Of Ink and Alchemy

Black Rabbit #1

by Sloane St. James

All’s fair in love and war at a tattoo parlor―until a stalker enters the picture―in this deliciously dark romance from the author of the Lakes Hockey series.

Even before her father’s death, Kelly Everhart always knew Logan Teller was someone she could rely on. Now he’s taken over the Black Rabbit tattoo shop and brought her along with him. And while Kelly still finds her former crush and current mentor hot as hell, they’re firmly in the friendzone. Or so she thinks . . .

Logan’s been biding his time, but he’s no longer leaving anything to chance―not since Kelly started getting serious with her boring boyfriend. And as Logan manipulates the situation and sabotages the couple every chance he gets, Kelly starts to notice all the ways her Jason doesn’t quite measure up to the man who’s always been such a huge part of her life.

When her relationship with Logan suddenly goes from playful and platonic to strictly sinful, Kelly can’t stop herself from falling head over heels. But just as things are heating up between them, she starts receiving anonymous messages with information only a few―including Logan―could possibly know about her. Can she trust him after all?

Of Ink and Alchemy is a dark romance with a morally gray MMC and mature content featuring explicit scenes.

Genres: Dark Romance, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Audiobook, Forced Proximity, Workplace, Suspense

344 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 2026

About the author

Sloane St. James began writing in 2022, it combines two of her favorite things, books and getting plowed. She enjoys writing strong, witty females and the dirty-talking men that love them--with a little suspense tossed in wherever she can. As an avid hockey fan, her Lakes Hockey series was a natural place to start and debuted in March 2023.

When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and, of course, reading romance.

Reviews

[kimberly ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡. [semi-hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

‎❝ you and i are more powerful than art, sweetheart—we're alchemy. ❞

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ i inhaled this like it was oxygen and now my standards for real men are unusable, unrealistic, and deeply embarrassing. i fear logan teller has permanently rewired my brain chemistry.


₊˚꒰ ⟡ ˙ i. plot. ₊˚⊹ ꒱
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ we got kelly everhart, who basically grew up in black rabbit. it's her dad's shop, her second home, her entire personality trait. after her dad dies, logan teller takes over the shop, keeps the door open, and lowkey becomes the grumpy guardian of her entire existence. he's her the safe place, her constant, the older tattoo artist she once had a humiliating teenage crush on, and now her boss. very normal. extremely healthy.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ present-day kelly is trying to be responsible and stable with her aggressively mediocre boyfriend, jason, while logan, meanwhile, is sitting in the corner launching his entire villain arc because how dare this man exist in kelly’s proximity.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ logan teller is a walking problem. he's emotionally constipated in theory but actually hyper-observant in practice. he has been quietly planning his entire life around kelly in secret like some kind of lovesick project manager. by which i mean sabotage. strategic, petty, "i'm just looking out for you" sabotage. he doesn't destroy the relationship loudly; he gently nudges it toward a cliff and hands it a map.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ then someone starts sending kelly anonymous messages and the book suddenly becomes a thriller. now we've got grief, tattoos, pining, relationship sabotage, suspicious texts, buried secrets, and the ghost of her dad hovering over everything in the form of letters that genuinely punched me in the chest. two idiots orbiting each other so hard they create their own gravitational pull. i was fed.


₊˚꒰ ⟡ ˙ ii. romance. ₊˚⊹ ꒱
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ the romance is where this book shines and also where my ethics went outside to scream. kelly and logan have that dangerously potent "we've known each other forever" thing going on. she knows his tells, he knows her burrito order, and every interaction feels layered with years of unsaid things. their chemistry is insane. the work scenes? the almosts? yeah. criminal.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ now, logan's behaviour. listen, i will not lie to you. this man is manipulative. he does some deeply shady stuff under the banner of protecting her and knowing what's best. if that trope is not it for you, run. if, however, you are like me and your brain says "hmm, morally grey men with questionable coping mechanisms? very tasty," then you're going to have an entertaining time.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ then, there was that proxy marriage thing. logan doesn't just sabotage her relationship; he falsely files paperwork so they're legally married on paper without her knowledge. committing light fraud to secretly become your husband is CRAZY behaviour, but somehow, this book still made me a giggly fuck. in real life? JAIL. in fiction? unforunately, i was eating it up like it was my last meal. my morality just walked out of the room and never came back.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ did i occasionally want to bonk him on the head and throw him into couples therapy? yes. did i also kick my feet at half his lines and melt when he showed vulnerability. also yes. i contain multitudes.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ kelly, thankfully, is not a doormat. she questions him. she pushes back. she has her own dreams and opinions, and she is rightfully pissed when she starts realizing just how deep his interference goes. i liked that she wasn't just there to be swept away by tattooed chaos; she gets mad, makes him work for it, and doesn't swallow everything just because he’s hot and knows his way around ink and a tattoo gun.


₊˚꒰ ⟡ ˙ iii. conclusion. ₊˚⊹ ꒱
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ here's some stuff that had me in a chokehold. the tattoo shop setting! i am a simple creature. buzzing machines, ink, found-family coworkers, the letters from her dad, the little asl moments, and a broody owner with sexy forearms and big hands in gloves. instant serotonin. kelly having a backbone? bless a heroine who calls a man on his bullshit even when he looks like that.‎ and as a lakes hockey girlie, the connective tissue with camden and rhys was fun too. and the spice? respectfully, your honour, there were moments where i had to put the kindle down and stare at the wall.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ what held it back from a full five-star unhinged rating? the stalker/thriller angle is fun and keeps things tense, but it never fully leans into the wild, deranged payoff i was lowkey hoping for. the resolution works and kinda had me STRESSED, but it's not as oh my god as the setup teases. a couple of emotional resolutions at the end come together a little too neatly for the amount of chaos we waded through to get there. i was hoping for one more emotional punch in my solar plexus.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ overall, i had a fantastic time. i highlighted like a menace, and logan teller has cemented his position in my roster of fictional men to obsess over.

— 4 stars. ⋆˚☆˖°.ᐟ


.° ༘🎧ྀི⋆ favourite quotes 🖇₊˚ෆ
❛ there's no universe that exists where we don't end up together in the end. ❜

❛ that was when i stopped calling her junior and started referring to her as chaos. because that's what she was, my own personal chaos. ❜

❛ her beauty is cruel. the kind that could ruin a man, and i'm on my knees begging to be destroyed. ❜

❛ i want to be more than one of your masterpieces. i want to be your obsession. the muse you chase, the piece that torments you. something you sign your name to and never let go. ❜


‎── ⟡ ˙ 🪻༘ ₊ main tropes. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
⟢ friends to lovers
⟢ dark romance
⟢ grumpy x sunshine
⟢ workplace romance
⟢ age gap
⟢ mentor x apprentice
⟢ boss' daughter


⌗ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎started: feb. 3rd, 2026. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎⌝
‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎⌞ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎finished: feb. 17th, 2026. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✦


₊˚꒰ 𖧷 ꒱ ⊹ pre-review:
⤿ i wanna bully and worship this man in equal measure. rtc!

₊˚⊹ ᰔ pre-read:
⤿ i have been salivating for logan teller since cam's book over a year ago. this tattooed menace has been living in my head rent-free, squishing my last brain cell, and now his book is finally in my selfish, greedy little hands. pray for my sanity.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ this was toxic & messy & unhinged and I absolutely loved it

[Courtenay (ceelovesbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

okay WOW! I mean, I know we all love Sloane (how could you not?!) but is this her best book yet?! THE PLOT HAD ME SCREAMING!!! FULL RTC when I get my shit together after LOSING IT over this book!

——————————————

If you know anything about me, you know I’m a HUGE Sloane St.James fan. Like, obsessed. I mean, the woman created Camden freakin Teller?! Hello!? Well, as expected then you know I was going to LOVE and DEVOUR a new series, that happens to start with Logan Teller.. Camdens stepbrother. COME TO MAMA 🥵

For the first half of this book, I really was just vibing.. like yeah. Okay. This guy is OBSESSED with this best friend. Like possessive / obsessive obsessed.. everything’s fine. He’s biding his time, he’s wanting to take it slow.. what a sweetie. 🥹

AHAHHA JUST KIDDING THO, because things started happening, weird things. Things that had me questioning everything I thought I knew about Logan & Kelly.. in the BEST way.

This book has a great amount of suspense, secrets, and the spice?! Girl, don’t even get me started on the f*cking spice. I can’t even talk about it. I can’t even DEAL with the spice in this book. We’re talking EYE CONTACT, full on LOVE MAKING, POETRY SPICE. Like hot as hell, one handed spice scenes.. but make it powerful. Make it beautiful. Make it FILTHY. YUMMYYYY!

Also, just for my own notes.. a hate sex scene that will literally live RENT FREE for the rest of time.. I don’t think I’ve read something THAT good in a LONGGGGG time.

Anyways, just read this book. It is phenomenal, and everything I didn’t know I needed. I’m a mess. It doesn’t come out until February, but it quickly became one of my top reads of 2025. I’m still not over them. GIMME MORE!!

💛 Slutty Glasses
🖤 She’s Pierced
💛 Obsessive / Possessive MC
🖤 Touch Her & 💀
💛 T*tty F*cking
🖤 Suspense
💛 Hot As F Hate Sex
🖤 Lakes Cameos
💛 Tattoo Artists
🖤 He Gets Her Tattooed On Him

[Cozy Puppy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a sinister and suspenseful blend of dark romance and equal parts psychological thriller, you'll love the vibes Of Ink and Alchemy by Sloane St. James. While it is marketed as a dark romance, I found it also leaned heavily into romantic suspense and thriller territory—think Freida McFadden vibes but with significantly more explicit spice. The story follows Kelly Everhart, the daughter of an esteemed tattoo artist, who is working as an apprentice and trying to live up to his legacy. If you love retro pin-up girls, like Amy Winehouse or RAYE, you will absolutely love the nostalgic vintage aesthetic of her character. She navigates her apprenticeship while dealing with a long-standing crush on her mentor, Logan, who takes the definition of obsessed to another level. The atmosphere is gritty and thick with uneasiness, tension, and heat.

The audiobook experience, produced by Podium Entertainment, is an absolute standout. The true duet narration is incredibly immersive, with the actors alternating lines rather than just chapters. The male narrator, James Cassidy, gives off Batman vibes in the best way possible, as Logan. Both he and Chloe Ryan deliver performances so clear that I was able to listen between 1.7x and 2.5x speed and still perfectly understand every word. I also really appreciated the representation of American Sign Language (ASL) woven into the story.

I haven’t read many dark romances, but this was an utterly suspenseful psychological story. This is not a cutesy romantic comedy. Since this book contains dark themes and thriller elements, please check the trigger warnings for sensitive content before diving in.

Perfect if you love:

❤️ Tattoo artists
✨️ A FMC with a retro pin-up girl style (think Amy Winehouse/RAYE vibes)
❤️ A MMC that’s obsessed beyond belief
👀 Gritty, unsettling thrillers
🔥 Spice, spice (and more spice)
😱 Psychological, "what's going to happen next" mystery
🖤 Dark and unhinged romantic suspense
✨️ American Sign Language (ASL) representation

Thank you to Podium Entertainment for an advanced listener copy of this book for review consideration. This review is voluntary. All opinions are my own.

[Scott B ☕️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well this was not what I expected. With alchemy in the title I thought there was to be some type of magic involved in the storyline. I was mistaken.

[Afton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you don’t pick the book, the book picks you. And then you get you a Teller.

6 freaking well earned stars.

Full review:

Slone absolutely ate with this book and truly left no crumbs behind. Every piece of the story felt intentional and so well executed. The plot was tightly woven, engaging from start to finish, and completely impossible to put down.

The spice? Spiccccccccing. Perfectly placed, perfectly paced, and it added so much depth to the characters’ connection without ever overpowering the story. And the way she seamlessly wove in characters from her other books? It genuinely felt like coming home, the kind of full-circle moment that longtime readers live for.

This was an easy six-star read for me. One of those books you start “just one chapter” of and suddenly it’s hours later and you’re staring at the wall, processing everything you just read. A truly unique storyline that’s meant to be devoured and remembered long after the last page. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[sashenka 🖤]

Got the ARC 💕

Thanks to Netgalley, Podium Publishing and Sloane St. James for the free copy.

[Noi (in & out)]

“I know exactly what you are, Chaos... I see the darkness you harbor, the violence you try to hide. But you can’t hide from me. I chose you for the parts you bury in the shadows.”
-----------
This man teetered between hot and disturbing.
The dad's letters were my favorite part.
Thor better get a book, he deserves it.
-----------
You don't even know how loud I squealed when I found out about this. Words are just not enough.

[ras 🔻 · Rating 1 out of 5]

i wasn’t hating this until the random exhibitionism bit with a coworker, no warning nothing 😐 i hate being taken off guard with something like that

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: steals her from OM, mutual pining
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

RTC

[Anna Nenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

EDIT: I’m sorry for unintentionally misleading some of you about MMC and OW 🥺- I was sure they were married - they were not! (these are the “joys” of multitasking and unwillingly missing some parts on audio🤦🏻‍♀️)

Duet style narration 5/5🎧
Story 3,5/5 ⭐️
Spice 3,75/5 🌶️
No cheating
OM and OW drama (no detailed smex scenes with OW!)
MMC was celibate for a while
I purchased the audio so here are my thoughts:
I liked how it all started, and honestly the audio was🔥 (both Chloe and James did an amazing job voice acting!) - unfortunately there were 2 scenes that made no sense to me (will explain towards the end!)
This was my update for the first half of the book:
“Forgot to mention that MMC, while staying celibate, for a long period 3years 🙌has given FMC time and space to live her life (respecting her father’s wishes but hating every moment and every thought of her being with OP 🫣😬but when he decides it’s time to act on his feelings he goes berserk 🤭and starts doing so many schemes and still he warns her that he wants her forever so “she better be sure!” 🤭 I liked that he was unhinged and obsessed…
Author researched and included many details about tattooing and piercing techniques! Also there were several emotional moments about FMC’s father.
The second half felt like it wasn’t well planned and a bit disjointed, some things didn’t click(he continued to act unhinged even if that was no longer warranted- she was all in so…!?🤔)
Two things rubbed me the wrong way in the second half:
1) FMC does percings and when a character from a different book appears with his wife to get his 🍆 pierced - we get all the detailed about the process but FMC’s comments/thoughts about “seeing the goods” yikes, to evaluate what she’s working with (because in order to get the piercings right, he needed to get aroused 😬😵‍💫) felt quite icky and completely unprofessional! (She was already sleeping with MMC)
2) There’s a random, out of the blue exhibitionism/voyeur scene (at approximately 65-70% into the book - FMC and MMC in front of a male coworker/friend) - MMC basically doesn’t stop ducking FMC while said male coworker enters the office and stays for an unsavory “chat” with MMC, like “nothing” is happening 😳🤦🏻‍♀️ - a true possessive unhinged MMC would never!
Another thing I didn’t appreciate- (main couple communicates using ASL - MMC teaches FMC ASL which was very sweet!) but MMC was almost engaged (I thought they were married - sorry but I did miss some parts on audio🤦🏻‍♀️) and OW was a psycho (stirs trouble for the couple) but we find out towards the end that he also taught OW ASL - uhm no, because how is that a special bond for the main couple?

[all.the.smut.things · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

✨ Morally Gray MMC
✨ Tattoo Shop Owner x Mentee
✨ Boy Obsessed
✨ Friends to Lovers
✨ The are both a little unhinged

[jenelle ｡･:*˚:✧｡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow. Absolutely not.

Look, we all love a morally grey MMC but oh my word this absolutely is NOT it. He is easily the more abhorrent male I’ve ever read.

All this book talks about is soulmates and how natural it is except he LITERALLY manipulates her at every turn to fall for him. To be together.

He literally causes her trauma, forges her decisions, gaslights her, lies to her, degrades her. From cheating, framing, stalking, tracking, controlling. But all of those in the worst, most disgusting ways.

So why did I finish this book? I really wanted to see how they would work it out because I knew his lies and manipulations would have to come to light and her reason for forgiving him?! OH MY WORD. Girl you have MORE VALUE THAN THAT.

So why 1 star? I liked the narrators.

Thank you Podium Entertainment for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Anja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta read. DEVOURED.
Full RTC closer to release day.

[LollyDolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure about the rating for this one really as the spice deserves a higher rating than the plot, so 4 ⭐️ for the spice alone, but the plot is prob 3–3.5 ⭐️

First, Wow, James Cassidy puts in a shhhiiffft on the narration of this one. Just wow!!! He really sells the filthy scenes 🥵👌🏻 Chloe Ryan narrates the FMC really well too, so an extra star for the audio alone.

This is plenty spicy 🥵🥵, so if that’s your bag you won’t be disappointed on that front at all, and it’s fairly consistent once it starts. Logan our MMC has a filthy mouth, he’s a talker 😁 

Now I found the plot pretty errmm meh especially the first 50–60%. I did not really care much for Logan other than his filthy side and our FMC Kelly is alright, she forgives very easily 🤨. I didn't really get what Logan was trying to do!! Was he just a dark character or an idiot 🤷🏻‍♀️. I can’t even be arsed going into what he does but his motives are not protective of her more himself, anyway he did my head in. The suspense stalker subplot running alongside the romance was not bad even though you could see what was happening a mile off.

The last 30% was the best part of the book, with everything coming to a head along with Logan’s “true” self coming out for Kelly to see. Honestly, I would have clapped if Kelly had turned around and actually left him 😂😂 She didn’t, obviously. Instead, she was in a mood for maybe an hour or two tops. He had well and truly dickmatized her. 

I did like the tattoo parlour setting that was interesting and I liked the side characters that worked there: Casper, Thor and Frankie. I hope they all get a book. The cameos from characters from the Lakes Hockey series and the use of Foxx Bourbon was a nice touch. I do love a crossover between authors/books.

Overall, it was OK. I was just not personally overly into Logan’s character. If you just want a spicy book give it a go.I think there is great potential for the series with the other characters though and I will no doubt pick up Caspers book when it’s released. That's it.

[Jennifer Miner (black_rosereads)🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hell that was excellent!! Kelly and Logan are all the rage!! Grumpy guy who tattoos and a hot mouthy girl who is an apprentice to him, uh yeahhhhh! The story line was on point and it flowed well. The character development was great and allowed me enough info to fall flat on my stupid face for these two! Now for the part that made this read even better?! The damn narrators were excellent! Chloe Ryan and James Cassidy gave such a great performance that it didn’t just have my heart fluttering! James Cassidy panting in my ears was fire and panty melting! Definitely recommend giving this hot as hell read a go for the audiobook because the damn spice in this book may cause you to have to take a break or two…..to um….unwind!😜

[LauraxChristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

*NetGalley ARC review*
Thanks to Netgalley, Podium Publishing and Sloane St. James for the free copy.

"Sweetheart, we're alchemy"

Where do I even start?! I guess the best place would be to announce that this is my favorite book in this genre of all of 2025, and I have read 530 books this year.

MMC, Logan Teller, is basically a 6'4 Jax Teller from Son's of Anarchy with glasses (Swoon!). Silent in the streets and feral in the sheets. This man is delicious. Pulse raced and thighs clenched throughout every spicy scene. They were top-notch and will live rent free in my head for eternity. Is he a walking red flag? 🚩 Absolutely. And I am 100% here for it. There are red flags we ignore, and red flags we barrel into like a bull lips first and Logan is the latter.

FMC Kelly Everhart is the tattooed girl next door who has a dark side underneath her smiley exterior. As far as FMCs go, LOVE her!! She is absolutely someone I would have in my corner. I couldn't imagine having the strength she possesses to get through losing her father and receiving Logan's "gifts" through big events. Those gifts by the way, LOVED that being woven into the storyline. The author made Clyde a present character with that one simple addition.

To the plot! Solid. Freaking. Gold. I loved every bit of the friends to lovers. The yearning from Logan. The sneaking. The plotting behind the scenes. ALL OF IT!! There's mystery, suspense, romance, spice. Have I mentioned I highly recommend it enough yet? 🥵🤣

I dont want to spoil anything, so I'll just encourage you (again) to read this by saying I immediately went and purchase the deluxe edition of this book because it HAS to live on my shelf. I would absolutely read it again even knowing what happens. If this gets an audiobook, I will buy that too. And probably replay certain parts an ungodly amount of times.

If I had to pick a negative thing to say, the use of the term "inked" or "tatts." As someone who has about 80% of her body tattooed, majority of modified people CRINGE at those words. It didnt start until about 50% in, but if I could change a single thing it would be that. Edit all "inked" and "tatts" references to just good ol TATTOOS.

NOTE WORTHY QUOTES
"The things I imagine doing with you are so fucking unfriendly" - SCREAMS!!! 🥵🥵

"This is my dog" my heart melted!!! 🥹🖤

**I could read their "first fight" over and over!!!** - MATRIMONY

I cannot wait for Casper's book. All signs point to his book being up next. Also hoping for a Thor book and a Frankie book!!



----2nd read through----
As mentioned, I read it again when the audiobook came out and my physical copy came in! Still absolutely love this book. The audiobook makes it even better which I didn't think would be possible. The narrators NAILED this!!!!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Germany we call what Logan did for half the book “der Sсhematoz” and I think it is beautiful

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Logan + Kelly

-friends to lovers
-grumpy/sunshine
-workplace romance
-boss’ daughter
-“it’s always been you”

ohhh i'm so happy to be back in another sloane world! her yearning & angst is soooo good!! & the way logan was DOWN BAD & would orchestrate the most elaborate situations to make certain things happen to pull kelly in his direction was amazing!! haha

[Clairsreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

See ya Camden and HELLOOOOOOO LOGAN *down bad* MFIN TELLER 🥵

Logan has been pining after his boss’ daughter, Kelly for years. Waiting until the opportune moment to make his move while also supporting her in her grief and making sure to put himself directly in her sights in all ways, whether that is slightly unhinged or not. While Kelly has been unaware her attraction to her mentor went both ways, once they finally cross that boundary theres no going back to the way things have been. While the things that Logan will do to keep Kelly know no bounds- she may be just as crazy as he is.

I absolutely devoured this book and these two. I didn’t think it was possible to top the Lakes hockey series but I think Black Rabbit may be my new kryptonite. Logan and Kelly were obsessive and possessive and full of sass and fire. Their connection and banter was top notch and the spice? We all know our girl Sloane can write spice but chapter 40??? IYKYK 🔥😮‍�� That audio is not to be listened to in public.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Congrats to this bad ass B and her bad ass book!
Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!

[Lola · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m honestly sad to be rating this one low because I was so excited going in. Sloane is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors, and I’ll read anything she writes, but unfortunately this one was a big miss for me.

For a book with alchemy in the title, there was surprisingly no real chemistry between the main characters. The connection felt forced, and while the MMC was clearly meant to come across as morally gray, he didn’t land that way for me at all.

The pacing also struggled—nothing really picked up until the final 15%, and by that point the payoff felt rushed and a bit underwhelming.

It genuinely pains me to say this because I love Sloane’s work and will absolutely keep reading whatever she releases next, but this one just didn’t work for me.

[Jocie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
3.5🌶️

Like I said, I was obsessed with Logan’s obsession! The things he does? Honestly wish my man would do/say some of those things. Not all of them of course. But one of the things he did? Had me screamingggg! And I’m not saying what that was because I don’t want to spoil it of course, but it was perfect. Chefs kiss from me.

That twist at the end though? I mean I saw it coming, but it didn’t make it any less shocking when it happened. This book had me unapologetically begging for more🧎🏻‍♀️‍➡️. And it surely delivered. The spice was spicing, the chemistry was there, I loved the characters. It was just an amazing book and I need the others in this series yesterday!

When men like Logan come along in my books, instantly gonna love it just for more of him. What can I say? I’m just a girl 🎀

[Shelly | VixenReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully narrated audio! I guessed who the “suspect” was but that didn’t bother me. I was completely enamored with the narrators. This was a fun, smutty good time!
You know how it’s going to play out but I was sat for the vibes.
Loved the unhinged MMC (and please listen to the audio because 😮‍💨)

[Liz | Bookslizreads90 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
this was a wild ride 😅🥰

[Kayla Johnson (KJ Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!

Wow... I think this is Sloane's best plot yet. This was one of the best dark romances I have read to date. Was Logan a little toxic? Yes. Was it justified and we will not hold it against him? Also yes. Sloane writes some of the best FMCs, they are always strong kickass women and Kelly was no different. These tow were fated mates to the fullest. Written in the stars. I loved the mentions of Lakes Hockey players and the preview to Casper and Anna??? I can't wait.
As always in true Sloane fashion, the spice did not disappoint!!
Will absolutely be rereading this one.

[britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

sloane st. james keeps writing jax teller in different fonts and i keep falling for it. this time she actually kept his last name, hair color and facial hair and made him a tattoo artist 🤤

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled with how to rate this book. On one hand, I liked the suspense part of this story. The second half of the book was really interesting and action packed. On the other hand, Logan is too problematic. Like, giant red f-ing flag. Everything he did was an issue and he didn’t really redeem himself. In the end, I just sat there not wanting him to be with Kelly. She deserved better. That wasn’t love, but stalkerish, controlling, manipulative infatuation. Additionally, this is a very spicy book, but the spice is rough in nature, which isn’t my thing. I knew this would have heat, but this was not my flavor. No shame if it’s what you like. In the end, this wasn’t for me. It was well written, but the MMC’s behavior was so troubling that I couldn’t get behind it.

Thank you, Podium Entertainment, for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

[wpwpwpwppw · Rating 3 out of 5]

★ 3.5
-morally gray mmc
-suspense
-workplace romance
-friends to lovers

พระเอกเป็น tattoo artist และเจ้าของร้าน Black rabbit รับช่วงต่อมาจากพ่อของนางเอกที่เป็นช่างในตำนานที่ดังมากๆเป็นที่รู้จักในวงการสัก ปัจจุบันนางเอกเป็นทั้ง tattoo/piercing artist ของร้านเหมือนกัน

พระนางรู้จักกันมานานแล้ว อายุห่างกัน6ปี พระเอกเป็นเหมือนทั้งพี่ชายและเพื่อนของนางเอก จนถึงวัยที่นางเอกอยู่มหาลัยพระเอกถึงค่อยรู้สึกมากกว่าเพื่อน แต่พ่อนางเอกดันรู้ใจพระเอกเลยมาเอ่ยขอพระเอกไว้ว่าให้นางเอกได้ลองใช้ชีวิตดูก่อน แบบได้ลองเลือก ได้คบกับผู้ชายคนอื่นๆที่เข้ามาในชีวิต ซึ่งจริงๆชีนางเอกชอบพระเอกตั้งแต่ช่วงวัยรุ่นแล้วเหมือนกันแต่ก็โดนพระเอกปฏิเสธไป จนมาถึงปัจจุบันนี่ละที่พระเอกฮีตัดสินใจว่ามันถึงเวลาแล้ว

เล่มนี้ต่างจากทุกเล่มที่เคยอ่านมาของคุณSloaneเลย เหตุผลหลักๆน่าจะตีมของ dark romance พระเอกฮีไปสุดมากกกก 🚩 แบบถ้าไม่ได้เป็นพระเอกก็คือผู้ชายน่ากลัวคนนึง ฮี manipulative นางเอกสุดๆ ด้วยmindset ที่ว่าเรารักกัน ฉันรู้ดี!สุดท้ายยังไงก็คือเราสอง 5555555 ทำได้ทุกอย่างทุกทางจริงๆ แบบที่อ่านแล้ว ห๊ะ!! อีบร้าาาาา! แต่ในความ manipulative นั้นฮีก็ทั้งรักและดูแลนางเอกดีมากๆ ร้ายกับทุกคนยกเว้นนางเอก ละอีกคนที่มองว่า manipulative ชีนางเอกอ้อมๆก็คือคุณพ่อนี่ละ จดหมายที่ถึงไว้แต่ละฉบับชักจูงสุดๆ ส่วนพาร์ท suspense ก็เสริมมาให้มันตื่นเต้นระหว่างอ่านแหละแต่ส่วนตัวคิดว่าเดาง่ายไปหน่อย ฉากที่แบบกำลังตื่นเต้น ระทึกใจ ก็คลี่คลายง่ายๆแบบอีหยังวะ

สรุป เป็นหนึ่งในเล่มที่รอคอยของปีนี้เลยเพราะเป็นงานของนักเขียนที่ชอบแบบที่อ่านทุกเล่ม แต่เล่มนี้ไม่ค่อยตรงตามความคาดหวังคือมันไม่ใช่ไม่สนุกจนอ่านไม่ได้ไรงั้นนะ แต่โดยรวมแล้วไม่ประทับใจเท่าไหร่ มี potential มีทุกอย่างแบบที่ควรจะสนุกแต่ทำไม่ถึง ครึ่งแรกของเรื่องเจอการเว้นวรรคประโยคแปลกๆที่มันขัดมู้ดการอ่านอยู่เรื่อย(ไม่เคยเจอในงานเล่มเก่าๆ) อีกอย่างพอเป็นเล่มที่พระนางรักกันตั้งแต่แรกมันก็เลยไม่ค่อยตื่นเต้นกับความสัมพันธ์ของคู่นี้เท่าไหร่ บวกกับพฤติกรรมพระเอกที่มันไม่ได้น่าเอาใจช่วย ขนาดว่าพยายามอ่านด้วยมุมมองของการอ่าน dark romance ก็แล้ว🙂‍↕️แต่เทนชั่นช่วงก่อนคบกันคือดีเลย ขนลุกขนชัน spice ก็ 3.5/5

[Jen | The Jenny Edit · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

Having gone into this story blind, I had no idea what to expect and was so pleasantly surprised with what this book delivered!

We get a morally grey, wildly obsessed MMC in Logan, a strong, feisty and badass FMC in Kelly, a kind of longing that stretches years and makes your heart swoon, plus a suspense thread that keeps you guessing. Exactly the kind of book I gobble right up. And I did.

Narration by Chloe Ryan and James Cassidy was captivating, hot as hell, so emotional and so incredibly well-executed. I was immersed in the story and that had so much to do with their performances.

Thanks so much to Sloan and Podium Entertainment for this arc and alc!

[Sarah | sarah.onemorechapter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Ink and Alchemy is book 1 in Sloane’s newest series!

Logan & Kelly were fated, no doubt about that. I loved how he fell first & had zero regrets over any of the completely UNHINGED sh*t he did to win her over. But I love a man who dabbles in the grey sooo…..

Kelly is all fire. She’s not afraid to go after what she wants and she’s not one to be taken advantage of. Logan finds that out & the hate s*x that comes after is explosive.

The last 30% of this book was my favorite. The twists, the honesty and the emotional breakthroughs between them blew me away.

I’m so dang excited for Casper’s story!!

Thank you Sloane for the arc! I adore you and I’m so grateful.