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Sugar & Vice #2
Twisted Shadows
In a thrilling alternate-universe Seattle, empaths are disappearing—and it’s up to grumpy Reece and his mysterious protector, Grayson, to investigate.
Empath hunter Evan Grayson is the Dead Man, transformed by a dark past into a perfect weapon against corrupted empaths. Nothing can distract him from stopping these superhuman killers—until he’s mired in a new battle, fighting a forbidden attraction to an empath on the verge of corruption.
For pacifist Reece Davies, every day is a struggle to keep his darker side in check. It’s only his complicated relationship with Evan that keeps him grounded—a relationship that, despite his growing feelings, must stay at arm’s length. But when an empath’s murder on the East Coast points to a treacherous plot back west, with Reece as the next potential target, Evan races across the country to be by his side.
Together, they search for missing empaths, their proximity heightening the chemistry they must resist. But corruption isn’t the only danger they face as sinister forces close in from the shadows, sights set on empath and empath hunter alike…
Empath hunter Evan Grayson is the Dead Man, transformed by a dark past into a perfect weapon against corrupted empaths. Nothing can distract him from stopping these superhuman killers—until he’s mired in a new battle, fighting a forbidden attraction to an empath on the verge of corruption.
For pacifist Reece Davies, every day is a struggle to keep his darker side in check. It’s only his complicated relationship with Evan that keeps him grounded—a relationship that, despite his growing feelings, must stay at arm’s length. But when an empath’s murder on the East Coast points to a treacherous plot back west, with Reece as the next potential target, Evan races across the country to be by his side.
Together, they search for missing empaths, their proximity heightening the chemistry they must resist. But corruption isn’t the only danger they face as sinister forces close in from the shadows, sights set on empath and empath hunter alike…
384 pages, Paperback
Published December 10, 2024
About the author
Allie Therin
12 books967 followersAllie Therin is a bicultural author of award-winning romance and urban fantasy. She also is, or has been, a bookseller, an attorney, a Parks & Rec assistant, a boom operator, and a barista for one (embarrassing) day.
A longtime fan of romance, mystery and speculative fiction, she now strives to bring that same delight to her readers. Allie grew up in a tiny Pacific Northwest town with more bears than people, although the bears sadly would not practice Spanish with her.
A longtime fan of romance, mystery and speculative fiction, she now strives to bring that same delight to her readers. Allie grew up in a tiny Pacific Northwest town with more bears than people, although the bears sadly would not practice Spanish with her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews
January 1, 2026
Second reading 01/2026
reread via audiobook. I'm starting the new year with the best book from last year, because it's hard to get this story out of my head.
First reading 11/2025
That was so aaaaaaaawesome! Oh, I'm in heaven, and so exciting and aaaaaw, just really amazing. Damn, now I absolutely have to buy the audiobook... whether I listen to it right away … hmmm, oh my, I already miss Reece and Evan even though it's only been an hour since I finished the book.
It was like in the first book, where I was confused at first and had trouble remembering all the factions and their angles, but then I just focused on Reece and Evan, and luckily you don't have to remember all the little details of the plot.
Those two, oh, the flirting was out of this world, it was so good. And I was so excited for them to get closer. Oh, it's so great when it happens.
The plot may not have been perfect here and there, as you didn't have to be a genius to know what was about to happen, but I don't care. The story itself is so fascinating and the two main characters are portrayed in such wonderful detail. Oh, perfection for me.
I don't want to write anything more, I have to savour it now and will probably dream about it again tonight, just like every other night.
Besides, there's no dramatic cliffhanger or anything, but the ending, oh my, it fires my imagination and I'll now spend days imagining how the story might continue.
Grayson: What dating site do you imagine the Dead Man would use?
Reece: Corpse Match? Single Brain-Eaters? Plenty of Zombies in the Graveyard?
Grayson: I should not have given you that opening. Rookie mistake. 🤭🤭🤭
Reece: You think you’re funny, don’t you?
Grayson: The bossier the better.
Reece: Yeah, well, I hope you don’t fuck as bad as you drive.
Grayson: Keep talking dirty to me, sugar. 🤭🤭🤭
“I’ll give you back your hoodie.” Lie. Oh, come on. He wasn’t actually keeping the hoodie. Was he?
“I kinda thought it fit you better.”
That made Reece smile again even while he scoffed. “You remember how big I am, right? Or not-big, in this case?”
“Fit isn’t just about size,” said Grayson.
“Pretty sure there’s a sex joke in there. A hate-sex joke, even.”
“What, like how no part of me would ever fit in any part of you?”
That startled a laugh out of Reece.
And sent a shiver up his spine. 😳😳😳
“I’m a guest and you’re letting me stay in your place. I appreciate you being a sweet Share Bear. I’m not gonna make any cracks about Unwashed Hair Bear.”
Reece narrowed his eyes.
“Right back to Glare Bear, huh,” Grayson said.
“Take your shower, asshole.”
“And now it’s Swear Bear.” 🤣😂🤣
“How about you just focus on letting me make you feel good?” he whispered. “Better yet, let me make you feel the best you’ve ever felt in your damn life. Let me burn this truck up finding every little touch that makes your body pant and sweat.” “I wish I could kiss you.” 🔥🤤🔥
reread via audiobook. I'm starting the new year with the best book from last year, because it's hard to get this story out of my head.
First reading 11/2025
That was so aaaaaaaawesome! Oh, I'm in heaven, and so exciting and aaaaaw, just really amazing. Damn, now I absolutely have to buy the audiobook... whether I listen to it right away … hmmm, oh my, I already miss Reece and Evan even though it's only been an hour since I finished the book.
It was like in the first book, where I was confused at first and had trouble remembering all the factions and their angles, but then I just focused on Reece and Evan, and luckily you don't have to remember all the little details of the plot.
Those two, oh, the flirting was out of this world, it was so good. And I was so excited for them to get closer. Oh, it's so great when it happens.
The plot may not have been perfect here and there, as you didn't have to be a genius to know what was about to happen, but I don't care. The story itself is so fascinating and the two main characters are portrayed in such wonderful detail. Oh, perfection for me.
I don't want to write anything more, I have to savour it now and will probably dream about it again tonight, just like every other night.
Besides, there's no dramatic cliffhanger or anything, but the ending, oh my, it fires my imagination and I'll now spend days imagining how the story might continue.
Grayson: What dating site do you imagine the Dead Man would use?
Reece: Corpse Match? Single Brain-Eaters? Plenty of Zombies in the Graveyard?
Grayson: I should not have given you that opening. Rookie mistake. 🤭🤭🤭
Reece: You think you’re funny, don’t you?
Grayson: The bossier the better.
Reece: Yeah, well, I hope you don’t fuck as bad as you drive.
Grayson: Keep talking dirty to me, sugar. 🤭🤭🤭
“I’ll give you back your hoodie.” Lie. Oh, come on. He wasn’t actually keeping the hoodie. Was he?
“I kinda thought it fit you better.”
That made Reece smile again even while he scoffed. “You remember how big I am, right? Or not-big, in this case?”
“Fit isn’t just about size,” said Grayson.
“Pretty sure there’s a sex joke in there. A hate-sex joke, even.”
“What, like how no part of me would ever fit in any part of you?”
That startled a laugh out of Reece.
And sent a shiver up his spine. 😳😳😳
“I’m a guest and you’re letting me stay in your place. I appreciate you being a sweet Share Bear. I’m not gonna make any cracks about Unwashed Hair Bear.”
Reece narrowed his eyes.
“Right back to Glare Bear, huh,” Grayson said.
“Take your shower, asshole.”
“And now it’s Swear Bear.” 🤣😂🤣
“How about you just focus on letting me make you feel good?” he whispered. “Better yet, let me make you feel the best you’ve ever felt in your damn life. Let me burn this truck up finding every little touch that makes your body pant and sweat.” “I wish I could kiss you.” 🔥🤤🔥
March 28, 2026
If you heard a scream right about now - beg your pardon, that was me arriving at the end of this book and being pushed down the cliff 🙂 I’m officially obsessed with Reece and Evan and their fate, which... is slightly inconvenient, seeing as I need the next book preferably yesterday, and it’s not even out yet. Will I learn from this experience and start to check what I’m picking up more closely? Doubt that (seems like I’m also a Bad Decisions Bear, iykyk).
I can’t actually talk about the plot anymore because of spoilers, but I truly love the direction it’s headed, and I love it even more when the hunted has had enough and becomes the hunter everyone should fear.
But when it comes to the developing feelings and relationship, oooh boy, it’s all dialed up in comparison with book one and I ate it UP. The banter turned into outright flirting was peak entertainment, I seriously didn’t expect such a turn after those barely-there crumbs in the first book! Some of the scenes felt like such a fanservice almost but... I AM a fan, and I liked the service so... no complaints here 😂
(Because that fucking truck scene?? The delicious way things escalated, the want, the tension, the arousal, while Reece and Evan can’t touch skin-to-skin due to who they are? And how they snapped anyway?? Ffffuuuuuck I was wheezing!)
I also greatly appreciated the insight we got into Evan Greyson’s mind in this book. I usually like my LI’s to stay a bit of a mystery, getting to know them through the main character, but given Evan’s... condition, it was definitely necessary to feel like there could actually be something between them, and that it’s not just one-sided on Reece’s part.
With such focus on Evan and Reece, I would have to be blind not to see how the pace and the plot suffered a bit, with the most action happening at the beginning and the end, but I honestly had such a great time that it’s been acknowledged and promptly discarded as unimportant.
Care Bear and all the variations Evan used for Reece as pet names (they call it a nickname but I’m onto them) continue to make me melt into nothing 🧸
Would it be okay to go stalk the author and breathe down their neck, making them push the publication date to tomorrow? ..no? Okay then 🥺
I can’t actually talk about the plot anymore because of spoilers, but I truly love the direction it’s headed, and I love it even more when the hunted has had enough and becomes the hunter everyone should fear.
But when it comes to the developing feelings and relationship, oooh boy, it’s all dialed up in comparison with book one and I ate it UP. The banter turned into outright flirting was peak entertainment, I seriously didn’t expect such a turn after those barely-there crumbs in the first book! Some of the scenes felt like such a fanservice almost but... I AM a fan, and I liked the service so... no complaints here 😂
(Because that fucking truck scene?? The delicious way things escalated, the want, the tension, the arousal, while Reece and Evan can’t touch skin-to-skin due to who they are? And how they snapped anyway?? Ffffuuuuuck I was wheezing!)
I also greatly appreciated the insight we got into Evan Greyson’s mind in this book. I usually like my LI’s to stay a bit of a mystery, getting to know them through the main character, but given Evan’s... condition, it was definitely necessary to feel like there could actually be something between them, and that it’s not just one-sided on Reece’s part.
With such focus on Evan and Reece, I would have to be blind not to see how the pace and the plot suffered a bit, with the most action happening at the beginning and the end, but I honestly had such a great time that it’s been acknowledged and promptly discarded as unimportant.
Care Bear and all the variations Evan used for Reece as pet names (they call it a nickname but I’m onto them) continue to make me melt into nothing 🧸
Would it be okay to go stalk the author and breathe down their neck, making them push the publication date to tomorrow? ..no? Okay then 🥺
March 31, 2026
Reece’s shoulders relaxed. Grayson wasn’t going to make fun of him for being so desperately untouched. “So what’s an empath got to do to get out of trouble?” He made a face. “That sounds like the start of a bad porn.”
“Or a real good one,” Grayson muttered.
Reece snorted. “Don’t tell me you’ve got a thing for bad empaths. That would make your job very difficult, wouldn’t it?”
“Sure would,” Grayson said, eyes fixed forward.
Look....look...look...I know this book has a plot...and it's a good plot, really it is ....but I am not going to lie....all I am doing at the moment is screaming at a frequency only audible to dogs about Evan Grayson and Reece Davis.
These two dumbos are just so down bad horny for each other and not allowed to do anything about it and it makes the tension literally ooze off the page and I am ABSOLUTELY NOT OKAY about it. I'm not normally big into the 'forbidden romance' trope but in this instance inject it directly into my brain immediately, all the flirting, all the pet names, all the lingering glances; insane work.
The two of them couldn’t touch. And they shouldn’t touch. Grayson’s mind knew this. His body, however, didn’t much care about those couldn’ts and shouldn’ts. His body wanted to break the damn bed.
I made the mistake of underestimating Ms Therin and thinking she wouldn't go spicy based on my previous experience with her but I have never been happier to be proved wrong in my life 🥵.
The supporting characters here are also wonderful! I love Jamey, Aisha and Diesel; each one charming and engaging in their own ways and the villains of the story are layered and complex and nothing is as clear as it seems.
As I sit here waiting and hoping the Netgalley gods bless me with the third book (which I would drop everything to read, just saying if someone is out there watching lol), I am glad that at a worse case scenario I won't have to wait TOO long for the official release cause that ending was DIABOLICAL. I am obsessed. I feel sorry for the poor souls that read this on release and have had to wait since then to read it 🫠.
Such a solid urban fantasy to escape into if you want action, drama and more sexual tension than you know what to do with.
Consider following my instagram
“Or a real good one,” Grayson muttered.
Reece snorted. “Don’t tell me you’ve got a thing for bad empaths. That would make your job very difficult, wouldn’t it?”
“Sure would,” Grayson said, eyes fixed forward.
Look....look...look...I know this book has a plot...and it's a good plot, really it is ....but I am not going to lie....all I am doing at the moment is screaming at a frequency only audible to dogs about Evan Grayson and Reece Davis.
These two dumbos are just so down bad horny for each other and not allowed to do anything about it and it makes the tension literally ooze off the page and I am ABSOLUTELY NOT OKAY about it. I'm not normally big into the 'forbidden romance' trope but in this instance inject it directly into my brain immediately, all the flirting, all the pet names, all the lingering glances; insane work.
The two of them couldn’t touch. And they shouldn’t touch. Grayson’s mind knew this. His body, however, didn’t much care about those couldn’ts and shouldn’ts. His body wanted to break the damn bed.
I made the mistake of underestimating Ms Therin and thinking she wouldn't go spicy based on my previous experience with her but I have never been happier to be proved wrong in my life 🥵.
The supporting characters here are also wonderful! I love Jamey, Aisha and Diesel; each one charming and engaging in their own ways and the villains of the story are layered and complex and nothing is as clear as it seems.
As I sit here waiting and hoping the Netgalley gods bless me with the third book (which I would drop everything to read, just saying if someone is out there watching lol), I am glad that at a worse case scenario I won't have to wait TOO long for the official release cause that ending was DIABOLICAL. I am obsessed. I feel sorry for the poor souls that read this on release and have had to wait since then to read it 🫠.
Such a solid urban fantasy to escape into if you want action, drama and more sexual tension than you know what to do with.
Consider following my instagram
June 23, 2026
Okay, okay, okay, I GET IT NOW!
Do you remember how I complained about the first book?
Hahaha forget all that because this is the ‚Reece and Grayson and their sexual tension show‘ and I was SAT IN THE FIRST ROW MUNCHING POPCORN!
Fuck shaky world building and TSTL moments when we get Reece saying things like ‚I’d let you call me Care Bear forever‘ or ‘I can’t get through a thought these days without you finding your way into it‘ and Grayson thinking about ‚how his body couldn’t stop noticing that Reece seemed to be made entirely of things that had once made him happy’ ?!
I could not stop kicking my feet at every SINGLE interaction between Reece and Evan. I mean.. the housewarming gift and the texting? Reece’s crush and him wearing Evan’s hoodie like a safety blanket?? The bear ears hat? Their TOP TIER BANTER and both of them FLIRTING THEIR SOCKS OFF?? That gym selfie and their talks on the phone, the hypothetical conversations about second date hate-sex, their PROTECTIVENESS over each other, their mutual HUGE ASS YEARNING, the ‚because you’re worth everything‘?!?
And don’t even get me STARTED on that backseat truck moment (actual full body tingles during that scene, jfc, that’s what my slow burn, forbidden tension and first kiss dreams are fucking MADE OF! ‚You think I’m not aching for you, too?‘ COME ON) 🫠🥵
I COULD NOT GET ENOUGH 😭🔥🫠
Wow, I feel like I’ve done a lot of yelling so far but believe me, they’re so worth yelling about 🫠
Reece had one good moment after another here and I adored being in Grayson’s head, too, this time around. He felt much more like ‚just Evan‘ than the Dead Man of book one and seeing him so human helped me connect to him so much more!
And then there’s the whole Alex situation and the plot that was PLOTTING and had me so excited at every twist and turn. And there’s everyone from Vanguards and Jamey being badass and aaah, I had such a good time! That ending is CRUEL and I’m glad I waited to pick this series up until book three was out because ho-lee shit am I excited to see where this’ll all go!
I did have a Reece-is-still-TSTL eye-roll count (1, 2, 3, 4!!, 5!, 6) and there were still quite a few times I was scratching my head at the logic of it all.
But overall I had a much, MUCH, better time reading this book than I did the first one and I’m so glad I continued with this series. SO WORTH IT! I’m obsessed.
Thanks to my buddy reader Kati, who spun all the theories with me and suffered through the (absolutely delicious to me) slow burn like a champ! 💕
Do you remember how I complained about the first book?
Hahaha forget all that because this is the ‚Reece and Grayson and their sexual tension show‘ and I was SAT IN THE FIRST ROW MUNCHING POPCORN!
Fuck shaky world building and TSTL moments when we get Reece saying things like ‚I’d let you call me Care Bear forever‘ or ‘I can’t get through a thought these days without you finding your way into it‘ and Grayson thinking about ‚how his body couldn’t stop noticing that Reece seemed to be made entirely of things that had once made him happy’ ?!
I could not stop kicking my feet at every SINGLE interaction between Reece and Evan. I mean.. the housewarming gift and the texting? Reece’s crush and him wearing Evan’s hoodie like a safety blanket?? The bear ears hat? Their TOP TIER BANTER and both of them FLIRTING THEIR SOCKS OFF?? That gym selfie and their talks on the phone, the hypothetical conversations about second date hate-sex, their PROTECTIVENESS over each other, their mutual HUGE ASS YEARNING, the ‚because you’re worth everything‘?!?
And don’t even get me STARTED on that backseat truck moment (actual full body tingles during that scene, jfc, that’s what my slow burn, forbidden tension and first kiss dreams are fucking MADE OF! ‚You think I’m not aching for you, too?‘ COME ON) 🫠🥵
I COULD NOT GET ENOUGH 😭🔥🫠
Wow, I feel like I’ve done a lot of yelling so far but believe me, they’re so worth yelling about 🫠
Reece had one good moment after another here and I adored being in Grayson’s head, too, this time around. He felt much more like ‚just Evan‘ than the Dead Man of book one and seeing him so human helped me connect to him so much more!
And then there’s the whole Alex situation and the plot that was PLOTTING and had me so excited at every twist and turn. And there’s everyone from Vanguards and Jamey being badass and aaah, I had such a good time! That ending is CRUEL and I’m glad I waited to pick this series up until book three was out because ho-lee shit am I excited to see where this’ll all go!
I did have a Reece-is-still-TSTL eye-roll count (1, 2, 3, 4!!, 5!, 6) and there were still quite a few times I was scratching my head at the logic of it all.
But overall I had a much, MUCH, better time reading this book than I did the first one and I’m so glad I continued with this series. SO WORTH IT! I’m obsessed.
Thanks to my buddy reader Kati, who spun all the theories with me and suffered through the (absolutely delicious to me) slow burn like a champ! 💕
June 9, 2026
Gahhh this is so cruel! What a cliffhanger! I will be waiting with extreme impatience for the 23rd of June! I am soooo invested in this series now and NEED to know what happens and will Reece and Evan ever touch each other?!
I LOVE the banter between these two. Not being able to physically touch each other and only sparring/flirting with words? Right up my alley! The single scene where these two get close had me feeling giddy. I adore the tension between Reece and Evan in this super slow burn 🔥
The passcode…he does have feelings!
Oh and the plot, yes that’s good too.
I LOVE the banter between these two. Not being able to physically touch each other and only sparring/flirting with words? Right up my alley! The single scene where these two get close had me feeling giddy. I adore the tension between Reece and Evan in this super slow burn 🔥
The passcode…he does have feelings!
Oh and the plot, yes that’s good too.
June 5, 2026
• book 2 • paranormal suspense/thriller • m/m •
Ohhhh myyyy goddd - I’m moving immediately on to book 3!
I LOVED this. I don’t even know where to start with my review. Book one Liar City wraps up with lots of loose ends and a hint that ‘Dead Man’ Agent Evan Grayson is going to keep in touch with our anxious empath bebe ‘carebear’ Reece.
The thrill Reece gets when he hears from Evan! (Ok ok the thrill I got too…) 🫠
And I am but a simple girl… the hoodie wearing totally did it for me! 🥹🫠🫠🫠
And Grayson, despite not having any capability to feel any emotion whatsoever, still… acts very protective over Reece… 🫠 and how difficult is it to protect someone who gets knocked out cold just from a single touch of your skin… 😅
There are …. tensions… the romance side of things kicks off in this book. I mean, you don’t need to have emotions to remember what used to feel good right??? 😅
Then the whole empath conspiracy…. Lots of sketchy behaviours, there continues to be missing person empaths, then empaths turning up dead, wtf is going on??
5⭐️
1🌶️
I loved this!
Ohhhh myyyy goddd - I’m moving immediately on to book 3!
I LOVED this. I don’t even know where to start with my review. Book one Liar City wraps up with lots of loose ends and a hint that ‘Dead Man’ Agent Evan Grayson is going to keep in touch with our anxious empath bebe ‘carebear’ Reece.
The thrill Reece gets when he hears from Evan! (Ok ok the thrill I got too…) 🫠
And I am but a simple girl… the hoodie wearing totally did it for me! 🥹🫠🫠🫠
And Grayson, despite not having any capability to feel any emotion whatsoever, still… acts very protective over Reece… 🫠 and how difficult is it to protect someone who gets knocked out cold just from a single touch of your skin… 😅
There are …. tensions… the romance side of things kicks off in this book. I mean, you don’t need to have emotions to remember what used to feel good right??? 😅
Then the whole empath conspiracy…. Lots of sketchy behaviours, there continues to be missing person empaths, then empaths turning up dead, wtf is going on??
5⭐️
1🌶️
I loved this!
October 14, 2024
I have no idea how to review this instalment of the Sugar & Vice series except to say Holy Cliffhanger Dead Man!
Because bloody hell do we get left with a right zinger and it's utterly brilliant and means I am dying even more for the final book which will draw this epic narrative to a close.
Allie really put the cat among the pigeons with this book, never mind ramping up the UST to an unbelievable level - which is incredible considering there's only one moment in the whole story where they actually have any physical contact given the state of their two natures.
As for the plot itself, no spoilers here other than I'll say I did not see it coming and my jaw was dropping as I turned (okay I'm on a Paperwhite so I swiped it) the final page but I will confirm that it works beautifully as a set up for everything that's going to come as things draw together.
It's leading into something I have no doubts will be a mind-blowing final book as Evan has to deal with the fallout of Reece's actions in Twisted Shadows.
This book, surprisingly, is pretty swoony too, in spite of what's going on. The connection between these two men who - literally - cannot touch or interact because of their inherent natures, is so strong you feel it ooze off the page.
The flirt game is strong with both of them, and you can see them pushing the line further every encounter or text conversation they have. There's also plenty of the humour that I love in this author's writing, to stop things becoming too serious or overly gloomy even amongst the death and destruction.
We also, as with the first book, get multiple PoVs not just the two MCs and I will say, this is my only real niggle with the narrative choices - I wish it was more clearly divided when we're switching.
It's not difficult to work out when we're switching, especially when it's either Jamey's voice or medical examiner Aisha, but a single little asterisk in a big wedge of paragraph text isn't enough imho.
Now, I had an ARC obviously, and I know there were formatting issues with the original copies on Edelweiss, so it may be that the retail release will have some lovely graphic dividers that easily identify each speaker, that would be a wonderful way to do it.
I'm such a fan of Allie Therin's world building and her clever narratives, her ideas are always surprising, even in a saturated paranormal/urban fantasy market and I love what she's done with this series.
#ARC kindly received from the publishers Carina Press via NetGalley, I am voluntarily leaving a review
Because bloody hell do we get left with a right zinger and it's utterly brilliant and means I am dying even more for the final book which will draw this epic narrative to a close.
Allie really put the cat among the pigeons with this book, never mind ramping up the UST to an unbelievable level - which is incredible considering there's only one moment in the whole story where they actually have any physical contact given the state of their two natures.
As for the plot itself, no spoilers here other than I'll say I did not see it coming and my jaw was dropping as I turned (okay I'm on a Paperwhite so I swiped it) the final page but I will confirm that it works beautifully as a set up for everything that's going to come as things draw together.
It's leading into something I have no doubts will be a mind-blowing final book as Evan has to deal with the fallout of Reece's actions in Twisted Shadows.
This book, surprisingly, is pretty swoony too, in spite of what's going on. The connection between these two men who - literally - cannot touch or interact because of their inherent natures, is so strong you feel it ooze off the page.
The flirt game is strong with both of them, and you can see them pushing the line further every encounter or text conversation they have. There's also plenty of the humour that I love in this author's writing, to stop things becoming too serious or overly gloomy even amongst the death and destruction.
We also, as with the first book, get multiple PoVs not just the two MCs and I will say, this is my only real niggle with the narrative choices - I wish it was more clearly divided when we're switching.
It's not difficult to work out when we're switching, especially when it's either Jamey's voice or medical examiner Aisha, but a single little asterisk in a big wedge of paragraph text isn't enough imho.
Now, I had an ARC obviously, and I know there were formatting issues with the original copies on Edelweiss, so it may be that the retail release will have some lovely graphic dividers that easily identify each speaker, that would be a wonderful way to do it.
I'm such a fan of Allie Therin's world building and her clever narratives, her ideas are always surprising, even in a saturated paranormal/urban fantasy market and I love what she's done with this series.
#ARC kindly received from the publishers Carina Press via NetGalley, I am voluntarily leaving a review
June 25, 2026
4.5***** stars
Well, I guess I’m just very glad that I only have to wait for the third and last book another day.
And it seems to me like this is going to be exactly the kind of story I live for. *cackles to herself
************
Sugar & Vice Series
Book 1 - Liar City - 4.5 stars
Book 2 - Twisted Shadows - 4.5 stars
Book 3 - Edge of Mercy - 4.5 stars
But that’s why you’ve got my number, right? Grayson had said. There is nothing you can do that I can’t stop. You can never be more dangerous than me.
Well, I guess I’m just very glad that I only have to wait for the third and last book another day.
And it seems to me like this is going to be exactly the kind of story I live for. *cackles to herself
“I’m a guest and you’re letting me stay in your place. I appreciate you being a sweet Share Bear. I’m not gonna make any cracks about Unwashed Hair Bear.” Reece narrowed his eyes. “Right back to Glare Bear, huh,” Grayson said.
“Take your shower, asshole.”
“And now it’s Swear Bear.”“What do I get to call you?”
“Agent Grayson.”
“Aw, baby, you don’t mean that.”
************
Sugar & Vice Series
Book 1 - Liar City - 4.5 stars
Book 2 - Twisted Shadows - 4.5 stars
Book 3 - Edge of Mercy - 4.5 stars
November 27, 2024
On the plus side, and the reason this gets 3 stars, is that in spite of all the flaws in plotting and especially in worldbuilding, the relationship between Reece and Evan really works for me. I love the flirty text exchanges and the complicated mix of suspicion and trust and sexual desire they feel (note that word!) for each other; also, they finally manage to have sex, and, well, yes please.
But lord, the worldbuilding is a mess. Most glaringly, even in a fantasy/sf world, the invented elements have to hang together at least with what I’ll call myth logic or a logic of symbolism. But while it makes sense that the empaths’ power should come with a dark side, there’s no sense of believability about the specific form “corruption” takes — it doesn’t feel like a, I don’t know, poetically logical outgrowth of their power.
Second most glaringly, there’s Evan Grayson, known as the Dead Man because he feels no emotion whatsoever. But he behaves like a person who feels emotions, for example in the series of nicknames he gives Reece — actually, in pretty much all his interactions with Reece, but specifically the playfulness of nicknaming someone, with affectionate-sounding nicknames to boot, just doesn’t square with emotionlessness.
Also, brain science! I’m typing on my tablet, which is horrible so I’m not adding links, but people whose brains are damaged in ways that destroy their capacity to feel emotions find it almost impossible to make decisions. Evan should be just about nonfunctional. And I know, I know, fantasy, but if you’re writing a novel whose premises diverge from our reality you kind of have to acknowledge the divergence and account for it somehow.
I had a good time reading, don’t get me wrong, but the worldbuilding gaps in this installment troubled me much more than they did in the first book. And, that having been said, I’m still invested enough to want to find out how that cliffhanger ending gets resolved.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
But lord, the worldbuilding is a mess. Most glaringly, even in a fantasy/sf world, the invented elements have to hang together at least with what I’ll call myth logic or a logic of symbolism. But while it makes sense that the empaths’ power should come with a dark side, there’s no sense of believability about the specific form “corruption” takes — it doesn’t feel like a, I don’t know, poetically logical outgrowth of their power.
Second most glaringly, there’s Evan Grayson, known as the Dead Man because he feels no emotion whatsoever. But he behaves like a person who feels emotions, for example in the series of nicknames he gives Reece — actually, in pretty much all his interactions with Reece, but specifically the playfulness of nicknaming someone, with affectionate-sounding nicknames to boot, just doesn’t square with emotionlessness.
Also, brain science! I’m typing on my tablet, which is horrible so I’m not adding links, but people whose brains are damaged in ways that destroy their capacity to feel emotions find it almost impossible to make decisions. Evan should be just about nonfunctional. And I know, I know, fantasy, but if you’re writing a novel whose premises diverge from our reality you kind of have to acknowledge the divergence and account for it somehow.
I had a good time reading, don’t get me wrong, but the worldbuilding gaps in this installment troubled me much more than they did in the first book. And, that having been said, I’m still invested enough to want to find out how that cliffhanger ending gets resolved.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
June 24, 2026
This book was wild!
The first time I read this book, I barely remembered what had happened previously, so it took me a bit to get into the story, but oh boy, once I found the vibe, I couldn't stop. It didn't matter that I had to wake up early to work.
This time around, I read it just a bit after finishing book 1, all to get ready for the final instalment in this series. I can confidently say it didn’t disappoint, and maybe it even got better as a reread.
Bad decisions, Bear aka Reece and the allegedly Dead Man-Evan go on a road trip, extreme sexual tension ensues and then a major plot twist!
I’m so relieved now I don’t have to wait long to finally find out if the corruption is reversible and how dead Mr. Dead man is.
“I might be your problem but you’re mine,” he said softly, knowing the words would ghost over the back of Grayson’s neck. “I can’t get through a thought these days without you finding your way into it.”
The first time I read this book, I barely remembered what had happened previously, so it took me a bit to get into the story, but oh boy, once I found the vibe, I couldn't stop. It didn't matter that I had to wake up early to work.
This time around, I read it just a bit after finishing book 1, all to get ready for the final instalment in this series. I can confidently say it didn’t disappoint, and maybe it even got better as a reread.
Bad decisions, Bear aka Reece and the allegedly Dead Man-Evan go on a road trip, extreme sexual tension ensues and then a major plot twist!
I’m so relieved now I don’t have to wait long to finally find out if the corruption is reversible and how dead Mr. Dead man is.
“I might be your problem but you’re mine,” he said softly, knowing the words would ghost over the back of Grayson’s neck. “I can’t get through a thought these days without you finding your way into it.”
January 8, 2025
A / 5 stars
Twisted Shadows, the sequel 2023’s Liar City , is quite possibly my most eagerly anticipated book of 2024. Liar City was a tense and inventive paranormal thriller featuring superbly drawn, complex characters and a compelling storyline, and while there was not even so much as a kiss on the page, the hints of sexual tension and attraction between the two leads were enough to have me rooting for them to get together and desperate for more.
This is definitely a series where the books need to be read in order, so this is NOT the place to jump in. And I’ll have to refer to past events so there will be spoilers for Liar City in this review.
The series is set in an AU where empaths exist, and although they’re pacifists who would rather be hurt themselves than hurt others, they’re objects of fear and prejudice thanks to the constant flood of misinformation and propaganda pumped out by anti-empath organisations. In Liar City, empath Reece Davies discovered that he had been set up, without his knowledge or consent, to be the subject of an experiment into how empaths can be corrupted (turned to the dark side!), and he now lives with the knowledge that he is existing in a heretofore unknown liminal state between what has been and what he could become. The thought that he could turn into someone willing to hurt others to get what he wants is terrifying, and the one thing keeping him from becoming a complete nervous wreck is the thought that if he goes any further down that path, The Dead Man will stop him by whatever means necessary.
The Dead Man – Evan Grayson – is the final line of defence against empaths because he has no emotions for them to maniuplate and his emotional vacuum is such that empaths can’t bear to look at him or to hear the sound of his voice, and his touch will knock them unconscious (as Reece discovered at the end of the previous book.) Despite the fact that he is the way he is because of his brother, the most corrupt empath Grayson has ever seen, and even though his particular attributes make him useful to the various anti-empath organisations, Grayson sees it as his mission to protect both sides – to protect society from corrupted empaths, but also to protect empaths from those who want to corrupt them. And while the higher-ups are more than willing to use him as a weapon against empaths for the first thing, some of them have become suspicious of his motives for doing the second.
Despite his assertion that he and Reece can’t be friends, Grayson has kept in regular contact with him in the three weeks since he left Seattle. Reece in that in-between state is a ticking time bomb, and it’s up to the Dead Man to make sure he doesn’t experience anything that could send him further along the path towards corruption. In fact, Grayson would be in Seattle helping Reece to move into his new apartment were it not for the fact that he’s been sent to investigate the murder of a Canadian empath in Burlington. He immediately senses something is off – the gloves the victim is wearing look new but the serial numbers have almost been worn off, and the body itself has been posed, with no attempt made to hide it.
While Grayson is in Vermont, Reece’s sister, Jamey, who used to be a cop with Seattle PD, is approached by one of her former colleagues and told about a Canadian empath who has been reported missing in Port Angeles. Jamey knows about the victim in Burlington thanks to her friend Dr. Aisha Easterby, who often works alongside Grayson, but what are the odds of another Canadian empath just happening to be missing in the US? Jamey decides to go to Port Angeles to see what she can find out.
Meanwhile, Grayson’s investigation is turning up precisely nothing – and when he learns that Jamey has also left Seattle, he realises it’s all bogus, that both he and Jamey have been sent on wild goose chases at exactly the same time, which can only mean one thing. Their absences have been orchestrated, and whoever is behind it knows that without them around, Reece is unprotected.
As soon as this realisation crashes in at around a quarter of the way through, the story really kicks up a gear and we’re off to the races with a twisty, dark, action-packed tale filled with shocking discoveries, devastating betrayals and emotional gut-punches. Balancing all that out is the funny, sweet and utterly swoonworthy connection building between Reece and Grayson, a connection dripping with chemistry so strong that it permeates the whole story and absolutely leaps off the page - and they can’t even touch each other without Reece being knocked out. It’s a masterclass in how to create and develop sexual tension through word and expression and actions that show how deeply two people have come to care for each other. The flirty teasing and banter, the longing, the affectionate humour, the sexual tension – it’s all *chef’s kiss*.
The story is told through several different perspectives, which is necessary to impart certain information the reader needs and wouldn’t get from a single or dual PoV narrative. Reece and Jamey get to tell a fairly large chunk of the story, and Grayson’s perspective is a very welcome addition. He’s a fascinating, complex character, and having his PoV this time around means we get to learn more about him and his past, how he thinks and why he acts the way he does, and more insight into his feelings for Reece – even though he’s convinced he has no emotions, it’s clear he’s totally smitten.
I really can’t say enough good things about this book. The plot is complex, nail-bitingly tense and contains some shocking revelations, the romance is sweet and hot by turns, the worldbuilding is excellent, and the humour lands just right, bringing a much needed levity to a story that goes to some pretty dark places.
The only thing I can find to criticise about Twisted Shadows is that it ends on the mother of all cliffhangers. It’ll take your breath away and then have you screaming “noooooo!” and desperately trying to find a release date for book three. At time of writing this review (September 2024), I can’t find one – I just hope the wait isn’t too long.
But the coming finale is sure to be worth the wait, and despite the frustrating cliffie, Twisted Shadows is one of my favourite books of 2024. It earns a very well-deserved place on my DIK shelf.
Twisted Shadows, the sequel 2023’s Liar City , is quite possibly my most eagerly anticipated book of 2024. Liar City was a tense and inventive paranormal thriller featuring superbly drawn, complex characters and a compelling storyline, and while there was not even so much as a kiss on the page, the hints of sexual tension and attraction between the two leads were enough to have me rooting for them to get together and desperate for more.
This is definitely a series where the books need to be read in order, so this is NOT the place to jump in. And I’ll have to refer to past events so there will be spoilers for Liar City in this review.
The series is set in an AU where empaths exist, and although they’re pacifists who would rather be hurt themselves than hurt others, they’re objects of fear and prejudice thanks to the constant flood of misinformation and propaganda pumped out by anti-empath organisations. In Liar City, empath Reece Davies discovered that he had been set up, without his knowledge or consent, to be the subject of an experiment into how empaths can be corrupted (turned to the dark side!), and he now lives with the knowledge that he is existing in a heretofore unknown liminal state between what has been and what he could become. The thought that he could turn into someone willing to hurt others to get what he wants is terrifying, and the one thing keeping him from becoming a complete nervous wreck is the thought that if he goes any further down that path, The Dead Man will stop him by whatever means necessary.
The Dead Man – Evan Grayson – is the final line of defence against empaths because he has no emotions for them to maniuplate and his emotional vacuum is such that empaths can’t bear to look at him or to hear the sound of his voice, and his touch will knock them unconscious (as Reece discovered at the end of the previous book.) Despite the fact that he is the way he is because of his brother, the most corrupt empath Grayson has ever seen, and even though his particular attributes make him useful to the various anti-empath organisations, Grayson sees it as his mission to protect both sides – to protect society from corrupted empaths, but also to protect empaths from those who want to corrupt them. And while the higher-ups are more than willing to use him as a weapon against empaths for the first thing, some of them have become suspicious of his motives for doing the second.
Despite his assertion that he and Reece can’t be friends, Grayson has kept in regular contact with him in the three weeks since he left Seattle. Reece in that in-between state is a ticking time bomb, and it’s up to the Dead Man to make sure he doesn’t experience anything that could send him further along the path towards corruption. In fact, Grayson would be in Seattle helping Reece to move into his new apartment were it not for the fact that he’s been sent to investigate the murder of a Canadian empath in Burlington. He immediately senses something is off – the gloves the victim is wearing look new but the serial numbers have almost been worn off, and the body itself has been posed, with no attempt made to hide it.
While Grayson is in Vermont, Reece’s sister, Jamey, who used to be a cop with Seattle PD, is approached by one of her former colleagues and told about a Canadian empath who has been reported missing in Port Angeles. Jamey knows about the victim in Burlington thanks to her friend Dr. Aisha Easterby, who often works alongside Grayson, but what are the odds of another Canadian empath just happening to be missing in the US? Jamey decides to go to Port Angeles to see what she can find out.
Meanwhile, Grayson’s investigation is turning up precisely nothing – and when he learns that Jamey has also left Seattle, he realises it’s all bogus, that both he and Jamey have been sent on wild goose chases at exactly the same time, which can only mean one thing. Their absences have been orchestrated, and whoever is behind it knows that without them around, Reece is unprotected.
As soon as this realisation crashes in at around a quarter of the way through, the story really kicks up a gear and we’re off to the races with a twisty, dark, action-packed tale filled with shocking discoveries, devastating betrayals and emotional gut-punches. Balancing all that out is the funny, sweet and utterly swoonworthy connection building between Reece and Grayson, a connection dripping with chemistry so strong that it permeates the whole story and absolutely leaps off the page - and they can’t even touch each other without Reece being knocked out. It’s a masterclass in how to create and develop sexual tension through word and expression and actions that show how deeply two people have come to care for each other. The flirty teasing and banter, the longing, the affectionate humour, the sexual tension – it’s all *chef’s kiss*.
The story is told through several different perspectives, which is necessary to impart certain information the reader needs and wouldn’t get from a single or dual PoV narrative. Reece and Jamey get to tell a fairly large chunk of the story, and Grayson’s perspective is a very welcome addition. He’s a fascinating, complex character, and having his PoV this time around means we get to learn more about him and his past, how he thinks and why he acts the way he does, and more insight into his feelings for Reece – even though he’s convinced he has no emotions, it’s clear he’s totally smitten.
His body remembered the things and people that had made it happy, even if Grayson never felt happiness anymore. And … his body couldn’t stop noticing that Reece seemed to be made entirely of things that had once made him happy.
I really can’t say enough good things about this book. The plot is complex, nail-bitingly tense and contains some shocking revelations, the romance is sweet and hot by turns, the worldbuilding is excellent, and the humour lands just right, bringing a much needed levity to a story that goes to some pretty dark places.
The only thing I can find to criticise about Twisted Shadows is that it ends on the mother of all cliffhangers. It’ll take your breath away and then have you screaming “noooooo!” and desperately trying to find a release date for book three. At time of writing this review (September 2024), I can’t find one – I just hope the wait isn’t too long.
But the coming finale is sure to be worth the wait, and despite the frustrating cliffie, Twisted Shadows is one of my favourite books of 2024. It earns a very well-deserved place on my DIK shelf.
February 12, 2026
Emotionally, based on Reece and Grayson's dynamic, this would get 5 stars. That part is absolutely perfect, and that's what essentially is warping my rating higher than I think it (probably) deserves.
It was absolutely a page turner, I couldn't put the book down.
Is the criticism in other reviews accurate? I think so. The world-building managed to be too convoluted in some areas while also leaving gaping logical holes in other areas.
It says a lot about the dialogue, banter, and slowburn romance that I loved this book even with a world-building mess.
Am I super fucking pissed off that I didn't realize book 3 isn't out until the 23rd of JUNE?!
YES. 😭
He added, to Reece, “I like your hat.”
“He likes my hat,” Reece said to Grayson.
Lord help him. Grayson was making bad decisions.
I am here for all of the bad decision making.
“You’re gonna be Bad Decisions Bear for life.”
Speaking of Bad Decisions Bear, it's going to be a long wait until June!!
It was absolutely a page turner, I couldn't put the book down.
Is the criticism in other reviews accurate? I think so. The world-building managed to be too convoluted in some areas while also leaving gaping logical holes in other areas.
It says a lot about the dialogue, banter, and slowburn romance that I loved this book even with a world-building mess.
Am I super fucking pissed off that I didn't realize book 3 isn't out until the 23rd of JUNE?!
YES. 😭
He added, to Reece, “I like your hat.”
“He likes my hat,” Reece said to Grayson.
Lord help him. Grayson was making bad decisions.
I am here for all of the bad decision making.
“You’re gonna be Bad Decisions Bear for life.”
Speaking of Bad Decisions Bear, it's going to be a long wait until June!!
July 1, 2024
The first book in this SF romantic thriller trilogy was fun, with great characters and banter and a compulsive pace that swept me through it. However, it was also SO breathlessly paced that I could never quite tell whether all the pieces of the mystery really lined up.
This book, though? This book was just *excellent* - a thriller that (while still fast paced) took the time to line up every single piece in an inexorable, inevitable, and incredibly tense line while also giving fantastic banter and a wonderful slow burn romance.
I thought about giving it 4.5 stars just subjectively, because ARGH that cliffhanger was so painful, but honestly, that wouldn't be fair. It's Book 2 in a tightly-arced trilogy - we all know the kinds of endings those get, and the author pulled it off perfectly, closing the individual book's story off really well. I will definitely be reading Book 3 ASAP!
This book, though? This book was just *excellent* - a thriller that (while still fast paced) took the time to line up every single piece in an inexorable, inevitable, and incredibly tense line while also giving fantastic banter and a wonderful slow burn romance.
I thought about giving it 4.5 stars just subjectively, because ARGH that cliffhanger was so painful, but honestly, that wouldn't be fair. It's Book 2 in a tightly-arced trilogy - we all know the kinds of endings those get, and the author pulled it off perfectly, closing the individual book's story off really well. I will definitely be reading Book 3 ASAP!
August 18, 2024
Actual rating: 4,5
Never in my life has a book without lots steamy scenes made me this horny!
This whole book is just one long scene of sexual tension without any relieve because These. Two. Can’t. Touch!!!
The tension, the yearning, the anticipation. The banter! THE FLIRTING! Sweet baby Jesus.
It was even more exciting than the actual investigation in this book, but that was also very gripping.
I already loved the first book so much and this one definitely deserves the hype too.
For me the ending was a little too rushed, I didn’t expect what happened at all, but not because it was a plot twist more like it just happened too fast and I didn’t expect it.
Also the many, many POVs were a little a little confusing and ripped me out of the plot at times.
The ending made me go from 100 to depressed lump lying on the floor in 0.2 seconds and now I ofc need to know what happens next!
I can’t wait for the last book in this trilogy (and if these two don’t rip each others clothes off and jump each other the second they’re able to touch I’ll implode!).
Never in my life has a book without lots steamy scenes made me this horny!
This whole book is just one long scene of sexual tension without any relieve because These. Two. Can’t. Touch!!!
The tension, the yearning, the anticipation. The banter! THE FLIRTING! Sweet baby Jesus.
It was even more exciting than the actual investigation in this book, but that was also very gripping.
I already loved the first book so much and this one definitely deserves the hype too.
For me the ending was a little too rushed, I didn’t expect what happened at all, but not because it was a plot twist more like it just happened too fast and I didn’t expect it.
Also the many, many POVs were a little a little confusing and ripped me out of the plot at times.
The ending made me go from 100 to depressed lump lying on the floor in 0.2 seconds and now I ofc need to know what happens next!
I can’t wait for the last book in this trilogy (and if these two don’t rip each others clothes off and jump each other the second they’re able to touch I’ll implode!).
December 14, 2024
there's no nicer way to put this: this was ass.
coming from the first book, which i absolutely loved btw, the author's choices were both unexpected and... interesting. in Liar City, the story takes precedence over the supposed slow-burn romance, and paired with a cast of nuanced characters, it was positively brimming with tension. it was unique and different and that's exactly what i loved about it. to me, it set the bar for the genre. but come the second book, that's all lost when being inexplicably horny takes the front seat and puts the pedal to the metal. honestly, the tonal shift is crazy, and this book should have come with the sign Welcome to Horny Central! because we're dropped right in the middle of it. i kid you not, for a majority of this book it was endless flirtatious conversations in the most bizarre of places and sexual innuendos up the kazoo, and while it was maybe funny at first, it eventually began to irk me. also, sure there's a mystery just like in the first one, but this time it was delivered with a more heavy-handedness since you could predict the plot beats right before they happened. there's also some action right toward the end but we don't really get to see any of it, which sucks. anyways, back to my main gripe. during the events of Liar City, reece and grayson hardly spent an entire day together, less than 12 hours even, and then Twisted Shadows takes place 3 weeks after Liar City and somehow they are absolutely smitten with each other and want to get into each other's pants ASAP, but cannot (at first. iykyk.) because of the whole grayson's touch being a total K.O. for empaths. literally every single one of their interactions takes a wild turn into horny town; all they can think about is kissing and breaking the damn bed. tell me this is not a total 0 to 100 from Liar City!!!
tl;dr miss therin took something that was unique and rich with potential and turned it into generic industry slop and nothing upsets me more than this.
P.S. the two stars are for jamey and aisha ONLY 😤
---
(300824) THERE'S A COVER AND A SYNOPSIS!!! I'M BEING SO NORMAL I SWEAR!!!!!!
(010224) cleared my calendar for the rest of the year bc i'm not going to shut up abt this
coming from the first book, which i absolutely loved btw, the author's choices were both unexpected and... interesting. in Liar City, the story takes precedence over the supposed slow-burn romance, and paired with a cast of nuanced characters, it was positively brimming with tension. it was unique and different and that's exactly what i loved about it. to me, it set the bar for the genre. but come the second book, that's all lost when being inexplicably horny takes the front seat and puts the pedal to the metal. honestly, the tonal shift is crazy, and this book should have come with the sign Welcome to Horny Central! because we're dropped right in the middle of it. i kid you not, for a majority of this book it was endless flirtatious conversations in the most bizarre of places and sexual innuendos up the kazoo, and while it was maybe funny at first, it eventually began to irk me. also, sure there's a mystery just like in the first one, but this time it was delivered with a more heavy-handedness since you could predict the plot beats right before they happened. there's also some action right toward the end but we don't really get to see any of it, which sucks. anyways, back to my main gripe. during the events of Liar City, reece and grayson hardly spent an entire day together, less than 12 hours even, and then Twisted Shadows takes place 3 weeks after Liar City and somehow they are absolutely smitten with each other and want to get into each other's pants ASAP, but cannot (at first. iykyk.) because of the whole grayson's touch being a total K.O. for empaths. literally every single one of their interactions takes a wild turn into horny town; all they can think about is kissing and breaking the damn bed. tell me this is not a total 0 to 100 from Liar City!!!
tl;dr miss therin took something that was unique and rich with potential and turned it into generic industry slop and nothing upsets me more than this.
P.S. the two stars are for jamey and aisha ONLY 😤
---
(300824) THERE'S A COVER AND A SYNOPSIS!!! I'M BEING SO NORMAL I SWEAR!!!!!!
(010224) cleared my calendar for the rest of the year bc i'm not going to shut up abt this
June 28, 2026
Book 1 was good, but this one was better. It deserves all the love it gets.
I genuinely couldn’t put it down. Did it stress me out? Definitely! Did it also made me laugh and swoon? Also yes.
By now, I’m used to all the pov switches, and I absolutely LOVED being inside Evan’s head. Evan, the Dead Man, the empath “specialist” who can’t feel anything, whose emotions and dreams are grey after what happened to his empath brother.
And Reece, our caring, potentially super dangerous empath, who loves to get under Evan’s skin. And poke the bear who keeps calling him Care-Bear. Or Bad Decisions bear, because we still get the odd TSTL Reece moment.
“I’m a guest and you’re letting me stay in your place. I appreciate you being a sweet Share Bear. I’m not gonna make any cracks about Unwashed Hair Bear.” Reece narrowed his eyes. “Right back to Glare Bear, huh,” Grayson said. “Take your shower, asshole.” “And now it’s Swear Bear.”
Their banter is exquisite, and the yearning… the yearning between 2 people who can’t touch because touching Grayson without gloves would cause Reese passing out - it melted my heart.
Even the side characters are well fleshed out, from Reece’s sister Jayme to Aisha and Alex - and even Gretel the “All Eyes on Empaths” blogger. Not only that, but we get pov’s from some of the baddies, too.
Loved it. In case you haven’t yet: go read it, and start with book 1, seeing as it’s a trilogy.
Thank God the final book just came out, I need to start it right away ❤️
I genuinely couldn’t put it down. Did it stress me out? Definitely! Did it also made me laugh and swoon? Also yes.
By now, I’m used to all the pov switches, and I absolutely LOVED being inside Evan’s head. Evan, the Dead Man, the empath “specialist” who can’t feel anything, whose emotions and dreams are grey after what happened to his empath brother.
And Reece, our caring, potentially super dangerous empath, who loves to get under Evan’s skin. And poke the bear who keeps calling him Care-Bear. Or Bad Decisions bear, because we still get the odd TSTL Reece moment.
“I’m a guest and you’re letting me stay in your place. I appreciate you being a sweet Share Bear. I’m not gonna make any cracks about Unwashed Hair Bear.” Reece narrowed his eyes. “Right back to Glare Bear, huh,” Grayson said. “Take your shower, asshole.” “And now it’s Swear Bear.”
Their banter is exquisite, and the yearning… the yearning between 2 people who can’t touch because touching Grayson without gloves would cause Reese passing out - it melted my heart.
Even the side characters are well fleshed out, from Reece’s sister Jayme to Aisha and Alex - and even Gretel the “All Eyes on Empaths” blogger. Not only that, but we get pov’s from some of the baddies, too.
Loved it. In case you haven’t yet: go read it, and start with book 1, seeing as it’s a trilogy.
Thank God the final book just came out, I need to start it right away ❤️
December 11, 2025
Never forgiving myself for reading this book before the third comes out. Just hit that last page and felt like I was being strangled.
A whole lot of this is corny. A whoooole lot of the dialogue is ridiculous. A whole lot of the decisions made in this book had me going bald. But it’s so fun, the characters are so endearing, the slow burn is burning, and the plot is so interesting that I don’t mind all the silliness. I’m just on my hands and knees begging for more.
A whole lot of this is corny. A whoooole lot of the dialogue is ridiculous. A whole lot of the decisions made in this book had me going bald. But it’s so fun, the characters are so endearing, the slow burn is burning, and the plot is so interesting that I don’t mind all the silliness. I’m just on my hands and knees begging for more.
December 16, 2024
Great story so far. Too bad the author waits a long time between publishing the next installment, because this one had quite the cliffhanger.
December 10, 2024
HAPPY RELEASE DAY TO THIS CRUEL (SO CRUEL!) and AMAZINGLY FABULOUS BOOK <3
--------------------------
Freaking hell, what was that ending?! Allie, you cruel, cruel author. How am I supposed to wait for book three now?! *sobs uncontrollably*
"Twisted Shadows" was an absolute rollercoaster ride of a book. It's dark, it's action-packed, it's twisted yes, and it's fueled by tensions, cliffhangers, betrayals, shocking discoveries and a truckload of emotional gut-punches. It's also funny, delightful, even sweet at times, and the romance? I was HOOKED. Thoroughly obsessed from the very start; I never wanted to stop reading.
Allie Therin is such an amazingly good writer, and I swear, she keeps getting better and better with each book.
This series has become one of my favourites of the past few years: the world-building is absolutely fabulous, damned fascinating (the whole thing about empaths is GENIUS, and although I sooooooo wish they'd just stop getting corrupted and stay their normal, sweetie-pie selves to save my sanity and my heart from despair/hurt/uncontrollable sobbing, I know there's supposed to be conflict in books, I do know that *stomps feet angrily*) and the writing is fantastic. Brilliant, funny, emotional, perfection.
The plot was WILD.
We'd left Reece and Evan in a sort of an okay-ish place at the end of book one, but book two starts off with a bang. Reece's in a liminal state, drowning in anxiety and fear about his quite-possibly-imminent corruption, and Evan's on the other side of the country doing secret spy shenanigans, and while he's still the same mysterious, unfeeling empath hunter as always, he seems to have developed an attachment to a certain empath troublemaker. Betrayal's afoot though, and Reece and Evan can't seem to catch a break and they definitely can't (and won't!) stop thinking about each other as well.
The plot and the pacing were fabulous. It was a crescendo of tension and twist and turns from the very start to the very end; I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. And that ending? I have nothing else to say except: whelp.
I love a multi-POV series, and although Reece (and now Evan!) are the two main POVs and characters, I still enjoyed following all the other characters around in this wild, complex story that Allie has created. All of the characters were fantastic, but Jamey and Aisha were my favourites, apart from the two leads obviously!
Speaking of which... needless to say, I adored them both, and their relationship had me in an even bigger chokehold during this book. Their sexual and romantic tension were TOP-NOTCH, delicious, no notes, just chef's kissing all around; and ALLLLLL that flirting? God, it made me blush and giggle. The best thing was how we finally get to see Evan's walls come tumbling down around Reece: I think I might have underlined half of their conversations. The sweet way both of them care for one another despite the insurmountable divide between them and the fact that they're supposed to be enemies? Gah, I loved them. Theirs is the slowest burn to ever burn, and I'm sure after all the turmoil and heartache, their HEA will be the absolute sweetest thing, but boyyyyyy does it hurt now.
< He owed Reece some choice words about the picture, but what he said was, “Hey, Care Bear.” Reece’s lips curved up. “Hey.” >
< Once upon a time, he might have looked at a person and thought I want to be with them because they make me happy. He didn’t think things like that anymore, but if someone hit him just right, his body still jerked. Still sat up and took notice and wanted. And Reece? Hit exactly right. >
< “So what’s my job?” Reece said. “Looking cute in that hoodie. And you’re already real good at it.” >
MY PRECIOUS BABIES.
Anyway, I don't know what to do with myself now; the book hangover is going to hurttttttttt. Ugh. It was worth it though.
I can't wait to re-read this book when it's out in December, but in the meantime: *sobs uncontrollably* HOW COULD YOU ALLIE 😭
Many thanks to the author and Netgalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.
--------------------------
Freaking hell, what was that ending?! Allie, you cruel, cruel author. How am I supposed to wait for book three now?! *sobs uncontrollably*
"Twisted Shadows" was an absolute rollercoaster ride of a book. It's dark, it's action-packed, it's twisted yes, and it's fueled by tensions, cliffhangers, betrayals, shocking discoveries and a truckload of emotional gut-punches. It's also funny, delightful, even sweet at times, and the romance? I was HOOKED. Thoroughly obsessed from the very start; I never wanted to stop reading.
Allie Therin is such an amazingly good writer, and I swear, she keeps getting better and better with each book.
This series has become one of my favourites of the past few years: the world-building is absolutely fabulous, damned fascinating (the whole thing about empaths is GENIUS, and although I sooooooo wish they'd just stop getting corrupted and stay their normal, sweetie-pie selves to save my sanity and my heart from despair/hurt/uncontrollable sobbing, I know there's supposed to be conflict in books, I do know that *stomps feet angrily*) and the writing is fantastic. Brilliant, funny, emotional, perfection.
The plot was WILD.
We'd left Reece and Evan in a sort of an okay-ish place at the end of book one, but book two starts off with a bang. Reece's in a liminal state, drowning in anxiety and fear about his quite-possibly-imminent corruption, and Evan's on the other side of the country doing secret spy shenanigans, and while he's still the same mysterious, unfeeling empath hunter as always, he seems to have developed an attachment to a certain empath troublemaker. Betrayal's afoot though, and Reece and Evan can't seem to catch a break and they definitely can't (and won't!) stop thinking about each other as well.
The plot and the pacing were fabulous. It was a crescendo of tension and twist and turns from the very start to the very end; I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. And that ending? I have nothing else to say except: whelp.
I love a multi-POV series, and although Reece (and now Evan!) are the two main POVs and characters, I still enjoyed following all the other characters around in this wild, complex story that Allie has created. All of the characters were fantastic, but Jamey and Aisha were my favourites, apart from the two leads obviously!
Speaking of which... needless to say, I adored them both, and their relationship had me in an even bigger chokehold during this book. Their sexual and romantic tension were TOP-NOTCH, delicious, no notes, just chef's kissing all around; and ALLLLLL that flirting? God, it made me blush and giggle. The best thing was how we finally get to see Evan's walls come tumbling down around Reece: I think I might have underlined half of their conversations. The sweet way both of them care for one another despite the insurmountable divide between them and the fact that they're supposed to be enemies? Gah, I loved them. Theirs is the slowest burn to ever burn, and I'm sure after all the turmoil and heartache, their HEA will be the absolute sweetest thing, but boyyyyyy does it hurt now.
< He owed Reece some choice words about the picture, but what he said was, “Hey, Care Bear.” Reece’s lips curved up. “Hey.” >
< Once upon a time, he might have looked at a person and thought I want to be with them because they make me happy. He didn’t think things like that anymore, but if someone hit him just right, his body still jerked. Still sat up and took notice and wanted. And Reece? Hit exactly right. >
< “So what’s my job?” Reece said. “Looking cute in that hoodie. And you’re already real good at it.” >
MY PRECIOUS BABIES.
Anyway, I don't know what to do with myself now; the book hangover is going to hurttttttttt. Ugh. It was worth it though.
I can't wait to re-read this book when it's out in December, but in the meantime: *sobs uncontrollably* HOW COULD YOU ALLIE 😭
Many thanks to the author and Netgalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.
January 14, 2025
I loved this book!!!!! I have to admit, books haven’t been as good lately. I used to love many books and it’s been so long since I’ve read a book and absolutely fell in love with it. This amazing story sucked me in and ruined me for all future books!
The first book in this series was hard for me to first get into. Once I did I enjoyed the story but I still waited to read this one because I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was. I’ve been disappointed so much lately. Now I’m going to be waiting so long for the next book! That’s ok though, I don’t want this experience to be over yet. I’ll wait!
I still enjoy the different POV’s and I thought it was simple to figure out whose head we were in. Their name was mentioned in the first paragraph or so. This way of bringing the story to life was done so well because this is a complex story. This second installment read a lot easier than the first though and it never lagged.
The real reason I think I loved this book??? Grayson & Reece were together for so much of it and their chemistry is off the charts!
I think I’d be an empath in this world. I think about how certain things affect other people too much and I can’t watch certain things if they unnecessarily kill people. I do like true crime though so I’m not as sensitive as Reece but I can see a lot of what makes the empaths tick. I also wouldn’t mind spending time with The Dead Man. 😉 I’m also looking at every F-150 and thinking of Grayson.
I don’t know how this will be resolved after that ending. Perfect, chefs kiss, it was everything. I’m riding high on that feeling of being wrapped up in such an amazing story. I think I will stay here awhile and soak it all in!!!!
The first book in this series was hard for me to first get into. Once I did I enjoyed the story but I still waited to read this one because I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was. I’ve been disappointed so much lately. Now I’m going to be waiting so long for the next book! That’s ok though, I don’t want this experience to be over yet. I’ll wait!
I still enjoy the different POV’s and I thought it was simple to figure out whose head we were in. Their name was mentioned in the first paragraph or so. This way of bringing the story to life was done so well because this is a complex story. This second installment read a lot easier than the first though and it never lagged.
The real reason I think I loved this book??? Grayson & Reece were together for so much of it and their chemistry is off the charts!
I think I’d be an empath in this world. I think about how certain things affect other people too much and I can’t watch certain things if they unnecessarily kill people. I do like true crime though so I’m not as sensitive as Reece but I can see a lot of what makes the empaths tick. I also wouldn’t mind spending time with The Dead Man. 😉 I’m also looking at every F-150 and thinking of Grayson.
I don’t know how this will be resolved after that ending. Perfect, chefs kiss, it was everything. I’m riding high on that feeling of being wrapped up in such an amazing story. I think I will stay here awhile and soak it all in!!!!
Want to Read
December 16, 2024OMG! OMG! THIS BOOK IS FINALLY HEEERE!!!
June 29, 2026
Second re-read done. Same rating, same opinions.
———
4.5
This was so much better than the first one; and I was able to work out who’s who (in terms of agencies and organizations) so I actually got to enjoy this read lol the plot twist was really good, I didn’t even guess it, which is pretty rare for me; and I’m salivating at the mouth for the next installment.
Half a star off for the overuse of Evan’s moniker.
———
4.5
This was so much better than the first one; and I was able to work out who’s who (in terms of agencies and organizations) so I actually got to enjoy this read lol the plot twist was really good, I didn’t even guess it, which is pretty rare for me; and I’m salivating at the mouth for the next installment.
Half a star off for the overuse of Evan’s moniker.
May 23, 2026
A perfect sequel.
I like how the series is multi pov but in a way that still focuses a lot on the main couple. It's getting more and more tense and violent, which hell yeah, I'm here for it. The romance is getting more attention and I really hope it gets even better in the next book. I'm really curious to see the end so I'll just dive right in.
I like how the series is multi pov but in a way that still focuses a lot on the main couple. It's getting more and more tense and violent, which hell yeah, I'm here for it. The romance is getting more attention and I really hope it gets even better in the next book. I'm really curious to see the end so I'll just dive right in.
December 10, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
Twisted Shadows is an incredible follow up to Liar City and it was everything I could have wanted and more from this second story. I found myself caught in that loop of being desperate to read on and find out what would happen, while also wanting to avoid finishing the story. Sometimes when you love the first book in a series, the second can’t measure up. But in this case, I was blown away by the second installment and loved everything about it.
Therin has created some fascinating world building in this series and she expands the lore around empaths and corruption even further here. The story continues to be told in multiple POVs and it works to great effect, letting us as readers have inside information that our main characters don’t always have yet.
I can highly recommend this series and can’t encourage you enough to check it out.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
Twisted Shadows is an incredible follow up to Liar City and it was everything I could have wanted and more from this second story. I found myself caught in that loop of being desperate to read on and find out what would happen, while also wanting to avoid finishing the story. Sometimes when you love the first book in a series, the second can’t measure up. But in this case, I was blown away by the second installment and loved everything about it.
Therin has created some fascinating world building in this series and she expands the lore around empaths and corruption even further here. The story continues to be told in multiple POVs and it works to great effect, letting us as readers have inside information that our main characters don’t always have yet.
I can highly recommend this series and can’t encourage you enough to check it out.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
February 9, 2025
OMG, this book was not good for my anxiety.
Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but I can't say it was a relaxing read.
And I should have read this when the next book was already out. The wait just might kill me.
Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but I can't say it was a relaxing read.
And I should have read this when the next book was already out. The wait just might kill me.
May 1, 2026
In my review of Liar City, I mention that I wasn’t a fan of the inconsistency between the way the main character actions didn’t seem consistent with their character traits. That was still pretty true with Twisted Shadows. Still, I did enjoy Twisted Shadows more. I was even more captivated, engrossed and invested. At the same time, we learn things are even more f’d up, horrifying and evil than we knew in book 1. The thing that made this one somehow easier despite the immense evil is that there seems to be a better balance between the light and dark here and the dynamic between Reece and Evan is much lighter.
I’m still not convinced the storytelling is particularly skillful (3 stars tops) but it is captivating (hence the 4 stars overall).
I borrowed both books 1 and 2 from the library and will definitely hold off a decision to buy until I’ve read book 3.
I’m still not convinced the storytelling is particularly skillful (3 stars tops) but it is captivating (hence the 4 stars overall).
I borrowed both books 1 and 2 from the library and will definitely hold off a decision to buy until I’ve read book 3.
December 7, 2024
This was pretty darn good. It's hard to say how much of that was because I lowered my expectations after my recent re-read of book one and how much of it was because there was a lot more focus on the relationship between Reece and Evan. While plot holes still abounded, I decided to just keep trucking along, rather than dwell on them, and I think I have a better sense of what the author had in mind on the zoomed out version of the intended allegory. I went through this pretty quickly because I did not want to put it down and it had a really strong finish. Plus the relationship pay off is worth any plot holes that get us to that point. I am very eager for book three now. Considering that often book two in a trilogy is not the strongest, I was really pleased to see the improvements over the first book and will likely re-read in anticipation of the final book.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Carina Adores/Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Carina Adores/Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2026
Ok everyone who recommended this book to me, I get it now! Once I got into the second half of Twisted Shadows I COULD NOT put it down. It’s the second book in the Sugar and Vice series and things are getting crazy. Corrupted empaths (people who can read others emotions) are going rogue, but a lot of secrets about them are getting revealed and I am INTRIGUED. The twists! The big reveals! I had no idea what was going to happen next the entire time, one of the craziest thriller plots I’ve read in a long time.
And then….. the sweetness between a man with no emotions and a guy who can’t touch him without passing out? Evan and Reese are about as opposite as they can be, but I’m kind of obsessed with how cute they are AND the fact they spend most of the book trying to protect the other from themselves, just… I dunno. Also dying over the Carebear nicknames 🫠.
I’m extremely tempted to immediately jump into the third book, but I have some TBR stuff I was putting off that I need to read next….. after that ending, though, I’ll be back to finish things up ASAP 😱.
And then….. the sweetness between a man with no emotions and a guy who can’t touch him without passing out? Evan and Reese are about as opposite as they can be, but I’m kind of obsessed with how cute they are AND the fact they spend most of the book trying to protect the other from themselves, just… I dunno. Also dying over the Carebear nicknames 🫠.
I’m extremely tempted to immediately jump into the third book, but I have some TBR stuff I was putting off that I need to read next….. after that ending, though, I’ll be back to finish things up ASAP 😱.
July 1, 2024
I was given the NetGalley ARC, this is my honest review.
The second paragraph in Chapter Six made me CACKLE.
37%: You know those romances where you keep puzzling and puzzling at how anything between the two characters could possibly ever work? Yeah this is one of those.
I read the last 30% today because it's that kind of novel, too, only now I want book 3 because how... How are we getting out of this level of... No spoilers. Just, whew.
The second paragraph in Chapter Six made me CACKLE.
37%: You know those romances where you keep puzzling and puzzling at how anything between the two characters could possibly ever work? Yeah this is one of those.
I read the last 30% today because it's that kind of novel, too, only now I want book 3 because how... How are we getting out of this level of... No spoilers. Just, whew.
December 17, 2024
Was this the horniest book ever?
With the flirtiest moments?
Did I giggle and scream?
YES TO ALL
With the flirtiest moments?
Did I giggle and scream?
YES TO ALL
Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews