Zed

Rough Ink #1

by M.V. Ellis

Secrets from his past have scarred his heart. Can he trust her enough to learn to love again?

In the eyes of the law, I’d atoned for the secrets of my past, but in my heart, I knew the debt I owed was too big to ever be repaid. I didn’t ask for forgiveness, because I knew I wasn’t worthy of it. Guilt weighed me down and scarred my heart.

If it wasn’t for my art, I’d probably be dead. The truth was, I had nothing else to live for. Or so I thought until Octavia Douglas came breezing unexpectedly into the picture.

Sexy, stubborn, and smart enough to know better than to throw her future away on a guy like me, Vivi made me question everything I thought I already knew. I suddenly craved the happy ever after I’d never dared dream of, and knew I didn’t deserve.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2019

About the author

MV ELLIS knows what it’s like to fall head over heels in love with a badass musician. She moved from London to Sydney after a steamy holiday romance with a sexy bass player in sultry Brazil. Twelve years, two children and a dog later, and she’s still smitten. All this with a guy she sat next to on a bus for 36 hours!

Ellis’ love of romance began when she was 11 years old, after a summer spent secretly reading her auntie’s books. She’s been a sucker for an alpha hero and strong heroine ever since. Following a career spanning advertising, marketing, and social media, she finally wrote Catching London in 2017.

You can check out what she's up to here:

Website: www.mvellis.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/authormvellis/
Instagram: Instagram.com/arloandlondon/
Facebook: Facebook.com/authormvellis/
Twitter: Twitter.com/authormvellis
Pinterest Pinterest.com.au/authormvellis/

Reviews

[Vaishali • [V.L. Book Reviews] · Rating 2 out of 5]

★★★ To see my full review visit my blog ★★★

Rating: 2 stars

“I started with the core idea of the five dots, but then I started to think about how everyone on the inside has a story that led them there. Together the piece is about how life is really a series of unexpected events—rolls of the dice, if you like—that converge to a point, like going to jail for whatever crime. I know for me, it was a few brutal rolls of those dice, and my life was never the same again.”

‘Zed’ is a story fundamentally defined on the faceted life of a dolorous, passionate tattoo artist called Zed and his finding a way out of the monotonous cycle of self-aversion and self-directed antipathy he bears after an accident which tipped and snapped the uneasy balance of his promising life. Zed is now the owner of ‘SK:eTCH’ and through his natural tenacious propensity for hard work, and devotion for diligence and discipline Zed has come to a point in his life where he has control and regime to balance his pain. Zed has his art and his verve for boxing to lean on, both being encouraging charms on his lifeline in his bid for conservation.

‘Whoever was responsible for the cliche “blood is thicker than water” obviously hadn’t met my family, where money was thicker than everything…’

But pensive, masculine Zed is masking hurtful demons that are still a burden on his life and self to this day. On the outside Zed is a prickly, short-tempered, rude mass of man who is unapologetically surreptitious. On the inside Zed is living a cycle of self-ruin, a vandalism he is inflicting on himself because of a past that he lets provoke and judge him. He's so strong yet lined with a needy vulnerability. Strictly tied to his past with a loose sense of loyalty to his present life Zed hides his layers of tragedy for his own soul to bear and brace.

And Zed is very good at running…from himself, from his feelings and from happiness.

‘As she stared into my eyes, the challenge was clear. “Will you?” We both knew that if I did, I was walking head-long into exactly what she’d correctly identified that I didn’t want: Complication. Risk. Intimacy.’

After the son of successful business person Xander Cross drunkenly strolls into Zed’s tattoo parlour one day Zed is subjected to a rotating sequence of events that ring eerily similar to his own in a previous life. Call it a divine echo if you will of an emulation of Zed’s past. He makes the decision to show this rich, self-important teenager a lesson of principle. Xavier Cross is ungrateful, thankless and conceited but he is now paying off his debt to none other than Zed himself.

‘What if our lives had been a blank sheet for us to determine every movement, mark, and fork in the road?’

Octavia was bred to be a high-baller, and she surely is but her desires have long since been overrun with the obligations to be the best and follow the best. Her righteous notions of justice just don’t seem to have any meaning among an occupation that severely lacks a moral compass at the best of times while she inadvertently supports an industry that profits from greed and negligence. Smooth sailing isn’t the way to go because her obligations are driving her to a path she doesn't want to descend into: the perverse injustice of the justice system.

‘My life had long since stopped being about choices and was more about a series of failures to say no.’

Zed and Octavia are the veritable example of opposites attract, but they also fall into the typical stereotyping of false perception at first encounter. They are both hard-headed, both incredibly stubborn but equally so very different in their respective traits of personality. Zed is a tangle of labyrinthine, exhausting feelings and frayed attachments (also emotionally stunted) but I should alternatively say no attachments, and Octavia is ballsy enough to overwrite Zed’s proclamations. She wants to pluck Zed’s feathers to get to the meat of the man behind the three letters of his name and his measured words.

‘She was like a pool shark only with an Ivy League education and a knockout smile, when she chose to grace people with its presence.’

With a lawyer’s instinct, need for the truth and inquisitive nature, Octavia can’t stop herself from attempting to deep-sea dive into Zed’s cloudy mess of a past, and he detests her attempts at trying to scrape past his life’s surface because his life’s regret and mistakes indeed belong to him and nobody else. Zed uses his false assumptions of Octavia to impel his purposeful detachment and though Zed’s art is the seam that stitches him together, so too does Octavia begin to grant him something other than pain.

‘Not my finest hour from a manners perspective, but Octavia Douglas seemed to bring out the worst in me.’

‘Zed’ explores Zed’s character in progressive way and I think it’s safe to say that Zed is the star of the show. Love is a privilege, it’s an appreciation but it’s also a forgiveness for oneself, and these are all things Zed doesn’t believe he justifiably deserves, and as an extension there is no place and no privilege to earn such a valuable feeling for himself when he perceives damnation to be his prize. For Zed, making that change and decision to be with Octavia equates to forgiving himself, absolving himself of his horrid mistakes but also not giving himself the respect to understand that he isn’t his mistakes. It takes someone like Octavia to show him - that just like Xavier is striving for - Zed deserves more.

“I’m moving forward with you because everything you think is so wrong about you is so right. Because you’re everything I thought i’d never wanted, hadn’t ever been looking for, but actually always needed.”

Even though there are layers to Zed and I felt for him, I felt detached from him and his plight. I know for sure that had I been in his position I most likely would have sunk as opposed to swum. He is arduous and strong in mentality and Octavia is too, but I couldn’t connect with either of these characters. I was lacking in attachment, focus and connection. I ultimately felt uninvolved and aloof when reading ‘Zed’ . I personally wasn’t pulled into this story and into this conflict, almost like there was a smoke screen between me and the events of this story.

‘Years of not rocking the boat, respecting and maintaining the status quo, living up to expectations that were so far from my own it was ridiculous. A lifetime of pretending to be someone I wasn’t.’

What turns out as a chain of events that had taken Zed’s life on an unceremoniously distressing and irrevocable u-turn nine years ago, that push of fate also changed the course of a lawyer’s life by a simple throw of a set of dice. Call it divine intervention, call it serendipity, call it chance, fate but Zed knows plans are never written in stone but perhaps what’s written in the stars is worth waiting for because even though he may not believe in the preordained, it leads him to was bound to happen. As a man bathed in tragedy and whose action have affected so many people’s lives like the falling of dominos we learn about sacrifice, love and loyalty and how each play a role in Zed’s ordeal.

‘In reality, everything carried on just as it had been before, but it felt to me that everyone else in the bar was frozen in time and faded to black, while we were bathed in light.’

Memories flash, penetrating anguish simmers and absolute ruefulness are inescapable for this fine art aficionado. This tale circles the unheralded turns in life worthy of breaking but also reshaping people, taking them on courses unforseen but latterly rewarding. What showing love and support in any capacity can do for a person’s well-being, but also the perversion that neglect itself can breed in a growing mind. Set in Brooklyn, New York this story engages in the interracial relationship between Zed and Octavia, a relationship of opposites attract while tempting attraction but also stimulating friction at every turn. It’s one of second chances, recovery and the power of a good role model and a good friend for the abandoned.

‘I had never been more aware of another person as I was of her in that moment. I stared back into her soulful light hazel eyes and held my breath.’

“Yes, you can call me Vivi.”
I felt like she had handed me the keys to Fort Knox, Vatican City, and the White House all at once.’
‘The truth was she’d had me at “Octavia Douglas.”


Thank you Booksirens and M.V. Ellis for offering me a free copy in exchange for a review!

Trigger Warning: Mentions of drinking, drug abuse and dealing

[Maria11 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I haven’t read this author before and it is a shame on my part. This book was more than romance it was real. Truly the characters weren’t packaged and to me neither was the plot. All interactions between the characters were true reaction good or bad. That reaction when you are hurt about something that happen, but react to the now situation based on that hurt. Knee jerk reactions...they hurt and you sure can see that. Honest interactions.

The chemistry between Zed and Olivia was off the chain and I love how even a pissed off teenager knew they had it. The story was one of finding yourself and living your life. Atonement for wrong you perceived to be your fault is always worse then reality. I loved how the characters turned everything that happen to pay it forward to help others.

I still have questions though that weren’t summed up. I wanted more closure for Zed there was a ton for Olivia. Oh well it was it’s only flaw. I want to read more from this author!

Received an ARC from the publisher for a honest review.

[Laura ~Passion flower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zed (Rough Ink, #1) (ARC) was graciously provided to me by Hot Tree Promotions for an honest review. I have voluntarily read this book and have provided my honest opinion.

"An emotionally powerful and gripping read"     

An absolutely heart-breaking, gut-wrenching, life-altering, emotionally-desperate kind-of-story, a story about love, devotion, sacrifice, and, redemption in the face of such a profound and immense tragedy, one that affects the lives of numerous individuals in more ways than one.  The story was massive in its deeply-rooted grief, heartache and reasoned pain of understandably such a devastation that had this reader soaking in all of the emotions as they poured right off of the pages throughout this addicting read.  It was a story that had this reader desperate to provide such an enveloped sense of nurturing for such pain and need.  It was quite the read.  

    Zed, by M.V. Ellis, was a lengthy, and, nail-biting read with suspenseful and gripping moments, greatly developed characters, realistic settings and a detailed plot.  Its storyline is one that seemed to have humanistic qualities in being able to entice and grab a hold of this reader through the unfolding of the story.  The plot, despite having a somewhat slower pace, was filled with meaningful moments that sucked a roller-coaster ride of emotions right out of this reader as I sat and read my way through this story.  With its varied abilities of enticement, an almost languid sense of understanding and comfort was had by this reader right up until...BAMMM!  Hello twist of all twists.  Yes, prior to this moment in which I had proceeded to sit mouth-agape with eyes glued to the pages, a moment that may have produced a high-pitched scream, I had been quite comfortable with this languid state, to an extent, and for this began to develop various theories, anticipatory premonitions if you will, but then, then...*pfft* I was totally wrong..WRONG!  I-never-saw-it-coming.  It was this moment that was the most amazing, and, emotional moment that had this reader bawling buckets of tears.  The moment was priceless..   

  Gah..how I loved Zed!  As one of the main characters, I thought he was one of the best alpha males I have ever read.  He had this no holds barred mentality with such a delicate, tortured, and needy undertone that had me grasping desperately at my kindle as I read his story.  I cheered and fist pumped right into the air for him..and, I also bawled like a baby for his pain.  Octavia, the second main character, was a slightly different kind of entity.  Meaning well, she came into Zed's life like a bull with intentions of improving Zed's life but also for improving society as well.  While she had the bull-like tenacity, she also actually learned from her mistakes, which I found to be a breath of fresh air that, as it is also in this reader's opinion, was quite the rare quality to have for a character in stories.     

  As mentioned briefly, there were plentiful secondary characters, who I LOVED, many of which had already developing story lines within this particular story, and, the others were already primed for future stories within this series.  And..there were also a select few who just got on my last nerve, therefore, a whole lot of patience was involved with their development as their overall purpose to the storyline was..necessary and beautiful.    

  I loved the writing of this new-to-me author, as there were clearly many different types of thoughts and emotions as a result of this read.  Moments of intensity paved the way for realistic bantering interspersed with delicate humor that brought a needed levity into such a heavy topic, all which enabled various thoughts to come to fruition.  In addition, the descriptive undertone of the necessary outlet for one of the characters, was developed perfectly.  I loved how the tattoo business was described which enabled the reader to envision the actual beauty of such a talent by all of the artists.   

  That all being said, however..with its lengthy and somewhat slower pace, I really needed more development in various areas and less in others.  Unless some of the areas will be addressed further in future books, I also felt some of the major areas were either glanced over or touched upon briefly in the epilogue.  Speaking for this reader, I needed to read about all of the developed characters and their placement within the storyline, including events, in order to have a sense of closure for them and the story. Despite a rushed sense of an ending, a smattering of typos, some confusing moments, and a need for more depth and development, in various areas, it was still such a great story that I highly-recommend for all to read.  I really enjoyed it.. :) 

 *star rating: 4.40 'I really liked it' stars*     

[Nadia Debowska-Stephens (Obsessed by Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I started with the core idea of the five dots, but then I i to think about how everyone on the inside has a story that led them there. Together the piece is about how life is really a series of unexpected events—rolls of the dice, if you like—that converge to a point, like going to jail for whatever crime. I know for me, it was a few brutal rolls of those dice, and my life was never the same again.”

A tattooist, corporate lawyer and a rich kid find themselves thrown together once a week to pay off a debt, to seek a little redemption and because she has to. Under the difficult circumstances sparks fly and boundaries are established that are soon ignored. Hiding the pain of his past behind his super grumpy exterior the lawyer in her can’t stop digging to reveal the truth. The heat between them is difficult to ignore and somewhere along the way the line between professional and personal becomes obscured. When their wayward charge gets himself into a situation it brings all the will they don’t they go a head, revealing the secrets he’s buried deep and opening up a whole world of pain. Can Zed let go of the past so he can start living?


Octavia is one ballsy lady, raised to speak her mind and stand firm. Her career choice puts him instantly on the defensive and yet he is drawn to her like a moth to a flame. He’s the complete opposite to everything she is usually attracted to but she can’t deny that she wants him. In the middle is one very messed up spoilt rich kid that has brought them together. Surrounded by the staff at the tattoo shop, all of whom seem to have their own story to tell and her large and amazing family these two have no hope of running away and burying their head in the sand as they are both surrounded by love. It’s a slow burn of a story as it is the first in a new series and as such has a lot of world building and characters to introduce. Zed is head strong, stubborn and at times his own worst enemy. Octavia was frustrating lawyer ish all the time and needed to sometimes switch that part of her off. Surprisingly Xavier was the glue that I never expected! A new to me author I loved the flow of this story and how the characters developed and others were introduced.

A four and a half star roll of the dice read.

~*~ Reviewed on the Behalf of Obsessed by Books ~*~

[Stephanie Ditmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new to me author and I really loved this first book in a new Series Rough Ink. I loved Zed, he’s gruff, says it like it is and there’s no two ways about it and a past he just can’t shake. He’s never felt he deserved anything more than the life he has, but fate has a way of changing things. When he encounters Xavier, who stumbles into his tattoo shop wanting a tattoo, there’s no way that’s going to happen as he’s underage and drunk, the kids given one chance before he’s thrown in jail. One phone call later and the kids attorney/babysitter arrives and she’s stunning and Zed’s breath is taken away by this beauty that calls herself Octavia. There’s a spark between them, instant chemistry, and denial, they can’t fathom that they should be together being so different. You will be flipping through their story so fast you won’t know what hit you. They are deliciously steamy, sexy and you will enjoy the amazing ride this author will take you on. Loved it, highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next chapter in this series. I reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Megan Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOWZA! This was my first read from M.V. Ellis and I am officially hooked #fangirldown! I will definitely be reading more from this author for sure ❤️ Zed & Octavia were a complicated combination of all the sass, stubbornness and some seriously 🔥🔥🔥 chemistry. As the layers of this story unraveled I was consumed with all things Rough Ink and I definitely recommend this read to any and everyone.❤️

[Rhonda Ziglar · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 SEXY ZED STARS!! Wow, Zed is everything us women want in a book boyfriend. He is sexy, confident, mysterious and a good guy to make you feel safe. Zed and Vivi have so much chemistry, they will heat your Kindles up. Their story has all the feels with lots of secrets to unravel and you will enjoy every moment. What are you waiting for, this is the first book in the new series....download now.

[Jayme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story!! I love Zed and Vivi....great characters with fantastic chemistry. Well-written storyline and characters are well-developed. Definitely recommend this book and author.

[charly & raine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zed is a standalone and a standout for this extremely creative and witty author. A story about a broody, ripped Tattoo Artist and a stunning, zealous Lawyer it was a perfect opposites attract scenario.

I love the way MV writes from the start to the finish it’s a page-turner for me. This has a great story line told in a dual POV. They really know how to push each other’s buttons but when they are on fire they ignite, talk about hot AF, Zed’s got it all happening.

This was a fantastic read centered around a privileged teenager called Xavier who started off a right little shit but Zed knew exactly how to deal with that; however, that meant taking on "weekend Barbie" as well.

“An underage, under-the-influence kid who should have been at school and under house arrest, on the loose in Brooklyn with a grumpy tattoo guy? What could possibly go wrong? As I paid the cab driver and approached the door of the place, I had a feeling I was about to find out.”

We met some amazing side characters that you really want to learn more about. I also felt an element of mystery throughout the book as Vivi was trying to uncover the truth about Zed’s past. Not one to back off she is a determined kickass babe.

“You’re not as humorless as I first thought, so I guess we’re each learning new things about the other person.” Why the fuck she had ever thought I was humorless was anyone’s guess.
“Awesome. Right now I’m learning that you still have way too many clothes on, and that you don’t have the ability to freeze time. So….”

Once again an MV book filled with lots of sarcastic banter, brilliant company names, and shattered broken relationships with all the feels, this is another five star for me. So happy this is Book One, bring on more Rough Ink.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawd this story was something else! All of the characters whether they be front & center, or secondaries, were all fantastic, and I'm already in love with the Rough Ink series! Let's start with Zed, the tortured soul hero. He's a tattoo artist, and carrying so many demons around, he's almost bend over from them, but in typical man fashion, he pretends that he's fine. He gets a privileged teenager in his shop, Xavier, who has some issues because of an absent father who just throws money at the problems, and this sets Zed's life on a new course. That new course brings in Octavia, the attorney who is trying to work her way the corporate ladder, but her firm decides that she's Xavier's babysitter, since they want to keep his father's services. And Octavia & Zed clash like nobody's business, but man, the sparks fly as well, as their chemistry is crazy intense. Now the push & pull is also intense, because while their interactions are insane, it's a type of foreplay in my opinion, so they don't jump into sexy times right away, it's almost like they're a ticking time bomb. And he's not holding anything back, and while he drives her crazy, he also intrigues her as well. This is not an easy journey, but is anything worth it easy?! And let me not forget, the cast of secondaries who are entertaining as hell, who also don't hold anything back, but gave me the humor that I needed for a break! So if you want to see how it all ends up, and trust me you do, get that finger a one clicking! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Laurel Nilsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zed is book 1 in the Rough Ink series . They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover Zed and Octavia really should remember that as these two throw off enough electricity that could light up New York City. When a ridiculously rich 16 year old decides that he was going to cause havoc it leaves Zed and Octavia in each other’s company more that each would like, this book had me wanting to get a sledge hammer and hit each of them in the head as they are both so set in their ways but once they have some interference they are able to find their way. Absolutely loved this book and it had some wonderful side characters that I hope get their story, can’t wait to read book 2 and hopefully see more of Zed and Octavia aka Corporate Barbie.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooh, I think I'm going to really like these Rough Ink guys and gals.
I've heard of this author before but not actually delved into her work. As a first foray into her imagination, I am really pleased I chose Zed.
There are plenty of situations that arise that get all of your emotions tumbling out during this quick fire opposites attract love story.
I must admit I found it fairly slow going to start with, but once we got into the bones of the story it was an enjoyable read with a cast of characters that are really fun to be with.
I will definitely be looking out for book 2 in the series!

[Lofty · Rating 4 out of 5]

4*
Zed isn’t impressed when a minor calls in his tattoo shop drunk and out of it to then make matters worse he vomits all over Zed.
Furious he dials the last number on the lads phone barking instructions to Octavia giving her 30 mins to collect him. Zed doesn’t want money as compensation he demands payment in manual labour and Octavia to supervise him. The sparks fly with the strong personalities , which of his work colleagues win the bet?
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Sophie Ruthven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new to me author and one I can't wait to read more of.
This book will send you on a rollercoaster of emotions, one minute you'll be laughing hard, the next you'll be wondering if you just read that right.
The two main characters were perfect for each other in ways that they refused to acknowledge so the journey is bumpy but well worth the ride.
Definitely a must read.

[Gina Burkart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author and this story had me glued to this story. This is a hot read that will have you wanting more from this story.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/19/2020)! 🎁

[Linda Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new to me author and I’ll definitely be reading more of her books. I fell in love with the characters varied personalities. Zed’s stubbornness was frustrating , I applauded the brash honesty of Kota, was disappointed with Xavier at times and loved Vivi’s thought processes. At times the storyline was a bit slow, but would pick up and kept me engaged.

This story is based around Zed, the manager of a tattoo parlour. He has a lot of baggage and it’s weighing him down. In typical male behaviour he buries his head in the sand and continues on as if he isn’t bearing a heavy load.

Xavier is the privileged, troubled, teenage son of a wealthy absent father. He tends to have no filters, say whatever he wants without consideration of the consequences. Xavier is manipulative and can talk his way around anything until he meets Zed.

Octavia is trying to climb the corporate ladder in a law firm. When she basically becomes a overpaid nanny, due to the partners wanting their high profile client Mr Cross to retain their services. Xavier is a pain in her butt and giving up her free time was not on her agenda. The pull she feels towards Zed is incredible and she finds his brash behaviour intriguing.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

How does Xavier, an underage teenager end up doing a community type service for a tattooist with a lawyer as a babysitter? Well that's what the reader needs to find out!

But there's more to it than that, as it brings together Zed & Octavia, who have an initial attraction turning it into a slow burn & totally hot romance. There's quite a lot going on at times I did get a bit lost in the dialogue as Vivi uses her lawyer ways to interrogate a very unwilling Zed as to his background. Whilst she has been quite forthcoming with hers he's quite the enigma. Little by little she wears him down but like most romances it's not an easy ride. Of course there's still heaps of drama going on with Xavier & his dad.

Arlo Jones, a rock star, from a previous series gets a mention so it's not necessary to read that. It is also told in dual POV's, which I also enjoy.

Overall if you like a sassy h & a very broody H, who have sizzling chemistry, then this is the perfect choice for you.

I received a complimentary copy for an honest review from the author. 4.5*

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
InspirationalUnpredictable Steamy

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zed is the manager of a tattoo parlour, who is carrying around a lot of baggage, and instead of facing head on he is burying his head in the sand hoping they will just disappear, which is a tad frustrating at times. This is a good story and the only downside in my opinion, is that the story is a tad long winded in places. I look forward to reading more from this talented author and recommend for all.

[Renée Dahlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

MV Ellis can really tell a story! This book is emotional, full of heat and drama, and psychology, and lust, and it's amazing. It's one of those books you just can't put down because you have to know what happens next.

[Books Laid Bare · Rating 5 out of 5]

It often feels that finding a new author to fall in love with isn’t always easy, there is often not much to choose between them but MV Ellis seems to have broken the chains that many appear shackled by, thrown off the norm and presented a story that I really couldn’t fault.
I thought the author gave me characters that were thoroughly captivating, they were honest, their situation wasn’t or should I say didn’t feel concocted, it felt absolutely believable, a romance that rung true page after page and I was hooked.
Zed was a superb character on his own but add Olivia into the mix and they quite simply sung from the page, the chemistry between the two of them was a thing of real beauty, they were simply made for each other. They discovered not only each other but along the way they discovered themselves and reading the journey they travelled, as that happened, was a wonderful way to spend my evening.
I can do no more than ask that you take some time and read this at your first available opportunity, you will not be disappointed.
Enjoy your time with both Zed and Olivia, I am sure they will become firm favourites!

[fiorella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zed is hands down one of the best books I have read in 2020. I just loved every detail of the story, I was hooked with every character, especially Zed. He was just the perfect man we all desire: broody, stubborn but with a heart of gold. The story was just so special, entertaining, and interesting. I loved the writing style so much, and the little details MV Ellis would share with us about Zed and Vivi were my favorites. For example, the meaning of Zed tattoos. She knows how to add every needed plot twist in order to keep the reader interested. Let alone the steamy parts, those were absolute wow, they probably seem like it to me, because it went further than the normal positions everybody writes about, so to say they were enjoyable to read is an understatement. Although, I would have loved to see more cute moments of Zed's and Vivi's relationship, and had a little more description of Zed's relationship with Xavier. However, the most valuable aspect of this story is the way it conveys perfectly the importance of family in life. In my opinion, the essence of the story is found in the details, just as in art, which plays a big role on the book. This was another of the details I loved about this book, how MV Ellis connects the story with art. Finally, I really recommend this story due to its originality and how genius it is.

[Dark Syde Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like a good girl falls for bad boy story to get your engine going. This story has great build-up of tension until it explodes all over the pages in lots of steamy goodness. The writing is clear and the plot is nicely thought out and written well. The supporting cast of characters are fun and I found myself wanting the next installment of the series immediately after finishing one. This was my first read from MV Ellis but it definitely won't be my last.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎲🎲🎲 Zed, the sexy and steamy start to the Rough Ink series 🎲🎲🎲

Wow, there is so much more going on under the surface of Zed’s story, and I loved every minute that I spent with it. Holy hell, this book was not only hot, it was steamy, passionate, witty and humorous as well – the whole package. Once I started, my tablet accompanied me everywhere to that I could get back into the book at every opportunity. MV Ellis is a new to me author, and I am her newest fan. Seriously.

Zed and Octavia (Vivi) were two characters who, on the surface, were total opposites. They clashed, even as the chemistry in the atmosphere between them was so strong that the secondary characters could barely wade through it. And, these guys were an absolute integral part of the book, as best friends and work mates are in our own lives.

Bought into each others world through the incoherent actions of a richly entitled teenaged Xavier Cross, Zed and Octavia soon find that they have more in common when they look beyond each others facade and give in too friendship and an extremely mutual attraction – there were some hot passages going on for sure! I unreservedly loved them both. Even as I wanted to figuratively junk punch Zed at times, his colleagues were there to do it for me, and Vivi didn’t take that treatment lying down either.

Zed is the epitome of damaged hero who has put his past behind him. He might have come out stronger in spite of everything, and he might not let his past define him either, but, it certainly still impacts his present and future. Until Xavier brings Vivi barrelling into his life and place of work.

And what I also loved about this book was, psychological insight from Vivi. Her character was strong and thoughtful, even as she had her own insecurities going on. She didn’t accept everything at face value, always looking for the deep-seated root of Zed’s emotional scars and the puzzle that is Xavier and his own motivations in life. She was Zed’s perfect person. Did I mention how much I loved them both??

Yep, I absolutely loved this book, and I can’t tell you enough about it. I’ll just say that there certainly were some plot surprises. I recommend it as great read, and well worth the money and time spent with it. 4.5 Stars.

[Shirley Venables · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stubborn isn't always a bad trait

I'm always happy to read books that have both strong male and female charachters in them. Some stories have male heros and women who don't have a backbone but not MVs charachters. I'd have Zed in my dreams any day of the week but he's busy with his Barbie equal that will give him a run for his money. Toss in some loveable sidekicks and you've got yourself some great hours of reading ahead of you.

[Amy M. (Amy Loves Reading Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You guys know how much I love finding new authors and this one was recommended by a very close friend which made it even sweeter! I couldn’t put this book down!!! (Except for the day I had a horrible headache and couldn’t function.) This book just had my attention from so many different angles!!

I loved her name, Octavia, it sounds (in my head) so beautifully! Her character made her sound like a “Corporate Barbie” as Zed describes but boy does she knock him on his butt! The freaking banter between these two not only turned them on but I’m sure will turn everyone on with the sexual tension! To be honest, I was quite surprised how this whole story turned out because things escalated quickly at the beginning. I wasn’t sure where she would take the story from that and still have a heck of an ending. Well, she proved me the freak wrong because not only did she still have my attention after things escalated but the suspense of it all had me so freaking curious I needed to know.

Now it’s a FULL DAY of reading!! I started again today around 23% and finished just a little bit ago and I think that was one of the best epilogue I’ve read in a very long time!!! I am so very curious about so many characters now though and I can’t wait to see what’s in the future!! This was a heck of a book to start me on and I’m hooked! Sexual tension, tattoos, fun banter, emotional issues and so much sex.... this book was not only hot but I cried, laughed and got nervous as crap! I’m honored I got to read this book!!

[Angelica Haney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars this one is a little hard to rate/ review and I’m gonna need some time to sit and think on it.

While Zed was an entertaining read and I enjoyed the book and many moments within the book. There were also many moments that really bothered me and I was overall disappointed with the book as a whole. These characters felt underdeveloped and the language used throughout the book was very immature and left me feeling weird? Uncomfortable? I’m not sure how to word it. There were so many words like “douchecanoe”, “buzzkillerton”, and “McSleazypants” were thrown around a lot. Also there were so many lines with animal comparisons it was killing me. A few examples “I was no match for her legal eagle eyes”, “talking to him was like pulling teeth from a rhino”, “today was going to be fun, like having my pubes tweezed out by elephants” these gems were sprinkled throughout the entire book like only a couple of these would have been ok? but the sheer amount of them was a little strange.

The moments I really enjoyed happened probably in the last 100 pages of the book. And the ending to this was super beautiful! I always love a good Happy ever After ending and boy did this book deliver that beautifully!


I was given this book by MV Ellis for free in return for my honest review.

[M.V. Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zed is FREE to download for few short hours! Grab it while you can!

→ Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2VPmnx8
→ All Countries: https://books2read.com/ze

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⁣⁣In the eyes of the law, I’d atoned for the secrets of my past, but in my heart, I knew the debt I owed was too big to ever be repaid. I didn’t ask for forgiveness, because I knew I wasn’t worthy of it. Guilt weighed me down and scarred my heart.⁣⁣
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⁣⁣If it wasn’t for my art, I’d probably be dead. The truth was, I had nothing else to live for. Or so I thought until Octavia Douglas came breezing unexpectedly into the picture.⁣⁣

⁣⁣Sexy, stubborn, and smart enough to know better than to throw her future away on a guy like me, Vivi made me question everything I thought I already knew. I suddenly craved the happy ever after I’d never dared dream of, and knew I didn’t deserve.⁣⁣

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Love Story!

This was a fantastic (sometimes sweet) love story. The main characters are well written and their interactions are funny, intense and sometimes very hot and steamy. It is definitely an intense page turner, which will keep you on your seat and guessing. Each chapter brought new and interesting elements into the story. I had so many ideas in my mind of how the story would turn out but with each turn of the page I was proven wrong! This made for a very interesting read.

Love Zed and Octavia. They are feisty and lovable but very strong characters. Definitely made for each other.

Great story. Can’t wait to read more books by this amazing author.