Perfection. I even bought the shirt. Highly recommended trilogy, top 10 on my list. ( )

Where does one start with this book. I went into it expecting a mind-fuck.... I got just what I wanted. I was up; I was down; I was happy; I was pissed off. My feelings were so over the place, I couldn't keep up with myself and could not stop reading and thinking about this book. It is still on my mind days later!

"We could be and cry and scream. But ultimately, we had no power. The truth burned my eyes, puncturing my heart. I was a killer. I am a killer. I'm a monster." ~Tess
Both Q and Tess are struggling their own demons and guilt. They are internally fighting for their relationship which seems doomed and impossible because of the demons inside of them. They both are being tourtured internally and can't seem to get back in sync with one another. It's heartbreaking.

"'I want to be carefree again. Some slightly naive, a little gullible, and a lot in love. I want to believe in fantasies again, see the magic in the world, and not be terrified of shadows or going to sleep.'"
This journey is one I thought I was prepared for... Then I read the book. So dark, seeming like there would never be light in this story. I loved it! Tess is suffering greatly from PTSD, and Q struggling with anger, guilt and shame. These emotions create an explosion from start to finish! I relished this book. I almost wasn't ready for the story to end, but at the same time, it needed to end. These two characters needed to find their bittersweet ending that suited them... together.

I can sit here all day and sing praises for this book, but I won't. Just know that this is not an upbeat book. It will tear you apart, rip you down raw and leave you feeling full but empty at the same time.... Basically, it is more than deserving of the 5 stars I gave it. And if you follow my reviews, you know I RARELY give books 5 stars!
"Who knew how much love my heart could contain when he adored me so sweetly? Who knew how many different tears I could shed when he let himself free? Happy tears. Fearful tears. Lustful tears. Vengeful tears." ( )

I went in to this book excited to see more Q (one of my top book boyfriends ever) and sad to see the trilogy end. I love all of Pepper's books, but I loved [b:Quintessentially Q|18398089|Quintessentially Q (Monsters in the Dark, #2)|Pepper Winters|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1378381640s/18398089.jpg|26026261] so much that I was worried [b:Twisted Together|20497443|Twisted Together|Mandoline Creme|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1389254942s/20497443.jpg|33836038] would let me down because I had it built it up so much in my mind. I must say that Pepper did an excellent job of tying everything up perfectly. This installment was quite a bit lengthier that the other two and did not disappoint. I loved having both Tess and Q's POV.

In my mind, it was divided into three segments.

The beginning is about reconnection and repairing. It lasts for about the first half and is infused with poetic emotional words.

We'll finally find peace in the dark—

At the end of QQ, Q finally broke through to Tess after she went numb from her horrible experience. This book starts with them knowing they still aren't quite in the place they want to be. She isn't fully healed, and they aren't as close as they need.

I wanted to fucking scream at how broke everything was. This was torture. Worst fucking crucifixion imaginable.

The damage from Rio left behind lasting effects, and Q will stop at nothing to break Tess free completely.

She was in hell—so the fuck was I.

We are witness to the inner struggles they both suffer. It's so full of emotion, so full of afflatus that I almost feet like a voyeur in their divine love.

His kiss was a hammer, his fingers a wrecking ball—with each one he smashed the remaining glass prison in my mind, making me his equal, but also keeping me firmly in the position of submissive.
A wash of gratefulness filled my heart. I was unbelievably lucky. So blessed. Q not only gave all of himself, he also made all my black desires come true. We truly were born for each other.

*I want to make a small note of this section. It is a bit flowery, almost Shakespearean. This may be a turn off to some, but I believe the author wanted to make a point of the deep overflowing emotions between the characters.


The middle is the action. This is where most of the darkness comes in, the unwanted darkness anyways.

My heart stayed behind with her—I didn't need it where I was going.

I can't discuss it much without giving away spoilers. I just have to say that the way Q handles himself makes me love him oh so much more (sniffle)...so honorable despite his demons.

Forgive me, Tess. Know that I love you till the end of time, and I'll find you again, if not in this life, then in the next.

The end is resolving and heart-filling.

Then he folded to his knees.
My stomach lodged in the tight boning of my corset. I'd never seen a man so proud, so strong and fierce, be so shattered and humbled.
Q's ferocious eyes ensnared me.

What a roller coaster these two have been on. I would not have been able to outlive all the hardship. Most wouldn't. What an amazing journey it has been Pepper. Thank you for all the feelings: the pain, the sadness, the anger, the devastation, the mourning, the excitement, the frustration, the arousal, the acceptance, the desire...the love.

You are normal. My normal. We're each other's normal. And there is no right or wrong. It's time we accepted it.

I also wanted to point out the friendships. I love the characters of Franco, Roux and Suzette. I love the brotherly banter between Q and Franco. I was happy to learn of the spark between Franco and Suzette and to finally meet Angelique.

Another thing I wanted to gush about is the writing. So often the same words are used over and over in erotic books. Some words have become absolutely cringe-worthy to me. Pepper came up with new words often in this book and even turned words into new forms, nouns into adjectives, adjectives into verbs etc. Wonderful idea on her part! And I'm thankful.

I am attached to this series. And I will forever love Q.

I'm yours. I'm your monster in the dark forever.

***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***





toni






FangirlMoments and My Two Cents








FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.blogspot.com/2014/06/twisted-together-by-pepp...

( )

I went in to this book excited to see more Q (one of my top book boyfriends ever) and sad to see the trilogy end. I love all of Pepper's books, but I loved [b:Quintessentially Q|18398089|Quintessentially Q (Monsters in the Dark, #2)|Pepper Winters|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1378381640s/18398089.jpg|26026261] so much that I was worried [b:Twisted Together|20497443|Twisted Together|Mandoline Creme|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1389254942s/20497443.jpg|33836038] would let me down because I had it built it up so much in my mind. I must say that Pepper did an excellent job of tying everything up perfectly. This installment was quite a bit lengthier that the other two and did not disappoint. I loved having both Tess and Q's POV.

In my mind, it was divided into three segments.

The beginning is about reconnection and repairing. It lasts for about the first half and is infused with poetic emotional words.

We'll finally find peace in the dark—

At the end of QQ, Q finally broke through to Tess after she went numb from her horrible experience. This book starts with them knowing they still aren't quite in the place they want to be. She isn't fully healed, and they aren't as close as they need.

I wanted to fucking scream at how broke everything was. This was torture. Worst fucking crucifixion imaginable.

The damage from Rio left behind lasting effects, and Q will stop at nothing to break Tess free completely.

She was in hell—so the fuck was I.

We are witness to the inner struggles they both suffer. It's so full of emotion, so full of afflatus that I almost feet like a voyeur in their divine love.

His kiss was a hammer, his fingers a wrecking ball—with each one he smashed the remaining glass prison in my mind, making me his equal, but also keeping me firmly in the position of submissive.
A wash of gratefulness filled my heart. I was unbelievably lucky. So blessed. Q not only gave all of himself, he also made all my black desires come true. We truly were born for each other.

*I want to make a small note of this section. It is a bit flowery, almost Shakespearean. This may be a turn off to some, but I believe the author wanted to make a point of the deep overflowing emotions between the characters.


The middle is the action. This is where most of the darkness comes in, the unwanted darkness anyways.

My heart stayed behind with her—I didn't need it where I was going.

I can't discuss it much without giving away spoilers. I just have to say that the way Q handles himself makes me love him oh so much more (sniffle)...so honorable despite his demons.

Forgive me, Tess. Know that I love you till the end of time, and I'll find you again, if not in this life, then in the next.

The end is resolving and heart-filling.

Then he folded to his knees.
My stomach lodged in the tight boning of my corset. I'd never seen a man so proud, so strong and fierce, be so shattered and humbled.
Q's ferocious eyes ensnared me.

What a roller coaster these two have been on. I would not have been able to outlive all the hardship. Most wouldn't. What an amazing journey it has been Pepper. Thank you for all the feelings: the pain, the sadness, the anger, the devastation, the mourning, the excitement, the frustration, the arousal, the acceptance, the desire...the love.

You are normal. My normal. We're each other's normal. And there is no right or wrong. It's time we accepted it.

I also wanted to point out the friendships. I love the characters of Franco, Roux and Suzette. I love the brotherly banter between Q and Franco. I was happy to learn of the spark between Franco and Suzette and to finally meet Angelique.

Another thing I wanted to gush about is the writing. So often the same words are used over and over in erotic books. Some words have become absolutely cringe-worthy to me. Pepper came up with new words often in this book and even turned words into new forms, nouns into adjectives, adjectives into verbs etc. Wonderful idea on her part! And I'm thankful.

I am attached to this series. And I will forever love Q.

I'm yours. I'm your monster in the dark forever.

***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***





toni






FangirlMoments and My Two Cents








FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.blogspot.com/2014/06/twisted-together-by-pepp...

( )

After finishing Quintessentially Q, I didn't things could get any worse. But I was wrong; so wrong. Again Q and Tess's relationship is pushed to the limits. How these two make their relationship survive after everything is beyond me. But I guess that is the magic of these books.

Q and Tess finally got the happy ever after that I have been waiting for. Their wedding was just perfect and totally them.

I was a bit unsure starting Twisted Together since it is twice as long as the other books in the series, but it was so worth it. I loved everything about this book. ( )