Giovanna was five when her mother married into the coldest family she’d ever known. From that day on, the twin boys she called stepbrothers made her life hell by mocking her, cornering her, and keeping her on the outside. But even then, a darker part of her always wanted their attention. At eighteen, Giovanna’s whole life is turned upside down with the brutal murder of her mother. Once they find the man responsible and have him in custody, she thinks the heartache will finally be over. Now twenty, Giovanna’s life is shattered once again when the man who killed her mother escapes custody. Thrust into hiding with the same boys who once tormented her—Darius and Draken—she finds herself trapped in a cabin full of buried truths, electric tension, and feelings none of them are ready to admit. But as secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, Giovanna must face one truth none of them can run sometimes the people who hurt you the most...are the only ones willing to kill for you.
I devoured this book. It quite literally brought me out of my reading slump. I was immediately drawn to the twins, like I loved them instantly. Their emotions for Gio were so strong and when how they felt all came out, it was so intense. Gio was such a lovable FMC. To me, she was already a confident badass character from the beginning, but as the story continued, so did that growth. Her story was so sad! My heart hurt for her especially because there were so many secrets she wasn't privy to, but of course, it was ultimately to protect her.
The plot twist was insane! I did not see that coming at all. I thought I had the twist predicted then Aries made me realize it was not supposed to be that easy 😂 The spice in this was amazing. One of my favorites was the cemetery scene, for multiple reasons 👀 I am so excited for the next book and to read more by S.T.!
Where do I begin 😭💔! This year I have read a lot of ARC books! This has just topped my book of the year! Not arc of the year book of the year! I’m soooo excited to continue this series!
Firstly, I want to thank you so much for giving me a chance to be on ur arc team! Secondly! I wanna thank the heavens above for creating such a talented author! This review may seem like I’m sucking up to her ass but it’s my honest truth! I love this book with every core of my body!
What’s not to love: 🖤 MORALLY GREY MMC’s 🖤 Twin brothers 👌 🖤 Why choose romance 🖤 amazing banter 🖤 taboo 🖤 SUPER spicy 🌶️ x100 🖤 fast burn 🖤 AMAZING PLOT TWIST AND PLOT!
S.T. Aries I cannot wait to see where ur career goes! Ur work was outstanding, amazing character development, perfect execution on scripting the scenes and characters, page turning plot and u made the characters relatable. You could feel there emotions through the words u wrote. You should be very proud of this book. 📖
This story grabbed me from the very first page and refused to let go. Giovanna’s journey is raw, dark, and addictive—blending family drama, heartbreaking loss, and a twisted undercurrent of forbidden tension that keeps you glued to every chapter. The twin stepbrothers, Darius and Draken, are complex in the best way: equal parts tormentors, protectors, and everything in between.
The murder of Giovanna’s mother sets the stage for a gripping, high-stakes ride, but what makes this book unforgettable are the layers of secrets and emotions inside that remote cabin. The push-and-pull between pain and desire, hate and loyalty, kept me on edge, and the unraveling truths hit like a gut punch.
Dark, thrilling, and beautifully messy—this is one of those reads that lingers long after the last page. Perfect for anyone who loves suspense, intensity, and morally gray characters you can’t help but root for.
Overall this was a fun, quick dark-ish read with heavy spice.
Things I loved:
1. The spice. The spice scenes were great! Taboo with Gio and her twin stepbrothers. Personally I’m feeling Darius’s energy. These scenes were fun and adventurous.
2. The overall concept. The overarching plot concept was good. There’s a lot happening - crime drama, taboo romance drama, betrayals, safe houses. Lots of great elements.
Things I wished for:
1. More details, more story, more character development. The story felt rushed and I really wish it wasn’t. I would have loved to see some more scenes of the twins and gio younger when they don’t get along and more details about how their relationship evolved. Due to the rushed story, I felt like there were pieces I was filling in on my own when I’d rather the author guide me.
4⭐️ I was fortunate enough to receive this arc, and I'm so grateful I did. This book was so much more than I expected. Draken and Darius are every dark romance reader's dream. The way they worship Gio is delicious, and who doesn't love two sexy stepbrothers absolutely obsessed with the badass FMC??? I didn't see Jace's villain story coming, but I loveddddd how it all tied together. I do wish we had more scenes with Gio's mom because she meant so much to her. I can't wait for what's to come in the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Oh my my! Words cannot even do this book justice! It’s fast paced well written and will keep you begging for more! The taboo element pushes through with the brothers! They’re so in sync yet so much character difference! The spice level in it is insane! I loved it sooo much! Once you read this Draken will own a special place in your heart like no other!
2.5 ⭐️’s, rounding up to 3. This just fell flat to me… The plot was good, just poorly written in my opinion. I found it a bit weird and did get a little bored.
This is MY opinion, don’t let it deter you from reading! Just because it wasn’t for me, doesn’t mean it’s not for you! ☺️
♥ “You’re the only light strong enough to break through my darkness. With you, I don’t have to fight alone anymore.” ❀
❀♥❀---ARC Review---♥❀♥
This book took some of my favorite tropes (why choose, taboo, and a touch of mafia-esque drama) and blended them into a story that was nearly impossible to put down. It had just the right balance of spice, tension, and intrigue to keep me hooked from the very first chapter. Given the way the story opened, I honestly wasn’t sure how Darius and Draken were going to make the leap from childhood tormentors to devoted protectors, but the family drama and the circumstances that forced them into hiding made that transition surprisingly believable and compelling.
♥ “I know it’s crazy that I’m in love with her, but I’d burn the world down for her.” ❀
That said, I did feel that Giovanna forgave them a bit too easily. Considering how deeply she’d been hurt, especially by Draken, I expected more resistance or emotional fallout before she let her guard down. The instant forgiveness made their reconciliation feel a little rushed. I would’ve loved to see the twins work harder to earn her trust and affection after years of cruelty and exclusion. That extra struggle would’ve made their eventual bond feel even more rewarding.
❀ “I don’t mind sharing as long as it’s with my brother. But if any other man gets close to her, I’ll chop their hands off; it’s not like I haven’t done it before.” ♥
Another point that left me curious was the direction of the duet as a whole. The ending tied up much of Giovanna’s arc, so I’m not sure if the next book will continue with her and the twins or pivot to another couple within this world. There’s also the matter of the massive secret that Darius, Draken, and their father kept from Giovanna for two years: a revelation that, while shocking, didn’t lead to any immediate fallout. It’s possible that book two will explore that further, but I wish we had at least seen the beginnings of that conflict unfold here, as it would have added emotional depth and tension to the story’s resolution.
♥ “We’re not f*cking around. We want this. With you. For life.” ❀
Character-wise, Darius and Draken were standout MMCs. I appreciated how, despite being twins, they were distinct individuals with their own personalities and ways of expressing loyalty and affection. Often twins are written as near carbon copies of one another, but S.T. avoided that trap. Giovanna, on the other hand, felt like she had untapped potential. She showed glimpses of strength and growth, especially toward the end when she finally began stepping out from under the twins’ shadow. I hope book two continues to develop that side of her and allows her to truly come into her own.
❀ “She’s cute and seems sweet, but she’ll claw your eyes out if she has to.” ♥
The spice in this book was abundant and well-executed. Personally, I would’ve liked to see more group scenes and fewer one-on-one interactions, but that’s just a preference thing. What was there was undeniably hot and full of chemistry. The scenes never overshadowed the plot, and in some ways, they underscored how Giovanna used physical intimacy as a distraction from her complicated reality: a choice that actually worked well thematically.
♥ “You think this doesn’t change everything? Because it f*cking does. We are literally at your mercy, Gio. There’s no one else. Now you just gotta decide if you can live with that or not.” ❀
For a story marketed as a fast-burn romance, I wasn’t expecting much in the way of emotional development, so I was pleasantly surprised to see some genuine connection form between Giovanna and the twins. Still, I wanted just a bit more emotional depth to match the intensity of their physical chemistry. Hopefully, book two builds on that foundation and gives us a deeper look at their bond, both as lovers and as partners navigating their messy shared history.
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Spice: 3/5
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Tropes: ❀ Fast Burn ♥ ♥ Taboo Romance ❀ ❀ RH/ Why Choose ♥ ♥ Touch Her & ☠️ ❀
❀ “I see the war inside you, the demons clawing at your soul. And I’m not afraid. I promise…Because loving you means loving every scar you carry, and I’m not leaving, no matter how dark it gets.” ♥
Twisted Roots by S.T. Aries is a taboo, high-heat, and high-stakes dark romance that mixes family secrets, revenge, and forbidden desire into one addictive read. The story follows Giovanna, who was only five when her mother married into a cold, dangerous family, and her new stepbrothers, Darius and Draken, made her life a living hell. Mocked, cornered, and constantly reminded she didn’t belong, she learned to hide her pain… even from the darker part of herself that craved their attention. Years later, after her mother’s brutal murder and the escape of the man responsible, Giovanna is forced into hiding with the very same twin brothers who tormented her. Trapped together in an isolated cabin, buried secrets unravel, and tension burns into something impossible to deny. But when loyalties fracture and past sins rise, Giovanna must face a truth as twisted as her roots: sometimes the ones who broke you are the only ones who’d kill to protect you. The 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice is scorching, this is definitely not a lighthearted romance. The heat level matches the emotional intensity, with plenty of taboo tension, forced proximity, and dark, dangerous chemistry between the fierce heroine and her two complicated, magnetic love interests. Both twin MMCs are hot, brooding, and deeply layered in that “I’d burn the world for you” way, and Giovanna more than holds her own against them, she’s bold, wounded, and utterly fierce. There’s also a mafia undercurrent and enough twists and turns to keep the plot moving fast. Aries balances the steamy tension with genuine suspense and emotional stakes, making this more than just spice, it’s a dark, tangled story about love, loss, and power. Twisted Roots is bold, gritty, and addictive, a taboo page-turner that definitely kept me reading late into the night. If you like your dark romance with danger, trauma, and twin trouble, this one delivers in spades.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader for Twisted Roots, and this story definitely took me on a wild, taboo ride. It follows a girl who has always loved her two step brothers, but circumstances finally force them all under the same roof. When danger puts her life at risk, her step dad sends the brothers to protect her at a remote cabin, and with nowhere to run from their feelings, years of hidden desire and tension finally come to the surface. The danger, the closeness, and the emotional push and pull between them make this story impossible to put down.
I really enjoyed the suspense woven throughout; it gave the story more than just spice and added a darker edge that made it hard to put down. The spice itself was decent, a fast burn, which isn’t usually my favorite, but it still kept my interest. Personally, I wanted a bit more depth and emotion in those moments to really connect with the characters.
The story is told from multiple points of view, which I usually dislike, but I think it worked well here. It gave each character space to show their emotions and perspective, especially in a story that plays with such complicated relationships.
If anything, I found myself wishing we could have seen more of their younger years, how the brothers’ yearning for the FMC began and how her feelings for them developed over time. That would have made their connection feel even more intense and believable.
Overall, Twisted Roots is a quick, taboo, suspense filled read with plenty of potential for readers who love tension, brotherly love dynamics, and protective themes. I would absolutely pick up more from S.T. Aries in the future, especially if there is a sequel or a deeper dive into these characters’ pasts.
Scorched Roots is the first book in a duology. This taboo, why choose romance features Giovanna, Darius and Draken.
When Giovanna was 5 years old, her mother Genevieve married Devon Cade. Devon's 6-year old twins, Darius and Draken, became her step-brothers. All she wanted was to be their friend but for the most part they ignored her, although they took great pleasure in making her cry. They loved to come up with new ways to torment her, such as carving up her plushie. At the same time, the twins remained protective of her; she was theirs to torment. The twins never viewed her as their sister, and as they got older, they recognized that their feelings for her were not those one has for a sibling.
After Giovanna's mother perished, the whole family grieved. The man responsible for her death was identified and 2-years later is about to go on trial. When he escapes and their family is at risk, they move to a safe house. Giovanna ends up spending extended amounts of time with her step-brothers and is determined to show them how she feels about them; she wants them both.
The story had a good premise and an engaging plot however the delivery fell short for me. I struggled with the language and profundity. From this reader's perspective it lacked a certain maturity that one might associate with the subject matter. Giovanna is supposed to be 20 years old however her vernacular came across as quite juvenile. The story also seemed lacking in emotional depth.
It will be interesting to see what the author does with the feedback received and how she incorporates it into the conclusion of this duology.
As always, I encourage you to check out the book and make your own assessment.
Twisted Roots is a fast paced taboo romance about twin brothers Darius, Draken, and their step sister Giovanna. Giovanna has been in love with the boys since entering her teen years, yet the boys have maintained boundaries, within reason... you will find out about late night snacks in chapter 3 😉 Giovanna has tried to move on with her life and forget about Darius and Draken, but when certain events force them into hiding, fighting their desires becomes too much. Who will give into temptation first? Will Giovanna have to choose one? Or will the brothers give her what shes always written about in her diary all these years?
I liked the fast pace, push and pull, and banter between the characters. Darius and Draken are polar opposites, except when it comes to Giovanna. Darius is a filthy animal that makes you want to say "yes sir" everytime he speaks 🥵 It's well written, with a simple storyline regarding mafia life, which makes the fast pace of the spice, and relationship turn around between the characters more believable.
🌶🌶🌶🌶 The spice is 'eat me for breakfast' instead of food type of fun 🫠 There were spicy scenes that made me seriously wonder if I could ever be shared 😂 All readers know what I mean!
Give this book a read if you want a quick get you in the mood, taboo, dirty talking romance. You will not be disappointed!
Giovanna I was drawn into her character from the start I was grappling on reading this it left me with loads questions and I can’t wait for the final book in the dust I loved every part of this duet sofar I was hooked from the start and Giovanna was one of the characters that I most adored and her characteristics.
Draken, was obsessed with Giovanna and I loved that from the start I thought this was a dark read and I couldn’t stop him from falling in love with her. I thought the possessive side of him and how much spice was in this story left me wanting more and wondering what’s to come next in the next book.
Darius, loved Giovanna from the start I was hooked on his characteristics because the way of how much he was there for her with Draken was beautiful and beyond amazing I couldn’t stop reading and it was seeing the connection they both had with her and how they both worked out together of how to be with her and share her.
I thought this was a great read but I recommend check your triggers before reading this I felt like this book was a 5 star read and I enjoyed every part of reading this with the chemistry that was between them and the moments they both shared with her was enjoyable and so well put together and written.
Okay besties… "Twisted Roots" had so much potential to be a total dark, spicy knockout, but it just didn’t fully deliver the emotional punch I was craving. Giovanna getting trapped with her twin stepbrothers, Darius and Draken, after years of torment? Yes, please. The setup screamed taboo tension, forced proximity, and secrets waiting to explode. But somewhere between the plot twists and the spice, the story fell a bit flat.
The story/writing lacked that emotional depth and intensity to make me feel the chaos, pain, or pull between them. It’s a good storyline with strong bones—fast burn, dark edges, and that deliciously wrong stepbrother energy—but it needed more grit and heat in the delivery.
Overall? An okay read with a solid premise, but I wanted more heart, more emotion, more twisted fire to match the title.
My Ratings: ⭐ 3/5 ▪︎ 🥵 3/5
🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
Gio has wanted her step brothers for as long as she has been interested in exploring. However, they were not very nice to her growing up. Now her life is in danger and they have suddenly decided to say F it lets go for it. Don't get me wrong I'm all for it but I feel like we are missing piece of them getting to this point.
I love the drama and unknown threats but I feel like Gio wouldn't have been quite so oblivious to the things going on around her. I feel like there was potential for us to have gotten more. More background, more character development, more spice, and more flash backs. This was a fairly short read and could have just used more story.
I absolutely love Gio and the twins. I'm absolutely going to read part two when it comes out as I need to know how it continues and ends.
I do know this is the debut for this author and she has fantastic potential. We need a little more depth and emotional connection but the potential is absolutely there.
Twisted Roots by S.T. Aries is a gripping, emotionally charged journey that I couldn’t put down. From the very first page, the story pulls you into a web of dark secrets, family tension, and intense personal struggles. Aries’s writing is raw and compelling, effortlessly blending suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. The characters are incredibly well-developed, flawed, and realistic, making it easy to become invested in their fates. I especially loved how the story slowly unravels the twisted connections between the past and present, keeping me guessing until the very end. The plot twists were shocking but believable, making the story both thrilling and deeply satisfying. If you enjoy suspenseful, character-driven stories with dark family secrets and unexpected twists, Twisted Roots is a must-read. S.T. Aries has a way of keeping you hooked while delivering emotional punches that linger long after the last page.
I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review.
"We’ll take care of you and your heart until our last breath.” 🥹🥹🥹
This is a fun, spicy (taboo), fast paced romance read filled with drama/action and a whole lot of twists. I love how protective the brothers are of Gio.
I really liked the twins and their dynamic. Having them being polar opposites made the book even more enjoyable. The author did a great job at giving just enough about the past. Gio as a child and her mentality about everything was perfection and an excellent touch to the building of the premise of the book. The mixture of spice to plot was excellent. I enjoyed all the twists throughout the book. I definitely didn't see some of those coming. 🤯🤯🤯 Well actually I didn't see any of the twists coming and then then twists just kept piling up at very end. I was shook. A lot of this book was chaos but it was beautiful chaos. So much happened and kept my attention throughout.
Thank you for my ARC! I am leaving this review voluntarily
Gio’s mom married her stepfather when she was 5 yrs old. Along with him came her twin stepbrothers, Darius and Draken, who harassed her all growing up. As a teenager, she starts to fall for twins, who unbeknownst to her, are falling for her as well. Two years ago, her mother is killed in a car accident, the trial of which is ongoing. Days before the hearing, Gio, the twins and her stepfather split up and head to different safe houses. After an explosion at Gio and Draken’s safe house, Draken rushes over to check on them and everyone’s feelings are revealed: Gio loves both of them and they love and want to share her.
I freaking loved this story! The twin thing is super sexy and I love a good why choose! One sweet twin, one dark bad boy twin and she gets both! I felt like the plot on this one was good (can’t wait to see where the author takes this one in the 2nd part of the duet) but I honestly am here for all the spicy time!
I received an early ARC of this book for an honest review. This is a story about twins who fall for the same girl. Darius is a good boy taking over from his father in the family business and Draken is the bad boy, owns a tattoo shop and is everything you imagine. They both fall in love with Giovanna their stepsister by marriage. After she loses her mum Gio struggles with everything and mostly her growing feelings for the twins. They try to protect her from everything but twists happen in the book and they are deceived. This book is full of steamy chemistry and off the charts 🌶️🌶️🌶️. I was engrossed from start to finish. I didn't want it to end. Will definitely recommend a read if you like fast burn, dark romance and spicy books with twins😜
Nothing is as it seems, and secrets just keep piling up. The plot is unpredictable and full of action — there’s always something happening.
There’s a list of possible trigger warnings to check beforehand.
Our main characters share an intense connection, giving us plenty of steamy moments. The MMCs are her twin stepbrothers — her yin and yang — but they definitely didn’t make her life easy. The FMC’s personality evolves as the story unfolds. It’s as if she’d been waiting for them to find her strength and sass, to finally become more decisive.
They should already know what happens when you play with snakes… Foolish boys, so blind to what’s right in front of them.
Omg—my girl has done it!!! I met S.T. Aries through another street team, and she’s become such a wonderful friend. So when I heard she was writing a book? Hell yes, sign me up!
This book is top tier! The spice? Spicing. That cemetery scene 🥵👀—yes please, I need that in my life! I devoured the whole thing in one sitting. Gio? Absolutely love her. And Darius and Draken? Officially added to my Top Ten Book Boyfriends list!
This story had it all—spice ☑️ plot twists ☑️ and damn, was it a good one!
Love, you did a fantastic job with this book. I’m so proud and can’t wait to cheer you on and read everything you write next! 💕
I kind of feel bad saying this, but I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. And that is what part of ARC reading is, it's honest reviewing. So here are my thoughts. Nothing against S. T. Aries or the story, it was a good plot, as for characters I didnt like the FMC as much but liked the twins, and the spice was okay.
Something about the writing just didn't click with me, though I did push through to the end, maybe it was because of so much internal monolog from each character explaining everything? I don't know.
I will be giving the second book a read, as the plot is there, and I'd like to see how it goes.
🚫possible spoiler below 🚫 One thing that REALLY bugged me was why the hell did they stay at the safe house when someone already blew up the shed by it!? They should have moved somewhere else fast!
This book was a pleasant surprise. Not at all what I was expecting, it was definitely much more!
This is a dark, taboo, why choose romance. But it’s more than that. There is a murder mystery element also and the twists and turns had me at the edge of my seat. There was so much more to this story than I was expecting and I am definitely curious to see where the story goes in the next book.
This is a novella so it’s a relatively short read. But it’s also dark, why choose and super spicy so check the trigger warnings before diving in. But it was definitely a good read and I highly recommend it!!
And thank you to S.T. Aries for the opportunity to ARC read this book.
I am so excited for S.T Aries as a debut author! I found the beginning of the story to be very detailed with Gio’s backstory. I liked the twins overprotectiveness, but I felt like this was more of a young adult romance vs dark & spicy. I really enjoyed where the story was going, but I feel like the action towards the end was really rushed. Overall, it is a great starter for a debut book! I can’t wait to see what else S.T has in store for future books!
This was a really good book I loved the whole book. The FMC was a very strong woman and both the MMC were morally gray and touch her and die from the very beginning. The way it ended definitely pulled at your heart and had you on the edge of your seat wanting more and more.
Fast paced and spicy?🌶️ Count me in! This was honestly such a good read , I love all main characters. Gio is a great fmc and don’t even get me started on the Mmc’s 😍 The storyline is captivating and unique. I enjoyed this book so much and I cant wait to read more books by S.T Aries in the future.
This was a great page turner for me and had a lotttt of spice. I loved the taboo relationship and how they interacted with each other. The mystery behind the whole relationship was great too and kept me interested. The ending was surprising but also very satisfying. I highly recommend this to lovers of dark romance.
I devoured this book, it pulled me out of my reading slump. These men were some of my favorites for the year. Both care so deeply for Gio and you can see that in the way they respond and do things. The twist really through me for a loop and i loved every minute of it. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Gio, Draken and Darius. The spice scenes were very good and there was a good mix of praise and darkness that balanced out the relationship!
I liked the general theme of the book but wish that there was more backstory to some of the moments. It was a quick read and I found myself wanting more out of the scenes. Overall, it was good and fast paced!