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Unforgivable Needs #1
Getting It Twisted
He wasn’t just my best friend.
He was arrogant. Tormented. Reckless.
I shouldn’t have wanted him, but I did. I still want him.
Now, five years after a drunken mistake of a night, he’s back.
And something has changed. Dark under-eye circles mar his pretty face, and his mouth no longer smirks as readily as before.
I should know better than to trust him with my heart again, but I can’t forget how he breathed life into me back when we were kids. His darkness merged with mine and became something else.
Something brighter.
We clicked together like two jagged, leftover puzzle pieces.
My best friend. My partner in crime. My ride-or-die.
As he spirals further into self-destruction, I need to find a way to protect him from his harrowing past.
Before it breaks us both.
Getting It Twisted is a standalone second chance MM romance that contains hot, explicit scenes between two men, as well as subject matters some readers might find upsetting. See the Author’s Note for more info.
He was arrogant. Tormented. Reckless.
I shouldn’t have wanted him, but I did. I still want him.
Now, five years after a drunken mistake of a night, he’s back.
And something has changed. Dark under-eye circles mar his pretty face, and his mouth no longer smirks as readily as before.
I should know better than to trust him with my heart again, but I can’t forget how he breathed life into me back when we were kids. His darkness merged with mine and became something else.
Something brighter.
We clicked together like two jagged, leftover puzzle pieces.
My best friend. My partner in crime. My ride-or-die.
As he spirals further into self-destruction, I need to find a way to protect him from his harrowing past.
Before it breaks us both.
Getting It Twisted is a standalone second chance MM romance that contains hot, explicit scenes between two men, as well as subject matters some readers might find upsetting. See the Author’s Note for more info.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2024
127 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Ally Avery
9 books92 followersAlly found her love for reading and writing at a young age. MM romance in particular has been part of her life since her first exposure to late-2000s Shounen Ai.
She likes to write about fierce, damaged boys who need a lot of love, and she doesn’t shy away from dark and taboo topics that some readers might find disturbing.
She likes to write about fierce, damaged boys who need a lot of love, and she doesn’t shy away from dark and taboo topics that some readers might find disturbing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
December 25, 2024
This is the kind of book that has a good story, good characters, angst, tension, history, damaged friends who love/hate each other, trauma, loneliness, toxic relationships, hurt and abuse... bad parents, homophobia, small town, drama, but all these layers of trauma and abuse, it’s difficult to portray or heal in 200 pages... least of all with only sex. And because of that, it lacks depth and growth. Everything feels rushed, like a movie in fast forward... Every moment is told in a rush, deprived of respect... honestly, it had potential for more.
Nathan is a freaking broken menace... no filter whatsoever.absolutely love him! We know he fucked your way through your life; it was a copying mechanism, as punishment... to be used because he was not worthy of more... but it’s told all the time... all the time. ALL.THE.GODDAMN.TIME. It feels so overexploited... I’m not judging his choices; I just feel it was all the focus we got on Nathan. He fucked a lot. We get it; it’s said 1000000 times! No concerns and no cares... He already demeans himself so much; let’s not feed the fire. So less is a bless!! He was so much more and deserved more. And not being healed with more sex than he already had.. the opportunity here to shower him with love, intimacy... Lost…
I was disappointed with Daniel honestly... because after finding out about the abuse, about why Nathan put himself through what he did, why he felt he deserved to be treated like that, he leaves? He was one of the abusers and completely dismissed any responsibility. He fucking needs help from his friends to come to the conclusion that he also used him. Can’t he see through his bullshit? I thought he knew Nathan... that he was different, honestly... And if it was spontaneous but his thoughts were different, with regrets? But no, he blames Nathan like everyone else.
I feel like this book didn’t truly honor Nathan as it should. He should be worshiped, loved, cared for, spoiled, and wrapped in the most fluffy, warm blanket in the world. The breakup and the ending was ridiculous… I was so maaaaaddddd.
Other thing, why bring George abuser disgusting dad to the story and not address that? And no therapy? How is this even acceptable? Nathan goes through some very hard and traumatic situations, and it’s resolved by love alone?
Nathan is a freaking broken menace... no filter whatsoever.absolutely love him! We know he fucked your way through your life; it was a copying mechanism, as punishment... to be used because he was not worthy of more... but it’s told all the time... all the time. ALL.THE.GODDAMN.TIME. It feels so overexploited... I’m not judging his choices; I just feel it was all the focus we got on Nathan. He fucked a lot. We get it; it’s said 1000000 times! No concerns and no cares... He already demeans himself so much; let’s not feed the fire. So less is a bless!! He was so much more and deserved more. And not being healed with more sex than he already had.. the opportunity here to shower him with love, intimacy... Lost…
I was disappointed with Daniel honestly... because after finding out about the abuse, about why Nathan put himself through what he did, why he felt he deserved to be treated like that, he leaves? He was one of the abusers and completely dismissed any responsibility. He fucking needs help from his friends to come to the conclusion that he also used him. Can’t he see through his bullshit? I thought he knew Nathan... that he was different, honestly... And if it was spontaneous but his thoughts were different, with regrets? But no, he blames Nathan like everyone else.
I feel like this book didn’t truly honor Nathan as it should. He should be worshiped, loved, cared for, spoiled, and wrapped in the most fluffy, warm blanket in the world. The breakup and the ending was ridiculous… I was so maaaaaddddd.
Other thing, why bring George abuser disgusting dad to the story and not address that? And no therapy? How is this even acceptable? Nathan goes through some very hard and traumatic situations, and it’s resolved by love alone?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2024
this has been my most anticipated book this year, and i’m very happy to say it was wonderful. Ally did an amazing job, these boys have my heart! Nathan, that poor broken boy 🥺🥺🥺 he deserves all the love.
i definitely wasn’t expecting to me emotional the whole time reading this, but i was and it was written so beautifully.
✨this was such a lovely debut. so happy to have received an arc of this book!✨
i definitely wasn’t expecting to me emotional the whole time reading this, but i was and it was written so beautifully.
✨this was such a lovely debut. so happy to have received an arc of this book!✨
November 10, 2024
Damn this one was twisted and I loved every minute of it! I love cozy reads as much as the next girlie but I also am a sucker for some angsty, hurt comfort broken boy goodness. Nathan was such an easy character to root for even through all the brattiness, sarcasm and obvious masking of his feelings. We he went through and continued to go through bc CPTSD really is no joke would be cause for anyone to feel how he felt.
Overshare incoming: Growing up in a household that was very much riddled with childhood trauma and endless anxiety about what kind of environment you may be waking up to or walking back in, I related to Nathan much more than I’d like to admit. Reading books like these don’t trigger me rather they’re more cathartic and that’s how I felt about this one. I also related a lot to Daniel, being the strong one and the caretaker and swallowing down emotions and feelings to take care of others that you feel need it more than you also hit pretty close to home for me.
I didn’t realize I was gonna be looking into a mirror in some moments of this book. These two really were heartbreaking but somehow found a way to navigate the darkness and find each other. I enjoyed every moment of these broken boys and their journey back to one another. My only critique would be I think the book could’ve been a little longer so the story could move a bit slower but that definitely didn’t take away my enjoyment of reading it 🤎
Ally Avery’s writing really gripped me from the first sentence and never let me go (except for some real life emotional breaks I had to take bc see above lol). I know I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next books to come from this author.
Overshare incoming: Growing up in a household that was very much riddled with childhood trauma and endless anxiety about what kind of environment you may be waking up to or walking back in, I related to Nathan much more than I’d like to admit. Reading books like these don’t trigger me rather they’re more cathartic and that’s how I felt about this one. I also related a lot to Daniel, being the strong one and the caretaker and swallowing down emotions and feelings to take care of others that you feel need it more than you also hit pretty close to home for me.
I didn’t realize I was gonna be looking into a mirror in some moments of this book. These two really were heartbreaking but somehow found a way to navigate the darkness and find each other. I enjoyed every moment of these broken boys and their journey back to one another. My only critique would be I think the book could’ve been a little longer so the story could move a bit slower but that definitely didn’t take away my enjoyment of reading it 🤎
Ally Avery’s writing really gripped me from the first sentence and never let me go (except for some real life emotional breaks I had to take bc see above lol). I know I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next books to come from this author.
March 26, 2025
Nathan + Daniel 🖤
Friends to enemies to lovers | Trauma | Hard earned HEA
....
"His scent melds with the same inexplicable pull that steals the breath from my lungs and renders me unable to look away from him. It's a compulsion. It's a need-- deep and dark and vacant of logic. It's telling me I want him, that I need him like air."
"Could you just... hold me?"
"Without you, my world's all black."
"Now I have him, and nothing can make me give that up. He's mine. My hole. My slut. My baby."
"The way we are; we burn together, hot and bright. The heat we generate burns scars into him and into me."
....
There is a plot point that I wish we got more closure on (more details regarding this below the spoiler tag)
⚠️potential spoilers below in tropes and trigger warnings
Tropes:
Friends to enemies to lovers
Second chances
Hard earned HEA
Rimming
Needy bottom
Crop tops
Possessiveness/Jealousy
Strict roles
TWs:
Sex as a form of self harm
Child abuse
History of rape and SA
Addiction
Mentions of child pornography and pedophilia
Drugs
Dead parent
Crooked cop
Nathan has on page sex with other people before he is reunited with Daniel
What I wanted more closure for:
I wish we found out if Daniel's uncle ever got what was coming to him for what he did to Nathan. I would have loved to see some touch him and die action for that piece of shit.
Friends to enemies to lovers | Trauma | Hard earned HEA
....
"His scent melds with the same inexplicable pull that steals the breath from my lungs and renders me unable to look away from him. It's a compulsion. It's a need-- deep and dark and vacant of logic. It's telling me I want him, that I need him like air."
"Could you just... hold me?"
"Without you, my world's all black."
"Now I have him, and nothing can make me give that up. He's mine. My hole. My slut. My baby."
"The way we are; we burn together, hot and bright. The heat we generate burns scars into him and into me."
....
There is a plot point that I wish we got more closure on (more details regarding this below the spoiler tag)
⚠️potential spoilers below in tropes and trigger warnings
Tropes:
Friends to enemies to lovers
Second chances
Hard earned HEA
Rimming
Needy bottom
Crop tops
Possessiveness/Jealousy
Strict roles
TWs:
Sex as a form of self harm
Child abuse
History of rape and SA
Addiction
Mentions of child pornography and pedophilia
Drugs
Dead parent
Crooked cop
Nathan has on page sex with other people before he is reunited with Daniel
What I wanted more closure for:
I wish we found out if Daniel's uncle ever got what was coming to him for what he did to Nathan. I would have loved to see some touch him and die action for that piece of shit.
January 22, 2025
This is such a stunning debut novel! It was definitely cathartic to read and ultimately, so rewarding to read about Nathan and Daniel. My heart broke over and over for Nathan, but I gotta say - I love his brattiness. I just want to hug him because of course he is just protecting those soft places inside. I cried - a lot - but am so glad I read this. The relationship development is of course rocky, but the spice is spicy and the HEA so hard won. If you love hurt/comfort and something of a fast read, this is definitely for you.
October 25, 2024
“Even when I try to hate you, I always end up loving you in the end.”
This was an enjoyable, quick read that kept me hooked from the first page.
I fell in love with these characters. I love my broken boys, and this book ran me through the emotional gauntlet. I got all the angsty, horny pining my wretched heart desired. If you love friends-to-lovers, toxic codependency, and second-chance vibes, this will be a good choice for you.
Nathan and Daniel are estranged former childhood-best-friends, reconnecting after 5 years apart. Hints are dropped throughout the story suggesting something explosive happened all those years ago, and when the skeletons came out of the closet, my jaw literally dropped. The baggage between these characters is unlike anything I’ve ever read— it’s hard to stomach, and after the reveal, I completely understood all of Nathan’s actions.
Nathan’s story broke my heart, and the way his trauma manifested as hypersexuality in his adulthood was really poignant to me. I don’t feel like I see that talked about enough as a possible symptom after trauma, and I would’ve loved to see it explored a little more between Nathan and Daniel.
The dialogue and banter felt fresh and natural from the beginning, especially Nathan’s bratty attitude. I love how OTT he is, and I love how Daniel will not hesitate to call him out for it.
OH, and the spice was UNBELIEVABLY hot. Very toxic and passionate and you can FEEL the years of yearning. Yes, please!
Now, a few things that didn’t quite work for me:
I did feel this book was too short. It’s tricky when books are in the 200-page range. I oftentimes feel like they would’ve benefitted from +/-100 pages, and in this case I wanted 100 more. A lot of things felt repetitively rehashed in internal monologues, and then in-person moments between the MCs were less detailed and a bit rushed.
Mild spoilers hidden
Regardless, my reading experience was overall positive, and the fact that I couldn’t put it down is what matters most to me.
I’ll be very excited to see more from Ally Avery, and it was a pleasure to read this debut.
This was an enjoyable, quick read that kept me hooked from the first page.
I fell in love with these characters. I love my broken boys, and this book ran me through the emotional gauntlet. I got all the angsty, horny pining my wretched heart desired. If you love friends-to-lovers, toxic codependency, and second-chance vibes, this will be a good choice for you.
Nathan and Daniel are estranged former childhood-best-friends, reconnecting after 5 years apart. Hints are dropped throughout the story suggesting something explosive happened all those years ago, and when the skeletons came out of the closet, my jaw literally dropped. The baggage between these characters is unlike anything I’ve ever read— it’s hard to stomach, and after the reveal, I completely understood all of Nathan’s actions.
Nathan’s story broke my heart, and the way his trauma manifested as hypersexuality in his adulthood was really poignant to me. I don’t feel like I see that talked about enough as a possible symptom after trauma, and I would’ve loved to see it explored a little more between Nathan and Daniel.
The dialogue and banter felt fresh and natural from the beginning, especially Nathan’s bratty attitude. I love how OTT he is, and I love how Daniel will not hesitate to call him out for it.
OH, and the spice was UNBELIEVABLY hot. Very toxic and passionate and you can FEEL the years of yearning. Yes, please!
Now, a few things that didn’t quite work for me:
I did feel this book was too short. It’s tricky when books are in the 200-page range. I oftentimes feel like they would’ve benefitted from +/-100 pages, and in this case I wanted 100 more. A lot of things felt repetitively rehashed in internal monologues, and then in-person moments between the MCs were less detailed and a bit rushed.
Mild spoilers hidden
Regardless, my reading experience was overall positive, and the fact that I couldn’t put it down is what matters most to me.
I’ll be very excited to see more from Ally Avery, and it was a pleasure to read this debut.
March 10, 2025
4.89 If you want to dry your eyes read it
July 21, 2025
4.25⭐️
4🌶️
Y’all, This Book Was Actually Really Good. The Fact That This Is Her First Book Is Crazy Because This Was Really Good. To Be Honest This Book Wasn’t What I Thought It Was Gonna Be Because I Was Expecting Something Different, But I Still Really Enjoyed This Book And I Read This In One Sitting So That Tells You That This Was A Pretty Addicting Book. Nathan And Daniel Were Just So IT For Each Other I Really Loved Them Together. Both Of Them Had Their Own Personal Issues That They Had To Endure Separately And Together And Their HEA Has REALLY Hard Earned But It Was So Worth It For Them Because The Epilogue Was Everything I Wanted For Them. I Highly Recommend Reading This On November 5th Because It’s A Pretty Heavy Angsty Read, But I HIGHLY Recommend This Book If Your Wanting A Good Quick Short Read If Your In A Reading Slump Because This Book Will DEFINITELY Do The Trick And I Cannot Wait To Read More By This Author.🫶💕
Thank You @allyavery Fir Sending Me This Arc I REALLY Appreciate It SM!😍❤️
4🌶️
Y’all, This Book Was Actually Really Good. The Fact That This Is Her First Book Is Crazy Because This Was Really Good. To Be Honest This Book Wasn’t What I Thought It Was Gonna Be Because I Was Expecting Something Different, But I Still Really Enjoyed This Book And I Read This In One Sitting So That Tells You That This Was A Pretty Addicting Book. Nathan And Daniel Were Just So IT For Each Other I Really Loved Them Together. Both Of Them Had Their Own Personal Issues That They Had To Endure Separately And Together And Their HEA Has REALLY Hard Earned But It Was So Worth It For Them Because The Epilogue Was Everything I Wanted For Them. I Highly Recommend Reading This On November 5th Because It’s A Pretty Heavy Angsty Read, But I HIGHLY Recommend This Book If Your Wanting A Good Quick Short Read If Your In A Reading Slump Because This Book Will DEFINITELY Do The Trick And I Cannot Wait To Read More By This Author.🫶💕
Thank You @allyavery Fir Sending Me This Arc I REALLY Appreciate It SM!😍❤️
November 8, 2024
DNF @ 73%.
I knew when I saw the playlist at the beginning that I should probably quit while I was ahead. Playlists are almost always a sign of melodramatics and disappointment.
I do like Nathan, but for all that he should be a Sad Boy TM, it rarely comes across.
And Daniel? Meh. His one sided hate is hardly even that. And he puts up about one ounce of resistance before falling back in with Nathan.
I was surprised when I saw I was 25% in, because it felt like hardly anything had happened. So I was really surprised to see I was 75% in, because still not a lot had happened.
There’s too much going, between Nathan’s dead mom, Daniel’s crappy mom, George, the drugs, the reason for the falling out that has yet to be revealed but that I’m sure those first lines from Daniel’s first POV give a good indication of.
And why do you need to go to a party to accomplish anything? Need you key? While you gotta come to my party to get it (even though I hate you). Owe me drug money? Well, come to this other party and pay me.
And, at one point, we get this line:
> I thread a condom over my cock and coat myself with lube.
>
Thread? Is his dick threaded that we are threading a condom on it? Putting a whole new meaning to getting screwed? It’s such a bizarre word choice.
I knew when I saw the playlist at the beginning that I should probably quit while I was ahead. Playlists are almost always a sign of melodramatics and disappointment.
I do like Nathan, but for all that he should be a Sad Boy TM, it rarely comes across.
And Daniel? Meh. His one sided hate is hardly even that. And he puts up about one ounce of resistance before falling back in with Nathan.
I was surprised when I saw I was 25% in, because it felt like hardly anything had happened. So I was really surprised to see I was 75% in, because still not a lot had happened.
There’s too much going, between Nathan’s dead mom, Daniel’s crappy mom, George, the drugs, the reason for the falling out that has yet to be revealed but that I’m sure those first lines from Daniel’s first POV give a good indication of.
And why do you need to go to a party to accomplish anything? Need you key? While you gotta come to my party to get it (even though I hate you). Owe me drug money? Well, come to this other party and pay me.
And, at one point, we get this line:
> I thread a condom over my cock and coat myself with lube.
>
Thread? Is his dick threaded that we are threading a condom on it? Putting a whole new meaning to getting screwed? It’s such a bizarre word choice.
November 16, 2024
4.5 Stars ⭐️
This was such an incredible story. It was all about the emotion and brokenness within this relationship and its characters. It was good, the bad, the ugly and the angsty. At times it wasn't an easy read by any means but the pay off was well worth the pain. I would absolutely recommend, I suggest reading authors warnings prior in case you have triggers.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
This was such an incredible story. It was all about the emotion and brokenness within this relationship and its characters. It was good, the bad, the ugly and the angsty. At times it wasn't an easy read by any means but the pay off was well worth the pain. I would absolutely recommend, I suggest reading authors warnings prior in case you have triggers.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
December 21, 2024
ooooof
So this was a hard one to read at times but I do enjoy a good hurt/comfort book and this one is a mix of hurt/hurt and hurt/comfort. Nathan and Daniel are both broken boys in need of help and they both help each other while also hurting and it’s just a heartbreaking story!
So this was a hard one to read at times but I do enjoy a good hurt/comfort book and this one is a mix of hurt/hurt and hurt/comfort. Nathan and Daniel are both broken boys in need of help and they both help each other while also hurting and it’s just a heartbreaking story!
October 24, 2024
For a debut novel this was a great read, I love childhood friends to lovers to enemies to then lovers.. the angst is my fave.. Nathan & Daniel are chapters that I wished we got to see more in depth of and to see their relationship develop slightly more.. & also to maybe see more of r the tropes advertised but tbh i really enjoyed reading it and when Daniel finally gives in again you get to see Bratty Nathan.. Thankyou for the Arc :) it was a pleasure to read..
December 12, 2024
Debut novel and It was good. I enjoyed it. It kept me interested especially Nathan. I needed to know his story.
Complaints I don’t like the name Nathan or Daniel 🤣🤣
Complaints I don’t like the name Nathan or Daniel 🤣🤣
November 26, 2024
→ Second Chance
→ Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers
→ Emotional Hurt/Comfort
→ Codependency
→ Mental Health Rep
→ Possessive & Obsessive
Please read the trigger warnings.
Nathan and Daniel, man, they stole my heart. Nathan's a wild card, with a ton of baggage from his past, but Daniel's always got his back. Nate ran away from home to escape his demons, which totally crushed Daniel. A misunderstanding one night drives a wedge between the two MCs, which comes to explain the actions leading to Nathan leaving. Nate comes back after his mom dies to take care of the old home. Daniel's not exactly thrilled about the drama that comes with Nate, but they slowly start reconnecting, remembering all the good times they had as kids. And let me tell you, the chemistry between these two is off the charts. They just can't deny their feelings for each other. Nate definitely acts out, and I think Daniel grounds him. I felt sorry for Nate many times because he acts like he doesn't care about things, but he does. He's been through so much pain. He can't deal in a healthy way, so he acts out in a sexual way. He acts like he's not worthy of love, but he is deserving.
→ Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers
→ Emotional Hurt/Comfort
→ Codependency
→ Mental Health Rep
→ Possessive & Obsessive
Please read the trigger warnings.
Nathan and Daniel, man, they stole my heart. Nathan's a wild card, with a ton of baggage from his past, but Daniel's always got his back. Nate ran away from home to escape his demons, which totally crushed Daniel. A misunderstanding one night drives a wedge between the two MCs, which comes to explain the actions leading to Nathan leaving. Nate comes back after his mom dies to take care of the old home. Daniel's not exactly thrilled about the drama that comes with Nate, but they slowly start reconnecting, remembering all the good times they had as kids. And let me tell you, the chemistry between these two is off the charts. They just can't deny their feelings for each other. Nate definitely acts out, and I think Daniel grounds him. I felt sorry for Nate many times because he acts like he doesn't care about things, but he does. He's been through so much pain. He can't deal in a healthy way, so he acts out in a sexual way. He acts like he's not worthy of love, but he is deserving.
November 6, 2024
These two aren’t..sweet..but they aren’t horrible either. the story is lovely. It is a good intro into dark romance if you have never read one. Nathan is a lost soul and Daniel is a great match for him.
June 19, 2025
It took me a while to decide on a score but I think I'd rate this a 3.5.
This is an intense dark romance. It's a pretty emotional story, which is impressive for a debut novel, especially considering it's not that long - less than 250 pages - but it manages to pack in plenty of feelings along the way.
Nathan had a traumatic childhood and he's been struggling to deal with his demons for years. However, despite his bratty behaviour to try and deal with his feelings, you can't help but feel for him. Daniel has always been Nathan's safety net:
'Nothing in my youth was ever easy. Except for Daniel.
My safe zone. My haven. The only port in my crazy storm of a life.'
The reveal of what happened at the graduation party from Nathan's POV explained so much about his behaviour and why he seemed to constantly push Daniel away. I wasn't expecting that so it was a good twist.
However, while I was totally in Nathan's corner, I found it quite hard to connect with Daniel. He's still a bit of a mystery to me and I felt that he had more to give us.
The addition of two of the female supporting characters in this book, April and Jessie, really brought something to the storyline though. Jessie helped to show us a different softer side to Nathan, while April was able to bring a more open-minded approach to the whole situation.
Upon finishing the book, I'm glad that Nathan and Daniel finally got their happy ending, but I did feel that there were things left unresolved or topics that would have been nice to have included in more detail:
• The biggest 'issue' for me was the fact that we didn't get to see how things played out with Daniel's uncle after Daniel learnt what he did to Nathan. It feels like that part of the story got lost at the end when I think that there should have been some mention of Daniel confronting him, or at least him getting some kind of comeuppance
• While we did get a brief epilogue for them, I'd have loved to have seen more of Nathan and Daniel, living their happy endings maybe a year or two later, including Nathan working through things, and us being able to see more of Daniel's personality coming through. It would have been lovely to see them both starting to thrive now that they're finally with their person
• Maybe it's just me but I was curious as to whether Nathan had any long-term repercussions to work through from his drug taking. I presumed he must have been okay in this regard because he only took them occasionally, so it wasn't too much of an issue to wean him off?
• If we saw more of them in the future, I'd have liked to have seen more of Jessie and the couple interacting with her (but that's just me being greedy for more Jessie time!), but more importantly, seeing the beginnings of a truce between Nathan and Daniel's mum would have been a nice addition to the story for Daniel especially.
But the above may just all be me. I'm a person who likes things all wrapped up rather than having things left open-ended, but others may not feel the same.
On the whole though, I did enjoy this story about two men finding their way back to one another; I did get pretty drawn into it and wanted to know what happened, I just wanted more to tie things up at the end.
This is an intense dark romance. It's a pretty emotional story, which is impressive for a debut novel, especially considering it's not that long - less than 250 pages - but it manages to pack in plenty of feelings along the way.
Nathan had a traumatic childhood and he's been struggling to deal with his demons for years. However, despite his bratty behaviour to try and deal with his feelings, you can't help but feel for him. Daniel has always been Nathan's safety net:
'Nothing in my youth was ever easy. Except for Daniel.
My safe zone. My haven. The only port in my crazy storm of a life.'
The reveal of what happened at the graduation party from Nathan's POV explained so much about his behaviour and why he seemed to constantly push Daniel away. I wasn't expecting that so it was a good twist.
However, while I was totally in Nathan's corner, I found it quite hard to connect with Daniel. He's still a bit of a mystery to me and I felt that he had more to give us.
The addition of two of the female supporting characters in this book, April and Jessie, really brought something to the storyline though. Jessie helped to show us a different softer side to Nathan, while April was able to bring a more open-minded approach to the whole situation.
Upon finishing the book, I'm glad that Nathan and Daniel finally got their happy ending, but I did feel that there were things left unresolved or topics that would have been nice to have included in more detail:
• The biggest 'issue' for me was the fact that we didn't get to see how things played out with Daniel's uncle after Daniel learnt what he did to Nathan. It feels like that part of the story got lost at the end when I think that there should have been some mention of Daniel confronting him, or at least him getting some kind of comeuppance
• While we did get a brief epilogue for them, I'd have loved to have seen more of Nathan and Daniel, living their happy endings maybe a year or two later, including Nathan working through things, and us being able to see more of Daniel's personality coming through. It would have been lovely to see them both starting to thrive now that they're finally with their person
• Maybe it's just me but I was curious as to whether Nathan had any long-term repercussions to work through from his drug taking. I presumed he must have been okay in this regard because he only took them occasionally, so it wasn't too much of an issue to wean him off?
• If we saw more of them in the future, I'd have liked to have seen more of Jessie and the couple interacting with her (but that's just me being greedy for more Jessie time!), but more importantly, seeing the beginnings of a truce between Nathan and Daniel's mum would have been a nice addition to the story for Daniel especially.
But the above may just all be me. I'm a person who likes things all wrapped up rather than having things left open-ended, but others may not feel the same.
On the whole though, I did enjoy this story about two men finding their way back to one another; I did get pretty drawn into it and wanted to know what happened, I just wanted more to tie things up at the end.
December 27, 2024
Well that was kinda a Raw read ✨
All while long the books scream of raw feelings, it just the way i felt while reading it. My heart break for Nathan, all along tons of people say that their relationship is toxic with how the way Nathan treats Daniel… and all the things he did with Daniel. Yet from what i can gather after reading the book.. i think the town is the one that Toxic 😭 legit all the people in the town is toxic. I legit feel that Nathan might have slept with half the town 😭💔 the town disappointed, betrayed and the one that ruin Nathan. Just like Nathan say Daniel might be the only good person left in the town that make him feel cherish, love and happy ✨
What i like about Daniel is how he slowly realizes and admit his fault, he even apologized to Nathan (the only one that did) and even give Nathan options and admitting the “toxicness” of their situation… i like how they communicate it all and not leave any misunderstanding anymore and acknowledge each other feeling and thoughts ✨ it also cute to see how Daniel just can’t ignore Nathan and basically help him with everything he need despite at that time he was hurt with Nathan🥺
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
I’ve tried to find them. I’ve tried everything in my power to feel better, to be better. But still, there is that darkness. Still, there is that fear. From what haunts me there is no escape, and what’s twisted in me cannot be unraveled.
I might as well deteriorate out here, in the place that made me this way. If it gets too much, I can always take my grandpa’s sawed-off shotgun and put an end to it. If everything goes to shit—like things tend to where I’m involved—I have my way out. My exit plan.
€
“You needed me to take care of you and take you away from that place, but I didn’t save you that night. I wasn’t any better than Eric and Tyler. I hurt you, and I didn’t understand, and I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
€
“What?” I rip my hands away from him and shoot to my feet. “Fuck no! Look.” I point between us. “You’re my best friend. You’re the only one who’s ever even liked me. You think I’d throw that away just because you did what all guys do when they have me naked in bed?”
“I wanted to be different from them. I ruined it.”
“Maybe you did, but fuck, Daniel, what’s done is done! You were drunk, same as me, and I hurt you too. We hurt each other. I won’t let you throw me out just because of your messed-up guilt and savior complex, okay? I’ve been with men who hurt me, who hurt me badly, and I know the difference. You’re not them. You’re good to me. You’re the only good thing in my life. If you make me leave you, you’ll hurt me more than those sadistic motherfuckers ever did. I’m lost without you. There’s nothing out there for me. Only you. Don’t you dare take that away from me.”
He hesitates.
“Okay?” I say sternly.
“Okay,” he replies.
All while long the books scream of raw feelings, it just the way i felt while reading it. My heart break for Nathan, all along tons of people say that their relationship is toxic with how the way Nathan treats Daniel… and all the things he did with Daniel. Yet from what i can gather after reading the book.. i think the town is the one that Toxic 😭 legit all the people in the town is toxic. I legit feel that Nathan might have slept with half the town 😭💔 the town disappointed, betrayed and the one that ruin Nathan. Just like Nathan say Daniel might be the only good person left in the town that make him feel cherish, love and happy ✨
What i like about Daniel is how he slowly realizes and admit his fault, he even apologized to Nathan (the only one that did) and even give Nathan options and admitting the “toxicness” of their situation… i like how they communicate it all and not leave any misunderstanding anymore and acknowledge each other feeling and thoughts ✨ it also cute to see how Daniel just can’t ignore Nathan and basically help him with everything he need despite at that time he was hurt with Nathan🥺
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
I’ve tried to find them. I’ve tried everything in my power to feel better, to be better. But still, there is that darkness. Still, there is that fear. From what haunts me there is no escape, and what’s twisted in me cannot be unraveled.
I might as well deteriorate out here, in the place that made me this way. If it gets too much, I can always take my grandpa’s sawed-off shotgun and put an end to it. If everything goes to shit—like things tend to where I’m involved—I have my way out. My exit plan.
€
“You needed me to take care of you and take you away from that place, but I didn’t save you that night. I wasn’t any better than Eric and Tyler. I hurt you, and I didn’t understand, and I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
€
“What?” I rip my hands away from him and shoot to my feet. “Fuck no! Look.” I point between us. “You’re my best friend. You’re the only one who’s ever even liked me. You think I’d throw that away just because you did what all guys do when they have me naked in bed?”
“I wanted to be different from them. I ruined it.”
“Maybe you did, but fuck, Daniel, what’s done is done! You were drunk, same as me, and I hurt you too. We hurt each other. I won’t let you throw me out just because of your messed-up guilt and savior complex, okay? I’ve been with men who hurt me, who hurt me badly, and I know the difference. You’re not them. You’re good to me. You’re the only good thing in my life. If you make me leave you, you’ll hurt me more than those sadistic motherfuckers ever did. I’m lost without you. There’s nothing out there for me. Only you. Don’t you dare take that away from me.”
He hesitates.
“Okay?” I say sternly.
“Okay,” he replies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2024
I had so many feelings reading this book, and really enjoyed it from beginning to end!
I had been waiting for this book to be released for so long, constantly getting excited the closer and closer I got to reading it. It had all the things I love: broken boys, best friends to enemies to lovers, unhealthy coping mechanisms, trauma and neglected childhoods. But it also had some things I wasn’t expecting, which really elevated this book for me.
With it being Ally’s debut, I had no idea if I would vibe with their writing style, or how they told this story, but I was totally vibing, and this story was so complex and tragic, and I ate it the hell up!
Nathan, our poster boy for “broken and bruised”, was an instant obsession. He uses his body to try and control his feelings, letting men use him in hopes it gives his brain a moment of peace. He battles demons and suffers the whole damn time. He leaves his hometown, leaving behind an abusive childhood, but also his best friend, but when he has to return home, he has a lot to deal with. One of which being the best friend he left behind.
Daniel has never gotten over his best friend leaving, because obviously Nathan was more to him than that! Nathan was his everything, and although he didn’t suffer the same ways Nathan did growing up, he had his own home troubles, and Nathan was his heart and soul during all of that. So when Nathan returns we are feeling for Daniel, who is just trying to live his life the best he can.
When Nathan won’t let Daniel forget him, we learn more about their history, and this is where Ally really captivated me. Ally did some very brave and daring things with this story, and we learn that not all is as it seems.
This is something that is so relatable to our real lives. We are complex and we have faults. And I love that Ally brought this into their book.
There are moments in this book where both characters show us they are not perfect, and that they can make mistakes and falter. We aren’t just black and white, there is everything in between, and that is where you find these two men.
The title for this book was superbly picked, and I really am excited to see what Ally delivers next. This was an incredible debut, and I fell in love with it straightaway, but my love only deepened as we got to the end, for both characters and for their journey.
Please read the trigger warnings if you need to, but if you are able to go in blind then I strongly recommend it!
I had been waiting for this book to be released for so long, constantly getting excited the closer and closer I got to reading it. It had all the things I love: broken boys, best friends to enemies to lovers, unhealthy coping mechanisms, trauma and neglected childhoods. But it also had some things I wasn’t expecting, which really elevated this book for me.
With it being Ally’s debut, I had no idea if I would vibe with their writing style, or how they told this story, but I was totally vibing, and this story was so complex and tragic, and I ate it the hell up!
Nathan, our poster boy for “broken and bruised”, was an instant obsession. He uses his body to try and control his feelings, letting men use him in hopes it gives his brain a moment of peace. He battles demons and suffers the whole damn time. He leaves his hometown, leaving behind an abusive childhood, but also his best friend, but when he has to return home, he has a lot to deal with. One of which being the best friend he left behind.
Daniel has never gotten over his best friend leaving, because obviously Nathan was more to him than that! Nathan was his everything, and although he didn’t suffer the same ways Nathan did growing up, he had his own home troubles, and Nathan was his heart and soul during all of that. So when Nathan returns we are feeling for Daniel, who is just trying to live his life the best he can.
When Nathan won’t let Daniel forget him, we learn more about their history, and this is where Ally really captivated me. Ally did some very brave and daring things with this story, and we learn that not all is as it seems.
This is something that is so relatable to our real lives. We are complex and we have faults. And I love that Ally brought this into their book.
There are moments in this book where both characters show us they are not perfect, and that they can make mistakes and falter. We aren’t just black and white, there is everything in between, and that is where you find these two men.
The title for this book was superbly picked, and I really am excited to see what Ally delivers next. This was an incredible debut, and I fell in love with it straightaway, but my love only deepened as we got to the end, for both characters and for their journey.
Please read the trigger warnings if you need to, but if you are able to go in blind then I strongly recommend it!
April 21, 2025
Annnnd, here's a break from my regularly scheduled ARCs/TBRs programming with a new book from an add I saw last night... Here's Ally Avery's "Getting It Twisted." It's the first book in the Unforgivable Needs series.
["He wasn’t just my best friend.
He was arrogant. Tormented. Reckless.
I shouldn’t have wanted him, but I did. I still want him.
Now, five years after a drunken mistake of a night, he’s back.
And something has changed. Dark under-eye circles mar his pretty face, and his mouth no longer smirks as readily as before.
I should know better than to trust him with my heart again, but I can’t forget how he breathed life into me back when we were kids. His darkness merged with mine and became something else.
Something brighter.
We clicked together like two jagged, leftover puzzle pieces.
My best friend. My partner in crime. My ride-or-die.
As he spirals further into self-destruction, I need to find a way to protect him from his harrowing past.
Before it breaks us both."]
God fuck, this was a hard read. They were both dealing with so many mental health struggles and horrible family members and past traumas. Plus their own pasts, their own codependency. Daniel was in love with his best friend then, and almost completely ruined when Nathan left. Nathan was already ruined before him and Daniel took that drunken plunge, but after? Whatever is worse than ruined, that was Nathan, all bundled up in sarcastic barbs and self-depreciating jokes.
Fixing them, their friendship, their romantic relationship, wasn't easy. At. All. It was hard for both of them, drudging up old emotions and even older traumas. It sucked. I cried. I feel like shit now. But at least these two got their HEA.
Trigger Warnings: depression, mental health struggles, mentions of suicide and suicidal ideations, self-harm and self-destruction, past sexual assault/rape, coercion into sexual intercourse without protection, homophobic slurs, mentions of voluntary and involuntary drug you, drug overdose of a secondary character, death of a family member, codependency, child abuse, neglect, child sexual abuse, and more.
#gettingittwisted #breakingyouopen #unforgivableneeds #unforgivableneedsseries #allyavery #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
["He wasn’t just my best friend.
He was arrogant. Tormented. Reckless.
I shouldn’t have wanted him, but I did. I still want him.
Now, five years after a drunken mistake of a night, he’s back.
And something has changed. Dark under-eye circles mar his pretty face, and his mouth no longer smirks as readily as before.
I should know better than to trust him with my heart again, but I can’t forget how he breathed life into me back when we were kids. His darkness merged with mine and became something else.
Something brighter.
We clicked together like two jagged, leftover puzzle pieces.
My best friend. My partner in crime. My ride-or-die.
As he spirals further into self-destruction, I need to find a way to protect him from his harrowing past.
Before it breaks us both."]
God fuck, this was a hard read. They were both dealing with so many mental health struggles and horrible family members and past traumas. Plus their own pasts, their own codependency. Daniel was in love with his best friend then, and almost completely ruined when Nathan left. Nathan was already ruined before him and Daniel took that drunken plunge, but after? Whatever is worse than ruined, that was Nathan, all bundled up in sarcastic barbs and self-depreciating jokes.
Fixing them, their friendship, their romantic relationship, wasn't easy. At. All. It was hard for both of them, drudging up old emotions and even older traumas. It sucked. I cried. I feel like shit now. But at least these two got their HEA.
Trigger Warnings: depression, mental health struggles, mentions of suicide and suicidal ideations, self-harm and self-destruction, past sexual assault/rape, coercion into sexual intercourse without protection, homophobic slurs, mentions of voluntary and involuntary drug you, drug overdose of a secondary character, death of a family member, codependency, child abuse, neglect, child sexual abuse, and more.
#gettingittwisted #breakingyouopen #unforgivableneeds #unforgivableneedsseries #allyavery #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
November 15, 2024
Final Rating: 4 / 5
Notable Tropes: Childhood friends to enemies to lovers, Second chance, Hurt/Comfort, Co-dependency, Small Town
Content Warnings:
Review
Just to start — as far as debut novels go, I think Avery did a fantastic job. I really enjoyed their writing style; each character has a unique voice that is distinguishable, the setting is easy to visualize, and they did a really good job of building tension throughout the book. Like I honestly felt a bit anxious and unsettled for a good portion of the story.
As for our main couple, Nathan and Daniel are both incredibly complex and flawed characters. However, the story does a really good job of helping you clearly understand both of their feelings and perspectives. And as the plot progresses and you learn more about them, you slowly start to piece together the things we don't know together. Although there is always a sort of missing piece there amongst everything else that doesn't really click till more towards the end. But when it happens there is definitely a sort of “oh fuck” moment. Which I genuinely believe is what sets this book apart from others like it with similar plots.
However! I do think some readers will have mixed feelings about said revelation. To be honest even I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it but I commend Avery for not being afraid to explore it. However, I will say.. I think the overall shorter length of the book did contributed to those mixed feelings. As we really didn’t get to see the characters work through it. And one of the side characters just ends up being a sort of miracle catalyst for the plot’s resolution.
Overall though I really did enjoy this, I am excited to see what Avery produces moving forward. Also! Since this is book one, I am curious what the rest of this series gonna be about. There is a limited supporting cast in this book so I wonder if the series is gonna be interconnected (same town/universe) like will we get books for Joshua/Bikers/George(?) or is this series more just based around similar themes in each book but completely separate. Either way I’m excited!
Notable Tropes: Childhood friends to enemies to lovers, Second chance, Hurt/Comfort, Co-dependency, Small Town
Content Warnings:
Review
Just to start — as far as debut novels go, I think Avery did a fantastic job. I really enjoyed their writing style; each character has a unique voice that is distinguishable, the setting is easy to visualize, and they did a really good job of building tension throughout the book. Like I honestly felt a bit anxious and unsettled for a good portion of the story.
As for our main couple, Nathan and Daniel are both incredibly complex and flawed characters. However, the story does a really good job of helping you clearly understand both of their feelings and perspectives. And as the plot progresses and you learn more about them, you slowly start to piece together the things we don't know together. Although there is always a sort of missing piece there amongst everything else that doesn't really click till more towards the end. But when it happens there is definitely a sort of “oh fuck” moment. Which I genuinely believe is what sets this book apart from others like it with similar plots.
However! I do think some readers will have mixed feelings about said revelation. To be honest even I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it but I commend Avery for not being afraid to explore it. However, I will say.. I think the overall shorter length of the book did contributed to those mixed feelings. As we really didn’t get to see the characters work through it. And one of the side characters just ends up being a sort of miracle catalyst for the plot’s resolution.
Overall though I really did enjoy this, I am excited to see what Avery produces moving forward. Also! Since this is book one, I am curious what the rest of this series gonna be about. There is a limited supporting cast in this book so I wonder if the series is gonna be interconnected (same town/universe) like will we get books for Joshua/Bikers/George(?) or is this series more just based around similar themes in each book but completely separate. Either way I’m excited!
November 2, 2024
Getting It Twisted is the fantastic first novel by Ally Avery.
When we meet Nathan, he’s out of control. His mother has died and he realizes he needs to return to Springvale and confront the ghosts of his past - including the boy he left behind.
Daniel is lost. After flunking out of college he works as a custodian is the local community center. He’s still not over Nathan leaving 5 years ago without a word. His best friend. Soulmate.
Daniel, his mother, and his cousin George tell us Nathan is a manipulative liar. Toxic. A criminal. (About that: a youthful arrest for shoplifting a candy bar - which Daniel also did but was let go because his uncle was the arresting officer.)
And then Ally takes everything we’ve been told about Nathan and shows us who he really is. Snarky and self-destructive. Impulsive. Prone to bad decisions. A survivor. Someone who is kind to animals and children.
I loved how perceptions were tinted by their own prejudices, and few took the time to get to know the battered and bruised young man. No wonder Nathan has such a prickly exterior. My heart hurt for him. Experience showed him it was the only way to survive. And his f*cked up childhood rewired him to think pleasure was pain.
I had a niggling suspicion what Nathan was trying to hide. But it was worse. So many people had let him down. Even Daniel - who when he realizes his own unwitting part in Nathan leaving reacts badly at first.
Thank goodness for George’s girlfriend April. As an outsider she sees Nathan clearly. She doesn’t sugarcoat things and the conversation with Daniel and George is raw and heartbreaking.
This book is so well done. The hints and slow reveals. The bad actors you want to pay - I’m looking at you Uncle Wayne!
You can’t deny Daniel and Nathan’s bond. And despite what he says, you know Daniel wants Nathan to stay. Once they get out of their own way, the path to a brighter future opens up. And Nathan accepting he IS worthy of love is beautiful.
Visceral, with dark humor, a slightly feral MC, the healing boy who loves him, and questionable choices. This is a compelling read, and an amazing debut. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When we meet Nathan, he’s out of control. His mother has died and he realizes he needs to return to Springvale and confront the ghosts of his past - including the boy he left behind.
Daniel is lost. After flunking out of college he works as a custodian is the local community center. He’s still not over Nathan leaving 5 years ago without a word. His best friend. Soulmate.
Daniel, his mother, and his cousin George tell us Nathan is a manipulative liar. Toxic. A criminal. (About that: a youthful arrest for shoplifting a candy bar - which Daniel also did but was let go because his uncle was the arresting officer.)
And then Ally takes everything we’ve been told about Nathan and shows us who he really is. Snarky and self-destructive. Impulsive. Prone to bad decisions. A survivor. Someone who is kind to animals and children.
I loved how perceptions were tinted by their own prejudices, and few took the time to get to know the battered and bruised young man. No wonder Nathan has such a prickly exterior. My heart hurt for him. Experience showed him it was the only way to survive. And his f*cked up childhood rewired him to think pleasure was pain.
I had a niggling suspicion what Nathan was trying to hide. But it was worse. So many people had let him down. Even Daniel - who when he realizes his own unwitting part in Nathan leaving reacts badly at first.
Thank goodness for George’s girlfriend April. As an outsider she sees Nathan clearly. She doesn’t sugarcoat things and the conversation with Daniel and George is raw and heartbreaking.
This book is so well done. The hints and slow reveals. The bad actors you want to pay - I’m looking at you Uncle Wayne!
You can’t deny Daniel and Nathan’s bond. And despite what he says, you know Daniel wants Nathan to stay. Once they get out of their own way, the path to a brighter future opens up. And Nathan accepting he IS worthy of love is beautiful.
Visceral, with dark humor, a slightly feral MC, the healing boy who loves him, and questionable choices. This is a compelling read, and an amazing debut. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 11, 2024
If Crew CollinsIllicit Desires is your sweet baby angel that can do no wrong (even when he does very wrong) this is the book for you. If you appreciate the angsty beauty of Cruel and Careless this is the book for you. I knew at 3% that this book would either be a favorite or I'd hate it - no in between.
All I can say is that this story is worth reading and these guys will leave an impression on your heart. I think I held my breath & continually had to dry my eyes until they got their HEA🖤 Instant hard-copy purchase for my bookshelf.
I turn to the kitchen, and there he is, back turned, cross-legged on the floor with his hands in his lap as if he’s meditating. A shiver runs down my spine as I realize where he’s sitting. The darkened patch of wood. I think that’s the spot, he said.This freaking book made me cry so many times. Nathan is very broken, probably more than you realize, and probably for reasons you won't even guess; I didn't.
I’ve got . . . plans. Can’t really remember which ones at the moment, but that’s just because Nathan has his hand on my knee, drawing little circles with his fingertips. Every little touch sends sparks of heat down my spine.There are many tender light-hearted moments but the underlying tension is always there. I was constantly looking at the % of the book I had left & just knowing something awful was surely coming.
“Without you, my world’s all black.”Nathan & Daniel are both flawed and emotionally tortured but they are good people. They are such likable men throughout the entire story and you truly want nothing more than for them to be happy and OK.
All I can say is that this story is worth reading and these guys will leave an impression on your heart. I think I held my breath & continually had to dry my eyes until they got their HEA🖤 Instant hard-copy purchase for my bookshelf.
November 7, 2024
Getting It Twisted by Ally Avery is an amazing debut that had me hooked from start to finish. These characters have my heart, especially Nathan—who’s been through so much pain, yet deserves all the love.
The story opens with Nathan, reeling from his mother’s death and feeling compelled to return to Springvale to confront his past, including the boy he left behind. Daniel, meanwhile, is lost, working as a custodian after flunking out of college, and still wounded by Nathan’s disappearance five years ago. To Daniel, Nathan is his best friend—his soulmate. But to others, like Daniel’s mum and cousin George, Nathan is a toxic, manipulative liar with a criminal past.
But Ally Avery skillfully peels back these layers, revealing who Nathan really is: a survivor. Beneath his snark and impulsive, self-destructive choices, he’s kind, especially to animals and kids, though life has taught him that letting his guard down comes at a cost. It’s hard not to feel for him—his traumatic past has shaped him in heartbreaking ways.
Daniel’s struggle with his own role in Nathan’s leaving is powerful, especially when confronted by the brutally honest April, who offers a fresh perspective. The slow reveals, the antagonists you love to hate, along with Daniel and Nathan’s undeniable bond make this book truly special. Watching Nathan realise he’s worthy of love, and seeing their path to a brighter future open up, was both beautiful and deeply moving.
Visceral, darkly funny, and full of healing, Getting It Twisted is an unforgettable read and a stunning debut. This one hit me in the feels, and I’m so grateful to have received an ARC!
The story opens with Nathan, reeling from his mother’s death and feeling compelled to return to Springvale to confront his past, including the boy he left behind. Daniel, meanwhile, is lost, working as a custodian after flunking out of college, and still wounded by Nathan’s disappearance five years ago. To Daniel, Nathan is his best friend—his soulmate. But to others, like Daniel’s mum and cousin George, Nathan is a toxic, manipulative liar with a criminal past.
But Ally Avery skillfully peels back these layers, revealing who Nathan really is: a survivor. Beneath his snark and impulsive, self-destructive choices, he’s kind, especially to animals and kids, though life has taught him that letting his guard down comes at a cost. It’s hard not to feel for him—his traumatic past has shaped him in heartbreaking ways.
Daniel’s struggle with his own role in Nathan’s leaving is powerful, especially when confronted by the brutally honest April, who offers a fresh perspective. The slow reveals, the antagonists you love to hate, along with Daniel and Nathan’s undeniable bond make this book truly special. Watching Nathan realise he’s worthy of love, and seeing their path to a brighter future open up, was both beautiful and deeply moving.
Visceral, darkly funny, and full of healing, Getting It Twisted is an unforgettable read and a stunning debut. This one hit me in the feels, and I’m so grateful to have received an ARC!
November 7, 2024
Das Buch ist zwar kurz, aber definitiv nicht mal eben für zwischendurch und erst recht keine leichte Kost.
Es sind schon stark triggernde Inhalte drin, und man sollte sich am Anfang die Contend Warning am besten durchlesen. Ich hab’s auch getan, obwohl ich ehrlich gesagt Triggerwarnungen selten bis gar nicht lese, da sie eben spoilern, und ich in der glücklichen Lage bin, dass mich nichts so stark triggert, so dass ich trotz dem in Ruhe lesen kann.
Nun aber kurz zur Story:
Nach 5 Jahren Funkstille, kehrt Nathan nach dem OD Tod seiner Mutter in die kleine Stadt zurück, die er einst Hals über Kopf verlassen hat. Natürlich begegnet er seinem besten Freund aus Kindertagen, den er damals auch sitzen gelassen hat. Das dieser total verstört und wütend ist, Nathan nach so langer Zeit und ihrer ganzen Geschichte wiederzusehen, ist hier durchaus verständlich. Doch schnell wird klar, dass Daniel nicht nur Hass für Nathan übrig hat, sondern darunter eine tiefe Verletztheit liegt, die er nur zu gerne aufarbeiten möchte…
Ich fand die Story wirklich gut. Sie war mit 230 Seiten etwas kurz, ich hätte auch gerne noch mehr über die beiden erfahren, muss aber sagen, dass hier nichts zu kurz kam. Alles wichtige wurde aufgearbeitet und eigentlich alles aufgelöst, aber wie gesagt, ich hätte mir noch etwas mehr Länge gewünscht, und das ein oder andere noch ein bisschen mehr durchgekaut. Aber ich sehe es in dem Sinne eher fast als etwas längere Kurzgeschichte an, und kann damit gut leben. Ich hab die beiden jedenfalls ins Herz geschlossen, und sehr mit beiden, besonders mit dem doch sehr BrokenBoy Nathan sehr gelitten.
Es sind schon stark triggernde Inhalte drin, und man sollte sich am Anfang die Contend Warning am besten durchlesen. Ich hab’s auch getan, obwohl ich ehrlich gesagt Triggerwarnungen selten bis gar nicht lese, da sie eben spoilern, und ich in der glücklichen Lage bin, dass mich nichts so stark triggert, so dass ich trotz dem in Ruhe lesen kann.
Nun aber kurz zur Story:
Nach 5 Jahren Funkstille, kehrt Nathan nach dem OD Tod seiner Mutter in die kleine Stadt zurück, die er einst Hals über Kopf verlassen hat. Natürlich begegnet er seinem besten Freund aus Kindertagen, den er damals auch sitzen gelassen hat. Das dieser total verstört und wütend ist, Nathan nach so langer Zeit und ihrer ganzen Geschichte wiederzusehen, ist hier durchaus verständlich. Doch schnell wird klar, dass Daniel nicht nur Hass für Nathan übrig hat, sondern darunter eine tiefe Verletztheit liegt, die er nur zu gerne aufarbeiten möchte…
Ich fand die Story wirklich gut. Sie war mit 230 Seiten etwas kurz, ich hätte auch gerne noch mehr über die beiden erfahren, muss aber sagen, dass hier nichts zu kurz kam. Alles wichtige wurde aufgearbeitet und eigentlich alles aufgelöst, aber wie gesagt, ich hätte mir noch etwas mehr Länge gewünscht, und das ein oder andere noch ein bisschen mehr durchgekaut. Aber ich sehe es in dem Sinne eher fast als etwas längere Kurzgeschichte an, und kann damit gut leben. Ich hab die beiden jedenfalls ins Herz geschlossen, und sehr mit beiden, besonders mit dem doch sehr BrokenBoy Nathan sehr gelitten.
October 18, 2024
Getting it Twisted is Alley Avery’s debut novel that is a second chance MM romance novel with heavy angst, and hot explicit scenes.
I really enjoyed this book a lot. Avery is a talented author that knows how to write about pain, love, torment and healing.
These characters really go through it in this book and you feel their every emotion.
I loved Daniel and Nathan so much. Both of these men has been through a lot. Nathan is a broken boy who’s been through so much trauma that no one should ever go through and Daniel has been dealing with a broken heart and depression ever since his best friend Nathan left him behind without a word. However, not great circumstances brings back Nathan to the town he grew up in with Daniel and they meet again.
Nathan has to deal with the demons his mother left behind now he’s back in town and Daniel is filled with hatred and resentment towards Nathan.
What I really loved in this book is how Nathan and Daniel has so much history together and we get to see glimpses of their childhood and how they met and became best friends. It was enough to understand them on a more emotional level and how they ended up through the years. Their relationship is toxic and dark but there is also so much love between them.
Overall I really enjoyed Avery’s debut novel. Please check the trigger warnings before reading. And thank you to the author for sending me and an ARC of Getting it Twisted to read and review.
I really enjoyed this book a lot. Avery is a talented author that knows how to write about pain, love, torment and healing.
These characters really go through it in this book and you feel their every emotion.
I loved Daniel and Nathan so much. Both of these men has been through a lot. Nathan is a broken boy who’s been through so much trauma that no one should ever go through and Daniel has been dealing with a broken heart and depression ever since his best friend Nathan left him behind without a word. However, not great circumstances brings back Nathan to the town he grew up in with Daniel and they meet again.
Nathan has to deal with the demons his mother left behind now he’s back in town and Daniel is filled with hatred and resentment towards Nathan.
What I really loved in this book is how Nathan and Daniel has so much history together and we get to see glimpses of their childhood and how they met and became best friends. It was enough to understand them on a more emotional level and how they ended up through the years. Their relationship is toxic and dark but there is also so much love between them.
Overall I really enjoyed Avery’s debut novel. Please check the trigger warnings before reading. And thank you to the author for sending me and an ARC of Getting it Twisted to read and review.
November 1, 2024
Wow this book was a surprise for me!!!
This was a wonderfully written story about pain and heartbreak and second chances. For me, this story was extremely "real life", there wasn't any fluff to this and at times, was a tough, emotional read. Nathan and Daniel were best friends in their teens. They both seemed to love each other in more than a friendly way but after a graduation party, Nathan abruptly leaves and cuts off and contact. He spends the next 5 years "running" so to speak, and being with any man just to fill a void. He comes back when his mother passed away.
Nathan has been through more than any person should ever have to endure. He has been abused his whole life. He puts out this "air of indifference", which at times was frustrating until you realize this is his way of coping, of not truly letting anyone in for fear they will hurt him. Daniel is the only person he has ever let get anywhere close to him
There is a turning point in this book that surprised me, and killed me at the same time. I had really hoped to see a bit more of the mending of their relationship, and Nathan getting some help beyond his codependency on Daniel.
I want to be clear, these two have a very toxic, co-dependent relationship. If something like this seems potentially triggering, this may not be the right book for you. I encourage you to read the triggers, as this is not an easy read - the author did not sugarcoat and she speaks of real trauma.
This was a wonderfully written story about pain and heartbreak and second chances. For me, this story was extremely "real life", there wasn't any fluff to this and at times, was a tough, emotional read. Nathan and Daniel were best friends in their teens. They both seemed to love each other in more than a friendly way but after a graduation party, Nathan abruptly leaves and cuts off and contact. He spends the next 5 years "running" so to speak, and being with any man just to fill a void. He comes back when his mother passed away.
Nathan has been through more than any person should ever have to endure. He has been abused his whole life. He puts out this "air of indifference", which at times was frustrating until you realize this is his way of coping, of not truly letting anyone in for fear they will hurt him. Daniel is the only person he has ever let get anywhere close to him
There is a turning point in this book that surprised me, and killed me at the same time. I had really hoped to see a bit more of the mending of their relationship, and Nathan getting some help beyond his codependency on Daniel.
I want to be clear, these two have a very toxic, co-dependent relationship. If something like this seems potentially triggering, this may not be the right book for you. I encourage you to read the triggers, as this is not an easy read - the author did not sugarcoat and she speaks of real trauma.
November 2, 2024
I obviously went into this book completely blind and not knowing what to expect - especially with it being a debut novel. When I say Ally took me on a ride with this reading this book. The way the story kept me guessing, constantly throughout the book, I kept questioning “what happened?” “Why did you leave!?” Then when I think I’ve fully grasped the plot, we’re hit with another little surprising twist!
I read this in one sitting and honestly I was so captivated. I’m no stranger to a taboo storyline but I don’t think I’ve read one with that little twist. (Sorry I can’t really explain without spoiling) let’s just say I finished the book not really knowing how to feel. To be honest I still don’t! But Ally definitely left me in my thoughts days after I had finished it.
Nathan, is such a complex character. It was hard at times for me to understand/ like him but as the storyline unfolded, everything made sense and I understood him fully! It was like that instant click, ahhhh that’s why he’s like this…
Daniel and Nathan both had individual battles to deal with in order to move forward together. It was a hard earned hea for sure. At one point I thought it wouldn’t happen for them but I couldn’t think of a better match for each other
I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see what @authorallyavery has in store for us next! 📚✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
*I received this as an Arc but my this review is my honest opinion*
I read this in one sitting and honestly I was so captivated. I’m no stranger to a taboo storyline but I don’t think I’ve read one with that little twist. (Sorry I can’t really explain without spoiling) let’s just say I finished the book not really knowing how to feel. To be honest I still don’t! But Ally definitely left me in my thoughts days after I had finished it.
Nathan, is such a complex character. It was hard at times for me to understand/ like him but as the storyline unfolded, everything made sense and I understood him fully! It was like that instant click, ahhhh that’s why he’s like this…
Daniel and Nathan both had individual battles to deal with in order to move forward together. It was a hard earned hea for sure. At one point I thought it wouldn’t happen for them but I couldn’t think of a better match for each other
I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see what @authorallyavery has in store for us next! 📚✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
*I received this as an Arc but my this review is my honest opinion*
November 4, 2024
Ally Avery’s Getting It Twisted is a story that instantly grabbed my attention. I am always looking for new reads that promise to hit hard with angst, and Getting It Twisted seemed like it would tick my boxes. While I can see it working for many, it missed the mark for me.
I will be honest and say that my two-star rating is a rounded down two-point-five-star rating. I did consider rounding my rating up as there were elements of the story that did have me engaged and eager to see how details would come together. However, there were too many elements I wished to see explored in more details, and it was my desire for more of these that had me rounding my rating down. That is not to say I disliked the whole story – in fact, I enjoyed the way it handled certain elements – but I do feel like there were elements that needed to be explored much more. With the heavy topics handled in this story, I feel it should have been longer to allow the elements to be explored as deeply as they deserved to be. I also wish there had been more glimpses into the past, to allow the necessary level of connection with the characters.
While I can see many people enjoying this, it did not hit me quite as hard as I had hoped. I blame this on the fact that I read a lot in the genre containing high levels of angst, and I am accustomed to exploring the elements in much more detail. For me, this did not go quite deep enough for me to love it as much as I wanted.
I will be honest and say that my two-star rating is a rounded down two-point-five-star rating. I did consider rounding my rating up as there were elements of the story that did have me engaged and eager to see how details would come together. However, there were too many elements I wished to see explored in more details, and it was my desire for more of these that had me rounding my rating down. That is not to say I disliked the whole story – in fact, I enjoyed the way it handled certain elements – but I do feel like there were elements that needed to be explored much more. With the heavy topics handled in this story, I feel it should have been longer to allow the elements to be explored as deeply as they deserved to be. I also wish there had been more glimpses into the past, to allow the necessary level of connection with the characters.
While I can see many people enjoying this, it did not hit me quite as hard as I had hoped. I blame this on the fact that I read a lot in the genre containing high levels of angst, and I am accustomed to exploring the elements in much more detail. For me, this did not go quite deep enough for me to love it as much as I wanted.
January 8, 2025
Sigh. I had high hopes for this one, because it was recommended a few different places.
Daniel and Nathan were friends in high school, and then Nathan left without another word five years ago. His mother has just died so he's back in their hometown to sort out her house and see Daniel again. But Daniel doesn't want to see his ex friend. Nathan's leaving was one of the hardest things he's ever been through, and he's still so angry. He knows that Nathan has been through some awful shit, but he can never forget how bad it felt to be abandoned by the one person that was his.
Okay, so, I hate badmouthing a book. This is a debut, and I want to start by saying I really liked the writing style. But to me it felt like the second or third book in a series. We were missing so much backstory, and the characters had no depth. Since we saw almost nothing about their backgrounds, it was hard to care about them. I couldn't feel bad for them or empathize because nothing endeared them to me.
**SPOILERS BELOW**
And also...both of the MMCs were unlikeable! Nathan was manipulative, mean, selfish, rude...and Daniel was just as bad. To find out that Daniel had r*ped Nathan at the graduation party?! There was no coming back from that. And to have his friends say "oh, we all make mistakes" was so gross.
This author has a very good writing style, but characters and world building definitely needs some help.
Daniel and Nathan were friends in high school, and then Nathan left without another word five years ago. His mother has just died so he's back in their hometown to sort out her house and see Daniel again. But Daniel doesn't want to see his ex friend. Nathan's leaving was one of the hardest things he's ever been through, and he's still so angry. He knows that Nathan has been through some awful shit, but he can never forget how bad it felt to be abandoned by the one person that was his.
Okay, so, I hate badmouthing a book. This is a debut, and I want to start by saying I really liked the writing style. But to me it felt like the second or third book in a series. We were missing so much backstory, and the characters had no depth. Since we saw almost nothing about their backgrounds, it was hard to care about them. I couldn't feel bad for them or empathize because nothing endeared them to me.
**SPOILERS BELOW**
And also...both of the MMCs were unlikeable! Nathan was manipulative, mean, selfish, rude...and Daniel was just as bad. To find out that Daniel had r*ped Nathan at the graduation party?! There was no coming back from that. And to have his friends say "oh, we all make mistakes" was so gross.
This author has a very good writing style, but characters and world building definitely needs some help.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2024
Alley Avery's first novel, Getting it Twisted, is an MM romance with intense feelings of regret and plenty of steamy, explicit scenes. This book was fantastic for me. Pain, love, suffering, and recovery are all topics that Avery deftly covers in her writing. You experience every feeling that these characters go through in this novel. I had a deep affection for Nathan and Daniel. A lot has happened to each of these guys. Since his best buddy Nathan abandoned him without a word, Daniel has been coping with a shattered heart and melancholy, while Nathan is a damaged youngster who has endured suffering that no one should ever have to endure. But unlucky events bring Nathan and Daniel back to the village where they both grew up, and they cross paths again. Since returning to town, Nathan has had to face the demons his mother left behind, while Daniel harbors nothing but animosity and contempt for him. The fact that we learn about Nathan and Daniel's long history together, from their childhood friendship to how they first met and became best friends, is one of the things that drew me to this novel. It provided sufficient background to comprehend their plight and fate on a deeper emotional level. They love one other deeply, yet their relationship is poisonous and sinister.I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review
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