What happens when my bully and my best friend both want to claim me as their own?
Well that’s what I’m currently dealing with. My name is Rue Duncan. Yup, the one that viral hashtag is about.
#ReasonsWhyIhateRueDuncan
No one could have predicted all the chaos that one hashtag caused. The videos paint me with my own version of the scarlet letter, but it’s far from the truth. Especially since Vaughn, my stepbrother and bully, is behind it all. He’s been making my life hell from the day we became family, and he took it to another level the moment I started at Oberon University.
The only way I manage to keep my sanity is my best friend and Dom, August. We spend our nights at the Cathedral, a private BDSM club that feels more like home than any home I’d ever known. But it’s more than that, it’s my escape, my safe haven.
But when Vaughn shows up at the club, my two worlds collide with unexpected and complicated results. Now I find myself in the middle of a chaotic triad that has me learning more about Vaughn and August than I ever thought possible. And now that I’m in this deep? I never want to look back.
Too bad life never cares what I want. It was time to decide what and who is worth fighting for, through the good and the bad.
Twisted is a taboo MMF Ménage college age bully BDSM standalone. It contains elements that some readers may find triggering, such as noncon, stepbrother romance, on page kinks, and bullying.
Jarica is an American author. She prefers writing paranormal and fantasy books. When she isn't writing she is playing her xbox with her husband and fellow nerd. She has two crazy boys who make writing a challenge, but one she gladly accepts.
This was 𝑯𝑶𝑻, but it also had a very intriquing storyline that sucked me in right away. I had to read. I needed to know what would happen with the 3 characters in this book - Rue, August and Vaughn.
Rue is a college student with dark needs and desires that she is able to get fulfilled when she visits The Cathedral a very elusive bdsm club. Her Dom, August, is able to take her darkness away with pain and pleasure. They have a great dynamic in out and out the club. Truly unsure as to what their relationship is. It's perfection and explosive, they know that much. She needs him and his rough play to cope.
Vaughn is her stepbrother and tormentor for over 4 years. He has tried to make her college life chaos and allows others along with himself the opening to bully her. Then something changes. He wants to make her pay. Bring her pain, but he also can't stop thinking about her. How her body would feel as he took his pleasure from her. She gets him hard without even touching him. He conveniently finds a way in... a way into her body and her lifestyle.
Could she ever feel anything besides hate for Vaughn? Could hate turn into lust or love? Can August and Rue ever be more then Dom and willing submissive? I was very into how this relationship would unfold and I was not disappointed. It evolved into something no one saw coming. Although they did DO a lot of that... fans self!
Pretty intriguing and creative storyline. Different that anything I've read before. Rue and Vaughn and step siblings, but Vaughn hates and bullies Rue for the wrongs in his life -- his younger sister's absence from his life and not being able to be with and care for his younger sister, which coincided with Rue and her gold-digger mother's arrival. Outside of Vaughn's bullying, Rue is also bullied by other students, but she doesn't tolerant any disrespect and spends a lot of her time destressing at a BDSM club with play friend and her Dom August. This is a story about Vaughn's growing and undeniable attraction to Rue, some deception, and Rue and August's growing into a trouple with Vaughn.
The pace of this story was progressive; it really captured by attention, also because it was nicely different. Uncharacteristic with the age-gap, though we don't know how old August is, just that he's older and stepbrother theme in yet untried, at least for Vaughn, MMF. The dynamics among the three was cool -- Daddy Dom August to Vaughn and Rue, though Vaughn was still alpha. There was some steamy, kinky times, lots of impact play, S&M in a consensual setting. Vaughn realized himself while they realized they were better as three than two.
I liked their characters: August, always the caregiver in charge; Rue, caring and fierce; Vaughn, broken; and both Rue and Vaughn surprisingly bratty. Interesting too that Vaughn had girl best friend with whom he could share his troubles, another unique plot technique I haven't read in other books.
Overall, a great read, great characters, very steamy with a measure of intrigue that kept me engaged.
I really hope we get more from these characters or another book about maybe Master Levi?!? I loved this dynamic between these three characters and how the author handled it - when a bratty bully keeps picking on this Dom's cherished submissive, he has no other choice than to put the guy in his place, which is on his knees.
I've never read this trope in which an author has so seamlessly navigated the bully romance so believably. I think having the BDSM and a D/s relationship established in this book helped to allow for Rue's character to have the much needed out for the darkness and despair that would come with being bullied by such a large group of people. Though her character is strong and courageous, she is also soft-hearted and longs to believe in something. That constant weight of criticism, hatred, despair would have to need an outlet. I love that the author chooses a less traditional outlet rather than a self-damaging one (alcohol, cutting, anorexia, suicide). The BDSM in this book doesn't go over a lot of the safeguards, but the author does go over enough that a reader can feel like Rue and Vaughn are in a safe environment when they finally let all that darkness and despair go.
Having a bully like Vaughn, who turns out to be more complex as the story continues just adds to the frustration. You can't decide if you still want to hate him or hate that you are starting to maybe like him. And to throw in the dynamic of August with is just plain OFF THE CHARTS 🥵🤯 Give me a moment to compose myself. Okay, yeah they have some chemistry together and as a triad it makes sense. So well done together.
It's only believable because of the events the characters are in and the situations that they go through as the story develops. You don't naturally want to be with the person that masks you and treats you like sh!+, not in real life. The scars run too deep, but somehow the scenarios and backstories that shaped the characters work for this.
4 stars. In this book, we are following three different points of view from, Rue, Vaughn, and August. Rue and August have a Dom/Sub relationship and are regular members of this BDSM club called "The Cathedral". At the same time, we have Vaughn who is Rue's stepbrother and her tormentor and bully. Different situations go down and as you know this ends up being detrimental for the dynamics of this group. I liked it, I think it was a very engaging book with an interesting story and world. The characters were as well so interesting and eye-catching, once you started the book and saw Rue's mind you just wanted to stay there and that was awesome and then all the other POV's are added and it makes for a real complete story, although a little fast for my taste when it comes to the relationship between Rue and Vaughn. Also, the lack of development in August's character because besides being a Dom can imagine the dude had some other personality traits or interests that we just never got to see. Outside of what was the romantic centered story and their lives, I thought it was where the book lacked the most, there were unexplained things and just things that were said happened and didn't and stuff like that. It just bothered me because finding these small mistakes sort of takes you out of the story a little bit. The side characters added so much to the story as well, there were as intense as the main characters which I liked. The only thing I didn't agree with was that the book portrayed people with money as a bunch of assholes and fancy places, as just being fancy and having nothing to offer. Honestly, I would've enjoyed seeing someone change or take a step back from being the "bad rich person" in the story but it was just a fan, super-hot enjoyable read.
I could not put this down until I finished! The dynamic between Rue and August was one that worked with their lifestyle, but it was missing something. It wasn't until Vaughn set his sights on Rue that it all changed, in more ways than one. He was a ruthless bully and Rue had been his target for almost 4 years, being blamed for something she knew nothing of. BDSM was an outlet for her cope, August being her Dom. As Vaughn's feelings toward her started to shift with information come to light, she saw something in him worth opening up to. I absolutely fell hard in love with this book and the story of these three. It was effortless how easily everything shifted into place, and out. The spice was absolutely out of this world, and the dramatictwists and turns kept me on edge! I was not expecting to see how the relationship unfolded, but I was not disappointed!!! I would love to see more from these three in the future because this book was a top read for me this year.
I really enjoyed this book. I want to say it’s cute but that’s not really a word anybody would associate with the BDSM world, alas, for me, it is. The FMC, Rue, is sassy and strong in the world but behind closed doors is a little wild. Vaughan is angsty and full of repressed emotions, taking them out on everyone around him. August is dominant and commanding - until he isn’t. The relationship between them is quite mesmerising and the storyline provokes and tests them.
This is another insight into the BDSM world and I’m sure does it justice. Be sure to read the authors warnings. I give this book a solid 4.5 star read. Add to your TBR even if you’re a little curious about this world.
Rue, August and Vaughn’s story totally slayed me. I didn’t know what was lacking in my MMF life until Jarica dropped this and said here’s this pretty! Rue is an interesting FMC. She’s bold and doesn’t lack for courage, but she’s a perfect brat too. None of that explains why she’s allowed the situation at school with her stepbrother to get so out of control. August has been there when Rue needed him, but he’s been hesitating to DTR. Vaughn is a mystery that needs to be unraveled by reading. When he gets pulled into the web that is August and Rue, what happens next couldn’t have been predicted. It’s a journey I would gladly take again with them though!
Jarica James has suddenly become an author I need to stalk…I mean…um follow. I’ve read a couple books by her but I’ve enjoyed them all. She’s an author that just speaks to me. I’ve been on such a MMF kick lately so when she posted about this book in a Facebook group, I immediately had to download this and read it and I was not disappointed. This was exactly what I needed when I needed it. I’ve been wanting either a bdsm RH or something like it to cure this sudden need for it. This ticked every box for me. A strong FMC with a vulnerability. Sexy AF men. Super hot MM, bdsm, Oh and slight bully/enemies to lovers vibe. I devoured this entire thing and I’m already wanting more.
I was pleasantly suprised by the acurate knowledge of the bdsm kink. So many authors who try to write bdsm don't know about the relationship between a sub and a Dom or what they get out of said relationships. They guess, results in unhealthy relationships with those that are new to the kink. (I'm looking at you 50 shades) I digress. The character are realistic and relatable and the scenes..... I highly recommend. ⚠️ trigger ⚠️ reference to abuse, bullying and r*pe so be mindful. Overall I would say that I would read it again.
This was my first book by this author, and I'll definitely be adding more of her books to my TBR.
⚠️ Dub-con, bullying, slight abuse
Well written and edited, Twisted is a little dark, BDSM MMF bully romance. It's VERY spicy, with lots of MM/MFM/MMF/MF scenes.
Invested from the start, I read this in a single sitting, and very much enjoyed it. The relationship between the 3 was definitely goals, and it had a good HFN ending.
If you enjoy mènage and BDSM, I'd definitely recommend this.
This is a great read with lots of Oomph; there is bully, sex, steam, love, devotion, thrill and a happy ending. These characters are flawed and they understand that about themselves and understand who/what makes them stronger and accepting of who they are, between the three of them they build the perfect relationship. If you are looking for a weekend summer read then this is your book. Have fun ;-)
Oh my word, this is an incredible and super sexy read! I absolutely fell in love, and lust, with the amazing characters! The storyline is intriguing, emotional, and oh so steamy! I honestly read this book straight through, I could not put it down! I really really need more! I definitely recommend this book and consider it a Must Read!
First book I have read by Jarica and I need more! Twisted pulled me in from the beginning and held me captive till the end. I want more of August, Vaughn and Rue. Their story is just beginning. Twisted is filled with drama, betrayal, suspense, heartache and love. Twisted was worth avoiding being an adult for a day.
Wow! I seem to sometimes struggle with bully-romance, trying to find the right balance between the bullying and the romance/redemption, but Jarica James has managed to get the perfect mix. The storyline is great, the characters are amazing, and the steam level is FANTASTIC. I would really love to have some more of these guys and their MMF dynamic in the future.
I didn't even know I needed Rue, August and Vaughn in my life until they arrived. I love the dynamic they develop through these pages and Jarica's inclusion of some super fun and yummy kinks (those primal and predator/prey moments, impact play and relating marks). The tale is one of love, lust and redemption with enough sweet and spicy to keep most anyone happy!
This one had it all! The name is fitting. I couldn’t put this one down. The chemistry of the characters was off the charts. Well written story line. It was fast paced and left room to add more to the story from other characters but with no cliffhanger!! This is one I will definitely read again and added a new author to my list of faves
I often struggle with the bully romance trope but Twisted was just so dang good. The bullying only added to the storyline and the building relationship between Rue and Vaughn. It was deliciously steamy while also hitting on numerous topics pertaining to mental health as well as consent. I loved Rue, August, and even Vaughn. I'd seriously love to see more into The Cathedral!
Twisted is a BDSM with lots of bullying from Rues step brother Vaughn. August is Rues Dom. This is a mènage relationship with MMF. It was a good book both Rue and Vaughn have toxic parents. Good story line. The relationship that August and Vaughn form is super insta but maybe…. It could happen. Stand-alone and ends with a HEA.
Love Love Love!!!!! OMG. This book was awesome. I am shy away from bully books and have to be inn the right mood to read one but this book just all that and more. I won't spoil it but you need to go read it coz it was that good.
This is a new author, for me, and I'm loving her books. This was a standalone which was great since there are so many series waiting completion. If you like angst and seeing characters grow - this would be something you'd enjoy!
I loved this story and fell in love with the characters. Rue has such a big heart and cares so deeply. She deserves happiness I’m not sure about Vaughn and if he will be perfect but their is always hope for a happy ever after.
Ok this was a find. I actually really enjoyed this story. There was just enough of everything sub/dom,switching,m/m,bdsm and add a little alphaholeness and bullying and you got this. Wasn’t too dramatic or whiny. A pretty good palette cleanser. Just read it already!!
As if the chemistry between Rue and August wasn't enough, Vaughn was added in and it was absolute FIRE! I loved the relationship between August and Vaughn as well, they were incredible. This was a light steamy read with just enough angst to make it spicy!
Yes! This was in the realm of what I was looking for and turned out to be so much more. It wasn’t just about the k!nk and fun but the connections they garnered along the way.
Holy heck, I wish I could use emojis in this review cause hot damn! This book was hot, hot, hot! It was also so wholesome that I definitely want more if possible!