I devoured this book in a day! I could not stop reading it! I was so excited to dive into Ash and Sunday's story! Ash and Atlas are besties, so through Atlas' book, we got a glimpse of Ash, but he was still a mystery to us. The same with Sunday. I love them together!
⬇️ Tropes ⬇️
✔️ Enemies to lovers
✔️ Close proximity
✔️ Single Mom
✔️ Tattoo Artist
✔️ Broody, touch her and die MMC
✔️ Strong independent FMC
✔️ Found family
✔️ Laugh out 3 banter
✔️ Mental health representation
✔️ Disability awareness/representation
✔️ Adorable witty kid
✔️ Adorable pet chicken named Alice
Ash picks up around 3 months after the end of Atlas. We knew from previous books that there is history between Ash and Sunday, but we didn't get the full details until this book. I feel like I won't be able to go into too much depth in this review because I do not want to spoil anything for anyone. BUT what I can say is that Sunday and Ash, their banter is hilarious! I laughed out loud so many times. They were hilarious without trying to be funny. Even when they couldn't stand each other, they still had moments where they were so frickin' cute together.
This book is a lot deeper than the other books, in my opinion. My heart broke for Sunday, Ash, and Wade. Sunday is so strong. She was really inspiring. She had been through so much and on top of everything else, she was raising Wade and he is such a good kid! Sunday has Epilepsy. I'm not an expert on Epilepsy, but it seemed pretty bad. She couldn't drive because of it and it seemed she could never go more than a few months without having a seizure. Wade had to be so strong and worry about Sunday. I can't imagine how hard all of that must have been on him growing up. One thing is for sure, Sunday NEVER let her Epilepsy get in the way of her life or her goals that she wanted to reach. She was amazing!
Ash... oh our precious Ash *sigh*. He had also been through so much. He had Daddy issues and an ex girlfriend from hell! She was mentally and physically abusive to him and it caused very deep emotional scars. I wanted to punch her in her stupid face!!! He has always had anxiety and depression, but all of that added to it and it broke my heart that he was made to feel "less of a man" because of his mental illness. Not only does Ash have all of that on him, but his sister, Indy, is very sick and he helps take care of her. It's a lot for one person, but Ash is always there for the people he loves without question. Underneath his asshole manwhore exterior, he cares so deeply and is sensitive. Anyone would be honored to be loved by him.
I love that DJ Krimmer approaches difficult subject matter like Epilepsy (Sunday), mental Illness (Ash), Diabetes (Ren), Janie has a condition that makes her shake, Multiple Sclerosis (Indy), Endometriosis (Stevie).... this whole group of amazing people have these illnesses and disabilities and DJ does such an amazing job bringing awareness to them and showing how strong people are and can be. None of them let their disability hold them back. They support one another and love one another. The found family with this group is extraordinary. I'm sad and jealous that they aren't real and that I can't be in their friend group. I want to go work at Hel's Ink and hang out with everyone. I would totally work the front desk for them! I'm legit sad that I can't.
Derek's book is next and I already know it's going to have my emotions messed up. He is another mystery to solve and I'm pretty sure I know who his love interest will be and I can't wait to see how that unfolds. I think I'm most excited for Stevie's book. She is such a great friend to everyone and I want her to find her HEA too. Plus her grandmother is hilarious 😂.
I can't say what happens, but chapter 15 had me swooning so hard for Atlas and Ren. I think out of Fox, Atlas, and Ash... Atlas is still my favorite. I love all of them, but there is something about that cinnamon roll book boyfriend that I love so much and that is Atlas! Sunday is my favorite female character so far. She is so freaking amazing, witty, and strong!
Please read this series. It's funny, emotional, sexy, brings awareness and representation to difficult subjects, found family, tattoo artists, touch her and die vibes, strong FMCs, it's everything you could want in a book/series!
Stars- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice- 🌶🌶🌶
Ash Hel's Ink #3 releases on 6/1/23
*I was kindly given an ARC by DJ Krimmer, and this review is 100% my honest opinion.*