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Twisted #2
Craved
HONORABLE MENTION of The 2015 'London Book Festival' Annual Competition!!! The highly anticipated sequel to Twisted - Craved is the second book in the trilogy. Riveting and dark Realistic Fiction with a touch of Thrilling Suspense. "Closing with a depressing cliffhanger, Craved is a remarkably eye-opening, heartwrenching, and one-of-a-kind must read that is indubitably 'meant for the open-minded readers who are not afraid of a little blood, sweat and semen.'"- Pacific Book Review "This dark, mesmeric tale will take you on a carefully crafted and twisted journey that will make you beg for more. An amazing, thrilling suspenseful ride." - Readers' Favorite * * * Having been to hell and back, the eager sisters from Ukraine - Natalia, Lena and Julia - decide to retire from selling sex and walk the straight and narrow path back home. But when an old friend calls them with an opportunity to make buckets of ‘easy’ money in South Africa, they find it impossible to refuse. Their return to the night life of the entertainment business brings with it all the old familiar temptations - alcohol, drugs, prostitution… Can the girls resist their vices and stay together? Or will this industry destroy their sanity and their family? * * * Inspired by real life events, Craved is a fascinating story of addiction, survival and the art of making a living in the sex trade.
314 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2015
About the author
Lola Smirnova
3 books66 followersLola Smirnova is an author from Ukraine, who loves twisting a suspenseful tale through the dark lens of realism around the sexual underworld, so clocked in secrecy and shame. Lola’s work is inspired by real-life events and is meant for the open-minded readers who are not afraid of a little blood, sweat and semen.
Her debut novel Twisted was released in 2014. The book placed as Honorable Mention in General Fiction Category of The 2014 London Book Festival’s Annual Competition and took 3rd place at The Drunken Druids International Book Award 2014.
Lola released her second book - sequel to Twisted - Craved in July 2015.
Now living in South Africa, she is working on her third book of a Twisted trilogy, which proves just how many fascinating stories she has to share about the ordinary women in the global sex industry.
You can contact Lola via twisted@lolasmirnova.com
Her debut novel Twisted was released in 2014. The book placed as Honorable Mention in General Fiction Category of The 2014 London Book Festival’s Annual Competition and took 3rd place at The Drunken Druids International Book Award 2014.
Lola released her second book - sequel to Twisted - Craved in July 2015.
Now living in South Africa, she is working on her third book of a Twisted trilogy, which proves just how many fascinating stories she has to share about the ordinary women in the global sex industry.
You can contact Lola via twisted@lolasmirnova.com
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 22, 2016
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Before starting with this book, I had low expectations in terms of entertainment given the fact that it is about the sex trade industry. I was expecting to read about 3 girls and all the injustice done to them, but this book was spectacularly surprising.
The characterization is brilliant and the personalities of the lead characters, as well as the supporting ones, are really well crafted. The story is thoroughly absorbing and completely capturing. I felt a connection with all the characters in this book and realized the brutal truth about this repelling industry.
I was pulled into this book right from the start to the very end. The battles the girls face, each and every day, and their hard life is explained beautifully, but surprisingly enough without burdening the reader with sorry feelings by showing the girls headstrong and ready to accept any challenge that is thrown their way.
The author's writing is incredible and the flow is so good that I was done with this book within a day of starting it. I was really impressed with this book and knew, as soon as I was through the first few pages, that I'm reading something that is very, very special.
The descriptions are vivid and the imagery is great. I felt that I was in there with Julia all the time when she was going through her everyday life.
The book ended with an amazing cliffhanger of an ending and left me craving for more. I was like - Seriously!?
And, in spite of the entertaining value of the book, the seriousness of the issue was never lost on me.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud .
Before starting with this book, I had low expectations in terms of entertainment given the fact that it is about the sex trade industry. I was expecting to read about 3 girls and all the injustice done to them, but this book was spectacularly surprising.
The characterization is brilliant and the personalities of the lead characters, as well as the supporting ones, are really well crafted. The story is thoroughly absorbing and completely capturing. I felt a connection with all the characters in this book and realized the brutal truth about this repelling industry.
I was pulled into this book right from the start to the very end. The battles the girls face, each and every day, and their hard life is explained beautifully, but surprisingly enough without burdening the reader with sorry feelings by showing the girls headstrong and ready to accept any challenge that is thrown their way.
The author's writing is incredible and the flow is so good that I was done with this book within a day of starting it. I was really impressed with this book and knew, as soon as I was through the first few pages, that I'm reading something that is very, very special.
The descriptions are vivid and the imagery is great. I felt that I was in there with Julia all the time when she was going through her everyday life.
The book ended with an amazing cliffhanger of an ending and left me craving for more. I was like - Seriously!?
And, in spite of the entertaining value of the book, the seriousness of the issue was never lost on me.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud .
August 23, 2015
While the first book is a hard-care account of the life a European sex-worker, the second book is more about somebody in the adult entertainment industry trying to make something of their life.
The book is neither as graphic nor disturbing as the previous book, but at the end it leaves me even more unsettled. Our hero (and her sisters) try to do the right things, but they still manage to not get it quite right. An entertaining and easy read; yet it leaves me feeling uncomfortable.
I kind of feel that I need to read book #3 when it comes out because I need to know what happens next...
Note: this book is not for the faint-hearted.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book is neither as graphic nor disturbing as the previous book, but at the end it leaves me even more unsettled. Our hero (and her sisters) try to do the right things, but they still manage to not get it quite right. An entertaining and easy read; yet it leaves me feeling uncomfortable.
I kind of feel that I need to read book #3 when it comes out because I need to know what happens next...
Note: this book is not for the faint-hearted.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2015
I saw the cover of the first book and was drawn in. After reading it, I was blown away by the writing of this author. So I decided to read the second book and I enjoyed this one just as well.
September 10, 2015
In the long-awaited sequel to Twisted, Julia and her two older sisters have left Europe and are working as exotic dancers in a Cape Town strip joint. Whatever hopes Julia has of finding a rewarding sex job in her new location are quickly dashed when she receives one client rejection after another. Convinced that she is not cut out to be a stripper, she plans to leave her sisters behind and return to Europe. An accident involving her dad changes the course of history and Julia uses her hard-earned plane ticket money toward medical expenses. But with ongoing familial problems, she has to find a way to make it work in the sex-entertainment industry since this is her only form of income. Ultimately, Julia becomes overwhelmed while desperately seeking control of her circumstances and well being. The question remains, can she do that without the aide of her sisters as well as drugs?
To those new to Lola Smirnova's literary style, the rising author does not mince words. Inspired by real-life events, Smirnova's first person narrative is heavily laced in a mixture of vulgarity and sarcastic lingo to reflect the stark realities of life in the sex underworld. Spoken through Julia, Smirnova portrays her featured character and the youngest of three sisters, as beautiful and intelligent, but lacking self-esteem. And as ironic as it is to make loads of cash, Julia is often stigmatized as trash, which only magnifies her sense of worthlessness. She longs for a better life, yet she has no idea how to successfully achieve that.
Compared to hopeful moments in Twisted—the first in Smirnova's trilogy—Craved is definitely dark and dismal. But amid the dystopian environ, Smirnova does a stellar job lightening her plot with Julia's snarkiness, which is reflected in her running-commentary thought processes as well as through dialogue. Hilarious examples respectively are found in a work description with one of her clients ("If this is a lap dance then I am a bloody astronaut!") and her consistent exclamations of "unf**ingbelievable"—reminiscent of Vizzini's "inconceivable" remarks in the well-known comedy film "The Princess Bride."
While chapters are replete with graphic scenes of Julia and a host of rather "colorful" clients amid her tumultuous personal and familial situations, unique to Smirnova's plot is the paradoxical portrayal of Cape Town's legal and moral mores and the corrupt sex entertainment industry, which focuses on everything erotically conceivable short of copulation. Julia compares the scandalous system to the addictive claw machine that constantly grabs for the prize, but never reaches satisfactory attainment. It creates the illusion that the client owns the toy, but then the illusion crashes "soon after the dancer hears ‘no’ to the next lap dance and moves on to another client."
Closing with a depressing cliffhanger, Craved is a remarkably eye-opening, heartwrenching, and one-of-a-kind must read that is indubitably "meant for the open-minded readers who are not afraid of a little blood, sweat and semen."
Originally posted on Pacific Book Review. Anita Lock, book reviewer
To those new to Lola Smirnova's literary style, the rising author does not mince words. Inspired by real-life events, Smirnova's first person narrative is heavily laced in a mixture of vulgarity and sarcastic lingo to reflect the stark realities of life in the sex underworld. Spoken through Julia, Smirnova portrays her featured character and the youngest of three sisters, as beautiful and intelligent, but lacking self-esteem. And as ironic as it is to make loads of cash, Julia is often stigmatized as trash, which only magnifies her sense of worthlessness. She longs for a better life, yet she has no idea how to successfully achieve that.
Compared to hopeful moments in Twisted—the first in Smirnova's trilogy—Craved is definitely dark and dismal. But amid the dystopian environ, Smirnova does a stellar job lightening her plot with Julia's snarkiness, which is reflected in her running-commentary thought processes as well as through dialogue. Hilarious examples respectively are found in a work description with one of her clients ("If this is a lap dance then I am a bloody astronaut!") and her consistent exclamations of "unf**ingbelievable"—reminiscent of Vizzini's "inconceivable" remarks in the well-known comedy film "The Princess Bride."
While chapters are replete with graphic scenes of Julia and a host of rather "colorful" clients amid her tumultuous personal and familial situations, unique to Smirnova's plot is the paradoxical portrayal of Cape Town's legal and moral mores and the corrupt sex entertainment industry, which focuses on everything erotically conceivable short of copulation. Julia compares the scandalous system to the addictive claw machine that constantly grabs for the prize, but never reaches satisfactory attainment. It creates the illusion that the client owns the toy, but then the illusion crashes "soon after the dancer hears ‘no’ to the next lap dance and moves on to another client."
Closing with a depressing cliffhanger, Craved is a remarkably eye-opening, heartwrenching, and one-of-a-kind must read that is indubitably "meant for the open-minded readers who are not afraid of a little blood, sweat and semen."
Originally posted on Pacific Book Review. Anita Lock, book reviewer
November 20, 2015
Having read the first book in the series 'Twisted,' I was highly anticipated CRAVED; and author Lola Smirnova does not disappoint! Like the first book, this one takes a brutality candid look into the art of making a living in the sex trade.
Trying to go straight, three Ukrainian sisters end up in South Africa. But family problems arise. Having to earn money in the only trade they know, they delve deeper into the dark world of alcohol, drugs, and prostitution.
The perilous path of these three sisters is captivating and incomprehensible. The narration takes one to a new level of understanding the mind set of young ladies who are lured into this trade. Told through the eyes of Julia, the youngest of the three sisters, Lola Smirnova shows us the many moments of uncertainty and danger that are part of this lifestyle. By the time you reach the end, you’ll have experienced sorrow, joy, regret, love and pain—all that is real in the life of Julia.
Overall another extraordinary book! Hold on to arms of your chair while reading this one—it will take you for a ride into a world few have so realistically seen.
Trying to go straight, three Ukrainian sisters end up in South Africa. But family problems arise. Having to earn money in the only trade they know, they delve deeper into the dark world of alcohol, drugs, and prostitution.
The perilous path of these three sisters is captivating and incomprehensible. The narration takes one to a new level of understanding the mind set of young ladies who are lured into this trade. Told through the eyes of Julia, the youngest of the three sisters, Lola Smirnova shows us the many moments of uncertainty and danger that are part of this lifestyle. By the time you reach the end, you’ll have experienced sorrow, joy, regret, love and pain—all that is real in the life of Julia.
Overall another extraordinary book! Hold on to arms of your chair while reading this one—it will take you for a ride into a world few have so realistically seen.
August 1, 2015
I really enjoyed the debut novel Twisted and have been looking forward to reading the sequel. I really like the style of writing, with the punchy style and sarcastic humour engaging you from the beginning. This second novel continues the story of the three sisters, this time in South Africa. Each chapter reads a bit like a 'day in the life of' as the main character, Julie, adjusts to sobriety and stripping South African style. The overall storyline takes a while to get into full swing and for a moment I thought it almost wasn't going to happen. Fortunately the last quarter of the book really picks up the pace and I was on edge wondering how things were going to play out! I can see that this sets things up for a complicated and hopefully quite exciting third installment. Overall it's not as fast paced as the first novel, though an enjoyable addition to the adventures of Julia, Lena and Natalia and I look forward to more........3.5 to 4 stars for me :).
August 24, 2015
Craved isn’t as shocking as the first book Twisted was. Craved is still a twisted look into the sisters Lena, Natalia & Julia (Jul’s) lives and gives us a look into their lives as stripper/prostitutes. It is a very hard life that the sisters chose to do working as strippers/prostitutes. One would question is it worth the danger & abuse to work in the industry. Jul’s especially puts her life in danger and she had a near death experience and yet goes keeps going back out there.
Craved definitely wasn’t as hard to read as Twisted was. There are still dark moments in this book. And, what an ending! Yes, there is a cliffhanger ending. Maybe not a sheer drop off the cliff moment yet still a cliffhanger. I look forward to reading more from Lola Smirnova.
I was offered an ARC but, chose to use my Kindle Unlimited to be able to give a verified purchase review.
Craved definitely wasn’t as hard to read as Twisted was. There are still dark moments in this book. And, what an ending! Yes, there is a cliffhanger ending. Maybe not a sheer drop off the cliff moment yet still a cliffhanger. I look forward to reading more from Lola Smirnova.
I was offered an ARC but, chose to use my Kindle Unlimited to be able to give a verified purchase review.
September 13, 2015
"Craved" compliments perfectly the first book of this author, "Twisted", you can not read one without reading another. While the highlight of the first book was often rather shocking stories from sister's day to day life at work, which are only bearable, because the author thoughtfully keeps you detached from the characters by not concentrating on them too much, in "Craved" you finally get introduced to all three sisters fully, by following the path of their destinies, seen who is who and how they became who they are. Now, when the characters are more vivid, everything they had to go through, looks even more horrific than before.
September 7, 2015
Wow. This book blew me way. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. This book is part of a trilogy but can stand on it's own. Sisters from the Ukraine move to South America following the promise of easy money. Still working in the sex trade industry they are hopeful for better conditions. Julia faces temptation in the form of drugs and alcohol. One of her sisters falls victim to the lure of drugs. Interesting look into the sex entertainment world.
***For those 18 or older
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
***For those 18 or older
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2015
Loved this one too. Great captivating story. Deep and real characters. I want more!!!
February 11, 2016
I was a big fan of the first book in the series, Twisted, moreso for the necessity of Lola's story than the actual storytelling. While I was mildly disappointed that the book didn't resolve my previous criticism, my respect for Lola's life story only increases with Craved. I didn't think it could get much darker than Twisted; I was wrong. It is a appallingly honest and cutting look at man's darkside and the nature of a woman that voluntarily, almost hypnotically veered towards the darkness. Your bookshelf will be richer for having Craved on it, but that doesn't make it easier to take down and open. It pushes the boundaries of our conceptions of desire, lust, pain and tolerance and that is no mean feat. You can't help but root for the self-deprecating, self-aware and yet demoralized Julia; watching her pinball from depression to horror to very fleeting elation along a pathway lined with neon, coke and cum is a white-knuckle-inducing, sobering rollercoaster and a blinding shot of 200-proof verbiage for the average, teetotalling reader. Wear a cup.
July 12, 2016
Craved is the second book in the Twisted series. We delve back into Julia and her two sister's lives as they go back into selling their bodies. I enjoyed Twisted more, but Craved was very well-written and just as page-turning. I find myself rooting for Julia and wanting her to stay clean and not let herself get caught up in her old ways. This book does have a cliffhanger ending which I was expecting based on the other reviews. What I wasn't expecting was Lena's behavior and some of the things that come out about Natalia and the history with Julia. I won't spoil anything though. I will say, I was a little upset with Julia and the Freddy situation. I thought she was beginning to mature as a person, but she disappointed me here. Even still, her story is one that is hard to put down once you start reading.
November 15, 2015
Wow. This book shows such progression of the authors writing. Book one was slightly slow to get into and in places disjointed. But book two. Wow. It flowed perfectly.
The book continues where book one finished.
Juls and her sisters made another life changing decision that in turn again turned their whole world upsides down.
I am so ready for book three. I need to know if Juls will be ok and also her poor sisters.
This is a harrowing heart wrenching tale that will have you really feeling for others around the world
The book continues where book one finished.
Juls and her sisters made another life changing decision that in turn again turned their whole world upsides down.
I am so ready for book three. I need to know if Juls will be ok and also her poor sisters.
This is a harrowing heart wrenching tale that will have you really feeling for others around the world
April 24, 2016
I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for a fair review.
I had waited for this book after reading the first book Twisted and I was not disappointed in this book. I found this book to be a little less graphic but still found it to be entertaining and enjoyed the book. This book tells us about the ups and downs of the sex trade in Eastern Europe and I found it to be quite a good read, there is sex, action and much entertainment in this book, I really enjoy this author's style of writing. The only down side of this book is I have to wait for the sequel to know how it ends.
I had waited for this book after reading the first book Twisted and I was not disappointed in this book. I found this book to be a little less graphic but still found it to be entertaining and enjoyed the book. This book tells us about the ups and downs of the sex trade in Eastern Europe and I found it to be quite a good read, there is sex, action and much entertainment in this book, I really enjoy this author's style of writing. The only down side of this book is I have to wait for the sequel to know how it ends.
November 10, 2015
I am loving this series and can't wait for the next book! The subject matter in these is different from what I usually read but I am still hooked. I think because this author isn't from the United states it gives a glimpse of how things are elsewhere. I also like knowing the author is deeply connected to her books. Great read if you don't mind a bit erotic, strong sexual acts, rape reference and drug use. If you're OK with all that then definetly read this series!
October 7, 2015
This series is so addicting!! (No pun intended, haha).
I'm not quite sure exactly what to rate this one, because the copy I read was an ARC that I received from the author, so I'm not sure how many changes have been made between my version and the finished one. But I guess I have to rate based on what I read, and in that case, it'll have to be three stars.
I want to give it so many more...I really do. Lola Smirnova is brilliant. The story, the plot, and the characters are all top-notch. But the prose is where it all falls apart for me.
Part of the problem, I'm assuming, must be the fact that Smirnova's first language is not English. Although she is impressively fluent, there are still some things that don't come across correctly because of the language barrier. Certain word choices and sentence arrangements sound awkward in my mind, yet somebody who wasn't born speaking English might not be able to catch those subtleties. Much of the dialogue is similarly stilted; it's hard for me to picture people talking to each other like the characters do in the story, because it's not often that natural.
I also think that, just in general, the version I read was in need of a lot of proofreading. There were many instances in which noticed missing words, missing letters, incorrect punctuation, etc. My copy seemed more like a rough draft than a final, polished version. But again, I'm not sure if there have been updates and corrections made.
While reading it, I tried to give the book the benefit of the doubt, and eventually, those surface-level problems started to fade away and the book came alive. The story that Smirnova is telling throughout this series is truly like nothing I've ever read before.
It's heartbreaking, and at times very hard to stomach, because of how raw and real things get. Smirnova doesn't pull any punches. It's not hard to so clearly be able to picture Julia's life as a stripper and (occasional) prostitute. It's even easy to sympathize with her, as she struggles to accept the fact that she will never be able to support her family (and herself) as much as she can by putting herself, physically and emotionally, through the ringer by selling her body.
I really appreciate how, even when it seems like things could not possibly get any worse for the Ukrainian sisters, there is still this ever-present feeling of hope behind all of Smirnova's words. Julia has her ups and downs for sure, but I really think that she will ultimately be able to make it out of her situation alive, happy, and healthy. At least I'm hoping! She sure has a long way to go.
One thing I'm looking forward to possibly seeing in the next book would be Julia learning how to trust and like men. One of her biggest issues is that she is rarely ever interested in the guys that she works for. I mean, it's not like the cream of the crop is hanging out at strip clubs! But I feel sad for her that she never seems to enjoy any encounter she has with the opposite sex — she clearly doesn't trust or like any men in her life besides her father. I'm hoping that she will be able to overcome the scars she has from being hurt by men in the past, and ultimately be able to fall in love. Or at least learn to love herself enough to not continually resort to drugs and alcohol, and learn how to support herself in a healthier lifestyle.
Overall, there are quite a few things that I would like to see fixed in Craved. My version was not, editorially, up to the standard for which I normally hold books to. But I can't help but continue to praise Smirnova's commitment to educating the public about the sex trade and what prostitution/stripping is really like for the women who choose that career. Julia is a top-notch heroine that I both love to death and want to slap in the face. I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment.
"There are no good guys in this industry. They are all the same. Some of them are just the lesser of two evils."
I'm not quite sure exactly what to rate this one, because the copy I read was an ARC that I received from the author, so I'm not sure how many changes have been made between my version and the finished one. But I guess I have to rate based on what I read, and in that case, it'll have to be three stars.
I want to give it so many more...I really do. Lola Smirnova is brilliant. The story, the plot, and the characters are all top-notch. But the prose is where it all falls apart for me.
Part of the problem, I'm assuming, must be the fact that Smirnova's first language is not English. Although she is impressively fluent, there are still some things that don't come across correctly because of the language barrier. Certain word choices and sentence arrangements sound awkward in my mind, yet somebody who wasn't born speaking English might not be able to catch those subtleties. Much of the dialogue is similarly stilted; it's hard for me to picture people talking to each other like the characters do in the story, because it's not often that natural.
I also think that, just in general, the version I read was in need of a lot of proofreading. There were many instances in which noticed missing words, missing letters, incorrect punctuation, etc. My copy seemed more like a rough draft than a final, polished version. But again, I'm not sure if there have been updates and corrections made.
While reading it, I tried to give the book the benefit of the doubt, and eventually, those surface-level problems started to fade away and the book came alive. The story that Smirnova is telling throughout this series is truly like nothing I've ever read before.
It's heartbreaking, and at times very hard to stomach, because of how raw and real things get. Smirnova doesn't pull any punches. It's not hard to so clearly be able to picture Julia's life as a stripper and (occasional) prostitute. It's even easy to sympathize with her, as she struggles to accept the fact that she will never be able to support her family (and herself) as much as she can by putting herself, physically and emotionally, through the ringer by selling her body.
I really appreciate how, even when it seems like things could not possibly get any worse for the Ukrainian sisters, there is still this ever-present feeling of hope behind all of Smirnova's words. Julia has her ups and downs for sure, but I really think that she will ultimately be able to make it out of her situation alive, happy, and healthy. At least I'm hoping! She sure has a long way to go.
One thing I'm looking forward to possibly seeing in the next book would be Julia learning how to trust and like men. One of her biggest issues is that she is rarely ever interested in the guys that she works for. I mean, it's not like the cream of the crop is hanging out at strip clubs! But I feel sad for her that she never seems to enjoy any encounter she has with the opposite sex — she clearly doesn't trust or like any men in her life besides her father. I'm hoping that she will be able to overcome the scars she has from being hurt by men in the past, and ultimately be able to fall in love. Or at least learn to love herself enough to not continually resort to drugs and alcohol, and learn how to support herself in a healthier lifestyle.
Overall, there are quite a few things that I would like to see fixed in Craved. My version was not, editorially, up to the standard for which I normally hold books to. But I can't help but continue to praise Smirnova's commitment to educating the public about the sex trade and what prostitution/stripping is really like for the women who choose that career. Julia is a top-notch heroine that I both love to death and want to slap in the face. I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment.
December 11, 2015
Craved is the second book in the Twisted trilogy, written by Lola Smirnova.
Again, I’m along for the ride as the three sisters (Natalie, Julia, Lena) experience their fair share of the darker side of ‘entertainment’ in South Africa. I didn’t expect their lives to improve after reading the first book, Twisted. Unlike the first time I dived deep into the author’s world, I was prepared this time.
With the first book I felt that the idea of making easy money lured the sisters from their homeland. However, this time I felt it was clearly about survival in a sort of way. They experience different situations and their fair share of shady characters. Throughout their ordeal, the reader must keep in mind that they have to survive among all this. You’d think one near death experience would be enough for these sisters to rethink their lifestyle. No. Instead they continue to endure and this is what fascinates me. I wonder what event would actually push these sisters to seek a better life for themselves. Do they think about their future or is everything in the ‘now?’
This world is real and doesn’t hold back and that’s what I enjoy about this novel (and the first one as well.) Yes, there is explicit language and sexual themes yet it just wouldn’t be ‘Craved’ if that was all held back for the sake of the reader. It’s still hard for me to believe that this is all inspired by real life events.
I will definitely read the last book in this trilogy once it is released.
Review posted on The Readers Hallow
Again, I’m along for the ride as the three sisters (Natalie, Julia, Lena) experience their fair share of the darker side of ‘entertainment’ in South Africa. I didn’t expect their lives to improve after reading the first book, Twisted. Unlike the first time I dived deep into the author’s world, I was prepared this time.
With the first book I felt that the idea of making easy money lured the sisters from their homeland. However, this time I felt it was clearly about survival in a sort of way. They experience different situations and their fair share of shady characters. Throughout their ordeal, the reader must keep in mind that they have to survive among all this. You’d think one near death experience would be enough for these sisters to rethink their lifestyle. No. Instead they continue to endure and this is what fascinates me. I wonder what event would actually push these sisters to seek a better life for themselves. Do they think about their future or is everything in the ‘now?’
This world is real and doesn’t hold back and that’s what I enjoy about this novel (and the first one as well.) Yes, there is explicit language and sexual themes yet it just wouldn’t be ‘Craved’ if that was all held back for the sake of the reader. It’s still hard for me to believe that this is all inspired by real life events.
I will definitely read the last book in this trilogy once it is released.
Review posted on The Readers Hallow
January 9, 2016
Craved is the sequel to Twisted. The three Ukrainian sisters are now in South Africa, working as dancers/strippers/prostitutes. Apparently, they have concluded that this lifestyle is the only option available to them. What’s sad is that they are so psychically damaged that even when they find sincere men that are willing to marry them, instead of transitioning to a normal life, the protagonist’s older sisters succumb to addition and self-loathing thus undermining what good that might lie ahead. Making the situation worse, their parents back in Ukraine seem to be dependent on financial support from the three girls, fully aware of how they make their money. This is not a story for anyone. It is dark and in some aspects harrowing, not sparing uncomfortable details about this aspect of human exploitation and the damage it inevitably causes. Well written and even necessary as a sobering read for those who are interested in the underbelly of prostitution.
August 30, 2015
‘Craved’ was a nice sequel to a rather interesting story, ‘Twisted’. Warning this book has some very explicit content, so if that is not your kind of story then I suggest you pass on this book. I enjoyed the continuation; I liked seeing the character growth. It was a very interesting story with conflicting emotions.
There were some significant grammatical errors in the book however and I thought that the dialogue could use some polishing. These two issues do take away from the story, but can be fixed to make the story a great strong story.
I commend Lola for bringing attention to some very upsetting, difficult situations that people find themselves in. These things happen all too often and not as much attention is shown to these highly controversial issues as should be.
I did find ‘Craved’ to be captivating, intriguing, and heartbreaking. It was a very good read overall.
December 16, 2015
A gritty and suspenseful read that dives deeper into the crazy world of drugs and prostitution. Trying to walk the straight and narrow these three sisters end up in a place where they need money and they fall back to the only thing they know that will get that what they need.
Though this story doesn’t have the shock factor that was found in Twisted, the story still has heart. It’s original and you are still left with the aftermath of feelings reeling around in your brain.
This is not a series for the faint of heart as it includes the use of sex, drugs, alcohol, and so much more. However, following along with these three sisters and their story will definitely take you on a ride. I may not have picked this read for myself so I’m so grateful the author shared this series with me.
(I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.)
Though this story doesn’t have the shock factor that was found in Twisted, the story still has heart. It’s original and you are still left with the aftermath of feelings reeling around in your brain.
This is not a series for the faint of heart as it includes the use of sex, drugs, alcohol, and so much more. However, following along with these three sisters and their story will definitely take you on a ride. I may not have picked this read for myself so I’m so grateful the author shared this series with me.
(I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.)
January 12, 2016
Craved by Lola Smirnova is a dark and intriguing first hand glimspe into the lives of three women. These three women have gone through one bad rollercoaster ride and just when they think they can right their worlds once more, all breaks down. Readers will like how addicitve the journeys are for these characters and how hard temptation is to resist. It's not that the women don't try to be good. Try being good, and having life treating you like garbage. This then leads the women questioning why they ever left the lives they lived before. Making easy money seems to be the best only route for these three. Whether they come out on top or go back to plunging deep in the darkness once again, is for readers to find out. I definitely enjoyed this story of survival and addiction. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to readers weverywhere.
January 2, 2017
At times I wanted to scream at Julia and her sisters for not leaving their life in the sex trade industry. I cheered when Julia was trying to save money to go back home and was sad when she had to give up the money to save her father.
Throughout it all, the sisters are close and trying to look out for each other and their one dream is to be happy. Will that dream come true in book three?
Throughout it all, the sisters are close and trying to look out for each other and their one dream is to be happy. Will that dream come true in book three?
March 21, 2016
NICE! WHEN CAN WE EXPECT #3?
January 14, 2022
Craved proves that Lola's formula is as winning here as in her earlier novel Twisted. The tart, bilingual dialogue is again first - rate and, best of all, An unexpected decision restores the 3 sisters back to an atmosphere of sex and money. Glamour and vice. Their return to the sex industry welcomes the girls to a new country and city Cape Town. This compulsive sequel is a tale of the search for sanity, survival, family and making a living in the sex trade. With new demons to face the sisters struggle with the industry that could destroy them. Craved is an assured and affecting novel, with a final jaw-dropping revelation... It will have you on the edge of your seat at every twist and turn and decisions made !!! It never once lets up on the gas pedal. Smirnova proves herself to be as coolly efficient a writer as her 3 main characters. Best novel I've read since Twisted. Brilliant !!!
July 4, 2016
Craved by Lola Smirnova
Written through the eyes of the youngest of three daughters in post soviet Ukraine, Julia becomes ‘alive’
Struggling to see a future, the sisters leave their homeland for better options. As you journey with the girls, you discover that things do not always go the way they had planned.
These two books are not for the conservative. Nor the judgemental! A wide open gape into the very real, raw and rough world of sex, drugs and prostitution that leaves little un-churned.
In some scenes, that includes the contents of your stomach!
What would you do in order to survive? To put food on the table for your family? These are questions you would need to ask yourself whilst reading these books.
As chapter after chapter is devoured by the curious reader, you are left with a deep seated fear for the safety of these girls as well as a definite annoyance at their often careless stupidity. The allure of drugs becomes understandable. How else would ones mind cope with the barrage of filth and depraved human behaviour hidden behind smart suits and clothing labels?
Due to my line of work, human behaviour seldom surprises me. Yet,
Every now and again, I had to re-read a section to confirm what I had just read.
The story unfolds and is written conversationally, I found Julia, Natalia and Lena to be voices in my head. Easy to read, these books leave an unpleasant taste surrounding humanity.
With every little victory, you will find yourself cheering for whichever sister is winning at the time. At every unwise decision, you will be berating them!
Needless to say, I challenge you to be able to put these books down once you’ve started reading them.
There is huge truth written by an author having lived this life and witnessed many others along her journey. This is not the life we envision for our children when they come into this world! Sadly, I would have to assume, not too many that enter this life, leave it alive and those that do, are certainly not left unscathed!
Written through the eyes of the youngest of three daughters in post soviet Ukraine, Julia becomes ‘alive’
Struggling to see a future, the sisters leave their homeland for better options. As you journey with the girls, you discover that things do not always go the way they had planned.
These two books are not for the conservative. Nor the judgemental! A wide open gape into the very real, raw and rough world of sex, drugs and prostitution that leaves little un-churned.
In some scenes, that includes the contents of your stomach!
What would you do in order to survive? To put food on the table for your family? These are questions you would need to ask yourself whilst reading these books.
As chapter after chapter is devoured by the curious reader, you are left with a deep seated fear for the safety of these girls as well as a definite annoyance at their often careless stupidity. The allure of drugs becomes understandable. How else would ones mind cope with the barrage of filth and depraved human behaviour hidden behind smart suits and clothing labels?
Due to my line of work, human behaviour seldom surprises me. Yet,
Every now and again, I had to re-read a section to confirm what I had just read.
The story unfolds and is written conversationally, I found Julia, Natalia and Lena to be voices in my head. Easy to read, these books leave an unpleasant taste surrounding humanity.
With every little victory, you will find yourself cheering for whichever sister is winning at the time. At every unwise decision, you will be berating them!
Needless to say, I challenge you to be able to put these books down once you’ve started reading them.
There is huge truth written by an author having lived this life and witnessed many others along her journey. This is not the life we envision for our children when they come into this world! Sadly, I would have to assume, not too many that enter this life, leave it alive and those that do, are certainly not left unscathed!
May 2, 2016
Advanced copy provided by the author for honest review:
Craved is the follow-up to Twisted, continuing the story of our intrepid sisters from the Ukraine - Natalia, Lena, and Julia. The three sisters are working at the salon they purchased for their mother, but business is slow and the call of "easier" money appears with the opportunity to work in South Africa.
Natalia sets up the trip and drags her less than enthusiastic siblings along for the ride. The best part of this serving of their story is watching Julia start to change into a stronger person, more comfortable with who she is. Julia is a less depressing, shell of a character this time around and it's for the better. Unfortunately, some of the choices made by her siblings, while realistic, show just how little either of them understands the youngest and will clearly have consequences down the road. The book ends on a mild cliffhanger to set up another book in the series.
Craved is the follow-up to Twisted, continuing the story of our intrepid sisters from the Ukraine - Natalia, Lena, and Julia. The three sisters are working at the salon they purchased for their mother, but business is slow and the call of "easier" money appears with the opportunity to work in South Africa.
Natalia sets up the trip and drags her less than enthusiastic siblings along for the ride. The best part of this serving of their story is watching Julia start to change into a stronger person, more comfortable with who she is. Julia is a less depressing, shell of a character this time around and it's for the better. Unfortunately, some of the choices made by her siblings, while realistic, show just how little either of them understands the youngest and will clearly have consequences down the road. The book ends on a mild cliffhanger to set up another book in the series.
October 26, 2016
This book was amazing.
It was super short, however. It is about the struggle of doing what needs to be done, even if it means going against what you know is right. Even if it means selling a little of yourself to climb the financial staircase. It's about trying to turn your life around, and having temptations pull you right back. For about my one who has struggled with their demons, you aren't alone.
It was super short, however. It is about the struggle of doing what needs to be done, even if it means going against what you know is right. Even if it means selling a little of yourself to climb the financial staircase. It's about trying to turn your life around, and having temptations pull you right back. For about my one who has struggled with their demons, you aren't alone.
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