With a Twist (Bad Habits, #1)

by Staci Hart

• ISBN10: 1514862689
• ISBN13: 9781514862681
• Publish Date: 6 July 2015
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 282
• Language: English

Reviews

[whisperingchapters]

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights ReviewsI love a good friends-to-lovers story so my expectations for this one were high. Sadly, they weren't exactly met but it was still an enjoyable read.

Lily and West have been friends for years but they put themselves in the friend zone because West had a girlfriend. By the time West was single, there was an unwritten (and maybe unsaid) rule that they would stay friends. Years later, Lily's long-time crush is finally single and she feels like she has a chance. West is not happy about the idea of Lily dating someone and soon he comes to realize why.

I was already hers—I'd lost myself to her long before I even knew.

This story was cute and at times, fun. I loved the present feel of friendship, which have their own stories in the following books. Lily's love for ballet could be felt through the book. She even said herself it never felt like a work even though it was full on exhausting—she's doing what she loves. She's a strong-willed character and very determined. I loved each of the characters individually. It did take me time to like Lily and West together. In the end, I did like them but it was a rocky start for me.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: (may have spoilers for if the couple ends up together or not...kind of)

Lily's and West's romance didn't happen quick (or slowly?) and this is where I had problems. I know I'm contradicting myself from what I said above but I'll explain. Since this was a friends-to-lovers romance, I was expecting them to hang out a lot as friends and slowly come to realize what they were feeling but this wasn't the case. Lily was so hung up on Blane for at least 60% of the story. And West did kind of started seeing her in a different light but it wasn't until the 58% mark that he realized he was falling for her. After that, he just wanted to proclaim his love without taking into consideration that Lily really liked Blane. Then when shit hits the fan, Lily realizes she loves West. This just frustrated me a lot. It was like the romance was kind of pushed down the readers throats.

All this time you were right here [...] in front of me. And I missed it.

Another thing I didn't really like was the writing. It was rather sloppy and to be honest, I'm not one to really notice those things unless it's such a powerful book where the author writes beautiful prose. So for me to notice the writing, says a lot.

Overall, the rest of the story was enjoyable, like some of the banter between all the friends, their drunk conversations, how loyal they really are to each other. I enjoyed those added aspects to the story more than I did the romance.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews

[Angie]

Despite my rating, I did really enjoy reading With a Twist. It just has one really huge flaw: the romance doesn't start until 86%. Seriously. Lily and West have been friends for the past four years, but it's always been friendship between them. Currently, West isn't looking to casually date, although he has a friend with benefits. And Lily has finally bagged her long time crush. But things aren't going so well for either of them with their current partners, because obviously, the one they're meant for has been there all along.

With a Twist starts off good. I liked Lily and how she goes after what she wants. She won't let anyone get in her way, but she's also not going to trample on people to get it like some other girl in her ballet company. She also owns her sexuality, and isn't willing to put up with bad sex. She'll take things into her own hands if need be! Her disastrous relationship with Blane was great to read about. Lily's crush is not living up to the fantasy in her head at all.

At around 50% I noticed that our love interests hadn't spent any significant amount of time together. Lily and West do hang out, but there's no romantic or sexual tension there. It's purely friendship. I do like friends to lover romances, but they sometimes share one inherit flaw with second chance romance: little to no relationship development. Lily and West already have four years of friendship under their belt, so we don't get to see any kind of development. They're already friends, and it isn't until two-thirds in that either of them realize that they have feelings for the other. And then it takes until 86% for them to admit their feelings and get to kissing. I am not okay with that in a romance.

With a Twist was just a let down as a romance. As just a story, it's a good one. I like the characters and seeing them deal with their individual problems. But that's the problem, they're too individual. There's not enough of Lily and West together, developing feelings, giving me feelings, or anything. I am not okay with waiting nearly the entire book for the romance to happen, only to have it just end. I'm also not okay with people purposely having unprotected sex without any kind of conversation about birth control or STDs. "I trust you" is not a discussion. But that's just a personal, nitpicky thing that I cannot stand. It may not bother anyone else.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Sam@WLABB]

Rating: 3.5 stars

This was sweet and humorous friends to lovers story.

I really liked the group dynamic: Coop, Maggie, West, Patrick. Lily, and Rose. I especially loved West and Patrick. They are two swoon-worthy men. I wanted them from page 1. Lily grew on me. I found her annoying, but came around to side: Lily towards the end. It was around the same point, that I bumped my rating from 3 to 3.5 stars. The last 20% of the book was filled with some many "awe shucks" moments, and my heart filled to capacity. I see potential for this series.

[limabean74]

My Review:

When Staci writes, I read, I haven’t read a book of hers that I didn’t like and I have to say I am madly in love with Lily and West. The entire group of friends is fantastic and I can’t wait to read the rest of these books to find out about the other friends and read about their stories.

The story revolves around Lily and West they are pretty much best friends that have no idea that they like each other a lot more than just friends. Lily is a little hung up on a guy she has assumed she loved forever. I know how she feels, it’s hard to let go of someone that you loved for a long time but sometimes the love you are looking for is right in front of your face. West is adorable and just the nicest guy EVER. Probably his southern charm, and the man-bun doesn’t hurt either. I never realized a man-bun until I read this book, now I see them everywhere. So far none as hot as West but I am thinking that is a good thing. Lily got on my nervous a little bit in the beginning but I think it’s because I knew what was going on and her not seeing it was driving me crazy. It was nice to watch her realize what everyone else knew already.

I loved the romance and it had lots of very funny banter. I adored the relationship between Rose and Lily, they are the kind of friends every girl wants. Even the guys Cooper and Patrick (Tricky) have such a strong bond with West it’s nice and they are protective of Lily. I adored the entire clan of friends.

This book is a must read, it has a lot of sexual tension and a few but not many steamy scenes but it fits perfect with this book. I love Staci’s writing and I can’t wait to read more from her. I highly recommend this book and a must add to everyone's To-Be Read list Like NOW!

This review was originally posted on Because reading is better than real life