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Enchanted Ink #1
Only Skin Deep
Welcome to the world of Enchanted Ink! For a price, master tattooists can place a beautiful spell directly onto your skin. Want to be wealthy? Beautiful? Loved? You’ve come to the right place. Just make sure the price you’ll pay is worth it as the cost isn’t always in gold.
****
Luca Galioto can tattoo just about any spell, but he specializes in healing tattoos. He’ll need to create his masterpiece after his mate, and Salem PD detective, Ash Montgomery brings in a human suffering a curse to end all curses. Luca uses every ounce of strength to save the man—because they both sense he’s their third.
Colby Kennedy doesn’t believe in witches, demons, fated mates, and the things that go bump in the night. Yet he struggles to ignore the deep-seated lust he feels every time he looks at Luca and Ash. No matter his need, he has his brother to care for and a business to run. He doesn’t have time for nonsense.
The demons don’t stop coming, putting everything he holds dear in jeopardy. Luca and Ash, and the coven at Enchanted Ink, are the only things keeping him and his brother from losing everything.
But can he accept their world and his place in it before it’s too late?
****
Luca Galioto can tattoo just about any spell, but he specializes in healing tattoos. He’ll need to create his masterpiece after his mate, and Salem PD detective, Ash Montgomery brings in a human suffering a curse to end all curses. Luca uses every ounce of strength to save the man—because they both sense he’s their third.
Colby Kennedy doesn’t believe in witches, demons, fated mates, and the things that go bump in the night. Yet he struggles to ignore the deep-seated lust he feels every time he looks at Luca and Ash. No matter his need, he has his brother to care for and a business to run. He doesn’t have time for nonsense.
The demons don’t stop coming, putting everything he holds dear in jeopardy. Luca and Ash, and the coven at Enchanted Ink, are the only things keeping him and his brother from losing everything.
But can he accept their world and his place in it before it’s too late?
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2023
230 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Kelex
208 books706 followersInternational bestselling MM romance author Kelex lives in Hampton Roads, Virginia with her twenty-something slacker kidult and two senior grandpups.
When not being a pain in her daughter’s ass or writing under various pen names, she also loves to create stained glass, paint, crochet, bake gorgeous breads, and host game night with all her kiddos, be they born or adopted.
When not being a pain in her daughter’s ass or writing under various pen names, she also loves to create stained glass, paint, crochet, bake gorgeous breads, and host game night with all her kiddos, be they born or adopted.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 8, 2023
this is like eating unseasoned chicken: you’re very sad that a chicken had to die for this sad outcome so you don’t want to throw it away but it still tastes like cardboard.
for those of you who don’t understand my (great) analogy: horrible world building, questionable plot, bland ass characters.
editing my rating to 1 star because it’s also way too long.
for those of you who don’t understand my (great) analogy: horrible world building, questionable plot, bland ass characters.
editing my rating to 1 star because it’s also way too long.
September 12, 2023
Solid paranormal romance but it had some niggles
There were a few editing mistakes in this one that, while I could read through them, actually changed up the details of what was going on by having the wrong characters referenced.
It wasn't enough to spoil the narrative, as it was possible to work out what (or who) should have been used fortunately.
I will say that I think the short story that came out in the Fated Mates anthology which covered how Ash and Luca met, would have been a better opener as it gave all the necessary background missing here.
Having said the above, I liked the setting of this series, I love the found family elements with all the Coven living together and I'm intrigued by the magic tattooing and the triad relationships.
There's also loads of sex, which works well for what's being told rather than just thrown in for the sake of it.
And I adored Daniel, I felt his Downs Syndrome was well represented and genuinely considered.
There were a few editing mistakes in this one that, while I could read through them, actually changed up the details of what was going on by having the wrong characters referenced.
It wasn't enough to spoil the narrative, as it was possible to work out what (or who) should have been used fortunately.
I will say that I think the short story that came out in the Fated Mates anthology which covered how Ash and Luca met, would have been a better opener as it gave all the necessary background missing here.
Having said the above, I liked the setting of this series, I love the found family elements with all the Coven living together and I'm intrigued by the magic tattooing and the triad relationships.
There's also loads of sex, which works well for what's being told rather than just thrown in for the sake of it.
And I adored Daniel, I felt his Downs Syndrome was well represented and genuinely considered.
September 1, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
This is the first book in the Enchanted Ink series and, in this world, witches bond with shifters and humans both, forming triads that are more powerful together than they are apart. Ash, a squirrel shifter, is Luca’s familiar and mate. He moonlights as a police officer for the protection and service of the coven. After all, if the coven needs a ticket to go away or an investigation to … stop, Ash is there to make it happen. He’s not a good cop, but he’s a good coven member. The focus of the story is on the magic, Luca’s lack of magic, the magic of the mate bond, and the search for how to break the magic spell, along with conversations about whether or not Colby will willingly join Luca and Ash as their third. There is nothing wrong with that, but shifters — or familiars, as they’re called — are just a hand wave in this book.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
3 stars
This is the first book in the Enchanted Ink series and, in this world, witches bond with shifters and humans both, forming triads that are more powerful together than they are apart. Ash, a squirrel shifter, is Luca’s familiar and mate. He moonlights as a police officer for the protection and service of the coven. After all, if the coven needs a ticket to go away or an investigation to … stop, Ash is there to make it happen. He’s not a good cop, but he’s a good coven member. The focus of the story is on the magic, Luca’s lack of magic, the magic of the mate bond, and the search for how to break the magic spell, along with conversations about whether or not Colby will willingly join Luca and Ash as their third. There is nothing wrong with that, but shifters — or familiars, as they’re called — are just a hand wave in this book.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
August 13, 2023
I desperately wanted to love this book. It has all the right ingredients – a new magical world to explore, a triad finding love, mystery, intrigue, side characters with great potential… the list goes on.
Instead, I feel mostly meh, with a side of disappointed.
A significant portion of the mystery elements of the plot happen off page. I don’t feel like I understand the coven better. I don’t understand the way the magic works. And there’s just too much “right place, right time” and last minute random saves to be satisfying.
I also couldn’t get into the three main characters and their relationships, which would have let me give a lot of the above a pass. There’s a lot of hot and cold, which could be fine situationally, but instead doesn’t feel authentic. Then there's all the murmuring and smirking that don’t really jive with what’s happening.
Overall, it just didn’t work for me.
Instead, I feel mostly meh, with a side of disappointed.
A significant portion of the mystery elements of the plot happen off page. I don’t feel like I understand the coven better. I don’t understand the way the magic works. And there’s just too much “right place, right time” and last minute random saves to be satisfying.
I also couldn’t get into the three main characters and their relationships, which would have let me give a lot of the above a pass. There’s a lot of hot and cold, which could be fine situationally, but instead doesn’t feel authentic. Then there's all the murmuring and smirking that don’t really jive with what’s happening.
Overall, it just didn’t work for me.
September 11, 2023
I’m so sad. I loved the prequel but this didn’t live up to that quality. I really disliked Colby. He was often so mean to Luca and Ash. I understand being scared but damn….it doesn’t mean the character should been so mean. Sadddddddd 😩
September 22, 2023
Half of the time I was bored out of my mind. No I love yous with the third mate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2023
“Ash snatched the back of his head, dragging him closer. The kiss that came was brutal, matching the urgency pulsing in his blood. They feasted on one another’s mouth, tongues lashing and teeth biting. When they pulled away—breathless—Ash pressed a palm to Colby’s shoulder, urging him down.”
What a fantastic world these two authors have created here! Magic, shapeshifters, necromancers and all of our favourite paranormal beings. The MC’s are wonderful and I don’t know if I could choose a favourite between Ash, Luca or Colby. Ash is a protector and shapeshifter and is also a detective which is super hot to me! Luca is artistic and magical with the most beautiful heart that had me in tears on several occasions. And Colby our human who is both stubborn and strong and handles all this new chaos brilliantly in my opinion.
A solid fantasy world with a beautiful interwoven love story with the kind of HEAT we have come to expect from this author—as well as some surprise appendages 😏
What’s more, a huge cast of brilliant supporting characters that I can only hope and pray that these authors do them right with HEA for ALL!
What a fantastic world these two authors have created here! Magic, shapeshifters, necromancers and all of our favourite paranormal beings. The MC’s are wonderful and I don’t know if I could choose a favourite between Ash, Luca or Colby. Ash is a protector and shapeshifter and is also a detective which is super hot to me! Luca is artistic and magical with the most beautiful heart that had me in tears on several occasions. And Colby our human who is both stubborn and strong and handles all this new chaos brilliantly in my opinion.
A solid fantasy world with a beautiful interwoven love story with the kind of HEAT we have come to expect from this author—as well as some surprise appendages 😏
What’s more, a huge cast of brilliant supporting characters that I can only hope and pray that these authors do them right with HEA for ALL!
September 15, 2023
A great new series
This is a paranormal queer romance, the first book a multi-author series called “Enchanted Ink” that should be read in order. Colby meets his fated mates on a very bad day! Not only is he learning about the paranormal world for the first time but he has a curse on him placed by some evil folks! Daniel is part of the best parts of this story along with all the battling!
This is a paranormal queer romance, the first book a multi-author series called “Enchanted Ink” that should be read in order. Colby meets his fated mates on a very bad day! Not only is he learning about the paranormal world for the first time but he has a curse on him placed by some evil folks! Daniel is part of the best parts of this story along with all the battling!
June 28, 2024
3.5
Daniel ruled every scene he was in.
Daniel ruled every scene he was in.
August 30, 2023
Colby was unlikeable. Plot was not resolved. Kelex's writing has improved.
July 27, 2024
I read a ton of books, and the only big thing I hate is non-con disguised by the author as consensual. I can even read (and enjoy!) super dark books, as long as the author treats it as dark and doesn’t try to pretend it is a romance. This book didn’t go quite that far, but it was flavored enough with it to leave a bad taste in my mouth and spoiled the whole book.
This is when the fated mates trope goes from “the romantic partner who is ideally compatible with you” to “a complete stranger now owns your life regardless of your opinion” but the author sees no problem and presents it as “this character is being so silly for resisting true love.” Like, this poor human was introduced to the magical world by being tortured, almost dying, being grotesquely disfigured with rot, losing his ability to do his job, and these two other guys just expect him to be on board with magic forcing him to lust after two complete strangers? They honestly seem MAD at him for being wary, and even dare to mention that they need sex magic to restore the power used to save his life. That is some awful emotional blackmail to get someone in your bed, even if they later claimed they wouldn’t pressure him.
And besides the “fated mates” thing I didn’t really feel any genuine chemistry between the characters anyways. No romance, no falling in love. When he tries to very reasonably resist, the magic forces him into it (through dreams, daytime hallucinations, and an inner voice he identifies as not his). When the coven decided he was being too mopey, they drugged him with magic to be happy for a party — which then wore off and left him in emotional misery, all without telling him what it would do. AND his mates had someone read his mind without his consent, and when he said he hated that they did it, he was brushed off. His autonomy was ignored for 100% of the book, from first meeting to the epilogue. The author didn’t view any of this as morally gray or wrong, and we know this because a character who can see souls described these two mates as “pure white and good.”
The magic system and world building was interesting, but not enough to carry the story past this horrible lack of a romance.
This is when the fated mates trope goes from “the romantic partner who is ideally compatible with you” to “a complete stranger now owns your life regardless of your opinion” but the author sees no problem and presents it as “this character is being so silly for resisting true love.” Like, this poor human was introduced to the magical world by being tortured, almost dying, being grotesquely disfigured with rot, losing his ability to do his job, and these two other guys just expect him to be on board with magic forcing him to lust after two complete strangers? They honestly seem MAD at him for being wary, and even dare to mention that they need sex magic to restore the power used to save his life. That is some awful emotional blackmail to get someone in your bed, even if they later claimed they wouldn’t pressure him.
And besides the “fated mates” thing I didn’t really feel any genuine chemistry between the characters anyways. No romance, no falling in love. When he tries to very reasonably resist, the magic forces him into it (through dreams, daytime hallucinations, and an inner voice he identifies as not his). When the coven decided he was being too mopey, they drugged him with magic to be happy for a party — which then wore off and left him in emotional misery, all without telling him what it would do. AND his mates had someone read his mind without his consent, and when he said he hated that they did it, he was brushed off. His autonomy was ignored for 100% of the book, from first meeting to the epilogue. The author didn’t view any of this as morally gray or wrong, and we know this because a character who can see souls described these two mates as “pure white and good.”
The magic system and world building was interesting, but not enough to carry the story past this horrible lack of a romance.
January 23, 2024
really, really, REALLY boring. One of the books that I would have (and should have) DNFed - which I rarely do but this book is honestly THAT boring and poorly written. I only continued reading because I had the distinctive feeling of having read about the characters before but couldn't remember where nor find it here either and I wanted to figure it out. Turns out it was in the queer Paranormal Anthology, and when I figured that out I remembered that the short story in that book from this author was also very bad (but I was already more than 50% into the book so I was like might as well finish... bad idea, it was a total waste of time).
The 3-way-POV narration sounded the same regardless of which character's it was supposed to be. The relationship with them was absolutely awful, imbalanced and boring. The writing was awful, repeating the same phrases over and over again (I reached the point in which if I read "stole a kiss" once more I was gonna burn my kindle).
The idea behind the book is interesting but the execution was so so bad that I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
The 3-way-POV narration sounded the same regardless of which character's it was supposed to be. The relationship with them was absolutely awful, imbalanced and boring. The writing was awful, repeating the same phrases over and over again (I reached the point in which if I read "stole a kiss" once more I was gonna burn my kindle).
The idea behind the book is interesting but the execution was so so bad that I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
March 2, 2024
I was extremely disappointed in the bland execution of this fated mates MMM supposed mystery. The setup was great, the characters interesting, the mystery intriguing, and then... It quickly unraveled to mostly useless internal dialogue, primarily about the 3rd MC struggling with the idea of fated mates. He had valid concerns which NOBODY addressed outside of seduction as "proof".
I absolutely hated the fact nobody really talked to each other, the mystery didn't actually go anywhere interesting, and the supernatural aspects of the world felt like a tacked-on waste of space.
If you just want a little urban fantasy background music for your frequent yet mediocre MM and MMM smut, this is it.
If you are looking for an erotic (or not) urban fantasy plot you can really sink your teeth into, look work somewhere else.
I absolutely hated the fact nobody really talked to each other, the mystery didn't actually go anywhere interesting, and the supernatural aspects of the world felt like a tacked-on waste of space.
If you just want a little urban fantasy background music for your frequent yet mediocre MM and MMM smut, this is it.
If you are looking for an erotic (or not) urban fantasy plot you can really sink your teeth into, look work somewhere else.
August 13, 2023
3.5/5 I always worry a little with a triad when there’s an established couple first and then someone new coming in. This did feel like being dropped into the middle of a world, but the fated mates aspect helped because it meant that Luca and Ash always expected a third. I liked that they were ready and waiting for it and both clearly on the same page about Colby.
There was a bit of a streak of all these characters sometimes being jerks, making digs and saying unkind things that wasn’t my favourite. They generally apologised and tried to make up for it, but I guess I was wishing for more Daniels in the world. Daniel was an absolute sweetheart and a delight to read!
Colby took the longest for me to warm up to, I think because I suspended my disbelief when I started reading this fantasy novel, whereas he was having his world turned upside down and stayed really resistant for a long time into the book. It might have been realistic, but I was more than ready for him to get over it already and get with the program, lol. I did love his dedication to his brother and his creative side with his pottery.
In a few instances, I wasn’t 100% confortable with the power dynamic between them. Ash even brings it up, how they’re more powerful than Colby is, then promptly ignores him the first time he calls them on it—because they’re planning a good surprise. I get that they wanted to do something really cool for him, but given how new everything is and how new he is to the relationship, I feel like listening to him, communicating with him, and getting his consent with regards to the magic would actually have been much better. Then they could have made sure he was on board and still happily surprised Daniel. That would feel more equal to me. (Also, related to that, the use of magic here seemed a bit over the top. Something much smaller scale would have made more sense to me. The entire neighbourhood seemed hugely overkill. I guess there’s no cost to that type of magic??)
Apart from those few exceptions where they’re being snarky and/or suspicious, I like how the coven is so good to its members, all of them working together in a genuinely communal environment. I like how much Lucas cares for and takes care of good people.
I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface of what magic can do in this world, and I look forward to seeing more fated mates and getting to the bottom of what’s happening with the demons.
I received an ARC from GRR. This is my honest review.
There was a bit of a streak of all these characters sometimes being jerks, making digs and saying unkind things that wasn’t my favourite. They generally apologised and tried to make up for it, but I guess I was wishing for more Daniels in the world. Daniel was an absolute sweetheart and a delight to read!
Colby took the longest for me to warm up to, I think because I suspended my disbelief when I started reading this fantasy novel, whereas he was having his world turned upside down and stayed really resistant for a long time into the book. It might have been realistic, but I was more than ready for him to get over it already and get with the program, lol. I did love his dedication to his brother and his creative side with his pottery.
In a few instances, I wasn’t 100% confortable with the power dynamic between them. Ash even brings it up, how they’re more powerful than Colby is, then promptly ignores him the first time he calls them on it—because they’re planning a good surprise. I get that they wanted to do something really cool for him, but given how new everything is and how new he is to the relationship, I feel like listening to him, communicating with him, and getting his consent with regards to the magic would actually have been much better. Then they could have made sure he was on board and still happily surprised Daniel. That would feel more equal to me. (Also, related to that, the use of magic here seemed a bit over the top. Something much smaller scale would have made more sense to me. The entire neighbourhood seemed hugely overkill. I guess there’s no cost to that type of magic??)
Apart from those few exceptions where they’re being snarky and/or suspicious, I like how the coven is so good to its members, all of them working together in a genuinely communal environment. I like how much Lucas cares for and takes care of good people.
I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface of what magic can do in this world, and I look forward to seeing more fated mates and getting to the bottom of what’s happening with the demons.
I received an ARC from GRR. This is my honest review.
October 8, 2023
I wanted to like this first installment of Enchanted Ink more than I did. It had enough good points to warrant a solid 3.
I decided to read this series after reading two short prequel stories for different characters in the Fated Mates: an MM Paranormal Romance Charity Anthology They center around a tattoo shop where witches can imbue their work to provide healing properties, protections and other charms. The MCs are Luca (a witch), Ash (a squirrel shifter policeman) and Colby (a human). The witches in the Enchanted Ink Coven mate in throuples, always one witch, one shifter and one human. Luca and Ash are already an established couple of about 6 or more years who have yet to meet their third.
The Pros
I liked the premise. A magical tattoo shop. That's cool.
I also liked alot of the supporting characters. Gideon is one of my favs. Daniel, Colby's Down Syndrome older brother is a great character. I loved how the author didn't make him overly child like. He had great moments of insight while also being playful and endearing.
The plot, when it was followed, was pretty cool too. Demons set up shop in town, opening their own tattoo shop and giving skin melting tattoos to unsuspecting humans.
The Cons
It was just too gosh darned long. There were parts that I found myself skimming through. Sex scenes that were overly long. A long explanation of how pottery works (Colby is a potter). And it seems to take too long to progress through the story. Each chapter was told from the POV of one of the three main characters. And sometimes the same scene was rehashed in separate chapters by all three. Complete overkill. Also random extra things are brought up while other things were dropped. Like one of the witches is suddenly a necromancer and can bring souls back from hell and a witch everyone thought was maybe bad and was talked about a fare amount in the first half of the book, suddenly drops off in the end with barely a mention. There were also some typos, misplaced words that were annoying. Colby, was also a bit unlikable.
This has an iffy HFN cliffhanger type ending. Although the main characters appear to have solved their differences and are heading the right direction, the mystery is still ongoing.
I decided to read this series after reading two short prequel stories for different characters in the Fated Mates: an MM Paranormal Romance Charity Anthology They center around a tattoo shop where witches can imbue their work to provide healing properties, protections and other charms. The MCs are Luca (a witch), Ash (a squirrel shifter policeman) and Colby (a human). The witches in the Enchanted Ink Coven mate in throuples, always one witch, one shifter and one human. Luca and Ash are already an established couple of about 6 or more years who have yet to meet their third.
The Pros
I liked the premise. A magical tattoo shop. That's cool.
I also liked alot of the supporting characters. Gideon is one of my favs. Daniel, Colby's Down Syndrome older brother is a great character. I loved how the author didn't make him overly child like. He had great moments of insight while also being playful and endearing.
The plot, when it was followed, was pretty cool too. Demons set up shop in town, opening their own tattoo shop and giving skin melting tattoos to unsuspecting humans.
The Cons
It was just too gosh darned long. There were parts that I found myself skimming through. Sex scenes that were overly long. A long explanation of how pottery works (Colby is a potter). And it seems to take too long to progress through the story. Each chapter was told from the POV of one of the three main characters. And sometimes the same scene was rehashed in separate chapters by all three. Complete overkill. Also random extra things are brought up while other things were dropped. Like one of the witches is suddenly a necromancer and can bring souls back from hell and a witch everyone thought was maybe bad and was talked about a fare amount in the first half of the book, suddenly drops off in the end with barely a mention. There were also some typos, misplaced words that were annoying. Colby, was also a bit unlikable.
This has an iffy HFN cliffhanger type ending. Although the main characters appear to have solved their differences and are heading the right direction, the mystery is still ongoing.
August 20, 2023
I liked elements of Luca, Ash, and Colby's story, but something felt weird about the ending. Let me start with the high points: Luca and Ash's relationship, the high-stakes mission to fix Colby's tattoo curse before it killed him, Colby's brother Daniel, and the introduction to the rest of the Enchanted Ink coven. I thought Colby's reaction to the paranormal world and finding out he had not one but two fated mates was very realistic, though it did get a little annoying how much he kept fighting against his connection with Luca and Ash without any real reason. I got really invested in the whole demon/cursed tattoo storyline and thought it led down some very interesting paths, and it was really cool to see how Luca's healing magic worked through his inks. I was excited to get glimpses of other coven members and their potential mates, and the suspense of not knowing if they'd ever find a cure for Colby's tattoo kept me engaged in the storyline the whole time. But towards the end, everything started feeling a bit anticlimactic. After going through a pretty intense character arc of coping with multiple kinds of loss, Luca randomly found out he may be a completely different type of witch and just.... never dealt with that at all. After weeks of intense research and digging around, the demon activity got resolved in an off-page scene that I only heard about secondhand. Even the resolution of Colby's tattoo curse felt weirdly anticlimactic after all that stress and uncertainty, and it all just made me feel a little off balance. I was feeling pretty solid about the growing romance between Ash, Colby, and Luca, but after spending so long resisting each other and fighting, it felt like they barely got together when the story was wrapping things up. I guess I was hoping to be more present in the demon takedown and get a little more closure regarding Colby's tattoo and his new relationship with Ash and Luca, but to be fair, there was so much going on in the story at that point that it may have just ended up leaving me more overwhelmed than anything.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
June 22, 2025
New Review! Only Skin Deep (Enchanted Ink #1) by @authorkelex
I love when authors pläy outside their comfort zone like I was offered this audio and I was like HELL YEAH been meaning to read that, and then immediately I was thrown into a queer mystery/suspense PNR with like SHENANIGANS right off the hop and I was like… am I really reading a Kelex book? 🤣 like bro I was NOT expecting that, but I was also NOT mad at all
The world of Enchanted Ink is FASCINATING. Witches have magical powers of different varieties, and our MC Luca is a healing witch, and uses tattoos to help people, however every tattoo’s magic’s cost must be paid, although the payment is unpredictable.
It’s a very “deal with the devil” type construct but it’s put on its head.
Witches also mate in triads, a witch, a familiar and a human. And their mate bond appears in the form of a three armed triskele tattoo. Luca has already found his familiar, a squirrel shifter/police officer named Ash and as the book opens they feel like their third is near… like they’re close to finding them and that they can’t pläy with fate lest something bad happens.
But bad things do happen, Demons impersonate Enchanted Ink and are hurting humans, cursing and killing them. When one is found near dead, Luca and Ash realize it’s their 3rd and fight to save the man named Colby, a sweet little potter with a brother who gas Down Syndrome that he’s the sole carer for.
There’s so much whump! And angst as the men nurse Colby back to life and explain their connection. They even bring the Colby’s brother, Daniel, into the mix as a part of their family. (And this is without a doubt the best written character of the entire book, he is a GEM)
There’s so much softness and sweetness to this book as Colby opens up and learns to trust his new “family” all while fighting a pack of evil demons. It’s give and take and figuring out found family in such a surprising package.
Also the sp1ce is off the charts. Like I was STOPPED in my tracks by the Seggs scenes they are emotional and witty and sweet and Oh my sweet baby lawd Jebus 🥵
Kirt did an OUTSTANDING job.
5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love when authors pläy outside their comfort zone like I was offered this audio and I was like HELL YEAH been meaning to read that, and then immediately I was thrown into a queer mystery/suspense PNR with like SHENANIGANS right off the hop and I was like… am I really reading a Kelex book? 🤣 like bro I was NOT expecting that, but I was also NOT mad at all
The world of Enchanted Ink is FASCINATING. Witches have magical powers of different varieties, and our MC Luca is a healing witch, and uses tattoos to help people, however every tattoo’s magic’s cost must be paid, although the payment is unpredictable.
It’s a very “deal with the devil” type construct but it’s put on its head.
Witches also mate in triads, a witch, a familiar and a human. And their mate bond appears in the form of a three armed triskele tattoo. Luca has already found his familiar, a squirrel shifter/police officer named Ash and as the book opens they feel like their third is near… like they’re close to finding them and that they can’t pläy with fate lest something bad happens.
But bad things do happen, Demons impersonate Enchanted Ink and are hurting humans, cursing and killing them. When one is found near dead, Luca and Ash realize it’s their 3rd and fight to save the man named Colby, a sweet little potter with a brother who gas Down Syndrome that he’s the sole carer for.
There’s so much whump! And angst as the men nurse Colby back to life and explain their connection. They even bring the Colby’s brother, Daniel, into the mix as a part of their family. (And this is without a doubt the best written character of the entire book, he is a GEM)
There’s so much softness and sweetness to this book as Colby opens up and learns to trust his new “family” all while fighting a pack of evil demons. It’s give and take and figuring out found family in such a surprising package.
Also the sp1ce is off the charts. Like I was STOPPED in my tracks by the Seggs scenes they are emotional and witty and sweet and Oh my sweet baby lawd Jebus 🥵
Kirt did an OUTSTANDING job.
5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 15, 2023
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Only Skin Deep by Kelex is the first book in a new shared world series Enchanted Ink. Luca is a healing witch who tattoos magic into people’s skin. His familiar Ash is a shifter and detective for the Salem PD. The two are excited to find their third mate online but Luca insists on letting fate bring him to their door. Unfortunately evil actions cause the three to collide. Colby knows nothing of magic but is harmed by demons who have invaded Salem. His only hope is two strangers who insist he is meant to complete their triad. With the help of Luca’s coven and Colby’s sweetheart of a brother Daniel, the three work to find a way to save Colby and start on a new adventure as a family.
I enjoyed this story overall but need to kind of bullet point out my feelings on the positives and negatives for me at least:
POSITIVES:
Daniel - enough said he was wonderful
Character development - the author took the time to really flesh out many characters in the book giving you insight into why they react and do the things they do.
Setting - I love the setting being Salem (which I am very familiar with).
Magic - the idea of magically tattooing healing images onto people is very cool and the fact that there is an entire shop dedicated to magical tattooing is awesome.
Luca - I loved him from the start with Mrs. Stephenson. His feelings about his magic were so raw and his urge to help even at his own detriment was flawed but sweet.
NEGATIVES:
Pacing - this book felt so long at times.
Ash - he felt very annoying to me. I understood his role in the triad but it didn’t keep me from rolling my eyes a few times at his actions.
Length - this is similar to pacing but I just felt that things were over detailed and fleshed at weird times and skirted over at others.
Colby - he was so wishy washy at times and mean at others. I understand his entire world had changed but he didn’t have to be mean to people who just wanted to help him.
3.0 stars for Luca, Ash and Colby establishing a new family together.
Only Skin Deep by Kelex is the first book in a new shared world series Enchanted Ink. Luca is a healing witch who tattoos magic into people’s skin. His familiar Ash is a shifter and detective for the Salem PD. The two are excited to find their third mate online but Luca insists on letting fate bring him to their door. Unfortunately evil actions cause the three to collide. Colby knows nothing of magic but is harmed by demons who have invaded Salem. His only hope is two strangers who insist he is meant to complete their triad. With the help of Luca’s coven and Colby’s sweetheart of a brother Daniel, the three work to find a way to save Colby and start on a new adventure as a family.
I enjoyed this story overall but need to kind of bullet point out my feelings on the positives and negatives for me at least:
POSITIVES:
Daniel - enough said he was wonderful
Character development - the author took the time to really flesh out many characters in the book giving you insight into why they react and do the things they do.
Setting - I love the setting being Salem (which I am very familiar with).
Magic - the idea of magically tattooing healing images onto people is very cool and the fact that there is an entire shop dedicated to magical tattooing is awesome.
Luca - I loved him from the start with Mrs. Stephenson. His feelings about his magic were so raw and his urge to help even at his own detriment was flawed but sweet.
NEGATIVES:
Pacing - this book felt so long at times.
Ash - he felt very annoying to me. I understood his role in the triad but it didn’t keep me from rolling my eyes a few times at his actions.
Length - this is similar to pacing but I just felt that things were over detailed and fleshed at weird times and skirted over at others.
Colby - he was so wishy washy at times and mean at others. I understand his entire world had changed but he didn’t have to be mean to people who just wanted to help him.
3.0 stars for Luca, Ash and Colby establishing a new family together.
August 22, 2023
4 Stars!
The author has created a highly intriguing world that I enjoyed reading about, but at times left me with questions. Most of my questions were about the cost of magic. It's brought up a lot at the beginning, but the amount of magic used later in the story suggests that maybe only certain magic had a cost. I felt a little like I was missing something major about the magic, its cost, and the payment requirements. I hope there will be more books in the series that will help flesh out the parts of the world that I didn't quite understand.
Colby has a horrific introduction to the world of magic, let alone finding out that humans aren't alone in the world. I understood his reluctance to stay with Ash and Luca to a certain extent, but he had more to consider than himself. I liked that Ash and Luca tried their best to protect Colby and his brother Daniel while giving Colby as much space as possible. I loved Daniel. He was awesome. I loved that he could see more than everyone else and how everyone accepted him. The coven members were amazing and so helpful.
Ash and Luca already were a couple, but they knew they would have a third eventually. Their openness to their fated third made it easy to see them all connecting and feeling the building bond once they found Colby. I never felt like Colby was an outsider to Ash and Lucas's already established relationship. While they all had small moments of insecurity, the way Ash and Luca were on the same page made things easier. I liked how they all found ways to connect and still gave Colby time to adjust to the new world he found himself in and accept their growing relationship.
I really hope that we get a book with Cassius soon. I am super intrigued by his arrangement with his familiar and his third. All in all, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more books in the series.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*
The author has created a highly intriguing world that I enjoyed reading about, but at times left me with questions. Most of my questions were about the cost of magic. It's brought up a lot at the beginning, but the amount of magic used later in the story suggests that maybe only certain magic had a cost. I felt a little like I was missing something major about the magic, its cost, and the payment requirements. I hope there will be more books in the series that will help flesh out the parts of the world that I didn't quite understand.
Colby has a horrific introduction to the world of magic, let alone finding out that humans aren't alone in the world. I understood his reluctance to stay with Ash and Luca to a certain extent, but he had more to consider than himself. I liked that Ash and Luca tried their best to protect Colby and his brother Daniel while giving Colby as much space as possible. I loved Daniel. He was awesome. I loved that he could see more than everyone else and how everyone accepted him. The coven members were amazing and so helpful.
Ash and Luca already were a couple, but they knew they would have a third eventually. Their openness to their fated third made it easy to see them all connecting and feeling the building bond once they found Colby. I never felt like Colby was an outsider to Ash and Lucas's already established relationship. While they all had small moments of insecurity, the way Ash and Luca were on the same page made things easier. I liked how they all found ways to connect and still gave Colby time to adjust to the new world he found himself in and accept their growing relationship.
I really hope that we get a book with Cassius soon. I am super intrigued by his arrangement with his familiar and his third. All in all, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more books in the series.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*
July 27, 2023
I've read books by Kelex before so I was really happy that they were releasing a paranormal book. Upon reading I noticed something that made this book stand out right away, and that is how Luca and Ash were already any established couple. That was interesting, and I was apprehensive on how that was going to work considering the premise of the book was them meeting their third. I was surprised by how well that type of situation worked, I liked how their relationship slowly evolved with Colby. Although, Colby was quite cruel at times, I do think that Colby, Luca, and Ash work well together.
I thought the concept behind this story was really unique and special. The background was great, the idea of there being a illusion to mimick other buildings/places, was really cool to read. Not to mention unique to this story. I almost want to say that the romance is pretty low-key in this book, don't grt me wrong, it's there... It just doesn't feel like the primary factor. Rather, the demons and the attack on mates took precedent, which I enjoyed quite a lot. I also adored each and every side character, especially Daniel! His character is so precious, and I have an extra soft spot for him cause I too love baking. So that being a extra element in this story was really awesome. As was Gideon's character, I hope at some point we will get his story. I'm so Intrigued by him.
I liked the plot, the growth of the characters, the way the MC's talked and eventually got together, (once Colby stopped fighting his feelings), I enjoyed the writing as well. One thing I will say is this almost feels like it left off on a HFN. Mainly because we don't get much answers in regards to the monsters who are cursing people. But! Having said that I'm excited for the next book to come out, which happens to be by JP Sayle. So I'm looking forward to that book! Overall really good!
I thought the concept behind this story was really unique and special. The background was great, the idea of there being a illusion to mimick other buildings/places, was really cool to read. Not to mention unique to this story. I almost want to say that the romance is pretty low-key in this book, don't grt me wrong, it's there... It just doesn't feel like the primary factor. Rather, the demons and the attack on mates took precedent, which I enjoyed quite a lot. I also adored each and every side character, especially Daniel! His character is so precious, and I have an extra soft spot for him cause I too love baking. So that being a extra element in this story was really awesome. As was Gideon's character, I hope at some point we will get his story. I'm so Intrigued by him.
I liked the plot, the growth of the characters, the way the MC's talked and eventually got together, (once Colby stopped fighting his feelings), I enjoyed the writing as well. One thing I will say is this almost feels like it left off on a HFN. Mainly because we don't get much answers in regards to the monsters who are cursing people. But! Having said that I'm excited for the next book to come out, which happens to be by JP Sayle. So I'm looking forward to that book! Overall really good!
August 11, 2023
Oh I wanted to love this one! Fated mates who just happen to be thirds, tattoos with magic imbued in them, demons and a coven in trouble – it just sounded like it would be a breakneck-paced romance with masses of passion and lust, with protectiveness thrown in and magic being thrown around to protect people. Phew!
Yeah, no – this wasn’t that. For a story that involves a third being nearly killed by a tattoo, with demons threatening to destroy much needed/desired third parties, this story lacked passion for me – which is a surprise as in order to recharge, Luca and Ash go at it quite a bit. I felt like the story got a bit lost in the people – not a lot actually happened apart from hints of another pairing, Daniel turning out to be more than just a little magical, and Colby falling under the spell of two good looking men who insisted he was sent to complete them.
We didn’t find out the underlying reason for what the demons were doing, there was no big battle, and even getting Colby to accept his new reality was nowhere near as difficult as I thought it might be. It all just felt a bit – flat? Or maybe too ‘normal’ for a story that was so heavily steeped in the paranormal.
The writing was solid, some of the characters were better written than others, and the world building/premise behind the mate-mark were really intriguing but this story just didn’t fill in enough of the blanks that I wanted to read. Perhaps further through the series, we will learn more about the background of the coven, why the demons might choose to attack the way they have and how everyone fits into this world, but at the moment I don’t think this was a satisfactory introduction to a new series and I’m not sure I’ll read any further.
I received an ARC from GRR.
Yeah, no – this wasn’t that. For a story that involves a third being nearly killed by a tattoo, with demons threatening to destroy much needed/desired third parties, this story lacked passion for me – which is a surprise as in order to recharge, Luca and Ash go at it quite a bit. I felt like the story got a bit lost in the people – not a lot actually happened apart from hints of another pairing, Daniel turning out to be more than just a little magical, and Colby falling under the spell of two good looking men who insisted he was sent to complete them.
We didn’t find out the underlying reason for what the demons were doing, there was no big battle, and even getting Colby to accept his new reality was nowhere near as difficult as I thought it might be. It all just felt a bit – flat? Or maybe too ‘normal’ for a story that was so heavily steeped in the paranormal.
The writing was solid, some of the characters were better written than others, and the world building/premise behind the mate-mark were really intriguing but this story just didn’t fill in enough of the blanks that I wanted to read. Perhaps further through the series, we will learn more about the background of the coven, why the demons might choose to attack the way they have and how everyone fits into this world, but at the moment I don’t think this was a satisfactory introduction to a new series and I’m not sure I’ll read any further.
I received an ARC from GRR.
September 4, 2023
Muddled magic
This was a bit of a hard read to get into. It started off really slow and also in the middle of things which didn't help to really explain anything. The world isn't well described, despite there being witches, shifters, and more living among humans and yet secret and yet in an open business and yet having their communities and......just not at all well laid out. Then there is already a present couple, Luca and Ash, but their connection doesn't feel strong at all. It is made clear that they are mates but waiting for their third mate, but the relationship between them just doesn't feel well established. Among all of this it gets thrown in that the third will be human but they can't seem him out or his life will be at risk, all while seeing a bit from Colby, their human mate, with a hint of some other weird magical thing going on to do with tattoos. It all felt a bit thrown together and there wasn't the ground work to make you care about the characters.
It took some time but more about the world is explained, the relationships have time to show their mettle, and the main threat finally becomes clear. From there it was a mystery as well as a race as there becomes a clear threat against not just Colby but all human mates to their coven, even when they haven't met them yet. New magic is explored and old debts are settled all while Luca and Ash try to see if they can have a life and share their love with Colby. It picked up and was more engaging, with a good lead in to some other triad matings to come in the coven. Certainly an intriguing second half and could possibly improve moving forward as a series.
This was a bit of a hard read to get into. It started off really slow and also in the middle of things which didn't help to really explain anything. The world isn't well described, despite there being witches, shifters, and more living among humans and yet secret and yet in an open business and yet having their communities and......just not at all well laid out. Then there is already a present couple, Luca and Ash, but their connection doesn't feel strong at all. It is made clear that they are mates but waiting for their third mate, but the relationship between them just doesn't feel well established. Among all of this it gets thrown in that the third will be human but they can't seem him out or his life will be at risk, all while seeing a bit from Colby, their human mate, with a hint of some other weird magical thing going on to do with tattoos. It all felt a bit thrown together and there wasn't the ground work to make you care about the characters.
It took some time but more about the world is explained, the relationships have time to show their mettle, and the main threat finally becomes clear. From there it was a mystery as well as a race as there becomes a clear threat against not just Colby but all human mates to their coven, even when they haven't met them yet. New magic is explored and old debts are settled all while Luca and Ash try to see if they can have a life and share their love with Colby. It picked up and was more engaging, with a good lead in to some other triad matings to come in the coven. Certainly an intriguing second half and could possibly improve moving forward as a series.
January 15, 2024
there is an interesting story here just got lost
I was interested in the idea of how this mystery would take shape. I also liked the idea of tattoo mages since tattooed battle mages is a favorite character archetype of mine. However, the voice and tone kept yanking me out of the story just to go “hrrrr what?” For example, never in my decades of life have I ever seen an informal meeting or gathering where someone is asked to stand up and say hello and sit down outside of say middle school. It’s weird and awkward. I read that passage to my friends and their reaction was the same. Like why? Also, and I see this a lot in romances where one of the characters has a talent or special art form I do not need to get a detailed explanation or documentary on how the process works. Using a few specialized terms is fine (kiln, drying cabinet, slip etc) but either the reader already knows enough about pottery to not need the explanation or it’s not important to the story. I mean how does knowing the stages of pottery making move the plot of demons and curses along? At times it felt like two completely separate but parallel stories were being written: one a fluffy light romance with moderate spice and more slice of life, and a second with kinky spice (tentacles, floggers, restraints) and evil murdering demons and nasty cops. Not saying the two can’t happen, but I was more invested in the fun mystery with all the dark plot than the fluffy “fated mates” instalust. I’m curious about the next step, but might take a break from this series
I was interested in the idea of how this mystery would take shape. I also liked the idea of tattoo mages since tattooed battle mages is a favorite character archetype of mine. However, the voice and tone kept yanking me out of the story just to go “hrrrr what?” For example, never in my decades of life have I ever seen an informal meeting or gathering where someone is asked to stand up and say hello and sit down outside of say middle school. It’s weird and awkward. I read that passage to my friends and their reaction was the same. Like why? Also, and I see this a lot in romances where one of the characters has a talent or special art form I do not need to get a detailed explanation or documentary on how the process works. Using a few specialized terms is fine (kiln, drying cabinet, slip etc) but either the reader already knows enough about pottery to not need the explanation or it’s not important to the story. I mean how does knowing the stages of pottery making move the plot of demons and curses along? At times it felt like two completely separate but parallel stories were being written: one a fluffy light romance with moderate spice and more slice of life, and a second with kinky spice (tentacles, floggers, restraints) and evil murdering demons and nasty cops. Not saying the two can’t happen, but I was more invested in the fun mystery with all the dark plot than the fluffy “fated mates” instalust. I’m curious about the next step, but might take a break from this series
April 19, 2024
Je n’avais jamais lu l’auteure, ses précédentes publications ne me tentant pas vraiment, en revanche le speech de celle-ci ( j’aime l’urban fantasy ) et surtout cette couverture superbe m’a donnée envie d’essayer.
Ce n’est pas une mauvaise histoire, le fil rouge de l’intrigue est intéressant ainsi que le concept de la triade avec trois espèces différentes. Le début pose les personnages , le contexte et ce qui va déclencher les événements : la réapparition des démons et les attaques contre les compagnons dont celui des protagonistes de ce tome : Luca le sorcier et Ash son familier. C’est Colby, l’humain et troisième de cette triade qui est touché.
J’ai aimé que l’auteure introduise un personnage porteur d’un handicap : Daniel, le frère de Colby. C’est le personnage le plus attachant et il illumine les dialogues par sa franchise et sa candeur. L’entourage de ce trio est important aussi et l’on sent qu’ils font tous partie intrigante du futur de cette série.
Alors, qu’est-ce qui m’a empêché de véritablement accrocher ? Le style. Franchement, je l’ai trouvé très pauvre avec une multitude de répétitions dans l’attitude des personnages . Je ne compte plus le nombre de fois où j’ai levé les yeux devant un énième : il l’embrassa sur le front de …, les larmes envahirent ses yeux… et ne parlons pas des apitoiements interminables de Colby.
Alors, c’est juste mon point de vue et mon ressenti. Que cela ne vous décourage pas de tenter ce premier tome.
Ce n’est pas une mauvaise histoire, le fil rouge de l’intrigue est intéressant ainsi que le concept de la triade avec trois espèces différentes. Le début pose les personnages , le contexte et ce qui va déclencher les événements : la réapparition des démons et les attaques contre les compagnons dont celui des protagonistes de ce tome : Luca le sorcier et Ash son familier. C’est Colby, l’humain et troisième de cette triade qui est touché.
J’ai aimé que l’auteure introduise un personnage porteur d’un handicap : Daniel, le frère de Colby. C’est le personnage le plus attachant et il illumine les dialogues par sa franchise et sa candeur. L’entourage de ce trio est important aussi et l’on sent qu’ils font tous partie intrigante du futur de cette série.
Alors, qu’est-ce qui m’a empêché de véritablement accrocher ? Le style. Franchement, je l’ai trouvé très pauvre avec une multitude de répétitions dans l’attitude des personnages . Je ne compte plus le nombre de fois où j’ai levé les yeux devant un énième : il l’embrassa sur le front de …, les larmes envahirent ses yeux… et ne parlons pas des apitoiements interminables de Colby.
Alors, c’est juste mon point de vue et mon ressenti. Que cela ne vous décourage pas de tenter ce premier tome.
August 15, 2023
Colby is a talented potter, raising his brother Daniel alone. Daniel has Down Syndrome and even though he is older, Colby is his caregiver. They are extremely close and totally in-sync. Ash, a police detective and his mate Luca, a witch and master tattooist, specializing in spelled ink have been together for a number of years. Knowing that sometime in their future they will find their third mate. They just didn’t expect him to upend their world.
I liked Luca’s ability to infuse his tattoos with magic. I’ve read other books that featured magical tattooists but I thought that Luca was unique. Daniel was a delight. His unabashed enjoyment of everyday life was refreshing.
Ash’s job as a detective didn’t have a lot of impact on the story, a few minor police bits. He just seemed to be there mostly to shore up Luca. Colby was annoying until he started to accepted that he was their third and quit being whiny. The approach to magic seemed at times to be there just to create easy answers to problems and I felt it took away from the overall impact of the story. I would of liked more backstory.
For the most part I did enjoy the book. Peripheral characters showed some promise for future stories.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
I liked Luca’s ability to infuse his tattoos with magic. I’ve read other books that featured magical tattooists but I thought that Luca was unique. Daniel was a delight. His unabashed enjoyment of everyday life was refreshing.
Ash’s job as a detective didn’t have a lot of impact on the story, a few minor police bits. He just seemed to be there mostly to shore up Luca. Colby was annoying until he started to accepted that he was their third and quit being whiny. The approach to magic seemed at times to be there just to create easy answers to problems and I felt it took away from the overall impact of the story. I would of liked more backstory.
For the most part I did enjoy the book. Peripheral characters showed some promise for future stories.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
August 18, 2023
Luca Gianni can tattoo any spell but is really good with healing spells. He needs that ability when his mate, Salem PD Detective Ash Montgomery, brings in a man suffering from a horrific curse. Luca puts everything he has into saving him as both men realize this man, Colby Kennedy, is their third. Colby, though, knows nothing about witches, shifters, and demons. He has a business and he has his brother to care for. He does not have time for this mate stuff. He is soon forced to recognize their existence if he wants to survive. The demons do not care about what he thinks and soon everything Colby holds dear is in jeopardy.
Luca, Ash and Colby make an excellent triple mating. It does not take long to fall in love with all three. Daniel, Colby’s brother, is special is more ways than one and captivates everyone. The rest of the coven is just as incredible and each has a story to tell, I am sure. The coven is united behind all of its members and want to help. The demons are something they need to work together to defeat. The action is intriguing and you cannot be sure what will happen next. A captivating plot and loveable characters make this book a keeper. If you enjoy MM romance with an exciting, tense plot, Only Skin Deep is perfect for you.
Luca, Ash and Colby make an excellent triple mating. It does not take long to fall in love with all three. Daniel, Colby’s brother, is special is more ways than one and captivates everyone. The rest of the coven is just as incredible and each has a story to tell, I am sure. The coven is united behind all of its members and want to help. The demons are something they need to work together to defeat. The action is intriguing and you cannot be sure what will happen next. A captivating plot and loveable characters make this book a keeper. If you enjoy MM romance with an exciting, tense plot, Only Skin Deep is perfect for you.
September 20, 2023
3.75 Stars
I suggest reading A Squirrel Gets His Nut in the Fated Mates Charity Anthology before reading this book. It shows how Ash and Luca got together and helped set up Only Skin Deep.
I'm not all that fond of the idea of throuples, however, the blurb piqued my interest. Ash and Luca had been together for several years now and due to a twist of fate, they finally found their third, Colby, only a curse was put on him and for some reason, Luca's magic hadn't been replenishing as it should after he tried to heal him.
I was a bit miffed by how long it took Colby to accept Luca and Ash, especially since David, his brother—who I loved to bits and stole every scene he was in—accepted them right away and considered them family. However, I will admit Luca, Ash and Colby had some chemistry and I liked them together, even if the push and pull was tiring.
I enjoyed the world-building, and I hope Cassius will get his own book, but for as long as the book was, I felt a bit let down by the unanswered questions regarding the cost of magic, which was a point the author drove many times throughout the book. Still, I have no problem recommending this book.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*
I suggest reading A Squirrel Gets His Nut in the Fated Mates Charity Anthology before reading this book. It shows how Ash and Luca got together and helped set up Only Skin Deep.
I'm not all that fond of the idea of throuples, however, the blurb piqued my interest. Ash and Luca had been together for several years now and due to a twist of fate, they finally found their third, Colby, only a curse was put on him and for some reason, Luca's magic hadn't been replenishing as it should after he tried to heal him.
I was a bit miffed by how long it took Colby to accept Luca and Ash, especially since David, his brother—who I loved to bits and stole every scene he was in—accepted them right away and considered them family. However, I will admit Luca, Ash and Colby had some chemistry and I liked them together, even if the push and pull was tiring.
I enjoyed the world-building, and I hope Cassius will get his own book, but for as long as the book was, I felt a bit let down by the unanswered questions regarding the cost of magic, which was a point the author drove many times throughout the book. Still, I have no problem recommending this book.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*
October 3, 2023
This is the first book in the Enchanted Ink series and it has left me wanting the next book right away. This is the story of Luca, Ash, and Colby. And of course Daniel. Luca is a tattoo artist and witch. He has the magical ability to heal through his tattoos. Ash is a squirrel shifter and Salem PD detective. He is also Luca's familiar. The two were happy in their relationship but they belong to a coven that usually has triads. So when Luca sees a video with Colby explaining his pottery as he makes it, Luca's mate tattoo begins to tingle. He knows that Colby is their missing piece. But Colby is human and is the sole care giver to his brother Daniel. He doesn't know about demons, witches, vampires and shifters. Being thrust into that world upends his world as he knows it. This is their story. Daniel is a ray of sunshine. People can't be around him without being drawn in and happy. In the beginning, the only thing the three have in common is their love for Daniel. Is it enough to build on when one member of the triad doesn't believe in fate? This is a well written and easy to read book. I am looking forward to book 2 of this series. I enjoyed this book.
I received a free copy from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 10, 2023
Only Skin Deep is the first book in the Enchanted Ink series, and it is one that has me curious about the future books in the series. Although there were some elements that did not fully work for me, it was an addictive story I could not put down.
The Enchanted Ink series promises to be an intriguing world, and this first book in the series certainly has me curious. I will be honest and say that there were some elements of the world that I would have liked to see explored in more detail – mostly because I felt like they were glossed over – it was not enough to lessen my enjoyment. It simply left me hoping the future books will explain these elements better. After all, what I did understand of the world was intriguing. There were lots of elements that had me hooked, wanting to find out more, and I cannot wait to see how things play out with the side characters I became hooked on. If the future books are anything like this introduction to the series, I’m positive I will be working through plenty of addictive stories that slowly feed me information that keeps me wanting more.
All in all, a fun introduction to the series. I have high hopes for what is to come.
The Enchanted Ink series promises to be an intriguing world, and this first book in the series certainly has me curious. I will be honest and say that there were some elements of the world that I would have liked to see explored in more detail – mostly because I felt like they were glossed over – it was not enough to lessen my enjoyment. It simply left me hoping the future books will explain these elements better. After all, what I did understand of the world was intriguing. There were lots of elements that had me hooked, wanting to find out more, and I cannot wait to see how things play out with the side characters I became hooked on. If the future books are anything like this introduction to the series, I’m positive I will be working through plenty of addictive stories that slowly feed me information that keeps me wanting more.
All in all, a fun introduction to the series. I have high hopes for what is to come.
August 13, 2023
Interesting ideas, fluffy package. It wants to be a fated mates book then refuses the quick solution and makes everyone miserable. The demons are practically cut-outs, appearing only long enough to make someone angry and promise to kick their ass. Daniel? No idea how well he was, sensitivity wise, but he felt like a normal character who had to ask for permission from his younger brother and provided the sunshine side of the whole equation.
It wasn't bad until the end. The (happy) ending stretched the boundaries of what should be possible/happen in a magic book, it was TOO much in every way. In fact, while I am and was very interested in the magic tattoos aspect, almost every other version of magic felt extreme, like: wake up and dress with magic, go to the kitchen to magic up breakfast, clean up with magic, portal down the freaking stairs to say hi to someone... I was willing to continue but that last bit? Gross disregard of common sense, "magic fixes all' attitude I really don't want to see more of.
It wasn't bad until the end. The (happy) ending stretched the boundaries of what should be possible/happen in a magic book, it was TOO much in every way. In fact, while I am and was very interested in the magic tattoos aspect, almost every other version of magic felt extreme, like: wake up and dress with magic, go to the kitchen to magic up breakfast, clean up with magic, portal down the freaking stairs to say hi to someone... I was willing to continue but that last bit? Gross disregard of common sense, "magic fixes all' attitude I really don't want to see more of.
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