Twisted Pretty Things

Shadows of London Series, Book 1

De: Ariana Nash

Narrado por: Cornell Collins

Something wicked is moving in the shadows of London....

In the underground world of glitzy illegal auctions, fast cars, and stolen magical artifacts, John "Dom" Domenici knows he's out of his depth. But he needs the job at Kempthorne & Co like he needs to breathe. The alternative - going back to the organized crime gangs of London's East End - is unthinkable.

So when Alexander Kempthorne, boss of Kempthorne & Co Artifact Retrieval Agency, wants him on a special case to track down an illegal artifact dealer, Dom can't say no.

It shouldn't matter that Kempthorne's world is full of deadly secrets. It shouldn't matter that the billionaire is sexy as sin, and it really shouldn't matter how there's an American agent stalking Dom, an American who knows more than he should about Dom's case, including the real reason Alexander Kempthorne hired Dom.

The only thing that really matters to Dom is solving the case and finding the artifact dealer. Because there are worse things in London than a conflicted billionaire and a trigger-happy American. Something wicked is stalking London's streets, and if Dom doesn't stop it, its shadows will rise and consume them all.

Contains mature themes.

©2021 Ariana Nash (P)2022 Tantor

what is the prize how good it is

idiot I just surprised how good the story is and they where they handling it it's surprising me that how well it's written I've heard stories before about this kind of thing but not as well written

well written and narrated

Well written, good pace, definitely submersive and overall very good book will be reading more.

Great story. Great narration.

Ariana Nash's stories always seem to get me riled up. I want to shout at the story about the unfairness of everything. I also want to hang out with the characters at the local pub. I don't drink or socialize much, but I might with the characters in this book. Dom is just the sort of person I would like to find trouble with. Hopefully, Kempthorne would bail us out if the trouble was more than we could handle because this version of London has the potential to involve serious trouble.

Nash has put an interesting twist on the concept of magic and enhanced humans. I like most of the ideas. I did get a little annoyed with the idea that magic and science are opposing forces. I am a science nerd who appreciates a good fantasy story. I know that most science is inspired by the concept of magic. Anyone ever heard of alchemy? Sigh. I find plenty of reasons to get wound up while reading Nash's books which is why I read them.

Cornell Collins narration is great way to experience Ariana Nash's books, and I hope he keeps narrating them.

Love this

This book is so fun, I can’t wait to listen to the next one. My only issue is the sexy scenes are slightly less sexy when the narrator makes the noises or says the curses. It’s pretty cringey and I skipped them 😅

Great beginning to a promising series.

Characters: well developed and complex. They have plenty of depth but still leave room to grow and shift.
Romance: there is a brewing romance, but I would’ve liked to see a little more resolution to it. I’m hoping the second book in the series brings that love interest back for our main character so we can see where it goes.
Spice: 🌶️ (out of 5)
Humor: 🤭
Story: 😍

Great start!

Ariana Nash never disappoints me. The characters were wonderful and intriguing and he world building was fantastic! It’s not really a romance and I suspect we’re in for a slow burn over the series that eventually ends with Kenpthorne and Dom. So I’m interested in seeing who Don will get with in the end and watching the bonds develop!

The narration was good but I didn’t feel like there was a good variety of voices so I will continue the series with ebook format!

Gripping & full of tension

Smooth, engaging story with a lot of mystery still simmering about who people really are and where this magic came from. I couldn't put it down. I'm desperate to know more about the men in Dom's life, Alexander and Hollywood. The tension he has with both his love interests is incredible. I can't tell who's the right man for him or if I want this to be a ménage à trois (I don't actually think that's where this is going). Just know it's not cheesy love triangle nonsense. Both are full characters with a purpose who are genuinely appealing and have a fair shot. I definitely get the sense that Alexander is "end game" or whatever, but Hollywood is so vulnerable with Dom that I'm invested.

simply amazing! 👁👄👁

a wild ride with an amazing narrative and a heart thumping twist at the end? you got yourself a die hard. I love these books that hurt so damn good. I can't wait for the rest man! 😌
and the Narrator oh. my. stars. sir, your voice carries this whole book darling. love love love it!!

Edge of my seat …

I love a lot about this audiobook especially the fact that it’s a straight up continuation box set with the same main characters. I am so eager to hear/learn more about John and Alex’s ship. There’s definitely something there so am jumping in to book 2 right away!

Action from Page to Page

Twisted Pretty Things was an enjoyable, cozy-thriller. A few dark themes sprinkled throughout as well.

The book definitely felt like an introduction to the series because there’s still so much to learn about the characters and magic system in order to make me REALLY love them (which I always do when I’m glued to the final pages of Ariana Nash’s books ha!) I’m hoping the next book in the series will examine the magic system in depth because I’m a nerd like that.

Overall, TPT is full of action, mystery, and varying (frustrating) degrees of sexual tension lol. On to book two ~

Finally, Cornell Collins … WOW. What a rockstar. Utterly gripping!


PS: As an American who used to boil water in the microwave, I feel that Dom would be proud that I now own an electric kettle 😂