DNF at 28%. Just, not for me. I didn't "feel" the leads much. While Olivia had spark and I liked that she was a fighter, I just didn't connect with her. Leo, for a demon, seemed passive and, frankly, didn't seem like anything more than a fuck-toy. Maybe he gets better later, but I just can't force myself any further and I have too many other books that interest me to be stuck here.

http://readdayandnight.blogspot.com/2018/02/twisted-luck-by-mia-downing.html

So, what did I like about it?
Quite a lot actually!
Mia Downing is a new-to-me author and I found writing style very easy to read. Her descriptions, characters and plot development engaged me from the very first page and kept me reading. The first chapter sets up the pace and feel of the story; introduces our leading lady, Olivia Denning, her relevant personal background and her romantic counterpart, Leo Weston.
I prefer to read stories about intelligent, witty heroines with plenty of gumption who never give up and alpha males who are classed as bad boys but have a warm heart buried inside waiting to be appreciated. Our two leading characters here do not disappoint. There’s banter as well as chemistry; Leo and Olivia were a well matched couple, as individuals, intellectually and magically and the pace of the romantic build felt very natural and realistic. I enjoyed that Olivia’s luck was able to control the magic around her and her home but the she didn’t rely on it or get greedy and that Leo was forced to act like a human - I’ll just say toast! I loved that Olivia had her own hidden agenda - the scenes with Annie and Babu are great – and how devoted Olivia was to saving her mother's soul. I love a truly unredeemable villain to hate and Leo’s father, Samuel, was perfect in that role.
I loved the paranormal world that Ms Downing created; the demon hierarchy and the idea of betting on futures for souls.
Although the sex starts in that first chapter (and *phew* brilliantly written – very hot and steamy), the romance element creeps in later which I loved.

So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?
Not disliked as such but I did feel that that the ending felt rushed, so much so that I felt I had to knock it down a star. The rest of the book has a good steady pace and rhythm. Then, we had an explosion of action in the final 5% of the book; deals being struck, power shifting, problems resolved and secrets revealed but I still finished the book without a definitive answer to Leo’s demon status and his skill set. After the amazing read to that point, I felt a bit deflated and let down.

...So, basically what I’m saying is...
This is a great paranormal romance, I really enjoyed it; it was such a fun read! The characters were fun, the plot was interesting, and I enjoyed the twists that popped in. I would recommend this book if you like books in the adult/erotica genre or paranormal romances, however, you are looking for a no sex romance, then this isn’t for you.

Couldn't put this book down. Superbly written, I felt like I was told and shown equally which is a favorite quality of mine in a book. Loved this story.

I found this book while poking around on Netgalley. I have never read anything by Mia Downing and the cover caught my eye. Hello Mr Abs! And, is that a feather in your pants, are you just happy for me to read you? Needless to say, it made me stop and read the blurb. And, I'm glad I did, since I realized I have read a bajillion vampire and shifter books, but only a small handful of books with demons as a romantic lead. Eager to add to the handful, I requested this book and was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. (Thank you!)

And, honestly, I really liked it! Leo and Olivia were a well matched couple, as individuals, intellectually, and magically. I enjoyed that Oliva's luck was able to control the magic around her and her home, that Leo was forced to act like a human, and all of the antics that followed. Toast! I loved that Olivia had her own hidden agenda - the scenes with Annie and Babu are great. And, the best part of all was how devoted Olivia was to saving her mother's soul.

That being said, Leo was no slouch, either. I liked that he was willing to try new things (showers!), to learn new skills (TOAST!), and to adapt to whatever came his way. The fact that he was smoking hot, smart, and talented only made it better. The scene in his office....whew! And, even though he was a demon with his subtle and not-so-subtle reminders that he controlled Olivia's fate, you could tell that he had a good heart. Particularly during the trip to Italy. His phrasing there is sure to touch even the most jaded reader.

Characters and romance aside, I enjoyed the mechanics of the book. The romantic build felt natural for the paranormal setting and the way Leo and Olivia met. The paranormal elements themselves were new and interesting - the notion of betting on futures for souls was particularly fun to consider. In fact, this is probably the strongest point, to me. I liked that it was set in Connecticut in an area that had both woods and marshes - the atmospheric elements were fairly weak, though (I still don't have a clear mental picture of Olivia's apartment).

My only issue with this book, and the reason it lost a star, is that that the ending felt rushed. The rest of the book has a steady pacing and rhythm. Then, we had all of this action in the last 10% of the book. Deals are being struck, power is shifting, and I had to re-read it just to make sure I had everything straight.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can happily recommend it to people interested in a fun slice of world building and a romantic romp between demons and humans.

I'm sorry but this was a did not finish for me, I just couldn't get into the book or the characters. Even though I like to try new authors, this was a miss for me.

3.65/5 stars
Well! Well! Well, dearies! Twisted Luck was a) a quick read b) funny and c) unique. Although, major WARNING in the sexy-time department!
After finishing this book, you are going to say, "I want more." At least, I did. There is so much more to explore in this book-universe. Being a romance/erotica, the romantic relationship drives the whole story leaving some stuff unexplored to the core.
As a side note: If you are a fan of the CW TV show, Supernatural, this book is no stranger to you. After watching an episode from season 12 of Supernatural, I was able to see it clearly. You know... I was finally able to pinpoint the familiarity I felt while reading Twisted Luck.
Sweet, funny, and cheesy are the first words which come to my mind about this love story. I got attached to the main characters so much. The author did a good job creating our protagonists with complex personalities with a touch of realism. Olivia and Leo are the ones who make this book addicting as chocolate and worth reading.
Speaking of characters, I wanted to see more of Babu and Annie, and Samuel to be more complex like Leo and not purely evil. And... I wonder how many "and's" I can squeeze in such a close proximity to one another?... That's just me. What I felt.
I know this is a romance novel but I want to know more about the demons' system and other small details which seemed brushed off to the side, like:
•the significance of the jingling change in pockets;
•why demons change their human names;
•make the "love" thing to be more believable and a more thorough explanation of why it is unacceptable.
The ending was a little anticlimactic. Or I was too tired to pay attention since it was quite late in the night. The open ending is satisfactory enough; although, it has some unanswered questions and plot holes. We still do not get concrete answers. Some people might be fine with it. I got a feeling that it was done somewhat purposely to leave room for a potential book two. Who knows? The author and the publishing company, obviously. Anyway, I will not complain if we get a second book. With that ending, we... I definitely need one.
Yes, I know! The cover is supper cheese but do not judge a book by its cover. And you're gonna say,"Yeah, right! I hope you are kidding because we all know this is not the case nowadays." Then my response will be, "What are you? The book inquisition?"
Alright! The book presents an interesting aspect. If you like a steamy romance with demons or the TV shows Lucifer and Supernatural (especially Supernatural) then this is your cup of tea.

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

great book a little dark, but love it just the same

Twisted Luck, Mia Downing

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
 
Genre:  Romance, General fiction (adult)

This sounded fun, and there were odd moments that made me smile but overall its not a book I particularly enjoyed. Its not a bad book, just not a great one either for me. 

Its starts well, and I was feeling for poor Olivia, she really had endured the post appalling string of bad luck. Yet even though I felt sorry for her I just couldn't seem to like her, or her mum.
They were just so kind, loving, perfect it gave my teeth that shiver that over-sweet drinks do. Weird isn't it to dislike someone for being too nice. It wasn't quite that though, more that they both just felt unreal, too good to be true. 

Then along comes Leo, and of course I know he's a demon, but Olivia doesn't. Before she knows it her soul is sold.
Leo may be tall dark and handsome but...he's a jerk, a selfish jerk. Even when Olivia is working on him and we get a glimpse of the person under the demon, his jerk behaviour always comes through.
I just found it hard to like him, hard to believe Olivia was having feelings for him. 

There's some real surprises at the end, turnarounds I wasn't expecting that were good, but overall this was just an ok read for me, not one I'd read again. 

Stars:Three, an ok read for me, will be a hit for others of course. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Twisted Luck was one of them reads where I'm slightly on the fence in regards to its characters It did keep my interest but there were just a few niggles that dragged it down a star for me.
This for me is more of an individual preference than a black mark for the book and this no way takes away from the flow of the writing as Twisted Luck was expertly written, It is just a personal opinion and might not be an issue for anyone else reading this.
So here we go, Olivia has had a string of bad luck, enter Leo WELL WELL!!! upon first meeting Leo as Oliva is drowning herself in tequila at a local bar I thought, here we go, real bad boy, won't take no crap from no one yay my type of anti-hero this is going to be epic and here lies my problem, apart from the fact that Leo is an honest to god Demon and not just in the sack I found him just a bit, well, wussy. I wanted him to stand up to his kind of a dad Sam and stop wimping out, grow a pair you're a demon for god's sake.
I also didn't think our Leo would have forgotten how to have a pee even if it has been years this is just something that you don't forget and finally the use of the word the magic, it was the magic this, the magic that, it got a bit irritating after a bit, would have liked to see a different word occasionally maybe my powers or I would have even settled for Va Va Voom for a change rather than the magic.
now I have that out of the way I'm going to explain why you should read this. Twisted luck was apart from my above points a page turner. I may be slightly biased in regard to Leo as I prefer a slightly darker hero or in my case anti-hero to drool over, but if you like a more human hero this book is for you.
I really do get what Mia was trying to convey Our Demon Leo transforming into a more human version of himself in a way un-demonising Leo and showing a warmer more flawed version of him as he slowly learned what it was like to love and be loved by Olivia and also reside without the use of here we go lol THE MAGIC!!!!.
And this was accomplished and pulled off with finesse and humour so if you like stories where the girl redeems the guy and they live HEA then this is the book for you I passed a very enjoyable few hours immersed in this and that's what Twisted Luck is Enjoyable and not too hard, an easy warm read that you can snuggle up with when you just want some R & R and some downtime.
I received an e-copy of this book free from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This was a pretty good book and i could not put it down.I really liked Leo he was a pretty nice guy and tried to be good even though he is a demon.I really liked Olivia too.This was quite a fun read and if you have not tried it give it a go i don't think you will be disappointed.

After a string of bad luck, all Olivia wanted was luck...the good kind. How was she supposed to know that the handsome, charming Leo was a demon who could make her wish come true. All it would cost her was her soul.
This is a well written, funny and smart story that will make you laugh! It's also pretty hot, so keep the ice water close ladies! I'm looking forward to Mia Downing's next book!

a well written, funny read. I liked.

Leo didn't know what he was signing up for when he signed for Olivia's soul. But then again neither did Olivia. This book was unexpectedly funny throughout. Olivia is creative in her pursuit to save her and her mothers soul.

Loved this! Olivia was smart and a good soul (pardon the pun). It was so fun to watch her manipulate Leo. I also loved Babu...She sounded like every Babushka I've ever known, but her description was the exact opposite of every Babuska I've ever known. LOL I loved watching everything unfold and for Leo to lose/win. Great story, really like Downing's writing style. I look forward to reading more of her work.