Ink and Intimacy

New Gothenburg Ink #2

by Ki Brightly, M.D. Gregory

This book further explores the relationship between Ren, Oliver, and K.C. and gives us a deep dive into how they're building their life together - and whether or not they can juggle college, their mental health, a new business, and keep their love thriving.

This release date will be moved forward upon completion of the novel.

Genres: M M Romance

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2026

About the author

I spend most of my days writing, editing, and perfecting the craft of storytelling.

A note to readers: I don't hang out on Goodreads or social media, so if you have any questions about my books, please check out my website, which I host with M.D. Gregory.

Reviews

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars Please read Ink and Insults first before you start this one. That’s where Ren, KC, and Oliver’s story starts. This story is a continuation of their relationship and lives, with all the ups and downs.

Ren is a tattoo artist and has his own tattoo shop. He isn’t used to being emotional, having grown up in harsh environments. Sex is easy, but giving emotional support to his boyfriends, is something difficult and unknown ground for him.

Oli is an emotional guy, he and KC are in college. Oli wants to be a tattoo artist like Ren. He can practice at Ren’s shop. Officially he lives with his mom, but is always at Ren’s.
He was abandoned by his dad, and out of nowhere the man gives Oli and his mom trouble.

KC is a football player, and he has a great, supportive family. He’s a football player and struggles with his physics. He has a difficult relationship with food, and that’s an understatement.

“Everything was good for me. I had the control, not my brain.” How true is that!

I loved watching them navigate through their relationship and their lives, the expectations and the reality, the communication and miscommunication, the learning curve, the wins and losses, the emotional growth, the sexual moments. (spicy af!). Every aspect was naturally entwined.
The friends and family are precious (except one!).
The whole story was captivatingly written and very enjoyable.

Review also on LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews

[Savy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read!

You really need to have read the first book in this series. The story continues after the ending of the previous book and you won't get the reference of events that already happened if you didn't read the first story.

I already loved Oli in the previous book, and after reading this one, he is still my favourite character. In this book, the relationship between Oli, KC and Ren develops.

After the mistakes Ren made, he is determined to make up with his boyfriends. Even if that means reconnecting to some of his family members. Meanwhile, KC continues his struggle with food. I loved that the authors didn't shy away from introducing such a serious topic. In my eyes, it made the character feel more real, with real struggles. Luckily, he also gets great help.
Oliver has his own troubles, both with family and with expressing what he wants and needs in bed. Together, this all makes for a rather troublesome time for the three main characters.

However, there's also a lot of love and laughter, good (found) family times, and even some cameo's from other characters in the New Gothenburg Universe.

If you want to know why not 5 stars, it's because I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. Maybe because the story-lines of all three characters didn't end at the same time and I felt like some topics would have been better with more time. The epilogues were great, although the one from Oli's perspective felt a bit random to me. I loved it, don't get me wrong! I just wished we would have been given a hint of Ollie's fantasy earlier, just to have the scene make more sense in my mind.

Nevertheless, I really loved this book and I'm hoping the authors will indeed write a third book in this series!

[Joanne Mccorkell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something tells me we have more to come, but that could be my wishful thinking.

I love that Ren has shown a slightly softer side. Hes putting his men first and protecting them as best as he knows and is learning and willing to learn.

Oli shows alot of anger and brattiness, not the action we saw in book one, it seems he feels safe enough to show this side to him. I do want more interaction with his mum, esp after all hes gone through with his father. Id also like to know what his plans for his life is now.

KCs life has certainly changed. His brain fought him and impacted on his relationships, with his men and with his coaches. I loved that Ren and Oli have done everthing they can to support and help him. I reallly wish one of them would "slip" and accidentally tell his Pa what caused KCs issues.

Loved this story sooo much

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoon. That third epilogue was hot.
The rest of the book was pretty good too! Lol
I really like that these two authors decided that one book was not enough to tell the story of these three guys. It allows them to explore things in greater depth and slower and also lets them learn more about what has been happening to characters from different books which is always fun. I also really liked the themes that they brought into these books with all of the characters having very different problems and successes. It’s difficult enough with three characters to make the relationship seem real, but with bringing in so much of real life drama it would have been impossible to make a good job of it in one book.
So eminently readable and engaging and fun.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ink and Intimacy picks up where Ink and Insults ends. We get to see more of each character and the internal battles they are fighting. I enjoyed seeing Ren grow in the relationship. I feel like his arc was well done. He is protective, putting them first and trying to do what is best for them. KC’s battle with food was also well written. It felt relatable and honest. I still could not really connect with Oli. The stuff with his dad seemed forced. I would like to read about that issue from the club’s perspective, as I can’t imagine King not saying something. Loved the cameos with Barber and Quain. Also love Wylie and Flynn.

[Gabrielle Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a continuation of Ren, K.C. and Oliver’s relationship. I loved getting to know these men. Each one has their own personality and each one comes with their own strength and weaknesses yet they fit together so well. This book goes deeper into the struggles and the wins that they each face. I enjoyed seeing how the three navigate their relationship and how they make it work for them. It was nice to see the communication and the emotions that they share. Their story is a good mix of heat and emotions that quickly pulled me back into their world and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanette Phippin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ren, KC, and Oli. This book was so good and showed real issues that people deal with and people in relationships may have as well. It also shows that communication is important in every relationship. I love that M.D. Gregory and Ki Brightly wrote about these issues and showed the inner turmoil that can go through a person's mind. I also like that therapy was talked about and there was support from family and others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[FHR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing from the first book, we get Ren, KC and Oliver showing more of their trust character traits as their relationship develops.
KC is struggling with his food, whilst Ren needs to make up for his mistake and shows more of his softer side in doing so. Oliver has his family to deal with and shows off his anger and brattier side in doing so.

We get cameos from other characters, some emotion, some drama, some spice and some laughter.
With the characters come to an abrupt ending, I’m hoping we get to see them more in the future.
A good follow up story.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ink and Intimacy is the second book in the New Gothenburg Ink series and must be read in order. I really enjoyed the continuation of the story with Ren. Olli and KC, this shows so much more of the issues they are going through and getting help from professionals with the mental issues. Another great book from this author, I always love going back to New Gothenburg and being back with old friends.

[K-Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

As we get another glimpse into Ren, Oli and KC, this time we addressed the very real types of issues young men face. Even in a strong relationship there are personal hurdles to overcome. I really connected with KC and his struggles with food. Great balance of strong intimate times mixed with some laughs as these guys grew individually and together. I definitely hope to see some more of these three in the future!

[Miruru Shouting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read after book 1. This is a continuation of Ren, Oliver, and KC's story from the previous book. Loved seeing them develop the relationship further, even though there are still problems they need to work on and also lots of outside factors. Each character learns to grow with the help of the others, and the found family vibes were very wholesome. It wasn't a smooth journey, with some angsty moments that was pretty rough, but overall gave us their hard-earned HEA.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. This continues the guys story from book one, so you definitely need to read that one first. I loved seeing more of these characters especially seeing how they grew and evolved. I was completely hooked all the way through and I really hope that we get more from these characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series with Ren, Oli and K.C. many of the Kings return also. It's growing pains in their relationship with Oli's Dad showing up, K.C. worried about his football dreams and Ren trying to manage a never before done relationship with the guys. It's a lesson in growing up and coping. Another winner from Ki and M.D. you have to read.

[Stephanie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh! This was swoon-worthy. there is so much going on. A web of continuations between Ren, Oli, and K.C.
Touching, deep, finding strength separately and together. I impatiently await the next in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kassandra Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, I loved it. I’m (im)patiently waiting for book three so I can binge read the books again.

Highly recommend. This definitely needs to be (binge) read in series order.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in the New Gothenburg Ink series and this continues showing us the development of Ren, Oli and K.Cs relationship and the problems and hurdles they faced and overcame. I’m hoping there might be a book three were we see more from these three in the future.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these guys!

I truly love these three guys! I love how real they are and how hard they are working together and on themselves individually. I love Pa Quain! He’s scary but so soft and sweet with KC.