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Living on the streets isn't easy, but Angel has found a way to survive by trading street tattoos for things he needs. He's a great artist and dreams of working in a tattoo shop someday, but when his home is in an abandoned warehouse, few are willing to hire him.

Matt owns his own tattoo shop and throws himself into work as he tries to avoid his abusive ex-boyfriend who is determined to get him back. He misses having someone in his life, but he won't let anyone push him around.

When Angel comes seeking a job, Matt is fascinated with his talent. Offering him an internship in his shop, he watches to see if Angel has what it takes, surprised to find out that Angel is working not to help himself, but to care for others.

As Matt and Angel grow closer they find that fate seems to want them apart. With danger stalking them both from different directions, they must work together to stay safe and prove that love really can conquer all.

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 12, 2016

29 people are currently reading
101 people want to read

About the author

E.M. Leya

100 books314 followers
E.M. Leya lives surrounded by the beautiful mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah with her amazing daughter and loving pets. She is passionate about the world we live in and current events, deeming herself a "news junkie". She believes that we are all here to create something beautiful, whether it's through our talents or our actions. She enjoys writing stories that take us deep into real world problems while showing that love can happen for anyone, regardless of how dark their past might be.

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5 stars
136 (48%)
4 stars
102 (36%)
3 stars
36 (12%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Denise H..
3,250 reviews272 followers
February 4, 2017
*** I have loved this whole series by E.M. Leya ! ***
This is a well written tale of an unlikely pair of men, who find each other and hope this is the real thing. Angel, 22, is a sweet man who's been

dealt the wrong cards his whole life. Living on the streets for 9 years, this talented artist takes care of Sara and her 6 yr. old daughter, Jess; all are homeless. Angel acts on a tip for a job, and shows up at the tattoo shop.
Matt, owner, is impressed with Angel's drawings,

but there are requirements. Both men are gay, tattooed and after awhile, they are interested in each other. It's complicated ! We understand all of the things going on here. Angel's homeless struggles, his honesty, and solid care for everyone around him. Matt has an abusive ex who is coming around, with twisted thoughts, and heavy fists. Sara and Jess are hiding from her ex-husband who is abusive, and beats them whenever he finds them.
So, several issues are happening at once and we are drawn to these men and we want them to last. Matt makes a huge mistake and it takes awhile to make it right. His blind rage was misguided and uncalled for.
The sadness of some situations is offset by the true happiness Jess puts into their lives. This is a wonderful story, very riveting, and wraps around your heart.
Once back in each others arms, they are dealt a horrible blow form Sara's ex. You'll be glad you read this memorable, loving, important story.
Highly recommended ! ENJOY !
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Each tale in the series can stand alone.
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Profile Image for booklover.
1,494 reviews6 followers
December 14, 2016
In this we get Angel’s story. Angel has been living on the streets since he was teenager. We met him in the previous book when he designed a tattoo for Charles to cover his scars up.
In this he decides to visit Mad Ink, the tattoo parlour and ask about a job. He isn’t doing it just for himself though, he’s also doing it for Sara and her daughter, Jess.
Matt, the owner of Mad Ink,obviously has his reservations at first but after seeing Angels work decides to take a chance.
Now, how to review this book….Well for a starters you will definitely need tissues as this is quite an emotional story. I completely fell in love with Angel and loved how his main focus was wanting to get Sara and Jess a safe place to live and off the streets because of Sara’s past. There were times when reading this that i really hated Sara for how she became distant towards Angel, even though she knew he was doing what he was for her, i felt like slapping or shaking her !!
Then we get to Matt, he also has a problem from his past that reemerges causing issues for him and Angel. I loved the fact that Matt knew if he was going to have a relationship with Angel, that Sara and Jess came too as part of the deal, yet this didn’t bother him. Something else about Matt I really did love and respect him for was that as much as he wanted to provide a place for Angel, Sara and Jess, and help Angel out as much as he could, he didn’t push to do so. Yes, he inadvertently offers, but he could see how much it meant to Angel to do this for the three of them.
There were some real heartbreaking moments in this, even going as far as to leaving me with a headache i cried so hard.(They weren’t all sad tears, there were plenty of happy tears too !)
I think this is an absolutely fantastic addition to the Rags And Riches series, i’d even go as far as to say it’s one of my favourites from the series !!!
Absolutely loved it !!
Profile Image for Cadiva.
4,011 reviews443 followers
December 29, 2016
Plot for plot's sake spoiled what could have been a five star story

This book was on course for being a five star read until one of the MCs did something which pretty much came across as a plot device only rather than as a natural consequence of the story development.

This was a real shame because up until then, both Angel and Matt had been cleverly drawn characters and their relationship was working incredibly well.

Still, this was an enjoyable read and plot point aside, had an interesting romance and side story which wove nicely into the rest of this interconnected series.
5,704 reviews39 followers
November 3, 2022
this whole series is amazing.. this is even more amazing.. oh man i love it so much..
Profile Image for Samantha Foster.
513 reviews3 followers
December 29, 2016
Fabulous

Emotional, heart wrenching, heart warming. I loved this book. Angel and Matt were easy to fall in love with. The tension and suspense along with all romance made this an amazing read. The whole time I was routing for them to make it and have their own little family despite a lot drama and obstacles. The HEA was perfect for everything these two went through to get to it. This is a keeper I'll be reading again and again.
Profile Image for Tanya.
62 reviews5 followers
December 26, 2016
WOW!

This book is so awesome. I thought book one was my favorite in this series but i was so wrong Inked is my new favorite. This book had me in my feelings almost from the beginning, and i couldn't help but fall in love with Matt and Angel. If you haven't read any of the books in the Rags to Riches series i recommend that you do, you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Sali .
1,321 reviews8 followers
November 7, 2017
Can be read as a standalone.
Love Angel. But Matt pissed me off.
Like the others books, there is too much communication. Doesn't feel realistic. But it's sweet. Not too much angst and that's good!
And yay. Matt was an asshole, and Angel didn't let him off the hook that easy!
Profile Image for Mary.
442 reviews45 followers
February 6, 2024
This series gets better with each book. Loved it !!
Profile Image for Amber Fueston.
1,540 reviews10 followers
December 29, 2018
I've got a thing for tattoos and the artist that do them. Matt and Angel are no exception. Both of them are sweet and sexy even though I will admit to wanting to smack Matt upside his head a few times. Angel definitely lives up to his name. They way he puts others above himself and opens his heart to people is beautiful. This is for sure a story that will make you laugh and cry. Its a heartwarming tale about finding love and looking forward even when things seem hopeless.
Profile Image for Denise GremoryKohta.
4,266 reviews7 followers
May 14, 2019
Wow!!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
What makes this series so great is how you can see the growth as you read, both of the community and the author. While all of them have had some dark, as the author's confidence has grown in themselves as well as the subject matter, the dark has become more apparent rather than backstory. There were a few places where I wanted to smack Matt though and my heart broke for Jess. Man just imagine what's next.
Profile Image for Maureen.
3,761 reviews39 followers
April 6, 2020
I enjoy tattoo books, always intrigue me. I actually got my very first tattoo six weeks ago, at the grand old age of 67. Angel surely IS an angel, he cares for and worries about everyone else before himself. He is not rewarded much for it all by selfish Sara. Given a chance by Matt things start to improve for him, until disaster hits, as we expect in these kind of books. We get love, tenderness, sex, and then great angst, but I still love it all.
Profile Image for Ayana_*.
102 reviews
February 7, 2017
I loved this series completely, those this last one was full of emotion. I loved all the characters EXCEPT his best friend. I understood her motives of why she chose to hide but come one she wasn't doing a great job and she was definitely judging Angel because he was getting them off the streets. It was sad she died but she was annoying me a little lol. But another excellent read from E.M. Leya
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,159 reviews7 followers
September 3, 2019
brilliant

i loved this story so much. it made me cry so much especially how much Angel thought to save Jess and how he put her before his own life. I am glad him and Matt finally got together and had the family they both wanted and deserved.
Profile Image for Fay MMBookworm.
3,092 reviews66 followers
August 7, 2017
Sorry Not For Me...read til 46%. disappointed by this book especially Matt's cowardliness in not filing for a restraining order after a second major treat.. Domestic abuse with his ex boyfriend trigger.
Profile Image for Candice.
2,955 reviews134 followers
January 7, 2017
I was excited when I saw Leya had a new book in this series, but sadly this one just didn't work for me.

Too repetitive, so it made it too long. I think Leya could have yanked probably 75-100 pages of filler and it could have been better. I got so bored reading the same stuff over and over again. First couple chapters were great and then it just wasn't.

The middle? Yeah, didn't need to happen and I hated one of the MC's for a long time. Too long, in fact. Took me even more out of the story.

I actually hated Sara and I wanted to knock her upside her head. Homeless or not, I don't care. Jess, won my heart, even though she talked more like a 10 year old and not a 6 year old.

So kudos to those that liked this, I just wasn't one of them. I wish I would have been. I was looking forward to Angel's story.

I'll continue on in this series, if there's more.
86 reviews
February 5, 2017
Found love

Angel is homeless try to help a mom and daughter hide from abusive relationship . Matt offers him a job and they fall in love . Through pain and distrust Angel and Matt find how to forgive and trust again.
Profile Image for Karissa.
Author 1 book3 followers
December 16, 2016
My main favorite of this series is not a single character, it's the whole series. You meet "old friends" in every book, and yet with each new story the series doesn't loose anything of its originality. I hope E.M.Leya keeps this series going for as long as possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4 reviews
April 6, 2017
Edge of your seat.

This is one of the best series I have ever read, the stories just flow and there is phonything that makes you say really I don't think so. It will make you laugh and definitely cry, and she invoked all characters from the other books. I hope she continues with this series. Was so sad to know there isn't anymore...
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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