Echo is the preachers daughter, the one who is supposed to marry the good boy. The future preacher. She’s supposed to smile and wave and present herself if a perfect manner. Except her hair is black on one side and white on the other, she has tattoos, wears dark clothing, and is a tattoo artist.

Crew is the bad boy brother of Echo’s soon to be husband. The one who makes Echo’s life hell. Covered in tattoos, and works with Echo. He is all things sin.

Echo makes a deal with the devil and finds herself stuck with the choice of good boy she’s supposed to marry or the bad brother.

I LOVED this book. I loved Echo. I hated crew so much I loved him.

RTC4.5 stars

Heart Sick Hate is the second book in the Twisted Roses series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Crew and Echo met when they were younger. He teased her, and they didn’t like each other. Fast forward to present time and she’s now his brother’s girlfriend, and they work together, so they can’t get out of each other’s lives.

There was so much angst and tension between these two. They wanted each other, but they didn’t want to admit to it, so there was so much push and pull. But when they finally gave in, when they finally admitted to their feelings, wheeew, it was hot.

I don’t know why I was a little shocked at the twist, because the foreshadowing had me suspicious, but I guess I didn’t remember what I thought.

Anyway, Crew is so possessive and very protective. He’s definitely morally grey. And Echo is so strong. She’s gone through some sh*t, but she didn’t break. She stands up for herself and goes after what she wants.

Seriously, these two were so hot, and I loved their story. I cannot wait for Sage’s story.

I don’t want sweet. I don’t want gentle. Which is why I react to him against my better judgement. I want a reminder of how good I feel when I unleash my dark side.

Such a great book with some shocking secrets and a twist I definitely didn't see coming.
Crew Kingsley!!! - Enough said.
Also, Echo has my whole heart!

Tropes:
Dark fairytale vibes, boyfriend’s brother, arranged marriage, hate to love, public play, degradation, virgin FMC, morally grey antihero.

“What do you want me to do? Pray to you, my lord?”
“I don’t want your prayers, Echo. I’m no faux saint like my brother. I want your sins. I want to watch you burn for me. You want this? Then get on your knees, princess, and crawl.”

ARC review:
This book is so good! The writing is amazing, the characters are flawed, layered and raw, and the story was wild, chaotic and with some shocking twists! I have so many highlights of quotes, amazing thoughts, funny banter, it will definitely be a reread for me in the future.

It is a story of two broken souls, that both portray one side of themselves outwardly and hides their true selves behind closed doors. With it being ‘hate to love’, there was some major push and pull, but they each recognized the darkness in each other, and eventually helped each other heal - there is no denying the special connection they share. The character development was great!

I’m addicted. Echo might think she knows all there is to know about me, but she’s about to learn I’m a twisted sick fuck who doesn’t share his possessions, so she should have made herself one of them.

The forbidden aspect of this story was quite delicious, and after getting the real reason for the arranged marriage, I so adored Crew and Echo being together!
Crew is possessive AF with Echo as soon as he realizes what is going on - he will stop at nothing to make her his, and I am so here for it! He was unapologetically himself and rebelled against his father’s expectations and life choices. He quickly became Echo’s only constant in life and is only wanting her to be herself - the real her.
Echo is definitely hiding a darkness and a deep pain, but she is still self-sacrificing and determined to pay a debt. Together the chemistry was off the charts; it’s not necessarily beautiful, but it is explosive and captivating.

“You make me feel everything. You hurt so bad I can barely stand it. You’re my worst nightmare and my best dream. I hate you. And I fucking love you. And everything in between.”

It was emotional and I definitely felt their pain. It was also suspenseful, and there were some twists that I really hadn’t seen coming - they had to work hard for their HEA. The spice was excellent (‘crawl to me’) and the romance between Crew and Echo was everything - chaotic, messy, destructive, intense, explosive, heart wrenching and kind of epic! They both have my whole heart.

OMG Crew and Echo were fire! The push and pull between these two, the angst, the banter and the spice was everything I could’ve asked for. They were perfectly matched duo, with Echo being the only one who could break through Crew’s defences to his softer side. Aside from their relationship, the whole plot line of this book was stellar. There was a little bit of mystery and suspense, and I love that mixed in with my romance. Both Crew and Echo have difficult and traumatic pasts, but I think that makes them uniquely able to be the other’s person.

I first met Crew and Echo when reading Jude and Fel's book and the hate they seemed to have for each other only served to peak my curiosity.
Echo is promised to Crew's brother, and he just cannot figure out why. She twists him up in ways he doesn't understand. I love Eva's writing, I get so engrossed in the story that I find it hard to put her books down. This one is no different. Crew is a tough character to read. He comes across as angry and bloodthirsty, but deep down he has a possessiveness for a woman that isn't his and he's not sure why.
Echo is a strong character, she's also loyal and will do anything for the people she cares about. Giving up her own happiness for others.
When she goes to Crew with a proposition, she's changed the rules of the game. She wants to do things on her terms, it's the only thing she has left.
The tension between these two characters is almost palpable. It's like they're both wound so tight that one small movement is enough to make them snap.
Crew and Echo have so much passion, they're explosive together. Echo still is adamant that what she is doing is the right thing because she made a promise.
Crew is the type of character that doesn't let a lot of people in, so when he does it's special, it means something to him. He's crude, he's possessive, he's a walking red flag with an incredibly dirty mouth, and boy is it hot! I thought I enjoyed Jude, but Crew is something else entirely! Echo and Crew bring out something in each other that straight away makes you realise they are perfect for each other. But there's obstacles they need to face before they can get comfortable.
As this story progresses, you can't help but wonder what is really going on. Eva does a brilliant job of feeding you bits here and there and you've no choice but to follow the breadcrumbs she's laid out.
I absolutely love the way Eva describes certain things, it makes the story that much better.
There was a moment of shock at the turn of events, there was always something not quite right, and the revelation about what happened in Crew's past, i had a feeling that was what really happened by something that was said earlier in the book. The suspense toward the end had me gripping my e-reader harder, wondering how this was going to end!
Another brilliant read by Eva. This had everything. Not only was it about Crew and Echo, but also about reconnecting with family and sacrificing for those you love.
For lovers of possessive, dirty talking alpha-holes, this one's for you! Absolutely loved it, thank you!

Eva Simmons does it again! Book two in the Twisted Roses series, Heart Sick Hate is a MUST read!!