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A Twist of Hate by Crystal Hubbard
"Golden boy" quarterback Camden Dougherty's involvement with smart and pretty new senior Siobhan Curran starts a chain of events that leads his self-proclaimed best friend, Michael Littlefield, on a path of jealous fury that results in terror for the whole school, particularly Siobhan, on opening night of the last school play.Failing to acknowledge his own role in his troubles, Michael focuses his rage and vengeance on the one person he blames for the losses of his friend, his starring role in the play, and his school, while demonstrating the insidiousness of prejudice and violence.Without providing easy solutions to difficult issues, A Twist of Hate is a timely and thoughtful illustration of the failure of personal accountability as well as the curative powers of hope and love.
- GenresInterracial Romance
Mass Market Paperback
First published March 25, 2016
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64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 3, 2016
My rating doesn't reflect either the writing or the story being told. This is a very well written, emotional story that is well crafted. My rating reflects more my head-space where I am not as receptive as I thought I'd be to a romance novel where the defining plot conflict is a race-based hate crime.
The main characters are all seniors at a prestigious private prep school in St. Louis. I loved the sense of the place, the individual characters especially Cam & Siobhan. I loved their individual back stories and I especially loved Siobhan's entire life existence. I loved their theatre teacher and the rivalry between the two. I also love how Cam just emotionally geeks out over Siobhan's dad. There were just so many cool things about this story and book that I was enjoying that I couldn't help but think how much more I would have enjoyed this if it had been allowed to be a fun YA rom-com instead of the serious subject matter it chose to tackle.
Like I said above, this is a really good book. But I realized as I was reading it, and albeit a little too late, that I am at my emotional angst threshold and probably could have used a little more escapist fare.
The main characters are all seniors at a prestigious private prep school in St. Louis. I loved the sense of the place, the individual characters especially Cam & Siobhan. I loved their individual back stories and I especially loved Siobhan's entire life existence. I loved their theatre teacher and the rivalry between the two. I also love how Cam just emotionally geeks out over Siobhan's dad. There were just so many cool things about this story and book that I was enjoying that I couldn't help but think how much more I would have enjoyed this if it had been allowed to be a fun YA rom-com instead of the serious subject matter it chose to tackle.
Like I said above, this is a really good book. But I realized as I was reading it, and albeit a little too late, that I am at my emotional angst threshold and probably could have used a little more escapist fare.
May 6, 2018
This was an interesting read I almost DNF this story. The one and the only reason why was because they put this girl so high on a pedestal. I was surprised the author didn't say that her farts and poop were like rainbows and candy, seriously I have never read a story with a perfect character well other than Jesus in the Bible. It was strange how utterly perfect she was. I like my heroines with flaws lol. But other than that this story intrigued me and as huge gigantic fan of I/R young adult to new adult romance types of stories this was right up my alley so yeah I had to continue reading and I'm kinda glad I did
If you read the blurb you get the jest of what its about but basically
Siobhan is perfect girl that excelled in everything
Cadmen was the smart but dumb boy who falls for her
A bad boy whose name i forget thinks he should have the perfect girl and harasses her through the whole book, he reminded me of the guy from A Christmas Story from the way the author discribed him
Perfect girl hates bad boy
Smart but dumb boy gets the perfect girl but as besties with bad boy can't see the wrong his b/f is doing to perfect girl until it's too late
This story had it all the good the bad and the ugly plus things that trigger young readers but I liked that the author didnt hold back of what goes on in school and what ignorance jealousy and hate can do to the young and old. I'm really glad I didnt give up on this story it turned out to be very interesting.
Here is my couple cover art happy reading friends :0
If you read the blurb you get the jest of what its about but basically
Siobhan is perfect girl that excelled in everything
Cadmen was the smart but dumb boy who falls for her
A bad boy whose name i forget thinks he should have the perfect girl and harasses her through the whole book, he reminded me of the guy from A Christmas Story from the way the author discribed him
Perfect girl hates bad boy
Smart but dumb boy gets the perfect girl but as besties with bad boy can't see the wrong his b/f is doing to perfect girl until it's too late
This story had it all the good the bad and the ugly plus things that trigger young readers but I liked that the author didnt hold back of what goes on in school and what ignorance jealousy and hate can do to the young and old. I'm really glad I didnt give up on this story it turned out to be very interesting.
Here is my couple cover art happy reading friends :0
December 20, 2018
The heroine was just too perfect, and couldn't do anything wrong. I didn't care for that too much.
August 16, 2016
It's rare to meet a heroine that is not flawed until this book. This is a YA book about a bi-racial female attending an exclusive prep school. She is liked by everyone with the exception of one person and he only starts to dislike her after she rejects his advances. She is good at everything she does, everything! I don't remember the last time I've read a book where the heroine was placed so high upon a pedestal that she seems other-worldly.
A Longer Review to Follow Soon.
A Longer Review to Follow Soon.
April 19, 2016
Emotional!
Wow, this was a riveting tale of friendship, love and hatred. Ms. Hubbard did a fine job on this! Even if Siobhan was a wee too much on the perfect side of one dimensional for most of the book, thankfully in the end she broke from that.
Wow, this was a riveting tale of friendship, love and hatred. Ms. Hubbard did a fine job on this! Even if Siobhan was a wee too much on the perfect side of one dimensional for most of the book, thankfully in the end she broke from that.
April 25, 2016
I am not even sure what to rate this book honestly. I should say before going into this brief review that you need to be in the right head space for this book... it is not light and airy at all.
That being said....
I knew the exact outcome at 25%... I figured it at by the quotes at the top of the pages. I didn't really pay much attention to the first few but when I did I was like... yeah now I just wait... and sure enough.... shit hit the fan... it was so much hate, envy, jealous etc etc in one person.. wow yeah.
But if I can keep it 100... because I like to do that in my reviews....
Siobhan..... yeah she was um a little to perfect for my taste and the fact that it was like lust central for every guy that came in contact with her... yeah it was annoying to read. Like seriously I know that chicks can be extremely beautiful and just have this thing about them.. but seriously, I think I would have taken it better if Brian would have had more of brotherly feelings.. then I would be like cool.. but it was, well yeah I'll leave it here.
Nothing that happen was her fault, hell none of them were at fault besides sick in the head ass Michael.
Would have liked to read the outcome of everything...
So I will probably let my niece check this one out... great message within the story.
Lata folks
That being said....
I knew the exact outcome at 25%... I figured it at by the quotes at the top of the pages. I didn't really pay much attention to the first few but when I did I was like... yeah now I just wait... and sure enough.... shit hit the fan... it was so much hate, envy, jealous etc etc in one person.. wow yeah.
But if I can keep it 100... because I like to do that in my reviews....
Siobhan..... yeah she was um a little to perfect for my taste and the fact that it was like lust central for every guy that came in contact with her... yeah it was annoying to read. Like seriously I know that chicks can be extremely beautiful and just have this thing about them.. but seriously, I think I would have taken it better if Brian would have had more of brotherly feelings.. then I would be like cool.. but it was, well yeah I'll leave it here.
Nothing that happen was her fault, hell none of them were at fault besides sick in the head ass Michael.
Would have liked to read the outcome of everything...
So I will probably let my niece check this one out... great message within the story.
Lata folks
July 20, 2017
It took me a long time to get through this one for several reasons. Mainly it had to do with the heroine, Siobhan and her utter perfection. She can cook Chinese cuisine better than the Chinese, can play ball better than MJ, Steph Curry, Lebron, and D. Wade, can direct a play better than Shakespeare, was smarter than Einstein, more beautiful than all the contestants in a Miss Universe pageant, could make love better than Cleoptra, and could bridge troubled families back together in less time than a licensed family psychologist. Now, I'd find about half or maybe a third of that plausible if she weren't just 18 years old. I'm not discounting there aren't gifted children who are prodigies mastering more than one skill, but Siobhan was a renaissance woman, loved and admired by all. It was a tad nauseating.
Her relationship with Camden was the quintessence of...well hell I don't know. They were their school's King Arthur and Lady Guinevere. They were Paris and Helen of Troy but really at times I felt I was more so reading about middle aged people rather than teenagers. Everyone envied their love from their peers to grown ups, it seemed they were the mold, the model, the prototype and to do anything to mar their beauty and love would make you an absolute monster in the eyes of public opinion. Again, it was quite nauseating to read about and unbelieveable most of the time.
Camden was enamored of Siobhan and her architect father, but he wasn't exactly perfect. He was a racist apologist because of his childhood friendship with the evil turd that was his best friend Michael Littlefield. He was oblivious or rather didn't comment on some of the things Michael had to say about Siobhan and black people in general, however, Camden living in his sheltered world, realizing he's lived in a bubble of privilege, I wouldn't say I gave Camden a pass but rather had to remind myself, he's not woke.
There were parts of this story I skipped entirely because it's triggering and I'm drained after seeing and hearing so many accounts of black women being brutalized and attacked. I wanted to give up on this story but I kept going, needing to know the resolution of the big, almost predictable climax. I wanted to see how the author would handle the attempted murder that was motivated by hate. I didn't really get a resolution as none was offered, but it did illustrate how people will stand by someone like Michael just because they feel the way he does about black people.
What I did love was how Siobhan questioned why the media and people were trying to understand Michael but if the situation had been reversed, no one would take the time to understand her, and how she wouldn't have made it out alive. Very true. And I liked that she recognized she had become a virtual mule having to carry everyone else's burdens but she couldn't languish in her own emotions since she had to be strong for those around her. Again, that gave a direct window into what's it like being a black woman. That even when we've been broken and bruised and nearly lose our lives how we're not really permitted to grieve or show anger or sadness about it.
I know in the beginning of this review it seemed I hated Siobhan or had a bone to pick with her characterization, but I did sympathize with her. I just wish she had a flaw or two, that's it.
Her relationship with Camden was the quintessence of...well hell I don't know. They were their school's King Arthur and Lady Guinevere. They were Paris and Helen of Troy but really at times I felt I was more so reading about middle aged people rather than teenagers. Everyone envied their love from their peers to grown ups, it seemed they were the mold, the model, the prototype and to do anything to mar their beauty and love would make you an absolute monster in the eyes of public opinion. Again, it was quite nauseating to read about and unbelieveable most of the time.
Camden was enamored of Siobhan and her architect father, but he wasn't exactly perfect. He was a racist apologist because of his childhood friendship with the evil turd that was his best friend Michael Littlefield. He was oblivious or rather didn't comment on some of the things Michael had to say about Siobhan and black people in general, however, Camden living in his sheltered world, realizing he's lived in a bubble of privilege, I wouldn't say I gave Camden a pass but rather had to remind myself, he's not woke.
There were parts of this story I skipped entirely because it's triggering and I'm drained after seeing and hearing so many accounts of black women being brutalized and attacked. I wanted to give up on this story but I kept going, needing to know the resolution of the big, almost predictable climax. I wanted to see how the author would handle the attempted murder that was motivated by hate. I didn't really get a resolution as none was offered, but it did illustrate how people will stand by someone like Michael just because they feel the way he does about black people.
What I did love was how Siobhan questioned why the media and people were trying to understand Michael but if the situation had been reversed, no one would take the time to understand her, and how she wouldn't have made it out alive. Very true. And I liked that she recognized she had become a virtual mule having to carry everyone else's burdens but she couldn't languish in her own emotions since she had to be strong for those around her. Again, that gave a direct window into what's it like being a black woman. That even when we've been broken and bruised and nearly lose our lives how we're not really permitted to grieve or show anger or sadness about it.
I know in the beginning of this review it seemed I hated Siobhan or had a bone to pick with her characterization, but I did sympathize with her. I just wish she had a flaw or two, that's it.
June 24, 2017
DNF at 34%
What this could have been. Oh well.
I tried over a few days to read this but it was just so...blah to me! Why? The heroine is a Mary sue. The hero is portrayed as a gorgeous, but aloof jock who's head over heels in love with her . He recites long soliloquy(s) in his mind about her - Oh, the moon and the stars shine bright in her eyes. - She's so perfect! Not a direct quote but you get my meaning. As for the villain, he's described as a rat-faced redhead from poor white trash. Basically, all caricature, no depth. Is this Sweet Valley High or what? The book solidifies that superficial idea that only pretty, rich people from respectable backgrounds are deserving of love, ugly people are hateful, vapid and trashy. I don't like that type of storytelling. I don't like racism being reduced to those types of simplistic ideas. There is no nuance, no layering of depth within this tale There were other things, but I won't expand on them. I'll just end it here. This book in a single word: boring. I Kindle Unlimited this release, so no harm, no foul.
My rating: 1.9 (The technical merits of the book were sound. But the characters and story fell flat).
What this could have been. Oh well.
I tried over a few days to read this but it was just so...blah to me! Why? The heroine is a Mary sue. The hero is portrayed as a gorgeous, but aloof jock who's head over heels in love with her . He recites long soliloquy(s) in his mind about her - Oh, the moon and the stars shine bright in her eyes. - She's so perfect! Not a direct quote but you get my meaning. As for the villain, he's described as a rat-faced redhead from poor white trash. Basically, all caricature, no depth. Is this Sweet Valley High or what? The book solidifies that superficial idea that only pretty, rich people from respectable backgrounds are deserving of love, ugly people are hateful, vapid and trashy. I don't like that type of storytelling. I don't like racism being reduced to those types of simplistic ideas. There is no nuance, no layering of depth within this tale There were other things, but I won't expand on them. I'll just end it here. This book in a single word: boring. I Kindle Unlimited this release, so no harm, no foul.
My rating: 1.9 (The technical merits of the book were sound. But the characters and story fell flat).
August 27, 2018
I thought this was a pretty good read. No, it wasn't all flowers and candy, it had depth. What's honestly more surprising and shocking is some of the reviews of this book. Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I'm not knocking them. It's just shocking that ppl were more upset at the fact that they felt like Siobhan was too perfect, then what happened to her in the book. Some of the reviews reminded me of when one of the characters had said I wondered what she did to him to make him do all that. Like her being too good at things makes her deserving of such acts. People were so focused on the fact she was too perfect, that the whole point of book was bypassed. It just makes you wonder.
April 11, 2019
A tale of old and new
This book is awesome! It's a tale of old beliefs mixed in with new news. In the past years, we've had reports of attacks happening in schools. This tale of two people falling in love while a spoiled kid watched and hates from the side is nothing new. The characters were well developed although I would like to know what happened with Michael.
This book is awesome! It's a tale of old beliefs mixed in with new news. In the past years, we've had reports of attacks happening in schools. This tale of two people falling in love while a spoiled kid watched and hates from the side is nothing new. The characters were well developed although I would like to know what happened with Michael.
July 26, 2017
Great story, but
Great story, but what the heck happened to Michael? He was a a certified lunatic. We don't get to hear his realization that he didn't get what he wanted. This was a serious story. Racism will always exist. I would have loved an epilogue.
Great story, but what the heck happened to Michael? He was a a certified lunatic. We don't get to hear his realization that he didn't get what he wanted. This was a serious story. Racism will always exist. I would have loved an epilogue.
October 2, 2018
3.5 I felt inclined to round up
Good story. Had emotional parts, sweet parts, funny part, sad parts. Good mix of all.
Michael was insane. Really like Siobhan and Camden was such a cute couple. I was afraid Siobhan would have another psycho on her hands with Brian
Good story. Had emotional parts, sweet parts, funny part, sad parts. Good mix of all.
Michael was insane. Really like Siobhan and Camden was such a cute couple. I was afraid Siobhan would have another psycho on her hands with Brian
June 15, 2017
Whew!
This was fantastic. Easily one of the best books I've had the pleasure of reading this year so far. I only wish I could have found out what happened to that wretched Michael.
This was fantastic. Easily one of the best books I've had the pleasure of reading this year so far. I only wish I could have found out what happened to that wretched Michael.
July 29, 2019
Beautiful
This story was so beautiful. Once I started I couldn’t stop until I finished it. It’s as heart wrenching as it’s heartwarming. Throughly enjoyed!
This story was so beautiful. Once I started I couldn’t stop until I finished it. It’s as heart wrenching as it’s heartwarming. Throughly enjoyed!
April 26, 2016
This is a 4.5 star book. The book was a good read. My only problem is that the author made the heroine Ms. Perfect, I didn't like that. Everyone loved her. Everyone wanted to be her. If she would of threw in some insecurities, her character would have been more believable to me as a reader. One minute we have Brian in love with Courtney next we have him loving Siobhan. Like come on no one is that perfect. Even the main male character Camden had flaws. Another thing that through me off as a reader was the timeline in the book. When I first started reading the book I didn't know if it was a book of this era or set in a different era. Not until she said flat screen television did I guess this era.
She hit on a lot of racial topics in the book. I like how she wrote about them, with such depth and honesty. I have read the authors books in the past and they were great reads.
Happy Reading!
She hit on a lot of racial topics in the book. I like how she wrote about them, with such depth and honesty. I have read the authors books in the past and they were great reads.
Happy Reading!
June 6, 2016
Over everything Love Conquers
I agree with one of the reviewers besides the editing errors I still couldn't give this book less than 5 ***** because I absolutely loved this story, it made me smile, laugh, cry, get angry, and other feelings that I can't compute into words. I loved Siobhan so much everything about you and Camden well he is a great guy he was lost towards the end and I got mad at him but he turned it around. Poor Brian I hope he gets his own story and Michael please tell me we will have another book with Camden and Siobhan they deserve. I need more of these two so badly.
I agree with one of the reviewers besides the editing errors I still couldn't give this book less than 5 ***** because I absolutely loved this story, it made me smile, laugh, cry, get angry, and other feelings that I can't compute into words. I loved Siobhan so much everything about you and Camden well he is a great guy he was lost towards the end and I got mad at him but he turned it around. Poor Brian I hope he gets his own story and Michael please tell me we will have another book with Camden and Siobhan they deserve. I need more of these two so badly.
April 2, 2016
Just Really Good
I have been held captive by a story with so much feeling.This might have been a young adult romance,but it deals with adult themes that plague our youth today.The writer manages to handle all the ugly with so much class.This was so pulse pounding with so moments that leave you sigh,a ahhh or just a plain old what the check! I love that we get glimpses of how the same ideas still effect people today.This was so good from beginning to end that I wished we would've gotten a epilogue.
I have been held captive by a story with so much feeling.This might have been a young adult romance,but it deals with adult themes that plague our youth today.The writer manages to handle all the ugly with so much class.This was so pulse pounding with so moments that leave you sigh,a ahhh or just a plain old what the check! I love that we get glimpses of how the same ideas still effect people today.This was so good from beginning to end that I wished we would've gotten a epilogue.
July 24, 2016
Too much hate
This story centered around an elite high school and the students who attended the school. The school's final stage play - The Glass Menagerie served as the backdrop. A biracial very attractive transplant from London caught the eye of the would be racists who wanted her. Then matters became much worst when his neighbor and best friend got his girl. The twist of hate was set into motion and the story became dire and sad. The message was delivered over and over yet I'm not sure I felt any better in the end.
This story centered around an elite high school and the students who attended the school. The school's final stage play - The Glass Menagerie served as the backdrop. A biracial very attractive transplant from London caught the eye of the would be racists who wanted her. Then matters became much worst when his neighbor and best friend got his girl. The twist of hate was set into motion and the story became dire and sad. The message was delivered over and over yet I'm not sure I felt any better in the end.
May 14, 2016
Twist of Crazy
Wow!!! I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was well written. Siobhan is attending her senior year at Prescott Prep School where her and Camden are directing the final school play. Camden friend Michael is a little off in the head and when I say little I mean the mofo has some serious issues. The situations that take place in the book is very harsh but I've read worse!! This story hits a lot of issues that currently goes on today. Worth the read!!
Wow!!! I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was well written. Siobhan is attending her senior year at Prescott Prep School where her and Camden are directing the final school play. Camden friend Michael is a little off in the head and when I say little I mean the mofo has some serious issues. The situations that take place in the book is very harsh but I've read worse!! This story hits a lot of issues that currently goes on today. Worth the read!!
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May 19, 2016Amazing
This book was amazing. The way she manage to put words together and how she created an ethereal real quality to her characters was perfect. I loved reading the dialogue that was so real and genuine. I loved it so much that I gave it four stars instead of five because the story felt like it ended abruptly. I would have love a better happy ending but I guess she stuck with the real life flow of things! Lol.
This book was amazing. The way she manage to put words together and how she created an ethereal real quality to her characters was perfect. I loved reading the dialogue that was so real and genuine. I loved it so much that I gave it four stars instead of five because the story felt like it ended abruptly. I would have love a better happy ending but I guess she stuck with the real life flow of things! Lol.
May 7, 2016
Great Book
A couple of errors as far as editing but I still had to give this book 5 stars because it is that good. I was on the verge of tears in 2 particular moments of the book. It brought out different perspectives and thoughts that at times you glide over as a person because you don't want to deal with it or take responsibility. It's such a good book.
A couple of errors as far as editing but I still had to give this book 5 stars because it is that good. I was on the verge of tears in 2 particular moments of the book. It brought out different perspectives and thoughts that at times you glide over as a person because you don't want to deal with it or take responsibility. It's such a good book.
June 19, 2016
Heavyweight in your face.
The book is not for the lighthearted. It deals with racist views that no high school student should deal with but they are. Love does overcome hate. The book was very dramatic and sometimes too over the top, but a good read. I would have loved to have seen the kids in college or at least the love last over time.
The book is not for the lighthearted. It deals with racist views that no high school student should deal with but they are. Love does overcome hate. The book was very dramatic and sometimes too over the top, but a good read. I would have loved to have seen the kids in college or at least the love last over time.
July 2, 2016
This book blew me away! It is fantastic! It starts a little slow but the intensity it builds with and ends with is mind blowing. Handling issues of racism, rape, school shootings and the aftermath of gun violence-this book is timely and relevant. Reminding us how much damage hate can do and how much love and compassion can overcome. I love this book and highly recommend this as a must read!
January 13, 2017
Until recently, in my naivety, I'd have said that it was far-fetched to have such a dreadful high school tragedy incited by racial hatred. Sadly, it seems all too plausible now. The subject matter lifts this story beyond being a simple teenage thriller/romance to something that has an important message for contemporary America.
July 25, 2016
Well crafted story. I liked it. The only thing that didn't work for me was the ages of the hero and heroine. Story would have worked better for me if they were at least in their early to mid 20s.
Happy to see Ms. Hubbard are crafting stories of the IR genre once again.
Happy to see Ms. Hubbard are crafting stories of the IR genre once again.
July 30, 2016
Very nice
Although I am not a fan of teenage love stories I enjoyed this book immensely but it would have benefited from editing. It was not a typical love story and I would recommend it to anyone.
Although I am not a fan of teenage love stories I enjoyed this book immensely but it would have benefited from editing. It was not a typical love story and I would recommend it to anyone.
April 2, 2016
Incredible
This was one of the best novels I've read in a long time. The author took you on a journey that was astounding. I strongly recommend this book.
This was one of the best novels I've read in a long time. The author took you on a journey that was astounding. I strongly recommend this book.
April 30, 2016
Crystals best yet
This writer is brilliant and she b t ought it force as l. Fifth Nunn Chubb bcc ::) hajj l
This writer is brilliant and she b t ought it force as l. Fifth Nunn Chubb bcc ::) hajj l
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