Mythology & Folk Tales
![Emily McIntire - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_emily_mcintire.jpg)
Twisted (Never After, 4)
From BookTok sensation Emily McIntire comes a dark and delicious fractured fairy tale reimagining of Aladdin.
She's his diamond in the rough. He's her worst nightmare.
Yasmin Karam, daughter to one of the richest men in the world, has never known strife. So, when her beloved father falls ill, she's determined to make his final days his happiest. His last wish? To see her married to a man of his choosing. Except Yasmin's heart already belongs to someone else. A servant. A street rat. A man her father would never consider worthy. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Yasmin strikes a desperate deal with her father's right-hand man, Julian, not realizing he has his own twisted agenda.
Julian Faraci has one goal: become the most powerful man in the world. He's built a future from broken bones and faded bruises, never caring who he hurt along the way. But when his mentor falls ill, he finds himself on the verge of losing everything, and he'll stop at nothing to inherit what is rightfully his. Even if it means forcing a woman he can't stand into marriage.
Yasmin is a brat who speaks out of turn, and he's the villain of her story. But he decides she'll be his―no matter what it takes to convince her.
She's his diamond in the rough. He's her worst nightmare.
Yasmin Karam, daughter to one of the richest men in the world, has never known strife. So, when her beloved father falls ill, she's determined to make his final days his happiest. His last wish? To see her married to a man of his choosing. Except Yasmin's heart already belongs to someone else. A servant. A street rat. A man her father would never consider worthy. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Yasmin strikes a desperate deal with her father's right-hand man, Julian, not realizing he has his own twisted agenda.
Julian Faraci has one goal: become the most powerful man in the world. He's built a future from broken bones and faded bruises, never caring who he hurt along the way. But when his mentor falls ill, he finds himself on the verge of losing everything, and he'll stop at nothing to inherit what is rightfully his. Even if it means forcing a woman he can't stand into marriage.
Yasmin is a brat who speaks out of turn, and he's the villain of her story. But he decides she'll be his―no matter what it takes to convince her.
Readers Top Reviews
Mel BrownSferRaeK
I think maybe my expectations may have been too high going into this. The first 250 pages were difficult to get through, and I found myself forced to read. It wasn't until the plot sped up and the character development came into it that I began to enjoy it. Julian is a GOD, no doubts there. But I think he deserved better than Yasmin. Overall, my least favourite from the Never After series, but cannot wait for Crossed to come out in August!
Ashton B.Mel Brow
In this Aladdin adaptation, we have -blackmail, -fake will, -age gap, -marriage of convenience, and -obsession. The perfect mix for a wonderful book!
Filipino Bookworm
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥 Why want a boy when you can have a man? I hear you loud and clear, Emily McIntire, and you make a solid case with Julian Faraci. Julian is the right-hand man to one of the world's biggest dealers of diamonds. Working his way up the ladder in Sultans, he now does the dirty work for Ali Karam. But being number two seems to be where his career path ends, and it looks like Ali's days are numbered as his health deteriorates. The key to getting control over the business is through Ali's daughter Yasmin, but she wants nothing to do with Julian and everything to do with the help's son. Now Julian is in a chess match to get the girl so he can get the business. Like with the other books in the series, McIntire makes a compelling argument around "villains doing it better," and Julian is no exception. He is someone you should never turn your back on because he can destroy you in a heartbeat. However, his charisma and cunning can certainly draw anyone in and disarm them. Emily McIntire's female main characters have set a high bar, and for me, Yasmin did not quite measure up to the likes of Sara and Eveline. Sure, she is strong and smarter than she seems, but I didn't think she quite matched Julian in their game of wits. That said, their chemistry was still spicy and captivating. What drew me in the most -- aside from the fictional candy that is Julian Faraci -- is how their relationship cleverly yet subtly transitions over time while being in a midst of gripping suspense and action. This is the fourth installment in the Never After series, but it can be read as a standalone. I always look forward to every release, and this did not disappoint. Now the countdown begins to get Crossed.
C.Filipino Bookwo
There are bits and pieces of the previous books woven into the story. I feel like we got to know Yasmin, and we got to know Julian, but they didn't get to know each other on page, and we didn't get enough of them as a couple. It is also the mildest and the softest in the series, but the one with the best anticipation and that anticipation is delectable. The narration is swoon worthy and fits in so perfectly with the book. Marcio Catalano specifically. The way he says good girl will be stored into my long-term memory for me to replay after a long day of playing nice.
Kristina Elizabet
I don’t know how she does it but Emily continues to write these all consuming books with plots that continue to surprise you at every turn and these heroes you should hate but will literally steal your heart. Emily has such a beautiful and powerful writing style. Every single word she writes has meaning and the descriptions really make you feel like you are there. I always read these books slowly to soak in and absorb all of the words. The whole arranged/forced marriage trope had a fresh take in this story. We see Julian coming up with this plan with a whole lot more evil planned in his head. Julian convinces Yasmin and her father that this marriage is the best idea. They just don’t know his real plans. But when Julian unexpectedly falls for the beautiful Yasmin, will he still carry through with his plan? Yasmin goes through a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the story. She has a man that she loves who gets sent away, her father is dying, and now she has to marry this man she despises. Julian. I don’t even know what to say about him. I didn’t believe it was possible but he sure did take the top book boyfriend spot from James Barrie. He is this broken man with a chip on his shoulder. He feels like he deserves more than he has been given. This slow burn was epic! It had enough heat and seggsual tension to keep you wanting more but not getting to the thick of it until much later. Julian and Yasmin bring the heat with every touch, with every word. And I am here for it! Julian turns into this possessive @lpha that isn’t going to allow anyone to talk about or disrespect his wife. (cue to Will Smith vibes). I loved how they fell in love after hating each other. As usual, you will enjoy some nods to Aladdin brilliantly used and some intensely hot scenes. All the details put together and make this book so perfect!
