REVIEW: Twisted by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott

Twisted by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott: Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll. That’s the saying, right? Yeah, it’s trite, and you’ve heard it a thousand times, but Gray was living it. Well, not so much the sex part, not since that disastrous night with the woman he’s loved forever and his asshole bandmate, Nick. Nick and Jazz weren’t a couple anymore, not that they ever really were, but seeing the two of them together was an agony he hoped he’d never have to endure again. If he couldn’t have her, he’d numb himself to the pain. He just didn’t care anymore.

Jazz had been in love with Gray since she was fourteen and he was sixteen, but he was forbidden fruit. Her foster brother. No matter how many times they’d seemed to be attracted to each other, she always found a way to blow it off completely. His parents would’ve never wanted her if she was the slut her mother had always told her she was. Not that it mattered. It didn’t work out despite her best efforts. She left both the family she so desperately wanted and the boy she desperately loved.

When Jazz finally reconnected with Gray and later hooked up with Oblivion, things started looking up. She and Gray had been away from each other for so long that they’d had their own lives, their own relationships – and so she made the mistake of hooking up with Nick. She tried to fix it by inviting Gray to join them, but then afterwards things hadn’t been the same. He went his way, and she went hers. But it was New Years’ Eve and she was going to make her move.

Again, things didn’t work out as planned. The night ended up in a clusterfuck and their new record company was demanding they separate in order to get their asses in gear and write some new stuff so they could start recording again. Of course they decided to put Gray in a cabin with Nick – an incredibly explosive situation, while Jazz got put at a luxury spa with Deacon and Simon. Weirdest. Combo. Ever. Deacon was amazingly in love with his pregnant wife, and Simon was the biggest man-whore on the planet.

“Jazz.” He nudged her chin back with the tip of his finger and lowered his head to hers. “Someday I’m going to buy you that bling. I promise.”
A harsh laugh escaped her. She didn’t know where it came from and couldn’t figure out how to shove it back down. “Why would you do that?”
His Adam’s apple bobbled in his stubbled throat. “When I do it, you’ll know why.”

Against all odds, Jazz and Gray (with the help of a certain pregnant and full of love hormone caterer) found themselves together during their exiles, and nothing could stop them from giving in to their long-time love for each other. But it couldn’t have come at a worse time. The record company specifically asked them to stop the sex shenanigans, Gray was in deep with some very unsavory characters, and he was battling some demons that he was terrified would be exposed. Not only would he lose Jazz, but he could ruin his life and jeopardize the band’s future.

I’m so in love with this series I think I could stay in bed with it all day – but this book… it’s amazing. I wasn’t sure it’d be a whole five stars at first (sorry Cari & Taryn), mostly because of the drug subplot. I shouldn’t have wavered. They’d already tackled the issue from the very beginning with the exiled drummer, Snake – but having such fondness for another addicted character, well it was heartbreaking. They managed to tie it into the story so well that I was simply undone by Gray’s spiral into numbness, and it was amazing.

Cari and Taryn also showed the bond between Gray and Jazz, and how it was like two sides of a coin. Jazz was there for him when he needed her, but she also fed his co-dependent side at times. They were two imperfect people trying to navigate impossible circumstances – one after another, while also admitting they loved each other.

Now for the REALLY good part. The sex scenes were like psychedelia incarnate. Lyrical, tense, undulating, they were perfect. I don’t think they could have fit this book any better. I found myself biting my lip and leaning forward with my elbows on my knees (I sit indian style when I read), and when the scenes were over I had to physically relax – almost like I was inside the book myself.

So I’m guessing you get by now that I’m gushing over how great this book is. If the books in this series keep getting better, I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself. I’ll probably expire by the time it’s over. *grin*

Get it – and get it now. No, get the whole series. And the novellas. Yup – all that.

Book Info:

Publication: December 2nd 2014 by Rainbow Rage Publishing

Book 2 in the NEW ADULT rock star series, Lost in Oblivion

He’s always saved her. Now she’s going to return the favor…

Gray Duffy never thought he’d end up as the co-lead guitarist of Oblivion, one of the hottest rock bands in the country. Even better? He’s sharing the experience with his best friend, Jazz. Since the day she’d showed up as his family’s new foster kid, Gray has protected her. Loved her. And not just platonically either. After all these years of wanting her in his bed, he still doesn’t know what it would be like to have her mouth on his.

Except for that one time. The time he’d shared her with Nick. The best worst night of his life.

Now they’re living their dream. They’re making music together and spending every waking moment trapped in tight quarters. With success at their fingertips, the time is right for him to finally make his move toward the woman he needs.

He just never figured he would lose control. Or that she would find out.

They’ve loved each other through everything. But what if this time love just isn’t enough?