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It's not a relationship, it's just a patchwork of tattoo sessions and sweaty secrets with a rock star. No big deal.

I've been keeping this secret for four years, counting down the months in between visits from Onyx.

To everyone else I'm “Hero” but he mostly just calls me “yes” and “more” while we trade heated kisses and wandering hands.

I know it won't ever be anything more than a wild secret and eventually he'll get bored hooking up with a tattoo artist fifteen years too old for him from Nowhere, Wisconsin. But I'm more than happy to enjoy this while it lasts.

But when Onyx shows up unannounced and tells me that instead of a hurried weekend we have 3 full months before he has to hit the road again, I don't know if I'm more excited or terrified to see where things will go.

I’m sure there’s more to life than tattooing Onyx and spending late nights talking until the sun comes up, but whatever that “more” is, it can’t be as fun as this.

No matter how hard I’m falling for him, there’s no way that he’s going to give up his rock star lifestyle to stay here with me… is there?

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2025

229 people are currently reading
269 people want to read

About the author

K.M. Neuhold

101 books3,281 followers
K.M.Neuhold has long since been a romance junkie. When she’s not writing she’s reading or spending time snuggling with her husky or her husband. She fell in love with M/M romance last year and hasn’t been able to turn back. There’s nothing she loves more than love in all its forms.

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5 stars
711 (53%)
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457 (34%)
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147 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
Profile Image for Dani.
1,657 reviews309 followers
August 8, 2025
I enjoyed this but I wanted more! This felt really short again compared to the rest of the series, much like Luca's book in the Mafia series, which was a little disappointing because I do prefer more plot and emotion in a book rather than a lot of sex scenes connected together.

I also struggle with flashbacks and this story is running on two timelines. They just aren't something I enjoy when it comes to the flow of a story, but they were clearly indicated which was so soothing to my dyscalculic brain! I didn't have to do maths at least 😂

I really liked Onyx and his journey to deciding what he wanted for his life was fun to read, especially when he was literally telling Hero exactly how he felt all the time!! I also loved the story behind his tattoos 😍

Hero was nice, but I really did think he veered too far into protecting himself and for me it did come across that he was mostly in it for the sex? He didn't make much effort to get to know Onyx as a person and instead made assumptions based on his job.

They were sweet together though, but I think I just needed more of them after the declarations and before the epilogue. It was a lot of build up and fear of admitting feelings, and then it was all resolved so quickly and suddenly it's a year later!

Definitely curious to see what happens in the next book though.

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HRCYED2: The Even Bigger Rainbow / Challenge Yourself
Profile Image for Jessica.
505 reviews
September 8, 2025
This was a super cute addition to the Ink Slingers series! I think it's probably my favorite to date. Like other KM Neuhold books, this one was an easy breezy low-angst read with tons of cute moments and spice.

Hero and Onyx were so sweet together 😍 I loved how they met and kept their connection going over the years. Most importantly, I promise I won't harp on the name thing this time because I actually didn't mind it here as much as the other books 😂

The story was told in past and present timelines, which I never thought I cared much for but have recently decided I don't mind so much. Even though as unrealistic as it may have been, I was a total sucker for It was almost too much fluffy goodness, but I'm not complaining 🥰

This was the perfect thing to pickup when nothing else felt right, and I needed to reset my brain. I really appreciate that about KM Neuhold's books. They fill in nicely when you just need something simple and sweet 💙
Profile Image for Cadiva.
3,993 reviews435 followers
August 13, 2025
My favourite one yet

I really enjoyed this one, I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, but everything just flowed beautifully from start to finish.

There was a brief moment when I feared we'd get a an annoying 75% third act break-up due to a lack of communication.

But, while there was an element of that, as a lot of the uncertainty would have been solved with a conversation, I also felt it was realistic for both men to hesitate.

Other than that, this really is a lovely romance with low angst and lots of steamy times.
Profile Image for The Secret Librarian.
693 reviews102 followers
August 8, 2025
Rating: 4.5
Steam: 4
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: hookup to more, age gap, small town

I loved Hero and Onyx’s story - their romance made me feel all giddy and happy!

I’m having a fantastic time with this series, the humour, the feelings, the characters, the found family... K.M. Neuhold’s usually great at writing these themes, but there’s just something extra special with the Ink Slinger stories.

Hero and Onyx had a ton of chemistry, and quite the history too. I loved the mix of past and present, it gave plenty of insights into their encounters over the years, and I loved how intense their romance felt. They always had limited time together, but made sure they used every second of it. Even if it was clear that they both felt a lot for each other, they never talked about why they kept coming back to each other.

Did I want to yell at Hero and Onyx to just have an honest conversation about their feelings? Oh yes. I can’t say that I blamed them though, both feeling insecure and vulnerable, not knowing what the other one was feeling or if what they had was real. They ended up being a great match for each other though, despite living very different lives and with Hero being a little worried about their age gap.

Patchwork was a very sweet and heartfelt romance, with lots of intense moments and vulnerability. I loved how possessive Hero was of Onyx, and their interactions made me smile a lot. I highly recommend this series, and while it’s best read in order, the books work as standalones as well.

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I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Profile Image for Alexis.
828 reviews23 followers
August 11, 2025
3.5 rounded up!

This was cute and fun like the other books in the series! Felt kind of repetitive at times as both Onyx and Hero were inner monologuing their concerns the whole time but didn't tell each other until the end. Spice was good though and the concept of having a personal tattoo artist.....yes pls.
412 reviews
August 2, 2025
This is my favorite of the series so far. Onyx and Hero are adorable together, and even though I usually avoid the rock-star/ billionaire" trope, this one was fantastic. Ms Neuhold's characters are always fun to read, and it's so neat to always have a couple of cameos from our favorites from other series. Looking forward to more stories in this world!
Profile Image for Molly Otto.
1,455 reviews30 followers
August 8, 2025
For four years, Hero has been keeping a huge secret from the men of Ink Slingers, and when Onyx rolls into town for more than a night, it's time for the truth to be set free. What starts with a quick ink session turns into what was supposed to be a one night stand. Now Hero looks forward to these few and far meetings with Onyx for great sex, talk, and adding more ink to his body of art.
When Onyx decides to stay in Falls Crosse for more than a night, these two get to try for something lasting and real. I adore their relationship as it just works for them, and you can see how much they truly care for one another even when too stubborn to admit it. The Ink Slingers crew continues to let the shenanigans fly, and you can not help but fall for each of these men more with each addition to the series.
Profile Image for Heather.
619 reviews9 followers
August 27, 2025
These books never seem long enough, and this one was no exception. With 80% of the time spent on hookups whenever Onyx was in town, I left wanting even more than usual!

I love Hero and have been eagerly anticipating his story. He’s such an adorable character, but I wish he had been a bit more aware of Onyx’s feelings.

I think the actual story gets lost in the sea of hookups and fear between them. Both believe the other doesn’t feel the same, and I can’t help but get frustrated with the lack of communication. Then, when they finally do communicate, the book ends!

Overall, it was as cute as the others, but I wanted more romance for both Hero and Onyx. I wish we had had a chapter or two reminiscing about their meeting and what had happened since, followed by more story about how they decided to move forward.

Despite all of that, I couldn’t put it down. This author’s books are always easy to connect with, and I can’t help but fall for her characters.
Profile Image for Caroline Forrester.
388 reviews26 followers
August 10, 2025
3 ⭐️

This was sweet, but I honestly expected to be better. I’m not a fan of the miscommunication or lack of communication trope, and that went on way too long in the story. I think it was supposed to be made better by the fact that we got time jumps, but it was so frustrating to hear each character think the same thing over and over and not tell their partner.

I also didn’t totally believe their feelings. They’ve known each other for four years, but almost every interaction has just been them hooking up. How am I supposed to believe they love each other when all they do is have sex? I think the story could’ve been a lot stronger if we saw the moments they got to know each other and watched their relationship build more than just physically.
Profile Image for Sharon L.
895 reviews15 followers
July 29, 2025
"This has never been anything more than a patchwork of moments tattooed onto the last four years of my life."

This is book 3, in the Ink Slingers series, by KM Neuhold. It's my favorite of the series. For me it was sweet with just the right amount of heat. I loved the chronicling of their relationship over the four years, I actually loved everything about this book. I've been interested in Onyx ever since he showed up in one of Kyleen's prior books. I don't remember which book it was but I'm sure I'm not hallucinating or at least I hope not!!! Hopefully I'm not mixing this up with someone from Heathen's Ink world which I read like 100 years ago.

Love or lust at first sight, fifteen year age gap, rocker/tattoo artist, one night turns into 4 years of stolen moments, burn out
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,134 reviews25 followers
July 27, 2025
Another very enjoyable instalment in the series from this very reliable author. There’s always main characters that I can’t help but in love with, minimal angst so my heart doesn’t hurt and plenty of steamy times with bits of sweet scattered about to round out the romance.
Hero and Onyx have an interesting arrangement for getting together - basically it’s when rockstar Onyx can get to Hero between his rockstar commitments. It works for them but lack of communication becomes a bit of a hindrance until the moment they both find the courage to voice their truth and commit to their longed for HEA. I also now need to know if “grumpy waffles” are a thing!
Profile Image for BWT.
2,250 reviews245 followers
September 3, 2025
'Patchwork', the third installment in the Ink Slingers series, finally gives us Hero’s backstory and introduces his secret lover, rock star Onyx. Over the years, they’ve stolen a few hours together, but Hero convinces himself their relationship is just a booty call.

Their communication—or lack thereof—is frustratingly, and sometimes hilariously, messy.

Miscommunication drives much of the story. Told nonlinearly, the narrative bounces from the present to when they first met, flipping every few chapters to another past moment. These glimpses reveal that Hero and Onyx have actually been in a genuine relationship for years, yet neither acknowledges it or shares their true feelings.

When Onyx finally gets a break from touring, he decides it’s time to make Hero understand that he wants him forever.

I enjoy KM Neuhold’s writing, characters, and humor, but miscommunication is one of my biggest pet peeves, and it did affect my enjoyment. That said, the emotional payoff and character development make it a worthwhile read for fans of the series.
Profile Image for Bethany Chastain.
156 reviews1 follower
August 20, 2025
We met Hero (Kaiden) in the earlier books, but now we learn that he's had a casual hookup arrangement with famous rocker Onyx Hart, for the past four years. Onyx tours, and they find whatever time they can to link up and get together.

But now Onyx is in Hero's hometown of Fall Crosse, and he says he's staying...for longer. Hero is thrilled and afraid in equal measure. They've never had more than a couple of days -- max -- to be near each other, and Hero knows one thing for sure: when this visit ends, it's going to hurt worse than all the others put together.

What to expect...

🫟 A gruff but sweet tattooist who loves being the only one to touch Onyx

🎸 A big name rockstar who longs for small town life and his possessive tattoo artist

💍 So many piercings 🥵

🚨 Sexy flashback sex

🥵 Filthy dirty talk

🏍️ Motorcycles and leather jackets

💙 Meddling friends

🤤 A very spicy, very sweet, very quick read that'll leave you feeling happy (and 🥵)

Look, you guys know what you're getting with @kmneuhold -- a well written, super hot, low-angst, delicious book. And that's exactly what Patchwork delivers. I honestly went in blind with this one (if Kyleen writes it I'm reading it), and I loved the premise of a longstanding hookup and us catching up through flashbacks. And of course, I always love reading about the other Slingers and the Four Bears when they're mentioned.
Profile Image for The Word Nerd Reviews Blog.
986 reviews58 followers
August 3, 2025
I've been a fan of K.M. Neuhold’s work for a long time, but there is something about the Ink Slingers series that has me hooked.

I'm not sure what it is, it has the same feeling of the other series set in Falls Crosse, but it resonates with me for some reason. No idea why, I'm the furthest they come from a tattooist biker you can get, but still I love the stories, and they suck me in from the first page.

Patchwork was a great addition to the series, even if in my head I was yelling at both of them to just talk to each other. Still, where's the fun in that?

I finished the book in one day, and it took me that long only because of annoying adulting responsibilities and I LOVED IT!

You may wonder why this review doesn't really talk about the book or characters that much. The answer is it doesn't need to. You just need to read the book. It speaks for itself.

The only thing I will say is that although it could be read as a standalone, it’s really best read in series order OR at least read book 2 – Virgin Skin first. This series is a blast and I don't think it's a hardship to start from the beginning.

I'm so, so looking forward to see who is up next. I can't wait for the next happy ending for this gang of amazing characters.
Profile Image for Lois.
1,093 reviews3 followers
July 27, 2025
I think this might be my favourite Ink Slingers story yet. I love these guys! Hero, the older tattoo artist constantly wondering what he could possible give a younger rock star and why he would want anything other than a hook up, and Onyx, disillusioned with his life, trying so hard to tell Hero what he wants with hints and comments. To be honest, both of these guys were pretty clueless, but so, so sweet and very, very steamy. I loved that we kept going backwards in time for their back story. There were little cameo's from Four Bears, which are always welcome. The synesthesia was really interesting and made the story fun. I laughed, I may have teared up a bit and I rooted for their happily ever after.
Profile Image for Grace ❤️.
329 reviews11 followers
July 30, 2025
This book was such a fun, swoony ride! Hero and Onyx had incredible chemistry, and their connection felt both electric and tender. I loved how sweet they were together, and the way their relationship unfolded had me fully hooked from start to finish. I do wish we’d gotten a bit more interaction with the rest of the crew, and I kept hoping for a big romantic moment—maybe a love song or something symbolic like that—but even without it, this was a really satisfying and heartfelt read. I’ll definitely be thinking about these two for a while!
629 reviews
August 3, 2025
Adorable fun read! I loved Hero and Onyx! They went from stolen moments here and there whenever Onyx was close to a whole month together before it became a "Yea I'm not going back to not see this man" thing!
I only wish there the friends group was more involved like the previous books, I love the dynamic they have and I wish it was a bigger part in this book too!
Profile Image for Karen Rich.
734 reviews11 followers
August 4, 2025
Hero and Onyx's story is amazing. Onyx visits
Hero when he can manage a break from being a rockstar with the Band so this becomes a frequent thing until one day Hero realizes that his heart is in this 100% so he needs to tell Onyx.
This is a beautiful story about love, long distance and a long time.
Profile Image for Zephyr.
Author 1 book14 followers
August 3, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I loved Hero and Onyx! It makes so much sense that they’re together and they have so many walls up to protect themselves, but their HEA is hard earned and well deserved. Ink Slingers is such an amazing addition to KMN’s world and I love seeing hints of the other characters in every story.
Profile Image for  ♥ Rebecca ♥.
1,622 reviews470 followers
September 27, 2025
Actual Rating: 3.5/5

I really enjoyed Onyx and Hero. I loved the idea of Onyx staying with Hero as a test to see if they should be together. But I’m not a big fan of books that don’t show events in chronological order.
Profile Image for TC.
382 reviews1 follower
dnf
September 19, 2025
Maybe I’ll come back to this one. I just got bored :(
Profile Image for Aki.
1,008 reviews
August 14, 2025
Nett, but can you just talk to each other? I mean i get it in the beginning, but later?
Profile Image for Mary Vitrano.
432 reviews7 followers
August 16, 2025
Kyleen has the power to keep me hooked on every word she write. I'm so in love with this story it's not even funny.
Onyx has a type of synesthesia where touch and feelings are auditory, and seeing the world through his eyes left me speechless.
Both Onyx and Hero have strong personalities, and oftentimes I found telling myself why either of them don't just take the matter in his hand and act like a proper grown up by communicating his feelings and thoughts, but then I realized that IRL people aren't always perfect and good on communication, and that led me to love their story even more, because it felt super real.
Kyleen, you nailed it again!!!

I received an ARC.
Profile Image for Carol.
3,759 reviews137 followers
November 16, 2025
It's not a relationship; it's just a patchwork of tattoo sessions and sweaty secrets with a rock star. No big deal. I've been keeping this secret for four years, counting down the months in between visits from Onyx. To everyone else I'm “Hero” but he mostly just calls me “yes” and “more” while we trade heated kisses and wandering hands. I know it won't ever be anything more than a wild secret and eventually he'll get bored hooking up with a tattoo artist fifteen years too old for him from Nowhere, Wisconsin. But I'm more than happy to enjoy this while it lasts. But when Onyx shows up unannounced and tells me that instead of a hurried weekend, we have 3 full months before he has to hit the road again, I don't know if I'm more excited or terrified to see where things will go. I’m sure there’s more to life than tattooing Onyx and spending late nights talking until the sun comes up, but whatever that “more” is, it can’t be as fun as this. No matter how hard I’m falling for him, there’s no way that he’s going to give up his rock star lifestyle to stay here with me… is there?
A chance meeting, Onyx’s first tattoo and a night neither forgets keeps bringing onyx back to the small-town tattoo artist, Hero. Though Hero doesn’t understand why he would ever want to be with him at all but is happy to take any little bit of Onyx that he can get. When he turns up and says he was staying for 3 months, Hero tries to keep his heart guarded more than usual. Which obviously wasn't going to work.

I have absolutely loved this series, and this story was no exception. It was so just, sweet. Seeing how Onyx and Hero’s relationship built over the four years with the flashbacks and snippets of their time together was perfect.

This was more than just a rockstar and tattoo artist romance. I really liked the direction the author took with the two guys and of course bringing in the whole family at Ink Slingers. It was great seeing the flashbacks of all their time together...the moments of happiness and all the connection that blended in and made up their present. The characters feel real while working out their insecurities and making their way to their happiness.

Hero wanted to protect his heart...the heart that he had already given away. Onyx was aware the words he kept from saying was limiting them while he was still wearing his heart on his sleeve. They both didn’t knew how to take the next step...but waited until they could do it together. The progression of their story and love was both natural and believable! It was just a really sweet story... that was almost impossible to put down and one that I couldn't wait to see how it would end...although I wished that it didn't have to.
Profile Image for Samantha Ortega.
569 reviews10 followers
August 10, 2025
FR- Alors alors.... alors j'ai adoré ce roman.

Clairement, Ink Slingers est MA série préférée de K.M Neuhold. J'ai adoré les deux premiers tomes mais celui ci est encore un cran au dessus.

Plus les tomes passent et plus cette série s'améliore.

Avec Patcwork, K.M Neuhold nous livre une roman ce tellement prenante. Les personnages sont hyper attachants et j'ai dévoré ce roman en quelques heures. Je serai incapable de dire qui j'ai préféré entre Hero et Onyx. Les deux hommes sont terriblement touchants et j'ai ressentit tout un tas d'émotions en lisant leur histoire.

Patchwork est un concentré d'émotions, de moments entre deux hommes qui s'aiment et n'osent pas se l'avouer.

J'ai adoré découvrir leur histoire par petit bout, alternant entre le présent et le passé, pour arriver à la plus belle histoire d'amour de la série. J'ai adoré retrouver tous les personnages des tomes précédents et ceux des autres séries de l'auteure. Chaque moment au salon de tatouage est toujours aussi excellent (et donne envie d'aller se faire tatouer).
J'avais hâte de découvrir un peu plus Hero et je n'ai clairement pas été déçue. 

Face à lui, Onyx n'est pas en reste et j'ai adoré chaque moment de cette histoire. Le coté rock star est clairement un plus.

En résumé, le meilleur tome pour l'instant de la meilleure série (pour l'instant) d'une auteure qu'on ne présente plus.
ENG-So well well well...well I loved this novel.

Clearly, Ink Slingers is MY favorite series by K.M. Neuhold. I loved the first two books, but this one is even better.

The more books I read, the better this series gets.

With Patchwork, K.M. Neuhold delivers a gripping novel. The characters are incredibly endearing, and I devoured it in a few hours. I'm unable to say who I preferred: Hero or Onyx. Both men are incredibly touching, and I felt a whole range of emotions while reading their story.

Patchwork is a concentration of emotions, of moments between two men who love each other but don't dare admit it.

I loved discovering their story bit by bit, alternating between the present and the past, to arrive at the most beautiful love story in the series. I loved reconnecting with all the characters from the previous volumes and those from the author's other series. Every moment at the tattoo parlor is still as excellent as ever (and makes you want to get inked).
I was eager to discover a little more about Hero, and I certainly wasn't disappointed.

 Onyx is sooo great, and I loved every moment of this story. The rock star aspect is definitely a plus.

In short, the best book so far in the best series (so far) from an author who needs no introduction.
Profile Image for Kim.
2,848 reviews177 followers
July 30, 2025
4.5 stars
Oh these two sweet clueless fools... I just adored them. They have both been low-key obsessed with each other for four years, but they’re both afraid to actually admit it to the other one. So you’ve got a Hero, an older tattoo artist who’s been having a secret fling with a rockstar and who doesn't believe he will ever be enough to make him want to stay in his small town. He is afraid to admit too much about his own feelings or appear too needy. But then you’ve got Onyx the sweet, enthusiastic rockstar with a little bit of insecurities who is just as obsessed as the other one and keeps coming back. And he has some ideas in his head that he is afraid to share.

They’ve had a patchwork of stolen moments over the years with tattoos, sexy times, and lots of talking with separations inbetween. But now Onyx is taking his three months for break in Fall Crosse with Hero. So for the first time, they actually can date and get to know each other without the constant pressure of time. But they’re still just so afraid to tell each other what they’re really thinking and feeling.

My heart just hurt for them at times because they were so in synch in their chemistry, but afraid to be vulnerable and share their full truths. So there was a lot of wondering and guessing about what everything meant and what the future might hold. But they were just so sweet and charismatic and just plain cute together.

This is a tattoo artist and rockstar, age-gap, small town, fling-turned-real romance full of heart and heat. These two are just the most adorable cinnamon rolls, despite their outward appearance of being muscly, tatted, and pierced hot guys.

One of their sayings is between each other is "Don’t be an idiot." But these two are just idiots in love and completely oblivious. But it just made it all that much sweeter when all was revealed. This brings back the rest of the Inkslinger crew and their partners. I love the sense of found family and home they give each other.
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