Twisted Violet

Lovesick Villains #4

by Jessa Halliwell

They were just supposed to keep me safe. Now they’re the only thing holding me together. I never expected to survive.
To be protected. Wanted. Or seen.
But somehow, Dallas, Niko, and Rome have managed to do all three.

They were always supposed to be temporary.
A job.
Just the three men hired to pull me out of hell.

But ever since they asked me to move in with them,
they’ve become something more.

But I’m not healed. Not whole.
And I’m not even being honest with them.

They have no clue the past I’ve tried so hard to outrun
is creeping in around the edges.

And when they find out I've been lying to them...

It could destroy everything.


Forced Proximity
Reverse Harem
Touch Her and Die
Bodyguard Romance x3
Yearning
Found Family
Groveling
Slow Burn
He Falls First
Friends-to-Lovers


Twisted Violet is a standalone book set in the Lovesick Villains World, where our heroine will end up with multiple love interests. You do not need to read the first three books in the series to read this one, but they make cameo appearances and this book may spoil parts of the first three.

This book features graphic violence and mentions of past traumas. Please visit the author's website for a more detailed list of triggers.

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose, Romance, Contemporary, Dark

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2025

About the author

Jessa Halliwell is a Dark Romance author who writes about angsty, torturous love, that's a little fucked up and utterly consuming. Her characters are raw and flawed but they always find salvation in each other.

She loves writing romance only slightly more than she loves reading it. She’s been known to binge read novels then spend the rest of the day sulking over the massive book hangover.

Jessa resides in Northern California with her boyfriend and her feisty Chihuahua. When she isn’t pouring her heart out in her writing, you can find her obsessing over her skincare routine, drinking an unhealthy amount of boba tea and probably crying over a really good romance book

Reviews

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.3 stars
I recieved an ARC from the author for this book. I definitely recommend reading Stevie's trilogy beforehand as it provides a bit more context into the characters and situations we start off in. Whilst this is labelled as a standalone I did have to go back and re read the third book in Stevie's series just to recall what happened.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, we go through a tremendous journey of growth with the main characters, lots of spice and angst and an engaging plot line. The main characters trauma is dealt with beautifully and the men are perfect in this book. Do check the trigger warnings before reading.

Will definitely keep reading books from this author.

[daisy · Rating 1 out of 5]

You definitely can’t read this as a standalone, I’ve read the reapers trilogy and even I didn’t know what was happening in this book. 😭

[KT Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Violet is both brutal and beautiful — a story of scars (seen and unseen), second chances, and how love doesn’t always arrive on time, but often when it’s desperately needed. Violet is a wounded heroine, haunted by a past she can’t outrun, and her three protectors — Dallas, Niko, and Rome — bring different kinds of comfort, conflict, and heartbreak. The dynamics are raw. There’s spice, there’s angst, there’s slow burn—and it really leans into the reverse harem + found family tropes in ways that hit hard.
One caveat: even though Twisted Violet is technically labelled as a standalone, you’ll get so much more out of it if you’ve already read the prior books in the Lovesick Villains / Reapers universe. Cameos, references, emotional weight of certain characters and events — it all attaches to things that were built earlier. If you haven’t read those, parts of the plot still work, but some moments might leave you scratching your head (or longing for more context).
And oh, Stevie. Stevie is such a pain. I mean that in the best/worst sort of way. She’s aggravating, self-righteous at times, lecturing when she hasn’t earned the moral high ground, and yet… the story wouldn’t be quite the same without her. She pushes Violet, in ways both helpful and maddening, and her presence underscores how imperfect everyone is in this world. If you like characters you love to hate (or hate-to-love), Stevie delivers.
Overall, this is a compelling, emotional read. If you enjoy romance with multiple love interests, tension, trauma healing, and messy relationships, Twisted Violet will likely stay with you. Just go in ready for the feels — and maybe re-read a book or two from the world first.

[Tessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I went into this blind after seeing a TikTok review. After confirming (via the authors own words) that this can be read as a stand alone, I gave it a go. Let me just say, this very much is not a stand alone. I did not read any of the other books and had absolutely no clue what was happening. Alex “violet” was kidnapped? Sold? Something? Then saved? Her sister was injured somehow and you don’t know in what context? These men who she already knows become her body guards and we have no clue how she knows them or anything about their relationship, we’re just supposed to already know? The story was lack luster, even if I did know what was going on (which I very much didn’t). There was so real bones, no relationship building, her sister who is supposedly her savior basically tells her she’s not good enough to be in a relationship with the men, they “lied” and were actually paid by her sister to watch Alex? Apparently? Which is supposedly a big betrayal? Then the man Who had kidnapped her (again we have no context on that situation) finds her, tells her to come to him, she does? Then all of her men and her sisters men are there and they kill him? Randomly? Again no context.. she then later forgives them for their “betrayal”.. the end..

If you were confused by this review, don’t even try to read the book. :)

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Alex/ Violet’s story, starting from the end of Wrath of the Reapers, I reread the trilogy before starting this book and I’d say it’s worth doing, considering the story and character crossover.
I loved this, I loved Violet, she thought she was broken, but she was a survivor, with more strength than she realised.
This was a quietly intense story, no big shootouts or action scenes, instead it was mind games, betrayal, healing and finding the strength to move forward and let love and trust develop.
Admittedly at times I could have shaken the guys and Stevie, they all needed to learn how to communicate properly. Violet was not a mind reader.
I loved that at the end she chose herself and chose to heal, but omg, Rome at the end was wonderful, for someone wound so tight, he showed his softer side.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️.5

[Lyssreadss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessa one word for you…phenomenal absolutely phenomenal even that’s an understatement. It was well worth the wait the only regret I have is finishing it so fast because I literally could not put it down and finished it in less than a day. The Reapers Series was one of the first series I read when I started getting into the book community and I just knew that Violets story was gonna be good and it definitely did not disappoint. Dallas, Niko & Rome were literally perfection. I was so happy for the cameo of Stevie and her boys. Oh and one word…frosting. That scene was chefs kiss. This book was an amazing edition to the Lovesick Villains world and I definitely cannot wait to see what comes next!

[Samantha aka samsbookspam · Rating 5 out of 5]

TROPES:
bodyguard romance
yearning
traumatized heroine
touch her and unalive
groveling
slow burn
they fall first

LOVED!!! Loved being back in this world and finally getting Violets story!!!!
Violet and her 3 bodyguards, the men that were hired to look after her after she was rescued from a HORRIBLE man and situation.

As the story unfolds, we find out that this man is def not gone and is currently stalking and hunting her down, determined to get her back.

The trauma that she deals with and even the traumas that her men deal with...it so heartbreaking but they all heal each other in their own way.

You get some pieces from the previous characters in the series before so i loved that, did her sis make me want to rage a few times? SURE DID!!! but i ate this up.

[Katelin S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely lovvvvved it! Continuing from the end of Stevie’s series, (thanks for bringing back up the heartbreaking trauma from the end of them btw hahahaha) You get spice, sweetness, betrayal, and grovelling like there’s no tomorrow; my fav. Violet, and her guys’, stories are heartwrenching but so sweet to witness the healing and coming together of them. There’s plot, lots of spice, and of course drama to keep you on the edge of your seat. I missed this world so much and I’m so glad we got more!!

[Debleena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only problem I had in this book was Stevie. I hated her, hell her being pathetic and doormat was one of the reasons why I DNF the Reapers series, but this bitch has the audacity to lecture Violet and her guys about love and vulnerabilities and taking advantage when Violet and her guys are far far far more better that her nonsense of a relationship just boiled my blood. This could have been a 5 star , only if the grovel was a bit longer & angsty and if Violet either put Stevie in her place or if there was no Stevie at all.

[Saniyah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌙 ARC REVIEW 👩🏻‍🍳

This story was heartbreaking but so beautifully told. I loved how each of the guys showed their love in their own way without overwhelming Violet while she was figuring out how to heal. 😚

Stevie did piss me off when she tried to lecture Violet about messing with the guys even though she already had men of her own. I was like, girl, you’re one to talk, you little hypocrite. 🤨 But aside from that, I really enjoyed the moments when she came across as a genuine sister. 😌

My only issue is that it was listed as standalone, but it didn’t quite feel like one. I haven’t read the previous series, so I definitely felt like I was missing some of the bigger story. I’ll be going back to read The Reapers series to get that full context. 👏🏽🎬

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ Review ⭐

Even though I understood most of the plot, I definitely felt like I was missing a big chunk of the story since I haven’t read the first books about the sister 🤷‍♀️. It still made sense overall, but I think starting from the beginning would’ve given more depth and context.

It’s a reverse harem with bodyguards 🔥💪 — a setup I always enjoy! The dynamic between the characters was fun to read, and there’s definitely potential for more emotional impact if you’ve followed the series from the start.

[C G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was chosen as an arc reader for this one. Violet's story is heart breaking. I really liked how all the guys showed their love for her in their own personal ways and none of them overwhelmed her by being in her space while she was figuring out how to best heal herself.

My only issue was this was listed as a standalone I feel like I'm missing some of the story, and I think I need to go read the rest of the series.

[Cici · Rating 5 out of 5]

I HAVE WAITED TWO YEARS FOR THIS BOOKS AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. I cannot stress this enough, I read the reapers trilogy two years ago and instantly knew I needed violets pov with her three men. It was like icing on a cake….👀👀 I can’t wait to see what else jessa might have in store with a possible new series or a continuation of this one 💕💕

[booklover · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book annoys me so badly because wdym the Fmc heard that her guys were paid to take care of her yet they never have a real conversation about it? they never apologize? and never say their feelings about it? it's actually ridiculous

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great end to Violet’s story. We got a peek into her healing journey, the setbacks, the growth and ultimately her happy ending. I wish it could have been a little longer but I devoured this book nonetheless!! Dallas, Rome and Niko are 🥵🥵 and always support Violet. I loved this!

[Pinkitnl · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75/5⭐️

I like this story, but was sometimes a bit confused. I don’t think this is really a standalone, because of the ongoing story from previous books (that i haven’t read) 🤭

[Mariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was picked as an ARC reader for this book. I have not read the series that this is connected to. The story drew me in right away. However, I was very confused for the majority of the book. It is a standalone, but I really don't think that it makes sense as one. I will definitely be reading the series this is connected to so that I can understand this book more. I liked the story and the characters, but the pace was so quick, which led to additional confusion. I would not recommend reading this until you've read the series it's connected to.

Spice 🌶🌶

[Sonal]

Who's mmc??