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Whispers of Ink and Starlight: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 1 Apr 26A spellbinding tale of forbidden love and the power of words, where a girl must choose between the life written for her and the future she dares to imagine.
In a small Georgia town, Nelle’s life has been carefully scripted by her creator and captor, the reclusive author Wallace Quill. Born from ink and imagination, every breath she takes is dictated by his pen. But on a star-studded Fourth of July night, she meets James—a young man with dreams as vivid as the fireworks above them—and suddenly, the unwritten becomes possible.
As Nelle and James fall deeply in love, they embark on a breathtaking journey across Europe, each new experience a defiant stroke against the words that bind her. But freedom has a price. With every mile they travel, the ink in Nelle’s veins threatens to rewrite their story. In a world where every moment could be her last, Nelle and James must fight to write their own happily ever after—before the final page turns.
In a small Georgia town, Nelle’s life has been carefully scripted by her creator and captor, the reclusive author Wallace Quill. Born from ink and imagination, every breath she takes is dictated by his pen. But on a star-studded Fourth of July night, she meets James—a young man with dreams as vivid as the fireworks above them—and suddenly, the unwritten becomes possible.
As Nelle and James fall deeply in love, they embark on a breathtaking journey across Europe, each new experience a defiant stroke against the words that bind her. But freedom has a price. With every mile they travel, the ink in Nelle’s veins threatens to rewrite their story. In a world where every moment could be her last, Nelle and James must fight to write their own happily ever after—before the final page turns.
315 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2026
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448 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 26, 2025
Thank you to the publisher Lake Union Publishing for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Nelle is not human she is a girl made from ink and the imagination of reclusive author Wallace Quill, Nelle’s every move is mapped by the ink in her blood and Quill’s pen. One evening on 4th July Quill lets her out of the house for a rare outing by herself, Nelle meets James and the two fall in love. James helps Nelle escape Quill and the two set off travelling across America and Europe. The ink in Nelle’s blood carries unescapable dangers and as the hidden secrets about Nelle’s creation come to light she faces an impossible choice.
I was intrigued by the blurb for this book so I had to read it to find out what it was about, this book was a little bit slow to start but once it gets going we get multiple reveals about Nelle’s history. I can understand why Quill kept Nelle isolated as there are inherent dangers in being what she is but however I don’t agree with his methods as he was very cruel to her. I really liked James as I thought he was really relatable but I struggled to warm up to Nelle as I think she is quite selfish and self centred, this is apparent in the way she treats James. Overall I enjoyed this book, I thought it was very unique and I really enjoyed it.
Nelle is not human she is a girl made from ink and the imagination of reclusive author Wallace Quill, Nelle’s every move is mapped by the ink in her blood and Quill’s pen. One evening on 4th July Quill lets her out of the house for a rare outing by herself, Nelle meets James and the two fall in love. James helps Nelle escape Quill and the two set off travelling across America and Europe. The ink in Nelle’s blood carries unescapable dangers and as the hidden secrets about Nelle’s creation come to light she faces an impossible choice.
I was intrigued by the blurb for this book so I had to read it to find out what it was about, this book was a little bit slow to start but once it gets going we get multiple reveals about Nelle’s history. I can understand why Quill kept Nelle isolated as there are inherent dangers in being what she is but however I don’t agree with his methods as he was very cruel to her. I really liked James as I thought he was really relatable but I struggled to warm up to Nelle as I think she is quite selfish and self centred, this is apparent in the way she treats James. Overall I enjoyed this book, I thought it was very unique and I really enjoyed it.
October 5, 2025
Got my ARCs and just finished reading this book for (probably) the last time in a while.
I can confidently say it’s my favorite book I have read all year.
peace out
garrett
I can confidently say it’s my favorite book I have read all year.
peace out
garrett
January 26, 2026
read for the last time before it releases in April
December 13, 2023
As soon as I saw that this was inspired by the album evermore, Normal people, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and Scotland I immediately went to read the first two chapters that are out right now and they’re amazing. Only issue is I wish there was more
October 24, 2025
This was an odd duck of a book. It's overly long, the ending is understandable but disappointing, and the character who doesn't have ink in his veins is oddly as sheltered and naive or more even, than the one who was housebound for 20 years.
Like "Ink Blood Sister Scribe" this book hinges on written magic, in this case Nelle bleeds ink which is used to animate her. She can feel pain but heals any injury including being cut for her 'ink'. She can think for herself but needs someone to write that she leave the room in order to actually do so.
James is a college student, premed but he really wants to be a writer. He lives in a small town but dreams of joining cousin Jessie in New York City. The two meet at a 4th of July picnic and become fast friends even though she lives in the creepy Quill house. Very quickly Nelle shares her secret with James who is too besotted to care about Nelle's odd 'life'.
Eventually they go on the run - Nelle wants to see the world and James doesn't want to think about going back to med school or trying to tell his parents that he doesn't want to be a doctor. Now James must write for Nelle and they must test the limits of her freedom.
After several stops on the way, they finally make it to New York and James is HOME. He feels it with his whole heart. But eventually he agrees that he promised Nelle the world and Paris is next. When the summer is over, he won't go back to school, he'll find a way to work and live in NYC, surely Nelle will understand.
They are clearly attracted to each other, but James puts the breaks on over and over again to the point that I started to think they were going to give us a coming out story but finally after Nelle makes several first moves, they eventually have a physical relationship and apparently, he's great at it so...?
They have a couple creepy run ins with Quill and Nelle is finally pushed to her limits, taking a chance on her life, to discover how much he lied and manipulated her. James and Nelle go to Scotland where they find Quill's mother who tells Nelle the truth of her life and condition. Quill shows up again but this time he is ready to end his life. He like Nelle is written into the world and he is ready to write himself out of it. Nelle learns that she can not only write for herself, if she focuses, she can think herself into motion. She can even manifest objects.
The writing and the story danced between feeling like a YA but then there was tons of drinking and vivid sex scenes. There was violence and scenes of pastoral idylls. They swung between being utterly naive and stupid to being canny and intelligent. The book was wildly disjointed and that was even after accepting the premise that Nelle was written into the world with ink in her veins.
This was a 3.5 stars book. The ending leaves it open for a possible second book, but I wouldn't rush for it.
Like "Ink Blood Sister Scribe" this book hinges on written magic, in this case Nelle bleeds ink which is used to animate her. She can feel pain but heals any injury including being cut for her 'ink'. She can think for herself but needs someone to write that she leave the room in order to actually do so.
James is a college student, premed but he really wants to be a writer. He lives in a small town but dreams of joining cousin Jessie in New York City. The two meet at a 4th of July picnic and become fast friends even though she lives in the creepy Quill house. Very quickly Nelle shares her secret with James who is too besotted to care about Nelle's odd 'life'.
Eventually they go on the run - Nelle wants to see the world and James doesn't want to think about going back to med school or trying to tell his parents that he doesn't want to be a doctor. Now James must write for Nelle and they must test the limits of her freedom.
After several stops on the way, they finally make it to New York and James is HOME. He feels it with his whole heart. But eventually he agrees that he promised Nelle the world and Paris is next. When the summer is over, he won't go back to school, he'll find a way to work and live in NYC, surely Nelle will understand.
They are clearly attracted to each other, but James puts the breaks on over and over again to the point that I started to think they were going to give us a coming out story but finally after Nelle makes several first moves, they eventually have a physical relationship and apparently, he's great at it so...?
They have a couple creepy run ins with Quill and Nelle is finally pushed to her limits, taking a chance on her life, to discover how much he lied and manipulated her. James and Nelle go to Scotland where they find Quill's mother who tells Nelle the truth of her life and condition. Quill shows up again but this time he is ready to end his life. He like Nelle is written into the world and he is ready to write himself out of it. Nelle learns that she can not only write for herself, if she focuses, she can think herself into motion. She can even manifest objects.
The writing and the story danced between feeling like a YA but then there was tons of drinking and vivid sex scenes. There was violence and scenes of pastoral idylls. They swung between being utterly naive and stupid to being canny and intelligent. The book was wildly disjointed and that was even after accepting the premise that Nelle was written into the world with ink in her veins.
This was a 3.5 stars book. The ending leaves it open for a possible second book, but I wouldn't rush for it.
February 18, 2024
Read as part of an internship with Triada US. No spoilers! but I just went back to my reader’s report and realised that I referred to James as a sKINNY LEGEND?? This is why we edit before we submit, kids.
@ anybody who hasn’t read this : I guess when it comes out you should race to get a copy, because the main character is a “skinny legend”?
Anyywhoo if you like Invisible Life of Addie LaRue then you’ll like this. If you like reading then you’ll like this. If you like when words are on a page then you’ll like this. Source: Dude trust me.
Fascinating. When this book comes out I’m going to buy 73 copies to make up for the emotional turmoil I put Brent through with the words “skinny legend”.
@ anybody who hasn’t read this : I guess when it comes out you should race to get a copy, because the main character is a “skinny legend”?
Anyywhoo if you like Invisible Life of Addie LaRue then you’ll like this. If you like reading then you’ll like this. If you like when words are on a page then you’ll like this. Source: Dude trust me.
Fascinating. When this book comes out I’m going to buy 73 copies to make up for the emotional turmoil I put Brent through with the words “skinny legend”.
November 13, 2025
4.5/5 - Garrett has clearly grown as a writer. From DOL to now, I can see the growth in his story telling and prose. I was lucky to read the early draft 6 years ago and I’m so grateful I received an arc of the final draft. This book was beautiful and an escapism from the world. I think Garrett crafted a unique story that, since I know him personally, is dear to his heart, vulnerable, and true to who he is. I can feel Garrett in these lines and know this is his most deepest and personal book yet. I’m so proud of how far he has come to finally having a published book. I’m so excited to see where he goes from here!
December 5, 2023
Garrett released the first two chapters and they were incredible! Garrett has such a special talent with words his words almost feel like a hug! Someone needs to publish this book!!! ✈️💜
August 24, 2025
Simply put, Whispers of Ink and Starlight is a captivating, timeless read that pairs well with a warm coffee. Garrett weaves magical elements into the known world in a way that provokes thought about how we make decisions.
When their stories already seem written for them, James and Nelle journey to help each other find themselves and chart their own paths. From Lincoln to New York, to Paris (my personal favorite), Edinburgh, and beyond, romance and suspense fill the pages. Their relationship is beautifully youthful, whimsical and authentic. And Garrett certainly delivers when it comes to smut!
By the end of the pages, you’ll find yourself in tears, thinking about the lyrics to Coney Island, specifically, “And I’m sitting on a bench in Coney Island wondering where did my baby go?”
I could never recommend this book enough and certainly can’t wait to read more of Garrett’s future works.
When their stories already seem written for them, James and Nelle journey to help each other find themselves and chart their own paths. From Lincoln to New York, to Paris (my personal favorite), Edinburgh, and beyond, romance and suspense fill the pages. Their relationship is beautifully youthful, whimsical and authentic. And Garrett certainly delivers when it comes to smut!
By the end of the pages, you’ll find yourself in tears, thinking about the lyrics to Coney Island, specifically, “And I’m sitting on a bench in Coney Island wondering where did my baby go?”
I could never recommend this book enough and certainly can’t wait to read more of Garrett’s future works.
January 24, 2026
4.5⭐️
What an unexpected gut punch of a book.
I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and the book jacket doesn’t do this book justice.
A searing coming of age New Adult triumph.
I fully bought into this current world that has a hint of magic. The “rules” made sense to me. The character/relationship growth between James and Nelle separately and together was magnificently done.
This was giving me vibes of the musical ‘The Clockmaker’s Daughter.’ From grief over losing a daughter, he makes one out a clock and she tries to leave after falling in love. The music is amazing: Hannah Waddingham(!) and Fra Fee being gorgeous. Though this books deals with some deep parental abuse. That was well done and illustrated the trauma of “the curse.”
A globetrotting discovery of ones self and the power of words. There’s this palpable sense of foreboding that was propelled by the romance and I was sobbing the last 75ish pages.
I would DEVOUR a movie of this.
Publication Date: April 1, 2026
‘Somewhere between the ages of 12 and 21, he lost rhr superpower to make mundane things magical.
“What about you?” James watches her breath. “Are you happy?”
“I get to right now.” Nell’s nudged his shoe with hers. “Your turn.”
“Why do you only get to happy tonight?”
‘She always loses her appetite after he cuts her. After he funnels her blood into the vials he keeps lined up in his study. Ready to dip his pens into.’
‘But in order to leave, she would have to write for herself, and that is the one rule, Father‘s drilled into her skull harder than any other. If she tries to write for herself, she will die.’
‘The memory makes her shutter. She always knew her actions were predetermined, but seeing it written, altered her perception of reality.’
‘Again and again, he has told her there were only two ways for her to die: if every last crap of her writing in her blood is destroyed, and if she writes with her own ink.’
“What… are you?” he asks. Oddly enough, he is not scared of her. Close to vomiting, yes, but no less thrilled. If anything, more so.
Nelle runs a fingertip along the windowsill. “I’m not a human.”
“Oh, he says.” “That’s not what I thought you’d say.”
“I’m an idea. A figment of someone’s imagination.”
‘… as James falls asleep to the sounds of cicadas and frogs, he wonders if his life has been a irrevocably derailed.’
‘… but she is used to the pain. Some masochistic part of her finds it comforting.’
‘Now it is time to take the road less travelled. To bury the old James and introduce the world to someone he hasn’t met yet.’
‘James started the timer that blew up their lives. Nelle just planted the bomb.’
“I forget, sometimes that you’re not human,” he says, his face giving away no emotion.
“It’s confusing,” Nelle says. “Even for me. I’m essentially alone, the single member of the rarest species in the universe.”
‘Why she can traverse one multi floor building and not another boggles him, but who is he to question the fickle rules of magic.’
‘Nelle nearly dies a little death. So this is kissing.’
“This again? There is no right moment, James. There’s just this moment.”
‘Some writing is just for wringing out the soul.’
‘Once again, he is drawn to her like the tide to the moon.’
“Look at me,” she says. Commands.
All he needed was permission.’
“I wish,” he says, breathless, “that we could stay this close forever.”
‘Characters at heart, imitations of humans, with clear wants and desires and a persistence to achieve them.’
‘What would that life have looked like? Too late now to know.
At last, she is free, and she has nowhere to go.’
‘I’ve been playing with life like it’s not real.’
‘One kiss, and months of progress disappear. He is done for. And he will never recover.’
“Let me look at you. Let me remember this.
What an unexpected gut punch of a book.
I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and the book jacket doesn’t do this book justice.
A searing coming of age New Adult triumph.
I fully bought into this current world that has a hint of magic. The “rules” made sense to me. The character/relationship growth between James and Nelle separately and together was magnificently done.
This was giving me vibes of the musical ‘The Clockmaker’s Daughter.’ From grief over losing a daughter, he makes one out a clock and she tries to leave after falling in love. The music is amazing: Hannah Waddingham(!) and Fra Fee being gorgeous. Though this books deals with some deep parental abuse. That was well done and illustrated the trauma of “the curse.”
A globetrotting discovery of ones self and the power of words. There’s this palpable sense of foreboding that was propelled by the romance and I was sobbing the last 75ish pages.
I would DEVOUR a movie of this.
Publication Date: April 1, 2026
‘Somewhere between the ages of 12 and 21, he lost rhr superpower to make mundane things magical.
“What about you?” James watches her breath. “Are you happy?”
“I get to right now.” Nell’s nudged his shoe with hers. “Your turn.”
“Why do you only get to happy tonight?”
‘She always loses her appetite after he cuts her. After he funnels her blood into the vials he keeps lined up in his study. Ready to dip his pens into.’
‘But in order to leave, she would have to write for herself, and that is the one rule, Father‘s drilled into her skull harder than any other. If she tries to write for herself, she will die.’
‘The memory makes her shutter. She always knew her actions were predetermined, but seeing it written, altered her perception of reality.’
‘Again and again, he has told her there were only two ways for her to die: if every last crap of her writing in her blood is destroyed, and if she writes with her own ink.’
“What… are you?” he asks. Oddly enough, he is not scared of her. Close to vomiting, yes, but no less thrilled. If anything, more so.
Nelle runs a fingertip along the windowsill. “I’m not a human.”
“Oh, he says.” “That’s not what I thought you’d say.”
“I’m an idea. A figment of someone’s imagination.”
‘… as James falls asleep to the sounds of cicadas and frogs, he wonders if his life has been a irrevocably derailed.’
‘… but she is used to the pain. Some masochistic part of her finds it comforting.’
‘Now it is time to take the road less travelled. To bury the old James and introduce the world to someone he hasn’t met yet.’
‘James started the timer that blew up their lives. Nelle just planted the bomb.’
“I forget, sometimes that you’re not human,” he says, his face giving away no emotion.
“It’s confusing,” Nelle says. “Even for me. I’m essentially alone, the single member of the rarest species in the universe.”
‘Why she can traverse one multi floor building and not another boggles him, but who is he to question the fickle rules of magic.’
‘Nelle nearly dies a little death. So this is kissing.’
“This again? There is no right moment, James. There’s just this moment.”
‘Some writing is just for wringing out the soul.’
‘Once again, he is drawn to her like the tide to the moon.’
“Look at me,” she says. Commands.
All he needed was permission.’
“I wish,” he says, breathless, “that we could stay this close forever.”
‘Characters at heart, imitations of humans, with clear wants and desires and a persistence to achieve them.’
‘What would that life have looked like? Too late now to know.
At last, she is free, and she has nowhere to go.’
‘I’ve been playing with life like it’s not real.’
‘One kiss, and months of progress disappear. He is done for. And he will never recover.’
“Let me look at you. Let me remember this.
October 22, 2025
3.75⭐A VERY original story of pain, love, trauma, adventure, and magic. This book nails what it is like being lost in your 20s. If Disney's Jack and Sally were in our world, I believe this would be their journey.
I'm left with a lot of questions about the decisions the characters made..but I think a reread might help me see a different perspective.
Can we also take a moment to appreciate honest intimate scenes👏🙏
I'm left with a lot of questions about the decisions the characters made..but I think a reread might help me see a different perspective.
Can we also take a moment to appreciate honest intimate scenes👏🙏
January 5, 2026
This book was unusual to say the least. Whispers of Ink and Starlight is a very imaginative romance with a touch of magic. Thanks to the author, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
January 12, 2024
I need this book now.
October 30, 2025
A stunning book filled with love, suspense with the hope and sadness of young love.
It's very difficult to write a review for a book that is, to me, a perfect read.
No notes, just read it, and be swept up in the journey.
It's very difficult to write a review for a book that is, to me, a perfect read.
No notes, just read it, and be swept up in the journey.
Want to read
February 8, 2026"inspired by evermore, normal people, and addie larue"
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews