Reckoning: A Twisted Love Standalone Novel

Twisted Love Duet #3

by Ellie Sanders

★★★★★ " Utterly devastating and beautiful at the same time." - Reader Review for the Twisted Love Duet
___________

They broke me. Abused me. Treated me like trash and left me to die…

A dark, sexy, revenge romance.

I survived everything they put me through and when my brother came back from the dead, I thought it was over.
I thought I could move on. Except they’re still here, in Verona, they’re still living free and with every day that passes I feel that insult more and more.

"Gripping and phenomenally written. The FMC goes from an angry broken thing to one of fury and fire. It’s a revenge plot like no other!”


And my abusers aren’t just going to trust I’ll keep my mouth shut. They start stalking me, start trying to turn my own family against me and then it’s game on.

They think I’m still some broken little thing. They think I’ll just roll over and die.

Except I’ve got claws now. Long f*cking claws.

I will have my revenge. I will have my vengeance.

Even if I have to make a pact with the devil to achieve it. Even if I have to sell myself to Koen Diaz himself.

Dual POV duet. Angst af.

This is a dark, dark story so please check the triggers. This book is not for the faint hearted. Perfect for fans of H.D Carlton, Shantel Tessier. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Spicy, Mafia Romance, Smut

460 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 17, 2023

About the author

International bestselling author of Pitch Black Romance.


Ellie Sanders lives in rural Hampshire, in the U.K. with her partner and two troublesome dogs.

She has a BA Hons degree in English and American Literature with Creative Writing and enjoys spending her time, when not endlessly writing, exploring the countryside around her home.



Hit her up on her the following accounts.....

FB Group: The Hot Steamy Writer
Instagram: @hotsteamywriter
TikTok: @hotsteamywriter
Twitter: @hotsteamywriter

Reviews

[L · Rating 1 out of 5]

Starting off by saying people really be lying with reviews lmao but this is my honest truth. I don’t want nobody to feel how I feel after reading this and being disappointed.

Okay so I read the twisted love duet. I honestly thought it was sad as fuck. That it can’t get worse and it just kept getting fuckin worse. I was so heartbroken for everyone. It’s one of those everyone deserves better so you’ll finish just to get a hea. Now with saying that the way it ended I was so here for Sofia and koen. My girl went through fuckin HELL. So their book was supposed to be better than all of this.

Spoilers ahead.

Now okay bro koen had the potential to be a top book boyfriend. And Sofia a bad ass fmc. The book started off amazing I couldnt put it down. Then it dragged.

Koen went from a possessive, and obsessed stalker which was hot. To just cringy. Yea all the lube talk?! I rolled my eyes 1000x dead ass. That shit was so stupid. And then yea let me coerce her to be with me and have sex with her rough and hurt her to where some scenes she wasn’t even enjoying it just kept talking about it hurt but she was doing it for him blah blah blah. Like at some point it wasn’t even hot it was annoying.

I pushed through. Because at this point I just read so much of it I’m tired of dnf books. Oh was I so wrong.

Koen was blah and just dumb at the end. Sofia was whatever. Shit got so repetitive after 70% and shit was like okay get to the point.

The plot had so much potential. The diamond, blue eyes Martin Valentina all of that was great. But it was so wordy I was pissed I read it and didn’t skim it.

The unnecessary rape at the end? Really? Again. Just stupid. I wish they attempted and she murdered everyone without getting raped again. Like she just had to get abused again. Be fuckin fr.

Also Roman annoyed tf out of me. Yes let’s get revenge for you and rose but fuck your sister and her abusers. Go to hell.

Now let’s fix this book. So boom koen is obsessed and possessive and in love and is passionate and lights her body on fire with real healthy love. Let it be dark but actually help the girl get through her trauma better. Second Roman and koen burn the world down for Sofia. Jk I get it’s like they have to be careful because Hastings but come on. Yall already murdering people add some razzle dazzle. Don’t let Roman be a selfish bitch like how yall did him in this book. Like damn.

Like Roman went through hell for rose then it was fuck his sister and her abusers. Sofia literally went through the most fucked up shit. Like dead ass some of the worst shit I read that a fmc has gone through. And yall gone make koen half ass and her brother just left her for dead basically because fr? No. Koen was supposed to be epic. And Roman was supposed to be a real protector. Like why did yall ruin their characters from the last two books for.


Justice for koen and Sofia. This was dumb as fuck it ended fuckin dumb it was like okay we dragged it. It’s been wordy. Just end it quick they join this secret society. Just blah.

Honestly I wish I didn’t read this bullshit. Idk if yall rushed with this book. Or who the fuck said yes all this repetitive shit is good. Yes let’s ruin koen and Sofia. They had so much potential yall robbed them. Everyone can go to hell in my head im doing the book different so I won’t feel bad about wasting my damn week reading this bullshit.

If you read this, I’m sorry. Because your brain will hurt after. Now I need to go read a funny book or something extremely good because this is fucked up. I’m not ending my year with this trash ass book.

[Bree Hawkless · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark, dark story so please check the triggers. This book is not for the faint hearted. Perfect for fans of H.D Carlton, Shantel Tessier. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

This book is Sofia's story and if you read the twisted love Duet "Downfall" and "Uprising" you will know some of Sofia's story.

But what happens when they break her... Abused her and left her to die????

Revenge! Revenge that's what happens.

From broken to Queen, we see Sofia rise from the ashes and take her place beside Koen the MMC, who will do whatever it takes to see "his" Sofia rise and take what she needs from the men who stole so much from her.

A must read!

[Francesca Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a dark book and this was the darkest book I’ve read. Really well written and when the pieces finally fell into place I was left shocked. So good

[✨Wendy✨| downtherabbitholes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reckoning by Ellie Sanders

📖 - 4
🎙️ - 5
🌶️ - 4

Format: Audiobook
Narrators: Ash Kingsley, Amanda Willow, Bryant Walker, Jameson Adams and Justin Cabanting
Genre: Dark Revenge Romance

CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS

Reckoning is book three in the Twisted Love series. In this installment, we get Sophia’s tragic story. You really should read the duet before delving into this book; to get a better understanding of the characters and storyline. Reckoning took a much darker turn IMO, but it was still a great listen. Secrets are uncovered and we finally get the answers we were searching for, along with her much-needed revenge. I strongly suggest reading the trigger warnings.

I loved that Koen was possessive over her wellbeing and took it upon himself to protect her, even from herself. He was OTT but everything Sophia needed to get out of her head.

This book was dark, tragic, and spicy. I felt so much heartbreak and sadness for Sophia that at times, I felt it hard to continue listening. The fact that I loved her courage and strength had me wanting to push through and see her get her revenge and HEA.

I listened to the audiobook, and it was performed brilliantly with a full-cast lineup. Having a multicast of voice actors really gave the characters a pulse, making everything feel more real and dramatic.

Do I recommend? Yes

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! Readers finally get Sofia’s full story. This book is a lot. Sofia Montague is trying to get away from the nightmare that was her husband, Otto Blumenfeld. Sofia just wanted her life back. Those men were still out there. Somebody wanted to make sure Sofia stayed in the media. Her bad habits were continuously making the news. The only problem is that Sofia had stopped all bad habits. She was being attacked and because of her past, nobody believed her.

Koen and his men are who Roman and Ben turned to when they needed help. Koen was the king of the underbelly in Verona. He wanted Sofia. Something about her got under his skin. She was his and he would avenge her. Everyone who touched her would have to go through him. He believed Sofia. They were similar in many ways. They both craved pain with their pleasure. He knew he had to have her with him and made her think it was up to her if she stayed with him. Manipulation was real. Koen knew which buttons to push to get Sofia to bend to his will every time.

Readers will be amazed that this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is an even bigger, more powerful group out there and they need the one thing that Horace Montague refused to give them. They would not stop at anything to get what they wanted. Sofia had to know where it was. Terrorizing Sofia could bring an end to their search. Can Koen keep his promise and get Sofia on the road to feeling better? Will Sofia ever forgive herself. I really felt for Sofia. She went through so much and blamed herself for most of it. She had a horrible childhood and felt like she deserved everything that happened to her.

[Amber-Rae Pittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably the craziest and darkest book I’ve ever read…. And I completely ate it up. I probably need a ton of therapy but we’re gonna ignore that….


The errors in the writing kinda got to me in this book the most. but if you can overlook that, the story is wild!

[Ally Hall · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF- Read two chapters, couldn’t get into it and was confused how Otto’s last name changed suddenly for some odd reason? Idk.. maybe if I get bored some day I’ll try it again I guess.

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5*

better than the first two somehow

[Roisin Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reckoning Review 
Ellie Sanders 

Rating 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 4🌶🌶🌶🌶

I went into this book blind, knowing nothing from book 1 or 2, and what a book it was. This is a dark twisted love story set in the world of the Montague and Caplets and focuses on Sophia and Koen. This is not a story for the faint of heart. It is gritty, raw, and full of triggers.

Sofia has been through complete and utter h*^* and most of it beginning with her sorry father. That man is a piece of work! The atrocities Sophia suffered, including SA, at the hands of her husband and his friends were devastating.

Her saving grace is Koen. He's the one that protects her, slays her demons, calms and heals her. Watching Sofia rise from the ashes, going from "victim" to an absolutely fierce woman was an incredible journey. Seeing the support, protectiveness and possessiveness in Koen, knowing he was the only one that could "fix" her was beautiful.

I loved watching the relationship between Sofia and Koen develop throughout this book, and learn the ins and outs of the world.

This author has built a world where characters range from morally grey to black. The writing is descriptive, disturbing, and phenomenal. There are twists and turns during the hunt for Sophie’s tormentors which keep you guessing. When you reach the last page, you will find yourself staring blankly at nothing, thinking about what you just read. This is definitely a book that will be reread again and again. I'm definitely going to have to go back and read the others now.

Make sure you pay attention to the trigger warnings, as they should be taken seriously with this one. But if you can happily read books with those warnings then you will not regret it!

[Amy Sykes · Rating 2 out of 5]

So conflicted!!!

Ok, so story wise it's pretty good. Characters are written well and they Koen and Sofia are a brilliant couple. The trauma was dark and a bit sick but I was prepared for that. The sex scenes are spicy and hot and hit on quite a few different kinks that I appreciate aren't normally discussed too much in books IYKYK - Now... I have to say the negatives. I don't know who proof read this, or if it ever even was... It's absolutely full of spelling, punctuation and plot errors. For instance, in the first chapter it states that a characters name is Otto Montague, it isnt... His last name is Blumenfeld all the way through the rest of the book and Montague is the FMC's family name. Just really stupid and it's a LOT of errors. Made it hard to read as I felt I was reporting the errors more than taking in the story. Eurgh, it made me sad. I could have really loved this but it just missed the mark. 😕

[Samantha Herrera · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely smuty and check those trigger warnings. Good book but found some of the plot lacking. Not a bad way to waist a day but also one that I think will be forgotten 10 books from now

[Emily McCuaig · Rating 1 out of 5]

i HATED this book dude. like oh my god, it had so much potential. i only picked it up because it was supposed to be this dark romance and possessive hot mmc and it's been awhile
but no
they have a whiney ass fmc, a mmc who ends up just honestly being fucking creepy with it. like my brother in christ the last thing i've ever wanted to read was a man pretty much raping the girl he says he loves, while in his pov he's like "yeah she loves it so much" and in her's all she can talk about is how badly it hurts and how she's only doing it for him wtf

remember kids: BDSM without a safe word isn't love, it's abuse <3

[Sabrina Ruan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1 sitting could not put it down. This is more like 3 half star read just the spice was too much degradation for me but the story was good.

It's Sophia story a year after the event in uprising, n she's a broken woman, through flashbacks we get a glimpse of her childhood n want she endured with Otto and it does not hold back!!!

Sofia is usually an FMC I can't stand. Weak cries ALOT n docile but you fully get she has been traumatised, she is going through severe PTSD, and the only way she heals is with Keon. By the end the fire she displays and who she becomes is glorious.

This book takes us on her healing journey, n it's not she gets with Keon n she's fixed, most of the book she doesn't recover, which is heartbreaking but also believable

Keon is a character that has me conflicted outside the bedroom I adore him, he's strong, possessive, a true touch n you die chracter everything that Roman should of been toward Rose, he puts Roman to shame, Keon killed his own men for talking about Sofia or making it unsafe for her, he did not hesitate. Which I love .......but the spice in the book made me uncomfortable Keon called himself the pleasure Dom n their idea of pleasure is not for me. It's degrading, filthy n painful, like he cuts her from rough sex n after session makes her bleed, he pleasures her while she asleep and has sex with her after she passes out from exhaustion, it just was a lot to take on board.

Roman in this book is a piece of shit, he's blissfully happy with Rose as a family delivered his revenge justice for him n rose and essentially left his sister to suffer in silence. Unforgivable !!!!! N like I said compared to Keon he is just a guy with lots of money, he doesn't lead or make power moves he abides by the law n gets beat up (deserved) he's bloody useless.

At points the spice parts were unbearable to read especially from Sofia POV, to be clear she consented n she has a pain/rape kink, but she describes the pain she feels when they have sex, and the descriptions of her crying in pain is an absolute turn off, especially when he takes her bum hole that chapter was hard, it was relentless and sounded excruciating and he still inflicted more pain after, him feeling all the cuts in her and finding blood oh his finger just gross 🤮

The jewel storyline felt a bit pointless tbh, like her recovery story was enough.

This book is very good, but it is dark n twisted, tad too long like I said unnecessary story about a jewel, and rape/pain kink is not appealing at all. Other then those points it would of been a solid 4 star ⭐️ read.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reckoning is an enthralling journey into the dark underworld of Verona, where Sophia Montague's tumultuous life takes centre stage. The narrative unravels Sophia's escape from the clutches of her abusive husband, Otto Blumenfeld, and her constant battle against unseen forces determined to tarnish her reputation. Despite abandoning her past vices, Sophia finds herself relentlessly pursued by media scrutiny and a mysterious, more powerful group, eager to uncover secrets she may hold. Enter Koen, a formidable figure in Verona's underworld, whose fierce loyalty and uncanny understanding of Sophia's inner turmoil drive him to protect and possess her. Their complex relationship, built on manipulation and shared desires, adds layers to the story. As Sophia wrestles with her past and the guilt that haunts her, the tension escalates towards a gripping climax. Readers will be captivated by the intricate plot and emotional depth, as Sophia's journey explores themes of redemption, resilience, and the enduring quest for self-forgiveness.

The audiobook truly transforms into an immersive experience thanks to the outstanding performances by the entire cast. Ash Kingsley’s portrayal of Sophia is nothing short of masterful, bringing her character’s complexities to life with raw emotion. The blend of vulnerability, strength, and quiet hope in Sophia is articulated with such authenticity that it resonates deeply with the audience. Meanwhile, Justin Cabanting’s depiction of Koen strikes an impressive balance between intimidating intensity and quiet tenderness, creating a character that is both formidable and relatable. The chemistry between Sophia and Koen is palpable, making their interactions memorable and engaging. The stellar contributions from Amanda, Bryant, and Jameson further elevate the narrative, turning the audiobook into an experiential journey that captivates listeners from start to finish.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please read this book with caution, as it delves into darker subjects. Take a moment to consider your triggers before starting. Ellie does a masterful job of capturing the essence of these themes without holding back. As a fan of her work, she skillfully blends emotional and physical elements, creating a captivating experience for readers. This story picks up right where "Uprising" left off, drawing us into the profound journey of the female protagonist as she searches for self-discovery. We also get a deeper look at the backstories of characters introduced in the duet, which helps us better understand the narrative. I highly recommend reading or listening to the "Twisted Love Duet" first, as this story focuses on Sofia Montague—a tale that needs to be told. I was eager to see her struggles, reflections, moments of redemption, and quests for revenge—what an exhilarating experience! Having learned about Sofia's background as Roman's sister in the "Twisted Love Duet," we knew about her pain. Now, we see her fierce resilience and determination—an incredible transformation! Ellie's storytelling is unflinching as Sofia evolves from mere survival to reclaiming her power, step by courageous step. And then there's Koen—his character is dark, intense, and unpredictable. Yet, he becomes the catalyst for Sofia’s healing compellingly. Sometimes, I questioned his choices, but ultimately, his commitment to her growth struck a deep chord with me. The chemistry between them is fiery and tumultuous, making for an exhilarating ride that kept me on edge.
This full-cast narration was truly extraordinary! Ash Kingsley's portrayal of Sofia was brilliant, beautifully capturing the character's complexities with genuine emotion. Meanwhile, Justin Cabanting breathed life into Koen with a depth that resonated throughout the narrative. The talented supporting cast—Amanda Willow, Bryant Walker, and Jameson Adams—added significant richness to their roles, enhancing the overall experience with remarkable nuance. Their multicast performance was captivating and an absolute delight that surpassed all my expectations.

[Jammie Bebout · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s not a GPS in the world that could follow all the twists and turns of this very dark romance. But if Justin Cabanting, who plays Koen, is the voice of that GPS, I’d gladly follow it wherever it leads me. Reckoning is the third audiobook in Ellie Sanders’ Twisted Love series and follows the journey of Sophia and Koen. This is not a standalone story. Although the two main characters are different, it’s deeply interconnected with the first two books in the series. This story is not for the faint of heart. It’s raw and brutal, but it’s also weirdly hopeful, equal parts retribution and redemption. And the love between Sophia and Koen—while dark, dangerous, and possessive—is also real and all encompassing. Koen would quite literally burn down the world for Sophia, and she would likely light the match and watch it burn. I really enjoyed this story. I loved how we got to see Sophia go from shattered victim to bada$$ heroine standing in her power. And the love and acceptance she receives from Koen plays a big part in her empowerment, giving her the sense of safety she desperately needs. This story and the larger series had everything my dark-romance-loving heart desired!

The duet-style full cast narration and overall production were absolutely exquisite! Ash Kingsley as Sophia and Justin Cabanting as Koen were electric as the main characters of this incredible story. Both of their performances were raw, emotional, passionate, and completely unhinged at times—everything these compelling characters required. And Amanda Willow, Bryant Walker, and Jameson Adams round out the cast perfectly as they reprise their characters from the first two audiobooks in the series. Together, this talented cast of voice actors brought this fascinating and provocative story to life in the best way possible.

[Charlene Alana Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read the twisted love duet before this book I highly recommended you do. It won't spoil reading this book , but it will give you more insight.

This book is dark, twisted, emotional and captivating. It takes you on a emotional journey that's full of pain and suffering. But also a healing journey aswell. It's Sofias story and what a story it was. If you read the previous books we get a little look into her life and the hell she goes through. But we get more in this book. Once I started I couldn't put it down, it had me on the edge of my seat needing to know more. It's an emotional rollercoaster ride with twists and turns you don't see coming at all. It's action packed with so much. The characters, storyline and plot where wonderfully written. We get to witness this broken women become the queen she was ment to be and with Leon by her side, nothing can stop them. They are just so right for each other. Two beautiful souls. If you haven't read any of the books I highly recommended you do. I can't wait to see what the author brings out next.

“But that isn’t love.” I snap back. “That’s possession.” He chuckles, cupping my cheek with his massive palm. “What do you think love like ours looks like? You think it’s roses and chocolates? Us holding hands while we skip merrily down the harbour? No, shit like that is not our kind of love, Sofia. Our souls are too dark, too twisted for such nonsense. Our love is a burning, raging monster, our love is controlling, it’s a furious rampage.”
“Ours?” He lowers his mouth, claiming my lips before I can even finish that unspoken word.
“Ours.” He states. “You love me just as much as I love you. That’s why you enjoy all the filthy depraved things I do to your body.”

[MAYRA ARMENTA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review – Reckoning by Ellie Sanders (5/5 stars)
Book 3 in the Twisted Love series (Standalone – Sofia Montague’s story)

This book broke my heart in all the best ways. Reckoning is a raw, emotional journey following Sofia Montague—an incredibly strong FMC who’s endured more than anyone should, from childhood on. What she’s been through is nothing short of horrific, but her resilience is awe-inspiring. Sofia is the embodiment of survival, and her strength is the kind that sticks with you.

Koen is her perfect match in every sense. He doesn’t just love her—he builds her. He sees her pain, meets her in it, and helps carry the weight of her past while never trying to dim her fire. His love is fierce, unwavering, and exactly what Sofia needed to reclaim her power. Their connection felt fated, and I was rooting for them from the very beginning.

The writing was sharp and emotionally charged, with twists and turns that caught me completely off guard. Just when I thought I knew where things were headed, the story flipped, and I couldn’t stop listening.

The narration brought everything to life beautifully. Ash Kingsley captured Sofia with such raw emotion—her vulnerability, strength, and quiet hope all came through loud and clear. Justin Cabanting gave Koen the perfect balance of intimidating intensity and quiet tenderness. Together, they made the chemistry between these characters palpable. Add in stellar performances from Amanda, Bryant, and Jameson, and the audiobook becomes an experience rather than just a listen.

This story is about survival, healing, and the kind of love that doesn’t just comfort—it transforms. Highly recommend.

[Soph · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★. A very very dark revenge romance book. Ellie did not come to play with this one. All those triggers should not be taken lightly.

Everything Sofia went through, I’m so glad she got her happy ending in a way and found a way to heal. Everything Koen did for her, god I love him. Their love is messed up and possessive, but it fits for them. Koen never allowing her to feel ashamed for her kinks and bringing them out to help her heal. God I felt so bad for Sofia and the ending made me think this wasn’t going to end well. I liked how you had the “good guy” Ben who would sacrifice Sofia to save Roman and then the “bad guy” Koen who would sacrifice himself and the world for Sofia. Ellie exceeded any expectations I had from this.


“But that isn’t love.” I snap back. “That’s possession.”
He chuckles, cupping my cheek with his massive palm. “What do you think love like ours looks like? You think it’s roses and chocolates? Us holding hands while we skip merrily down the harbour? No, shit like that is not our kind of love, Sofia. Our souls are too dark, too twisted for such nonsense. Our love is a burning, raging monster, our love is controlling, it’s a furious rampage.”
“Ours?”
He lowers his mouth, claiming my lips before I can even finish that unspoken word.
“Ours.” He states. “You love me just as much as I love you. That’s why you enjoy all the filthy depraved things I do to your body.”

Again if you are planning to read, please know this is a dark dark dark book.

[Letty Garza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie Sanders has done it again, Reckoning absolutely guts you in the best way possible. If you loved the Twisted Love duet, this one dives deep into Sofia’s story, picking up where the last book left off. We get painful flashbacks that show the extent of everything she endured, and watching her fight to rebuild herself is both heartbreaking and empowering. Her strength is quiet but fierce, and it made me root for her every step of the way.

And then there’s Koen. He is pure morally black, dangerous, unapologetic, and sometimes absolutely unhinged. There were moments where I had to pause and catch my breath with the things he did or said. And yet… somehow, it was exactly what Sofia needed. Their connection is brutal, raw, and magnetic.

Now, this audiobook! It was a full cast duet performance and it elevated the story to another level. Every narrator brought depth and emotion to the characters, making each moment hit even harder. The cast, Ash Kingsley, Amanda Willow, Bryant Walker, Jameson Adams, and Justin Cabanting was incredible.

Honorable mention to Ash Kingsley as Sofia and Justin Cabanting as Koen these two brought the main characters to life in a way that felt visceral. You could hear Sofia’s pain and strength, and Koen’s menace and intensity it was all there, in every word.

This story is dark. It’s emotional. It’s heavy. But it’s also about reclaiming power and surviving when the world tries to break you. A powerful listen that definitely stayed with me.

[Kaely Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review:

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Going into Reckoning, I knew this story was going to be a difficult one. We found out a little bit of what happened to Sofia Montague in Uprising, but I don't think I was fully prepared for how dark this story was.
Koen Diaz is not a good man at all. He's brutal, he's possessive and he absolutely takes what he wants, and he's set his sights on Sofia, and he'd burn the world down for her.

The relationship between Sofia and Koen is toxic to say the least, but it's exactly what Sofia needs to heal from the trauma she faced at the hands of Otto Blumenfeld.

This story made me uncomfortable at times, but that's because what happens in this story is not romantic, it's not happy, it's traumatic, it's difficult but together they learn to heal through their own devices, which are not your typical trauma responses. Sofia doesn't want to be seen as a victim, but she must learn that she's not always going to be in control of the situation.

This story had a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming and the spice was spicy!!

Ash Kingsley and Justin Cabanting are both new to me narrators but they did such a great job with this performance. Ash's performance was perfect for Sofia. She was fierce but timid. She made me feel all of the things as Sofia worked through her trauma.

Justin's accent for Koen was perfection! He really made me believe that he was not the good guy with his performance. And Koen definitely isn't a good guy.

Then having the cameos of Amanda Willow, Jameson Adams and Bryant Walker rounded out a great cast as they played their characters from the previous two books.

Overall this book, performance and story were great, but definitely go into it with caution and check those triggers as this is a dark romance and not for the light hearted.

[Elisabeth Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark twisted love story set in the world of the Montague and Caplets and focuses on Sophia and Koen. This is not a story for the faint of heart. It is gritty, raw, and full of triggers. The atrocities Sophia suffered, including SA, at the hands of her husband and his friends were devastating and the lengths Keon went to avenge her are heart stopping. Let’s just say there is a lot of unliving with graphic descriptions.

If this is not triggering for you as a reader, you will not be able to get enough of this book. This author has built a world where characters range from morally gray to black. The writing is descriptive, disturbing, and phenomenal. There are twists and turns during the hunt for Sophie’s tormentors which keep you guessing. When you reach the last page, you will find yourself staring blankly at nothing, thinking about what you just read. If you are like me, will want a story with the next chapter in Sophie and Koen’s world.

This was an amazing read.

[Dee | myliteraryera · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐒𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲.
❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

Aaand we’re back with Roman’s little sister’s POV.
God how I wanted to read about her. Her struggles, her thought processes, her redemption and revenge.

This FMC went through it all, and still came out alive.

Ellie really doesn’t hold back and it’s very on theme, I’m finding in her writing. I love it. There’s an equal mix of emotional and physical aspects I love that she puts her readers through. This picks up right at the end of Uprising and takes us through the FMC’s journey of reclaiming herself. We learn more about certain characters that popped up during the duet. Real answers; [the TRUTH].

Sophia particularly. Wow. Just wow.

I was gifted an ALC and I cannot fault the VA’s.
The delivery for each wicked, bittersweet scene
The raw feelings I felt.
It was perfect.

Thank you @hotsteamywriter @bluenoseaudio
and the full cast;
@ashkingsleynarrator as Sophia 👌🏽👌🏽
@jcabantingva as Koen ❤️‍🔥
@narratoramandawillow as Rose
Bryant Walker as Roman
@jamesonadamsnarrates as Darius

Now I need to read Ellie’s Brethren series!

[Michelle Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisted indeed. This whole series. I’m not sure how I feel about it. I will tell you that I couldn’t put it down. I read all 3 books in less than a week. Every single thing done to these characters is heart wrenching and pretty sick. I found it all very disturbing and compelling at the same time. I’m had to immediately cleanse with a noble fae prince romantasy story in order to get over it. I was very pleased to see Sofia get her revenge and find her person. Koen is a very, very morally gray MMC, but endearing somehow in his dedication to helping Sofia recover and gain strength. I recommend you pay attention to the numerous trigger warnings, this is not for everyone. As others have said the multiple spelling, grammar, punctuation errors and missing words are a little distracting. This author supposedly has an English degree, so I kind of wonder if she’s doing this for some effect I dont understand. The same errors are repeated over and over.

[Lady _Soulmate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reckoning takes us deep into Sofia’s world—a character we first met as Roman’s sister in the Twisted Love Duet. If you haven’t read or listened to that duet yet, I’d definitely recommend starting there, since it gives a lot of context for Sofia’s story.

Reckoning is all about Sofia’s redemption and healing. While it wasn’t my absolute favorite in the series, I still appreciated the unique way her journey unfolded. The story didn’t grip me quite as much as the previous books, but it was still a good listen. Overall, the audiobook production was excellent, and fans of the series will definitely want to check this one out.

It was my first time hearing Justin Cabanting narrate, and I really enjoyed his performance. Ash Kingsley and the rest of the cast were fantastic as always. The narration overall was strong, though I personally didn’t connect with the main male character’s voice—it just didn’t quite fit the character for me, but the performance itself was still solid.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reckoning is a dark, dark, gritty, emotional story full of triggers, action, deception and so, so good. Sofia has been through complete and utter h*^* and most of it beginning with her sorry father. That man is a piece of work! Her saving grace is Koen. He's the one that protects her, slays her demons, calms and heals her. This story is fantastic! Watching Sofia rise from the ashes, going from "victim" to an absolutely fierce woman was an incredible journey. Seeing the support, protectiveness and possessiveness in Koen, knowing he was the only one that could "fix" her was beautiful. This is definitely a book that will be reread again and again.

"I want this city to stop seeing me as some poor innocent girl and to finally accept that I have changed. I am no longer the victim they all read about a year ago. I am so much more than that."

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

brutal beauty

Sofia’s story is brutal. So upfront, check your trigger warnings. You can feel her emotions come alive through the pages and vivid imagery also take shape. She is a warrior, a survivor, and most definitely not a victim. Koen is patient, maybe a little predatory, however, also incredibly protective. The only thing he wants is for her to see her worth and get stronger than before. I had to take some breaks in between certain chapters of this one, to digest and process. It’s not a beautiful love story, it’s a story with raw trauma and emotions. As amazing as this one was for growth through the trauma, it may be the darkest book I’ve read. The intricacies of healing that deep trauma, associated with the constant triggers associated with buried memories. I knew from the beginning that I didn’t like the shrink…

[Tali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook as an ALC provided by Blue Nose. All the voice actors do an incredible job. I liked that this was multicast unlike the first two books in this series.

Onto the story. After the first two books I was grateful to get Sophia’s story and it is one of redemption. Thank f*ck. Because the first two books were nothing but r*pe and torture. This still had some of that, but at least Sophia was a badass FMC unlike Rose. She played a small part in this book and did redeem herself somewhat. I really didn’t like the series, but liked this one the best. Koen was a good, morally grey character but then did some questionable things and I had a few eye rolls. I completely forgot this was a Romeo and Juliet retelling..because it isn’t. Outside of the name Montague and taking place in Verona there is no other connection. Not any I could make.

5⭐️ voice actors
3⭐️ story

[Dani H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophia’s story was absolutely beautiful and exactly what she deserves after everything she’s been through. Koen’s determination to not only bring her justice but also assist in enacting her revenge and finding peace was everything!

This was a first listen for me of Ash and Justin and they were both amazing and gave performances that matched exactly what I expected of these character after listening to the previous two books.
Amanda , Jameson, and Bryant all return to voice Rose, Roman, and the entire cast of characters we’ve come to know and love from the previous books.

Reckoning by Ellie Sanders is book three in the Twisted Love duet. This is not a standalone and should be read after Downfall and Uprising. Full cast duet narration by Ash Kingsley, Justin Cabanting, Amanda Willow, Bryant Walker, and Jameson Adams. Produced by Blue Nose Audio

[revieweswithracqs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is twisted romance that leans fully into emotional intensity.

I listened using Kindle Unlimited with text-to-speech, and this one carries a darker, more dramatic tone from early on. The relationship dynamic is messy by design. It is built on tension, conflict and emotional pressure rather than softness.

The pacing moves in waves. There are confrontational scenes that drive momentum, followed by heavier emotional reflection. In audio format, the dialogue sections are strongest. The internal conflict requires more focus, so this is not a background-noise listen.

If you are looking for gentle redemption arcs, this will feel heavy. If you enjoy volatile dynamics, complicated loyalty and high emotional stakes, it delivers that lane consistently.

For a KU dark romance, this kept my attention but demanded presence. Intense. Dramatic. Distracted brain focused approved.