Etched in Ink

Etched #1

by Nadia Han

She is the flower soothing my soul, and I am the thorn protecting her.

With dark secrets etched in his soul and on his skin, Kain Kessler is a talented tattoo artist who does not believe in love. But that belief changes when he meets a beautiful woman who stuns him on the spot. He’s determined to make her his, even after she rejects him.

An eager and resourceful young florist, Eva Collins dreams of owning her own flower shop—and that’s all she wants. One serious heartbreak was enough for her . . . until a family member sets her up with an irresistible man who’s much older than her. When she’s kidnapped and tossed into the terrifying underbelly of a black market operation, she gathers every ounce of courage to survive.

Eva wants nothing more than to erase the cruelty Kain has suffered, and all he wants is to protect the woman he loves from the darkness that wants them both dead.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2026

About the author

Nadia Han is a dreamer, a visionary, and a believer in karma and kindness. She lives in New England with her family and spends most of her time crafting stories. When she’s not writing, she practices yoga, reads, explores nature, and eats all kinds of foods.

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Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is “the grumpy tattooed older man with a haunted past meets the soft, hopeful florist who accidentally becomes his entire reason for breathing” energy — and it DELIVERS.

Kain Kessler walks onto the page like a storm cloud with a pulse.

Tattoo artist.

Older.

Broody.

Carved up inside and out.

He’s the kind of man who doesn’t believe in love because life already taught him the ugliest lessons — and then Eva Collins walks in and his whole worldview just… cracks.

Eva is pure sunshine.

Young, determined, dreaming of her own flower shop, trying to rebuild her life after heartbreak.

She’s soft but not fragile, hopeful but not naive — the exact kind of woman who could slip past Kain’s walls without even trying.

And when he sees her?

Oh babe.

He’s DONE.

Instantly, irrevocably, “mine” energy radiating off him like heat.

But then the book flips the table.

Eva gets kidnapped — thrown into the brutal underbelly of a black‑market operation — and suddenly this sweet florist is fighting for her life.

And Kain?

He goes FULL feral protector.

The kind of man who would burn the world down to get her back.

The tension is delicious:

 the age gap
 the trauma vs. hope dynamic
 the “I don’t deserve her” vs. “I choose him anyway”
 the danger snapping at their heels
 the way they cling to each other like oxygen

Eva wants to heal the cruelty etched into Kain’s past.

Kain wants to shield her from every shadow that ever touched him.

It’s messy, tender, violent, romantic — all the good stuff.

Why 4.5 stars?

Because it hits that perfect blend of:

 emotional depth
 gritty suspense
 protective‑hero ferality
 soft‑girl resilience
 chemistry that hums under every scene
 trauma‑healing that feels earned
 and a love story that feels carved into bone

It’s intense without being overwhelming, romantic without losing its edge, and gripping from page one to the final breath.

A dark, emotional, beautifully inked love story that sinks its claws in and doesn’t let go.

[rosieisabelleeeeeee987 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW!
3.75⭐️
Thank you very much to Love Notes PR for the ARC of this book!

Etched in Ink was a very complex book with beautiful characters and wonderful writing. I really enjoyed Kain and Eva’s story and their journey to falling in love.
Whilst their backstories were harrowing, they find solace and love in each other and I thought that was so beautiful. I thought their story was very captivating from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the plot play out and seeing how they became victorious against Victor Hawthorne.
The plot was incredibly compelling but it could also be quite a hard read depending on the individual reading the book, so I would highly recommend checking trigger warnings as it gets rather graphic in parts.
I wish I’d gotten to see more of Eva and Kain’s love story, as in parts of the book it felt like that part took a bit of a back seat despite this ultimately being a romance book.
I will say, I found the mention of the ‘Bernstein Files’ and ‘Gregory Bernstein’ to be a bit odd. I don’t think that should have had a place in this book as it’s a very obvious reference to current world events. I found that part took away from my enjoyment of the book. The storyline was great as it was, and I think that part of the book was a bit unnecessary.
Apart from that, the book was very enjoyable and the plot was quite riveting and captivating. Eva and Kain’s love story was enchanting and beautiful to read, and I adored their characters, especially Eva. Side note; Grandpa Collins was absolutely amazing, a wonderful addition to the story!
I’m looking forward to reading the next book and seeing what Nadia Han cooks up and how she expands the world and plot!

[Lorralei Hoerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Etched in Ink is Book 1 in the new series "Etched" and I am a huge fan of this author...so I was super excited with this new release and it definitely did not disappoint. I love how this book weaves in suspense, mystery, slow burn drama with sugar and spice and YES I love an age gap. I may have totally nerded out too as there is some reference to characters from WaterFyre too <3.

Kain Kessler is a survivor with dark secrets...talented tattoo artist, but a chance encounter with Eva Collins...the connection is undeniable. Nothing stops Kain from protecting Eva, even from the deep down underground of a organ black market. Eva wants to be the one to help Kain through all his past suffering...but will Kain be there when Eva needs him the most........

Definitely read and find out...I am already anticipating the next book in the series and cannot wait to see what happens next!!

[Marija Unkind · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I was hooked right from the start because the opening felt so captivating and well set up. I also really liked the way the story developed toward the end and how all the pieces fell into place.

However, some of the conversations felt a bit choppy and underdeveloped, and a few of the intimate scenes came across as slightly awkward. The chapter breaks also felt oddly placed at times, separating moments that didn’t really need to be split up. While I enjoyed the overall plot and appreciated the strong focus on the storyline, I found myself losing interest a little around the middle of the book.

Of course, this is only my personal opinion, and I know other readers might experience the story in a completely different way!

Thank you to Nadia Han and Love Notes PR for providing me with an ARC 🖤
All opinions are my own.

[Marilyn Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my...Mr. Kain Kessler is my type of billionaire, rugged "tattoo titan. He literally walked around a flower shop because his attraction to this Woman was so powerful.
Meet Eva Collins florist attendant with big dreams of owning her own flower shop one day. Loves her only living relative "Grandpa Collins." Kind heart, strong willed has 2 best friends in the whole wide world.
Grandpa Collins is a hot mess. Just out of thr hospital for a medical procedure, loves McGuyver and taking money from folks in Bingo. Loved his wife Melinda until death she did depart.
I don't usually read thrillers. This book had me hooked. What drew my main attraction was my dissertation in human sex trafficking. This novel had pedophile rings and human organ trafficking and death.
A page turner, plenty of twists and turns mystery thriller until the last page.

This was a honest review of read Advanced Copy received from Book Funnel.

[Lotus Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful book. I loved every page of it. Eve and Kains story is one of the most beautiful stories. The floral theme woven into their story was one of my favorite parts.

[Brita Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eva is the flower soothing Kain’s soul, and he is the thorn protecting her.

With dark secrets etched in his soul and on his skin, Kain Kessler is a talented tattoo artist who does not believe in love. But that belief changes when he meets a beautiful woman who stuns him on the spot. He’s determined to make her his, even after she rejects him.

An eager and resourceful young florist, Eva Collins dreams of owning her own flower shop—and that’s all she wants. One serious heartbreak was enough for her . . . until a family member sets her up with an irresistible man who’s much older than her. When she’s kidnapped and tossed into the terrifying underbelly of a black-market operation, she gathers every ounce of courage to survive.

Eva wants nothing more than to erase the cruelty Kain has suffered, and all he wants is to protect the woman he loves from the darkness that wants them both dead.

YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that may not be suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times.

Tropes: Tattoo Artist, Older, Broody, Carved up inside and out, Age Gap, Trauma vs Hope Dynamic, “I Don’t Deserve Her” vs “I Choose Him Anyway”, The Danger Snapping at their Heels, The way they Cling to Each Other like Oxygen, Emotional Depth, Gritty Suspense, Protective-MMC Ferality, Soft-Girl Resilience, Chemistry that Hums under Every Scene, Trrauma-Healing that feels Earned, A Love Story that feels Carved into Bone, Dark, Emotional, Beautifully Inked Love Story, Touch her and Unalive, Vengeance, Love at First Sight, Morally Gray Billionaire Suspense, Slow-Burn Tension, Mystery/Suspense Storyline, Drama, Feisty FMC, Age Gap, Love at First Sight, He Falls First, Morally Gray Billionaire, Slow-Burn, Angst and Suspense, Touch Her and Die Vibes, Protective Billionaire, Vengeance Plot, Dual POV, Romantic Suspense, Plot Twist, Organophobia, Organ “Donations”, Human Trafficking (people / d - > * rugs), Christian Ideals, Kids - > napped, King pin tyrant ( bad guy), Florist, Tattoos, Trauma bonding, Small world/6 degrees of Bacon, Found family, Corrupt Elite (top 1% wealthiest), Yearning, Prison Break Vibes

Etched in Ink is the 1st book in the Etched Series by Nadia Han.

“Etched in Ink” is “the grumpy tattoo artist older MMC meets the tender and soft hopeful florist FMC both with a traumatic and haunted past. Our FMC accidentally becomes our MMC’s entire reason for breathing and continuing on.” And Nadia delivered on that.

Kain Kessler storms onto the page and into our hearts like a tornado with a pulse. Kain is the kind of man who’s stopped believing in love after all the tough lessons that life has taught him, and they have been the ugliest lessons – and then suddenly Eva Collins, a little ray of sunshine walks into his life and Kain suddenly finds his entire worldview cracking open and rapidly changing.

Eva herself is a ray of pure sunshine despite the tough background she herself comes from. She’s still young, determined to follow her dreams, a dream of opening and running her own flower shop, and she’s working hard to rebuild her life and find herself after having her heart shattered.

Eva might be soft but she’s far from fragile, she has hope but she’s not naïve – she’s the exact type of woman who could manage to slip right past all the walls Kain has built up around himself without even trying if she wanted to.

And the first time he sees her?

Oh Lordy.

You can see that he’s just done.

It’s just instant, irrevocable, “mine” energy coming off of him like heat. And you know in that moment that he would do anything for Eva.

Then suddenly Nadia goes throws a wrench in the works and she throws a massive twist into the story and everything suddenly goes sideways.

Not wanting to see Eva alone, a “concerned” family member decides to set Eva up with this irresistible man who’s a lot older than she is. When Eva finds herself suddenly kidnapped and thrown into the terrifying dark world of the black-market operations of human trafficking, drugs, and who knows what else, Eva knows that it’s going to take every ounce of courage she has in order to survive. And this sweet florist suddenly flips her own tables and starts fighting for her own life.

And as for Kain?

Kain finds himself going FULL on feral protector. The very kind of man who would burn down the entire world to get his woman back.

I found the tension to be absolutely delicious.

When Eva learns about Kain’s past and all the cruelty he’s had to suffer and endure all she wants to do is take it away and help Kain find a way to heal.

On the other hand, Kain wants to shield Eva from his past and every shadow and bad thing that has ever touched him.

This book is messy, tender, violent, and romantic – it’s got all the good stuff that you want in the books that you read. I found that this book was intense without being overly overwhelming, romantic without losing that sharp dangerous edge, and from the very beginning it was engaging and enthralling till the bitter end.

I have to say that this is a day, emotional, beautifully inked love story that manages to sink it’s claws into you and refuses to let go.

If you are the kind of reader who enjoys morally gray billionaires, romantic suspense, touch her and unalive, love at first sight, slow-burn tension, then I promise you “Etched in Ink” is the book you want to read. I am excited to get my hands on book 2, I really hope we get to learn more about Eva and Kain’s relationship.

[Jenna Lundberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Etched in Ink by Nadia Han absolutely consumed me from the very first chapter 🖤✨ As the first book in the Etched Series, Nadia Han had the challenge of introducing a completely new world, multiple interconnected characters, dangerous backstories, emotional depth, suspense, & still fully developing Kain & Eva’s romance — and she delivered all of it beautifully. This story quickly became one of my favorite reads of 2026 because once I started reading, I genuinely could not put it down.

Kain Kessler was such an addictive MMC 😮‍💨 A powerful entrepreneur & tattoo/gym franchise owner with a dark & dangerous past, he carries so much emotional weight beneath his morally gray exterior. What I loved most about Kain was how fiercely loyal & protective he was toward the people he loved, especially his found family & Eva. Beneath all his control, danger, & vengeance was someone with a huge heart who would truly do anything for the people he cared about. Watching him completely fall for Eva from the very beginning — while persistently trying to earn her trust — made their relationship impossible not to become invested in.

Eva Collins was equally incredible in this story 💕 She’s strong, intelligent, emotionally resilient, & genuinely one of the most memorable FMCs I’ve read recently. Eva has her own traumatic past & struggles with trusting men, but despite everything she’s been through, she still sees beauty in the world through her flower shop & dreams for her future. One of my favorite things about her character was how calm, observant, & smart she was under pressure. The way she noticed details others would overlook ended up becoming incredibly important to the suspense plot, & I loved how capable & badass she truly was throughout the story.

The chemistry between Kain & Eva was intense from the beginning, but what made this romance stand out was the emotional vulnerability slowly woven underneath all the tension, suspense, & danger ❤️‍🔥 Their relationship balanced love at first sight, slow-burn emotional development, protective “touch her & die” energy, & genuine emotional healing so well. I especially loved how Eva became someone who could calm Kain in ways no one else could, while Kain constantly showed up to protect & care for her no matter the cost.

Beyond the romance, the suspense storyline completely hooked me. The twists, hidden connections, vengeance plot, & dangerous atmosphere kept me fully locked into the story the entire time. I loved how the supporting characters slowly became interconnected as the story unfolded, especially Harry, Camila, & Milo. The mystery surrounding Harry’s connection to the boys was done so well, & I loved how the suspense slowly unraveled piece by piece. Even some of the darker moments & villains carried emotional depth that genuinely tugged on my heartstrings.

Nadia Han did such a fantastic job balancing dark romantic suspense with emotional storytelling, found family dynamics, romance, & action. The writing made me laugh, stress, swoon, & completely emotionally invest in these characters. I absolutely cannot wait to get back into this world for book two & spend more time with characters like Godfrey, Story, Hudson, & Timber 📖✨

If you love morally gray billionaire romances, dark suspense, age gaps, vengeance plots, love at first sight, dual POV, protective heroes, found family, slow-burn tension, & “touch her & die” vibes — Etched in Ink is absolutely one to add to your TBR 🖤

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars


This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, there were a few things I quite liked about this, such as the suspense, the mystery element, and the way in which Han set this up. The prologue, for example, instantly gripped me, and I wanted to know more about Kain and what he went through. However, I found the execution of some scenes a little inconsistent in terms of tone and feel, and this took me out of the story a few times.
On the whole, I liked Eva and Kain. I thought they were nice characters who were pretty well written. There were some elements of their relationships and their lives that I found a little bit unbelievable. For example, Kain was kidnapped and spent a prominent 5 years of his life doing horrendous things, and it's great that Han wrote him overcoming this; however, making him and all his friends billionaires felt just a little bit too far-fetched for me. I’m not saying that they couldn’t be successful; it just felt that reaching billionaire status was a bit over the top. There were also quite a few moments in this that felt a little bit too convenient, especially with all the connections that came up between the characters in this book. I’m all for one or two of these surprise connections, but it just felt as though there were a bit too many to be believable.
Kain himself was a pretty cool character, however I found him a little inconsistent at times. Sometimes, he felt his age, being mature and grounded, and other times, he felt really young and immature. Also, his moral compass was just a tad too wonky for my liking, and though his actions were questioned and sort of explained in the book, I still couldn’t get on board with them. I do appreciate, though, that he went through some pretty horrendous stuff, so his inconsistencies and dodgy morals could be largely due to that experience.
Eva was a nice character, and she had her own strength and smarts, which I found a really nice addition. It's always good when the main FL isn’t waiting for the ML to rescue her. Although I found the way she compared herself to other women off-putting, and a little tiresome at times.
The relationship between Eva and Kain was quite sweet, and I found I didn’t mind the age gap too much. I did find the romance moved along a little too quickly, though, and I felt that Kain sometimes was a little bit too forward. Was talking to my kindle, telling him to ‘Calm down, buddy, you only met her a few days ago’. The spicy scenes, unfortunately, were not for me, but there were some sweet moments where Kain and Eva were getting to know one another that I quite enjoyed.
Though this book was a bit hit and miss for me, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good suspense romance with plenty of spicy scenes. There’s a FL who knows her own mind and is strong in her own way, and a ML who knows what he wants and goes for it, both trying to navigate their new and budding relationship against a backdrop of murder, intrigue and betrayal. It looks like this is going to be a series, and apparently, the next book deals with another couple. I may just have to read it simply because one of the things I quite liked, and would have loved more of, was the relationship between Kain, Godfrey, Timber and Hudson.

[Heidi Sturgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness talk about having the chills !
When I first started reading this I actually felt sick to my stomach but I was engrossed that I couldn’t put it down I had to find out what happened 🤯🫣now that’s what a prologue should do 😉a few time I breathed and asked myself wait what did I just read ?!

So Kain has a TOUGH and TRAUMATIC childhood but despite that he kept his cool , thought of a way to get out of it and still rescue some of the others with him and their bond is a life bond …. The way he remembers his mom and honours her on the anniversary of her death both melted and ripped my heart to shreds 💔 he’s not looking for anyone to share life with but that changes when he walks into the “Happy Flowers” and to his surprise Eva stirs up things in him he never knew he wanted 😉

Eva is a honey and she’s so in touch with her customers , she’s the manager at “happy Flowers” and dreams of owing her own shop and she shares a special bond with her grandpa, she even goes for CPR trading for his upcoming visit 🤗 but she feels that she’s being watched and she’s every right to be wary ( I know things she doesn’t 🫣) and she has organophobia
and viscera phobia due to her past experiences 💔


Eva and Kains paths cross again when he literally saves her when there’s an explosion at the Boston Harbor Hotel, he then wants to meet up for dinner to check in with but she’s a little nervous thanks to Dennis and what a piece of work this arrogant man is but fear not Kain will sort him out 😉


Kain sees a new report and his blood runs cold , it looks like his past has come to haunt him but that’s impossible or is it !?

Kain and the boys investigate but while this is all going on something is developing between him and Eva but the Eva is taken and I can feel my heart skipping beat , the fight of their lives is unfolding in front of my eyes ! I was a total wreck 😮 Eva is fearless though and keeps her wits about herself .

There’s so much to share about this read but how do I do that without spoilers ?! What I can tell you is be very well prepared before starting this , have comfort food , a Kleenex supply and a night light !

This was one of my favourite reads of the year ! It ticked so many boxes and had me thinking of it after I read the last page and I’m starting my calender countdown for book 2 ( it’s a long wait 😉)

[Beverly Finnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two things right off the bat about this book: 1 I love the author! 2 It’s a spin- off of one of my favorite series, to the point where there is some character crossover. I loved the WaterFyre Rising Series. Anyway back to this book.
Once again the author hit it out of the park. Bringing a suspenseful romance to the reader. A book I know I didn’t want to put down.
Kain and his friends had experienced something no child should ever have. They were kidnapped and put to work for a man that killed organs to sell on the black market. However they came up with a plan to get out and thought they killed everyone involved to escape to safety, but years later it’s starting to happen again. Random murders but the victims are all missing organs leaving them to figure out who they missed, who is the copy cat. While trying to keep those they hold dear safe. Of course at the same time is when Kain finally meets a woman that peaks his interest. A florist he just can’t stay away from but one he could also very well put in danger.
Is it worth the risk?
Eva worked hard doing what she loved. Making floral arrangements that brought smiles to people’s faces, hoping one day to own her own store. While having her grandfather come to stay with her after having a heart procedure done she thought she could take care of him and make sure he wasn’t alone. Of course he took care of her. All the while thinking about the man who came into her shop. The man who asked her out and she declined due to a recertification class. The man with tattoos that she always attributed to bad news but she couldn’t stop thinking about. The same man who protected her from an explosion. Kain was not what she was expecting but someone she should take a chance on. As her ex lurks back into the picture and her gut tells her there’s danger around will she be willing to let Kain be there for her?
So many questions at the beginning that the author beautifully answers throughout the story. If you’ve read the WaterFyre Series get ready for a new wild ride. If you haven't, don't let that stop you, this author is wonderful and I guarantee you’ll be hooked after reading this book!

[Danielle Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review for Etched in Ink (3 ⭐ & 1 🌶️)

This book immediately pulled me in with Kain's backstory. The opening chapters give us a pretty grim look at the circumstances that shaped his life, and I found myself completely invested in learning more about him. More than anything, I wanted to see how his past would influence the choices he made throughout the story and whether he would ever truly be able to escape it.

Kain was definitely the character that kept me invested. After learning about everything he had endured, it was hard not to root for him and want to see things work out in his favor. His backstory added a lot of emotional weight to the story and made me curious to see how his past would continue to shape his future. More than anything, I found myself hoping he would eventually be able to find some peace after everything he had been through.

While the story definitely never lacked action, there were times when so many twists, revelations, and dangerous situations were happening that it became difficult for me to stay fully invested with the story. By the end, some of the developments began to feel a little too over-the-top for my personal taste, and I found myself more confused than intrigued by certain plot points. In particular, I never felt like I fully understood some of the revelations surrounding the grandfather and his friends, which left me with more questions than answers.

Overall, this one didn't fully work for me, but I was still curious enough to keep turning the pages and see how everything would come together. Kain's story was ultimately what kept me invested, and readers who enjoy high-stakes romance with lots of suspense, danger, and unexpected twists may have a different experience than I did.

[Rebmay]

This book is a gripping read, with unexpected twists, dark undertones and a steamy romance. Kain and Eva are both survivors of trauma. Trust doesn’t come easy for either of them. Nor does letting down their guards. Kain doesn’t let Eva’s initial rejection phase him. He was instantly smitten by her and is prepared to put in the work to win her favour and ultimately her heart. He relishes the challenge and knows that Eva is the one he wants in his future.

Eva’s most recent ex has made her a bit jaded and more wary of love and men in general. With Kain, she is fighting her attraction and the feelings that are stirring in her heart. She tells herself that caring for her grandfather and planning for her own flower shop should be her focus now, not Kain or any other man. It becomes impossible to ignore him as he always seems to be coming to her rescue in some way. It doesn’t help that her grandfather likes him after his not so subtle interrogation. She is actually ready to take the next step Kain when she gets swept up into his past.

When it becomes clear the spectres from his dark past have resurfaced, Kain and his fellow survivors become determined to find and destroy the evil network that held them captive twenty years ago. It becomes even more imperative when Kain realizes Eva has become a target because of him. He and his friends will use all of their and connections to complete their mission and rescue Eva. The path forward proves to dangerous, very dark and twisty before Kain and Eva get their happily ever after.

I found this book to intense, addictive and hard to put down. Please do read the trigger warnings before reading this dark, suspenseful romance.

[Angela Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kain Kessler is a man of control, after the trauma of his past he is now a highly respected Tattoo artist, although he keeps people at a distances as he believes people who are too close can be a weakness to him. He has lived his life in isolation for so long until he meets a beautiful women who may just break the shell of the hard exterior of Kain's walls he has built up over the year's.

Eva Collins has had heartbreak in the past and is happy striving for her dream of owning a flower shop one day, until Kain walks into her life but she is wary and still wants the independent life she has maintain for a while as another heartbreak would be soul destroying.

As there lives are entwined with each other, Kain's past comes and destroys his present, he must try and find Eva and push against all he has left behind. Can he find her in time and can Eva survive long enough for her to have her happily ever after.

I loved this first book in the series, the beginning of the story sets up Kain's past the reasons why he is the man he is today. The slow burn of the romance was a great page turner and I loved the sassy and confidence in Eva from the beginning.

The twists and turns in the story will have you engaged and driving you to carry on reading and wondering what more can this couple endure through the story, but it is so well written you feel you are with them the whole way through. Although Kain is a alpha male character the story develops and shows you his vulnerable side when things happen to Eva and you see him changing with each chapter.

I have loved all of Nadia Han books and this start to this series is no different, can't wait to read the next book.

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kain Kessler is a man who has survived a terrible and haunting past, forced to do unimaginable things and all while keeping his humanity intact, one saving grace for him was learning how to tattoo, this became his lifeline to escape and then his future career, building up a dynasty of tattoo parlours and fitness centres, all while praying his past is right where it should be.

Eva is a florist and has dreams of opening her own shop one day, but for now, she is saving her money and spending time with her Grandpa when he visits and it is him that encourages her to take a chance and a risk on someone new, a chance encounter at work with an older, tattooed man buying passion flowers.

The moment Kain sees Eva in the florist, he knows he is done for, her bright smile, friendly demeanour and curves for miles leave him speechless and when a chance meeting again while out for lunch means that he can get to know her better, he grasps at the chance. Unfortunately, life isn't all positive, the darkness he thought he had destroyed is back and hovering around the edges like a shadow until his light in the world is taken.

Eva is going through a normal day when she is suddenly ambushed and drawn into a dark world of death and destruction, but she has a lifeline she can hold into and hope that he will rescue her, but will Kain get to her in time and be able to confront his darkest fears, or will he lose it all and return to the darkness? This is a romantic suspense which builds up slowly and hooks you in along the way when darkness and light battle for supremacy in a world behind the shadows and in the criminal underbelly.

[ThatBookishWriter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m seriously obsessed with this book! Truly one of my favorite books of 2026 so far! Once I started it, it was so hard to put down!

I was hooked and fully invested in both of Eva’s and Kain’s story. Both of them had sad and traumatic past. Seeing both of them grow and overcome their past Trauma.

Eva learning to see the beauty in things truly showed how much she has overcome as the story progressed. Also Eva really is a badass. She was really good under pressure and honestly is so smart and has a great memory and attention to detail. She figured something out that helped save lives where most people wouldn’t have not thought much of it, other than being a work of art.

I love Kain so much! He would do anything for the people that he loves. His found family and the girl that he loves. He has been through so much but didn’t let that hold him back. He made a great life for himself and now his woman.

Really enjoyed the twists and turns that I didn’t see coming! Seeing fate working its magic on reuniting someone who helped Kain in the past.

You know a story is good when you can even feel some sympathy for one of the villains. It definitely tugged on the heartstrings.

It has some of my favorite tropes, such as age gap, touch her and die, Vengeance, love at first sight.

Love seeing characters and connections from past books.

If you love morally gray billionaire suspense romance, with touch her and die vibes, love at first sight and slow burn tension. Then this book is for you!

[Sabína · Rating 4 out of 5]

Náhodné stretnutie v kvetinárstve, temná minulosť a žiarivá budúcnosť. Takto by sa v skratke dal zosumarizovať vzťah úspešného podnikateľa a tatéra Kaina Kesslera a kvetinárky Evy Collins. Prežije však tento vzťah Kainovu minulosť, ktorá nepekne zasiahne do Evinho života a ich spoločnej budúcnosti?

Kvety, tetovania, instalove, hot miliardár a age gap. 🤭 Ak vás toto navnadilo a chcete si knihu prečítať, vychádza už o pár dní! 🥳 (Pssst, je tam aj krimi zápletka! 🤫)

A teraz ku knihe:
Ak by som sa do tohto ARC-u naplno ponorila, prečítala by som ho max. za 2 dni. Dej je rýchly a bez zbytočnej vaty. Postavy sú celkom uveriteľné (vzťahy medzi nimi už trošku menej) a vybudujete si k nim určite pozitívny vzťah. (To, že vám občas budú liezť na nervy, je úplne normálne. 😆) Páčilo sa mi aj prostredie, v ktorom bol dej zasadený – na to však môže mať vplyv to, že som knihu začala čítať posledný deň svojho výletu v nórskom Osle. 😂

Musím však priznať, že túto knihu by som skôr chcela čítať napríklad ako duet. Je to romantic suspense a práve v tých napínavých častiach sa mi ten príbeh zdal celkom povrchný. Autorka mohla ísť v temných pasážach oveľa viac do hĺbky - či už by sa jednalo o okolnosti alebo psyché postáv. Niečo typu Cat&Mouse Duet, ale podstatne menej dark.

Kniha je však prvý diel Etched série, tak som zvedavá, čo bude ďalej. Síce sa už bude jednať o iný pár, je možné, že sa niektoré tie temné časti vyjasnia.

[Jaelene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Etched in Ink pulled me in with its mix of romance, suspense, and danger wrapped in flowers, tattoos, and secrets. I really enjoyed that this story focused more on the plot and emotional connection between the characters rather than relying only on spice to carry the romance. The chemistry is definitely there, but the mystery and darker elements were what kept me turning the pages.

One of my favorite parts was Eva being a florist. As an herbalist, it was so fun to see someone else loving flowers as much as I do. It felt refreshing and different from a lot of romances, and I loved how flowers and floral symbolism were woven into the story and even tied into the murders and the investigation elements. The way all the connections unfolded honestly had me feeling like I needed a cork board and red string just to keep track of how everything linked together.

Eva’s growth throughout the story was another highlight for me. Watching her find her strength while still holding onto her softness made her easy to root for. And Kain? Protective, intense, and carrying more pain than he lets people see. I really enjoyed the dynamic between them and how much he wanted to shield her from the darkness around them.

For those who are just getting into Dark Romance or for those with queasy stomachs, PLEASE check the triggers for this one.

Thank you so much Nadia and Love Notes PR for allowing me on the ARC Team for this amazing story!

[Amanda Kimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5 Stars

Etched in Ink (Etched #1) by Nadia Han

This isn’t the first book I’ve read by the author. The author has outdone themselves again. Etched in Ink is the first book in the Etched Series. Kain and Eva are a fantastic couple and I hope to see more of them in the next book. I think you will love this book.

Kain is a tattoo artist who escaped his own personal hell twenty years prior. He hasn’t been attracted to a woman since because of the hell he went through. When he meets Eva he knows that she might just be the one. Then things from his past come back to bite him and his friends in their butts. The quote I chose for him is: “I did the math. It comes down to the same amount of money spent. If I bought groceries and didn’t cook them in time, they’d spoil, and that’d be a waste. There’s an International Food Court not too far from here. I can get delicious meals at an affordable price.”

Eva wants to own her own flower shop one day. While helping Morgan out at her flower shop she meets Kain. She never thought of herself dating someone with tattoos. Then something happens that causes her to fall for Kain. She knows the things he went through twenty years ago and her heart hurts for him. The quote I chose for her is: “What do you want for lunch? We have all kinds of restaurants here. There’s The Laughing Matter, Family Munch, Luigi’s Pizza, India Spices, Thai Cuisine, and Greek Islands, just to name a few.”

[Michelle Mulvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Etched in Ink is the first book in a new series for this author. The main characters are Kain and Eva.
Kain never really lets anyone in but for some reason when he sees Eva at the flower shop, he wants to know more about her. He asks her out which she declines but he isn’t going to stop there.

Kain and his friends are all investigating a serial killer or a copy cat serial killer that they all have a history with. Kanan his friends who are more like
Little brothers were all
kidnapped at a young age and made to do unspeakable acts. Things that cause real trauma. They were able to escape but still have the emotional scars they will never forget.

Kain and Eva are somewhat part of the same group of friends but have never met. One day when Eva’s bag is stolen, Kain is right there to save the day and at that point, Eva and her grandfather both witness it. Eva’s grandfather is a big fan of Kain’s right off the bat.

When Eva and Kain get together for an event, the chemistry is so strong. Despite the age difference, they both really want to explore what is going on between them.

There was a lot of suspense that leaves the reader wanting to read more pages per sitting just to find out what happens. I definitely enjoyed reading this new series. I love how the author mentions a previous series of hers which happens to be one of my favorites. Lots of
Characters to keep straight. Pieces start falling into place that you never would’ve expected.

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Etched in Ink is a suspenseful romance with slow burn vibes, and an age gap twist. As the first book in the Etched series, I was glad to see that it could be read as a standalone or as part of the series. Nadia Han is a new-to-me author, but if this book is any indication of her work, I am going to love her! Following the story of Kain Kessler, a broken tattoo artist who doesn’t believe in love, and Eva Collins, a florist who avoids love after a bad breakup. The romance in this book really jumped off the page, wrapped in delicious danger, secrets, and Kain's streak of overprotection that kept me intrigued from beginning to end.
I really enjoyed the contrast between Eva and Kain; it definitely gave me opposites attract vibes. The connection between them made me think of insta-love, but you could tell they had to really work at it. Getting together while working through their own issues made the book such a good read. I loved that our FMC was not a weak little woman who needed protecting, but was built with deep strength that called to Kain's alpha-protector energy.
This book (and series) does deal with a lot of mature topics, so definitely check your trigger warnings going into this one. But if you gravitate towards morally gray heroes, protective alpha males, and age-gap romances, then this is one you need to add to your TBR asap! I can’t wait to check out the rest of this series to see where it all goes from here.

[Reading by Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eva works in a flower shop, saving and hoping one day to have her own. As she is coming to work she gets the weirdest feeling that she is being watched, but when she glanced there is no one around.

Their normal customer is at the counter trying to order Bleeding Hearts when a young man comes bursting. The only thing that was keeping her from landing on the floor was the gorgeous man who was able to catch her.

After her grandfather has a heart attack, she convinces him to come stay with her in case he has any more issues. But his idea of taking it easy and hers are totally conflicting.

When murders start showing up with the victim holding flowers in their hands, Eva is concerned that one of her customers may be the murderer.

I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable.

This book is action-packed and full of danger and intrigue. There is a serial killer on the hunt with dark themes regarding kidnapping and organ harvesting. There are so many coincidences in this book that the author has woven into the story beautifully.

If you like dark romance, you will love this story, but beware if you have triggers, because this romantic suspense is straight out of Criminal Minds with horror. Highly recommend. This book is the first I have read by this author, but she is now on my one-click list.

[Raquel Garces · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm conflicted here. It wasn't quite a 3 but not a full 4 star for me.

I enjoyed the premise and the over all story line. The store names were generic but also hilariously spot on to the business it represented.

I didn't mind the age gap; he's 42 and she's 26. Yes, it's 16 years but, both ages are turning points and still allowed for growth.

The banter was decent between Kain and Eva, the tension seemed to ebb and flow, but it was also inconsistent. Eva had just come out of a toxic situationship with a married man and Kain was a known womanizer. The were slow at first, but then it just seemed to jump (almost literally) to Kain trying to convince Eva for more.

There was also the moment where Kain shared his past with Eva. I felt like there wasn't enough between them meeting, a ''big fight'' and the traumatic past reveal and the healing.

I wish there was more on Kain's past and his best friends. I also wish there was more about Dennis. His villainy seemed extreme and almost out of place.

I would have loved to know how Kain and his friends built their businesses and coming up with ''Etched Square''.

I just felt like there was a lot missing from it but I was still engaged enough to want to finish it over my other reads.

I was given this book as a digital ARC through Love Notes PR. I am interested in continuing the series in the future.

[Beejai Bohls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series and it starts out amazing. I was drawn in during the first chapter and couldn't put it down. The characters are great. You have a MMC that lives a little in the grey and a FMC that actually has a backbone and is unpredictable. They do have character growth throughout the book which really helped move the storyline along. I am a sucker for an age gap romance and this was down brilliantly. It is a dual POV which allowed me to se things from each perspective and the sizzle that you can feel coming off the pages is fan worthy. There is a lot of suspense in this book that actually fit with the slow burn romance. It seemed to me the more suspense the more sizzle between the characters. That adds for a great plot. This book is a quick read not because of the length but because you won't be able to put it down. This storyline has a way to make you think one thing and then something happens that you aren't expecting. I love when that happens. I read a bunch of books every year so finding one that can still surprise me automatically gets 5 stars. This one also has the slow burn, age gap, suspense, sizzle, etc which helps with the 5 stars. I can't wait to read more of this series because is this is how we are starting, we are in for one heck on a journey.

[Erin Dodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Etched in Ink by Nadia Han

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Etched in Ink is the first book in Nadia Han's newest series. This is the second book I've had the pleasure of reading by author Nadia Han. I thoroughly enjoyed Kain Kessler and Eva Collins. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the age gap but it was done beautifully. I absolutely LOVE slow burns.. the angst, the longing.. the touch her and die 🥵 Kain has it bad from the minute he lays eyes on the young entrepreneurial Eva. All Eva has ever wanted was her own floral shop and she won't stop until her dream comes true. But everything changes when Eva is kidnapped. Kain will stop anyone and everything from hurting his flower. "She is the flower soothing my soul, and I am the thorn protecting her.”



View all my reviews

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is by an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book. I never hesitate to pick by their books as I know what I am in for. I enjoy this author’s use of details that make me feel as if I am part of the character’s world. I also enjoy this author's creative characters that are written with a lot of heart and spice. This is a romance story that has some suspense added to it. A story about Kain and Eva. Kain doesn’t believe in love until he meets Eva and is determined that she be his. The problem is that she rejects him. But what will happen when she is kidnapped and put in the back of a trunk? He wants to protect her and she wants to heal him. This is a story you don’t want to miss. The suspense will keep you turning pages and the romance will keep you coming back for more. I enjoyed both of these characters and what they add to the story. They are strong, determined and connectable. They made me want to know more about them for sure. I enjoyed watching their growth from beginning to end. Their story is fast paced, engaging and hard to put down. This is one of my favorites by this author and I think it will be yours as well. I highly recommend this story.

[Anya Davies-schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Etched in Ink was a great read! The story was equal parts mysterious, emotional, and romantic.
The story follows characters, Eva and Kain, who are both carrying emotional baggage and trying to figure out who they are beyond the mistakes and hardships they've faced. Kain is a millionaire, non-arrogant, business owner created from a traumatic past. Eva works in a flower shop with hopes of opening her own store. From the first time he walked into her flower store, he knew she was different. As their lives become increasingly intertwined, they must navigate complicated family dynamics, past relationships, personal insecurities, and the fear of opening themselves up to someone new. What I enjoyed most was how naturally the relationship developed. There was plenty of tension, vulnerability, and meaningful conversations that made the connection feel genuine rather than rushed. The tattoo studio setting added such a unique atmosphere to the story, and I loved how tattoos were used as symbols of memories, healing, and personal growth.
The writing is emotional without being overly dramatic. If you enjoy character-driven romances filled with emotional healing, personal growth, and found family vibes, I would recommend. I look forward to reading other stories from the author.

[Jessie Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new series that I am excited to read more of! I have not previously read anything from this author, but that will be changing! The mystery and suspense were amazing and I was loving it. The slow burn romance is there throughout the book.
Kain is a strong character with a dark past that is focusing on himself and not looking for anything to be added to his life in a romance way. He is focused on his businesses and continuing to live his life and heal after his trauma. He has found his own family and holds those relationships very close. Once you are in his inner circle, that’s your place for life.
Eva is a force to be reckoned with. She is enjoying her life, not taking anything to serious as she reestablishes her life after the ending of a long relationship. She isn’t a damsel in distress, she isn’t prissy or soft as one might think. She focuses on the beautiful things in life not because nothing has ever been bad but because she refuses to be stuck in the negative and bad things.
They come together and are just what the other needs, bringing calm to one another and helping one another to become better versions of themselves.
The ways the characters are woven together is amazing and I am looking forward to the next in the series.

[kd_loves_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This an ARC review. Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for the opportunity to read this book.

Etched in Ink is a mystery/suspense romance. This book starts out really well we are given an insight into the darkness Kain has suffered in the prologue and this theme is carried on through the book and is the major element of the storyline. After suffering heartbreak, Eva no longer trusts men so when Kain asks her out, she is not very receptive. But Kain is persistent, in a nice way, until she agrees to a date. The mystery and the romance start to intertwine. People are not what they seem and the is danger lurking.

The mystery/suspense storyline is good but I expected more from this plot. It lost my attention around the middle of the book, but did pick up and have some drama towards the end. The romance between Kain and Eva is sweet and he is good at supporting her and looking after her, making her feel cared for. Eva's character is feisty when she wants to be but also vulnerable and empathetic to Kain and everything he has suffered.

A good read, but just lacked the deeper drama and emotion for me.

[Emily Knaus · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s something electric about the moment Kain sees Eva for the first time. It’s like two lives that were always meant to cross finally snapping into place. What follows is a story inked with trauma, tenderness, and a mystery.

At 42, Kain’s a survivor in every sense. He’s man who clawed his way out of a nightmare childhood and built a life defined by loyalty, quiet power, and the ink he wears like armor. When he sees Eva, a 26‑year‑old florist at her shop and caring for her grandfather, it’s instant. Intense. You feel it in your bones level chemistry.

Kain and Eva together are magnetic. Their connection feels fated and grounded, soft but not lacking that charged attraction. He’s protective without being overbearing; she’s gentle but resilient. Their dynamic gives the book its heartbeat. And don’t get me stared on Kain’s intensity and dirty talk, there’s a reason Eva calls him her Tattooed Titan.

The plot twists keep you guessing, especially as the truth about the organization Kain escaped, a horrifying network dealing in human body parts, starts to re-surface. And the full‑circle moment involving Eva’s grandfather? Beautiful, emotional, and exactly the kind of moment that makes you gasp. What surprised me most was how seamlessly Nadia Han blends mystery, danger, and slow‑building intimacy.

A huge thank you Nadia Han for the early copy!