I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Twist by Kylie Scott Series: Dive Bar #2
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on April 11th 2017
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 288
Goodreads
FINAL DECISION: A wonderful quirky romance between two flawed humans. Kylie Scott never disappoints in making her characters feel real and honest and TWIST is no exception. Loved the characters!
THE STORY: Joe Collins has always been the good brother. When his younger brother Eric wants to sign up for an online dating service, Joe helps him but ends up connecting with one of his brother’s matches. Under the identity of his brother, Joe corresponds with Alex Parks for months until Alex decides to surprise Eric on his birthday.
OPINION: Twist features such wonderful characters that I loved every moment of the book. Joe is a genuine good guy who makes the “mistake” of adopting his brother’s persona to email a woman who catches his interest. I liked how Joe falls into doing something that is completely against his nature — but the truth is that it might have been the right thing to do ultimately.
Joe is so wonderful a man. A bartender, a builder, someone who has done his best even when taken advantage of by those he cares for. He cares for Alex even when she is angry with him and takes on so much onto himself for everyone around him. I liked how considerate he is and how he is able to accept all of Alex’s neuroses with equanimity.
Alex is a woman of incredible contradictions — as are we all. Talented as a graphic artist, she has trouble with social interactions. Her fears make her veer away from the possibility of being hurt. She has meaningless sexual relationships as a way of placing distance between herself and others. Joe challenges her at every turn.
I especially liked in this book how Joe and Alex have a funny and sweet relationship that becomes incredibly hot and intense. How can you not love a guy who takes care of a woman who is at her absolute worst. Joe works to help Alex become the best she can be which means challenging herself. Joe needs help as well. These two nicely balance one another.
This book was almost a 5 star book, but the end of the book has a crisis which disrupts Joe to an incredible extent. Both Alex and Joe relapse into their comfort zones a bit. That causes a problem in their relationship which is resolved too quickly and easily for my tastes. Too much of a serious situation is resolved off stage for me. Even with that caveat, I loved this book and recommend it.
WORTH MENTIONING: Mal!
CONNECTED BOOKS: TWIST is the second book in the Dive Bar series. The book can be read as a standalone although a lot of characters appear in the prior book so you might enjoy it more knowing more about the interrelationships.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.