Passion and Ink

Sweetest Taboo #2

by Naima Simone

Blackballed from my job.

Moved back to my hometown with my tail between my legs and family issues crushing my back.

Slinging drinks in a dive bar.

Yes, the past year has been hell. So when a man who’s temptation wrapped in golden skin and sin offers me one night of no-holds barred, dirty sex, I’m all in. I deserve it.

But now those few unforgettable hours have me facing blackmail from my own He'll pay for my mom's medical bills, but only if I never again touch the man who has quickly become my obsession.

Because the man? My obsession?

He’s my stepbrother.

Each book in the Sweetest Taboo series is
* Sin and Ink by Naima Simone
* Passion and Ink by Naima Simone
* The Scandalous Diary of Lily Layton by Stacy Reid

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Mental Health, Forbidden Romance, Forbidden Love

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 18, 2019

About the author

Published since 2009, USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”

She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.

Reviews

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS

I want to be consumed by him until there’s nothing left but ash and the fragrance of sex, of us, left.

It's no secret that I love a good forbidden/taboo romance but the stepbrother trope has never really been my thing. But after loving every other book by Naima Simone, I couldn't help but give this a chance. The cover had nothing to do with that decision either (*ducks for lightning to strike*). What? It's a hot cover. Get off mah tits, here!

So what can I tell you about this book? Naima Simone can write some hot, and I mean HOT, sex scenes. Holy mother of ovaries, people. The chemistry factor of this book is downright incendiary. Yes, the characters get together pretty much right away, but it does nothing to diminish their growing chemistry. If anything, it only stokes the fire.

Cypress is back in Chicago with her tail tucked between her legs after her dream job goes down in flames. Slinging drinks in a bar is how she's making ends meet while she puts together her plan B. Cypress is not a longterm relationship sort of girl, but she's not opposed to one night with a sexy stranger that seems to ignite her blood and send shivers down her spine with just a look. She's all set never to see him again, until she finds out that the man that rocked her body is also the stepbrother that she hasn't seen in over ten years. They have every reason to stay away from each other, but the chemistry between them proves impossible to resist.

The dynamic between the two families is a crazy one to say the least. Both Cypress and Jude have enough emotional baggage to fill up the Grand Canyon. There's crazy stalker ex girlfriends. There's family drama and codependent mothers. There's also plenty of drama between the three brothers. Suffice it to say, if you don't like crazy family drama, this book may not be for you. But me? I gobbled it right up.

I loved the connection between Jude and Cypress. They're both very broken in their own ways, but I absolutely loved the way that they unknowingly hold the other up. There's plenty of emotion packed into the romance, not just with Jude and Cypress, but with their family dynamic as well. And while I'd normally find the stepbrother thing to be a touch tawdry, it really worked here. Maybe because they didn't grow up together and didn't even recognize each other when they run into each other ten years later? Maybe because both of these characters have an incredible amount of depth and plenty of layers to really connect the reader to their romance. Whatever the case may be, I couldn't get enough of them.

I devoured this book in practically one sitting. I loved everything about it; the drama, the emotion, the sizzling hot romance, and the splash of angst. It was deliciously addicting and I'm so hooked on this series now. I can't wait to see what Simon's book will bring but if it's anything like this one, I know we're in for one hell of a ride!

ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

Find me on:

[Bookgasms Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of stepbrother stories but honestly I think Naima Simone's story is one of the best I've read!! Passion & Ink was STEAMY as all hell but also so emotional with many different facets. I loved Jude and Cypress and their connection. I was consumed and read this story in one sitting! It was absolutely phenomenal!!

Without giving away any spoilers, Jude and Cypress met one another at turning points in their lives. But after a chance meeting and a combustible night of passion, they find themselves missing one another. But when they find that they are even more closely connected than they could have imagined, it opens up the opportunity for them to examine what they mean to one another and evaluate their own fears  and scars they've been struggling with for years.

Gah!! I seriously loved this story. It had SCORCHING sexy times, but it was also romantic and thought provoking. Jude and Cypress had to balance their own fears and struggles with their newfound feelings for one another. I absolutely loved this story all of the conflicts and seriously loved every word! I immediately oneclicked Knox and Eden's story! 

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula 

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of the author and like her writing style. She's able to put difficult and real situations into her stories drawing the reader into a different world for a bit. Passion and Ink is no exception.

The story is a bit on the taboo side but I didn't think it was that offputting. Jude and Cypress never grew up as siblings so I don't get to bent out of shape over their relationship.

Jude is at an impasse over his career, ex-girlfriend and family. He's longing to break free from the shadows of his brother, hoping he doesn't destroy his ex and trying be there to support his dysfunctional family. He's struggling to say the least when he's reintroduced to Cypress.

Cypress is feisty and strong. Like Jude, she is also dealing with family problems and career issues. The one night stand doesn't stay in the dark for long. The pair are thrust into the center of their highly dysfunction family however their feeling can't be denied.

What I enjoyed about the book is that the pair wastes no time to be together along with being honest ( for the most part). Not only do Cypress and Jude share themselves physically they share emotionally as well.

I'm looking forward to reading about more about this family and hoping they can find peace and acceptance. Especially their mom.

[Rebekah Weatherspoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naima just gets me, man. Angsty books are hard for me because some people aren’t actually great at dealing with hard issues and big feelings, but Naima really nailed it with this INK duology. Jude was in touch with his feelings and both characters had very difficult parents that felt realistic. The sex scenes were A+ and she pulled off the step brother trope without making it creepy.

TRIGGER WARNINGS for work place harassment in the past, supporting character suicide attempt in the past, very difficult relationships with parents, death of siblings and parents, and stalking.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
Passion and Ink was a story that I eagerly wanted to jump into as I had just fallen so hard for the first book in the series and also just adored this family. I will be honest in this though that this book didn't quite click for me as book one did. I think part of it was that this book wasn't in audio. Sometimes having a book in audio just makes all of the difference ya know? And I just wasn't as invested in this couple as I wanted to be and even though I love forbidden taboo romance this one just didn't feel as intense as the previous book.

Summary
Basically our hero and heroine, first meet, at a bar and have a sensual sexy night together and the steam is really powerful between these two. But what they don't expect is to meet each other at a family dinner where they realize that they are step siblings but even though there isn't any blood related between them, its socially taboo for them to even be together. But also the heroine's dad has blackmailed her into forbidding her from being together with him or all the money she needs for her mother's medical bills will be taken away. But despite the fact that their relationship is forbidden, they keep it under wraps and in secret. They both have to learn to fight for each other and only then will they be able to believe in what they have together...

My Outlook
I absolutely had a fun time with this. Forbidden love is actually one of my favorite tropes to read in romance and I really feel like Naima Simone really handles these aspects so well. And while these aspects were done very well, my heart just wasn't in the story. I am not sure if it was just my mood or what, but I just didn't feel connected to this couple as I did with the first couple. She does powerful steam and I have come to really enjoy how she handles chemistry and I would say that this book is borderline erotic romance, as there is quite a bit of high steam being focused in the story. So I do think these are scenes you don't really want to skip out on though. And the level of forbidden themes that are introduces was so well done. And I didn't mind the step sibling aspect as they weren't ever truly raised as siblings together and the heroine left for almost a decade. But it was quite interesting in seeing how the heroine was the one not wanting to be open about her feelings for this one. Its also fascinating when the hero is more open with himself than the heroine but you understand why she is the way she is. My heart just broke for these two. And I really don't like the parents, I will be honest. It doesn't matter how much they apologize, they really tend to manipulate their children emotionally and that is abusive so I don't know if I will ever get behind these. I am wanting more books for this couple but not sure if the author plans on writing more for this couple. Would love to see her return to this series though because I LOVE these siblings.

Overall View
Passion and Ink was a captivating read and I absolutely had a blast with these two here. It was so fascinating seeing them come together and learning to fight for their love....truly endearing!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4
World Building:4
Cover:4
Hero: 3
Heroine: 3
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels:3
Ending:3.5
Overall View: 3

[Ryan - Sweet Red Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Naima Simone managed to completely captured me on the first page is amazing to me. I think I snapped at my hubby (just a little) because he tried to talk to me at one (of the SEVERAL) part when it got particularly (and deliciously) intense. From the instant and intense attraction Jude and Cypress feel towards each other, to the heart-wrenching emotional and familial baggage they're each dealing with, to the slightly taboo nature of their relationship (step siblings FTW), to the considerate way that MULTIPLE heavy and sensitive topics were handled with such care and finesse, to the superb job the author did in creating dynamic, well fleshed out characters - Passion and Ink had everything I need to be utterly engrossed and entranced in a story. Naima Simone has swiftly become a must-read, on-click, preorder necessary author for me and Passion and Ink is a great example of why. She portrays characters and stories in a way that is articulately poetic, soulful, and sexier than all get out. The chemistry between Jude and Cypress sizzles on the page and in your imagination as you read their story. I felt the burden of their familial issues and rejoiced whole-heartedly when they each had the individual epiphanies necessary to break free of those bonds. I also really loved the update we got on Knox and Eden and I CAN NOT WAIT for Simon's story. In fact, now there is a possibility for even more stories in this world (though I won't say how because, #nospoilers duh!). Ugh! I never wanted the book to end and I can't wait to devour whatever Naima Simone comes out with next! 5 out of 5 wine glasses.

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is the second book in the Sweetest Taboo series, and features the taboo of the stepbrother romance. Now, I’m usually not into the stepbrother romance thing, but I gotta say this is most definitely working the chemistry between the characters and giving it that slightly dirty edge. It’s hotfire as far as the sex is concerned, no doubt and if that's all you need from this, you can stop here and know that you'll enjoy those scenes.

Jude and Cypress meet at a bar and have a insanely hot ONS, which we all know is going to lead to romance happening. That worked like gangbusters. Then they meet again at his mother and stepfather’s dinner get together, only to realize that um, oops they’re actually related, since they hadn’t seen each other in a decade…..and that’s where I struggled a wee bit, but this family is clearly about the messy love, and it leads to alot of angst. What I really struggled to buy into was the manufactured angst injected into the story by her father (frankly both parents are as messy as the younger generation and while I appreciated the time spent explaining their mess more this time around, I’m still not a fan of them). I don't think this works as well as a standalone because seeing the drama from the first book helps put this family dynamic into perspective, and why I thought this whole "try to keep the youngins away from each other while being way hypocritical" angst doesn't quite click for me.

Much like the first book, the main reason I’m not rating this higher is that it tends to hit the same beats over and over, and it gets a little repetitive with said angst, and once the secrets come tumbling out, it’s resolved fairly quickly. However, I think there are some really good scenes between Jude and Cypress where they delve into their history and both are dealing with some serious issues like panic attacks and sexual harassment in the workplace. I just wish those were delved into a bit more to give a bit more depth to the overall tale.

But if you’re into the sexual tension and heat that comes with the forbidden love trope, you may enjoy this.

**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**


For more reviews, visit

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5./5

[Ayekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holy Mother of Hotness! This book! Forget the cold shower and just jump into a tub of ice, this kindle scorching book was off the hook. Passion my arce, this was outright down and dirty. Jude and Cypress are probably one of the hottest couples out there today.
These two meet at the bar where she is currently working, licking her wounds after leaving a job that has left her doubting herself, untrusting of others, broke, and wounded. Trying to get herself together while also tending to her needy and dependent mother; can you say dysfunctional ? Speaking of dysfunctional we meet Jude who is another Gordon brother, we met brother Knox in book one. Jude is truly and artist works at the tattoo shop and has plans for his future, all the while carrying the burden of a family secret. He's got his share of baggage as well. Between the two of them, think more than a matching set. His family is beyond screwed up, the more we see in these books after their father and mother, the sicker they become. Enough said. So when the ever elusive Cypress comes to Sunday dinner after a wicked night with Jude, there's one jaw dropping moment after another during the family meal. She's there to ask her father, who, oh just say it, happens to be Jude's father as well.
Dad Dan is a real piece of work, and agrees to help Cypress with conditions. The story unfolds after that with Cypress and Jude doing their dirty level best to maintain those, while trying the work through their nut load of issues.
I love Naima and am a huge fan. She writes fantastic stories, woven together with such tension and depth of character while wreaking of steam and currents of love. I tend to expect her to level up with every book she writes. But for me this series has been tough. I find it hard to relate to the characters because the balance between them and the family threads of hear no evil, speak no evil.... you get my gist, the dysfunction freaking distracts me and takes away from the best part of the story... the two main characters. Sigh. This book should get a 5 just for whatever out of the world steam she was writing, however the storyline was weak and derailed the body of work. I'm giving it 3.5 because I love her work and effort.

arc from NetGalley and Entangled for an honest review

[Born To Read · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cypress works in a dive bar in Chicago. And one night, a god is sitting at one of the tables. Jay.
What she doesn't know is that Jay is actually Jude, her stepbrother.
And being with him will have consequences. But they can't fight the attraction they feel.
The book is ok. It loses strenght in the middle but the end is good. I hadn't read the previous book in this series. And although I was not really lost, there were some references to it. And it was a little bit confusing.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the second installment of this series and although it could be read as a stand-alone, don’t. You’ll get a better feel for the characters if this is read in sequence.

After reading this author for the first time with the debut book in this series, I was hooked. Not only was the story line compelling enough to keep my interest engaged, the way it was written and told was perfect. So when I saw that this book was out, I had to jump at the chance to read it. And man oh man, dare I say I that enjoyed this even more than the first?!

Cypress is struggling. After leaving her “fancy” job that was more headache than it was worth, she packed up her bags and headed home to Chicago. But it’s not for reasons you might think. Her mom suffered a heart attack and she’s now taking on financial provider and emotional supporter while working at a dive bar. Sounds fun huh? Nope. So when the hottest man she’s ever seen walks in to the bar (sounds like a pick up line), she throws all caution to the wind and goes for that one night stand. But....well...there’s always a but, right?

Jude has a lot going on in his life right now. Although he’s an extremely talented tattoo artist, he feels like he’s been living in his brothers shadows. Add on the fact that he’s got a crazy ex who’s a complete stalker and living the country is sounding like the perfect way to start over. That is, until he walks in to a bar (yep, that bar). And dang it if that doesn’t complicate things even more.

This book is amazing! Yes, it has the whole “step-sibling” thing going on, but it’s done so well, it’s not icky or taboo. The sexual chemistry between these two is beyond hot, but it’s honestly the story, the drama and the love that kept me turning the pages. I might have even fist pumped like the Breakfasts Club at the end. There’s one more brother.....please let Simon get his book too!!!

[Timitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated 4.5 Stars

I loved Passion and Ink. It's the perfect blend of taboo, filthy and emotion. I thoroughly enjoyed Jude and Cypress' journey and highly recommend it.


Copy provided by publisher through Net Galley

[Maria Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you do a social media survey of which current romance authors write the hottest sex scenes, there’s a more than reasonable likelihood that Naima Simone will be on that list. Her tales run the gamut from suspenseful, to emotional, to fun and flirty but never fail to entertain. With her entries in the Sweetest Taboo series, she skirts the line of forbidden romance in steamy, thought-provoking stories. Passion & Ink stars a couple bonded by family who must carve out their own happy ending, no matter the consequences.

Cypress ‘Ro’ Winters doesn’t belong in a dead end bartending job but since she moved back home after quitting her previous high-paying position due to systemic sexual harassment, it’s her current life. Well, that, and taking care of her mother, who is still recovering from a heart attack and surgery, not to mention a broken heart. So when an anonymous stranger, a devilishly handsome man, tempts her into a no holds barred one night stand, she’s ready and willing. One night, no last names, no future.

Jude Gordon can’t forget Ro and their night together. But it turns out he might have to when his stepfather’s daughter, a woman he hasn’t seen for ten years – since they were both teenagers – who has moved back from L.A., comes over for dinner – and it’s Ro. It’s too late to prevent them from sleeping together, and even knowing they are step-siblings can’t stop their attraction to each other. But Cypress’ father Dan can see there’s something between them, and he won’t have it. He’s promised to pay his ex-wife’s medical bills but he’ll cut off all funds if he suspects Jude and Cypress of behaving ‘inappropriately’, not to mention how their other family members will react to their being together. Will Cypress and Jude find their happy ending comes with too steep a price?

The author quickly sets the tone to show Cypress’s struggle to get through another day. It’s no wonder that the appearance of Jude and his interest in her is a much needed escape, even if only temporarily. Jude has expectations of clear consent in all their interactions which gives Cypress a measure of control that she’s been missing, and the chance to experience a night of steamy sex on her terms. Finding out he’s her stepbrother (yes, a bit hard to believe they didn’t recognize each other at all) and her father’s ultimatum to keep away from Jude dampens her lust, but doesn’t kill it, especially when she ends up needing a place to stay and Jude’s house happens to have several empty bedrooms. Suffice it to say that a large portion of the story is made up of passionate sexy scenes cementing their growing feelings for each other.

But there is more to the story than that. One of the key themes is relationship breakdowns and the obsession that can result. Cypress’s mother never got over Dan leaving her for another woman (Jude’s mother) and Cypress was left to pick up the pieces as a young teenager. Her mother would take any overture in her direction – even a phone call – as a sign to hope he might come back to her, to the point where Cypress chose to cut her father out of her life rather than watch her mother go through the emotional turmoil every time he wouldn’t come back home. Even now, Cypress would prefer to have nothing to do with Dan, but she needs the money for her mother’s bills. Keeping her contact with him a secret is vital, as is hiding her relationship with Jude which could set her mother on a relapse.

There is also an ex-girlfriend of Jude’s who is stalking him, convinced that he’ll come back to her. She makes scenes in public places and threatens suicide. This is particularly painful for Jude, as his mother had attempted suicide when he was younger and he’d been the one to find her, get her help, and keep the episode secret. He suffers from PTSD as a result, with panic attacks that occasionally overwhelm him. He is also dealing with the death of his younger brother and the estrangement of his older brother Knox from the family due to his relationship with the widow of his dead brother (their story is in Sin & Ink). That’s a lot of stress and he’d planned an overseas trip that is fast approaching, making his growing feelings for Cypress an added complication.

Clearly there’s a lot of emotion and angst in this story but the author does a great job of having the characters work through their issues and find compromises and strength to deal with their family members, standing up for themselves and their right to be together. Insta-lust eventually turns into real love and commitment. If you like erotic romances that delve equally into emotional entanglements as well as the bedsheets, Naima Simone should be on your to-read shelf.

For more of this review please visit All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...

A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.

[Reading In Pajamas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: PASSION AND INK (Sweetest Taboo Book 2) by Naima Simone https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-b2p
Publication Date: February 18, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4 Stars

This is a smoking hot erotic romance that still manages to portray feelings and barriers. I do wish there was more talking and less of the long-winded descriptor sentences. I enjoyed the interaction with the characters, including secondary ones. The problems this couples faced was not because of their step-sibling status, but because their parents are weak and ridiculous, yet manage to have damaged them both. I’m glad they found the strength together to overcome that foolishness. The drama wrapped up rather quickly, but that can be forgiven since it is a shorter novel. I did not feel cheated. I liked it and look forward to the next.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

~*~*~*~
Kindle $3.99 https://amzn.to/2SW3hDV

[Kahea · Rating 5 out of 5]

*5 ‘You’re You’ Stars***

After finishing Sin & Ink I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next book, so when Passion & Ink surfaced I immediately said “Gimme” and I wasn’t disappointed in any way. This book had it all for me. Sweet, swoon worthy moments that made my heart melt, smexy ones that had the panties dissolving and even a few growly ones that had me reaching for a spoon, but all of them kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next and has me jonesing for more.

Imma say it. Jude was kind of everything. He’s all kinds of alpha AF goodness - direct, determined and dominate. He’s also compassionate and has the kind of laid back charm that draws you in and makes you want more. Cypress is fiery. She has a lot of demons weighing on her, but she doesn’t allow them to totally drag her down. She’s sassy and has a heart so golden that even she doesn’t always see it.

Jude and Cypress’ journey definitely starts off with a bang and things definitely become a lot more interesting from there, but I really enjoyed watching as they became so much more to each other. While I tended to sway more towards #TeamJude, I got why Cypress thought the way she did and loved watching as she worked through her demons and became the woman she was always meant to be and see that she and Jude were perfect for each other.

This was a quick and enjoyable read for me. The writing was engaging, pacing was good and I enjoyed the dual first person POV’s. The one can be read as a stand-alone BUT I highly recommend that you read Sin & Ink first to truly understand the emotional undercurrents that are already in play at the start of this one. With that said, there are still characters I want to Gibbs smack and or gut with a spoon despite some issues being worked out. But outside of those characters, I loved catching up with Eden and Knox, cannot wait for Simon’s book and am hoping V gets one as well. There is another character who I wouldn’t mind having a book, but from what I saw, that won’t be happening lol!

~ Copy provided by the publisher & voluntarily reviewed ~

[Jessen Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4 stars**

Passion and Ink continues the Sweetest Taboo series with Jude, the brother of Knox (I love him so much <3) and fellow tattoo artist.

Jude is dealing with living under the shadow of his brother's reputation as an MMA fighter and tattoo artist. He wants to make a name for himself, but that's hard to do when you're carrying around as much baggage as poor Jude.

Needing to blow off some steam after a stressful week, Jude notices a gorgeous new waitress - Ro - at his regular hang out and the physical attraction is so tangible between them you can almost taste it!

One thing leads to another - holy hotness, grab a fan! - and they spend a hot night together. What they don't realize is that Ro is really Cypress, Jude's step-sister who he hasn't seen in more than a decade.

The chemistry is still magnetic and they have to fight their attraction or it will rip their family apart. I love this taboo series and the family dynamic! You get to see a little of Knox and Eden from Sin & Ink the first book in the Sweetest Taboo series.

Both characters have their fair share of baggage. It was just a lot going on. If the book was longer and some elements were able to be fleshed out more, I would have been all for it.

Another reason why I only gave this book 4 stars was I felt that Jude and Cypress could have used some more down time. I would have preferred to witness them getting to know each other rather than Jude spouting off all of the things he learned about Cypress over the course of a few weeks. I'm a sucker for the small moments and I think that this book could have used more of them to sell me more on their relationship beyond the physical.
*
*
*
*
*
*

Spoilers



What I loved
I related a lot to Cypress' non-relationship with her father. Piled onto the fact that her mom has never moved on from him, it was a nice glimpse into why Cypress doesn't trust relationships and is wary of Jude.

Jude finally telling his mom that she needs to move on from her misplaced anger at Knox. I was cheering so hard!

What didn't work
Too many things going on! Cypress had dad issues, mom issues, feelings for her step-brother, work-related sexual harassment, and relationship issues. Jude has panic attacks, struggles with wanting to be known as someone other than Knox's little brother, is keeping his mom's secret about her suicide attempt, is the peace keeper of the family, has a psycho ex-girlfriend turned stalker.

I also didn't understand why Cypress didn't apply to a similar financial job in Chicago. She has the qualifications. But she didn't even try.

Why didn't Jude file a restraining order against his ex? He has plenty of evidence of her showing up at work making a scene.

Jude's mom needs some serious therapy and has for decades! Everyone enabling her toxic behavior when she really needs a come to Jesus meeting. I just felt like both of our MC's were wringing their hands a lot instead of taking some action.

Overall I really liked the connection between Jude and Cypress and would have liked to see more of them getting to know one another.

[Maida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow-Wow-Wow-Wow-Wow! Passion and Ink is my favorite of the series so far.

Hot but tender. Angsty but not dreary. Deep and nuanced. Dirty and oh. so. sweet. All elements of the story are balanced. Jude and Cypress are both immensely likable and relatable. Two people with lots of baggage between them yet they dealt with their problems individually and with support from the other. They're mature characters who face their crises head-on, who express their wants and needs, who act with a purpose.

I liked that the push and pull wasn't severe. I also liked that Naima didn't play up the taboo aspect too much. I appreciated that the side characters added depth to the story. Some initiated the conflicts, others provided the light relief. I loved that hard topics like sexual harassment in the workplace and mental health issues are addressed with sensitivity and compassion. I loved that friendship and family are at the core of the story. Finally, I absolutely believed in the transition from lust to love between Jude and Cypress.

Superb writing. Definitely a contender for one of my Top 19 of 2019. I can't wait for Simon's story.

[Janelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had just finished another Naima Simone book a day or two before I spotted this available on Netgalley. I really enjoyed the other book and immediately requested this one. (So, standard disclaimer: I was provided a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in order to facilitate a review.)

I'm sorry to say I didn't enjoy this one as much as the other Simone book.

Let's start with what went right. This book is hot! The sex scenes! Simone knows what she is doing with these sex scenes! If you are in the mood for some down and dirty--and don't lie, you know you have your favorites for when you need that inspiration--this needs to be in your collection. On sex scenes alone, 5 stars.

But for the story? I didn't connect with either character and didn't feel the connection between the two of them together. I don't mind instalust, but I wanted to see it grow into something more, and I didn't get that. I felt like Cypress and Jude's stepsibling relationship was tacked on for the added drama of it, to give her father something to hold over her, but ultimately no one cared about it. Cypress didn't care. Jude didn't care. In the end, even her father didn't care. It provided all of two seconds of drama when they realize the connection, and that's it. So why bother?

Also, Jude was made out to be a long-suffering family "secret keeper", which might be true, but didn't feel true, if that makes any sense. (I need to allow for some benefit of the doubt here because I didn't read the first book in the series. Maybe more people lean on him in that book. In this one, there's... one secret? And somehow that means he was holding the family together? It's not a small secret, but it's also not devastating.)

And I'm not sure how Cypress didn't find another accounting job in Chicago? With her credentials? She was making "high five figures", so she couldn't have been making so much money that it'd be worth anyone's while to blackball her from an entire industry when she has a master's degree in the subject matter. Even if she didn't work for one of the biggest firms, there's plenty of accounting work to be had in Chicago that would pay "high five figures". So why the waitressing?

This one wasn't one of my favorites, but I will still keep an eye out for Naima Simone's new releases. Not every book is for every reader, and she has a lot of talent.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Naima Simone novel but it will NOT be my last. I adored this book - the characters, the heat, the story ... all of it. This is a VERY sexy book so if that's not something you want in a book, avoid this one! Because Naima Simone can write some sexy scenes ... for real! The story is complicated and angsty. It's got a dark edge. There are definitely taboo's being explored - this one is a step brother romance. I just loved this one. The side story around stalking was interesting and well done. All in all, this is a great one especially if you love angsty and sexy romances!


Note: I received an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Sunshineandbooks1410 · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 🌟
War leider nichts meins.
Fand es auch nicht gut gesprochen.

[Karen's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passion and Ink is book 2 in the Sweetest Taboo series and since I loved the first book, I was really looking forward to the second book. Jude and Cypress are supposed to have just one night together and then go their separate ways. That's not easy for either of them to do when they can't get that night off there minds, and of course there's the fact that they are kind of related. '
Jude and Cypress''s relationship is a little forbidden as they are step siblings, but it's also intensely hot and hard to not pursue for the both of them. Their journey to happiness is not an easy one with family bonds being tested along with Jude and Cypress having personal issues of their own to work through. If you're looking for a romance full of heart, with passion that's off the charts then you will want to pick up Passion and Ink.

[Alecia (The Staircase Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4.5 Stars***

Passion and Ink is the second book in the Sweet Taboo series by Naima Simone. It is also the second book I have read by this author.

I read Sin and Ink before it released and I was blown the freak away, so when I saw Passion and Ink was available to request, there wasn't a single doubt in my mind. I needed this book, and I am so freaking thrilled that I was given an arc to read.

Passion and Ink is Jude (Knox's younger brother) and Cypress's story.

If you all are unaware of who Cypress is, let me fill you in one...small...detail, Cypress is none other than the estranged daughter of Dan who also happens to be Jude, Knox, and Simon's step dad.. If you’re a fan of the ‘I have the hots for my step sibling’ trope, you should definitely pick this one up.

Now to be completely honest, when I first started Passion and Ink I knew absolutely nothing about it. I didn't know what Taboo talk this book entailed and I had no clue who the romance was going to be between. So to say I went into Passion and Ink completely blind is a huge understatement. And I feel this is a novel that everyone should go into blind. Don't read the blurb and definitely don't read spoilers. You should dive into this one knowing absolutely nothing about it, that way you can enjoy all the treasures that are hidden within the pages.

I laughed, I cried, and in some moments I seriously felt like raging out.
Some characters I loved dearly, while other characters caused me to have some severe levels of anxiety. But one thing I loved was the true message in this novel and that is Forgiveness is the key to happiness. This is my motto and has been my motto for the past ten years. I live these words so I felt a sort of kinship with Cypress and also with Jude. I know people say this all the time but this story legit touched my soul. I related to Jude and his need to protect everyone by keeping their secrets, no matter how much those secrets weigh him down. I felt so much emotion during a scene between Jude and his mom. Okay, let's not kid ourselves, I bawled like a freaking baby.

I love when authors are able to write relatable characters. It's awesome to live in a fantasy world while reading romance novels, but sometimes I need a dose of truth and raw honesty and Passion and Ink definitely gave me all the truth and realism I needed and wanted.

This novel is not only emotional, it's also down right dirty and sexy as sin. I couldn't get enough of Jude and Cypress's......Chemistry. If it had the power to do so, my kindle would legit be ash with all the heat and pure sexiness between these pages. Jude is so freaking sexy!!!

Overall, Passion and Ink by Naima Simone was a great read. I highly recommend you not start this one at night, because from start to finish you won't be able to put this book down. It's all-consuming and will legit tear at all your heartstrings. I simply couldn't get enough of not only the writing style, but also the raw emotion. this is such a great novel and one that I can easily recommend.



Find me here:
The Staircase Reader
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Namia Simone is an author I've been hearing more and more about, and I enjoyed the first book in this series, Sin and Ink. So, when I found Passion and Ink on NetGalley, you can bet I jumped at the chance to find out what happens next in the Gordon family saga. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and – as the three-star rating indicates – I liked it.

The writing is top notch, including a lot of inner monologuing, so the reader really thinks and feels right along with the characters. So much so, that it impacted my own mood. I kinda feel like I need to alert anyone around me when I’m reading Namia Simone’s books since they tend to have such a strong impact on my psyche.

Just like Knox and Eden, Cypress and Jude faced some serious external conflicts and are flawed and broken people who somehow find their way to happiness. And, just like in the first book, something held me back from really falling into their story. This time, I’m pretty sure it’s the internal conflict.

Cypress is a ball of contradictions. She has serious book smarts, but doesn’t realize how unsafe she is living in a seedy motel or see the easy solution to her money problems (hint: get another job in your chosen profession). She has some baggage and says she’s dealing with her life, but she’s literally avoiding her career, her friends, and family because she can’t deal with her history. The whole thing about becoming an accounting professor was so secondary, it felt out of character and forced. Most of her troubles are rooted in money, but she could’ve gotten a new job the day after she quit her old one, pretty much anywhere in the country. Was the only reason she was waitressing so her path would cross with Jude's? Because, otherwise, it made no sense. She has the classic child of divorce walls around her heart, that somehow Jude can sneak past by (SHOCKER) multiple orgasms and being nice to her. Yet, somehow, she’s only able to get over her past and figure out what she wants as a future when she’s faced with losing Jude. How is this not magical peen? I ask you? Because it seems like magical peen.

Jude is a great, though flawed, hero. A sensitive artist, he’s the heart that holds both factions of the broken Gordon together. He’s Knox’s right-hand man, but he still shows up for family dinner with the rest of his clan. He sees people and understands them, not just Cypress. Not just his mother, Katherine. Everyone around him. His one blind spot is his ex, Ana. His inability to see he was being manipulated, which is understandable considering his own history, kinda took away from his almost omniscient understanding of everyone else. He knows he has a savior complex, which he is trying not to act on with Ana, so, of course, he’s all too happy to rush in and save the day with Cypress. *head to desk*

Cypress often calls Jude a warrior angel, but that just didn’t work for me. For two reasons. (1) the way he fought for her was to let her go. Which, I understand as a platitude, but not an actual piece of relationship advice. My heart just doesn’t work that way. Sorry. You let someone go, fine, but you call the next day and try to work it out. And, (2) he’s less of a warrior since it has taken him 13 years to stand up to his mother. Which, don’t get me wrong, is great, but it’s sooooooo long overdue. And, he never gets around to telling his step-father to mind his own business. Though, I loved Knox’s bit in this book about needing to break things for them to heal into something better. That really sums up this entire series arch.

As I sit here thinking about it, I wonder if the real issue I have with Jude and Cypress is the same one I had with Knox and Eden. They put too much of an emphasis on what their family thinks. Since the first family dinner scene in Sin and Ink, I’ve wanted to throat-punch Katherine, and in Passion and Ink, I really wanted to kick Dan in the nads, too. Jude accepted his mother’s burdens when he really shouldn’t have, and we never see the resolution from their confrontation about that. We see her make a phone call, but we don’t know if she called Knox or if she was calling Dan or even the cable company.

As for Cypress and Dan, well, it’s the same thing. We see the confrontation, we see the apology, but no real results afterward. Instead of the epilogue we were given, it would have been lovely to have all three couples sitting around the table during family dinner with friendly conversations, no secrets, and no words or acts of aggression.

I can only hope that scene will be in book 3. I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens with Simon, because the youngest Gordon brother has some angsty shoes to fill and I really can’t wait to read every word.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Sin and Ink and now Passion and Ink, I am fully convinced of two things: Naima Simone can write smoking hot, angtsy, super charged sexual showdowns and the Gordon men come from one really messed up family. The bitter, poisonous family melodrama that divided Knox and Eden from the Gordon family in the first book now threatens Jude's future with Cypress; I can only hope the Gordons get their act together by baby brother Simon's book.

Unlike big brother Knox's taboo sin of following for his dead brother's widow, Jude is haunted by the nightmare of his mother's emotional instability. Cypress is similarly burdened by a mentally frail and needy mother and that both their mothers were or are now married to the same man (Cypress' dad) is so weird. Not so much that they are technically step-siblings but that Cypress' selfish dad habitually abandons his families (he left Cypress' half-siblings as well) yet he forbids Jude and Cypress to be together in order to protect his current wife, Jude's mom. It was like a twisted Romeo and Juliet tale of co-dependency.

The best part is the seriously hot and intense sex scenes. Naima Simone writes moments with such incendiary tension. To be honest, I'm not fully convinced if Cypress and Jude belong together forever but it is clear that they definitely belong together in bed.

Both Cypress and jude have burdens unfairly placed on them but they are also immature and impulsive about how to deal with their lives. As a result, I'm not sure I fully bought the ending with Cypress finding her "power" and "voice" and Jude following his career path. I also wished there was more resolution with the family reaction to their relationship as well as to Knox and Eden's news. I can only assume this will be wrapped up with baby brother's book.

3 stars

Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed this eARC generously provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passion and Ink by Naima Simone is book Two in the Sweetest Taboo Series. This is the story of Cypress and Jude. I have read the previous book, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Cypress and Jude are both having family and career issues along with other bad baggage. They come together for one hot night of no promises and just need. But things are so easy because they feel more than just that night but a relationship would be somewhat taboo since they are step-brother/sisters. But together they pull each other together to make them whole. Exciting hot read!!!

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really liking this series. I liked Jude from the first book so I was glad that he was gettting his turn. And of course this is another super hot and sexy one. There is some mental health issues going on with this one, one top of all the family drama. But there’s a nice balance between the heavy and the sexy which was nice. I can’t wait to read more.

[Cait · Rating 2 out of 5]

Normally step sibling romances are my jam, but there was just so much going on here, I found it hard to engage.

[romancelibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"You don't complete me. I do that for myself. But you...you add to me."

I almost broke my finger requesting this ARC from NetGalley because it was Sin and Ink that had led me to Naima Simone last year. I'll be honest with everyone: I am not the biggest fan of the one night stand premise in romance novels. I have read a couple of romances (contemporary and historical) based on this trope and generally speaking, they left me with mixed feelings. But I love Naima's storytelling and her characters and this is Jude's book! Nothing was going to stop me from reading his book. I'm so glad I placed my trust in Naima because this trope actually works SO well in this book. Both Jude and Cypress were at low points in their lives. The timing, location, and circumstances were perfect and the trope fit right in. And you know what the best part was? The best part was what came after the one night stand and how the characters deal with the aftermath when they find out they are actually step siblings. I was dying for their second meeting LOL. It was so hard putting the book down!!!

I felt a lot for Cypress and the circumstances she was forced into. I'm here to tell you that I absolutely loved her. She doesn't bullshit her way around unless she's feeling emotionally vulnerable and wants to protect herself. She tells it like it is; she is blunt and compassionate at the same time. She's also very relatable in the way she uses her pride and dignity as a protective barrier. She doesn't want other people to see her as weak and I totally understand where she is coming from.

Both Cypress and Jude are carrying heavy burdens that they hide from their loved ones. Their shared connection allows them to open up to each other and finally easing up on the heavy emotional and mental baggage they've been carrying for years. It was such a beautiful process getting to that point in their relationship. A lot of their baggage is also family-related and it was great seeing both Jude and Cypress dealing with their respective parent. There is this one scene between Jude and Knox that completely SLAYED me. I had to take a break to control my emotions. I love the relationship between the brothers so much.

I'm also really happy we got an epilogue here, which was missing in Sin and Ink. And finally, I really hope Simon gets his own book!!!

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Sweetly Unexpected

There’s things you expect going into a novel when you’ve read a certain author before... but this book... this book caught me so off guard in the least expected way. It took about half a day to figure out what this stirred up inside of me... and then I burst into tears. It wasn’t even what people probably think it’s about... no this is about the relationship, or lack thereof, Cypress has with her father... there was something so personal in those passages that it struck such a deep blow for me and how I view my relationship with my own father... I wish there was a way I could have a conversation with own... that could cross state lines and hundreds of miles... but that isn’t for today. In the end, you shouldn’t have to fight to have that person be a part of your life if they want to be there.

This book was beautiful in that it showed that love is love... even if others don’t understand it at first. Cypress and Jude, even though unconventional, portray what love should be - kind, supportive, and true. Even when one half may be self-destructing - loving them through it and allowing them to grow can be the best thing you can do.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very emotional and poignant. It's about rising above the lessons you were taught in childhood, and embracing your own life, flaws, hurts, happiness, and all. It's about forgiveness, and loyalty, loss, and going after what you want, regardless of the consequences. It was so good.

Jude Gordon is an amazing tattoo artist, but he's always felt as though he was in his older brother Knox's shadow. Knox was a famous MMA fighter, and now he owns the tattoo shop that Jude works in. Even though Jude knows he's a great artist in his own right, he feels everyone only sees him as the younger brother of "Hard Knox". His family has been in turmoil since Knox and Eden got together in book 1. Eden was their dead brother's wife, and Knox and Jude's mother, Katherine, can't forgive them for getting together. It's left Jude holding all the pieces and trying desperately to keep them together, as he's done since his father died when he was 13. He's always been the family "secret keeper". On top of that, he has a stalker ex that can't accept their breakup, and won't leave him alone. He needs a break, even just for one night. When he walks into the local dive bar and sees her, he knows she's exactly what he needs.

Cypress Winters needs a break. She left her job 3 months ago after a horrible workplace sexual harassment episode left her unable and unwilling to deal with the fallout. Also, her mother had a heart attack, so she packed everything she could and drove from California back to Chicago to help take care of her mom. She's slinging drinks in a dive bar, and wondering how in the world this became her life, when he walks in. She sees a one night distraction from all her problems. Little does she know her problems are just beginning. As they both discover a few days later, they are step-siblings. They haven't seen each in 10 years, not since those awkward early teenage years. Cypress' dad is married to Jude's mom. Cypress hasn't had any contact with her dad in that time, after she decided at 16 that she didn't want anything from him after the way he left her mom so long ago, and left Cypress to deal with the fallout. But now, her mom's medical bills are stacking up, and she does need her dad's help. Financially anyway. So, it's hands off Jude for good. Famous last words...

Jude and Cypress' chemistry was blazing hot, and it practically singed me through the pages. Though, the forbidden aspect of their connection wasn't lost on them,, eventually they decided it didn't matter. They wanted each other too much. But after everything that happened with Knox and Eden in book 1, Jude was reluctant to stir the family pot too much. Cypress also had horrible examples of selfish love throughout her life, and she didn't know what it should really look like, even when it was staring her in the face.

I love Jude and Knox's younger brother Simon. I hope he gets his own story one day. He's such an enigmatic character, and I feel we've barely scratched the surface of him. All the other employees at the tattoo shop were awesome too. On the other hand, the rest of their family is a HOT MESS. I HATED their selfish, horrible mother in book 1, after the things she had said and done to Knox, but I hated her even more after I found out what secrets Jude had been keeping. She was a spoiled, selfish witch. I understand that she had horrible loss in her life, but what she did, and the burden she left on Jude was more than any young boy should be made to bear. Even later once they FINALLY started talking and being honest about the problems in their family, her apologies and regret weren't enough for me to get over it. She was the epitome of a "woe is me", perpetual victim, and I just wanted to smash her face into something. Sorry, not sorry. Her husband, and Cypress' dad, Dan, wasn't much better. As much as I want Simon's story, and to see more of Knox, Eden, Jude, and Cypress in the future, I'm not sure if I can take more of Katherine, that selfish excuse for a mother.

Jude and Cypress really needed each other. They didn't know what they were missing until they found each other, and I loved how much better, stronger, and happier they made one another. It was hard watching them dig through the muck to figure their stuff out, but it was so worth it. I love when the heroine is the one who has to make the grand gesture and grovel, and Cypress did it perfectly. They both truly deserved happiness, and found it in each other. The epilogue was lovely, but I hope to get some other glimpses of them in the future.

I truly love everything I've read by this author so far, and I've got more of her backlist to get through. While I'm doing that, I'll be highly anticipating what comes next!

ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club