The last one in the Twisted Series, but certainly no less absorbing or enthralling than the previous three. As a reader this is what I count as most significant in stories written in the format of a series. Each needs to be a unique design with justice done in character portrayal, plotting, rising actions, climax, anti-climax, falling action and finally the resolution. And Ana Huang does that in her own skillful style. Have had a thorough captivating experience through all 4 books of hers in this series.
"He will do anything to have her...including lie"
Christian Harper is a charming young man, but a monster in a gentleman's guise. A Cyber Security expert and a millionaire, Christian believes people in love are insufferable. He is the BAD GUY to almost all across all four stories. We have a glimpse of him when Jules and Stella are in search of a rented apartment. He is introduced then as Rhys's acquaintance. It is then that Christian meets Stella Alonso for the first time at his Building and for whatever unidentified pull that he feels for Stella; gives away the apartment for a price which is purely incomprehensible to her secretary, Jules and Stella herself.
Stella Alonso is a shy, introvert girl with a contradiction of being a social media fame and influencer. She also works for a magazine to make her ends meet, as she isn't courageous enough to explore the world of fashion which she desires the most only because she belongs to a very cultured family of Alonso's for whom material achievements is everything and over everything. They strongly believe fashion world is one - below their stature and two - non paying profession. Stella's character is of a girl who has no one even in her close circle who knows her true self. For her 3 best friends too she was someone who would all the time be occupied in posting her pictures on social media. Probably, this hobby turned into work for her is what I think gives her the much needed expression about herself and her worth. While she would keenly wish on abstaining her family dinners, she yearns to be with her Nany whom she is paying for in an old-age home. For Stella, Maura was her real family, who was always there for her when she needed someone and now when she has lost her memory and her family Stella wants to ensure that she is well taken care of.
It is at this turn in the story where Stella is fired from her magazine job that she is challenged to have enough finance to pay for Maura's stay at the old-age home. She tries to earn the high profile fashion deals through her social media; but realizes that the lack of her being hooked up with someone might be a reason for the slow growth of her followers. Thus, to match-up the competition she starts trying to hook-up with guys completely far from her choice; but fails - fails in both endeavours, the other being faking relationships in front of Christian only to show him she is not single and available. Though, the truth is soon out and Stella and Christian decide faking themselves as a couple - a kind of "couple with benefits" arrangement. Moreover, this association did give both of them the desired result helping them accomplish agenda's in their work & public life.
Christian, a not to get acquainted with guy for all is the one who makes Stella feel warm and protected. It is when Stella's past stalker pops-up again in her life that Christian provides her absolute security and when needed she is moved into his apartment. The hot young blood and a long span of being single gradually but savagely brings the two physically close making them violate their own agreement of a fake public relationship. Christian is now along side Stella at all her photoshoots, be they in-country or outside; it is Christian who becomes an inspiration and a pushing force to convince Stella to explore her desire of having her own brand of clothes, he guides her through the process of transforming her idea into a business pitch finally sponsoring her brand. Soon, she becomes a popular brand. It is Christian who works tirelessly day and night to unmask her stalker and protect her.
But one day when Stella finds what she must not in Christian's study is the climactic turn that the story takes. Christian Harper who thought of people in love to be insufferable was now the same breed he always hated. Well, not to mention that he had his own childhood demons constantly chasing him throughout his journey as a cyber security agent. But as it is, time heals and things start sorting between Stella and Christian and it is because of Stella that Christian finds strength to choose to let go...strength in weakness...control in submission. It is during this phase in the story that we come face-to-face with a strong Stella otherwise caged into a shy and fragile influencer. And Christian an otherwise strong, heartless, purely professional, unaffected billionaire caging the soft, loving, protective, scared boy in a guise of a man.
The story nicely closes itself when we again have all four couples on their once in a year vacation where Stella reveals her pregnancy to Christian who was before some seconds pissed off with the children of Alex and Ava & Bridget and Rhys. We again see a 360 degree change in Christian Harper's demeanor, who now feels the warmth of a would-be father.
Real good reads...I suggest grab your copies asap!
Happy Reading.
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