It’s not the sins her eyes have seen, but the sins her body has felt. Mikayla Depressed, crazy, violent, angry, suicidal. Those are the adjectives most people would use to describe me. Ironically, the one that upsets me is violent. I’m not a violent person. Am I depressed? Yes. Life’s a bitch, and she’s taken me for a fucking ride. Crazy? I wouldn’t say so, although I can see why people would … I can see why people would describe me as such.
Angry? Fuck yeah. I’ve got some twisted stories to explain my anger.
Suicidal? Well, maybe this one time. And that one time is the reason I’m here, telling you my story, from room 113 of the Chasing Freedom Recovery Center. Isn’t the name fucking peachy? Sit tight folks, you’re in for a dark ride.
Tyler
I don’t have a problem. Drinking is something I do to relax after a long day of work, or a long day on stage. I’m not an alcoholic. I know what alcoholics are like, and that’s not me. (Not yet.)
Regardless, they send me to Chasing Freedom. (Again). They’re determined to heal something that isn’t broken. (Liar.) And I’m stuck with Red, hearing her lose her shit and tell me off in the process. However, one look into her eyes shows me her demons. Some I am familiar with, others I can’t fathom. I know darkness, but she’s pitch black, and I want to hold the torch and lead her out.
Author’s Note: While it is not necessary to read Red Lights, Black Hearts before Twisted in You, this novel contains some minor spoilers.
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Wow this was more than an emotional read it was a story of growth and healing, freedom and redemption, pain and forgiveness. Mikayla had a brutal childhood and saw some deeply disturbing stuff and well as having unspeakable acts done to her. She was broken and while she used cutting as an escape it was what almost did her in. Tyler had lived watching his mother and father fight and being unable to help took that guilt and anger on himself. When they meet they have a bond, a special link that helps them face their demons and work on healing.
These are both two wonderful characters we are introduced to and love. But is our love, Grace and Sam’s guidance enough to help these two come back from the places their past has taken them. They must learn the beauty and strength within themselves to receive their healing and maybe they will be able to see each other. Plenty of imagery and great characters and add in some suspense and love, this author does it well. A must read.
This is my first time reading this author and this is a very powerful story. There are a number of possible triggers in this book which are mentioned in the blurb, take it seriously. The two main characters have so much chemistry together and yet they also have been through so much and carry a lot of pain with them. There is a lot of emotion in this well written book. It’s a real page-turner and the author may take the reader into darkness, but she also shines some light in there as well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
They meet in the most unlikely place but form a bond that helps them both to a better place
Twisted in You is the story of Mikayla and Tyler who are both struggling with a lot of dark things in their pasts. They both use different coping mechanisms that in the end result in a stay at a rehab clinic. This is where they meet each other and are drawn to the other and become friends. While they go through the intensive therapy that is needed to try and deal with the emotions that overwhelm then each their new friendship helps to keep them stronger.
This is an emotional story on so many levels. My heart broke for both Mikayla and Tyler when you learn their pasts. But I also was rooting for them both as they progressed along their journeys of recovery and getting to the underlying issues which resulted in them ending up in rehab. This story is quite well written and intense with the characters having depth. This is a definite recommend if you are in the mood from something darker and heavier.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
“Twisted in You” is a well-written intensely dark and twisted tale that tortures the emotions with raw, soul-shattering abuse, pain, and death. The depth of Mikayla’s mental journey through the darkest part of her life is felt in every word of this tale. Her journey to the healing of her soul is beautiful and painful to watch and takes your emotions to the breaking point as you live through her life with her. Tyler’s own personal healing and the part he plays in her growth makes you believe in soulmates. I could not put this tale down until I read the last word and still this tale resonated with me days after I finished it. Fabiola Francisco is an amazing author and I quote her from Twisted in You, “He isn’t a villain but the lesson the heroine needs to overcome so she can become the truest form of herself”. This is the most powerful statement that I have ever read and will stay with me for years to come. This is a MUST READ tale that I highly recommend and should earn much more than 5 stars!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a very dark and emotional read! If you have any triggers, I would like to advise you that it deals with child sexual abuse, spousal abuse, murder, substance abuse, and the after effects of all these to include (PTSD). I have no triggers, per say, but it was difficult for me to read some of the parts of this book. It is heartbreaking to know that this is happening around us and many would prefer not to read about it, but it brings awareness to a problem that does not need to be ignored. If less people ignored the signs, more people could get the help they need before it’s too late. It gives me some hope to know there are people like Sam out in the world. I just wish there were more of them.
Tyler is a frequent flyer at Chasing Freedom Rehab. He likes to party a little too much and even though he worries he might become like his father, a mean drunk who beat his wife, he feels he can control his drinking. He is a famous Rock Star and his label is sending him in for the full treatment this time. He is not happy and has no plans to cooperate this time, same as he has never in the past.
Mikayla is an abused waif who ran from Georgia after her abusive drunk of a father killed her mother. He had been sexually abusing her for years. She cuts herself to block the thoughts in her head. She got as far as Nashville and while working as a waitress, thought she heard her father’s voice and panicked. She ended up at Chasing Freedom Rehab.
Tyler thinks Mikayla is straight up crazy and she thinks he is laughing at them and thinks everything is a joke. But as they gravitate to each other, they realize they arn’t as different as they thought. Each begins to earn each other’s trust and finds a kindred spirit. They become best friends. Mikayla is not sure she can ever be anything more. Tyler hopes but knows not to push. He just knows he wants her in his life. Sam is a therapist who is so much more. She is such an integral part of the story and as we slowly learn more and more of her past, my heart broke for her. There is a book about her I am excited to read next!
There was so much to this book! Mikayla (Tyler’s Red) had a long journey after she got out of Rehab. She doubted she would ever be able live a “normal” life. Tyler had some big decisions to make and could be keep his promises? Mikayla has never had anyone be there for her. Everyone has let her down. This book will twist your gut in knots, too! You will not be the same when you finish it. And that’s a good thing. Thank you Fabiola for writing this heart-wrenching book! I would definitely give it more than Five Stars if I could!!!
Another amazing book by Fabiola, I couldn’t put it down. I cried throughout this book, it touched me in ways i just can’t explain. I recommend this anyone.