Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Hard-bodied, tattooed, and British... Meet the men of London tattoo studio, Carved in Ink.


Art Fletcher has made his London tattoo studio his life, so when he learns the building he rents has changed hands, he’s immediately wary.

When petite, curvy Tess turns up at his door, and announces she’s flown over from her home country of America because she’s the one who’s inherited the building, Art’s emotions and sex drive are thrown into turmoil. Even worse, she moves into the flat above the shop, hikes up the rent, and gives him attitude at every encounter.

Tess isn’t going to be won over by his muscles, tats, and sexy British accent. As things get heated and sparks fly, the pair can’t decide if they hate or love each other. But maybe Art will be the one to heal Tess’s scars for good... if she’ll let him.

*Please note, each of the ‘London Inked Boys’ stories follows a different couple and can be read as a standalone, but they’re probably best read in order.

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2018

520 people are currently reading
830 people want to read

About the author

Marissa Farrar

138 books1,090 followers
Marissa Farrar is a multi-published romance and fantasy author. She was born in Devon, England, loves to travel and has lived in both Australia and Spain. She now resides in the countryside with her husband, three children, a crazy Spanish dog, two rescue cats and six hens. She has a degree in Zoology, but her true love has always been writing.

Marissa is the author of sixteen novels, including the dark vampire ‘Serenity’ series. Her short stories have been accepted for a number of anthologies including, Their Dark Masters, Red Skies Press, Masters of Horror: Damned If You Don’t, Triskaideka Books; and 2013: The Aftermath, Pill Hill Press.

If you want to know more about Marissa, then please visit her website at www.marissa-farrar.blogspot.com. You can also find her at her facebook page, www.facebook.com/marissa.farrar.author or follow her on twitter @marissafarrar.
She loves to hear from readers and can be emailed at marissafarrar@hotmail.co.uk.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
203 (26%)
4 stars
219 (28%)
3 stars
235 (30%)
2 stars
85 (11%)
1 star
29 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
Profile Image for Joana da Silva.
473 reviews782 followers
November 9, 2021
There's much better smut out there, this one doesn't make any sense. 150 pages of pure "what the fuck am I reading".
Profile Image for Vania Nunes.
2,348 reviews52 followers
August 24, 2018
Tess - Theresa Dawson - ends up inheriting a real estate from an aunt she met only once in her life. The only problem was that she lived in the United States and that property was in England.

Well, but Tess really needed a place to start over after a few tough times.
She then packs all her things into an overweight suitcase and moves to a new country.

Art Fletcher has just been notified that the building where he has been renting for the past 8 years has changed ownership, and some changes will be made, especially in increasing the value of the rent.

When he meets Tess, the new owner and landlady, he should feel immediate dislike, but soon they become tour partners around the city. And worse, the sexual attraction was there too.

But while Art was considered one of the best tattooists out there, and his studio was always full of customers, he carried with him a secret that Tess was crazy to find out... and that would change the fate of both.

It's a short story, but the plot is interesting and engaging.
A great opportunity to evaluate how bad it is "to judge a book by its cover"
By the way, the cover is HOT HOT HOT...
Graphic sex scenes.
5 stars

FREE on amazon
Profile Image for Kathryn.
626 reviews16 followers
August 5, 2020
3.5 stars for this one.

This book was a little slow but after picking it back up I finished it pretty quickly. Art and Tess were immediately attracted to each other but they butted heads.

After a couple of quickies in the stairs behind his tattoo shop they actually spent some quality time and enjoyed each other's company. Miscommunication leads to a fightand then a fire brings them back together.

Heat level was 🔥🔥1/2. Inwould recommend for fans of tattooed bad boys or motorcycle riding hotties.
Profile Image for Jasmine Roman.
792 reviews9 followers
July 28, 2018
Loved

Great short read love the characters so much the guys friendship was amazing. Loved the gal she’s a fighter people can be down but it’s the fight that is your character not when your at you lowest. I recommend this book so much. Can’t wait to read the other books in this series.
Profile Image for Amanda.
619 reviews13 followers
October 28, 2018
This is the first book of the three book series. It is a short hot book about a tattoo artist and his landlord. This is my first book by this author and I have to say I want to read more. I recommend this book, it is a lot of fun to read.
Profile Image for Hazel.
717 reviews58 followers
August 28, 2019
Art and Tess’s story and an introduction to the Carved ink series. A short story where the 2 MCs went from dislike to love in the blink of an eye. The story didn’t require much thought or processing and I didn’t feel any affinity with the MCs as they weren’t that developed.

The story didn’t offend and I didn’t hate what I did read and will probably read the 2nd in the series at some point.
Profile Image for Natalia.
1,180 reviews94 followers
July 24, 2018
The idea was nice but the story is to short to the Mc developed a connection.
Profile Image for Linda Newbern.
415 reviews5 followers
July 30, 2018
Relatively short book, but a good read nonetheless. I like the moral of not judging someone by their looks alone. Everyone has a story and who are we to judge? Will definitely read more by this author.
Profile Image for Bookishbelle.
123 reviews
June 18, 2023
I’m sorry but i really hated this one.

It was short but it didn’t really make sense to me.
I felt like it was all just words put together without any of them making any sense.

I was planning to read the whole series but after this book I don’t think i will.

Ps: i was really so close to dnfing this one but as it was pretty short so i pushed through it.
Profile Image for Amanda Adams.
484 reviews66 followers
October 27, 2018
🔥 🔥

Who doesn’t love not only a tattooed man but an artist also. I couldn’t get enough. I was drawn in from the start. Great storyline. My only issue was it was a quick read. I’d loved for it to be longer. Can’t wait to read Kane’s story next!!
Profile Image for Callie.
224 reviews9 followers
October 29, 2018
The characters hated each other, then 5 minutes later they were in love without knowing anything about each other? I felt nothing for these characters, they felt like cardboard and were super undefined. I also thought the speed the relationship developed was unbelievable.
Profile Image for Chandra Luna.
1,765 reviews12 followers
September 17, 2025
Carved in Ink by Melissa Farrar is the kind of opposites-attract romance that sinks into your skin and stays there—much like the tattoos at the heart of the story.

Tess never expected her life to take her across the ocean, but when she inherits a building in England after years of personal struggles, she sees it as her chance to finally start over. What she doesn’t expect is Art Fletcher, the gruff, hard-bodied tattooist who runs his shop out of her building and isn’t thrilled about the sudden change in ownership. He should resent her. She should keep things professional. But between their fiery banter and undeniable chemistry, tension quickly turns to temptation.

What really makes this story shine is how both Tess and Art carry their own scars—emotional as much as physical. Tess is navigating her fresh start with equal parts bravery and vulnerability, while Art has his secrets to that he's afraid to share Watching them slowly shift from adversaries to partners—touring the city, learning to trust, giving in to the attraction neither can deny—feels authentic, messy, and deeply satisfying.

If you love a romance where the heroine claims her strength, the hero has more beneath the ink than meets the eye, and their connection smolders into something that feels as permanent as a tattoo, Carved in Ink delivers it beautifully. It’s raw, it’s tender, and it’s about finding love in the most unexpected of places—across an ocean, in a tattoo shop, and in the arms of someone who sees you for exactly who you are.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Amelia.
794 reviews20 followers
August 24, 2018
The first book in the London Inked Boys series is about working through troubles and discovering what will bring true happiness. Two people from very different backgrounds find their paths crossing, and what happens afterward is certainly surprising. I was immediately pulled into the story about a London tattoo artist and the American woman who challenge each other’s beliefs. Marissa Farrar has written a very compelling romance with intriguing characters, where emotions and desire play a huge role.

When Art Fletcher receives a notice about the shop that he rents in London, he is not thrilled to learn there will be a new owner plus he will have to pay more. The tattoo artist is worried about a declining profit, and the woman is even going to disrupt his routine by living above his business. Yet when Tess Dawson arrives from America, she is not what he expected. Though close to his age, he must remember she is his landlady and his actions could get him tossed out of the shop. But it gradually becomes apparent that neither are exactly what they outwardly appear.

What I truly enjoyed about the story is how Art and Tess responded to each other in various ways. The emotions expressed by these two are wide-ranging, as feelings go from mistrustful to powerful longing. Their reactions are believable, while any situations faced are also realistic. Marissa Farrar has incorporated a good message into the story, and it had me thinking about preconceived opinions and the harm these thoughts can cause. CARVED IN INK has stirring developments that captured my full attention.
Profile Image for Hannah.
365 reviews
May 27, 2020
This book was a quick and easy romance read, told in the 3rd person narrative with elements of both of the main characters' thoughts. I think it would have worked better in 1st person narrative alternating between the two main characters, especially as the beginning each chapter would switch to the other character's thoughts/actions. Having it in 3rd person made it a little confusing when switching between the characters.

I liked the couple in this book - they were likable and I found myself rooting for them to get together quite quickly. There are a few interactions that were a bit off, but overall I liked the relationship that formed and felt like the character interactions were genuine. My only 'issue' with their romance is that it was so short - Art and Tess only had 3-ish dates across a few weeks before they declared their love for each other, so more interactions and detail would have been nice.

Both Art and Tess have interesting backstories that were explored towards the end of the book, but the author could have dedicated more time to exploring them. Tess's backstory in particular felt rushed in the final two chapters of the book and really would have benefitted from some expansion.

Overall this is a good book, but I feel like the author could have expanded on the characters' personal backstories and added more to the romance plot line so we as readers could really get to know the characters. The book took less than 2 hours to read so it felt more like a short story or novella than full-length novel.

3/5 stars, good for a quick romance read
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
94 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶/5 ⚠️Check TW⚠️


"𝐀𝐫𝐭!" 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐝. "𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠?"
"𝐈'𝐦 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈'𝐦 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠."


This is book 1 in the London Inked Boys Series, it can be read as a standalone, each book follows a different couple.

'Carved In Ink follows Art Fletcher our MMC, he's an angry, jaded tattooed British hard-ass who's struggling to keep his tattoo business afloat. Theresa (Tess) Dawson is our FMC who has just inherited the building of which Art's tattoo studio is located.

This book was super quick and easy to read, with that in mind it's hard to see deeper character development as well as a better relationship development between Art and Tess, I feel as though just as I was getting to know the characters the story ended, the best way I could describe this book would probably have to be a hate to insta love. I've given this story a 3.5 star as I feel it could have had the potential to be something better but I did enjoy it for what is was, this book definitely had topics of which most can relate to, if your looking for something short and easy, something to help reach your reading goal then this is it.

Am I still going to read book 2 and 3?, yes because I'm holding out hope that they will get better, also this book was in third person which if you know me then you'll know I don't particularly like that writing style but because the book was short it was tolerable.



What you’ll find inside:
🔹Hate to Insta love
🔹Tattoo artist/landlord (lady)
🔹Third person pov
🔹Super quick and easy read!


Profile Image for Samantha.
491 reviews
February 1, 2025
4.75

I love that art aka Arthur fletcher and Tess didn’t get along at the beginning since she is the new landlady to art’s tattoo studio since her aunt died and I like that Tess is American and art is British and I love that art and Tess both open up to each other near the end of the book about there pasts and I love that art loves doing pro bono work for people who have scars and want to hide them and I love that art takes Tess to the tourist places in London like the Trafalgar Square and definitely love the spicy scenes between art and Tess in the book and so far I am loving Marissa writing and easy to get into and love that we meet art, Rocco and Kane as well in the book and I just love a tattooed guy so much and love that this was a quick spicy romance and can’t wait to read rococo and Kane stories in the series and also we find out about Rebecca art ex girlfriend who was in a accident and had burns and love that art has a passion for art and Tess opens up about her boyfriend Brett who died and she lost herself after that and love that art and Tess rebuild the tattoo studio after a fire breaks out and she becomes the receptionist and art takes on more paid work and Tess gets her first tattoo done by art to cover up her self harm scars and love it when art calls Tess baby in the book

Spicy
Dual PoV
Set in a London tattoo studio
He’s British and she’s American
He’s getting a new landlady
Under 110 pages
London inked boys trilogy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cassandra MADEUP BookBlog.
458 reviews9 followers
November 10, 2018
This was a fast, sweet read that made me laugh out loud and smile throughout.

I enjoyed reading about the Characters, and I loved learning about each of their histories. The more I found out about them, the more I wanted to know, and I was a little bit sad when I saw it was the end of the book, so I’m very glad to be able to get stuck into the next!

It’s a lovely read that’s relatively short, so perfect for a Bus journey or tea break. Or in my case, i aimed to read a few pages since I couldn’t get back to sleep, and wound up reading the entire thing.

It was such a warming story, steamy at times, and with surprising revelations about the characters. It was fairly perfect, just the right amount of each element to make it an intriguing read.

I don’t want to spoil the story, so I will stop there, but this just has so many elements involved that would appeal to so many people. It wasn’t at all what I expected, and I was pleasantly surprised about that.

If you enjoy an uncomplicated, sweet romance with a bit of a thrill factor, then this is perfect for you!
Profile Image for Shelley  Drinkel.
149 reviews2 followers
September 15, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, it’s a short fast read, a couple of hours so perfect for when you can’t decide what to read next and want something quick, well written and engaging to bridge the gap, or for a quick read in the bath or over lunch.

I feel like it could have been expanded a bit in places whilst still remaining a short read and it could have been made into a longer read with a more detail amd ‘fleshing out’. There was a lot happening and towards the end it felt very rushed which felt to me to be a little bit of a let down for the characters, which is why I’ve given it 4*. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable, punchy read with good characters and good spicy scenes. I look forward to reading more in the series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,185 reviews15 followers
September 20, 2025
This is the 1st book in the London Inked Boys series featuring Art and Tess's quick,cute and steamy, opposites attract romance. Art lives for the tattoo shop that he runs in London so when he's notified that the building he rents for his shop has changed hands he's instantly wary. Tess inherits the building from her Aunt and since she needs a fresh start in her life she decides to move to London. Art and Tess clash when she first arrives despite the hot chemistry between them. I don't want to say anymore and ruin it for anyone else with spoilers. You really need to read this quick, cute and steamy, opposites attract romance to see what happens. I would recommend reading this book and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 6 books89 followers
January 26, 2019
I purchased Carved in Ink as part of an anthology.

Art Fletcher owns a tattoo shop and has his issues. He has two rules; only be with a woman on night and make sure she understands that from the beginning. (No messy relationships.)

A letter changes everything for Art and when his new American landlady shows up and gets under his skin; moves into the flat upstairs and raises the rent he is in trouble. Tess is in London at her new property to escape her own problems, which she keeps hidden until a fire and rescue reveals her secrets. Two people from opposite sides of the world find each other with not much in common but romance and understanding quickly develops into a sweet happy ending for these two. Yeah!
Profile Image for Claudia |✨Cushin Violeta's Bookish Realm✨.
1,622 reviews57 followers
May 31, 2021
Inked Bad Boy 😍😍

Oohhh.. I loved this one. Even though it was a quick read but the story and characters were so good it didn't feel like a short one. Tess has just moved to London as the new landlady to Ash's Tattoo shop and the building it resides in. He is agitated not knowing how he would cope with the demands of his new land lady. He thought she would be some middle aged woman troubling them constantly, but he was not prepared to meet the young and sweet woman who arrives.
Their connection was beautiful but definitely the push and pull kind. Ash is Intense, rough and tattooed ofcourse. But he also doesn't let people in easily. Both of them have a past. Yet they can't ignore that something between them that's growing. Loved this one. ❤️❤️
1,203 reviews8 followers
November 18, 2019
Brilliant book

Wow loved this short story of Art who rents his tattoo shop but is informed that the old tenant has passed away and the person who has inherited it is moving in upstairs to. Tess has packed up her suitcase and come to London to live and leave has past behind her she didn’t expect the state the building was in her first. Art and Tess get off to a rocky start but as time went on their relationship was more than him being a tenant. A fire happens and Art has to save Tess secrets are found out why Tess moved to London but also how they feel about each other is revealed and what the future holds for them.
Profile Image for Sharon Richmond.
1,118 reviews11 followers
Read
April 13, 2021
Really Cool Read

Carved in Ink (London Inked Boys Book 1)
By Marissa Farrar. 4 Stars

Really Cool Read!!

Art and Tess couldn't be more different personality wise though both have pasts that has shaped who they are now. I really enjoyed getting to know them.

If you like stories about sexy male tattoo artists and the women who capture their hearts, then your in for a treat with this book. Discovering what lies beneath his art and her scars, both physically and mentally, turns this into one really great read.

I have voluntarily read this book and I'm voluntarily leaving a review for it. Reviewer for Nook Books and More Blog.
Profile Image for Danielle Graves.
874 reviews28 followers
January 3, 2023
More than meets the eye

A sweet book using the idea of a big scary looking tattooed male main character and a small sweet female to portray the fact that not everything is as it seems and you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.

Both Art and Tess are closed off with histories and secrets they want to keep hidden they let it affect their opinions of each other. Quickly they learn how wrong they both were and begin to understand that they are more alike than first thought.

It's their own personal tragedies that push them to live how they have been, but it's a joint tragedy that shows them they belong together.
432 reviews
September 10, 2025
Carved in Ink was a pretty quick, steamy read. I liked the setup with Tess inheriting the building and clashing with Art, the grumpy, tattooed guy who clearly didn’t know what hit him. Their banter was fun, and the attraction between them was obvious right from the start.

That said, some parts felt a little rushed, and I wished Tess’s backstory had been explored more. It could’ve added more depth. The love/hate moments were entertaining, but a bit cliché at times.

It’s not a bad read if you’re in the mood for a light, sexy romance. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Morally_Gray_Nola.
690 reviews33 followers
September 30, 2025
To each his own. I personally really liked this two lunch-hour read. Art and Tess are true opposites, but couldn’t be better suited. Loved the concept, pacing, characters, setting, drama, banter, spice, emotion, and the HEA. Bravo, author Marissa Farrar—Well written!

*** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Art
FMC:
✨Tess
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨ Book 1 of London Inked Boys
Tropes:
👉contemporary romance
👉enemies to lovers
👉tattooed MMC
👉opposites attract
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex
💥attempted suicide - past
Burn Speed:
✨medium
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for T.M. Payne.
Author 37 books92 followers
October 20, 2019
Book Review: Carved in Ink (London Inked Boys #1)
Author: Marissa Farrar
My Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts

REVIEW
I absolutely loved this story. We get a young woman who inherits a tattoo shop from her late aunt. Only one problem Theresa must move to London.
Art is the tenant, and he is hiding a bit about things from his new landlord. One night almost ruins things for this couple. Fantastic, hot, sexy short read. I read this after seeing it for free on Amazon.

Marissa Farrar
Profile Image for Rachel.
134 reviews3 followers
November 19, 2019
I like the idea of this book, but things went super quick and it felt like there was very little substance. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy quick and easy reads, but sometimes when something is that quick and that easy to read I'm just left wondering, what actually happened? There were plot points, there were characters, but I finished feeling like I had just eaten a gigantic cotton candy where I thought I would feel full afterward but instead I've still got an empty belly with an added sugar headache. It just didn't work for me.
Profile Image for Sharon Ryder Roberts.
1,080 reviews17 followers
November 12, 2020
Marissa has used the correct process of a tattooist, tattooing unlike some others books from other authors i have read about tattoos, they seriously rattled my chain and yanked on it to boot...... Us people with tattoos do not go though the pleasure of having them done only for some one to make a mockery of the whole process from start to finish. Marissa knows her ink! (My father was English? Nope her father was British, English is a language. Any way this book even though short was great to read cuddled in my book corner whilst the sun was setting... (Next).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.