One very bad night, one unfolding unstoppable chain of events, and an anti romance diabolical story with Ivy (a deadly but pretty plant right?) and Wes, who can't seem to end their relationship but also now can't escape their actions and past. Samantha Downing is one of my favorite thriller writers! With the most epic book dedication ever to a plot that is once again on the darker edgier side of people and relationships with an exploration of an "in hate" toxic relationship, A Twisted Love Story is another win for me as a fan of this author.

Downing never fails to offer a plot that breaks up the thriller genre for me in good ways, often with MCs who if not always likeable are certainly memorable (I am still recommending For Your Own Good!!) and with plots that are just a little bit different from the usual thriller fare. We get the inside the "bad guy" perspective, the voice and thoughts that aren't always voiced in other thrillers, only guessed at by detectives or the final girl. I am not sure what it says about me that I find this refreshing but as a reader it is fun to get a different POV and an edgy dark story.

Recommended for fans of this author as well as readers who liked Layne Fargo's They Never Learn, Vera Kurian's Never Saw Me Coming and similar reads.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I have read two others by this author which I really enjoyed, but this one just didn’t do it for me. I think I just expected more murder mystery, twisty-turny kind of a thing and this wasn’t really that. Literally just about a fucked up couple who gets off on mind games. Fine and a quick read, just not what I had hoped for. Author is great at writing characters, however!

I love Samantha Downing so much, this was a hugely binge-able thriller. I wasn't able to put it down and really enjoyed it. Perfect summer mystery to bring to the pool!

4.5 stars

Wow! Major book hangover. Major.

I would like for one Ms. Samantha Downing to explain to me how she somehow always gets me to simultaneously despise 𝘢𝘯𝘥 root for the most twisted, diabolical characters.

Two things are true:

First, these characters are the most dysfunctional, toxic, co-dependent unreliables you could ever imagine. They bring ALL the drama every time.

And second, I still wonder what happened to them after the last page was turned.

Like I said – total book hangover.

I can’t end without mentioning the dedication: “For the man who inspired this book. You’re damn right I wrote about you.” Ummm okay Samantha Downing. You go, girl.

This is an easy pre-order recommendation, friends.

My thanks to @berkleypub and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

Samantha Downing has become my "Has she written another book yet?!" author. I have now read all of her books and they have all ended up on my favorites list. Her writing style flows so well, you really feel like you are IN the story. Her characters are always so flawed and pretty despicable but they are so entertaining to read about. When I first started this book I was wondering who the bad guy was, Wes or Ivy? And then things kept twisting and turning and I decided I loved to hate them both. I also decided somewhere in this book to stop trying to figure out what the heck was really going on and just let things reveal themselves one by one.

Super fun book, characters you love to hate, lots of suspense, and twists and turns galore! Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an early readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Ivy and Wes have a very toxic on and off again relationship that has been going on for ten years. Ivy reports Wes to the police for stalking her which sets off a chain of events, including them getting back together. A lot of bad choices and coincidences keep you guessing.

Samantha Downing is the best at creating a creepy feeling to an common story. Wes and Ivy are in love, and hate. Their romance is like nothing you have ever seen, while perhaps reminding you of something you experiences yourself. Playing with each other, torturing each other and always reuniting, no one thinks they are good for each other but Wes and Ivy truly only have eyes for one another. When Ivy makes a call to the police about Wes however, she sets off a series of events that cannot be stopped. If you have ever been in a toxic relationship, madly in teenage love or just enjoy a twisty thriller of intense romance, A Twisted Love Story is for you!
#Berkley #ATwistedLoveStory #SamanthaDowning

I’m a huge fan of Samantha Downing’s writing and was thrilled to receive an early copy of this one. My favorite is For Your Own Good, which gained much deserved hype when it came out. I knew from the dedication that this was going to be a fun read. A Twisted Love Story is all about a toxic relationship between a couple and everything that gets destroyed in its wake. While I did enjoy it, I found it very hard to root for anybody and would’ve liked if at least one character (supporting or otherwise) had managed to be even slightly likable. There was also a good amount of suspension of belief on the reader’s part. The book started off with a bang, dragged a bit in the middle, and had a slightly anti-climatic end. I kept waiting for some huge twist and it just never really came, though some readers might be surprised by the last one. Overall, a very fun read that just slightly missed the mark for me. I did find myself wanting to keep picking it up and I definitely felt invested to see what happened so I’m rounding my rating up! Recommend to readers who enjoy toxic romances and like romantic mystery/suspense.

3.5 rating, rounded up.

Her books always have unlikable characters but this takes it to a new level. Yikes. I enjoyed the book but wanted to be able to root for someone. My Darling Wife had awful people but you still somehow ended up liking one of them. That's what was missing from this book. I do think that everyone who enjoyed her past books will like this just as much.

In "A Twisted Love Story," we witness the tumultuous relationship of a highly toxic couple who are unable to stay apart. It is a gripping tale about two individuals who bring out the worst in each other, and Downing skillfully depicts the damaging effects of abuse and unhealthy relationships.

Another devilish tale from Samantha Downing. A recommended purchase for collections where her previous titles and thrillers are popular.

Book: A Twisted Love Story
Author: Samantha Downing
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Company
Pub Date: July 18, 2023

I. Love. Samantha Downing. If she writes it then I am here for it! First this title couldn’t be more perfect for this book. It’s more than twisted. Wes and Ivy are a toxic couple…..that are made for each other. They love to hate each other and aren’t going to allow anyone else to have the other. It’s clearly a game that always ends up with Wes and Ivy together. With each chapter you feel like there is something you don’t know but as you read you gather all the information you need. You feel left out but trust me you get caught up. And I honestly stayed mad at Karen the whole time! You aren’t saving Ivy from anything! I was disappointed a little in that part of the story because it just kind of went away. But then there is a jaw dropping moment and that’s forgotten. I feel like you are left guessing until the end about what really happened.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Company and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is July 18, 2023.

You know that drunk couple you see at a bar arguing? The one you want to scream at to just break up already? That’s Wes and Liv!

A Twisted Love Story follows an incredibly toxic couple who just can’t stay away from each other. This is a compelling tale about two people who truly make each other worse. I think Downing tells a fantastic story about abuse and unhealthy relationships

As far as a thriller or suspense plot, it's much more subtle. The narrative is constantly flipped and I truly had no idea where things were going. I loved parts of this book and was a bit underwhelmed by others, but overall it was a really good read. Just don't go into this expecting edge of your seat thrills or a lot of closure!

Because I don’t own too many romcoms, I decided today was the perfect day to review Samantha’s upcoming release 𝑨 𝑻𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚. Thank you Samantha and Berkley Pub for approving a very early galley!
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If you’re like me and your “romance” reads consist of toxic relationships, do not miss this book! As with all her thrillers, Samantha’s writing is not only flawless but also comical filled with a lot of sarcastic overtones. I personally found this story to be the least thriller-y of all her books, but don’t let that dissuade you one bit from reading about Wes & Ivy, who are absolute trainwrecks…not only to others but also to themselves. Talk about toxicity and possessiveness at its finest, and you get this couple’s brazen love.

Have you ever called the cops on your significant other JUST FOR FUN because he/she momentarily pissed you off? Yeah, I didn’t think so. But Ivy sure did, an event that results in a cascade of events for everyone involved.

The detective, Karen, who Ivy meets, cannot let go of the case. Karen’s obsession over Ivy and Wes further spirals matters, and as the reader, I found myself yelling at Karen saying:” NO, KAREN, NOOOO!!! YOU DON’T GET IT!!! LET GO BEFORE IT’S TOO LATEEEE”

This is all I can say, folks! An unputdownable “love” story of two protagonists who act more like antagonists for their own good! I cannot wait for people to discuss Wes & Ivy when the book comes out in July!

Ob. Sessed. Yes, that’s two words and they describe the way I feel about Samantha Downing’s writing. It’s been two years since her last book and I clasped my hand over my mouth in twisted, glorious shock at the same time then as I did with this one… at about 4% in… it’s never expected and just whacks me over the head and I’m SO HERE FOR IT! The twisted games these characters all play is like a well choreographed and yet unexpectedly calculated dance. Yes, I do realize that those words are oxymorons and that’s the only way I can describe it without giving away any spoilers. I’ve never highlighted so many passages in a book as I did with this one! Downing is a master of the thriller writing craft!!! 87 zillion stars from me!!!

👏👏👏 to Samantha Downing for having the most epic dedication ever!
I could not put it down and loved truly how dysfunctional and manipulative Wes and Ivy are!

When things are good for Ivy and Wes there are grand gestures, mutual love and understanding for the other, and genuine happiness between the two. When things are bad, they are destructive with violent fights, arrest warrants, and damaged property. They are a dysfunctional couple, their break ups are epic and harmful, destructive, and manipulative. Yet they can't turn away from each other and keep coming back. They are in a toxic love and perpetual cycle of abuse. I kept flipping if I was on someone's side and who I was rooting for! The detective on the case was a bit narrow minded in her focus and I thought she would end up having a different role.

I only knocked off a star because the ending was a bit anticlimactic for me after the great build up and wish I had a couple more questions answered!

Well, once again author Samantha Downing has blown this reviewer's mind!!! Her newest release, "Twisted Love Story" is indeed quite twisted, and it's certainly a very different kind of "love" between the two MC's, Wes & Ivy, neither of whom are very good people! This one kept me quite hooked as we switch POV's often, trying to get to the bottom of their dysfunction and toxicity, and discover, along with the compelling Detective Karen Colglazier, just what happened in the past that they never, ever talk about. A twisted web indeed! Highly recommend for those into psych thrillers. My sincere thanks to the publisher & Net Galley for the complimentary DRC, all ratings and reviews my own.

A twisted tale indeed, one that will keep you guessing as to who to believe and who is lying.

Wes and Ivy have been dating for 10 years, off and on. When they love, they love hard, but when they fight, look out! When Ivy accuses Wes of stalking her and the police pay him a visit at his workplace, events are put in motion that will affect them both and some innocent bystanders and leave one person dead. Just when you think you may have figured things out, another twist occurs.

An excellent thriller from Samantha Downing who just keeps getting better. Good characters, smooth pacing and a storyline that keeps you up late to finish it.

I love Samantha Downing’s books and this one was no exception. Focused on a toxic, volatile relationship, 𝗔 𝗧𝗪𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 is a tense, fast-paced page turner that I didn’t want to put down. I had no idea how the story would unfold which definitely kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. The ending did leave me wanting a little more but overall this is another fantastic read from one of my favorite authors.

A Twisted Love Story is the tale of a toxic relationship. It definitely kept my interest throughout as I tried to figure out the direction the story would go. Definitely recommend for readers who like to be kept guessing!