 years/American/Student/Dark brown hair/Brown eyes/Virgin. Seven words to describe Nora Leston: Stubborn, naïve, smart, determined, reckless, spirited and loyal. Twist Me, told from Nora’s POV, is dark and twisted, but also sexy and hot with hints of a romance clouded by the impossibility of it all. This is looking to be an against-all-odds love. Book 1 ends ominously leading right to book 2, Keep Me for the continuation of their story. For when you are in the mood for a ruthless & enigmatic alpha and a sinister tale with elements of BDSM, darkness, conflicting emotions and evil villains! *** Hero rating: 4.5 stars Heroine rating: 4 stars Sexual tension rating: 4.5 stars Sex scenes rating: 4.5 stars Sex scenes frequency: 4 stars Plot rating: 4 stars Dialogue rating: 4 stars Storytelling rating: 4.5 stars Story ending rating: N/A ******************************************** Overall rating: 4 stars Would I recommend this series: Yes. Would I re-read this series: Maybe later. Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

Synopsis: Kidnapped. Taken to a private island. I never thought this could happen to me. I never imagined one chance meeting on the eve of my eighteenth birthday could change my life so completely. Now I belong to him. To Julian. To a man who is as ruthless as he is beautiful – a man whose touch makes me burn. A man whose tenderness I find more devastating than his cruelty. My captor is an enigma. I don’t know who he is or why he took me. There is a darkness inside him – a darkness that scares me even as it draws me in. My name is Nora Leston, and this is my story. WARNING: This is NOT a traditional romance. It contains disturbing subject matter, including themes of questionable consent and Stockholm Syndrome, as well as graphic sexual content. This is a work of fiction intended for a mature, 18+ audience only. The author neither endorses nor condones this type of behavior. My Review: I am desperately trying to find a way to read through my TBR (to-be-read) list and I have found this very difficult to complete. As I attempted to go to my TBR and pull a book at random I stumbled on a new book from Anna Zaires Twist Me. So, I read the description that was provided, and then a couple of reviews from some of my favorite people. After reading the sample, I brought the book. This book is not for the sweet and innocent romantic. Before reading this book; you must read the warning that is given. You must prepare yourself for agony, angst, and relish in the “twist” of things. In many of the books I have read in the past the character has learned something about themselves that they never new before. This was me with this book; kind of like being able to see for the first time, after your vision has been corrected. I really enjoy dark stories with grit and strong alpha male. I have to admit, I did not hate Julian. In the beginning I did not understand why he did what he did to Nora but I was not upset with him. He gave me no reason to hate him. He was strong and direct (at times) and he treated Nora as well as he could. Yes, he kidnapped her. But Nora’s interaction with him kind of set the pace for my feelings about him in this book. This is one of those books that is good throughout. The writing was smooth and detailed. This book is said to be erotic and I would assume that it is due to the content but there was not much “dirty talk”. I mean, Julian is definitely an Alpha but he is not much of a talker in the bedroom. I wanted that passion. Yeah, they talk about the moans and the briefs snips (in my opinion) about the sex. I guess I should be blushing to admit that I have read some true erotic filth (Lol) and was looking for this book to give me that. There were several transitions with each character but it was not described in length. I understand this to be because this was Nora’s POV. And she tells one hell of a story. Nora is just a regular teenager who just graduated from high school and is preparing for that awesome summer prior to college. But her life changes when she is taken and she must adapt to her new surrounds and this new life that was placed upon her that she does not want. She is smart and very determined. I don’t know how she was able to stay sane after the kidnapping. She is also strong and I think that we may see how strong she will be in book two. Oh yeah, there is most definitely a book two and it is going to be from the POV of Julian and Nora. Happy reading. Follow me on twitter @ChannellingClo and on my blog at ChannellingCloretta.blogspot.com

What a great book. It wasn't a necessarily "dark read" book to me, it was more of an "intense read" book. Nora sees Julian the first time at a bar. It's a week before her eighteenth birthday and she's there with a friend using a fake ID. When Julian approaches her and asks her name, she's so intrigued by him and her pull towards him, that she can't move. He reaches and brushes his hand on her cheek and she rushes off, knowing she is completely attracted to him, but feels he's a danger to her. Several weeks later, she is on stage receiving her diploma for graduating high school and sees Julian in the audience. She tries to explain his appearance to herself as being an older brother to one of her classmates. That night at a graduation party, Nora finally speaks to Jake, her high school crush. Jake asks Nora on a date for the next night and everything seems perfect. During their date, Jake and Nora stop by the park for a walk and Jake kisses her. Suddenly, Jake's on the ground, Nora sees a tall shadow of a man and then feels a needle jab in neck. She awakens and learns she's been kidnapped by Julian and taken to a beautiful, remote island in the Caribbean where the only other person is the maid Beth. Even though Nora is both scared of Julian and mad at the situation, she is still very attracted to him. Julian tells her he will keep her no matter what - she is HIS. And he will keep her safe. But will it be that easy? What will happen when Julian's enemies find out about her? I genuinely liked Julian's character. I suppose because he was a kidnapper, I should feel differently. But for some reason, I never disliked Julian. Even when he was pushing Nora to experience things she had never done, he did it in a way you knew he would not hurt her and really cared for her. Afterwards he was always so gentle and treated her as the most cherished of gifts. Yeah, a couple of times he did push her, but she never told him to stop or pushed him away. Since the story is told in Nora's POV, you know she wanted him as badly as he wanted her. There was a very strong connection between them that you could feel and you knew they needed each other to survive. You also learn some of Julian's past which explains a great deal of why he's the way he is with Nora. I honestly think that if I were in Nora's situation, I would feel the same way. Of course, I would fight the attraction as long as possible - but who wouldn't eventually make the most of their circumstances? Other than Beth, Julian is the only person Nora has contact with, and his feelings for her are so obvious to her. Of course Nora falls for him. I cannot wait until the next book (Keep Me) to see how Nora and Julian's story continues. This book does not end on a cliffhanger, but it does end with you wanting to see what's next for Nora and Julian. Julian's business life is now invading his private life and he'll do whatever he has to in order keep Nora safe with him. Very glad I read this book.

Captive in the dark is a better written series than this one. I would not waste your time reading this one when there are better choices available. Julian kidnaps Nora because she went out with jake and kissed him. Julian says he is protecting her from the world. He lives on an island. Nora is going to make him believe that she is falling in love with him so he will let her go. The author gives you a different type of fear for Nora. Nora is not being punished, yet Julian does hurt Nora but in a Sexual way that increases his and her pleasure. He mixes the pleasure with the pain. Julian is trying to teach Nora the ways in which he enjoys being pleased. He is molding her to his liking. Of course don't all men want this from women? Men want complete control over women's bodies and shout out commands making their bodies respond upon his commands. When he says shh, she becomes quiet, when he says come she comes. He provides pleasure as a means of rewarding her for getting her body to respond to his liking. He is not concerned with how she feels emotionally. He is only obsessed with her body and what he can do to it. Why is it always the woman's body that has to be tortured. Breast clamps, blindfolds, dildos, spankings, whips, hand cuffs, butt plugs, the list is endless. If a man had to experience any one of those objects he might reconsider using them. All men base there theory on is how wet she becomes while using one of the many devices. Each night he pushes her with new objects and fetishes. What are his limitations? I am not finding any connection with these characters. Something is either missing in the writing style or it's the story line. It's puzzling the way Nora responds to Julian and puzzling why Julian chose Nora. The fact that she is only eighteen and he is twenty-nine is weird. I'm so tired of the phrases referencing Nora to be quiet and be a good girl and accept her punishment. How ironic for Julian to find a girl like Nora who enjoys all the torture devices and spankings. Maybe because Nora has never experienced a sexual relationship before that Julian can teach her innocent mind of this as an acceptable means because she has nothing to compare it to. Maybe to Nora this is the normal way people respond to sex. It's only physical there is no emotion behind it, so I'm having a hard time relating because women usually don't enjoy sex unless they are emotionally attached. I'm not feeling that Julian and Nora have any type of connection. Nora craves human Contact because she is lonely and the only human contact Julian provides is sex. Here Nora thought she was not broken or hollow ,yet Julian is an unpredictable lover and likes sex with both pleasure and pain. Julian is trying to break her down to suit his needs ignoring any needs Nora might have. Of course men think because women achieve an orgasm that their needs were met. I think men in general enjoy making women fall apart and then mend them and then comfort them. It gives them control. Julian is not letting Nora be his equal partner she is only his possession. Nora is a object in which Julian can manipulate anyway he chooses until he fills the voids in his own life. Julian is selfish by kidnapping Nora from her life and making her believe he is protecting her from an evil world. Since his childhood was stollen from him he chooses to do the same with Nora's adolescence. Julian is robbing Nora a life of her own choosing because he thinks he knows what is best for her. While I'm sure the sex is great there is more to life than being available for ones sexual needs. Julian gets to live his life and then enjoy his sexual fetishes with no complaints from Nora. How is this world he has created for Nora any better than the one she might have chosen for herself? While Julian thinks he protects her from physical harm he is realizing the emotional harm he is causing by teaching Nora to be so reliant upon Julian. Nora is becoming obsessed with Julian and will not know how to survive without him. She is becoming dependent upon him. I do not feel sorry for Julian because what he is doing to Nora is no different than what was done to him. Julian is robbing Nora of her life and choosing the path for her, taking all control from her and making all decisions for her. He has even controlled her emotions towards him having her believe she wants and needs him. Julian is Always thinking about his intentions and where they may lead. You can't feel sorry for Julian because he did nothing differently from what his family did other change what he was selling. He continued to live in the dangerous world and instead of thinking he was protecting Nora from it he brought it to her doorstep.

Oh my goodness, I don't even know where to begin with this. I was so torn with this novel, I wasn't even sure which way was up after I finished it. I was so disgusted with Julian, but at the same time, I found myself feeling the exact same turmoils Nora was going through. Be warned, though -- this book is not for everyone. If you have an aversion to captive/captor novels, definitely stay away. If no such aversions exist and you are looking for something deliciously dark, buy this now! ***Contains Spoilers*** So often when I read these types of stories, I become quickly annoyed with the captive. It almost feels like the authors try too hard and still come up short. Not so with Zaires. She made Nora likable from the start. It was so refreshing that she wasn't an introverted, sexually sheltered girl (despite her virginity). She was sociable, had more than one friend, and was confident. From the first meeting she had with Julian, you knew this guy was going to be a psycho, yet (for me) there was still a pull to him. It was the dark and mysterious thing, I think. What I loved the most about this was that Nora knew there was something off about him, despite her attraction. She saw the warning signs and pulled away. Too bad that it wasn't enough. After she turns eighteen, her life is abruptly changed after she's taken captive. It turns serious as soon as she regains consciousness and discovers that her clothing has been removed. Zaires really captured Nora's turmoil when Julian walks into the room beautifully and it's at this point where the psychology of it all comes into play. It's quite telling that a description of perfection can play with your perceptions of a situation as volatile as Nora's in. Would Nora have been as content in her role as the captive after she learns she's stuck on an island had Julian not been so rakishly handsome (not that she's happy to be held captive -- she voices her displeasure quite thoroughly)? Had it been a regular Joe on the streets with average looks and an overall less appealing appearance, would she have made more escape attempts than just the one? Had the setting been less appealing, would she have plotted more to leave? When she is speaking with her parents at the end, she even references that it was, "like a long vacation." Perhaps this was a coping mechanism she had to implement to deal, I can't really tell. My one complaint about this novel would be the downplay of the initial rape -- yes, I am calling it that because that is what it was, even if it wasn't addressed as such in the novel. In no way did Nora want to give into the pleasure that was being demanded of her. As disturbing as this scene was for me to read, I still couldn't bring myself to give this story less than five stars. It's just a little troubling that there was less of a traumatized reaction on that encounter. It seems like because Julian "took care" of Nora afterward, that was supposed to make it better. Once again, it begs the question -- had Julian not been devilishly beautiful, would Nora have felt differently? The thing about this novel that sucked me in was how well the progression developed. You could see bits and pieces of Nora disappearing and she knew it, yet there was nothing she could do to stop it. My heart broke for her and I found myself often on the edge of my seat wanting her off the island, to still be able to maintain some of the innocence she had. Simultaneously, I was wondering how long Julian was going to be able to get away with it -- truthfully, I'm still not sure if I'm cheering for them or not. It's such an unhealthy relationship, if you can even call it that. Even in the end, he has a plan to get her back if she doesn't cooperate. I suppose my five stars isn't so much for the story between Nora and Julian, but for Nora herself. I think I'm wanting Nora to get herself back, to find herself again and be able to fight. I can only see this working out if they are equals. I want them to lose the captor/captive role entirely. I don't even want the threat of captivity involved. I think I'm truly just wanting this to end well for Nora after the roller coaster she's been on. I cannot wait until September for the sequel to come out. It's going to be interesting to see where this goes, given the end of this book. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. Loved, loved, loved it.

One thing I like about this book, is that even though it's a 50 Shades type spinoff, it veers away from the typical domineering billionaire trend. Yes the guy is rich, yes he is gorgeous, but this guy is actually dangerous. He has no f#;\"! to give. Julian is a true psychopath. So much so, that I was very uncomfortable the first 30% of the book. Sure, I have had fantasies of the bad guy abductor, but seeing it on paper was crazy. It was too extreme to be sexy and yet it was oddly satisfying. Once you get over the fact that he practically kidnapped and forced himself on her, and once you get over her stupidly falling in love with him, you find you actually enjoyed the book. I didn't really get a true understanding for Julian, though. It's very hard to love a psychopath. His personality was 2 dementional. He was a man of little words and honestly, 80% of his appearances were of him having sex with her. There were a couples times were he was playful, but I didn't get a chance to really fall in love with him. His background story was exceptional though. The main character was relatable. Small town girl who is kidnapped. She is going through several emotions, hating herself for falling in love with her captor. Any girl in that situation would. I felt her actions were on point. She wasn't stupid. The pacing of how she grew to accept her fate was spot on. Overall great female lead. 4/5

I actually really liked Twist Me by Anna Zaires. I had semi-low expectations going into it and I found it was exactly the dark messed-up captive romance novel that I was wanting. It’s by no means a classic romance and the main relationship in the book is in no way healthy but I’m into it. The plot is pretty straightforward: Innocent and naive Nora Leston is kidnapped by the sadistic, rich, & handsome Julian. They meet at a bar and the magnetic draw is instant. While Nora rushes away, scared of their connection - Julian is obsessed. Nora tries to forget that night in the following weeks and move on with her life, Julian has other plans. Nora wakes up on a private island with no chance of escape and at the complete mercy of her captor. Julian makes the book for me. He is enigmatic, intelligent, dominating, and darkly beautiful. He remains a mystery for much of the book. The reader is in the same position as Nora when it comes to information about him. What does he do? Where does he come from? Why did he kidnap Nora? All questions that burn in your mind throughout the novel. We learn gradually that Nora is the first women he’s ever taken; the why is the elusive question. He reminds me somewhat of Montes Lazuil from the The Fallen World trilogy by Laura Thalassa. Julian and Lazuil both have that dominating, controlling, and possessive side that seeps through the pages. Both authors also do excellent jobs of writing them as the most powerful person in the room. Their presence is tangible. However, I would say that Julian is more sadistic and wants a pet more then an equal. Lazuil is redeemable while Julian is simply not. Additionally, while Lazuil’s counterpart is strong-willed and determined - Nora is not. I didn’t mind Nora, but she is undeniably weak. She gives in to her situation a bit too easily. And after one escape attempt, she’s basically done. I understand her reluctance to attempt anything without guarantees of a result, however, she just seems to accept her situation. That being said, the book is set between 1-2 years, so I guess that has to be taken into account. Being stranded alone on a island with no means of escape or communication, with your only company being your kidnapper and the other person, Beth, the jaded cook / maid who consistently reinforces your tormentors actions as positive would start to brainwash anyone. The quality I most appreciated in Nora was her unrelenting practicality. She sees no point in moping about or complaining about her situation. Which is a necessary quality when a character is in a terrible situation. She assesses the situation, comes up with a plan, and tries to escape by force. When that fails, she decides the next best course of action. So she can’t leave the island by force, she’ll try to seduce Julian to take her off the island. Unfortunately, she has little success - instead of seducing him to let her go, she falls deeper into their all-consuming relationship. The more time that passes, the more Julian becomes her world. I cannot hold this against Nora. She is young and soft and Julian is beyond dominating. Ultimately, I did really enjoy Twist Me - but if you’re going to read it, you’ve just got to let reality go.

Unputdownable and very well interesting to read. You just cant get enough of the protagonists in the book. A must read

I have re-read this book multiple times, I love the story and the characters Definitely recommend if you love a dark romance

Awsome!! A thriller with a lot of hot!! So intense!! It snt a common reading. It has some triggers. But the reading is so good that I practically eat it the beggining to the end!

Twist me è il primo libro di una serie Dark Erotic che a prima lettura potrebbe assomigliare a tanti altri romanzi,e invece l'autrice tratta in maniera originale temi fin troppo abusati come lo stupro,la cattività,il sequestro etc. E' un romanzo intrigante e ricco di colpi di scena.Non vedo l'ora di rileggere la storia di Julian Esguerra in italiano.

フランスのamazonで評価が高く（星4.5位と記憶）、評価者の人数もすごく多かったので興味を持った。フランス語版は英語版の翻訳であることが分かり、アメリカのamazonを見たら、やはり評価が高く、とんでもない数の評価者数だったので、読んでみることにした。英語版とフランス語版の両方(kindle版,1～3 ）を買い、どんな話なのか手っ取り早く知るために英語版を読み始めたら止められずに1巻目は数時間で読み終えた。話は別の評者が書いているように、そんなことあり得ないでしょうという話だし、予想を超える展開もないが、一気に読み通させる位の水準ではあると思う。アメリカのaudible.comから英語版のaudio bookが入手できる（ドイツ語版も）。英語版を入手して聞き始めて、読むより全然楽なことを発見した。目は疲れないし、両手は空いているし、歩いていてもOKだし、ともかくとても楽だ。というわけで、英語版では2巻以降は聞くだけで済ませるつもりである。時間を見つけて聞いているので、まだ2巻途中までしか聞いていないが、2巻の方が1巻よりおもしろそうな気がする。