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Forever Inked #1
Beautiful Ink
***This novel is not a cliffhanger and can be read as a standalone.***
Family.
I have tattooed that single word on more skin than I care to count. It elicits powerful thoughts and emotions for most people.
Loving. Caring.
Supportive. Togetherness.
Forever.
But not for me. The word family means so much more.
Vicious. Harmful.
Dangerous. Corrupt.
Deadly.
You can’t run forever from the ones who love you.
WARNING: This book is real, beautifully raw, and not for the faint of heart. It is the story of a young girl’s loss of innocence while growing up around a motorcycle club. It is not suitable for children under the age of seventeen due to language, sexual content, and intense subject matter. Based on true events.
Family.
I have tattooed that single word on more skin than I care to count. It elicits powerful thoughts and emotions for most people.
Loving. Caring.
Supportive. Togetherness.
Forever.
But not for me. The word family means so much more.
Vicious. Harmful.
Dangerous. Corrupt.
Deadly.
You can’t run forever from the ones who love you.
WARNING: This book is real, beautifully raw, and not for the faint of heart. It is the story of a young girl’s loss of innocence while growing up around a motorcycle club. It is not suitable for children under the age of seventeen due to language, sexual content, and intense subject matter. Based on true events.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2014
68 people are currently reading
3553 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Reed
113 books1,783 followersNicole Reed is the New York Times Bestselling Author of Ruining You. She is a true Southern girl, enjoying life with her husband and three children in the peachy state of Georgia. As a child, she discovered another world between the pages of a book. In 2012, she self-published her first book Ruining Me, and then followed it with Ruining You, Cake, and Wasted Heart. Her books have also been listed on the overall Top 100 Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestselling list. She is represented by Ginger Clark with Curtis Brown, LTD. You can follow her on Facebook www.facebook.com/authornicolereed, Twitter @nicole1reed, and her website www.nicolereedbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 580 reviews
September 21, 2017
I’ve read all of Nicole Reed’s books and I’ve enjoyed them all. Her writing style and story telling seems to suck me in every time. This story is much different than anything else she’s written, and I really liked that. The prologue sucked me in and I finished the story in a matter of 3-4 hours of straight reading!
Beautiful Ink is a raw and gritty tale of a girl on the run doing whatever it takes to stay hidden. To survive. She fears nothing... except being found.
Dying is the least of my worries. Being found would be a fate worse than death, the thought of reentering the life that I fled is my darkest nightmare. He would make my life a living hell.
Keller is a tattoo artist. She is extremely talented at what she does. She keeps to herself, doesn’t trust easily and tries not to form attachments. It’s safer that way. In another life, her name was Helen. She was just a young girl who has no control over her life. She was born into a life she didn’t choose.
Blood in and blood out.
Helen aka Keller’s story is told in flashbacks. She is currently the mysterious dark headed girl covered in tats. The girl with the secrets.
But she wasn’t always that way. She used to be a blonde girl who had hopes and dreams of getting out of the life she came from. She wanted to leave town, to go to college, but it wasn’t in the cards for her. After losing her entire family, Helen moved in with her best friend Holden. Holden is the son of the MC’s president. Hel’s dad was the VP of the MC. Helen loves Hold like a brother. He is the only person in her life that she cares for, but he loves her in a different way. Lots happens in Helen’s life that makes her realize she is stuck. And no one cares.
I want out of this life. The painful reality is that I have no one, not a single soul to cares what I want.The older she gets, the deeper she gets sucked in to the MC. Her only solace is learning to tattoo at the MC run club. Diamond is an old lady and one of the only friends she has. Holden is now her ‘boyfriend’. She’s so conflicted about him. She loves her Hold, but he’s not that guy anymore. Through a series of events, Hels is able to get out. To start over. What she’s always wanted.
Hel’s changes her name to Keller. She wants to say hidden, but she’ breaking the rules. She knows she shouldn’t be tatting. It makes her an easy target to be found. One day at the shop she meets a guy named Vin. She feels something for him she can’t explain. This is bad news. She can’t get involved with anyone. It’s much too dangerous for her and the persons involved. There is something about Vin, he is persistent. Keller and Vin become friends, and he slowly works his way into her heart.
“You deserve respect and love and everything your heart desire,” he whispers.
“You need to live your life instead of watching it pass you by.”
Keller starts to share little things about herself. It’s not safe, but she can’t help it. What happens when Keller starts to fall for someone for the first time? And when her past and present start to collide? Will Keller ever be able to fully live her life, or will her past always be there to haunt her?
I liked Helen’s character a lot. She had strength and ambition. She was protective over those she cared for and a great heroine. Vin was amazing as well. The twist with him was great. Holden was a character I had such mixed feelings about. Most people probably won’t love him, but I kind of did. I love my boys with issues and even though he made some huge mistakes, I think his heart really did lie with Helen. And he did the right thing some times.
I love MC books and I love Nicole Reed so it was a given I would read this one. I’m glad I did- I really enjoyed it! The story was interesting and it was a stand alone which is always a plus! My only real complaint is that I felt the ending was a little rushed. I would have liked a bit more of an epilogue after all that went down. Overall, this was a great read!
July 23, 2016
3.75, 4 Stars
”It blows my mind that you are raised in the lifestyle, but yet you act like you don’t know how to exist in it.”
Well I’m not really sure how to rate this story. I thought the idea was really different and there were several aspects I liked and I would read the next book in the series.
Here’s a breakdown of randomness of my thoughts…
5 Stars – All past scenes with MC Club and Holder
2 Stars – Instant love – it really didn’t work the jump seemed off. I needed more scenes leading in.
4 Stars- Plot
4 Stars- Twist
3 Stars- Ending - I'm not sure if club would care this much to find her.
Helen is a young child living in a MC Club in which her father is vice president. What made this story stand out amongst other biker books was that Helen wanted NOTHING to do with this lifestyle and after tragedy strikes she finds herself trapped even more as the future queen to her best friend Holder who will one day be the club president.
”You are in for life and he’s never going to let anyone else have you.”
”You know what I want I have always wanted. To leave here. To forget this life,” I yell in his face. “Can you give me that?”
“Anything but that,” he whispers, looking to the ground.”
I really LOVED Holder! His feelings for Helen saved her and also trapped her to a future she wanted no part of. Helen is gifted a chance to run and she grabs it, she currently working with people she considers friends and meets Vin and for the first time she doesn’t want to run to the next town.
Overall, this was a good story which didn’t sprout sunshine about living in a MC Club and a girl who wanted more.
”It blows my mind that you are raised in the lifestyle, but yet you act like you don’t know how to exist in it.”
Well I’m not really sure how to rate this story. I thought the idea was really different and there were several aspects I liked and I would read the next book in the series.
Here’s a breakdown of randomness of my thoughts…
5 Stars – All past scenes with MC Club and Holder
2 Stars – Instant love – it really didn’t work the jump seemed off. I needed more scenes leading in.
4 Stars- Plot
4 Stars- Twist
3 Stars- Ending - I'm not sure if club would care this much to find her.
Helen is a young child living in a MC Club in which her father is vice president. What made this story stand out amongst other biker books was that Helen wanted NOTHING to do with this lifestyle and after tragedy strikes she finds herself trapped even more as the future queen to her best friend Holder who will one day be the club president.
”You are in for life and he’s never going to let anyone else have you.”
”You know what I want I have always wanted. To leave here. To forget this life,” I yell in his face. “Can you give me that?”
“Anything but that,” he whispers, looking to the ground.”
I really LOVED Holder! His feelings for Helen saved her and also trapped her to a future she wanted no part of. Helen is gifted a chance to run and she grabs it, she currently working with people she considers friends and meets Vin and for the first time she doesn’t want to run to the next town.
Overall, this was a good story which didn’t sprout sunshine about living in a MC Club and a girl who wanted more.
August 16, 2016
5 BEAUTIFUL INK STARS
Known Facts about Beautiful Ink
1. COVER IS ROCKSTAR AMAZING
2. Story Knocked my socks off
3. Helen ROCKS and I LOVE HER
4. Holden I feel bad for a little.... ( just a little bit)
5. VIN I FUCKING LOVE TO DEATH
6. MC and Tattoo Parlor/ Artist in one book OMFG THE BEST EVER
7. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR MORE!!!!!!
I have been a fan of Nicole’s since her debut novel. I will literally read anything that she writes. I thrive on getting my hands on her next story as soon as she gives it to me.
I went into this book knowing only 3 things about it
1 The Name of the book
2. This teaser
3. And this teaser
Other than these 3 things I knew absolutely NOTHING about this book. Nicole succeeded in Captivating me right from the Prologue. This story is told in both the past and the present tense. Nicole does an amazing job of making sure that you fully understand what is happening and the choices that Helen has to make to stay alive.
Helen (aka Keller) works at a tattoo parlor called Screaming Ink. She keeps her past hidden and constantly is on edge with the people around her. She trusts no one to know about her past. Ginger is her only friend and even Ginger does not know about Helen’s past.
Helen is born into the life of an MC club, when her mom dies she is left to take care of her baby sister and deal with the women that her father has in his life. Those women include a nasty mean stepmother who hates Helen with a passion. Helen hides out when she can and does all she can to protect her now 5 year old sister. Helen vows to one day get away from the life she is in and to have her happily ever after.
When tragedy strikes, Helen is left to be raised by the MC’s club now president and his family, which also includes her best friend Holden. Helen has always looked to Holden as a brother and loves him so much. They spend all of their time together. As Helen gets older she hears and see’s things that she is not suppose to be noticing within the club.
She starts hanging out at the tattoo shop owned by the club and run by members. Diamond one of the member’s Old ladies takes a liking to Helen and teaches her all there is to know about tattooing and before too long Helen is tattoo and she is one of the best one’s around.
Holden son of the President of the club, he works in the clubs garage and when he turns 18 he plans on becoming a Prospect within the club and one day being the President. After all that is the life he knows has been planned out for him and with Helen by his side as his Old Lady. Only problem is, Helen does not love him the way he loves her.
One night after another near tragedy Helen is forced into becoming Holden’s woman within the club.
Things get out of control and when another tragedy strikes Helen this breaks her and she vows to get out of the life she has been dealt with.
Holden won’t leave with Helen, he knows he has to stay and live this life. He helps Helen to get away.
With Rules included.
1.She can’t Practice tattooing
2.She has to keep moving.
3.She will never, ever speak of what she knows about the club. And when they find her and she are brought back, she will be HIS.
One day while working at the shop in walks a man who wants a tattoo done. Helen’s guard instantly goes up because there is something about him and she is sensing some kind of weird connection to him.
Vin he is sexy, he is scary and Helen does not know what to think of him. After Helen tattoos him she thinks that is the last time she will see him. Little does she know it is not the last time. Vin keeps popping up and Helen has her guard fully in place, until finally Vin gets her to see that he is not a threat, or so she thinks.
As the story progress’ we find out that Vin has secrets his is not sharing either, but Helen is kind of ok with it because well she has secrets and things she has been hiding from Vin. And truth of the matter she can’t deny the feelings that are growing being with Vin.
"You deserve respect and love and everything your heart desires."
"You need to live your life instead of watching it pass you by."
When Helen’s past finally catches up with her it is Holden who is sitting in her apartment waiting for her. Helen knows that things are not going to end well for her and she has no choice but to go with Holden back to the MC Club.
Can Vin Save Helen? Will the truth finally be all out in the open? Will Helen LIVE? What will Holden do to protect the woman he loves?
I will say this if you are not a fan of Nicole’s already then I would grab this one up because I will guarantee when you are finished reading Beautiful Ink you will be a fan for sure.
Nicole, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sending this my way. You truly are one of my all time favorite authors and I have so Much MAD love for you woman. I cannot wait for the next one in this series, so get writing woman LOL
Known Facts about Beautiful Ink
1. COVER IS ROCKSTAR AMAZING
2. Story Knocked my socks off
3. Helen ROCKS and I LOVE HER
4. Holden I feel bad for a little.... ( just a little bit)
5. VIN I FUCKING LOVE TO DEATH
6. MC and Tattoo Parlor/ Artist in one book OMFG THE BEST EVER
7. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR MORE!!!!!!
I have been a fan of Nicole’s since her debut novel. I will literally read anything that she writes. I thrive on getting my hands on her next story as soon as she gives it to me.
I went into this book knowing only 3 things about it
1 The Name of the book
2. This teaser
3. And this teaser
Other than these 3 things I knew absolutely NOTHING about this book. Nicole succeeded in Captivating me right from the Prologue. This story is told in both the past and the present tense. Nicole does an amazing job of making sure that you fully understand what is happening and the choices that Helen has to make to stay alive.
Helen (aka Keller) works at a tattoo parlor called Screaming Ink. She keeps her past hidden and constantly is on edge with the people around her. She trusts no one to know about her past. Ginger is her only friend and even Ginger does not know about Helen’s past.
Helen is born into the life of an MC club, when her mom dies she is left to take care of her baby sister and deal with the women that her father has in his life. Those women include a nasty mean stepmother who hates Helen with a passion. Helen hides out when she can and does all she can to protect her now 5 year old sister. Helen vows to one day get away from the life she is in and to have her happily ever after.
When tragedy strikes, Helen is left to be raised by the MC’s club now president and his family, which also includes her best friend Holden. Helen has always looked to Holden as a brother and loves him so much. They spend all of their time together. As Helen gets older she hears and see’s things that she is not suppose to be noticing within the club.
She starts hanging out at the tattoo shop owned by the club and run by members. Diamond one of the member’s Old ladies takes a liking to Helen and teaches her all there is to know about tattooing and before too long Helen is tattoo and she is one of the best one’s around.
Holden son of the President of the club, he works in the clubs garage and when he turns 18 he plans on becoming a Prospect within the club and one day being the President. After all that is the life he knows has been planned out for him and with Helen by his side as his Old Lady. Only problem is, Helen does not love him the way he loves her.
One night after another near tragedy Helen is forced into becoming Holden’s woman within the club.
Things get out of control and when another tragedy strikes Helen this breaks her and she vows to get out of the life she has been dealt with.
Holden won’t leave with Helen, he knows he has to stay and live this life. He helps Helen to get away.
With Rules included.
1.She can’t Practice tattooing
2.She has to keep moving.
3.She will never, ever speak of what she knows about the club. And when they find her and she are brought back, she will be HIS.
One day while working at the shop in walks a man who wants a tattoo done. Helen’s guard instantly goes up because there is something about him and she is sensing some kind of weird connection to him.
Vin he is sexy, he is scary and Helen does not know what to think of him. After Helen tattoos him she thinks that is the last time she will see him. Little does she know it is not the last time. Vin keeps popping up and Helen has her guard fully in place, until finally Vin gets her to see that he is not a threat, or so she thinks.
As the story progress’ we find out that Vin has secrets his is not sharing either, but Helen is kind of ok with it because well she has secrets and things she has been hiding from Vin. And truth of the matter she can’t deny the feelings that are growing being with Vin.
"You deserve respect and love and everything your heart desires."
"You need to live your life instead of watching it pass you by."
When Helen’s past finally catches up with her it is Holden who is sitting in her apartment waiting for her. Helen knows that things are not going to end well for her and she has no choice but to go with Holden back to the MC Club.
Can Vin Save Helen? Will the truth finally be all out in the open? Will Helen LIVE? What will Holden do to protect the woman he loves?
I will say this if you are not a fan of Nicole’s already then I would grab this one up because I will guarantee when you are finished reading Beautiful Ink you will be a fan for sure.
Nicole, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sending this my way. You truly are one of my all time favorite authors and I have so Much MAD love for you woman. I cannot wait for the next one in this series, so get writing woman LOL
April 25, 2014
Hold
Hels
Vin
Keller
April 3, 2015
4 STARS out of 5
Genre: Romance- New Adult MC Romance
Quick Review
I looooved Keller aka Helen! LOVED HER! Keller is an artist. A tattoo artist, she grew up in the MC culture, her father is the President of Hell's MC's. It seems that it was always expected for her to become an old lady to Holden, her childhood friend. In fact, Holden is her best friend. All Keller really wants is to get far away from Hell's MC's. FAR. AWAY.
Unfortunately the possibility of her being able to walk away is slim to none. Keller knows things...Information that could bring down Hell's...and Ward, Holden's father. He is NOT having that.
Blood in, blood out.
Thoughts
If you enjoy MC books give this one a try! The plot is sure to hold your attention.It's a quick read, it has a few twists, a few not so fun surprises, some scary men and then there is always that one chick you wanna smack the s#it out of.
For those who want to know about POV-Cheating-Love Triangle
Genre: Romance- New Adult MC Romance
Quick Review
I looooved Keller aka Helen! LOVED HER! Keller is an artist. A tattoo artist, she grew up in the MC culture, her father is the President of Hell's MC's. It seems that it was always expected for her to become an old lady to Holden, her childhood friend. In fact, Holden is her best friend. All Keller really wants is to get far away from Hell's MC's. FAR. AWAY.
Unfortunately the possibility of her being able to walk away is slim to none. Keller knows things...Information that could bring down Hell's...and Ward, Holden's father. He is NOT having that.
Blood in, blood out.
Thoughts
If you enjoy MC books give this one a try! The plot is sure to hold your attention.It's a quick read, it has a few twists, a few not so fun surprises, some scary men and then there is always that one chick you wanna smack the s#it out of.
For those who want to know about POV-Cheating-Love Triangle
April 25, 2014
It's official.. Nicole Reed is a genius. I fell in love with her writing in her first series, The Ruining Series, and since then her writing has got better and better. Beautiful Ink was out of this world. The writing was flawless, the characters were interesting and the story was captivating. I was glued from start to finish. It has been a long time since I have fallen in love with a book and its characters, but I did, 100% with this book.
CHILLS. I hadn't even got to the story, just the dedication, and Nicole had already given me chills. I knew immediately that there was no way I wouldn't love this book. And then I read the prologue and I knew I was done for.. I couldn't wait to carry on and just devour the whole thing. This book takes all sorts of things I love, throws them together, and takes you on one of the most amazing rides. We've got an MC club, a tattoo artist, a hero coming along to save said tattoo artist and a whole lot of twists and turns. I loved it!
"Diamond showed me the beauty that lies within the art of tattooing. If you respect the magic, appreciate the art, and forge yourself in the blood, a piece of your soul lives with another."
It's so hard to talk about this book and the storyline without giving too much away. Nicole has created a story that has so many twists and turns that giving away part of it, would reveal a whole lot of the other parts. What I can say is that the way in which she has told this story is just clever. We have mixtures of past and present, different sets of characters, and we are always wondering if and when the past will catch up to the present, with everybody in one place. It was edge-of-your-seat stuff.
I loved every single character in this book and often felt myself torn over whether I should in fact like this character or that. There were 'bad guys', the ones we were meant to like and the ones we couldn't help but love, regardless of their actions. The situations these characters found themselves in were, at times, heart breaking. Not one person had an easy time in this book and Nicole really showed that. There were no easy choices for the characters to make.
I am so looking forward to the rest of this series, whatever those books may be about. Whether they are about the same characters, or some of the secondary characters, then I know I am going to love it just as much. Nicole's writing and story telling ability is out of this world and I feel so lucky to be reading it.
*ARC provided by author in turn for an honest review.*
"This is for those who carry a piece of their soul inked out lovingly on their skin."
CHILLS. I hadn't even got to the story, just the dedication, and Nicole had already given me chills. I knew immediately that there was no way I wouldn't love this book. And then I read the prologue and I knew I was done for.. I couldn't wait to carry on and just devour the whole thing. This book takes all sorts of things I love, throws them together, and takes you on one of the most amazing rides. We've got an MC club, a tattoo artist, a hero coming along to save said tattoo artist and a whole lot of twists and turns. I loved it!
"Diamond showed me the beauty that lies within the art of tattooing. If you respect the magic, appreciate the art, and forge yourself in the blood, a piece of your soul lives with another."
It's so hard to talk about this book and the storyline without giving too much away. Nicole has created a story that has so many twists and turns that giving away part of it, would reveal a whole lot of the other parts. What I can say is that the way in which she has told this story is just clever. We have mixtures of past and present, different sets of characters, and we are always wondering if and when the past will catch up to the present, with everybody in one place. It was edge-of-your-seat stuff.
I loved every single character in this book and often felt myself torn over whether I should in fact like this character or that. There were 'bad guys', the ones we were meant to like and the ones we couldn't help but love, regardless of their actions. The situations these characters found themselves in were, at times, heart breaking. Not one person had an easy time in this book and Nicole really showed that. There were no easy choices for the characters to make.
"You deserve respect and love and everything your heart desires."
"You need to live your life instead of watching it pass you by."
I am so looking forward to the rest of this series, whatever those books may be about. Whether they are about the same characters, or some of the secondary characters, then I know I am going to love it just as much. Nicole's writing and story telling ability is out of this world and I feel so lucky to be reading it.
*ARC provided by author in turn for an honest review.*
May 6, 2014
3.5 stars
Hopefully, and I really do mean it, I will find time to review Beautiful Ink properly, if not though, I recommend it, so if you are hesitating go grab it!
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Hopefully, and I really do mean it, I will find time to review Beautiful Ink properly, if not though, I recommend it, so if you are hesitating go grab it!
FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON:
September 16, 2015
OMG this book broke me.
It starts off with Helen getting a beating and not just any but a crucial one from the man she has loved all her life, her best friend. Now you are probably wondering why?
Then the story starts, the novel goes back and forth to the past and to current events.
Helen was born into the MC, but she wasn't really around it though. Her father was the VP and her best friend, Holden's father was the President.
Her mother passed when she was around 7 and her dad remarried the with of hell, her dad was a drinker, and barely around so mostly she took care of her 5 year old sister (7 years younger than her) and spent time with her best friend Holden.
One night she loses her father and little sister to a fire, which leaves her with no family. Holden's family step up, but they have plans for Helen.
We see Helen slowly growing up, Holden too.. she loves him like a brother and he has other ideas.. She doesn't want this life, and this is the only life he knows and wants..
So bla blah blah Holden and her turn things into a relationship, he loves her fully and deeply and she is only bidding her time.
Then one day Holden surprises her and tells her to run, and she runs however everything good comes to an end.
She fell in love with someone so completely different., clean cut from her, but he too is holding secrets.
And then what happens when the MC you have been running from finally catches up. Go back to the beginning where the beatings started.. wow..
I had mixed feelings about Helen, I felt Holden sacrificed lot. However she always told him this wasn't a life she wanted, so I can't blame her for running. I just saw so much good in Holden. I thought maybe she could come around and love it. Even after the beating which really saved her life, I still kinda had hopes for him, because he did put her first.
April 21, 2014
After reading the Prologue, my exact words were Holy Shit!! I could not wait to devour the rest of this book. As I love MC books, this one was so much more. Not only does Nicole show us the ins and outs of being born into the life, she shows what could totally happen in a MC today and the sacrifices one would encounter.
As the story unfolds Keller must learn to deal with tragedy, heart break, hate, love and rediscover. You will find you can not put the book down. My fingers were itching to turn the page. I shed a few tears and thought my heart was breaking too. Each character plays their part to perfection. You will fall in love with a few of them but hate more of them.
It was truly an amazing read and I would recommend it. If you are not sure about reading an MC book then totally read this one, Hell read this one no matter what!!
As the story unfolds Keller must learn to deal with tragedy, heart break, hate, love and rediscover. You will find you can not put the book down. My fingers were itching to turn the page. I shed a few tears and thought my heart was breaking too. Each character plays their part to perfection. You will fall in love with a few of them but hate more of them.
It was truly an amazing read and I would recommend it. If you are not sure about reading an MC book then totally read this one, Hell read this one no matter what!!
April 26, 2014
My first Nicole Reed book and omg I loved it! Excitement, gritty, raw, danger, and love - who could ask for more in a book?! Review to come!!!
____________________________
updated 4/26
Admittedly I have been DYING to read a book by Nicole Reed and my first MC (motorcycle club) book so Beautiful Ink couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. What a great introduction to a new author to me as well as a genre that I am now addicted to and can’t wait to read more about!
This book has everything you look for in your next great read – excitement, danger, a cast of characters you can’t get enough of and most importantly love. I could not put this book down for one second, and when I did, my mind was constantly thinking about it and what would happen next —it was THAT good!
The opening prologue is so intense that I catch myself biting my lip and holding my breath from the agonizing pain….this prologue sets the stage for a book that introduced me to the life inside a biker club, a brotherhood, a family so intense and passionate and protective about their beliefs that it created such an unforgettable experience for me.
Without revealing too much of this book as I feel that you should go in and experience it as I did, we have our main heroine Helen (aka Keller) who grew up and was forced into this family beyond her control. Growing up in such an environment and experiencing everything she did created such hate in her heart for a boy who she once considered her brother (and sometimes more) and a family she never wanted to be a part of.
I completely enjoyed the alternating POV’s from past and present, each adding such depth and layers to the story, allowing us to really get to know and understand the characters, their actions and the story itself.
I admired Keller and her strength of character, running away from her past and wanting to start a new life, with the fear of always being found and brought back to a life she doesn’t want. I don’t know that I could ever face that fear. I enjoyed watching her grow to trust and rediscover herself, allowing new people into her life, something that she so deserved with her innocence and childhood being taken away from her.
And yes there is love in this book but Keller will have to decide if she will ever be able to trust again, if loving someone is worth the potential risk and if she deserves this kind of love in her life. You will have to read this book to find out the outcome of her story ❤️
My emotions were all over the place while reading Beautiful Ink – I was scared, crying, happy, filled with mistrust and suspicion. I was constantly thinking, coming up with different theories and scenarios and yet Ms. Reed was still able to surprise me, shock me and keep me on the edge of my seat with want.
Beautiful Ink was so well written and completely captivating….Ms. Reed has found a new fan in me and I hope beyond hope that she will write more about these characters and secondary characters as days later, I am still thinking about them wanting more of the excitement and thrills and chills that this book gave me. And yes, though I know I was supposed to hate some people, I couldn’t help but NOT hate them, I actually liked them and I do hope that happiness can be found for all as deep down inside, I know that goodness was present, sacrifices were made out of love and in life, people can redeem themselves and have a second chance at finding their happy…(hint hint Nicole!!!)
I LOVED IT – I can’t stress this enough! Thank you so much Nicole and I look forward to much much more from you!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
____________________________
updated 4/26
Admittedly I have been DYING to read a book by Nicole Reed and my first MC (motorcycle club) book so Beautiful Ink couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. What a great introduction to a new author to me as well as a genre that I am now addicted to and can’t wait to read more about!
This book has everything you look for in your next great read – excitement, danger, a cast of characters you can’t get enough of and most importantly love. I could not put this book down for one second, and when I did, my mind was constantly thinking about it and what would happen next —it was THAT good!
The opening prologue is so intense that I catch myself biting my lip and holding my breath from the agonizing pain….this prologue sets the stage for a book that introduced me to the life inside a biker club, a brotherhood, a family so intense and passionate and protective about their beliefs that it created such an unforgettable experience for me.
Without revealing too much of this book as I feel that you should go in and experience it as I did, we have our main heroine Helen (aka Keller) who grew up and was forced into this family beyond her control. Growing up in such an environment and experiencing everything she did created such hate in her heart for a boy who she once considered her brother (and sometimes more) and a family she never wanted to be a part of.
I completely enjoyed the alternating POV’s from past and present, each adding such depth and layers to the story, allowing us to really get to know and understand the characters, their actions and the story itself.
I admired Keller and her strength of character, running away from her past and wanting to start a new life, with the fear of always being found and brought back to a life she doesn’t want. I don’t know that I could ever face that fear. I enjoyed watching her grow to trust and rediscover herself, allowing new people into her life, something that she so deserved with her innocence and childhood being taken away from her.
And yes there is love in this book but Keller will have to decide if she will ever be able to trust again, if loving someone is worth the potential risk and if she deserves this kind of love in her life. You will have to read this book to find out the outcome of her story ❤️
My emotions were all over the place while reading Beautiful Ink – I was scared, crying, happy, filled with mistrust and suspicion. I was constantly thinking, coming up with different theories and scenarios and yet Ms. Reed was still able to surprise me, shock me and keep me on the edge of my seat with want.
Beautiful Ink was so well written and completely captivating….Ms. Reed has found a new fan in me and I hope beyond hope that she will write more about these characters and secondary characters as days later, I am still thinking about them wanting more of the excitement and thrills and chills that this book gave me. And yes, though I know I was supposed to hate some people, I couldn’t help but NOT hate them, I actually liked them and I do hope that happiness can be found for all as deep down inside, I know that goodness was present, sacrifices were made out of love and in life, people can redeem themselves and have a second chance at finding their happy…(hint hint Nicole!!!)
I LOVED IT – I can’t stress this enough! Thank you so much Nicole and I look forward to much much more from you!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
April 27, 2014
4.5 Stars
Keller is a tattoo artist as Screaming Ink. She’s also hiding, from things that go bump in the night. Horrible people that will always look for Helen. The person she used to be.
My secrets are held tightly within. The life I now fight for and the lives of others depend on my continued silence.
She’s been running for 4 years, but for the last year she has been doing ink at Malik’s site. She gave him the spiel about running from an abusive husband. Every night she takes her supplies and tools with her in her rolling suitcase, never knowing if she will have to leave again in a hurry.
Her own skin is inked;
My skin has been marked in two ways: freely and by force. Both were life changing experiences. One should have scarred me, forever branding my with hatred for this passion of ink and art, but instead showed me the beauty of choosing living artwork.
When she was a child, her father was VP of the Hell’s Highwaymen MC. Her mother died a few months after her little sister Tara was born. Then her dad got a new old lady, presumably from hell. Because she treated Keller like crap. Until she did something really stupid and then Helen lost everything because of her. Her best friend Holden was the only family she had left. He and his mother, Sage, took her in. But as they get older, Holden gets more involved with the MC and that becomes his focus.
A chain of events, like falling dominoes, has led Helen to her new life as Keller. Although Malik would like to be more than her boss, she keeps him at arms’ length away. It’s easier to be alone. Until He shows up, looking to ink his virgin skin.
“Where do you want it”” I glance directly into those eyes of his. “On the left side of my chest,” he answers, not hesitating for a second. “Over my heart.”
Keller does her best to avoid Vin, the guy who she just tattooed. He tried to ask her out, but she shot him down. But she kept help running into him. He tells her that he shares his grandfather’s passion for restoring old houses, and that’s how he makes his living. She avoids questions about herself.
“I want to get to know you-that’s all I am asking. No more, no less. I have never met a more infuriating human being, much less a woman, who didn’t want to talk about herself. You really must be missing that gene, which I must be crazy for even mentioning.”
The story is told in a series of flashbacks. Keller's youth, and her teenage years are filled with the MC. A vicious incident that happened to her sealed her fate as being a permanent part of the MC when she was just 14. That’s the time she started to realize how Holden had change, and how much influence his father Ward, held over him. Marking her as part of that memorable night, scarred her soul as well as her body.
“Blood in and blood out.”
As she and Vin get a little closer, she shares just a little of herself.
“That is really a sad story,” he says, acting like he’s crying. “No, it’s not. It’s supposed to be a happy story of how my art travels to all these different places.” The truth is that I don’t have a real license or passport to be able to travel anywhere, not to mention the funds.
But there are things about Vin, secretive things that send up flags for Keller.
“There are certain things that we don’t know about each other. And second, those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones,” he says.
But as hard as Vin seems to try to stay away from her, he isn’t able to. There are a maelstrom of flashbacks that bombard Keller constantly. Once Holden claimed her as his own, any guy that talked to her had a death wish. Everyone in the MC kept their eyes on her, and she was virtually a prisoner, her only outlet was the local tattoo place where she worked. That was her freedom, inking customers and getting ink on herself. But she tries to overcome all those old memories, and she wants Vin, even though he is reluctant to go that next step with her.
“This will be the only thing between us that isn’t filled with lies. When we are together like this, you will be mine-body and soul. Agreed, Keller?”
“Anyone special you aren’t being forthcoming about? Should I be worried about a jealous boyfriend? So is there someone going to cut off my hands for touching you?” “No one,” I whisper. “No one is going to kill me? Because I would. After being inside you, the thought of anyone else touching you enrages me," he says.
But the devil has his price and he always wants to be paid. Keller’s past is going to collide with her present and the secrets she knows about and the ones she is clueless about are all going to come spilling out. Who will be the last one standing on the day of reckoning?
I loved this book! I am partial to MC romances, but this one-it kicks it up a notch. Keller’s past is so laden with violence and the things that she has seen and had done to her and those around her….broke my heart. She has tried so hard to make a new life for herself, but every dog has its day and it was only a matter of time until it all caught up with her…and the twist with Vin-pure magic!!
“You deserve respect and love and everything your heart desire,” he whispers. “You need to live your life instead of watching it pass you by.”
Keller is a tattoo artist as Screaming Ink. She’s also hiding, from things that go bump in the night. Horrible people that will always look for Helen. The person she used to be.
My secrets are held tightly within. The life I now fight for and the lives of others depend on my continued silence.
She’s been running for 4 years, but for the last year she has been doing ink at Malik’s site. She gave him the spiel about running from an abusive husband. Every night she takes her supplies and tools with her in her rolling suitcase, never knowing if she will have to leave again in a hurry.
Her own skin is inked;
My skin has been marked in two ways: freely and by force. Both were life changing experiences. One should have scarred me, forever branding my with hatred for this passion of ink and art, but instead showed me the beauty of choosing living artwork.
When she was a child, her father was VP of the Hell’s Highwaymen MC. Her mother died a few months after her little sister Tara was born. Then her dad got a new old lady, presumably from hell. Because she treated Keller like crap. Until she did something really stupid and then Helen lost everything because of her. Her best friend Holden was the only family she had left. He and his mother, Sage, took her in. But as they get older, Holden gets more involved with the MC and that becomes his focus.
A chain of events, like falling dominoes, has led Helen to her new life as Keller. Although Malik would like to be more than her boss, she keeps him at arms’ length away. It’s easier to be alone. Until He shows up, looking to ink his virgin skin.
“Where do you want it”” I glance directly into those eyes of his. “On the left side of my chest,” he answers, not hesitating for a second. “Over my heart.”
Keller does her best to avoid Vin, the guy who she just tattooed. He tried to ask her out, but she shot him down. But she kept help running into him. He tells her that he shares his grandfather’s passion for restoring old houses, and that’s how he makes his living. She avoids questions about herself.
“I want to get to know you-that’s all I am asking. No more, no less. I have never met a more infuriating human being, much less a woman, who didn’t want to talk about herself. You really must be missing that gene, which I must be crazy for even mentioning.”
The story is told in a series of flashbacks. Keller's youth, and her teenage years are filled with the MC. A vicious incident that happened to her sealed her fate as being a permanent part of the MC when she was just 14. That’s the time she started to realize how Holden had change, and how much influence his father Ward, held over him. Marking her as part of that memorable night, scarred her soul as well as her body.
“Blood in and blood out.”
As she and Vin get a little closer, she shares just a little of herself.
“That is really a sad story,” he says, acting like he’s crying. “No, it’s not. It’s supposed to be a happy story of how my art travels to all these different places.” The truth is that I don’t have a real license or passport to be able to travel anywhere, not to mention the funds.
But there are things about Vin, secretive things that send up flags for Keller.
“There are certain things that we don’t know about each other. And second, those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones,” he says.
But as hard as Vin seems to try to stay away from her, he isn’t able to. There are a maelstrom of flashbacks that bombard Keller constantly. Once Holden claimed her as his own, any guy that talked to her had a death wish. Everyone in the MC kept their eyes on her, and she was virtually a prisoner, her only outlet was the local tattoo place where she worked. That was her freedom, inking customers and getting ink on herself. But she tries to overcome all those old memories, and she wants Vin, even though he is reluctant to go that next step with her.
“This will be the only thing between us that isn’t filled with lies. When we are together like this, you will be mine-body and soul. Agreed, Keller?”
“Anyone special you aren’t being forthcoming about? Should I be worried about a jealous boyfriend? So is there someone going to cut off my hands for touching you?” “No one,” I whisper. “No one is going to kill me? Because I would. After being inside you, the thought of anyone else touching you enrages me," he says.
But the devil has his price and he always wants to be paid. Keller’s past is going to collide with her present and the secrets she knows about and the ones she is clueless about are all going to come spilling out. Who will be the last one standing on the day of reckoning?
I loved this book! I am partial to MC romances, but this one-it kicks it up a notch. Keller’s past is so laden with violence and the things that she has seen and had done to her and those around her….broke my heart. She has tried so hard to make a new life for herself, but every dog has its day and it was only a matter of time until it all caught up with her…and the twist with Vin-pure magic!!
“You deserve respect and love and everything your heart desire,” he whispers. “You need to live your life instead of watching it pass you by.”
March 1, 2015
What happens when you’re born into the life you don’t want any part of? For Helen, she always knew the answer. Escape. Beautiful Ink is the story of one girl named Helen who escapes into the world and becomes another, Keller. The story pivots from present to her past as key elements unfold.
For Helen, life changed when she lost one family only to be thrust upon another. She had Holden and as long as she had him it would okay. They could escape this life, but Hold can’t escape what is expected to be his one day. As the son of the club President, Hold knows his place and he’s know that the little girl that holds his hand while he sleeps will be the one he wants at his side.
For Keller, life on the run gets tiring. She knows that she’s tempting fate by staying too long and for working at the tattoo shop, but after walking away from everything else in her life, she can’t leave the ink, the art behind. She thought she was being safe and smart, but when she meets Vin everything begins to change. Everything about her life has been lies and secrets since she made her escape. But Vin sees more than anyone before and for the first time Keller is tempted to bare her soul, even if it could end up killing them both.
While reading this I felt like I was reading two different stories, I didn’t want to Keller’s past to be those glimpses we saw of Helen. I wanted more for her, I wanted her to be able to grab hold of Vin and ride off into the sunset. But it wasn’t all about Vin. I wanted Hold to get what he wanted, just not at the expense of Helen (or Keller).
I have enjoyed the prior books from this author and always find myself easily drawn into the story she creates. There is an ease to the feel of it. The way the characters latch on without you even realizing it. There wasn’t a major surprise to the twist of the story for me, but it took absolutely nothing away from the story for me. I think most of the surprises that really made this book came from Hold. I could not help but fall in love with this character. I don’t care what he did, he was all kinds of fucked up and perfect.
The only thing that kept this from being a five star was that the ending just missed the mark for me. I wanted some type of epilogue or event he final scenes to be drawn out a little bit longer. The ending just felt a little abrupt and I wasn't ready to stop reading.
I am a fan of biker books and although this story does feature a MC, I loved the different spin of the typical MC read. I am looking forward to the next book, hoping it is the story I think it might be!
For Helen, life changed when she lost one family only to be thrust upon another. She had Holden and as long as she had him it would okay. They could escape this life, but Hold can’t escape what is expected to be his one day. As the son of the club President, Hold knows his place and he’s know that the little girl that holds his hand while he sleeps will be the one he wants at his side.
For Keller, life on the run gets tiring. She knows that she’s tempting fate by staying too long and for working at the tattoo shop, but after walking away from everything else in her life, she can’t leave the ink, the art behind. She thought she was being safe and smart, but when she meets Vin everything begins to change. Everything about her life has been lies and secrets since she made her escape. But Vin sees more than anyone before and for the first time Keller is tempted to bare her soul, even if it could end up killing them both.
While reading this I felt like I was reading two different stories, I didn’t want to Keller’s past to be those glimpses we saw of Helen. I wanted more for her, I wanted her to be able to grab hold of Vin and ride off into the sunset. But it wasn’t all about Vin. I wanted Hold to get what he wanted, just not at the expense of Helen (or Keller).
I have enjoyed the prior books from this author and always find myself easily drawn into the story she creates. There is an ease to the feel of it. The way the characters latch on without you even realizing it. There wasn’t a major surprise to the twist of the story for me, but it took absolutely nothing away from the story for me. I think most of the surprises that really made this book came from Hold. I could not help but fall in love with this character. I don’t care what he did, he was all kinds of fucked up and perfect.
The only thing that kept this from being a five star was that the ending just missed the mark for me. I wanted some type of epilogue or event he final scenes to be drawn out a little bit longer. The ending just felt a little abrupt and I wasn't ready to stop reading.
I am a fan of biker books and although this story does feature a MC, I loved the different spin of the typical MC read. I am looking forward to the next book, hoping it is the story I think it might be!
August 25, 2016
Book Gifted for Honest Review
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Honestly, I really don't know where to start with this review... I have so many thoughts, so many emotions going around in my head at the moment and part of me feels that even if I do put pen to paper, firstly, I won't do this book any justice and secondly, it will probably sound like a garbled mess. It's been along time since a book got under my skin, the story wrapping itself around my heart but "Beautiful Ink" did that...it did all that and more and giving it 5 stars just doesn't seem enough. Keller's story was real, it was beautiful, it was powerful but most importantly it made me feel.
I guess my biggest conflict came with Hold's character. I wanted to hate him... my head was telling me I should. I mean some of his actions... but there was another side to this man. He was so torn between right and wrong, loyalty and betrayal, love and hate, heart and mind and I felt every ounce of his struggle, his suffering evident in his behaviour. My heart truly hurt for him... for the child he had once been and the man he had become.
So who did end up getting the hate card? Well, for those of you expecting a MC romance think again because it was this aspect of the story that filled me with rage. There were no hearts and flowers, no happily ever afters. Instead I got biker culture in its rawest form and it made me sick to my stomach. The brothers and old ladies filled me with so much revulsion, so much disgust, I wondered how I could ever have seen a romantic side to this lifestyle!!! Gah... the joys of fiction!!!
"Beautiful Ink" was told from the past and present.. the past bringing the pain, heart ache and angst and the present giving me a sense of hope. But as the dates of the past and present chapters ebbed ever closer together, a nervousness settled in the pit of my stomach. I knew at some point I would come face to face with the prologue again!! I wanted to stop time, put my kindle in the freezer, I wanted this book to be a complete work of fiction and not based on true events because in real life, not everyone gets their Happily Ever After and this book gave me no clue as to the direction it was going to take... time to don the big girl panties!!!
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Honestly, I really don't know where to start with this review... I have so many thoughts, so many emotions going around in my head at the moment and part of me feels that even if I do put pen to paper, firstly, I won't do this book any justice and secondly, it will probably sound like a garbled mess. It's been along time since a book got under my skin, the story wrapping itself around my heart but "Beautiful Ink" did that...it did all that and more and giving it 5 stars just doesn't seem enough. Keller's story was real, it was beautiful, it was powerful but most importantly it made me feel.
My skin has been marked in two ways: freely and by force. Both were life changing experiences. One should have scarred me, forever branding me with hatred for this passion of ink and art,but instead showed me the beauty of choosing living artwork.There were so many aspects to "Beautiful Ink" that held my attention but I'm trying so hard not to delve into them because I truly don't want to spoil this book for you. You know that saying... less is more... well in the case of "Beautiful Ink," that couldn't be truer. I'm so glad the synopsis gave very little away because the journey you embark on with Keller will take you on the mother of all emotional roller coaster rides and to go into the story relatively blind will only enhance your enjoyment of the book. Trust me, I never knew what was coming from one page to the next, right up until the very end, I held my breath, my heart beating ten to the dozen waiting for certain aspects of the story line to catch up. I couldn't have predicted it in a million years... and I thank my lucky stars for that!!!
Dying is the least of my worries. Being found would be a fate worse than death,the thought of reentering that life that I fled my darkest nightmare. He would make my life a living hell.The various characters in "Beautiful Ink" elicited so many mixed emotions from me. Some I loved, some I absolutely, unequivocally hated and some left me 100% conflicted. But it was Keller's character that brought me to tears.... her strength, her resilience, her bravery, her fighting spirit was just inspirational. She made me thankful for the life I have and the choices I'm able to make so freely. And Vin... god did I fall hard for this man. He was my ray of light in a story filled with so much pain.
"You deserve respect and love and everything your heart desires," he whispers. "You need to live your life instead of watching it pass you by."
I guess my biggest conflict came with Hold's character. I wanted to hate him... my head was telling me I should. I mean some of his actions... but there was another side to this man. He was so torn between right and wrong, loyalty and betrayal, love and hate, heart and mind and I felt every ounce of his struggle, his suffering evident in his behaviour. My heart truly hurt for him... for the child he had once been and the man he had become.
"You stole my entire world and I'm not sure how to live in it anymore."
So who did end up getting the hate card? Well, for those of you expecting a MC romance think again because it was this aspect of the story that filled me with rage. There were no hearts and flowers, no happily ever afters. Instead I got biker culture in its rawest form and it made me sick to my stomach. The brothers and old ladies filled me with so much revulsion, so much disgust, I wondered how I could ever have seen a romantic side to this lifestyle!!! Gah... the joys of fiction!!!
"Beautiful Ink" was told from the past and present.. the past bringing the pain, heart ache and angst and the present giving me a sense of hope. But as the dates of the past and present chapters ebbed ever closer together, a nervousness settled in the pit of my stomach. I knew at some point I would come face to face with the prologue again!! I wanted to stop time, put my kindle in the freezer, I wanted this book to be a complete work of fiction and not based on true events because in real life, not everyone gets their Happily Ever After and this book gave me no clue as to the direction it was going to take... time to don the big girl panties!!!
"Blood in and blood out.. you're fuckin' choice.Nicole Reed's "Beautiful Ink" was an amazing, thought provoking book that will stay with me for a long while. The story will touch your soul and make you thankful for everything you have... your family, your friends, your freedom. Keller's journey wasn't an easy one to follow and along the way I saw friendships lost, hearts broken and souls shattered. Was it worth it? ... absolutely. This was a powerful, emotional read that I rated 5 Brave Hearts.
But know this: it is forever now my blood that runs through your veins.
And I will drown you in it before I let you escape me again."
May 17, 2014
Okay.. I went back and forth with trying to figure out how to rate this one. On the one hand I couldn't put this book down. The way it flowed, and of course the circumstances of the main characters did draw me in. I had to know what exactly their secrets/crosses to bear, were. So in that respect, this was a good read.... On the other hand, the truth behind the mysteries here, and the final scenes were VERY anti-climactic.
The arc of the story gives you that dark tone. That feeling that something is always lurking underneath. That feeling that when things are revealed, it's gonna be scary, ugly and brutal. But sadly these things are never actually realized within the telling & reveals of the story.
The great thing about this book is that you do get a lot of back story. The 1st 60% of this novel is told with the past & present alongside one another. Broken down in each chapter (once chapter past, next chapter present) Everything is strictly in the h's POV though. Which wasn't too bad, cos there was enough dialogue with characters. So it wasn't a long repetitive monologue of her thoughts. But I have to say that the back story, past scenes, were a lot more compelling than her present tense. The present serves it's purpose for the end of the story, but I was a lot more captivated with what occurs in her past.
And I must be honest here.. Helene is a VERY selfish chick. You do get why she's this way, but how her reactions cause certain ripple effects, will make you kinda hate her for it too. I wouldn't say she's TSTL (Too Stupid To Live), but she definitely walks that fine line at times.
The only real big shocker to me was the reveal concerning Vin.. I knew something was up with him, but I honestly didn't see that coming. So I was like...
But I couldn't really feel complete with the HEA, cos it still left the impression that the heroine was still very much conflicted about her place in the MC, her life experiences there, and of course her strained relationship with Holden I say this cos in the end she's still unsure about where to place him in her world as far as her mind & heart. She's still conflicted about his actions vs. what she knows he feels for her, and the part she played in their situation to cause him to feel the way he does. Things were still very much all over the place regarding all the things that started her story in the first place. So because of this, & how utterly anti- climactic things ended, I couldn't buy into the HEA nor could I feel that things were closed and solved to some degree where closure could at least begin.
Another thing that bothered me here is the violence as far as who the club decided to dish it out to. They're ruthless right? They have their hands in stuff you don't want to know about. They deal with, on close to a daily basis other scum of society.. Tell me why they are wasting their time on bullying a straight laced football honor roll high school student? How is this young man a threat to you? If anything he was more of a small irritation. Not really a threat. So the way they decided to rectify that situation was way OTT, to me and pointless. It just felt like the author was really reaching there to make a scenario to show just how dark, & ruthless this biker club is. But it made no sense when you take into consideration just who they are and what they represent, versus this young man. Of course it has a point, I guess, but by the time you realize what that is, it comes off more as a deeply contrived plot device to move forth other things in the story, nothing more. So another "Blah" moment for me.
I will say that things between Helene, Vin, & Holden definitely has it's hot & endearing moments. I did like that.
But overall I would say this story wanted to be truly dark, gritty & raw in its reveals & characters, but sadly it just couldn't really pull that off completely. Not saying it didn't have it's moments, it does. But it's not really that deep either.
It's a decent enough MC read, though. Just a little rough around the edges as far as characters & execution, but I would recommend it.
The arc of the story gives you that dark tone. That feeling that something is always lurking underneath. That feeling that when things are revealed, it's gonna be scary, ugly and brutal. But sadly these things are never actually realized within the telling & reveals of the story.
The great thing about this book is that you do get a lot of back story. The 1st 60% of this novel is told with the past & present alongside one another. Broken down in each chapter (once chapter past, next chapter present) Everything is strictly in the h's POV though. Which wasn't too bad, cos there was enough dialogue with characters. So it wasn't a long repetitive monologue of her thoughts. But I have to say that the back story, past scenes, were a lot more compelling than her present tense. The present serves it's purpose for the end of the story, but I was a lot more captivated with what occurs in her past.
And I must be honest here.. Helene is a VERY selfish chick. You do get why she's this way, but how her reactions cause certain ripple effects, will make you kinda hate her for it too. I wouldn't say she's TSTL (Too Stupid To Live), but she definitely walks that fine line at times.
The only real big shocker to me was the reveal concerning Vin.. I knew something was up with him, but I honestly didn't see that coming. So I was like...
But I couldn't really feel complete with the HEA, cos it still left the impression that the heroine was still very much conflicted about her place in the MC, her life experiences there, and of course her strained relationship with Holden I say this cos in the end she's still unsure about where to place him in her world as far as her mind & heart. She's still conflicted about his actions vs. what she knows he feels for her, and the part she played in their situation to cause him to feel the way he does. Things were still very much all over the place regarding all the things that started her story in the first place. So because of this, & how utterly anti- climactic things ended, I couldn't buy into the HEA nor could I feel that things were closed and solved to some degree where closure could at least begin.
Another thing that bothered me here is the violence as far as who the club decided to dish it out to. They're ruthless right? They have their hands in stuff you don't want to know about. They deal with, on close to a daily basis other scum of society.. Tell me why they are wasting their time on bullying a straight laced football honor roll high school student? How is this young man a threat to you? If anything he was more of a small irritation. Not really a threat. So the way they decided to rectify that situation was way OTT, to me and pointless. It just felt like the author was really reaching there to make a scenario to show just how dark, & ruthless this biker club is. But it made no sense when you take into consideration just who they are and what they represent, versus this young man. Of course it has a point, I guess, but by the time you realize what that is, it comes off more as a deeply contrived plot device to move forth other things in the story, nothing more. So another "Blah" moment for me.
I will say that things between Helene, Vin, & Holden definitely has it's hot & endearing moments. I did like that.
But overall I would say this story wanted to be truly dark, gritty & raw in its reveals & characters, but sadly it just couldn't really pull that off completely. Not saying it didn't have it's moments, it does. But it's not really that deep either.
It's a decent enough MC read, though. Just a little rough around the edges as far as characters & execution, but I would recommend it.
April 27, 2014
**KIM'S REVIEW**
“What a sad, but lovely story. You know it, don’t you?”
“No, I don’t think I do.”
“Well, let me tell you about a brave, young girl.”
THIS BOOK…THIS FREAKIN BOOK! I don’t even know where to start! I guess from the beginning sounds good?!
Ok so as soon as I read the prologue, it had me hooked!! Now I need you to keep in mind when our blog was asked to read this ARC, we had no synopsis yet so I went into this book completely blind. When I read the prologue I was wondering if this was going to be a dark read and wasn’t completely sure. As I went on, I realized it was an MC book but with a bit of a twist. This is definitely not our typical MC story.
“I don’t want in this life anymore. I can’t live like this. I am dying inside.”
Helen aka Keller grew up with her father who just so happened to be the Vice President of an MC Club. One night she gets into a fight with her stepmother and runs to her best friend Holden’s house. When she wakes up the next day something horrible has happened and her life will never be the same.
“Blood in and blood out.”
Ever since Helen was born it was expected that one day she and Holden would eventually be the King and Queen of the MC. Holden has been in love with Helen since they were kids and wants her to want feel/want the same. However, Helen has other plans. She hates the MC lifestyle and hopes that as soon as she can she’ll run from this life and never turn back. One day she finds the out she needs and she gets the hell out of dodge. But not before making a promise that if she’s ever found she’ll return right back to the life she was meant to live.
“The type of past where you pray every damn night that the things you have witnessed and personally experienced haven’t left you irreparably broken.”
Helen was given a few rules to follow before she ran. One of them is to never stay in same place for to long. But Helen is finally sick of running and starts to settle in a place longer than she should.
“What are you doing?”
“Making you feel as alive as I do.”
One day Vin walks in ready to get his first tattoo. There is an instant attraction between them, that is hard to deny. She dismisses him that day, but he doesn’t give up on her so quickly. Helen never lets anyone in and the fact that he’s slowly getting to her starts to break down her walls. But one thing Helen should never forget is that life ain’t always what it seems and Vin has secrets of his own. And sometimes running can only get you so far until your past catches up with you.
“Better the devil you know versus the devil that you know will you without a second though.”
I loved this book! I loved it! I loved it! I loved it! Seriously around 75% I had to message Nicole to let her know just how much I did. My only possible issue would be that there is no epi. I am a BIG fan of epis and normally when a book doesn’t have one I deduct some points. BUT I loved this book so much that it’s getting a solid 5 STARS from me! While I would have loved one, I still loved the end and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. However, I may or may not be hoping for another book…just saying!! ;) I read this book with distractions in about 6 hours. I could not put it down! I may or may not have missed bringing my daughter to ballet because of it...YES, it’s that good! I am anticipating this book going live so you all can read it!! You will not be disappointed!!
“No, I would bet that your life story is etched painfully on your skin.”
“Death is not my destination, but my salvation.”
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
“What a sad, but lovely story. You know it, don’t you?”
“No, I don’t think I do.”
“Well, let me tell you about a brave, young girl.”
THIS BOOK…THIS FREAKIN BOOK! I don’t even know where to start! I guess from the beginning sounds good?!
Ok so as soon as I read the prologue, it had me hooked!! Now I need you to keep in mind when our blog was asked to read this ARC, we had no synopsis yet so I went into this book completely blind. When I read the prologue I was wondering if this was going to be a dark read and wasn’t completely sure. As I went on, I realized it was an MC book but with a bit of a twist. This is definitely not our typical MC story.
“I don’t want in this life anymore. I can’t live like this. I am dying inside.”
Helen aka Keller grew up with her father who just so happened to be the Vice President of an MC Club. One night she gets into a fight with her stepmother and runs to her best friend Holden’s house. When she wakes up the next day something horrible has happened and her life will never be the same.
“Blood in and blood out.”
Ever since Helen was born it was expected that one day she and Holden would eventually be the King and Queen of the MC. Holden has been in love with Helen since they were kids and wants her to want feel/want the same. However, Helen has other plans. She hates the MC lifestyle and hopes that as soon as she can she’ll run from this life and never turn back. One day she finds the out she needs and she gets the hell out of dodge. But not before making a promise that if she’s ever found she’ll return right back to the life she was meant to live.
“The type of past where you pray every damn night that the things you have witnessed and personally experienced haven’t left you irreparably broken.”
Helen was given a few rules to follow before she ran. One of them is to never stay in same place for to long. But Helen is finally sick of running and starts to settle in a place longer than she should.
“What are you doing?”
“Making you feel as alive as I do.”
One day Vin walks in ready to get his first tattoo. There is an instant attraction between them, that is hard to deny. She dismisses him that day, but he doesn’t give up on her so quickly. Helen never lets anyone in and the fact that he’s slowly getting to her starts to break down her walls. But one thing Helen should never forget is that life ain’t always what it seems and Vin has secrets of his own. And sometimes running can only get you so far until your past catches up with you.
“Better the devil you know versus the devil that you know will you without a second though.”
I loved this book! I loved it! I loved it! I loved it! Seriously around 75% I had to message Nicole to let her know just how much I did. My only possible issue would be that there is no epi. I am a BIG fan of epis and normally when a book doesn’t have one I deduct some points. BUT I loved this book so much that it’s getting a solid 5 STARS from me! While I would have loved one, I still loved the end and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. However, I may or may not be hoping for another book…just saying!! ;) I read this book with distractions in about 6 hours. I could not put it down! I may or may not have missed bringing my daughter to ballet because of it...YES, it’s that good! I am anticipating this book going live so you all can read it!! You will not be disappointed!!
“No, I would bet that your life story is etched painfully on your skin.”
“Death is not my destination, but my salvation.”
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2014
SOLID 4.5 STARS!!!
First off, I LOVE the cover. The girl looks like Naya Rivera. She has tattoos and she looks bad ass. And me being me....I was sold just looking at the cover. Then it's about MCs which I adore (I'm a big SOA fan) and love. And Ward and Sage reminds me a lot of Clay and Gemma. Especially Sage all sweet on the outside but really a bitch when it comes to her "family." I was hooked with the story....started reading it today and look I'm through with it. This was just so so so so good.
I love the story. The complexities of it. The friendship between Holden and Helen and how deep their love runs through, although it was a different kind of love for each of them. Holden being Helen/Keller's protector since she was a kid. He being in love with her since they were kids. How much he sacrificed for his love for her. Yes, I know what he did to Helen towards the end was wrong. But there was no doubt he loved her. The all consuming type of love. That in the end I really felt bad for him. I do believe Helen loved him at some point. Well, it was more lust than love. And the need to please her MC family and put up a facade in order for her to escape in the end. And God, when Holden made her escape.....God it just broke my f*cking heart....to pieces......gah! Sorry guys, am a Holden fan. If not for his MC family being a pain in the ass all the time, maybe he and Helen would have a chance.
So why I didn't give it a full 5 star rating? I just felt that Helen and Luke got off easily, but hey I guess there's a second book. So, I don't think the running is through.
I though Luke but I guess both of my guesses were wrong. Oh well!
First off, I LOVE the cover. The girl looks like Naya Rivera. She has tattoos and she looks bad ass. And me being me....I was sold just looking at the cover. Then it's about MCs which I adore (I'm a big SOA fan) and love. And Ward and Sage reminds me a lot of Clay and Gemma. Especially Sage all sweet on the outside but really a bitch when it comes to her "family." I was hooked with the story....started reading it today and look I'm through with it. This was just so so so so good.
I love the story. The complexities of it. The friendship between Holden and Helen and how deep their love runs through, although it was a different kind of love for each of them. Holden being Helen/Keller's protector since she was a kid. He being in love with her since they were kids. How much he sacrificed for his love for her. Yes, I know what he did to Helen towards the end was wrong. But there was no doubt he loved her. The all consuming type of love. That in the end I really felt bad for him. I do believe Helen loved him at some point. Well, it was more lust than love. And the need to please her MC family and put up a facade in order for her to escape in the end. And God, when Holden made her escape.....God it just broke my f*cking heart....to pieces......gah! Sorry guys, am a Holden fan. If not for his MC family being a pain in the ass all the time, maybe he and Helen would have a chance.
So why I didn't give it a full 5 star rating? I just felt that Helen and Luke got off easily, but hey I guess there's a second book. So, I don't think the running is through.
I though Luke but I guess both of my guesses were wrong. Oh well!
July 20, 2014
3.5 ★s
I'm conflicted, I enjoyed reading it but I certainly didn't love it...
Hels/Kellar is born into an MC and her future is planned out for her to marry Holden (also born into an MC) and they will become King and Queen of the club. They are best friends who become lovers but true love only resides on one side. I really loved Hold, although I am not sure if I was supposed to - I was confused as to how the author wanted us to feel about him. He was sweet but also a badass.
Hels/Kellar however, does not want a part of the MC life and escapes. This is where we meet Vin. I didn't really connect to Vin that much, the relationship felt rushed, one minute it was non existent and she was pushing him away and then all of a sudden she was embracing their relationship.
Also, the ending felt rushed.
Saying that though, I did really enjoy reading it and was intrigued most of the way through as to what was going to happen.
There was a nice twist too.
I'm conflicted, I enjoyed reading it but I certainly didn't love it...
Hels/Kellar is born into an MC and her future is planned out for her to marry Holden (also born into an MC) and they will become King and Queen of the club. They are best friends who become lovers but true love only resides on one side. I really loved Hold, although I am not sure if I was supposed to - I was confused as to how the author wanted us to feel about him. He was sweet but also a badass.
Hels/Kellar however, does not want a part of the MC life and escapes. This is where we meet Vin. I didn't really connect to Vin that much, the relationship felt rushed, one minute it was non existent and she was pushing him away and then all of a sudden she was embracing their relationship.
Also, the ending felt rushed.
Saying that though, I did really enjoy reading it and was intrigued most of the way through as to what was going to happen.
There was a nice twist too.
April 29, 2014
4.5 Stars
WOW !!!
I loved it.
Definitely not the usual book about the MC story.
A story about a girl, Hellen Rudder (Keller), who wants to runaway from her life (the MC life) that she feels suffocate her.
It was amazing, full of angst, had a little humor, and beautiful love story within.
I absolutely loved the characters.
I loved Holden, Hellen and yes, abso-f*cking-lutely love Luke (Vin) Carrity ❤️❤️❤️
A MUST read book
WOW !!!
I loved it.
Definitely not the usual book about the MC story.
A story about a girl, Hellen Rudder (Keller), who wants to runaway from her life (the MC life) that she feels suffocate her.
It was amazing, full of angst, had a little humor, and beautiful love story within.
I absolutely loved the characters.
I loved Holden, Hellen and yes, abso-f*cking-lutely love Luke (Vin) Carrity ❤️❤️❤️
A MUST read book
September 9, 2015
Oh let me counts the ways......this book messed with my emotions!! I was scared, angry, and anxious throughout the entire book. I really liked Holden's character. I wanted more from the ending it felt a tad rushed. I just really enjoyed this book and I just wanted more. Btw I'm seriously wanting a tattoo now!! Lol.
“I understand now. It’s beautiful ink. So much more than just a design, it is part of our story, lovingly placed on my skin."
“I understand now. It’s beautiful ink. So much more than just a design, it is part of our story, lovingly placed on my skin."
April 10, 2019
This is an anti-MC Book... so for all my MC lovers if you're looking for an MC Romance keep going.
*SPOILER*
Girl grows up with Boy. Girl is never able to love Boy the way he loves her. Boy kills for Girl. Girl runs away. Boy loves her till the end. Girl chooses a boring Architect instead. The End.
*SPOILER*
Girl grows up with Boy. Girl is never able to love Boy the way he loves her. Boy kills for Girl. Girl runs away. Boy loves her till the end. Girl chooses a boring Architect instead. The End.
April 27, 2014
This book by Nicole Reed is in my opinion her best book by far.
I loved this book because of the amount of passion, devastation, power and a deep routed love that is written in each chapter. Two peoples lives surrounded by hurt, pain and expectation. They say all roads lead to a certain path in your life, that maybe true for some and for others they make their own paths, however, can two people who have been told what to do all their childhood lives live up to the expectations of their piers or can they defy the odds and live their own lives......
In this book, Nicole shows how what is right for one person may not always be right for the other.
Helen/Hels is a girl who suffers devastation from an early age, she is taken in by Hold’s family and from there on in, it is expected that Hell’s will be Hold’s queen one day.
Hold and Helen are brought up into a group called Hell’s Highwaymen, a motorcycle group who basically own the town they live in. This particular chapter have one motto “Blood in and Blood out” and it is a rule they live by. They also live by another rule – loyalty.
Throughout their lives, Hel’s keeps realizing that she is not cut out for the life of a biker’s groupie/queen, she does not want that life, and she wants her own life. We find that she is a brilliant artists who soon learns the art of tattooing and becomes so good at it people are flocking to get inked by her.
Hels want an out and she see’s tattooing as a way to escape, not only her life but her inner demons. You get a sense in this book what people on the run must go through, always looking over their shoulder, always worried “I chant in my head that they don’t scare me; this is my life. They can’t find me” I found this to be very poignant part in the story. Nicole’s writing evokes such a strong emotional reaction.I myself could feel how lonely she now was, how scared she must be all the time, always checking, always watching. My heart was in my mouth constantly reading this book.
Hels enjoys the new life she has, she enjoys her work, and a part of her forgets that she shouldn’t be in one place for long, she should keep running but yet she doesn’t now. ‘I have been so caught up in myself, in this life I am making, that I realise I have relinquished some fear of my past. It is a miraculous moment and I am no longer pissed at getting called in, but excited to get to work’
Throughout this book we go back to Hels memories of her growing up, what she went through, why she is where she is and you can’t help feel for her, my heart went out to her for what she has been through and what she is going through.
A new man enters her life Vin, he is a mystery man who is a totally different character to the other people Hels is used to, he is sweet, charming but mysterious, he holds things close to him and you start to wonder what his story is. I fell in love with him in this bookand what he wanted to give Hels, although there were times I did wonder what he was up to. He is also mesmerised by Hels tattoos “I look at your tattoos and see moving, breathing art. There is an intricate story, carefully and artfully designed on your gorgeous skin”. Hels cannot believe that Vin gets her tattoos; these are the story or her life. She finds that is it easy to talk to Vin but she also knows she has to stay alert as to not reveal something she shouldn’t.“I swear, my mission in life is going to be to make you laugh” this is Vin’s promise to Hels
The other main man in this book is Hold; he is groomed to take over the Chapter of the Motorcycle club when his father Ward retires. Hold is in my opinion a very confused guy, he loves Hels so much it hurts and although there are times you are sitting there not believing what he has done you see that no matter what he does he does it to keep Hels safe and alive and because he loves her so much. In one particular conversation Hold has with Hels he say’s “You stole my entire world and I’m not sure how to live in it anymore”This to me shows us all exactly how much Hold loves Hels
In one particular part of the book, when Hels is looking back on her life something Hold’s mom said to her sticks with her and it is so true in this day as well “In this life we live, sometimes you have to take the bad with the good. There isn’t always black and white here. There are shades of gray that you have to deal with. You Accept what you can’t change and roll with the punches”
There are some great characters in this book, amazing writing and some incredibly tense moments and I for one could not believe that this book was based on a true story until the author informed me of that. I believe that once everyone reads this story you will be the same as me, in total awe of this book, this story and this writer.
Although this book does not have a cliff hanger and can be read as a standalone book, I want to know more, I want to read more on these people in this book to see where their lives go, what happens to them and with that I cannot wait for Nicole Reed to write a book following on from this book.
This extract to me say’s it all about Hels and her life
Extracts:-
The painful reality is that I have no one, not a single soul who cares what I want. I am their puppet, their whore. I lie down on the cold linoleum wishing that I died in the fire all those years ago. I can’t live like this!!!
I leave my review with this last quote from Hels, enjoy
I learned how to survive years ago and as I look out at all the prying eyes, I know I can endure whatever they are going to throw at me. Surprisingly event to me, they haven’t broken me yet!
I loved this book because of the amount of passion, devastation, power and a deep routed love that is written in each chapter. Two peoples lives surrounded by hurt, pain and expectation. They say all roads lead to a certain path in your life, that maybe true for some and for others they make their own paths, however, can two people who have been told what to do all their childhood lives live up to the expectations of their piers or can they defy the odds and live their own lives......
In this book, Nicole shows how what is right for one person may not always be right for the other.
Helen/Hels is a girl who suffers devastation from an early age, she is taken in by Hold’s family and from there on in, it is expected that Hell’s will be Hold’s queen one day.
Hold and Helen are brought up into a group called Hell’s Highwaymen, a motorcycle group who basically own the town they live in. This particular chapter have one motto “Blood in and Blood out” and it is a rule they live by. They also live by another rule – loyalty.
Throughout their lives, Hel’s keeps realizing that she is not cut out for the life of a biker’s groupie/queen, she does not want that life, and she wants her own life. We find that she is a brilliant artists who soon learns the art of tattooing and becomes so good at it people are flocking to get inked by her.
Hels want an out and she see’s tattooing as a way to escape, not only her life but her inner demons. You get a sense in this book what people on the run must go through, always looking over their shoulder, always worried “I chant in my head that they don’t scare me; this is my life. They can’t find me” I found this to be very poignant part in the story. Nicole’s writing evokes such a strong emotional reaction.I myself could feel how lonely she now was, how scared she must be all the time, always checking, always watching. My heart was in my mouth constantly reading this book.
Hels enjoys the new life she has, she enjoys her work, and a part of her forgets that she shouldn’t be in one place for long, she should keep running but yet she doesn’t now. ‘I have been so caught up in myself, in this life I am making, that I realise I have relinquished some fear of my past. It is a miraculous moment and I am no longer pissed at getting called in, but excited to get to work’
Throughout this book we go back to Hels memories of her growing up, what she went through, why she is where she is and you can’t help feel for her, my heart went out to her for what she has been through and what she is going through.
A new man enters her life Vin, he is a mystery man who is a totally different character to the other people Hels is used to, he is sweet, charming but mysterious, he holds things close to him and you start to wonder what his story is. I fell in love with him in this bookand what he wanted to give Hels, although there were times I did wonder what he was up to. He is also mesmerised by Hels tattoos “I look at your tattoos and see moving, breathing art. There is an intricate story, carefully and artfully designed on your gorgeous skin”. Hels cannot believe that Vin gets her tattoos; these are the story or her life. She finds that is it easy to talk to Vin but she also knows she has to stay alert as to not reveal something she shouldn’t.“I swear, my mission in life is going to be to make you laugh” this is Vin’s promise to Hels
The other main man in this book is Hold; he is groomed to take over the Chapter of the Motorcycle club when his father Ward retires. Hold is in my opinion a very confused guy, he loves Hels so much it hurts and although there are times you are sitting there not believing what he has done you see that no matter what he does he does it to keep Hels safe and alive and because he loves her so much. In one particular conversation Hold has with Hels he say’s “You stole my entire world and I’m not sure how to live in it anymore”This to me shows us all exactly how much Hold loves Hels
In one particular part of the book, when Hels is looking back on her life something Hold’s mom said to her sticks with her and it is so true in this day as well “In this life we live, sometimes you have to take the bad with the good. There isn’t always black and white here. There are shades of gray that you have to deal with. You Accept what you can’t change and roll with the punches”
There are some great characters in this book, amazing writing and some incredibly tense moments and I for one could not believe that this book was based on a true story until the author informed me of that. I believe that once everyone reads this story you will be the same as me, in total awe of this book, this story and this writer.
Although this book does not have a cliff hanger and can be read as a standalone book, I want to know more, I want to read more on these people in this book to see where their lives go, what happens to them and with that I cannot wait for Nicole Reed to write a book following on from this book.
This extract to me say’s it all about Hels and her life
Extracts:-
The painful reality is that I have no one, not a single soul who cares what I want. I am their puppet, their whore. I lie down on the cold linoleum wishing that I died in the fire all those years ago. I can’t live like this!!!
I leave my review with this last quote from Hels, enjoy
I learned how to survive years ago and as I look out at all the prying eyes, I know I can endure whatever they are going to throw at me. Surprisingly event to me, they haven’t broken me yet!
January 22, 2015
This book took me by such surprise, and it was the BEST Surprise ever... Beautiful Ink sucked me into a world of mayhem. Filled at times with glee, joy, fear and revulsion and the end result did not disappoint. My emotions are all over the place.
I stumbled upon this book at 4AM when I couldn't sleep anymore and I figured why not, the synopsis assures me there is no cliff-hanger and I have nothing better to do... This was both the best and worst decision of my day since I would have to be at work by 8:30. Needless to say by 1PM in the afternoon I was done.
Sucked in from the start, Beautiful Ink grips you like a lover and squeezes the life out of you until your a bumbling mess of emotions and overwhelming anxiety.
Since the synopsis leaves the plot of this story out I promise to not include any spoilers. Though be forewarned this at times touches on many serious and dark topics so steer clear if those are not your cup o' tea. If you've read a Nicole Reed novel before, you know her writing is genius and often touching. Beautiful Ink is no different.
Some things the book contains:
Abuse
Drugs/Alcohol
Girls with Affinities to Tattoos
Motorcycle Gangs (MC) and hardcore bikers
Secrets
Betrayal
Love
Death
and most importantly - Redemption
Single (Heroine) POV
Told by chapter from past to present
Also though the book certainly does not have a cliff-hanger there is that overhanging proof that the story is not complete and now I'm dying inside since we have no release date or blurb, anything for the next book. So be warned, you'll be left wanting, dying and begging for more... I still am, needless to say I have the worst book-hangover so far this year... Thanks Nicole Reed.
Now I'll express myself with an abundance of GIF's because my brain is no longer functional....
Beautiful Ink started with a bang and I was immediately freaking out, having no clue what to expect.
This is what else I experienced...
AND THAT ENDING!!!
Until we have more I am going to go die....
I stumbled upon this book at 4AM when I couldn't sleep anymore and I figured why not, the synopsis assures me there is no cliff-hanger and I have nothing better to do... This was both the best and worst decision of my day since I would have to be at work by 8:30. Needless to say by 1PM in the afternoon I was done.
Sucked in from the start, Beautiful Ink grips you like a lover and squeezes the life out of you until your a bumbling mess of emotions and overwhelming anxiety.
Since the synopsis leaves the plot of this story out I promise to not include any spoilers. Though be forewarned this at times touches on many serious and dark topics so steer clear if those are not your cup o' tea. If you've read a Nicole Reed novel before, you know her writing is genius and often touching. Beautiful Ink is no different.
Some things the book contains:
Abuse
Drugs/Alcohol
Girls with Affinities to Tattoos
Motorcycle Gangs (MC) and hardcore bikers
Secrets
Betrayal
Love
Death
and most importantly - Redemption
Single (Heroine) POV
Told by chapter from past to present
Also though the book certainly does not have a cliff-hanger there is that overhanging proof that the story is not complete and now I'm dying inside since we have no release date or blurb, anything for the next book. So be warned, you'll be left wanting, dying and begging for more... I still am, needless to say I have the worst book-hangover so far this year... Thanks Nicole Reed.
Now I'll express myself with an abundance of GIF's because my brain is no longer functional....
Beautiful Ink started with a bang and I was immediately freaking out, having no clue what to expect.
This is what else I experienced...
AND THAT ENDING!!!
Until we have more I am going to go die....
April 27, 2014
What happens when everyone in the world you care about disappears? What happens when the only one that loves you continues to pull you into a world you hate? Helen grew up in Harmony, Florida, with her evil stepmother, dad, and sister. (No this isn’t a Disney fairytale!) Her dad along with her best friend Holden’s dad run the Hell’s Highwaymen MC. When Helen’s family leaves her, she has no choice but to stay with Holden, his family, and remain a MC. What happens when that world begins to smother you and you begin to hate the only person that loves you? This is exactly what happens to Helen, Hels, or should I say Keller.
Most MC books are about good girl falls for bad ass MC. Well, I’m here to tell ya, if you’re looking for that you better just keep looking because this book is deeper than a valley and so not that! Nicole Reed does a phenomenal job at giving insight into the real world of motorcycle clubs, but in doing so you grow to love the characters, their up bringing, and how much they care about one another.
Throughout this book we see the love that Holden shows for Helen even if I don’t agree with all of his actions, but when she becomes Keller to everyone else, she takes the freedom and runs with it.
Holden is her best friend, and he is deemed to be the VP of the MC. This is the only life he has known, and the only other thing he’s sure of his love for Helen. He is head over heels in love with her, but does she feel the same way? Holden is a guy that you can’t help but hold on to, and I’m going to leave it at that because I just <3 him!
Helen’s body is a timeline of important events in her live. Most people wouldn’t put the beautiful ink canvas together, but when Vin walks into the tattoo shop, her world changes. He asks for one simple date tattoo, and with that tattoo their world changes.
Vin walks into the tattoo parlor and isn’t who you’d expect to see getting a tattoo. He breaks Keller down, and she knows that time to move on is upon her. She knows they both have a hidden past, but is she willing to risk her past for a future?
Beautiful Ink will have you mad at the world, fighting for freedom, pulling for love, and having a person that holds you so close to his heart that he never lets go.
Beautiful Ink touched my heart and soul, and I will never be the same. A tattoo is something that some people get randomly others think about for years. I’m one of the think about for years kinda girls which is why I haven’t gotten one yet. Funny thing is I’ve been contemplating an idea for months, and this book just helped me confirm what my heart has been screaming. Thank you Nicole Reed for writing these beautiful words and being REAL! <3
Most MC books are about good girl falls for bad ass MC. Well, I’m here to tell ya, if you’re looking for that you better just keep looking because this book is deeper than a valley and so not that! Nicole Reed does a phenomenal job at giving insight into the real world of motorcycle clubs, but in doing so you grow to love the characters, their up bringing, and how much they care about one another.
Throughout this book we see the love that Holden shows for Helen even if I don’t agree with all of his actions, but when she becomes Keller to everyone else, she takes the freedom and runs with it.
Holden is her best friend, and he is deemed to be the VP of the MC. This is the only life he has known, and the only other thing he’s sure of his love for Helen. He is head over heels in love with her, but does she feel the same way? Holden is a guy that you can’t help but hold on to, and I’m going to leave it at that because I just <3 him!
Helen’s body is a timeline of important events in her live. Most people wouldn’t put the beautiful ink canvas together, but when Vin walks into the tattoo shop, her world changes. He asks for one simple date tattoo, and with that tattoo their world changes.
Vin walks into the tattoo parlor and isn’t who you’d expect to see getting a tattoo. He breaks Keller down, and she knows that time to move on is upon her. She knows they both have a hidden past, but is she willing to risk her past for a future?
Beautiful Ink will have you mad at the world, fighting for freedom, pulling for love, and having a person that holds you so close to his heart that he never lets go.
Beautiful Ink touched my heart and soul, and I will never be the same. A tattoo is something that some people get randomly others think about for years. I’m one of the think about for years kinda girls which is why I haven’t gotten one yet. Funny thing is I’ve been contemplating an idea for months, and this book just helped me confirm what my heart has been screaming. Thank you Nicole Reed for writing these beautiful words and being REAL! <3
April 29, 2014
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The first half I thought I was reading an auto-biography - the end had me in tears.
Holden, Helen, Vin, and Keller... it was a pretty cool story!
The first half I thought I was reading an auto-biography - the end had me in tears.
Holden, Helen, Vin, and Keller... it was a pretty cool story!
August 30, 2014
Did I like the storyline? I'd reluctantly say 'yes'. The intriguing prologue hooked me from the start. The relationship and conflict between Hold and Helen were well-crafted. But I sorta tuned out some of Helen’s inner dialogue and her insta-connection with Vin.
Did I like the ending?? Nope:( The guy I rooted for didn’t get the girl. Double Damn.
#MC #drama # steam
Did I like the ending?? Nope:( The guy I rooted for didn’t get the girl. Double Damn.
#MC #drama # steam
April 28, 2014
What a bloody brilliant book. Bloody loved it! X
April 28, 2014
4.75 couldn't put it down stars
October 24, 2014
This is not your typical MC book so my advice do not go into this thinking it is a romanticized MC story like all the others out on the market right now. This is about what happens when you absolutely hate the life and are desperate to escape it. It is not about the MC Princess getting her MC Prince and living happily ever after. Helen is determined to escape this life even if it means dying and I do believe at several points she was more than willing to take a bullet to the head.
First the prologue just gutted me I knew this book was going to be a rollercoaster just from the first few pages.
“Blood in and blood out,” he says, kissing my neck in between his words. “Your fucking choice. But know this it is forever now my blood that runs through your veins. And I will drown you in it, before I will let you escape me.”
It only gets better! At one point in the book I was getting really stressed out the suspense was killing me. I get so excited when I run across a book that makes me feel. When the writing is so superb you actually feel the despair and happiness of a character.
Hels was a fascinating character I felt her despair so strongly. Her loss and the hate she felt for the MC and what they took from her. Helen was only given two choices in life the MC or death. I felt either way she was a dead woman as the life was going to kill her from the inside out. Her relationship with Hold was painful. I screamed my frustration at her a few times thinking why can’t you love him like he loves you. Rationally I know this is insane because you can’t help who you love. I think she wanted to feel it but Hold represented everything she hated and you can’t force yourself to love someone. Her tattooing was the only thing she had of her own and I was surprised she was even allowed to have that.
"Tattooing is more than a job, more than a hobby. It's an intimate, emotional and powerful thing to be marking someone for life. I am giving over a part of myself forever. In return, I am fully in control of my world and everything around me, if only for that small gap in time."
I have so many questions about Hold and I was so conflicted by my feelings for him. I really wanted to dislike him but in the end my heart was broken for him. He was so broken, lost, lonely, and loved so deeply it choked him. How devastating to love that deeply to never have it returned. This is where I say the writing is superb because I felt his emotions so strongly even though I didn’t get his POV. I had so many questions about him. Why didn’t he run early in the story? I know he made bad choices and they seemed to be made in the MC’s best interest and not Helens. Was that just him being young and stupid, or was he afraid Hels didn’t love him enough so the MC was the safer choice? Was he scared of Ward or just really weak? I needed in his head and I wanted so much more for him. I think the life was suffocating him just as much as Hels.
Vin I loved him but I really wanted to know more about him. I can’t say much about him because it would ruin the twist which was awesome. I can say he was so sweet, patient, and loving. He was the all American boy and represented the love and happily ever after Helen wanted but was too afraid to hope for.
“This is me showing you how I feel, because it’s not time yet for words. We have built this relationship from broken shambles and damn it, if it doesn’t work— we will start over and build it again until we get it right."
I really need more from all the characters but especially Hold. This book is a standalone so no cliffy but I would not be disappointed if we got more. I will be reading the rest of Nicole’s books. Why did I wait so long? Excellent job!
First the prologue just gutted me I knew this book was going to be a rollercoaster just from the first few pages.
“Blood in and blood out,” he says, kissing my neck in between his words. “Your fucking choice. But know this it is forever now my blood that runs through your veins. And I will drown you in it, before I will let you escape me.”
It only gets better! At one point in the book I was getting really stressed out the suspense was killing me. I get so excited when I run across a book that makes me feel. When the writing is so superb you actually feel the despair and happiness of a character.
Hels was a fascinating character I felt her despair so strongly. Her loss and the hate she felt for the MC and what they took from her. Helen was only given two choices in life the MC or death. I felt either way she was a dead woman as the life was going to kill her from the inside out. Her relationship with Hold was painful. I screamed my frustration at her a few times thinking why can’t you love him like he loves you. Rationally I know this is insane because you can’t help who you love. I think she wanted to feel it but Hold represented everything she hated and you can’t force yourself to love someone. Her tattooing was the only thing she had of her own and I was surprised she was even allowed to have that.
"Tattooing is more than a job, more than a hobby. It's an intimate, emotional and powerful thing to be marking someone for life. I am giving over a part of myself forever. In return, I am fully in control of my world and everything around me, if only for that small gap in time."
I have so many questions about Hold and I was so conflicted by my feelings for him. I really wanted to dislike him but in the end my heart was broken for him. He was so broken, lost, lonely, and loved so deeply it choked him. How devastating to love that deeply to never have it returned. This is where I say the writing is superb because I felt his emotions so strongly even though I didn’t get his POV. I had so many questions about him. Why didn’t he run early in the story? I know he made bad choices and they seemed to be made in the MC’s best interest and not Helens. Was that just him being young and stupid, or was he afraid Hels didn’t love him enough so the MC was the safer choice? Was he scared of Ward or just really weak? I needed in his head and I wanted so much more for him. I think the life was suffocating him just as much as Hels.
Vin I loved him but I really wanted to know more about him. I can’t say much about him because it would ruin the twist which was awesome. I can say he was so sweet, patient, and loving. He was the all American boy and represented the love and happily ever after Helen wanted but was too afraid to hope for.
“This is me showing you how I feel, because it’s not time yet for words. We have built this relationship from broken shambles and damn it, if it doesn’t work— we will start over and build it again until we get it right."
I really need more from all the characters but especially Hold. This book is a standalone so no cliffy but I would not be disappointed if we got more. I will be reading the rest of Nicole’s books. Why did I wait so long? Excellent job!
April 27, 2014
Helen "Hels" Rudder is born into an MC family.
Early in life she looses her father and her sister. Her only friend is Holden Dawson and his family takes her in when she looses everything.
Holder's dad is the President of the Hell's Highwaymen MC. As Hels grows up she is expected to be Holder's old lady. She is so confused by this. She is younger than him and she doesn't want this life for herself. She dreams of escaping and when she gets a chance, she runs away and changes her name to Keller.
The only thing she can't leave behind is her passion for ink/tattooing. A new city, a new name, a new tattoo establishment and soon she feels safe and when she meets Vin she lets her walls come down and once he is there to stay everything goes wrong.
What if everything was a lie? What is her past is now her future?
This is not the usual MC story. Yes, there is violence and abuse and some of the characters are neither likable nor redeemable. What I think is different is the twists.
Saying that, there were times when I didn't like what Keller was doing to Holder but in the end, the story works and I liked the ending as well.
I hope this is not the end for some of the characters. I would like to see one of them again and maybe get his own HEA.
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
April 30, 2014
A beautifully intense read
WOW, WOW, and WOW. I'm suffering an emotional overload right now. This book was just fantastic. Off the charts. In a league of its own. That’s the best way to describe it. The characters are irresistible and impossible not to love. The plot was so fast paced that I was like an addict eagerly turning away at the pages. I simply devoured this book. For a 260 page book, it was packed with all the elements of greatness.
As much as I loved this book, I'm going to have to say it was a 4.5 star read for me. Which is still pretty awesome. I can't quite classify this as a full 5 star read because upon completion I wasn’t fully satisfied. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked it, but still. An epilogue could have done wonders! I'm assuming there is another book coming out and this will be a series or have a spinoff of some sort because there were lots of issues not addressed and many lose ends. I was grateful that it did not end on a cliffhanger. I didn’t get full closure, but at least it wasn’t brutal.
This was my first Nicole Reed book and I look forward to reading more of her work. I really enjoyed her writing style.
WOW, WOW, and WOW. I'm suffering an emotional overload right now. This book was just fantastic. Off the charts. In a league of its own. That’s the best way to describe it. The characters are irresistible and impossible not to love. The plot was so fast paced that I was like an addict eagerly turning away at the pages. I simply devoured this book. For a 260 page book, it was packed with all the elements of greatness.
As much as I loved this book, I'm going to have to say it was a 4.5 star read for me. Which is still pretty awesome. I can't quite classify this as a full 5 star read because upon completion I wasn’t fully satisfied. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked it, but still. An epilogue could have done wonders! I'm assuming there is another book coming out and this will be a series or have a spinoff of some sort because there were lots of issues not addressed and many lose ends. I was grateful that it did not end on a cliffhanger. I didn’t get full closure, but at least it wasn’t brutal.
This was my first Nicole Reed book and I look forward to reading more of her work. I really enjoyed her writing style.
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