Introduction
Ana Huang’s Twisted series has captured millions of romance readers around the world. Each book in the series explores a different couple, but together they create an interconnected universe full of love, betrayal, friendship, and transformation. The second book, Twisted Games, takes the spotlight with its forbidden love story between a princess and her bodyguard.
In this Twisted Games summary, we’ll explore the book in depth. From the characters to the plot, themes, style, and how it fits into the larger series, you’ll find everything you need to know before reading or revisiting this beloved novel.
What Is Twisted Games?
Twisted Games is the second book in Ana Huang’s Twisted quartet. The story was first self-published in July 2021 and later re-released by Bloom Books in 2022. It follows Princess Bridget von Ascheberg of Eldorra and her stoic bodyguard, Rhys Larsen.
The novel blends tropes like forbidden romance, bodyguard-protector dynamics, age gap, and slow-burn chemistry. Unlike the first book (Twisted Love), which focused on Ava and Alex, this one dives into royal intrigue, political duty, and the struggles of choosing between love and responsibility.
Main Characters in Twisted Games
Princess Bridget von Ascheberg
Bridget never wanted to be queen. She is strong-willed, independent, and full of compassion. Yet, circumstances force her into the spotlight when her brother abdicates the throne. Throughout the book, she evolves from a reluctant royal to a powerful and confident queen.
Rhys Larsen
Rhys is the classic grumpy hero. An ex-Navy SEAL with a traumatic past, he hides behind a cold and distant persona. His rules are simple: protect the client and never get personally involved. But when Bridget enters his life, he finds those rules impossible to follow.
Supporting Characters
- Nikolai (Niko): Bridget’s brother and the original heir to the throne.
- Ava, Jules, Stella: Bridget’s close friends, who also feature in other books in the series.
- Alex, Josh, Christian: Male leads of the other Twisted novels, offering continuity and crossover moments.
These characters add depth, humor, and emotional balance to the story.
Detailed Twisted Games Summary
Beginning: Princess Meets Bodyguard
The story begins in the United States, where Bridget is finishing her studies. Rhys Larsen, a new bodyguard, is assigned to protect her. Their first interactions are tense. Bridget finds him overbearing and cold, while Rhys sees her as a spoiled royal.
The tension escalates when Bridget is kidnapped along with her friend. Rhys saves her, but she feels betrayed when she discovers he had secretly tracked her phone. This sets up the enemies-to-lovers dynamic that fuels the rest of the novel.
Middle: Duty vs. Desire
After graduation, Bridget returns to Eldorra. Her life takes an unexpected turn when her brother, Nikolai, abdicates the throne. Bridget is suddenly the heir. This means endless responsibilities, strict royal protocols, and talk of arranged marriages.
Despite knowing the risks, Bridget and Rhys can’t resist their growing attraction. Their chemistry intensifies during stolen moments, but both understand the danger. A relationship between a princess and her bodyguard could ruin Bridget’s reputation and destabilize the monarchy.
Climax: Royal Dilemma
As Bridget moves closer to becoming queen, the outside pressures grow stronger. Politicians and advisors push her toward a royal marriage that will strengthen alliances. The media begins to speculate, and enemies plot against her.
Bridget faces a heartbreaking choice: abandon Rhys for the sake of the crown or fight for a love that could destroy everything. Meanwhile, Rhys struggles with his protective instincts and his deepening feelings.
Ending: Resolution & Transformation
The story ends with Bridget embracing her role as queen. Unlike her earlier reluctance, she becomes a leader who knows her worth and responsibilities. Importantly, she also refuses to give up her love for Rhys. Together, they carve a path that allows Bridget to rule with strength and still keep her personal happiness.
This makes Twisted Games not just a romance but also a story of empowerment and self-discovery.
Major Themes in Twisted Games
Forbidden Love
The forbidden romance between a royal and her protector is the heart of the book. It heightens the tension and makes every secret interaction more meaningful.
Duty vs. Freedom
Bridget’s biggest conflict is between her personal freedom and royal duty. The book asks: can someone have both?
Power and Protection
Rhys begins as a controlling protector, but he learns to respect Bridget’s strength. The relationship evolves into one of balance rather than dominance.
Transformation
Bridget’s journey from reluctant princess to powerful queen symbolizes growth, resilience, and courage.
Writing Style & Narrative Approach
Ana Huang tells the story through alternating first-person perspectives. Readers get access to both Bridget’s vulnerability and Rhys’s guarded thoughts.
The pacing is a slow burn with time jumps spanning four years. The writing balances emotional depth, witty banter, and steamy romance scenes. This mix appeals to fans of both contemporary romance and dramatic, high-stakes storytelling.
Reader Reception & Reviews
Readers often describe Twisted Games as one of the strongest in the series. The slow-burn romance keeps them hooked, while Bridget’s growth as a queen adds emotional weight.
- Strengths: Great chemistry, strong female lead, forbidden romance tension.
- Criticisms: Some readers find the time jumps jarring. Others feel that certain plot twists, like Rhys’s family background, could have been developed more deeply.
Despite these critiques, the book remains a fan favorite and a trending title on BookTok.
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Choose flexible, weather-resistant PVC, select a size that fits your jacket or bag, and match the patch’s color to the book’s aesthetic. They transform fan love into a wearable, lasting tribute.
Trigger Warnings & Content Notes
The novel includes sensitive themes such as:
- Kidnapping and gun violence
- Panic attacks and aquaphobia
- Mentions of abuse and parental neglect
- Attempted murder and drowning scenes
Readers are advised to check these triggers before starting the book.
Connection to the Twisted Series
While Twisted Games can be read as a standalone, it connects deeply with the rest of the series.
- Twisted Love (Book 1): Focuses on Ava and Alex. Bridget is Ava’s friend, so events overlap.
- Twisted Hate (Book 3): Tells Josh and Jules’s story.
- Twisted Lies (Book 4): Centers on Stella and Christian, tying the series together.
Reading in order provides a richer understanding of the friend group and their intertwined lives.
Conclusion
Twisted Games is more than just a steamy royal romance. It is a story about love, sacrifice, growth, and courage. Bridget’s transformation into a queen who can balance her duty with her personal happiness makes the book inspiring as well as romantic.
This Twisted Games summary highlights why the novel has captured such a wide audience. It’s a perfect blend of forbidden attraction, political drama, and emotional evolution. Whether you are new to Ana Huang’s world or revisiting the series, Twisted Games offers a compelling journey worth experiencing.
FAQs
Is Twisted Games a standalone?
Yes, you can read it on its own, but it connects better when read after Twisted Love.
Who are the main characters?
Princess Bridget von Ascheberg and her bodyguard, Rhys Larsen.
How does it connect to other Twisted books?
It overlaps with Twisted Love and builds into the next two novels in the series.
Will Twisted Games become a movie or show?
Netflix has optioned the entire Twisted series for adaptation.
Is Eldorra a real country?
No, it’s a fictional European monarchy created for the story.
