Ink'd & Ice

Wolves of Mayhem #1

by Denise Baer

A dangerous inmate requests conjugal visits from me, and when I don’t show, I fear for my life.

A new town is supposed to be the perfect fresh start, right? Wrong. I’m being stalked and harassed by a dangerous convict, who happens to be a member of the Wolves of Mayhem MC.

***

After a horrible accident, I relocate to another town to start over. Since I'm lacking in the education and experience department, I apply for a crime scene cleaner position, which offers training.

To my surprise, they hire me.

Four months later, I receive a letter from an inmate at the nearby prison, requesting my presence for conjugal visits. At first, I laugh and ignore the letter, assuming it’s a mistake. But his friends show up, shadowing me everywhere, leaving messages until I fear for my life.

I finally meet prisoner 6878309, Kingston “Frost” Tate, and he fits the nickname perfectly.

Inked and dangerous.
Cold and calculating.

My world is upended. I've lost my voice and freedom. I'm tangled in his grip, and if I'm not careful, he'll darken my heart and soul.

Author’s Note: This is a DARK MC romance, so if you don’t like dark romance elements then this book isn’t for you. It ain’t pretty. This story deals with a toxic relationship between Kingston and Stevie who are older characters, and it consists of enemies-to-lovers, morally gray, some horror, and humorous banter. Ink’d & Ice is the first book in an interconnected standalone Wolves of Mayhem MC series. They can be read as standalones, but it’s best to read them in order for the full experience since the storyline weaves through the books. All of them contain adult content and triggers. Reader discretion is advised.

Genres: Abuse, Dark, Romance

321 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2026

Reviews

[➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is unfamiliar to me, but this marks an exciting beginning for a new series. It's worth noting that when the author suggests checking for triggers, it's wise to heed that advice.

This dark motorcycle club romance dives deep into the grittier aspects of its setting. The raw and unrefined atmosphere enhances its authenticity, but readers should be prepared for some intense themes throughout the story.

Some love stories are legendary other stories are toxic, welcome to Moose Grove where the Wolves of Mayhem Rule the land

Stephanie Adams aka Rebel, has faced a tough journey in life, marked by profound loss. First, she endured the heart-wrenching experience of losing her mother to cancer. Then, tragedy struck again when her childhood best friend, Alicia, died in a car accident while they were en route to a girls' weekend. This series of events left Stephanie grappling with survivor's guilt, a feeling that has lingered ever since.

In an effort to find solace, Stephanie decides to pack her few belongings and move to Moose Grove, the town where Alicia grew up. She hopes that being in Alicia's hometown will help ease her guilt and bring her closer to the memories of her dear friend.

However, my personal view is that moving to Moose Grove only intensified Stephanie's struggles. The experiences she encountered in this small town were often unbelievable and at times downright horrific. It's truly remarkable that she managed to endure everything that came her way, showcasing her resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.





Trust me when I tell you , Kingston aka Frost, the MMC, is far from your average hero in every sense. At first glance, he's rough around the edges, unapologetic, and can be downright irritating. As the Sergeant of Arms for the club and the owner of a local tattoo shop, Kingston Frost is a complex character. Currently, he's nearing the end of his second year in prison, serving time for manslaughter, with just over one more year left to go.
Fast forward to Frost's release from prison, and he's ready to shake things up for Stevie. Everything she worked hard to build while he was locked away is about to come crashing down. Without a doubt, Frost has a morally black side and he makes some seriously bizarre choices—especially in how he first pursues Stevie….However, as his real character starts to show, we find out he has a sweet side that nobody has witnessed yet.

By the end of this story, it's tough to say who's the bigger threat—Frost or Rebel.


I'm looking forward to checking out more from this author……. I'm thankful for my friend who suggested this book and lent me her paperback

[Serialbookstarter:Marla]

Too Jerry Springer!

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and Gritty MC Read

Frost is like a train wreck…you just can’t look away. He is dark and cold and has a pull that you can’t escape. Stevie has been through so much in her life but she keeps conquering the things around her. These two have such a push/pull relationship that made me wonder if they would ever be able to overcome but with their chemistry it was inevitable.

This is one of those books I didn’t want to end because I felt so invested in them both. I have to say that I highly recommend this book for those of us who like their MC books on the darker side.

[Ashh C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ink’d & ice ARC Review


Okay hear me out yes the beginning is a bit heavy. Starting right before chapter 1 and it does continue to get dark.. people who have sensitive triggers I suggest you read the trigger warnings on this book.. BUT…. I will say it does calm down quite a bit and to the point where some parts of the book I found very mellow.

Definitely a hate to love relationship. Both so confused on why they can’t get enough of each other.

Only reason it’s not a 5 start for me is because by the end of the book like 75% + completed there was still a lot that hadn’t happened yet almost to the point where I started to think there must be a part 2 to the book to finish it and it was going to end on a cliff hanger but it does end all it one book! But it did feel like a lot had to be jammed into a small portion of the end and it felt rushed. Even leaving out some things…


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Reviewed by ashh

[Rene Miller]

I was lucky and got an ARC for this book. I couldn't put it down. There was plenty of suspense and trouble.

They cha4acter building was amazing and what started out rocky ends up being amazing.

I cant wait for the next book to come out

[KelsBookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holydarkness.. I LOVED this book. Absolutely devoured it and I absolutely LOVE Denise Baer!

This is a dark, gritty, morally grey romance that completely pulls you under from the first page. The MMC is in prison, and the moment one of his MC brothers shows him a photo of Stephanie… she’s his. Obsession, danger, intensity and let me friggin tell you it hits hard right from the start.

Stephanie’s journey wrecked me. She’s broken, rebuilds herself, only to be shattered all over again… and somehow, one of the very people responsible for her pain becomes the one piecing her back together. The emotional push and pull between these characters was intense and addictive.

I couldn’t put this down because I needed to know how everything would unfold. Dark, emotional, raw, and consuming ... this book had me hooked the entire time. I friggin loved it.

[Abbey Wales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)

Finished Ink’d & Ice by Denise Baer yesterday and gave it 4 stars 🫶

This was my ARC read for The Plot Book Club, and if you like your romance dark, intense, and full of morally grey characters, this definitely delivers.

The story follows Stevie and Kingston “Frost” Tate, with a mix of MC romance, suspense, obsession, and danger woven through it all. Frost is cold, possessive, and honestly chaotic in the best way. I really enjoyed the darker atmosphere and the tension throughout the story, and once things started escalating I was fully hooked.

Definitely one for readers who love their romance a little darker and more addictive.

[Jojo Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeez this was good . The prologue is heartbreaking, just as Stevie reconnects with her school bestie, who helps her grieve for her mum and get over her breakup that all happened around the same time, a girl’s weekend turns in to a life altering experience that leads her in to a nightmare.
I couldn’t put this down, this woman gets broken and puts herself together only to be shattered again, it’s one of the people that causes her to break that puts her together again. I went from hating Kingston aka ‘Frost’ but ended up loving him, same with Duchess.
It’s Stevie that get all my admiration, she’s stronger than even she realised

[Jennifer Amaral]

Vibes first because this one?? DARK, UNSETTLING, and completely ADDICTIVE 👀🔥

• MC romance 🏍️

• stalker / obsessive energy

• inmate x civilian dynamic

• morally grey, dangerous MMC 🖤

• “you’re already his… you just don’t know it yet” vibes

Yeah… I was hooked immediately.

Ink’d & Ice does not ease you in—it throws you straight into danger, tension, and that constant feeling that something is very, very wrong. The letters, the watching, the pressure building?? Yeah… I felt that 👀

And Kingston “Frost” Tate??

Cold. Calculating. Completely unhinged in the quietest way.

The moment he steps in, everything shifts. It’s not just attraction—it’s control, obsession, and that edge of danger that makes you question everything 🖤

What really stood out is how intense this feels the entire time. You’re not just reading the story—you’re in it. The fear, the pull, the confusion—it all blends together in a way that makes it impossible to look away 🔥

And the dynamic??

Toxic. Messy. Addictive.

It’s that push and pull between fear and attraction that keeps building—and even when you know it’s dangerous, you still want to see how far it goes 👀

✨ This is a 5⭐ because:

• the tension is constant and gripping

• the MMC is dark, complex, and unforgettable

• the suspense adds a strong edge to the romance

• it keeps you hooked from start to finish

✨ If you love:

• dark MC romance 🏍️

• morally grey / toxic dynamics

• high-tension, dangerous relationships

• stories that feel intense and a little unhinged

This one is bold, chaotic, and seriously hard to put down 👀🔥

[Andrea Freeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It had an older FMC, so I could relate to her more. She was a very strong willed stubborn woman. Some of the things she went through were terrible and the MMC was a complete an utter idiot (I can't use the bad words to describe him). He had a terrible upbringing and well that made him the way he was..but of course our FMC stuck to her guns and made him chill out at least a little. I can't wait to read more of this series, and other books from this author. I recieved an advance review copy of this book for an honest voluntary review.

[Trixie]

Frost and Rebel blew me away! When I started this book, I didn't think that it would be possible to make me like Frost let alone root for them to become a couple. But the story was written so well that I loved their relationship by the end! If you love darker romances and alpha male mc's then you should decrease this book. I can't wait to read more! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Adri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darker_side MC Romance

I breathed this Book in.. Inhaled!!
It's Dark and I don't mean that lightly. The MC is not morally-grey, they are morally DARK-Grey!
Stevie is someone I immediately loved. She has been through a lot and that was just the start��.
What she is still going to go through and the life she needs to still live to get to her Happy place is a rough journey.
King is… well King… You need to read it so you can evolve and grow with him.
“He doesn’t do pretty. King is masculine, raw, crude, and plays by his own rules.”
There is heartbreak, trauma, misunderstandings.. healing and more.
I am always happy to land on a gem of an MC book that has it all in. Not a light read.
There is humour and its very well written so you won't just be stuck in the darkness.

This Viking-looking MC Brother meets the Sweetest Rebel for a really great MC Romance. x 

[Neia Quaintance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make sure u read TWs before u read this book

After losing everything, Stephanie "Stevie" decides to move to make a new start and doesn't know she would find her dream man while getting her life 2gether but she didn't know that she was movin to the Motorcycle Club town. Stevie gets a job cleaning up crime scenes with Jasper. Kingston "Frost" has fourteen months left before he is let out of prison and can go back to his tattoo shop and wants to get to know Stevie after his Motorcycle Club friend Smokey showed him a pic of her. Stevie's life has changed so much since Frost put claims on her the head of the MC. This book is amazing it had me hooked from beginning to end, and I can't wait to read more.

[Tammy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It had me from the first page. I can't tell you how many times I cried, laughter, cheered and cried again. This book had me going through all my feelings. I loved that the MMC stayed an a**hole almost through out the full book i personality felt like it stayed true to his character. He did automatically change and become this sweet guy because he liked someone. Definitely check the triggers warnings as there are alot of dark parts to this book. If you love a dark romance with an a**hole MC and a MFC who is strong and doesn't put up with alot Definitely check this book out as it will have you going through all your feelings.

[Christie Wilcox]

IF you have sensitive triggers; I suggest you read the trigger warnings on this book.. it did feel like a lot had to be packed into the last portion of the end. It felt rushed and even left out some things. Kingston “Frost” Tate is just cold and empty. He’s control sharpened into a weapon. Stevie has been through a lot already. She’s just trying to rebuild her life, keep her head down, start fresh. However, she gets hunted and pulled into something dark that she never asked for.

[Sabrina Isu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts on Ink’d & Ice:
From the start, you get hit with a whole new level of grumpy biker energy 😂, which definitely sets the tone.
The writing style didn’t fully click with me, but the plot moves quickly and keeps you hooked. The characters reveal their depth little by little, which I really enjoyed.
It’s fast-paced, packed with action, and never gets boring.

[Patricia Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an emotionally intense DARK MC romance that grips you by the first chapter. IT’S TOXIC AND FERAL with all the obsession, suspense, chaos it has you by the throat and on the edge of your seat feeling uneasy and waiting for something bad to happen

[Nicole Wollin · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW OF AN ADVANCED COPY RECEIVED FROM THE AUTHOR.

This new MC romance series is gonna be a must from me.

This is SOO different from anything I’ve read.

After a traumatic event, Stephanie moves to a new town and gets a job as a crime scene cleaner, and surprise it’s not a legit crime scene cleaner that’s working with the cops. She’s cleaning up jobs from the seedy underworld of the town.

After being there for a short while, she receives a letter in her inbox from an inmate at the local prison requesting a conjugal visit, and when she doesn’t show, the whole town turns against her. Why? Bc he is a high ranking member of the MC that most of the town belongs to or associates with.

This book takes you on a ride. SO MUCH HAPPENS in these 326 pages but it does not feel rushed at all.

I loved the pacing, the trauma (CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS Y’ALL, it’s not sugar coated), the relationship and understanding these characters have of the person they’re with, and the way this man is ONLY soft for her.

The MMC does some pretty terrible things to the FMC. If you’re not able to look past that, this is not the book for you. He does sexually assault her. It is not dubious consent, it is assault. So if that’s a hard line for you, pass on this.

But his growth in this book is tremendous and worth the read.

I can’t wait to continue this series.

[A E SMITH]

Loved it, a gripping read. Loved the characters, the growth of King through the book was amazing to see, he learned how to feel and to a point where he was sometimes so sweet to Rebel/Stevie. Stevie had a hard time at first and was treated poorly but she had a backbone and didn't let them walk all over her. I was relieved that the r@pe wasn't committed by the MMC. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the kind of romance that coaxes a smile or soft sigh. This is the kind that tightens around your ribs and dares you to breathe. Obsessive. Predatory. A slow, merciless power struggle that feels like standing at the edge of a cliff at midnight, wind howling, the void below whispering your name, tempting you to lean just a little farther. After a devastating accident, Stevie is supposed to be rebuilding, quietly, carefully, piece by fragile piece. Instead, she’s dragged into something ravenous. Something that doesn’t ask. Something that takes. The buildup before Frost fully emerges is exquisitely cruel. Tension coils tighter and tighter, like a noose being drawn with deliberate hands. You feel it before you see him. And when he finally steps onto the page, the air goes cold. Kingston “Frost” Tate is exactly what the name promises—and worse. He is not just cold; he is absence. Control sharpened into a weapon. Calculation stripped of mercy. He doesn’t soften a room, he devours it. Let’s not pretend otherwise: he is not a good man. But the deeper the story cuts, the more you see the fractures beneath the ice. Not redemption, but something raw, something carved into him that almost explains the monster he’s become. And Stevie? She’s no victim waiting to be broken. She meets him in the dark and does not flinch. She resists. She endures. She draws her lines in blood and refuses to let him erase them. Her strength isn’t loud, it’s relentless. No matter what she’s dragged through, she keeps moving forward, and that stubborn, burning resilience becomes the spine of the story. What exists between them isn’t love in any gentle sense. It’s something feral. Toxic. Addictive. A brutal push and pull of dominance and defiance, where every interaction feels like a battle that you’re not sure either of them wants to win. Control tightens. Resistance sharpens. And somewhere in that violent rhythm, the line between power and surrender begins to rot away. The book doesn’t offer comfort. It doesn’t sanitize the damage. It sinks its hands into the darkness and lets it breathe, lets it fester. The relationship is messy, jagged, at times suffocatingly uncomfortable, and that’s exactly why it hits as hard as it does. There’s a strange alchemy here, too—moments that feel almost like horror, thick with dread, snapping suddenly into sharp, biting humor before plunging you right back into that crawling sense of something is very, very wrong. One second, you’re almost smiling, the next your stomach drops. This isn’t just dark. This is the kind of dark that grips you by the throat and doesn’t let go until the final page. Obsession that tears at flesh. Love that curdles before it can sweeten. Characters who claw their way forward through ruin, teeth bared, refusing to disappear. If this is only the beginning of the Wolves of Mayhem world, then the abyss is deeper than it looks and I’m already leaning in.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book immediately grabbed me by the throat, dragged me into a back alley, and said you’re not in control here anymore 🖤

And honestly? I LOVED IT.

This is not your soft, swoony, ride-into-the-sunset kind of romance. This is obsession, danger, power, and a relationship that feels like standing too close to a fire and knowing you’re going to get burned… but not stepping back anyway.

Stevie??? My girl is thrown into absolute chaos and just… survives it. After everything she’s already been through, she’s trying to rebuild her life, keep her head down, start fresh. And instead?? She gets hunted. Watched. Pulled into something dark and consuming that she never asked for.

The way the tension builds before she even meets Kingston?? CHILLS. The letters. The shadows. His presence before his actual presence?? It felt like a storm circling, getting closer and closer until there’s nowhere left to run.

And then… Kingston “Frost” Tate.

SIR.

This man is exactly what his nickname promises. Cold. Controlled. Calculating. The kind of man who doesn’t raise his voice because he doesn’t need to. Everything about him is quiet dominance and danger, and the second he steps onto the page you can feel the entire atmosphere shift.

He is not a good man. Let’s be very clear.
But he is compelling in that way dark romance does so well, where you’re equal parts fascinated and slightly terrified of how much you’re invested.

The dynamic between him and Stevie?? Toxic, intense, addictive. It’s not about easy love. It’s about power, control, resistance, and that push-pull that keeps tightening until you don’t even know who’s winning anymore.

And I actually loved that the book doesn’t try to soften it. It leans into the darkness. It lets the relationship be messy and complicated and uncomfortable at times, which makes it feel way more real for the kind of story it’s telling.

Also?? The MC element?? SO GOOD. The Wolves of Mayhem are not just background noise, they’re a full presence. Gritty, dangerous, a little chaotic… and weirdly entertaining with the banter sprinkled in. It gives the story this rough, lived-in world that feels bigger than just the main couple.

And can we talk about the tone for a second?? Because it balances this eerie, almost horror-like tension with moments of sharp humour and bite. One second you’re uneasy, the next you’re smirking, and then suddenly you’re right back in that “something bad is about to happen” feeling.

It keeps you on edge the entire time.

This book is dark. Like actually dark. Not aesthetic dark. Not “he’s a little mean but secretly sweet” dark. This is obsession with teeth, love tangled up with control, and characters who don’t always make the right choices.

And yet… you can’t stop reading.

[Maelle C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid 3-star read for me. I finished it without struggling, and while there were elements I genuinely enjoyed, there were also others that didn’t fully work for me. Overall, it left me with a pretty mixed feeling—but not a negative one.

First of all, this is definitely a much darker MC romance than what I usually read, and that’s noticeable right from the start. The atmosphere is heavy, sometimes even oppressive, with a tension that builds early on. At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to connect with it, mainly because it pushed me out of my comfort zone—but at the same time, that darker edge kept me curious enough to keep reading.

The story is very character-driven, with a strong focus on Stevie and Frost—and especially their relationship, which is undeniably toxic for a large part of the book. Their dynamic revolves around control, tension, and power struggles. While that’s not usually what I gravitate toward, I can appreciate that it fits the tone of the story. Their relationship evolves slowly, in a raw and imperfect way, sometimes uncomfortable, but consistent with the kind of story being told.

Frost is a particularly compelling character. He’s not a good guy— sometimes hard to like—but as the story progresses, we start to understand what shaped him. It doesn’t excuse his behavior, but it does add depth. Stevie, on the other hand, was the character I connected with the most. She goes through so much, yet keeps pushing forward, and her resilience really carries the story.

Where it fell a bit short for me is the MC aspect. The club is present, and the members are there, but I didn’t really feel that strong sense of brotherhood and found family that I usually love in MC romances. Here, it feels more like a background element rather than a core part of the story.

As for the plot and action, there are some really intense moments—especially in the first half—with an almost horror-like tension at times. The buildup before Frost fully enters the picture was particularly effective. However, after that, those moments become more sporadic, and the story leans much more heavily into the relationship than into ongoing action or suspense.

In the end, this is a book that didn’t leave me indifferent. It wasn’t a favorite, but it did offer something different—darker, rawer, and more uncomfortable than what I usually read. If you enjoy dark, toxic romances with morally gray characters and a heavy atmosphere, this might really work for you.

As always, this is just my personal opinion based on my tastes in MC romance—so I definitely encourage you to give it a try and form your own opinion

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so grateful to Denise for trusting me with a beta reading of this story—it was an absolute ride from beginning to end.

From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. The pacing never lets up, and before I knew it, I had devoured the entire book in less than a day. It pulled me in so deeply that I found it hard to resurface—at one point, I was so absorbed while waiting at the doctor’s office that being called in felt genuinely jarring, like I’d been dropped back into reality.

This is a dark MC romance that doesn’t shy away from the harsher edges of that world. The atmosphere feels raw and unpolished in a way that adds to its authenticity, but readers should definitely be aware of potentially heavy themes. Frost, the MMC, is far from a hero at the start—he’s rough, unapologetic, and often frustrating—but that’s what makes his arc so compelling. Watching him slowly confront his flaws and grow is incredibly satisfying.

Stevie—is just as powerful in her own right. She refuses to bend, stands firm in her boundaries, and doesn’t make forgiveness easy. Her journey is just as emotional, as she works through grief, anger, and self-reflection. The dynamic between her and Frost is intense, messy, and ultimately rewarding.

The romance develops gradually, shaped by hardship and resistance rather than instant attraction. While it brushes against enemies-to-lovers territory, it feels more layered than that, built on tension, growth, and earned trust. Frost may be ice-cold at first, but there’s something about Stevie that slowly breaks through.

The story begins with Stevie trying to rebuild her life after losing her best friend in a tragic accident. Her fresh start leads her straight into MC territory—something she never anticipated—and into Frost’s orbit, even while he’s behind bars. As their connection deepens, both characters begin to change in ways they never expected.

By the time I reached the conclusion, I was completely invested. The ending delivers an emotional payoff without leaving readers hanging, though there are still unresolved threads—especially involving a rival MC—that hint at more to come in future installments. And honestly, I can’t wait to dive back into this world and spend more time with these characters.

If you enjoy intense, slow-burn romances with a rough beginning and a deeply earned connection, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a big fan of dub con or on page grape scenes, but I tried to keep an open mind. Frost made me so angry! The way he treated Stevie (Stephanie) like she was an object! He even SA’d her (no grape- the grape happened when she was kidnapped by a club enemy) and that crossed so many lines.
I will say, he really worked hard to become kind to her and to open his heart to her. I give him credit for that. That’s what this story is at its core: the emotional journey and personal redemption of a hard-bitten man who came from a background of abuse and was living in a violent world. He didn’t lose his edge or get soft, but he developed his empathy and started seeing Stevie as a person. He treated her with more respect (not that that would have been hard) and was gentler with her. And had less to prove about the size and strength of his cajones.
I did have a lot of mixed feelings about the book. I don’t know that Frost and Stevie’s relationship was truly healthy even though it got better. I just don’t know if water from a poisoned well can ever be safe to drink, as my Nina used to say. And the SA (it went beyond dub con) was so enraging. At the same time, I understand that Frost experienced a great deal of growth and that he had to learn how to treat Stevie as a romantic and life partner because he had no real frame of reference for it and he had been so profoundly emotionally abused in addition to the physical abuse he endured as a child. So I’m not sure exactly how I feel about this story.
Ultimately, though, three things made me give this book four stars:
1) it was riveting.
2) the main character experienced personal growth.
3) the book made me feel. Often negative emotions, but it made me feel.

Cat’s Stats
Heat- after the SA and the grape, which were both explicit, the consensual sexytime was also explicit.
Bechdel test- fail
Safety? N. This one has more triggers than an NRA swap meet.
Triggers- see author website. There is a very graphic and detailed grape on page, so be aware. There’s also a character who is implied to have demonstrated self harm. Your mental health matters.
Tropes- dub con, he falls first, enemies to lovers, convict romance.

[Yugie Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for how character-driven it was. Here we encounter two very compelling characters: one is a man who is undeniably morally gray in his values that bleeds into his treatment of people around him, whereas another is a woman who is just so down in her luck that shit things happen to her one after another. The way they meet seems almost destined somehow, like events in each of their lives happened precisely the way it should that ultimately led to their paths finally crossing. The way they start their relationship is definitely awful, but as the story progresses one could see slowly but surely how they were changing each other's lives for the better.

It was brilliant how the author handled the character development of Frost and Stevie. It was especially true for Frost, whom we can't help but despise at the beginning but eventually our opinion of him changes the more we understand why he is the way he is. By the end of the book, you wouldn't be able to resist rooting for him and wishing him all the best, no matter that he is still absolutely morally gray in specific aspects of his life as a ruthless biker. With Stevie, one cannot help but be amazed by the strength and fortitude she displays throughout her many horrific ordeals. She had exceptional grit, as she was one woman you definitely could not keep down for long because she staunchly refused to do so.

I was definitely thankful for the trigger warnings given at the start of the book. This had truly been an intense story to go through, and it's with this kind of book that I understand why these stories are dubbed "dark" romance. Good thing I'm the kind of reader who's always appreciative of a good story regardless of its tone!

This is the second book by Denise Baer that I've read and loved. That now puts her as my go-to author for dark romances that I can trust to be good in spite of its dark themes.

I was granted an advanced review copy of this book. This review is being offered voluntarily.

[Misty Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inkd & Ice completely blew past every expectation I had for an MC romance. This wasn’t just a gritty, high-stakes story—it was emotional, intense, and deeply character-driven in a way that kept me hooked from beginning to end. It kept me up way late because I just couldn’t put the book down.

Stevie is an incredibly strong FMC. She’s been through more than most, and even as the story unfolds and throws more challenges her way, she never loses that resilience. She has been abused both mentally and physically but she continues to defy her circumstances and push forward. Watching her navigate everything while still standing her ground made her such a compelling and admirable character.

And then you have Frost… whew. He definitely lives up to his name in every way—a frosty, unapologetic SOB who walks that fine line between pitch black and morally grey. But that’s exactly what makes him so captivating and intriguing. From the moment he enters the story, you can’t look away. There’s something about him that pulls you in, even when you know you should probably run and run fast. I realized early on Stevie didn’t stand a chance against him. LOL.

What I loved most was how authentic this story felt. The way it started gave me one expectation—but the ending? Completely different, and so much more satisfying than I could have imagined. The relationship between Stevie and Frost is full of tension, enemies to lovers, push-and-pull, and real growth. He goes from demanding her time and attention to making her the center of his entire world. Meanwhile, Stevie’s journey from hating everything he represents to loving him unconditionally is raw, believable, and beautifully done.

I truly didn’t want this book to end. The emotional investment is real, and I’m already hoping we get to see Stevie and Frost again somewhere in this series.

If you love MC romance with depth, edge, and characters that stay with you long after the last page—this one is a must-read.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author, but the blurb looked good, so I gave it a chance, and it did not disappoint. This is a darker, grittier, morally grey romance. The MMC is in prison, and when one of his brothers from the MC shows him a photo of Stephanie, she becomes his, even if she doesn't know it. King 'Frost' had a very rough childhood; his parents, who should have protected him, abused him instead. Therefore, he has never really known what love feels like or how to express his feelings; he locks that down and comes off 'cold.' So when he wants something, he takes it.

Stephanie is finding her feet. She has had it rough emotionally. Caring for her mother with cancer until it unfortunately took her, and dealing with the breakup of her relationship. Now that she has time on her hands, she reconnects with her childhood best friend.

After what happens, Stephanie decides to move for a fresh start, which is where she comes on Frost's radar. But she doesn't take what he says seriously. She has her own anger against MC's from her past, so she doesn't want to have anything to do with them.

But fate has other plans. No matter how hard she tries to get away from Frost, he is always there, pulling the strings. But the rival MC think they brother's women are fair game. One thing they can use to send a message.

Frost and Stephanie are thrust together and have to deal with their feelings for each other. Frost has to learn to express himself instead of anger getting the better of him. Stephanie needs to know that Frost can be there emotionally as well as physically if the relationship goes any further. Both have a steep learning curve, learning to let go of old anger and prejudices, if they want to have any kind of future together.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kat Jowett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Denise is a new author to me. I started this and was sucked in straight away, I couldn't put it down, it is dark and it is depraved but it is also captivating.
The MMC is sargeant at arms in the MC and the FMC who has survivors guilt after her bestie died in a crash they were in so moves to her area to feel closer to her, except nothing in this town she's landed in is how she wants it, it's full of bikers.... she gets on with them just fine until she refuses a conjugal visit with a prisoner she's never even heard of then the townspeople of the mc start treating her badly were ever she goes, she's bullied into going to the visit. King (frost) is captivated by her on instant he doesn't know why. He doesn't treat her well but she's equally drawn to him as much as she hates him, when she loses her job as a crime scene cleaner, she confronts some of the mc only to be told to take it up with frost, who was released early she does and then she skips town, where she's kidnapped, she's assaulted badly... and the only thing that saves her and the clubs old ladies is the tracker frost embedded in her tattoo. He takes her to his house to heal, he finds he's feeling emotion he's never felt before trying to pull her out her depression, one night a month or 2 later, there's a evening including pot brownies and bad decisions and she ends up pregnant. She runs but again tracker.... so the agree to work on there relationships and there's more roadworks in the way but they try hard... but with betrayal in the club, attacks in their homes, double trouble with babies... can they end up happily ever after or will frost not learn to love like a real person?

[Principesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ink’d & Ice by Denise Baer is a Dark MC Romance. It’s gritty, dark and can be hard to read, so check the triggers before delving too deep.

The MMC, Kingston, “Aka Frost” had a very rough childhood, so he’s unapologetic in who he is. He feels, and subsequently acts, like the world owes him something. So he mistreats and dominates the FMC (Stephanie (aka Stevie, Aka Rebel) in the beginning of…well, the majority of…the book. She struggles with survivors guilt on two fronts and a deep-seated dislike of motorcycle clubs. Why she didn’t beat feet out of town the minute she realized the town was run by one…or the minute she got “the note”…well, that spark of brilliance on her part would have turned this novel into a novella and we would have missed some drama, intrigue and spice!

The love of a good woman did soften the hardened criminal to a degree in the end, but we all know, as is evident in the final scenes, you can’t change who a person is at their core.

I liked this book and read it in about 24 hours. I struggled with liking and despising Kingston “Frost” from chapter to chapter. To be fair, I also struggled with liking and wanting to shake some sense into Stevie! Their relationship develops, changes and grows throughout the book and as this appears to be the first in a series, I’ll look forward to seeing how their relationship progresses if they’re mentioned in future books.

I received this ARC through Pen Pinery and this review is purely based on my own opinions.

[Anu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fast‑paced, twist‑filled MC romance from start to finish. I loved that the relationship between the main couple was given time to develop naturally. The leads are older than in most books—37 & 40—with real life behind them, which brings its own challenges when building a relationship.

Stevie was a strong FMC, and everything she has gone through—and continues to go through in this book—never breaks her softness. Perfectly named “Rebel,” she’s the ideal match for the MMC with her independence and refusal to back down.

Frost—OMG—I absolutely fell for this feared inmate: cold, calculating, a strategist whose name fits him perfectly, a man with antifreeze running through his veins. A top‑tier asshole in the best possible way, and what I especially loved is that he doesn’t melt the moment he meets the FMC. If anything, he stays just as cold and goes after what he wants with precision. The slow thaw doesn’t begin until later in the book with the FMC’s encouragement, and even this icy man eventually reveals the sweetest partner underneath.

The pacing is relentless in the best way—you get pulled in so deeply that the outside world fades. It’s the kind of story you look up from and realize time has disappeared around you. The side characters are compelling, and the classic MC “our family, we protect each other” energy is strong throughout the pages.

I recommend this book to fans of MC romance, but definitely check the triggers first.