This article contains spoilers for Ana Huang’s Twisted series.
This article contains mentions of violence, abuse, stalking, and sexual harassment.
Netflixwill officially adapt Ana Huang’sTwistedbooks, and there are 10 things the streaming service must get right when adapting this series. Recently,Netflix bought the rights to Ana Huang’sTwisted Lovebook seriesin a huge deal involving seven figures.Ana Huang’sTwistedbooksarefour standalone interconnected romance novels with darker themes.Twistedis a widelypopular book series on BookTok, and Ana Huang is one of the most popular BookTok authors, having 1.5 million copies of her books sold (viaForbes). Netflix plans to adapt the books into a TV show.
Although there are only four books in theTwistedseries, there are stillseveral aspects Netflix must consider when adapting Ana Huang’s book series. Adapting a book series is no easy task—although somemovie and TV show characters are perfectly adapted from books, there arebook characters that were failed by their movie adaptations. However,several shows prove that TV is a better medium for book adaptations, so Netflix is already off to a great start withTwisted. There are just some critical details the streaming service must get right for their adaptation ofTwisted.
10Netflix Should Include The Bonus Material As Epilogue Scenes
The Bonus Scenes Wrap Up The Romances Effectively
Ana Huang wrote bonus scenes for eachTwistedbook. The scenes typically occur a few months after the end of the novel. Although the narrative ends perfectly without these scenes, the bonus material is another epilogue. Ideally, Netflix’s adaptation ofTwistedwould have four seasons, with each covering a different book. If Netflix follows this formula,each season should end with the bonus scenes that Ana Huang provides.
The scenes could not be more different—Alex and Ava go apple picking in Vermont while Rhys gifts Bridget an unforgettable Christmas present. However, they still provide more closure ina short time jump that illustrates how each couple is living happily ever after. Although it would not be the end of the world if Netflix ignoredTwisted’s bonus material, each season would have an epic conclusion if they chose to keep it.
9Twisted’s Secondary Characters Should Be Included
Minor Characters Help Advance The Central Romance & Narrative
Twistedhas two protagonists in each book, while all other characters play secondary roles. However,the books include additional minor characters that do not have their own stories, such as Ava’s unhinged ex-boyfriend, Christian’s most trusted security team members, and Jules' coworkers. Although their roles are small, they are still vital to the narrative and exist for a reason.
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Book adaptations usually create new characters that did not previously exist—Percy Jacksonseason 2’s new castincludes a character created specifically for the show. Other adaptations will erase characters to condense their roles, such as Primrose giving Katniss the Mockingjay pin in the films, whileMadge gives Katniss the Mockingjay inThe Hunger Games. Netflix will likely create new characters in their adaptation ofTwistedas they see fit, but they should not forget about the books' established minor characters that help push the narrative.
8Netflix Should Not Water Down The Spice
Twisted’s Spice Level Is Steamy & Thrilling
One of the reasons whyTwistedis so popular is because ofAna Huang’s ability to craft a compelling narrative while balancing spicy scenes, character development, and romance. Netflix already has its fair share of shows with a significant amount of spice, fromBridgerton’s steamiest scenesto Hot Frosty’s spicy Christmas movie. Netflix does not shy away from portraying spicy scenes; therefore, there is no reason to start now.
The tension between the two protagonists usually simmers before exploding in a steamy moment, but it will not translate well on screen unless Netflix is committed to portrayingTwisted’s spice.
Twistedtakes spiciness to a whole new level; there is a reason why it is one of thespicy romance books that BookTok often recommends. EachTwistedcouple features spicy scenes that reach new heights, and Netflix should depict that in their adaptation ofTwisted. The tension between the two protagonists usually simmers before exploding in a steamy moment, but it will not translate well on screen unless Netflix is committed to portrayingTwisted’s spice.
7Netflix’s Casting Should Adhere To Twisted’s Diversity
Various Protagonists Are Characters Of Color
Ana Huang brings great representation to theTwistedbooks. Ava and Josh are Chinese, while the narrative describes Stella as someone with a “multicultural background,” being German and Japanese from her mother and Black and Puerto Rican from her father. When casting the main roles for the show, Netflix must respect the characters' backgrounds and ensure that the actors match the character descriptions.
Ava being Chinese plays a critical role inTwisted Lovebecause she keeps waking up at 4:44 a.m. after traumatic nightmares—a number that is unlucky because it sounds like the word for death. Ava notes, “Sì, four; sǐ, death” inTwisted Love. This factor is significant to Ava uncovering and facing her own trauma, so it is vital that Netflix casts a Chinese actress to portray Ava. WhileTwisteddoes not featureLGBTQ+ representation, Ana Huang provides authentic representation for Ava, Josh, and Stella, and Netflix should not disrespect Ana Huang’s books by ignoring the characters' backgrounds.
6Alex Volkov’s Betrayal Must Be Included & Explored In-Depth
Alex Volkov’s Betrayal Is One Of The Most Compelling Parts Of Twisted Love
One of the most heartbreaking scenes inTwisted Loveis when Alex Volkov’s uncle, Ivan, kidnaps Ava and Bridget and forces Alex to confess his entire betrayal to Ava—he initially befriended Josh when they began college because, at the time, Alex believed that Josh’s father, Michael Chen, killed Alex’s family. Alex initiated a plan to befriend Josh and bring down his entire family. However,by the time Alex and Ava got involved, Alex genuinely cared about Josh, and he was falling in love with Ava.
Furthermore,Alex had to pretend he did not care about Ava in front of his uncle to protect her. While this chapter is extremely heartbreaking and might make viewers hate Alex for a time, Netflix should not shy away from telling it in its entirety. It would be a disservice to Alex and Ava’s romance and their individual arcs if Netflix chose to dial down this betrayal.
5Ava & Josh’s Sibling Relationship Should Not Be Forgotten
Ava & Josh’s Sibling Dynamic Is Critical In Both Their Stories
One of the reasons why Ava and Alex’s romance is forbidden is because Alex is Ava’s older brother’s best friend, and therefore, she is strictly off limits. Ana Huang does an excellent job heightening the tantalizing chemistry between Alex and Ava, partly because of this aspect. On a non-romantic note, Josh plays a critical role in Ava’s story as her older brother, although he is away most of the time. Josh and Ava endure a lot of trauma in their stories and as a family, butit brings them closer together and only strengthens their unbreakable bond.
If Netflix adapts Ava and Josh’s sibling dynamic with heart and respect, thenTwistedmight become one of severalgreat TV shows about unique sibling relationships.Ava and Josh’s dynamic is also one of the biggest constants inTwistedand illustrates that choosing family can include established sibling relationships.
4Josh & Jules' Dynamic Must Be Antagonistic Before Their Season
Josh & Jules Have An Intense Hatred For Each Other That Explodes In Twisted Hate
Josh and Jules' book,Twisted Hate, is the best in the series. While eachTwistedbook brings something different to the table, something about Josh and Jules' story puts them on an entirely different level. Their chemistry begins to build with their brief antagonistic interactions inTwisted LoveandTwisted Games, andTwisted Hatefinally introduces just how much Josh and Jules seem to hate each other. Josh and Jules' romance is anenemies to loversrelationship, and it can be challenging to portray this trope, especially in contemporary fiction.
July 22, 2025
Ava Chen, Alex Volkov
Best Friend’s Sister, Billionaire Romance, Brother’s Best Friend, Forbidden Love, Forced Proximity, Friends to Lovers, Grumpy & Sunshine, Morality Chain, Neighbors, Opposites Attract
August 02, 2025
Bridget von Ascheberg, Rhys Larsen
Age Gap, Bodyguard Romance, Enemies to Lovers (mild), Forbidden Love, Forced Proximity, Rich Heroine, Royalty Romance
July 14, 2025
Jules Ambrose, Josh Chen
Best Friend’s Brother, Enemies to Lovers, Friends (Enemies) with Benefits, Only One Bed, Sister’s Best Friend
July 22, 2025
Stella Alonso, Christian Harper
Billionaire Romance, Fake Dating, Morality Chain, Neighbors, Power Imbalance (mild), Roommates
Ana Huang found a way to depict enemies to lovers in a compelling way that executes the trope well.Netflix should follow Ana Huang’s lead when adapting Josh and Jules' story—and one of the most critical aspects involves establishing Josh and Jules' antagonistic dynamic before their season. That way, when it is time to adaptTwisted Hate, Josh and Jules' beautiful romance will translate well and invite a whole new audience to see what a well-executed enemies to lovers dynamic looks like in contemporary romance.
3Netflix’s Adaptation Should Not Gloss Over The Characters' Trauma
Trauma Plays A Critical Part In Each Love Story
Given thatTwistedis a book series with darker themes,the characters endure significant trauma in their respective arcs. WhileTwistedis certainly not adark fantasy bookseries, each protagonist still endures their own trauma, from Alex witnessing the murder of his entire family to Jules' mother choosing her new husband over her own daughter. Ana Huang tackles these subjects with great care, from addiction to domestic violence. These topics are some of the reasons whyTwistedis a dark romance series.
Netflix would wrong theTwistedbooks if they minimized what the characters go through. Not only doesthe characters' trauma entwine with their respective romances, but the way they deal with it illustrates their complexities. Netflix must adaptTwistedfaithfully, and that includes refusing to recoil from the darker parts of the series.
2The Girls Must Have A Close Friendship & Unbreakable Bond
Ava, Bridget, Jules, & Stella’s Friendship
One of the core parts of Ana Huang’sTwistedbooks is the everlasting friendship between the four female protagonists—Ava Chen, Bridget von Ascheberg, Jules Ambrose, and Stella Alonso. These four women become friends before the series begins, during their freshman year of college. Their bond is so concrete that it survives almost anything, from trivial aspects such as distance and time to more serious subjects such as kidnapping and stalking.Ava, Bridget, Jules, and Stella’s friendship is the heart of theTwistedseries; it is easily the best non-romantic aspect of the books.
Although theTwistedbooks are standalone romances, they still connect, and reading the books in order is the ultimate experience, partly because of the girls' continuous friendship. While the romances are the central focal points of these narratives,Netflix should not forget the lighter parts of the books and the non-romantic dynamics, including the friendship between Ava, Bridget, Jules, and Stella.
1Netflix Must Include Twisted’s Darker Themes
The Whole Point Of Twisted Is The Series' Darker Themes
One last thing Netflix must remember when adapting Ana Huang’sTwistedbooks is the series' darker themes. Themale protagonists of theTwistedbooks are not sweet or lovable heroes—two of them have incredibly dark pasts that include many illegal activities, including murder. Some of the men exhibit toxic behavior, such as possessiveness and stalking. While none of the male protagonists abuse the women, this toxic behavior should not be taken or depicted lightly. Ana Huang labels herTwistedseries as “New Adult romances with steam, suspense, and darker themes.”
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Furthermore, trigger warnings fortheTwistedbooks include gun violence, sexual harassment, abusive parents, attempted murder, and kidnapping. It is important to note that these circumstances do not occur between the two protagonists, but they are still present. Although these are difficult subjects, Netflix must stay true to the books and honor the series' dark themes. Ana Huang does not shy away from depicting sensitive topics; therefore, neither should Netflix. It would be an incredible disservice to theTwistedbooks ifNetflixwatered down the darker parts of the story.
