Twist Me Kindle Edition

DNF @ 38%For a while, captive romances/erotica were the major trend in erotic fiction and everyone was trying to outdo everyone else with who could write the most dysfunctional and depraved relationship. TWIST ME by Anna Zaires is written in this vein, starring dippy heroine, Nora. When she meets the man who's going to kidnap her, she's only 17, but he waits until she turns 18 before accosting her during her date, beating up the other boy, and then spiriting her away to his tropical island for some rape.Here's the thing about kidnap erotica - once you have the hero kidnap and assault the heroine, the good-guy card is off the table. At best you could have an antihero after one hell of a redemption arc, but don't, for the love of all that is holy, try to make the rapey hero seem romantic or chivalrous.My problem with TWIST ME is that there are way too many mixed signals that make this book feel icky. Nora actually does make an attempt to fight her captor, Julian, but she also constantly refers to him as a dark angel and frets about her traitorous body many, many times. Julian is also one of those slimy villains who tries to act all suave, conveniently forgetting the fact that he is in fact a douche who kidnaps women for sex. Add to that a brain-washed minion named Beth whose one job on this island appears to be Professional Gaslighter, and the whole book just has this skeezy, unclean vibe that makes you feel like you've gone a day too long without a shower.I've decided to DNF this book because I don't want to waste time on books that seem like they're only going to end up annoying me. I'm shocked at all the good reviews this has, as it's certainly nothing special in the kidnap genre, and the writing is repetitive and incredibly subpar.1 out of 5 stars

This is a really difficult review for me, because while I found the story utterly repulsive, I had an inkling about what I was getting into when I downloaded the book. I was curious after I read all the five star reviews, wondering what was so great about a book with such a dark theme. I personally think it was a well written book. It was engaging, despite the distasteful subject matter and character development issues. I did keep reading on, which is a real credit to this book, the subject matter being what it is. I was not familiar with the dark erotica genre, and now I know it is not for me.This book is written for people who have rape fantasies (or those who just have kinda offbeat taste in reading materials). I am not judging because fantasy is just that-not reality. No one would actually want this situation to happen to them in real life, I get that. For me, it was hard to read about rape presented as a fantasy come to life though. This book absolutely destroyed my libido for the whole time it took me to get through it. Obviously there are plenty of readers that derive sexual excitement from the fantasy of a rich, domineering man kidnapping them and forcing sex on them, but I am not one of those readers. The content of this book was extraordinarily creepy to me, but in for a penny, in for a pound.SPOILERS AHEAD!!!Characters:I was perplexed by Nora's character throughout the book. In the beginning, I thought she had potential to be a tough lead and figure out a way to take Julien out or get off the island. But every time she would think, say, or act like a sane woman actually would in her situation, she backpedaled into passivity. There were so many completely unreasonable thoughts going through her brain and I really had to suspend disbelief. Julian rapes her, enjoys hurting her intentionally. She knows not to trust him. She recognizes the darkness in his eyes. But he's SO hot. Really? She finds out that he kidnapped her in the first place because she reminds him of someone from his past, physically. Instead of understanding that she is a husk to him, nothing more than a physical manifestation of someone else from the youth of this mentally damaged man, she thinks it's cute or sweet or something. She feels for him and comforts him. That part had me reeling. So while I found Nora to be an interesting character in some ways, I couldn't help but to be disappointed in her lack of critical thought overall, and how quickly she decides to abandon all thought of rescuing herself somehow. Her parents and friends are barely mentioned. She doesn't seem to think about them much while she is on the tropical island with her totally psycho hunk of a master.I'm no expert, but I can't help but to think that Stockholm Syndrome must progress in a different way than it was presented here. Ignoring pain and rape because the perp is attractive doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I could see if the kidnapper was unusually kind and deliberately set out to gain sympathy from the victim, but just being good looking doesn't inspire loyalty or love. He had her date beat up while she watched and lorded his power to kill this boy over her to keep her in line! Why would she experience Stockholm Syndrome after that? Docking some points for disappointing and ineffectual heroine and implausibility of Stockholm Syndrome based solely on Hottie McHotpants' exterior.I completely despised Beth's character in this story. She was my most hated character. This is a woman who has a troubled past. She was a mother of a daughter, and unfortunately had a lot of experience with bad sexual situations. And yet, she enables Julian to keep Nora penned up, totally stripped of her freedoms, and sexually and mentally abused, against her will. Her justification was that Nora doesn't know the meaning of having it bad in life. So she deserves to be a slave and a sex toy for a psychopath? Holy cow, I couldn't believe what I was reading! I thought she was way more evil than Julien could ever be. There was no redeeming this character for me. Heartless and cold, and absolutely devoid of morals or empathy. I am docking points here too with character development. I couldn't reconcile her past history with her actions. Beth was the very opposite of what I would expect her to be. Her attitude about this entire situation was so flippant, "But he is obsessed with you! Appreciate it, princess!" A woman who has had so many bad experiences with men that she doesn't want a man to touch her in any way, ever, should object when it comes to another young woman being subjected to sex and captivity against her will, IMO.Julian was basically a flat character. I don't feel like I got to know him well. I was hoping for some more insight into his character, but there wasn't much development with him (the second book is partly from his POV from what I understand, so perhaps book 2 is where a reader will learn more about him). He's sick and twisted. The type of guy who takes what he wants instead of working for it. He faces danger every day and puts everyone close to him at risk because he likes the rush. Essentially, a narcissist, if you want to be kind. He's the absolute worst of the worst as far as possessing flawed character traits, and that doesn't change. Yes, we did get a sob story or two trying to explain away why he is such a basket case, but none of the background had me sympathizing with him at all. This is a man who thinks it's his right to have a sex slave that he can bend to his will without thought to anything but his own personal satisfaction, and that's about all the readers knows about him. Docking points for overlooking some backstory of this "hero".The one thing that bothered me above all else in this book (the same major complaint I had about 50 Shades), is that the heroine is so young and inexperienced. As a reader, I find it cruel to use a barely 18 year old virgin in a story with this much sexual violence. It feels wrong to pair these naive girls up with predatory older men, and makes these stories even less palatable than they already are. It also enforces the gender stereotype that once a woman has been touched, she's ruined in some way. I'm sure my age and the fact that I have a daughter explain much of my distaste for the "abusing a young virgin" plot line, but really, beyond that, it's just pitiful and outdated that FEMALE writers use this lamb/lion trope over and over again, when it has been overdone since the age of the bodice rippers from the 70s and early 80s. I personally have had it with reading about these young victims! Where are the strong, confident women in these books? It's not an age thing, it's an attitude thing really. I don't care if they are 18 chronologically, but please give main female characters some backbone and mental fortitude!SPOILERS ENDEDTarget Audience:This book is not for those readers looking for romance.If violence and rape are triggers for you, please stay away.If you enjoy rape fantasies and they turn you on, this is definitely a book for you.If you liked FSOG, I imagine this would appeal to you.I'd like to thank Anna Zaires for offering this book for free on Kindle to her readers.

The book had 303 pages or 4005 locations on my kindle. The book was about a girl named Nora and a man, named Julian. Nora was a 17 year old virgin. Julian was a 29 year old sadist. Julian wants Nora, therefore he kidnaps the young girl. The book contains forced sex, anal sex, drugs, blackmail, oral sex, spankings, sex toys and whippings. Nora was young, innocent and rightfully scared. She quickly learned to crave and care about her tormented captor. Julian was a dominant, ruthless, possessive, forceful, in control, and in charge man. The book did end on a cliff hanger and there are 2 other books, which I wont be buying. This was a good ending for me. Buyer beware, this is a DARK romance.

I don't understand how this book can gave so many glowing reviews. The only thing going for it is that it's quite well written. Shame about the content. I'm no prude but this book is about rape, not bdsm or erotica: rape. You can't have a character repeatedly crying at each sexual encounter, to be in pain, to dislike her protagonist intensely and it be anything else. There's no story. It's simply rape after rape and frankly this book enraged me. I don't see how anyone can find such abuse erotic. if you're expecting titillation and a horny read forget it. You'll end up squirming.Vile book, vile subject matter.

I am so glad to have found another excellent author!I have found Anna Zaires! And I have no idea why it took me this long to read one of her books!This one was excellent right from the first chapter.NORAI loved Nora. She’s a fairly innocent and kind girl. Just the normal 18-year-old doing normal 18-year-old stuff, like sneaking into a night club, lol.Unfortunately for her, that’s where Julian spots her and although she doesn’t realise it, he’s hot on her trail from that moment on.The second she sees him she has a crazy reaction to him. Both fear and arousal. It’s intense and sets the mood for the rest of the story.She hates her body’s reaction to this man but she really can’t seem to control it.JULIANWow. This man is intense. There is no mistaking the power and authority this man exudes and it is hot.He sees what he wants and he takes it. It’s as simple as that.I was desperate to know what was going on in his mind all throughout this book.I needed to know! But Anna Zaires is so good at this that you don’t feel like you’re missing out...even though you need more.In the beginning, I sort of hated him but I couldn’t keep it up, lol.He teaches Nora to love what he can give her.FINAL THOUGHTS on TWIST ME by Anna ZairesThis is the book I’ve been searching for and I didn’t even know it.5 Stars

Having read many dark mafia romances, I have seen several cases of dubious consent. This is not the case in this book. He rapes her. It is 100% not consensual.He takes her from her room which he has imprisoned her in, she tries to escape, she fights him, he takes her to bed, she shuts off and let's it happen. This happens a few more times before she is "willingly" going to bed with him and truly enjoying the pleasure. She suffers from Stockholm syndrome clearly, and becomes a willing captive for him.Many times this book infuriated me. Yet at the same time there is something I enjoyed about it. Hearing his back story helps make his actions make more sense, however it doesn't excuse them.But he isn't entirely heartless and I think that's where I end up liking it. He clearly cares for her, and he is capable of being gentle and not just rough and domineering.I would like to see her be given more choices though. I want to see him concede more to her, give her free will.Having read many dark books, I can read past the rape (just) in order to enjoy the story. If you cannot, I wouldn't recommend this book.

As usual I'm hooked. I wasn't 100% sure if I'd stick it out to be honest but I don't know why I had my doubts. As always Anna has a unique way of drawing you in. I start asking myself questions as I read and by that stage I know there's no going back. Your fully invested and as each page turns you need to know more. Another Anna Zaires hit for me. ❤

This was a compelling, dark read.Nora meets Julian briefly in a club one night. His touch ignites desire and, most of all, fear. She senses something dark and corrupt in him.A date with her long-time crush, Jake, ends in Jake being knocked out and Nora being kidnapped. When she regains consciousness, she finds herself trapped on a privately-owned, tropical island, with only Beth, the ‘housekeeper’, and Julian for company.Beth and Julian are infinitely mysterious with tragic and violent pasts.As one day merges into the next, Julian gradually breaks Nora down, tapping into her naturally submissive side. Nora is torn between feeling desire for her dark angel, and horror at the fact that she craves him and the punishment he likes to mete out to her.This was such a compelling read, charting Nora’s psychological change from being an unwilling captive to being completely in love with her kidnapper. We see glimpses of what has shaped Julian’s nature. I’m really not into the whole BDSM thing, but this story needed it to show Julian’s complete and utter dominance over Nora, through her punishment and then his care and tenderness for her. We are also witness to his obsession for her and his desire to please her.I look forward to reading the follow-up books very soon.