When my corporate snake of a cousin threatens my friend’s shop, I do what any sane woman grab a megaphone, call out the system, and maybe (allegedly) break into a building for evidence. Which is fine. Totally under control. Until Rafe Morales shows up with his deep scowl, black motorcycle, and maddeningly calm voice telling me to “stay put.” I’d rather choke on a tote bag. We’ve never gotten along. He’s gruff, silent, infuriatingly hot—and now? He’s suddenly everywhere. Helping. Watching. Catching me when I fall. And maybe… falling with me.
She’s the loudest woman I’ve ever met—and the only one who’s ever made me feel like I’ve got something worth protecting. Maya’s mouth is a loaded weapon. Her heart’s even more dangerous. Grady sent me to keep her out of jail. Too late. Yes, I’ve bailed her out, but will she stay out of trouble? She’s chaos and cleavage. I’m silence and scars. I shouldn’t want her. But if anything ever happens to her— ...I won’t finish that sentence. Because if I say it out loud, I won’t be able to walk away. And I’m starting to think I don’t want to.
Kate J. Blake writes spicy romance novellas for naughty readers who love hot heroes and happily-ever-afters.
Originally from Ukraine, Kate currently resides in Southern California, enjoying the warm weather all year round.
Kate used to work as a stylist, and loves everything about fashion. She's a fan of online shopping, and buys tons of useless stuff, trying to convince her husband that she possibly can't live without all of that.
Kate reads 100+ books a year, but still orders many more titles than she could ever possibly read. She loves binge-watching romance TV shows and always misses her writing deadlines.
Kate has visited 30+ countries, and is not planning to stop travelling any time soon. You can find out more about her trips through her social media accounts.
Maya Reyes' morning was not spectacular. Now this... Group Chat: Horny & Literate Delilah: "Hey, isn't this your cousin?" A screenshot of a news article loads. City Council Votes on Accelerated Redevelopment for Historic Main Street District. Spearheaded by Councilman Aaron Reyes. She stares hard in disbelief but all knowing. Then stared even harder. Aaron. Freaking. Reyes. Her mother's sister's son. Cosmik Ink. Queer-owned. Community-built. Mural-wrapped.
They spell it with a "K" on purpose—Ezra once said, "We wanted it to be unforgettable. And mildly unspellable. Keep the straights guessing." Ezra hosts drag story time, gives out free comics to broke teenagers, and keeps the banned books shelf bigger than their Marvel section. They once gave her a discount because she makes them laugh so hard they drop a stack of zines. He wants to bulldoze it for a smoothie bar and something called "co-working lounge synergy." First, they come for Sophie's Read Smut Bookshop. Now this—my favorite comic store?
"Your cousin escalated." Sophie slides a folder across the counter. Inside there are printed emails, corporate statements, and what looks like a cease-and-desist warning—issued to Cosmik Ink. "Grady's been watching them. They're starting construction prep on three properties—without final permits." "He can't do that. It's illegal." We all know that and they just nod. "Exactly. Which is why the Iron Hearts are stepping in." She stops cold. "The Iron Hearts?" She says slowly. "As in… your hot biker husband's leather-wrapped chaos crew?"
"They're not chaos," she says, with a bite then pauses. "Okay, there's some chaos. But they get results." Jessie leans in. "Grady already cleared it with the guys. They're watching the sites. Asking questions. Making sure no one gets bulldozed in the middle of the night." "Someone's already watching Cosmik Ink," Delilah adds. "Guess who?" She groans. "Rafe." "Your favorite emotionally unavailable shadow demon." "I'm not interested in Rafe." Delilah raises both eyebrows. "So that wasn't you trying to flirt with him the first time you met?"
"So? I flirt with everyone. He wasn't interested. Big deal," she says casually. "You said he had 'chain-you-to-the-headboard hands.'" "That was science, Delilah." Sophie clears her throat. "It's not a joke, Maya." "This isn't like our usual chaos," she says. "This isn't glitter signs and spicy tweets. This could get you arrested. These developers? They don't play fair. And if you push too hard—" "I'm not scared of Aaron." "I'm not talking about your cousin. It's a huge corporation. Last time they went after my shop, it was one building.
This time they've come back for the whole street." She doesn't respond. Not because Maya doesn't have words. But because—for one second—Maya hears it. The fear underneath Sophie’s voice. Sophie reaches out and puts her hand on hers. "I know you're doing this for the right reasons. We all do. But please… don't try to do this alone." Maya looks around the room. Jessie, fierce and fast-talking. Delilah, brilliant and always five steps ahead of everyone else. Sophie, the woman who makes Maya believe in softness again.
They're all here for her. My family. Who needs Aaron as a cousin when she has her girls? And now the Iron Hearts. With Rafe included. The text from Grady hits just after 6 a.m. Grady: Maya needs watching. Don’t let her know I said that. Rafe stares at the screen, teeth already grinding. No follow-up. No explanation. Just that. Like she’s a fucking wildfire, and he’s the guy with the last garden hose. Maya has stepped all up in it this time. Maya is one hot Latina who has such passion for her friends and things she and they love and believe in.
The cause is coming from Sophie who is rallying the troops. Seriously she should be attending to the leak over her bed, which she woke to that morning. The one over her bed, which woke her up as it dripped in her face. But Sophie’s loyal troops have gathered. This time to save her and what’s important to her. This book even though I pull more from the book it’s because I didn't connect as well to the couple like I did in the first book. Not to say I didn't like it or the author because I have already picked up another of her books.
I received a free copy of the book via Booksprout, and the following review is entirely my own voluntary, and honest opinion.
If “Read Smut Bookstore” was the gateway to a seductive, cinnamon-scented small-town world, “Saving Cosmik Ink” is the point where you don't even put your shoes on – you just sink back on the couch and stay there. This short story is set in the same familiar setting, surrounded by the same characters, yet it tells a new, burning-hot story in which loudness and silence collide. Maya and Rafe's story is not only a worthy sequel to the previous book, but is emotionally more nuanced, more passionate – and just as entertaining.
Maya was already a key character in the first book – a loud, smart, fiery woman who can't and won't keep quiet when someone she loves is hurt. But now we finally get her perspective on what it really means to stand up for something... or someone. Rafe, who we also know from Sophie and Grady's story, comes out of the shadows: brooding, withdrawn, wounded – but all the more determined. He's the type who doesn't ask, he just does, he mends, he carries, he protects – and slowly, gently, he lets in the woman he's long been eyeing, but just didn't want to feel.
The dynamic between them works amazingly. “Saving Cosmik Ink” is a classic enemies-to-lovers story, but not in the usual clichéd way. Maya and Rafe don't just spark, they actually collide – by their tone, gesture, and emotion. And while Maya is loud and Rafe is quiet, it is precisely these differences that bring out the most human side of them. Neither of them is trying to change, yet they draw closer, in small signs, half-sentences, repaired ceilings, and a bailout paid too quickly.
Rafe is the man who thinks ‘stay still’ is the equivalent of ‘I'm here, I care about you’. And Maya is the woman who would rather break into a building than watch someone being oppressed. The passion between them is not just physical – there is tenderness, fear, and lying to themselves that they are unable to sustain any longer. They're the ones who are constantly bickering, fighting – but they understand each other with a glance and will go to any lengths for the other if need be.
One of the great strengths of the novel is the return of familiar faces – Sophie, Grady and the townspeople. It's not just world-building, but also an emotional framework: it's good to see that these characters don't disappear, but live on, evolve, and connect. It feels like re-entering a beloved place where we already know who drinks what, who grumbles when, and who laughs how.
Kate J. Blake's style remains sharp, visual, and cinematic. The dialogue comes alive, the characters not only speak but also interact in a sensual way. A short but vivid short story that is not only romantic, but sexy, funny, and just dangerous enough to make you feel there's a stake in the emotions. And speaking of stakes: perhaps that's my only problem with the book – that it ends too soon again. I would have watched, listened to, and read more of Rafe and Maya's duo – especially the way they interact, while slowly, unapologetically falling in love. “Saving Cosmik Ink” is the story where the woman is on fire and the man doesn't run away, but steps up and says, ‘then let's burn together.’ And me? I'm happy to relive it, over and over again.
I received a free copy of this book that I am voluntarily reviewing.
Maya is a girl with a cause, she is always the one for the underdog so when she learns that her friend’s shop is under threat from none other than her slimeball of a cousin, there is no way that she is going to let this go. She has a plan of attack already formed and is ready to do whatever she can to take them all down. Only she hadn’t planned on Rafe Morales turning up wherever she is planning to be, he has become her unofficial babysitter, no matter how hot he is she is determined not to let him interfere in her war plan. But what happens when she falls for him, and plants herself right in the middle of danger, Will Maya accept help or push the man who was meant for her away?
Rafe knew from the moment that he met Maya that she was trouble with a capital T and not because she finds herself in scrapes all the time but because she makes him feel and want things that he has not felt in his life ever. He has spent his life running from feeling anything, especially with the parents that he was gifted. So when he hears that Maya is about to embark on a new crusade and that his MC brother has tasked him with keeping her safe, keeping his distance is now impossible. But can Rafe save Maya from himself or is now the time to embrace the way she makes him feel?
This is a short and steamy read with an enemies to lovers story that I loved from start to finish, I wasn’t sure that I liked Maya in the previous book, but I think that she was just misunderstood. Rafe was the man to tame her. 4.5* Read
Saving Cosmik Ink by Kate J. Blake is a short story that offers spice and a fast-paced romance. Rafe and Maya’s chemistry comes through in the steamy scenes, and it makes for a quick read.
“You’re mine now.”
That said, I found myself wishing for a little more detail in the buildup between the characters. The sudden jump five years into the future confirmed that they were still together, but it didn’t provide the depth or insight into how their relationship had grown over time. It was all very surface level.
The story also introduced a number of characters in a short space, which sometimes made the world feel a bit crowded and awkward in trying to connect with any of the characters. Perhaps across a series instead of within a single short story following the model Abby Jimenez utilized in her short stories could be helpful, just food for thought.
Overall, Saving Cosmik Ink is a fun choice if you’re in the mood for something quick, steamy, and straight to the point.
I liked getting to know Maya and Rafe better after meeting them in book one, it was nice to see the layers of their characters and to catch up with Sophie and Grady. Their relationship unfolded nicely, it was been simmering away from the moment they met in book one, it was just a matter of time for who would give in first and what would set them off. I liked seeing the little ways that they understood each other, the ways they showed they cared and how even though they seemed not to work because one of them was loud and the other one was grumpy, they suit each other so well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Saving Cosmik Ink is a short and steamy, enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract, forced-proximity, curvy girl gets her hunk romantic comedy. I was excited about Maya and Rafe's story after the first book. Maya is a curvy, sassy, bundle of passionate fire. Rafe is the broody, hunky, bad boy. When Maya finds herself in trouble, Rafe is her unlikely advocate and protector. I think my fave line was "I don't know if I want to kiss her or muzzle her, maybe both" lol. The chemistry was hot, the banter was snarky, and the ending was happy. I loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She’s fire and he’s gasoline but they can’t help the fire that’s building between them. She’s loud and will stand up for any of her loved ones without question and will take it to far if necessary.
He’s grumpy and half grunts answers but only has eyes for Maya and now he’s her detail to keep her out of trouble. She thinks this is a game but Rafe can’t help the way he feels about Maya and he doesn’t believe he deserves to feel the feelings he does. He thought those were long gone.
They finally give into the fire after he fixes up her ceiling without question and now neither can let go.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This cute and short enemies to lovers rom com is delightful and funny. Filled with funny moments and undeniable chemistry between our two main characters - Maya and Rafe. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒖𝒛𝒛𝒍𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉. I devoured this book in a morning, it's on the shorter side, which makes it an easy read. If you need a palate cleanser or just a quick read to get your mojo going, I recommend this one. 𝑺𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒈𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝑰 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉.
This is a funny short read, the second book in the series. Maya is chaos. She is the black sheep of her family who is loud and protests for causes she deems worthy. She is on a mission to take down her cousin and save cosmic ink. Rafe is calm, cool and collected. He has been trying to avoid Maya but she is too much to ignore. When she gets in trouble his overprotective nature comes out to play. Very entertaining keeps you laughing at Maya’s antics.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you enjoy: • Romance with a clear enemies-to-lovers arc • Forced proximity tropes (characters stuck together, friction then attraction) • Light, steamy reads without lots of extra thematic weight Then this book is likely a good fit.
If you prefer: • Slow-burn romance with deeply layered characters • Longer length (full-novel) rather than novella format • Substantial emotional complexity and internal conflict Then you may find it a bit light or “just fine” rather than exceptional.
I enjoyed every moment of this book! I relate to the FMC so much, I want her whole collection of hoodies! And Rafe, quiet and grunty, the growls! Whew so hot! I would definitely recommend this book if you need just a quick fun read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Allow a morning for this sweet, steamy, small-town, laugh-out-loud, quick-read, contemporary, enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity romantic comedy short-story novella, about an activist and an ex-military motorcyclist.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I read this and another by this author in an afternoon. Loved the banter between these two characters and a great short read. :D I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review