If you’ve ever wanted to be dragged through a mafia war by your hair while simultaneously being seduced by a morally gray man with a God complex and a filthy mouth—Twisted King is your poison. Ria Wilde’s second installment in the Twisted City Duet is not just dark romance; it’s a full-blown descent into madness, obsession, and power plays that make your average enemies-to-lovers look like a tea party.
Let’s break it down—smut, sass, and all.
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🧨 Plot Summary: Welcome to the War Zone
Picking up immediately after Little Bird, Twisted King throws us into the aftermath of Wren’s kidnapping. She’s bruised, broken, and very much not in the mood to be anyone’s pawn. Lex, our twisted king, is out for blood. “They’ve taken my girl. My little bird. I’ll do whatever it takes to get her back, even if it means I have to level this city to the ground”. And he means it.
The city is a battleground—mafia families vying for control, betrayal lurking in every shadow, and Lex unleashing his inner monster to reclaim his queen. Wren, meanwhile, refuses to be a damsel. “They want me weak and submissive but they’ve underestimated me. I’m no damsel”. The story spirals through violence, vengeance, and some truly unholy levels of sexual tension.
💀 Characters: Sharp Tongues & Sharper Knives
Lex: The titular king. He’s dominant, possessive, and emotionally constipated in the most delicious way. A man who kidnaps, kills, and still manages to make you swoon with lines like, “You’re mine, little bird. Mine to protect. Mine to punish. Mine to love.” He’s not here to be redeemed—he’s here to burn the world down for Wren.
Wren: Our fierce, feathered queen. She’s been through hell and still walks like she owns it. Her resilience is the backbone of the story. She’s not just surviving—she’s scheming, seducing, and stabbing her way to freedom. Think Katniss Everdeen with a knife strapped to her thigh and a penchant for dirty talk.
Side Characters: Mostly cannon fodder or plot devices, but a few shine—especially the rival mafia members who exist solely to be outmaneuvered, outgunned, and outsmarted by Lex and Wren.
🔥 Tropes Galore: A Buffet of Dark Romance Delights
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Enemies to Lovers (with a side of kidnapping)
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Possessive Alpha Male
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Morally Gray Everything
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Revenge Plot
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Power Couple Energy
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“Touch her and die” vibes
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Dual POV (Lex and Wren)
This book is trope-heavy in the best way. It knows what it is—a dark, spicy, emotionally chaotic ride—and it leans in hard.
🚨 Trigger Warnings: Proceed with Caution
This is not a soft romance. It’s a dark mafia tale with serious content warnings:
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Violence and torture
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Human trafficking (discussed, not graphically shown)
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Psychological manipulation
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Gun violence
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Kidnapping
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Mentions of sexual assault (not involving main characters)
If you passed on Hunting Adeline because of its intensity but still crave that gritty vibe, Twisted King is a more palatable alternative.
🧂 Spice Level: Five Alarm Fire
The spice in Twisted King is not just hot—it’s feral. Lex and Wren’s chemistry is explosive, and Wilde doesn’t shy away from explicit scenes that toe the line between dominance and devotion. Expect breathy declarations, rough encounters, and a lot of “mine” being growled in various contexts.
One standout quote: “I want you ruined. I want you wrecked. I want you so full of me you forget your own name.” Sir, this is a Wendy’s.
🎯 Writing Style: Gritty, Repetitive, Raw
Wilde’s prose is fast-paced and emotionally charged. There’s a tendency to repeat words (“He pushed me behind him as someone closed the door behind him”), which can be jarring, especially in audio format. But the emotional beats hit hard, and the dialogue is often razor-sharp.
The audiobook, narrated by Joe Arden and Lucy Rivers, adds extra heat. Arden’s breath control and enunciation make Lex’s rage and lust palpable, while Rivers gives Wren the steel and sass she deserves.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Chaos, Carnage, and Crown-Worthy Smut
Twisted King is not for the faint of heart. It’s for readers who want their romance bloody, their heroes broken, and their heroines biting back. It’s messy, intense, and unapologetically filthy. If you’re into mafia wars, emotional warfare, and sex that feels like a battlefield—this book will ruin you in the best way.
It’s not perfect. The pacing stumbles, the prose occasionally clunks, and the plot sometimes veers into melodrama. But it’s entertaining as hell, and Lex and Wren are the kind of couple you root for even when they’re morally bankrupt.
So go ahead—crown yourself in chaos. Just don’t expect to come out clean.
Rating: 4.5/5 flaming crowns 👑🔥 Spice: 5/5 peppers 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Emotional Damage: Certified
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