Twisted Shadows

The Notorious Five #5

by L. Hope, Sophie Dyer

There's a fine line between love and hate. Love is not something we are all accustomed to, though. It is not something we are all lucky to feel in our lifetime.

Myself? I am one of those people that doesn't apply.

From the age of twenty-one, my life was officially promised away, forced into a marriage with a man I had never met before. It was an arrangement to suit familes. A trice to suit everyone but the individuals.

It was to be expected that I hated Ryder Genovese with every bone in my body. I loathed the man, despised him with a passion so furious that the line between love and hate became blurred,

Ryder Genovese came into my life like a tempest, a relentless storm that refused to release me. He was the darkness, the shadows monsters hide within.

But as much as I hated Ryder, this man twisted the shadows and revealed something I never knew about myself.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Enemies To Lovers

516 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2023

Reviews

[Brittany Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

L. Hope has absolutely done it again! Twisted Shadows is exactly what I needed to complete the Notorious Five Series! The heated chemistry between Ryder and Sloan left me wanting more. Both are stubborn and hard headed which made for high anticipation of who would crack first. It was so fun reading the transformation each character went through and how it changed the way they interacted with each other from start to finish. I loved the way this fifth book in the notorious five series also brought the entire series together and cleared up any loose ends such as the family dynamic with Ryder and why he always seemed so angry and closed off. Twisted Shadows is an absolute 5 star read. The heated exchanges, the lust filled yearnings, the spicy “bedroom” scenes, and each characters development as individuals and as partners are all hitting the top notes for me! Not only do I highly recommend this book but I recommend this entire series! Thank you L. Hope for such an amazing series I could get lost in and would be happy to do over and over again!

[Betsy Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series ending had me by the throat!

Ryder and Sloan’s chemistry could have blown up Manhattan from page 1!

Ryder has been dreading the arranged marriage his father has forced him into since the first book of this series. He has no intentions of falling for the Irish princess but she’s not as genteel as he was expecting.

Sloan has also been dreading this union and the fact that her father sold her to get ahead. Her brothers were useless in helping her but she’s no damsel in distress and can fight her own battles. She does not cower to Ryders demands and fights him on everything he says which makes the banter electric between them.

Please make sure to check the trigger warnings, there are several scenes that could cause triggers of the reader has any.

All the loose ends for this series were tied up nicely by the end of the book but what got my attention was when it said: The End…For Now!

I can’t wait to see what else Hope had in store for us in this world!

[Mr_Lydecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. I really couldn't put it down until the last page. It has it all, a good back story (the Notorius Five), hate, passion, great sex, and unforgettable characters. I think I've been liking each installment better than the last, except for Hunter and Cori's, which I found a bit softer for developing in the world of the Mafia, but Ryder and Sloan's story has been a magical climax...for now. I think I could be reading stories about these characters for a long time.

5 stars I think very well deserved.

[Debra Johnson]

Amz Prch. Nov. 24, 2023

[rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book!!! We finally get to see Ryder. And boy is he something else. And Sloan the woman he has to marry. They both hate each other, they do somethings to each other so read the triggers. I think this book was so good but I hated to see this series end. They have a lot to go through before they get to the end. This a must read! If you loved Trigger and Lexie from the previous book this has the same sex appeal but a lot more. I hope we get to see all of them again in some other stories. Great Job

[Britney Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god

If I could of I would of read this entire book in one sitting, but I started it at 11pm and read until my eyes were burning.

This book was addictive. The characters were exactly what I needed. The smut, god DAMN 🔥 you got my from that first bathroom scene before they knew who each other were 🔥🔥

Now about the book:

This is a dark romance so as always, remember to check trigger warnings!!

This is an arranged marriage, between two mafia families. The MMC, Ryder, and the FMC Sloan, hate each other. They don’t want to be married but either doesn’t really have a choice it’s life or death, it’s family obligations. And they try so hard to keep hating each other. But can you really trust family to have your best interests??

This is the fifth book in this world, each one focusing on a different member of The Five, and each one just as good as each other. So make sure to check them out as well!!

[VirgoLoverofAllBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final installment in The Notorious Five!
Who would’ve thought I’d fall into the Dark, Mysterious and Dangerous 🐇 Hole of The Infamous Five!!! The girl who swore Mafia Romance was not her thing, has inhaled every book and loved each more than the last🔥🥵🌶️I’m not ready to say see ya later to The Notorious Five!! Book 5: One Word: Ryder🔥

🔥Dark Romance
🔥Arranged Marriage
🔥Strong FMC
🔥Enemies (like hardcore Hatred) to Lovers
🔥Smutt
🔥HEA
Trigger ⚠️Warnings🚨
Rape/SA
Torture
Drug Use
Blood/Knife Play


Ryder is the youngest of The Five, he’s always trying to prove to his Father that’s he’s more than capable and ready to take over his Family’s organized crime business.
However his father is an egotistical, dangerous, prideful, vengeful man and is always looking ahead for himself, trying to weasel himself into The 5 and make a name for himself, instead of handing over anything to his son.

He’s forced Ryder into an arranged marriage, with the O’Sullivans, The Irish Mafia, giving away their only daughter Sloan, their Irish Princess, in an effort to not only control Ryder, but to wedge himself indefinitely between Ryder & The Five.
BIG MISTAKE POPS!!!! 👊🏽

Sloan aka “Matchstick” 🔥and Ryder are dead set on hating each other from the start. Sloan makes her 1st mistake by accepting to spy on Ryder (during their FIL/DIL dance on their wedding day) and report back to Don Genovese (Ryder’s Dad) while he gives her promises of freedom to end their marriage she quickly agrees, THIS will be her undoing and greatest mistake.

Ryder is onto Sloan being used against him, how, he’s still not sure but he intends to find out! He doesn’t trust Sloan to begin with, so this creates explosive arguments and even more explosive sexual tensions between both of them.
Even better, Ryder recognizes Sloan as the woman that drove him wild (and his been living rent free in his mind) at The Masquerade Ball weeks before their marriage🔥

As they both go behind each other’s back to find useful info against each other, they use they’re intense attraction to each other as a way of communication, and oh Baby, do they set all of NY in a blaze of glory!
Little by little they start to slowly bring down their walls, we get a glimpse of Ryder’s Twisted and chaotic mind and what lurks behind his broody and domineering shadows.

Sloan is now having second thoughts, does she want out this marriage or does she want to be Ryder’s only Twisted Shadow?
Will they both be able to finally trust each other and work together? Or is it too late for both of them?

Who will survive in this dark & dangerous climatic world we’ve come to love, of The Notorious Five? Alliances will be tested, will loyalty prevail or will The Notorious Five succumb to The O’Sullivans and their plans to overthrow the Fathers who started this whole arranged agreement?
Is there a new organized crime family about to emerge from The Shadows?
Trust, you’re gonna inhale this book, strap yourself in for a 🎢ride with Ryder ❤️‍🔥filled with twisted, sharp edge turns and surprises (that will blow your mind away) lurking in every dark and mysterious shadow.

I was screaming as I read along piecing the puzzle together! Make sure to add “Twisted Shadows” to your library you’ll be happy you did!
Btw I NEED a Sawyer book 🔥 (Ryder’s brother)

The EPIC-Logue ends with a cliffhanger;
“The End … For Now” aaaaagh can’t wait to see what looms in the future for The Notorious 5 and their 🔥🥵🌶️world

[Aelicia Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mafia Romance✅
Arranged Marriage✅
Enemies to Lovers✅

Plot 5✨
Spice 5🔥

Throughout the first four books we are teased with what is happening in Ryder's world. The build up to his story was high and Ms. Hope did not disappoint when it was time to tell his story. I have a love/hate relationship with books that make me want to read between my fingers, which this one did. I wanted to know what happened but was to scared to find out.
I had many theories about what was going on but of course none of them was correct, Ms. Hope is a mastermind of weaving a story that keeps you guessing. I loved, LOVED, the relationship between Ryder and Sloan, a perfect example of enemies to lovers. While there were moments where I couldn't stand Sloan, I had to give her praise for how she stood her ground refusing to bow, unless she wanted to 😉. Finally getting to see all sides of Ryder put Max in serious danger of not being my favorite member of the Five.
The one thing that I go feral over in books is found family and this whole series has had that dynamic and I can't get enough of it. I'm wishing on all the birthday candles and shooting stars that this isn't the last time we see these guys.

[ERICA LANGENFELD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been SO CURIOUS about Ryder since book 1, and the author just left us with breadcrumbs and tidbits the entire series. This book was everything we ever wondered about Ryder, and does not disappoint, y’all! Ryder’s young and inexperienced, and his dad’s a jerk who won’t hand over the reins. Sloan is the only girl born into an Irish mafia family, and marrying for a business alliance is her contribution to her family. Both MC’s have chips on their shoulders and a lot of growing up to do, and both of their character arc’s are gradual and very believable the way that they’re written. Sloan goes through some pretty intense trauma, and I felt the author did a good job of leading the reader through that as well as the aftermath for both MC’s. The pacing was great, and I found myself laughing, crying, and wanting to throw my kindle several times throughout reading. Steam level was pretty high, but I appreciated that it wasn’t every chapter like in book 2 (although, that did fit the characters in book 2). Kind of disappointed Noah only got a short story and not a whole book, but looking forward to see if anything is next for The Five Books.

[Acy B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryder and Sloan.
An arranged and unpleasant marriage; that's how their relationship started. Unable to do anything about it they loathe each other with passion. A passion that ignites different kinds of feelings as the book progresses. Their physical attraction turns out to be something more, something neither of them expected.
This book was by far darker than the previous four. I see Ryder also as a broken boy bringing him second close to Hunter(book 4) who comes first in my preferences. He battled with his own demons and shadows and came out stronger and better.
I saw a lot of character growth in this book, a lot of twists (some were predictable from the hints - others not), and a lot of violence. Ryden was so close to killing the poor girl at some point before unending in total touch her and unalive possessive Alpha male.
Even though I'm not into so much darker themes I absolutely enjoyed and liked the book. It was like testing my own limits and I'm happy to see that I can take even more darkness.
So, bring it on !!!
I highly recommend this book but would like to suggest reading the trigger warnings before reading it as some are really tough!

[XenyMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’ll never let anyone touch you ever again. Because you’re mine.”

Ryder and Sloan are the definition of enemies to lovers. The level of angst, the tension, the passion, the hątə... it was absolutely delicious! I have read dəgrądation before, but Ryder... sir!

In all honesty, there was not a lot of romancing, but the way that Ryder and Sloan just called to each other, it was inevitable for them to fall for each other. There was no big fuss, no big declarations, but there was a really epic touch her and dıə moment, that if that doesn't say 'I love you', I don't know what does.

I was really happy to see Ryser finally find his place with The Five, and I loved the way Sloan didn't take any of his shit and completely matched his badąṣṣ vibe. We also saw some loose ends from book 1 get tied up in a way that I wasn't expecting, but in hindsight, all the clues were there.

I loved the little teaser we got of the kids, and once again, I gotta say that I can't wait to read the Notorious Legacies. This was the perfect ending to the series.

Quote: “I will never stop you from choosing your path, but I really fùçƙing hope that the one you choose leads to me.”

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Shadows is book five of the Notorious Five Series and it is the darkest of the series.

Now the spice...let's all think about that alleyway scene 🔥🔥🔥🔥. That's all I gotta say on that one. Hot, hot, hot!

Ryder has a lot of anger issues. He really wants to take over from his father, but his father keeps dangling the cord and not releasing it to Ryder. He does have some very dark moments, but it really goes to show his character development with how he changes over time the way he treats Sloan.

We get to see Sloan as this independent, fierce woman. But what happens to her is quite tragic. I was honestly hoping we would get to end the book without anything bad happening to Sloan, but alas we needed a powerful motivator for Ryder to finally get his father off his high horse.

Based on the story and how involved I was with the characters this one is my ultimate favourite of the series. We definitely ended it with a good one!

[Rose Helg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 5, and the final book, in the " The Notorious Five " series. I sooo sad😭😭😭😭, to see this series, go. I will definitely, Miss them. I Definitely was not Disapointed in this book or series. Please, read the triggers warning, in this book, before reading it. I been waiting, patenly, for this book, because of Ryder. I hope she, desides to write another one later, (even a Christmas, Vacation, or Valentine story). 💓 Ryder and Sloan.
If, you Love to read,mafia, arrange marriage, MC, well written, entertaining, unpredictable, HEA, wonderful unforgetable Characters, characters in the other book are in her too, Ryder wanted me to him him( he made me so Frustrated), this book will keep ypu guessing, he of my favourite five, excellent storyline and book, action pact, unpredictable, force into marrage, spi*y, witty, HEA and so much more.
💓 the ending. Will definitely, Mises these characters, but I will definitely, re visited them, in reread.

[Jannreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy Hell!!! This book starts out with a bang and never slows down. It is steamy, intense and hard to put down from the very first chapter. I have loved every book in this series and this one was no different. This is dark Mafia Book so please make sure you check the trigger warnings before reading.

This book is about the arranged marriage of Ryder and Sloan. Neither one want the marriage but have no choice. To say they start out hating each other is an understatement. Sloan may not have had a choice in this marriage but that does not mean she is weak. She stands up to Ryder and fights for what she wants. Ryder doesn’t trust Sloane but the way she fights back and challenges him makes the pull towards even stronger. Even when they hate each other they can deny the sexual chemistry between them.

Their back stories are both intense and heartbreaking. Half way into the book I was starting to worry Ryder would never see the real Sloane but he definitely did and they could not have had a better chemistry. I loved that this book had the Mafia vibe, a ton of steamy scenes but there also so many things I did not see coming. Loved this book and thought it was the perfect ending to the series.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy for an honest review.

This was my first L. Hope book, so it was my first Notorious Five book. I think I would have liked it a little better if I had read them in order and understood more of the background of the guys. Also, it was well over the 50% mark for Ryder and Sloan to get their shit together. Their chemistry was off the charts, and let's say chapter 1 starts with a bang!! They were so focused on their own individual goals and not even trying to make the best of the arranged marriage. They didn't communicate or trust, which added a level of depth to the book. I'm glad it wasn't so fast, but I wish there had been a little more give sooner. In the end though, they got to where they needed to be. I will definitely be reading the others in this series as I have been intrigued.

[Jenn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, Twisted Mafia Romance

To me, Ryder was always the one off to the side, the one I knew the least about but who was quick to react and very angry. This book gives us the insight we needed to understand him. We have been aware of the arranged marriage he was being forced into from the previous books but nothing, and I mean nothing could have prepared me for his story. My heart continues to break for him and now also for Sloan and what Ryder’s messed up father put her through. Please heed the trigger warnings as this book has a lot more darkness to it that the previous books in this series. I truly hope this is not the end of the Notorius Series as I love these boys and their families and will always want to read more about them!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Notorious Five series and I think I liked this one the most. The sparks between Ryder and Sloan were flying almost immediately. Ryder has not been a fan of the arrangement that his father had made for his marriage. Sloan's not all that interested either, but she is being forced into this union by her father. When Ryder starts to trying to push things according to his agenda, Sloan wasn't afraid to stand up to him and demand what she wanted. These two took things out on each other and while it wasn't always pleasant, they did learn about how stubborn the other was. This was the perfect wrap up to the series with the antics and snark between these two being just perfect.

[2OCC Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes when you know the themes of a book you can only hope that it will hit every mark that you are looking for and let me tell you, this arranged marriage/forced marriage novel hit every mark I wanted it too! These characters despised each other from the start of the book, and I loved seeing their relationship grow and how the characters changed from the start of the book to the finish. They were twists and turns along the way; and even some angst! This is my first book by this author, and I really do plan to go back and read the other books because I’m very intrigued by the other four guys! I also home Sloan’s brothers get books (if they don’t already) because I really liked them! 4 stars #2OCCJD

[Kirstie Close · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW Louise out did herself and what a book to finish the notorious five series.

This book will brake your heart and put it back together again so be warned!

Ryder and Sloan are hands down my favourite couple their chemistry is amazing and the spice is out-this-world, theres so much mystery, suspense and action within the pages Louise had me unable to put this one down.

This is a fantastic interconnect Mafia
series which i couldn't put down and sad that its over. But fingers crossed well meet the notorious five again. Id definitely recommend.

Triggers need to be read before reading there are some heartbreaking scenes

[Heather Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect ending to the "Notorious Five" series. This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. This was the best book out of all of them for me, but i enjoyed every single book in this series. Twisted Shadows had everything from hate to passion, violence to spice.

PLOT. 5🌟 SPICE 5🌶

Ryder is the angry misunderstood youngster of the group that has to fight to earn his place and respect. Then you have Sloan. The fiery red-headed Irish mafia princess. She is just as stubborn and pig headed as Ryder, but she was forced into this marriage as a business transaction by her father.

Loved this series and this book and the rnding had me on edge.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this series! Every character is so well thought out! I love how they follow the same time line so you get into everyone's head and what was going on at the time! Ryder had such transformation in this book.
Ryder has been dreading this marriage since book 1 and finally seeing his POV is amazing! We see Sloan is not the perfect Irish princess and does have a pretty solid backbone (Which I appreciate).
Enemies to Lovers, Arranged marriage, Mafia romance.
A PERFECT way to end this series. I will miss them.

[Marie Bonk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hated Ryder at first but now I think he’s my favorite

Ryder and sloans marriage is anything but happy. Forced together by their scheming fathers they can’t stand each other and are either fighting or ignoring one another.

I think out of all the books I really felt the most sadness and angst rolling off the pages. From the life Ryder was raised in and the torment he suffered at the hands of his father to Sloan and everything that happened to her towards the end. Remarkably they end up happier than anyone could have seen coming

[Library.of.linds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Shadows

Omg Sophie has done it again!! This one might be my favorite so far and I loooooved the silence lies!!! This is the 5th and last book in the Notorious Five series and I’m still in denial that this series is over 😭😭😭

Ryder is trying to prove that he can take over for his father as the leader. That is until he meets Sloan. At first he tries to hate her but eventually grows to need her. The character development in this story is absolutely phenomenal!!!

Ok Ms. Dyer, I need another series like ASAP!!! Pretty please???

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(x1000)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
TW: 🖤🖤🖤

[Mariaelena Kibbe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very angry with the ending!!! 😠😠😠

I was going to give this a 4 star rating, but after I read the ending it went straight to a 1 rating. If I could give it a 0 star rating I definitely would. After everything that Ryder made Sloan go through and after the way he treated her, he didn't even bother to tell her he loves her. While she poured her heart out to him. What kind of garbage is this?!?!?! I'm so angry with this freaking ending!!! 😠😠😠 I'm so done with reading more of this author's garbage!!! 😠😠😠

[Amanda Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Enemies to Lovers
**Mafia Romance
**Arranged Marriage
**Dark Romance

Ryder and Sloan set off the fireworks from the start of their relationship. This book captured the essence of a dark, enemies to lovers, mafia romances. But along their journey came a love that withstood every obstacle that tried to destroy them. This book is part of The Notorious Five series and it’s definitely a mafia romance that needs to be read!!

[Gina Burkart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was forced into a marriage that never meet and hated the issues from the start. This is a story that is WOWED me as this is a first for this author to read and once I started I wasn’t able to put down. This is a love hate read that has TW and the steamy spicy action is on fire. I loved this book!

[Kenadhe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading this book, I could not put it down. L Hope brings the characters to life on the pages so well. This is my first series by this author, and it did not disappoint. I definitely recommend this book.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book of the Notorious Five series. This is an arranged marriage story about an FMC and a MMC. Please check Trigger Warnings before reading. This book was AMAZING and kept me craving for more. I can't wait to see what else L. Hope has for us readers in the future.

[Kirsten Reda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing! 💯 I had a hard time putting it down! 😍

This book had it all; enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, mafia romance. This is my personal favorite combination! L.Hope did an amazing job on this! 👏 I can't wait to see what comes out next!

[Kayla Schlichting · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Reader— I loved reading this…it felt like everything came together for the universe that Hope made with the Notorious Five. Would definitely recommend this book!