Twisted Games

From New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Ana Huang comes a contemporary royal romance!

Stoic, broody, and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has two rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever.

He has never once been tempted to break those rules...until her.

Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak that matches his own and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She's nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed.

Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defenses until he's faced with a truth he can no longer deny: he swore an oath to protect her, but all he wants is to ruin her. Take her.

Because she's his.

His princess.

His forbidden fruit.

His every depraved fantasy.

***

Regal, strong-willed, and bound by the chains of duty, Princess Bridget dreams of the freedom to live and love as she chooses.

But when her brother abdicates, she's suddenly faced with the prospect of a loveless, politically expedient marriage and a throne she never wanted.

And as she navigates the intricacies-and treacheries-of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can't have.

Her bodyguard.

Her protector.

Her ultimate ruin.

Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a kingdom...and doom them both.

Do not become emotionally involved. Ever.

Ana Huang is a #1 New York Times, Sunday Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and #1 Amazon bestselling author. Best known for her Twisted series, she writes new adult and contemporary romance with deliciously alpha heroes, strong heroines, and plenty of steam, angst, and swoon.

Her books have been translated in over two dozen languages and featured in outlets such as NPR, Cosmopolitan, Financial Times, and Glamour UK.

A self-professed travel enthusiast, she loves incorporating beautiful destinations into her stories and will never say no to a good chai latte.

Twisted Games by Ana Huang is a royal romance centered on Princess Bridget von Ascheberg and her bodyguard, Rhys Larsen. Bridget is a strong-willed young princess who has spent much of her life under the pressure of duty, tradition, and public expectation, while Rhys is a stoic, highly disciplined ex-Navy SEAL whose job is to protect her at all costs. Their story begins with friction: Bridget feels confined by Rhys’s strict security rules, and Rhys is frustrated by her rebellious streak and refusal to be controlled. What starts as constant arguing slowly turns into an intense attraction neither of them wants to admit.

Bridget’s life changes when her brother abdicates, forcing her into a position she never wanted. She suddenly faces the possibility of becoming queen, along with the political expectations that come with the throne, including an arranged marriage meant to serve the monarchy rather than her heart. This creates the central conflict of the novel: Bridget wants freedom and genuine love, but her royal role demands sacrifice, image, and obedience. As she takes on more responsibility, her connection with Rhys becomes harder to ignore, because he is the one person who sees her as more than a title.

Rhys is also carrying his own trauma and guardedness, which helps explain why he keeps such tight control over his emotions. His rules are simple: protect the client, never get involved. Bridget challenges both of those rules from the moment they meet. Over time, their relationship moves from hostility to trust, then to desire, and finally to a love that feels impossible to separate from duty. The book leans into forbidden romance, so their connection is not just personal but also political, since any relationship between a princess and her bodyguard threatens scandal and could damage the monarchy.

The novel’s tension grows as Bridget tries to balance her own wishes with the demands of her future role. She wants independence, but every choice she makes is watched closely. Rhys becomes both her protector and the person she longs for, which makes every moment between them more dangerous. Their chemistry drives much of the story, but the emotional core is about whether Bridget can claim a life of her own without destroying the responsibilities that define her.

At its heart, Twisted Games is a story about duty versus desire, freedom versus obligation, and love that is powerful enough to challenge a kingdom’s expectations. Bridget is forced to grow into leadership while also confronting her own feelings, and Rhys must decide whether protecting her means stepping back or fighting for a future with her. The novel combines royal intrigue, romance, and emotional stakes into a dramatic story about choosing love even when the cost is high.