Book Boyfriends and Booze

Twisted Hate by Ana Huang is a sizzling enemies-with-benefits romance that follows the fiery, no-holds-barred dynamic between cocky, soon-to-be doctor Josh Chen and fiercely independent law student Jules Ambrose. Their mutual loathing has been simmering for years, but one impulsive night changes everything, leading to an arrangement with clear-cut rules—no jealousy, no strings, and definitely no falling in love. But as their chemistry ignites and layers are stripped away, Jules and Josh find themselves entangled in something far deeper than they ever anticipated. When the demons of their past resurface, they must confront the undeniable truth: hate and love might be two sides of the same coin, but only one can win in the end.

A Bully Romance with a Medical Twist

The third installment of the Twisted series brings us Josh Chen, the charming but ruthless doctor, and Jules Ambrose, the sharp and feisty lawyer. Unlike the other books in the series, which feature billionaire book boyfriends (Twisted Love’s Alex Volkov, Twisted Lies’ Christian Harper, and Twisted Games’s royalty-adjacent Rhys), this one is rooted in more “realistic” careers—but don’t mistake that for boring. What sets this book apart is the bully romance trope, making it a heated, enemies-with-benefits slow burn that is as steamy as it is mean. If you love intense banter, rivalry, and a love-hate dynamic that bleeds into the bedroom, Twisted Hate is for you.

Josh Chen—A Book Boyfriend Who Knows How to Push Buttons

Let’s get one thing straight: Josh is NOT for the faint of heart. He is cocky, competitive, and an expert at pushing Jules’s buttons—not just emotionally, but also physically (and he’s very skilled at both). Their hate-to-lovers journey is filled with sharp insults, steamy tension, and undeniable chemistry, but what makes Josh stand out is that he actually cares beneath the bravado. He might be a bully in the bedroom, but outside of it, he protects Jules, challenges her, and eventually opens up to her in a way that makes his character arc satisfying. That being said, his final betrayal is rough, and it takes a lot for him to earn back Jules’s trust. Is he the best of Ana Huang’s book boyfriends? Probably not. But if you like your men a little mean and a lot steamy, he might just be the one for you.

Spice Level? Hot, but With a Twist

The spice in this book is absolutely there, but be prepared for bullying in the bedroom. Josh and Jules’s relationship is built on pushing each other to their limits, and that extends into their intimate moments. If you’re new to bully romance, this is a great intro, as it’s not as intense as some of the darker reads in the genre. But if degradation, dominance, and rougher dynamics aren’t your thing, you might not love this one as much. On the flip side, if you do enjoy it, Josh is more than willing to “apologize” in ways that make it all worthwhile.

Enemies Who Find the Soft Spots

At its core, this book is about two people who start off genuinely disliking each other but slowly break through each other’s walls. Josh is a button-pusher, and Jules is a fighter, so their clashes make for a fiery dynamic. But beneath the verbal sparring and “I hate you” moments is an undeniable emotional connection, and that’s what makes this romance work. Trust issues play a big role in their journey, and when Josh makes his biggest mistake, it nearly destroys everything. Some readers might find his actions unforgivable, while others will appreciate the groveling he does to make things right. Ultimately, it comes down to whether or not you enjoy a good redemption arc.

Final Thoughts—A Polarizing but Passionate Book Boyfriend

Josh won’t be everyone’s favorite, but he definitely stands out in the Twisted series. If bully romance, snarky banter, and intense enemies-to-lovers chemistry are your thing, you’ll love Twisted Hate. If you prefer softer, more traditionally swoon-worthy book boyfriends, this might not be your top pick. Either way, Ana Huang delivers on spice, drama, and steamy tension, making this an entertaining (if occasionally frustrating) read. If you’re up for a little push-pull, lots of passion, and a man who knows exactly what he’s doing in the bedroom, then Josh Chen might just be your next book boyfriend.