Hold Me (Twist Me Book 3)

Hold Me isn't a book that you should read as a stand alone novel; it is the culmination of the story of characters as they've evolved over 2+ years, which are covered in the books "Twist Me" and "Keep Me." The story picks up almost immediately where "Keep Me" left off, and unfolds fairly quickly. We still see the conflict in Nora, as she tries to resolve the naive understanding of right/wrong-good/bad that we all learn during our formative years, with the much more nuanced 'shades of grey' perspective that she's gaining with maturity, and the consequences of living life. It's largely crafted by her burgeoning awareness of the stark contrast in formative experiences that she (and typical American children) have, as compared to that of other characters such as Julian, Ana, and Rosa, (as well as Beth and Peter, from previous books.) Nora finally acknowledges the cognitive dissonance she feels for being in love with someone like Julian, but still wanting to maintain the simplistic moral compass that's guided her. Taking ownership for her choices and emotions gives her character a more satisfying depth, strengthening the connection and kinship we feel for her as readers. Julian remains unapologetic for the choices that place his life, needs, and wants above other considerations. He honestly acknowledges the fact that his existence is dependent upon this perspective and awareness. He was involuntarily inducted by his father as a child into an underworld where terrorists, oligarchs, shadow operatives, and corrupt officials reigned. Coming from this hardened state, the direction of Julian's evolution isn't surprising; the motivation of his selfish behaviors flips from a desire to acquire, to that of avoidance of loss - both physical and emotional. It creates a staggering loss of power and control for him, and he's got to figure out how to reconcile this with the other elements of his world. Part of his appeal is how unrepentant for taking ownership of his needs, but it's now tempered with the burden of emotional responsibility. It's much easier to absolve oneself of responsibility for others, but he doesn't choose the easy path! His discomfort made *me* uncomfortable! Since this was the last book in the series, I wanted it to be epic. There's a couple of things that unfortunately make it fall just short of that for me. Julian is a survivor who has risen to dominance because he's brilliant and makes it his business to know the lay of the land. There's an instance where this doesn't happen, and it seems so "off." (Perhaps it's due to his emotional evolution, and wanting to be less controlling, as Nora seems to push for.) There are situations that provide the catalyst needed for these changes, but we don't have the same front seat to how he works through this and so it seems a bit abrupt. In the last couple of chapters, the motivations and reactions/concerns of the main and secondary characters deviate from the norm, and the complexities of the scenes dissolve with simplistic explanations. This casts a rushed and one dimensional feel at the end. It doesn't diminish the overall quality of the story, and it remains one of my favorite series in the whole genre.

This is the third and final book in this series and I will miss Julian and Nora. I loved this series and this book was really good. The book starts where book two left off with Nora and Julian recovering in hospital. Nora has come to accept her life on the estate with Julian and continues to flourish as she pursues her art and university degree. She craves Julian and his unpredictable kind of love as much as the air she breathes. This book explores Nora's awakening as a women not just sexually but intellectually, socially creatively. I loved that we are brought closer to her parents and the friends she left behind before her abduction. Julian also evolves on so many levels in this book, although he still has many dark places within he finally allows himself to accept being worthy of being loved and allowing himself to be vulnerable enough to love another. I also loved how Nora was able to find courage willing to do anything to save those that she loves and she didn't let her friends or her parents pressure her into leaving Julian although she knows that he would have never let her leave him. This book was not only filled with action it was also emotional. Yes Julian is a killer and an arms dealer and he loves Nora he is dark and moody and I loved everything about him. This book was well written like the other books in this series and although I am sad that this series has ended this book was the prefect ending to a really good series. If you like reading dark erotic romance with kidnapping and BDSM than I recommend that you read this series.

With assaults and shoot-outs, this book concludes Nora and Julian's unconventional love story. There was not a boring moment in this book. I devoured it, practically reading it straight through. A surprise pregnancy brings a softer, sweeter, side of Julian to the surface. Meanwhile, Nora struggles to come to terms with their lifestyle and what that will mean for a baby. Action-packed, this book stays true to character. At the same time, 'Hold Me' shows a softer, more vulnerable side of this couple. Anything but ordinary, this couple finally seems to get their HEA. While the Series does have dark elements, this third book was far less dark than earlier books in the series. Nonetheless, there are scenes including rape. If that is a trigger for you, then this may be a story you want to avoid. If you enjoyed the first two books, then you won't want to miss this one!

Very dark, but very, very good... Praise to Anna Zaires. Very few books measure up after reading this dark, twisted, hot series. The first book of the series took me by surprise to say the least, since it was my first time reading something so dark you could say I was not prepare for it. Thinking it was too much for me to handle I just stop reading it; BUT after a few months of hiatus, I decided to give it another try and boy!!! am I glad I did...Anna Zaires books are seriously good, and this series is no different... great plot, great developed characters and just plain magnificent - The third and last book of the series definitely does not disappoint..full-packed action, hot, hot, hot scenes and a spectacular ending to the story of Nora & Julian. WARNING!!!: This series is not for the faint of heart and is what you would call "tough to swallow"; but if you can get past that and like me ONLY see as a work of fiction, then you will thoroughly enjoy it. - I also recommend you try the Krinar Chronicles Series...even though a bit different from this series and much less dark, it is still a hands-down a great book to read.

There are 3 books in the series and although my review was written after I finished my third book, it encompasses all three. In the synopsis, the books are described as dark and disturbing and they do live up to its description. Parts of the book are more disturbing than others but they are part of the story and the characters themselves. The books are well written, suspenseful, and a page turner. It was fascinating to see the developing relationship between a young innocent girl and a self-proclaimed sadist. At each crisis, I waited to see how it will be resolved and I was never disappointed. I really like Nora – as young as she is at the beginning of the story, she looks at her situation realistically. Her situation is hopeless and depressing. But once she realizes that there is no hope and she may never get free, she looks for ways to accept and adjust. At times, she becomes emotional and loses it, but she would not be human if she did not. Julian in a way is less complicated –he is not bothered with the concept of right or wrong. He is a man who takes what he wants. He never apologizes for kidnapping Nora, nor ever explains his actions and deeds. When Julian starts opening up to Nora, her feelings towards him slowly change. She sees him not only as a killer and her kidnapper but also as a man who lost all the people he loved. She had difficulties reconciling her growing attachment and attraction to Julian knowing what and who he really is. She is confused by her feelings and tries to separate them in her mind, to be able to deal with them. Like in every relationship, Julian and Nora take from each other and give to each other. When the transformation is complete, they do not meet in the middle– Nora will have to move almost to the top of Julian’s scale to meet him there. It is obvious and understandable that Nora is undergoing a more dramatic change than Julian is. Living in Julian’s violent world, Nora tries to fit in his world by learning combat fighting and how to shoot a gun. When she kills her first man, she is horrified and considers herself not being better than Julian. But for all that Julian is he is willing to move away from the top of his mountain to meet Nora. When Nora wants to see her parents, although he is persona non grata in the United States, he does not refuse. He makes elaborate arrangement for her to see them. When she wants to attend college, he enrolled her to the best school in the US. After everything is said and done, this is a love story. Twisted, dark and hopeless at times, but still a love story. It may not be for everyone, but I loved every minute of it. 5 stars +

I love reading smut, but aside from being something of a deviant, I am first and foremost a bookworm. And while sticking with a story for the sex is fun enough, there is nothing like a really wonderful story that pulls you in and has your full attention until it's over. And if that wonderful story also has sexy scenes that will make you squirm, well all the better. This is where the Twist Me series falls. The writing is high quality and the storytelling is phenomenal. I'm not going to pick favorites - I've tremendously enjoyed each of the the three books in this series - but I did think this one showed the greatest character development. Spoilers ahead:::: Julian showed the greatest changes, and I love that even though it's been a love story for most of the way, now is when Julian *got it* and understood that he could love and does love Nora. Nora had to come to terms with how she's adapted to this lifestyle and to be partnered with a man like Julian (not to say she hasn't been working on that part all along). I did enjoy getting to know her parents better as well as some of the supporting characters. Sad that their story is over, but really loved it. It wasn't without sadness, although I'm glad that it did end as a HEA.

Ok, I started book 1 on a suggestion by someone who wanted me to "try something new" and told me to "tough it out" onto book 2 and 3. Needless to say my curiosity was piqued and I'm glad I read the series! The first book tied me in such knots I still don't know what I'd rate it. It pushed all my moral buttons and is definitely something for more sensitive readers to be wary of. Throughout the series, I kept yelling at the heroine to grow a damn backbone, which she certainly did in this 3rd book. My psychology training kept throwing terms around my brain like "Stockholm Syndrome" and "battered women's syndrome." I almost didn't finish it. The author's genius starts shining in book 2 and really becomes clear by the time you finish 3. The character's grow and develop beautifully, as does their relationship (which finally becomes a relationship instead of a Stockholm syndrome twisted affair). I read other reviews where readers had similar problems as me. Guy kidnaps barely legal girl, then methodically "conditions" her into loving him and liking his abuse. That's the part that had me wanting to shake the sh*t out of them both. The first 2 books I kept waiting for her to get revenge on him or something. But then the dynamic subtly changes, and in such a realistic way, your feelings shift with it. No insta-love here, that's for sure. There's action throughout the whole series. The hero's empire is totally believable and well written. The descriptions suck you right in and make you part of the story. All in all, great writing and a great story. Good books SHOULD tie you in knots and push your comfort zones in my opinion. This series certainly pushed mine!!

Another good book to finish off this series. Another good book that makes me worry about my own psych since I have enjoyed these so much. It really worries me that I adore this couple as twisted as they are and that I love Julian even though he took her. What is wrong with me? I felt like the book was a bit slow at first, but it didn't stop me from wanting to read. I have enjoyed these characters. I have enjoyed watching the changes that they have made because of their relationship. I have enjoyed the new characters that have come in and out of all three just enhancing their characters that much more. Julian is as he has always been. He is a sadist, but he loves her. He kidnapped her and twisted her into something that was his. He made her fall in love with him and he has definitely changed her. On the other hand he is gentle and loving, caring and supportive. Even though part of him is a bit obsessive, I can't seem to help but love this character. Nora has grown and changed and adapted to everything. I have loved her character for the most part through this series. I love that she becomes more bold and strong through the series. She definitely changes through each book and each challenge. I have watched her evolve through this series. I loved all the action t the conclusion of this book. It was like being in the middle of a great action movie. And I love those, so this was great. So, at the end of the series I'm a bit worried about myself that I have enjoyed them as much as I have. It was a great story all the way through. A lot of action, some definite mental issues with the lot of them and apparently me for enjoying. There is definitely a lot of sex. Not bad; not bad at all. I'm not disappointed that I read the series.

The best book I've read this year! Well written, beautiful characters, rich in particulars and never boring. I love the way Anna Zaires writes and she's definitely my favourite Author! Well done Anna!

そして、二人は愛を確かめ合いました、というhappy endです。このtrilogyの各巻に共通して言えることですが、大きな展開があるのが後半を過ぎてからで、それも一つだけです。前半は3巻目ともなると、少しだるかったです。もう少しは、伏線を仕込んでおいてそれが展開していくという話にした方が面白いと思いますが、作者の作品の発表スピードからいって、複雑なプロットを考えていては、次々と作品を発表していけないということかもしれません。物足りなさは感じますが、軽く読む（私の場合は聞くでしたが）には、それなりに面白い本だと思います。

I absolutely loved this book! It stirs up so many emotions!!! I kind of found myself reading the first 2 books out of morbid curiosity. The story line was so twisted that it repulsed me but captured me at the same time; but this book brought and end to the story perfectly! I could go on and on about this book but I hate spoilers in reviews so I won't. I will say that the psychological twists and the emotional backlash from this story had me on the edge of my seat just as much as the thrilling, bloody and suspense ridden fight scenes that I LOVED!!! I was afraid that the author would just give this twisted couple a happy ending; like all would be forgiven because of one tiny (yet monumental) detail but I was proven wrong. The only cryptic spoiler I will give is that death can either bring people closer together or it can tear them apart; the author either sadly has some experience with this or is very empathetic because the reactions of each character, the descriptions of each characters individual pain and the clarity of their respective decisions was so expertly depicted that my heart almost broke for them. This is the perfect anti-fairytale story and despite my repulsion throughout the story I found myself thoroughly satisfied with the happily doomed ever after ending!

Spannend, zu Herzen gehend. Dieser letzte Teil war einfach wunderbar. Eine Achterbahnfahrt der Gefühle. Noch spannender als die beiden letzten Teile. Könnte ewig weiterlesen und freue mich schon auf die Geschichte mit der russischen Übersetzerinn.

Trilogie géniale fascinante que j'ai lu avec plaisir. Ne pas se laisser influencer par les commentaires où il est dit que c'est limite car kidnapping, croyez moi ceos reste de la fiction et on ne ressent pas une pression négative de la part de la captive au contraire !