If you've spent any time on BookTok, you've seen them: pastel-colored covers hiding dark secrets. These are the books by Ana Huang — and the Twisted series is what made her world-famous. What started as an indie publishing success has grown into a global phenomenon, dominating bestseller lists and redefining the billionaire romance genre for a new generation.
But where do you start? And what about the Kings of Sin series, also written by Ana Huang? Here's the complete reading order.
What is the Twisted series?
Ana Huang's Twisted series is one of the most popular modern romance series today. With a mix of intense love, secrets, drama, and strong characters, this series has captivated millions of readers worldwide. Amazon
Ana Huang specializes in morally gray heroes — men who are possessive, obsessed, and willing to burn the world down for the women they love. The series is known for its perfect blend of diverse characters, luxurious settings, and tropes that romance readers crave: brother's best friend, bodyguard, enemies-to-lovers, and fake dating.
The four main books each follow a different couple — four friends and the loves that turn their world upside down.
The complete Twisted reading order
Book 1: Twisted Love — 2021
The mandatory starting point. Alex Volkov is cold, calculating, and has a dark past. Ava Chen is optimistic, warm, and his best friend's sister — making her the one person he absolutely shouldn't want.
Their relationship starts as a protective arrangement but grows into something far more complex. This is the brother's best friend trope at its most intense, combined with a slow burn that hooks you from page one. Amazon
Trope: Brother's best friend, grumpy x sunshine, forbidden romance
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Start here. Never skip.
Book 2: Twisted Games — 2022
Bridget is a princess living a normal girl's life. Rhys is her bodyguard — stoic, professional, and determined not to develop feelings for the woman he protects. A forbidden romance in the most literal sense: the rules say no, but the chemistry says something entirely different.
Trope: Forbidden romance, bodyguard romance, royals
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book 3: Twisted Hate — 2022
Twisted Hate is generally considered the spiciest in the series, featuring the famous "hospital scene." Josh Chen is handsome, arrogant, and well on his way to becoming a highly successful doctor. Jules Ambrose can't stand him. Their feud ends in an unexpected proposal: enemies with benefits.
Trope: Enemies to lovers, friends with benefits, rivals
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book 4: Twisted Lies — 2022
Twisted Lies builds the most tension through its slow burn, making the eventual spice feel incredibly intense. Christian Harper is dangerously charming and has little use for a moral compass. Stella Alonso is an influencer who has learned to guard her heart. But Christian breaks his own rules.
Trope: Stalker romance, dark contemporary, obsessive love interest, slow burn
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
The reading order at a glance
| # | Dutch title | English title | Couple | Trope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liefde of leugen | Twisted Love | Alex & Ava | Brother's best friend |
| 2 | Koninklijk spel | Twisted Games | Rhys & Bridget | Bodyguard, royals |
| 3 | Bedrieglijk verlangen | Twisted Hate | Josh & Jules | Enemies to lovers |
| 4 | Gevaarlijk obsessie | Twisted Lies | Christian & Stella | Dark, obsessive |
Should I read the Twisted series in order?
While each story stands alone, the characters are interconnected and frequently reappear in other books. Amazon
Technically, you can read each book separately because each focuses on a different couple. However, the friendship group of the four girls (Ava, Bridget, Jules, Stella) is the backbone of the series. If you skip books, you'll be confused about why certain characters are arguing or why someone is suddenly a queen.
Advice: Read in order for the best experience. Book 1 lays the foundation for the friend group and provides context that enriches the other books.
The Kings of Sin series: the next step after Twisted
After the Twisted series, Ana Huang wrote the Kings of Sin series — a related series set in the same universe. Characters from Twisted reappear as supporting characters.
You can read Kings of Sin without having read Twisted, but reading Twisted first will make the experience richer.
| # | Title | Couple | Trope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King of Wrath | Dante & Vivian | Arranged marriage |
| 2 | King of Pride | Kai & Isabella | Forbidden romance |
| 3 | King of Greed | Dominic & Alessandra | Second chance romance |
| 4 | King of Sloth | Xavier & Sloane | Forced proximity |
| 5 | King of Envy | Joaquin & Nadia | Enemies to lovers |
| 6 | King of Gluttony | Rafael & Cleo | Fake dating |
Recommended overall reading order: Twisted Love → Twisted Games → Twisted Hate → Twisted Lies → Kings of Sin (Books 1 to 6)
Why is the Twisted series so popular on BookTok?
If you've scrolled through BookTok or Bookstagram in the last two years, you've undoubtedly seen the pastel-colored covers hiding dark secrets.
The series ranks so highly on BookTok for a few concrete reasons:
The tropes are crystal clear. Enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, grumpy x sunshine — every video can explain what a book is about in fifteen seconds, which is ideal for the algorithm.
The characters are morally gray yet sympathetic. The men in the Twisted series do things you'd disapprove of in reality — but in the story, you feel their motivation, and that makes it addictive.
The series grows with you. Each installment is slightly more intense than the last, which automatically encourages readers to keep going.
The covers are recognizable. The pastel-colored covers of the Twisted books are now an instant identifier on BookTok and Bookstagram.
Is the Twisted series dark romance?
It is considered dark contemporary romance, but it's not extremely dark like Haunting Adeline. It features morally gray men who do questionable things (stalking, murder for protection, revenge), but the romance itself is swoony and ends happily.
The Twisted series is a perfect stepping stone for readers who enjoy spicy romance but aren't yet ready for the most intense dark romance titles.
🌶️ Ready to start?
Our spicy bookmarks are specially made for readers who know what they want — perfect for marking your most intense Twisted moments.
→ View the spicy bookmarks
What to read after the Twisted series?
If you loved the enemies to lovers dynamic:
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne is a classic of the genre. The Fine Print by Lauren Asher has the same grumpy CEO energy as the Twisted series.
If you loved the dark, obsessive love interest:
Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout takes a step further into the dark, with a magical world and a forbidden romance that is just as intense.
If you want more from Ana Huang:
Go directly to the Kings of Sin series — the same writing style, the same intensity, but in a broader universe.
Don't know what to read next?
Our Blind Date Book (Spicy) will surprise you with a romance that matches your spice preference.
Complete your Twisted reading marathon
🌶️ The complete Twisted reading set:
✔ Spicy bookmark — for the most intense scenes
✔ Romance bookmark — for the swoony moments
✔ Book Review Notepad — note your favorite couple for each part
✔ Reading Log Book Tracker — keep track of which parts you've read (€1.99)
✔ Glass Can — for the drink that goes with every plot twist
✔ Blind Date Book (Spicy) — for when you're waiting for your next obsession
Frequently asked questions about the Twisted series reading order
Do I have to read the Twisted series in order?
Yes, it is recommended. Each book follows a different couple, but the friend group is the common thread. If you skip books, you will miss context about why characters make certain choices.
How many books are in the Twisted series?
The main series consists of four books: Twisted Love, Twisted Games, Twisted Hate, and Twisted Lies. This is followed by the related Kings of Sin series of six books.
Which Twisted book is the spiciest?
Twisted Hate (book 3) is generally considered the spiciest, with its famous hospital scene. Twisted Lies (book 4) has the most tension due to its slow burn, making the eventual spice feel very intense.
Is the Twisted series dark romance?
It is considered dark contemporary romance but is not extremely dark. The men are morally gray, but the romance has a happy ending.
Are the Twisted books available in Dutch?
Yes, all four parts have been translated into Dutch and published by LoveBooks and Volt. Amazon
Should I also read the Kings of Sin series after the Twisted series?
You can read Kings of Sin without having read Twisted, but reading Twisted first will enrich the experience as characters reappear as side characters.
Which Twisted book is the best entry point?
Always Twisted Love (book 1). This is the foundation of the series — without this book, you miss the context for everything that follows.
📚 Your Twisted reading marathon starts here
Spicy Bookmarks • Book Review Notepad • Reading Log (€1.99) • Blind Date Book (Spicy) • Glass Can
Happy reading! 🌶️📚