Review: Twisted

 

Title: Twisted 

Series: Malus Mafia 

Author: Emily Goodwin 

Release Date: October 30, 2025 

Wren Russo has always been an outsider. The only witch ever to be raised among the Order of the Mystic Realm, she has spent her life hunting demons alongside a family who doesn’t fully accept her. But nothing could prepare her for the ultimate betrayal of being handed over as part of a centuries-old pact to the most feared vampire family in existence: the Malus Family.

Trapped in a gilded cage, Wren begins to unravel secrets buried for centuries about her own bloodline, the Order’s dark bargains, and the Malus family’s true intentions…especially Xavier Malus, the oldest and most powerful vampire in the Malus family. Xavier takes an unexpected interest in Wren, demanding she marry him in a political move to appease the Vampire Council. The more time she spends with him, the more she risks her hatred turning into passion. Will she see him as anything other than the monster he is?

Because in a game where bloodlines are currency and love can be the deadliest weakness of all, one wrong choice could mean the end—not just for Wren, but for everyone she’s ever sworn to protect.

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Oh my goodness you guys!!! 

It's been so long since I have read a Emily Goodwin book & I needed this. 

When is a witch - but forced to suppress who she really is growing up in her adopted demon hunting family. The Order - the bosses of the demon hunting world- doesn't like anyone who is different from them which includes witches, vampires and werewolves. So Wren didn't get to grow up learning about magic or her family, and was always the outsider not only as a demon hunter, but in her family too for being different. 

But one night she is taken - by a deal made between the Order and the Malus Mafia - a family of vampires. But she won't go quietly. Not to be bred, or be married off to one of the most powerful men in the country. 

Soon secrets start coming out, and Wren begins wondering what she really knew about her family after all. Forced to navigate through her new reality, Wren must come to terms with her past, and her new future quickly if there is any hope of surviving. 

So, it's been awhile since I read an Emily Goodwin book - but I have to say I loved reading about Wren and the Malus Mafia family. 

Wren grew up in impossible conditions forced to make herself less than to appease others. She was made to feel like an outsider even in her own family. And the secrets that were uncovered would be enough to break just about anyone - but Wren was stronger than her circumstances and didn't let anything make her give up on what she wanted or who she wanted to be. 

Devon was a distant blood relative of the Malus family - he grew up elite and pampered and was to be the one to continue the Malus family line - since vampires can't reproduce - with the hopes of becoming a vampire in the future. 

Xavier is the head of the Malus family Mafia - and a 700 year old vampire. With one look at Wren he had to have her. Marrying her, claiming her. 

Theo is Xavier's brother, but he doesn't like Wren. She complicates things - especially since she is a witch and can't be spelled to forget. 

Wren must navigate through a world of a vampire Mafia that she didn't know anything about, and adapt quickly if she hopes to make it out alive. 

I loved every second of this book. Of Wren finding herself & coming into her own. I loved her relationship with the Malus vampire Mafia. And I can't wait to see what is in store for these characters next. 

This book was a little dark but oh so good, quick vampire read. & I definitely recommend for those who love a paranormal romance. 

4⭐ out of 5⭐. 

3🌶️ out of 5🌶️ 

Tropes: 

- paranormal romance 

- forbidden romance 

- Vampires x witches 

- arranged marriage 

- Forced proximity 

- Mafia romance 

Trigger Warnings: 

• blood 

• violence 

• death/murder 

• death of a parent 

• confinement 

• kidnapping 

• child abuse 

• emotional abuse 

• medical trauma 

• hate crime 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Emily Goodwin is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of over a dozen of romantic titles. Emily writes the kind of books she likes to read, and is a sucker for a swoon-worthy bad boy and happily ever afters. She lives in the midwest with her two daughters. When she's not writing, you can find her riding her horses, hiking, reading, or drinking coffee with friends. Emily is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency.

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