Review: Twisted Games (Twisted #2) by Ana Huang

Plot Summary

From New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Ana Huang comes a contemporary royal romance!

Stoic, broody, and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has two rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever.

He has never once been tempted to break those rules...until her.

Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak that matches his own and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She's nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed.

Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defenses until he's faced with a truth he can no longer deny: he swore an oath to protect her, but all he wants is to ruin her. Take her.

Because she's his.

His princess.

His forbidden fruit.

His every depraved fantasy.

***

Regal, strong-willed, and bound by the chains of duty, Princess Bridget dreams of the freedom to live and love as she chooses.

But when her brother abdicates, she's suddenly faced with the prospect of a loveless, politically expedient marriage and a throne she never wanted.

And as she navigates the intricacies-and treacheries-of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can't have.

Her bodyguard.

Her protector.

Her ultimate ruin.

Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a kingdom...and doom them both.

Do not become emotionally involved. Ever.

My Review

Rating: ★★★☆ ☆(3/5)

Ana Huang’s Twisted Games, the second installment in her Twisted series, delivers a compelling blend of forbidden romance, royal duty, and emotional vulnerability. With its captivating slow-burn dynamic and emotionally layered characters, this book offers an engaging love story set against the backdrop of palace politics and personal sacrifice.

The novel follows Princess Bridget von Ascheberg, a poised and fiercely intelligent royal who never expected to ascend the throne. When circumstances force her into the spotlight, her life becomes even more constrained—especially under the watchful eye of her new bodyguard, Rhys Larsen. Rhys is stoic, commanding, and fiercely protective—a man who lives by duty and keeps his emotions locked behind a guarded exterior.

From the moment they meet, Bridget and Rhys share a chemistry that is undeniable. Their relationship unfolds slowly, with tension simmering beneath each interaction. Huang captures this beautifully, crafting a romance that feels both forbidden and inevitable. The slow build allows readers to fully experience their emotional journey—moments of longing, restraint, and finally, a deeply satisfying release of passion.

What makes the romance in Twisted Games so compelling is the way it evolves from mutual respect to deep emotional connection. Bridget, while bound by royal obligations, never loses her independence or voice. Rhys, though hardened by his past, begins to open up as he falls for Bridget—revealing a softer, more vulnerable side. Their love is passionate and intense, but also tender and transformative.

While Twisted Games may follow familiar romance tropes, it does so with heart and sincerity. The emotional payoff is strong, the chemistry is undeniable, and the characters are easy to root for. Fans of royal romance and slow-burn love stories will find this an enjoyable, well-executed read that leaves just enough room for the heart to linger.