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A Fresh Taste of Ink #4-6
The Guilty Canvas
Stepping out on his boyfriend has become a habit. When Zee goes out of town for work, Trinket leaps at the chance to spend a month with side piece Mini. The BDSM-savvy, dirty-talking tattoo artist continuously ups the ante between them — first showing Trinket what it’s like to be really dominated in bed, then surprising him with deftly tender aftercare, and, finally, challenging Trinket to reexamine his feelings about himself, and his relationship. Trinket hasn’t known anyone as long as he’s known Zee. In all his little moments of doubt, handcuffed in a strange apartment or screwing around in an alleyway, Trinket can say with confidence who the problem is in their relationship. He sees the cracks in the facade, but attributes them all to his own damage. His own issues with vulnerability. His confusion in bed and out of it. Trinket is blindsided when Zee returns home with a harrowing confession. In Trinket’s struggle to understand and cope with this new twist, he turns to Mini, who has become so much more than the dom on the side. Trinket doesn’t realize exactly how much he has come to rely on Mini for reassurance, for laughter, as an easy alternative to his complicated relationship, until those texts suddenly stop. It turns out that all three men have their secrets… some more dangerous than others. The Guilty Canvas is book two in a high heat, slow burn MMM trilogy with a happy ending. The books follow the same story and cannot be read as standalones.
This trilogy was originally published as a series of seven A Taste of Ink, Lost in the Linework, A Guilty Canvas, A Stanza on Skin, A Darker Palette, The Color of Need, and A Final Stroke. The Guilty Canvas contains content from the fourth through sixth books. The series has been lightly revised, with a few small changes and an extended ending in the third book.
This trilogy was originally published as a series of seven A Taste of Ink, Lost in the Linework, A Guilty Canvas, A Stanza on Skin, A Darker Palette, The Color of Need, and A Final Stroke. The Guilty Canvas contains content from the fourth through sixth books. The series has been lightly revised, with a few small changes and an extended ending in the third book.
344 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2021
45 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Daniel May
51 books639 followersDaniel May writes MM romance and erotica with a focus on dark contemporary, kink, and BDSM. Originally a lover of sci-fi and fantasy, he turned his sights on the erotic as a joke that went over surprisingly well.
Completed series: The Taste of Ink (rereleased as A Fresh Taste of Ink trilogy)
Ongoing series: Hanged Men
Facebook group, the Daniel May Maelstrom:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/23035...
Sign up for the newsletter at danielmayauthor.com to receive free bonus content, news, and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks at upcoming works.-
Completed series: The Taste of Ink (rereleased as A Fresh Taste of Ink trilogy)
Ongoing series: Hanged Men
Facebook group, the Daniel May Maelstrom:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/23035...
Sign up for the newsletter at danielmayauthor.com to receive free bonus content, news, and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks at upcoming works.-
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
June 20, 2022
Book 1 review here
I’m not sure how to rank this installment. Still compulsively readable but also frustrating, in the sense that all the annoyance at Trinket that I probably should have been feeling in the last book really came to the fore in this one. On the other hand, as with many second-in-trilogy books, this is very much a bridge book. And in that respect, it did what it set out to do, even though I didn’t quite enjoy it as much as book one.
As Daniel May explains in the foreword, this trilogy was originally a collection of stories that were then revised and combined into longer books. And while I felt that book 1 read like a single cohesive narrative, book 2’s origins as separate stories is much more obvious. This is essentially two books. The first (and longer) part is Trinket and Mini sexing it up while Zee is away on a business trip. The second part focuses on Zee’s return and a long-overdue reckoning between Zee and Trinket.
The Trinket-Mini stuff was fun and hot. And more than that, necessary: it moved Mini from side-piece territory to boyfriend territory, it gave us more backstory (for all three of them, actually), it demonstrated Mini’s caregiving side as well as/in addition to his kink-manipulation side, and it showed not just their sexual compatibility – which was already well established in book 1 – but also their emotional and relationship compatibility. What is very clear is that, for all his kink jedi-master/ “I am aloof and unaffected” posturing, Mini is having big smooshy feelings for Trinket. Trinket’s feelings, conversely, are less clear and tangled up with the cheating and betrayal and lust and desire and taboo and all sorts of everything. (This is pretty much a recurring theme.) Mini is also – in a seemingly sincere if motivationally confusing way – genuinely invested in Trinket and Zee’s relationship. Indeed, it’s Mini who prompts Trinket to call or message Zee, who asks questions about him and their relationship, and who generally remembers that there is this person called Zee who exists in the world.
This is a slight exaggeration. But it did grate on me that, once Zee left for his trip, he was basically out of sight, out of mind for Trinket. Also, just in terms of not making your partner suspicious, I thought it was weird that Trinket was not really making an effort to initiate or maintain contact, given how co-dependent and obsessed and in each other’s pocket these two usually are. Like, up your cover-up game, Trinket! This laissez-faire attitude is stressing me out!
Seriously, though, while I enjoyed the Trinket-and-Mini interlude and all the sexcapades and kink school and hints of feelings-smooshiness, I did miss Zee in this first half. And I felt sorry for him. Or more precisely: I felt sorry that Trinket didn’t really seem to miss him more. Whereas book 1 was very capably juggling these relationships, where the interactions between the two pairings directly related to or fed off each other (even though only Trinket and Mini were aware of this interaction), this necessarily felt much more uneven. It was almost all Trinket and Mini, and insofar as Zee featured, it was mostly as a source of guilt or a sort of remote, “oh yeah, that guy” feeling.
And then Zee comes back and, bye-bye sexcapades, now it’s time for emotions! At Zee’s initiative, they finally, finally discuss that traumatizing night two years ago. Zee takes accountability and wants to start working on root causes and fallout and the like. Yay, Zee! He even mentions therapy (FINALLY!!! Please follow through on this!!!). Trinket, meanwhile, and entirely true to form, is like: screw honesty and emotional accountability, let’s bang. Trinket also decides that this whole “being open about painful things and taking responsibility for it” thing definitely does not encompass the Mini situation. Oh, Trinket.
But here’s the thing with Trinket. He is so used to denying feelings, or repressing feelings, or pretending he doesn’t have feelings, or using rough sex as a substitute for feelings – all in all being terrified of anything feelings-related – that he just can’t deal. He is just not very good at humaning! No one has ever modelled this shit for him!
This is both relatable and exasperating. And predictably, once Zee names the trauma and takes accountability – in other words, once the thing that neither of them has ever acknowledged to each other is finally out in the open, and Trinket finally has the permission he’s been denying himself to speak about it – the whole house of cards he’s constructed around his trauma comes tumbling down. Until now, Trinket’s love for Zee, connection to Mini, and desire for both of them have been steadfast, but all other feelings – mostly guilt and confusion – have been fleeting and quickly disappear in a fog of lust and sex. Once Trinket has a feeling that he can’t immediately shag away, he has ALL the feelings all on top of each other. And he can’t untangle for himself if his feelings of guilt and betrayal and anger and sadness and shame and need and dissatisfaction and love and hate are new feelings wrapped up with his cheating, or old feelings finally coming to the surface. (Here’s a hint, Trinket: it’s not an either/or situation!) And he doesn’t know what he wants and he doesn’t know the way forward and he’s stuck in a situation that he is simply not emotionally equipped to handle. And both Zee and Mini, separately, see and understand this, even if they don’t know what to do with it.
So this is the book where I got hugely frustrated and impatient with Trinket and his (almost admirable in its singlemindedness, if it wasn’t so self-sabotaging) determination to use sex as a means to the end of never dealing with his trauma and emotional baggage. But alongside this, we also get more insight into Trinket (and Zee, and Mini) and why Trinket is the way he is, and how these relationships work and don’t work.
I said at the top of the review that this book did what it set out to do. And in my mind, that was twofold. First: establish Trinket and Mini’s relationship as more than just hot banging at the tattoo parlor and, eventually, finally, bring Mini and Zee into the same place, thus setting us up for a transition from a cheating story to a poly story (she cackles, eagerly). Second: move Zee and Trinket’s relationship out of its comfortable pattern/rut, making it explicit that the erotic and kink explorations they started in book 1 may have mixed things up sexually, but did not fix the main problem in their relationship – the trauma baked into its very beginning. So even while I didn’t like this installment as much as the first one, it served the bridging role well.
Tl; dr: there are two people in this threesome with emotional intelligence, and Trinket isn’t one of them.
On to book 3!
I’m not sure how to rank this installment. Still compulsively readable but also frustrating, in the sense that all the annoyance at Trinket that I probably should have been feeling in the last book really came to the fore in this one. On the other hand, as with many second-in-trilogy books, this is very much a bridge book. And in that respect, it did what it set out to do, even though I didn’t quite enjoy it as much as book one.
As Daniel May explains in the foreword, this trilogy was originally a collection of stories that were then revised and combined into longer books. And while I felt that book 1 read like a single cohesive narrative, book 2’s origins as separate stories is much more obvious. This is essentially two books. The first (and longer) part is Trinket and Mini sexing it up while Zee is away on a business trip. The second part focuses on Zee’s return and a long-overdue reckoning between Zee and Trinket.
The Trinket-Mini stuff was fun and hot. And more than that, necessary: it moved Mini from side-piece territory to boyfriend territory, it gave us more backstory (for all three of them, actually), it demonstrated Mini’s caregiving side as well as/in addition to his kink-manipulation side, and it showed not just their sexual compatibility – which was already well established in book 1 – but also their emotional and relationship compatibility. What is very clear is that, for all his kink jedi-master/ “I am aloof and unaffected” posturing, Mini is having big smooshy feelings for Trinket. Trinket’s feelings, conversely, are less clear and tangled up with the cheating and betrayal and lust and desire and taboo and all sorts of everything. (This is pretty much a recurring theme.) Mini is also – in a seemingly sincere if motivationally confusing way – genuinely invested in Trinket and Zee’s relationship. Indeed, it’s Mini who prompts Trinket to call or message Zee, who asks questions about him and their relationship, and who generally remembers that there is this person called Zee who exists in the world.
This is a slight exaggeration. But it did grate on me that, once Zee left for his trip, he was basically out of sight, out of mind for Trinket. Also, just in terms of not making your partner suspicious, I thought it was weird that Trinket was not really making an effort to initiate or maintain contact, given how co-dependent and obsessed and in each other’s pocket these two usually are. Like, up your cover-up game, Trinket! This laissez-faire attitude is stressing me out!
Seriously, though, while I enjoyed the Trinket-and-Mini interlude and all the sexcapades and kink school and hints of feelings-smooshiness, I did miss Zee in this first half. And I felt sorry for him. Or more precisely: I felt sorry that Trinket didn’t really seem to miss him more. Whereas book 1 was very capably juggling these relationships, where the interactions between the two pairings directly related to or fed off each other (even though only Trinket and Mini were aware of this interaction), this necessarily felt much more uneven. It was almost all Trinket and Mini, and insofar as Zee featured, it was mostly as a source of guilt or a sort of remote, “oh yeah, that guy” feeling.
And then Zee comes back and, bye-bye sexcapades, now it’s time for emotions! At Zee’s initiative, they finally, finally discuss that traumatizing night two years ago. Zee takes accountability and wants to start working on root causes and fallout and the like. Yay, Zee! He even mentions therapy (FINALLY!!! Please follow through on this!!!). Trinket, meanwhile, and entirely true to form, is like: screw honesty and emotional accountability, let’s bang. Trinket also decides that this whole “being open about painful things and taking responsibility for it” thing definitely does not encompass the Mini situation. Oh, Trinket.
But here’s the thing with Trinket. He is so used to denying feelings, or repressing feelings, or pretending he doesn’t have feelings, or using rough sex as a substitute for feelings – all in all being terrified of anything feelings-related – that he just can’t deal. He is just not very good at humaning! No one has ever modelled this shit for him!
This is both relatable and exasperating. And predictably, once Zee names the trauma and takes accountability – in other words, once the thing that neither of them has ever acknowledged to each other is finally out in the open, and Trinket finally has the permission he’s been denying himself to speak about it – the whole house of cards he’s constructed around his trauma comes tumbling down. Until now, Trinket’s love for Zee, connection to Mini, and desire for both of them have been steadfast, but all other feelings – mostly guilt and confusion – have been fleeting and quickly disappear in a fog of lust and sex. Once Trinket has a feeling that he can’t immediately shag away, he has ALL the feelings all on top of each other. And he can’t untangle for himself if his feelings of guilt and betrayal and anger and sadness and shame and need and dissatisfaction and love and hate are new feelings wrapped up with his cheating, or old feelings finally coming to the surface. (Here’s a hint, Trinket: it’s not an either/or situation!) And he doesn’t know what he wants and he doesn’t know the way forward and he’s stuck in a situation that he is simply not emotionally equipped to handle. And both Zee and Mini, separately, see and understand this, even if they don’t know what to do with it.
So this is the book where I got hugely frustrated and impatient with Trinket and his (almost admirable in its singlemindedness, if it wasn’t so self-sabotaging) determination to use sex as a means to the end of never dealing with his trauma and emotional baggage. But alongside this, we also get more insight into Trinket (and Zee, and Mini) and why Trinket is the way he is, and how these relationships work and don’t work.
I said at the top of the review that this book did what it set out to do. And in my mind, that was twofold. First: establish Trinket and Mini’s relationship as more than just hot banging at the tattoo parlor and, eventually, finally, bring Mini and Zee into the same place, thus setting us up for a transition from a cheating story to a poly story (she cackles, eagerly). Second: move Zee and Trinket’s relationship out of its comfortable pattern/rut, making it explicit that the erotic and kink explorations they started in book 1 may have mixed things up sexually, but did not fix the main problem in their relationship – the trauma baked into its very beginning. So even while I didn’t like this installment as much as the first one, it served the bridging role well.
Tl; dr: there are two people in this threesome with emotional intelligence, and Trinket isn’t one of them.
On to book 3!
May 8, 2022
I said the first book was difficult to review but it turns out this book, the second in the Taste of Ink trilogy, is even more difficult. The book continues the exploration of Trinket's sexuality through cheating and kink. The entire first half of the book is dedicated to this. The struggle with reviewing this particular book is the second half is a complete tone shift with an incomplete arc. I felt the reveals about the characters came out of nowhere and the events in the second half did not help propel the story forward until the very end.
Despite all of the structural issues with the book the characters remain very interesting and I immediately started the ARC of the third installment to find out what happens. The characters are the primary reason for the high rating, really. I look forward to the resolution of this story.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
Despite all of the structural issues with the book the characters remain very interesting and I immediately started the ARC of the third installment to find out what happens. The characters are the primary reason for the high rating, really. I look forward to the resolution of this story.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
May 1, 2022
Oh Mini. If not for you I would not want to keep going with these other two. You are the jam in their really messed up sandwich.
In this episode, we have Zee who is going to be away for a month and Trinket who goes all out with being with Mini. At this point, the cheating is like the least of the issues involving these three. By the end of this one, we have Zee and Mini meeting, so progress!.
But the one thing that stood out to me was how much better the writing got at around 75% or when Zee and Trinket go on their out of the city trip. It was a radical change for the better and I actually felt the emotions our unreliable narrator Trinket had.
I mean, how could you not be on #teammini?
I received this from GRR
In this episode, we have Zee who is going to be away for a month and Trinket who goes all out with being with Mini. At this point, the cheating is like the least of the issues involving these three. By the end of this one, we have Zee and Mini meeting, so progress!.
But the one thing that stood out to me was how much better the writing got at around 75% or when Zee and Trinket go on their out of the city trip. It was a radical change for the better and I actually felt the emotions our unreliable narrator Trinket had.
I mean, how could you not be on #teammini?
“In terms of shiftiness,” Mini elaborated. “He lied to you about drugs, treated you to the worst first fuck, and is just kind of dense and stupid about how to treat you in general. You cheated long, hard, and often, and are just kind of sociopathic in general. You’re both awful people. But you love each other, right?”
“I feel like I’m either in the lead up to a porno or a double homicide,” Said Mini
I received this from GRR
May 15, 2022
Part two of three in the trilogy. Like the first book, this one uses erotica as a thought experiment about many aspects of sex and romance, in particular knowledge, control, and vulnerability. This book wasn’t quite as magical for me as the first one, because here some pacing issues started to become apparent. This was originally published as a serial in seven installments instead of three, which means that there had to be seven sufficiently standalone stories with enough sex scenes to qualify each book as erotica. Now that it’s been reworked as a trilogy, the sex scenes aren’t always paced well and thus don’t always serve the story. May is so good at using the sex scenes to reveal more about the characters that the scenes where this isn’t happening feel unengaging by comparison. There are also filler scenes that would have been necessary to make certain plot arcs stand on their own but that feel superfluous as part of a longer book. There isn’t the same sense of constant forward motion as there was in book one. I still loved this book and recommend it above almost all other erotica I’ve read, but I think it’s helpful to expect some rough edges here.
A major theme in this book is knowledge. Trinket is clearly pained by the things he doesn’t know about Zee and where he stands in the relationship. Despite this, he uses every opportunity to avoid that knowledge, probably because he’s afraid of what he might have to do if he gained it. He also avoids self-reflection and hurts himself because of it. (“Trinket decided not to question it. He didn’t feel like knowing things.”) And the more entangled he gets with Mini, the more he realizes he doesn’t know about that relationship, too. But rather than making conscious decisions, he uses sex as an excuse to feel his feelings, experience vulnerability, and get what he wants but can’t directly admit to wanting – telling Mini on at least one occasion that he wants to do something while he’s still horny because he won’t second guess himself. Yet he still argues passionately to Mini that he isn’t ruled by his impulses, and that it’s better to consciously make decisions (to cheat, to have risky sex, etc.) than act without thinking.
Trinket wants and doesn’t want control in equal measures. He wants his partners to make all the decisions during sex but doesn’t enjoy the experience except in small doses. He’s embarrassed by the thought of his body acting on its own even when it’s a result of pleasure, and something his partners enjoy. He continuously sets boundaries and then erases them as soon as there’s an excuse to do so. He wants control over himself but doesn’t want the responsibility that comes with it. At the same time, he wants to give others the illusion of control over him while actually retaining it for himself. He wants to be used but only if he’s useful; being alone at his partners' homes feels like being a decorative object, which he doesn't enjoy. It’s also much easier for him to accept possession (tattoos) and dominance (a collar) than commitment (the possibility of engagement) – he doesn’t know how to handle emotions and expectations that aren’t straightforward.
Trinket does overcome some of these issues in this book, but still has a long way to go. Luckily for him, leaning into easier feelings to avoid hard ones doesn’t always work, and he’s forced to have some major personal revelations in this book.
A major theme in this book is knowledge. Trinket is clearly pained by the things he doesn’t know about Zee and where he stands in the relationship. Despite this, he uses every opportunity to avoid that knowledge, probably because he’s afraid of what he might have to do if he gained it. He also avoids self-reflection and hurts himself because of it. (“Trinket decided not to question it. He didn’t feel like knowing things.”) And the more entangled he gets with Mini, the more he realizes he doesn’t know about that relationship, too. But rather than making conscious decisions, he uses sex as an excuse to feel his feelings, experience vulnerability, and get what he wants but can’t directly admit to wanting – telling Mini on at least one occasion that he wants to do something while he’s still horny because he won’t second guess himself. Yet he still argues passionately to Mini that he isn’t ruled by his impulses, and that it’s better to consciously make decisions (to cheat, to have risky sex, etc.) than act without thinking.
Trinket wants and doesn’t want control in equal measures. He wants his partners to make all the decisions during sex but doesn’t enjoy the experience except in small doses. He’s embarrassed by the thought of his body acting on its own even when it’s a result of pleasure, and something his partners enjoy. He continuously sets boundaries and then erases them as soon as there’s an excuse to do so. He wants control over himself but doesn’t want the responsibility that comes with it. At the same time, he wants to give others the illusion of control over him while actually retaining it for himself. He wants to be used but only if he’s useful; being alone at his partners' homes feels like being a decorative object, which he doesn't enjoy. It’s also much easier for him to accept possession (tattoos) and dominance (a collar) than commitment (the possibility of engagement) – he doesn’t know how to handle emotions and expectations that aren’t straightforward.
Trinket does overcome some of these issues in this book, but still has a long way to go. Luckily for him, leaning into easier feelings to avoid hard ones doesn’t always work, and he’s forced to have some major personal revelations in this book.
July 2, 2022
“What I mean is that if you run around on Mr. Li, that’s about you and him. You and me… that’s a different story entirely.”
“You and me.”
Trinket stared at him blankly.
“You can be jealous,” said Mini. “Your bad behavior in that relationship doesn’t give me a free pass to act out in this one.”
“Then…” said Trinket, coming to a slow hope.
“If you want to be exclusive in this relationship, I’m happy with that,“ said Mini.”
A minor confession: I started reading this 3 weeks ago and took a break. It had nothing to do with the book itself, but I just wasn’t in the mood for smut at the time and only got back to it last night. Overall I enjoyed this installment. The smut is smoking hot of course and I loved the general fucked upedness of Trinket’s and Zee’s illicit relationship. These are not likable people and yet they are endlessly fascinating and entertaining.
The books starts out with Zee away on a business trip leaving Trinket free to stay over at Mini’s place. Although the first half is smut heavy, the relationship between Trinket and Mini undergoes a metamorphosis during this period. It evolves from a mere fuckfest to catching feelings. Mini is still Mini—crude, blunt, sarcastic—and yet he also has his vulnerable and tender moments with Trinket. And Trinket finally loses his ice cold composure and becomes a hot cheating mess. He alternates between gleefully escalating things and then feeling remorse, but not for long. The sex is of course smutty and kinky.
Things get really interesting when Zee returns and the book ends on quite a cliffhanger.
“You know, I think you guys are about even.”
Trinket blinked. “What do you mean?”
“In terms of shittiness,” Mini elaborated. “He lied to you about drugs, treated you to the world’s worst first fuck, and is just kind of dense and stupid about how to treat you in general. You cheated long, hard, and often, and are just kind of sociopathic in general. You’re both awful people. But you love each other, right?”
“I will never get tired of fucking you,” said Mini. “I hope you marry him. I hope you marry him so you never have any more temptation to stray, so busy juggling two men that you never have time to let anyone else between your legs. I don’t want anyone else in the world to know how fucking good you are, how you spread your legs so easy, how you love to lie on your back and get rough-fucked until you’re crying.”
“You and me.”
Trinket stared at him blankly.
“You can be jealous,” said Mini. “Your bad behavior in that relationship doesn’t give me a free pass to act out in this one.”
“Then…” said Trinket, coming to a slow hope.
“If you want to be exclusive in this relationship, I’m happy with that,“ said Mini.”
A minor confession: I started reading this 3 weeks ago and took a break. It had nothing to do with the book itself, but I just wasn’t in the mood for smut at the time and only got back to it last night. Overall I enjoyed this installment. The smut is smoking hot of course and I loved the general fucked upedness of Trinket’s and Zee’s illicit relationship. These are not likable people and yet they are endlessly fascinating and entertaining.
The books starts out with Zee away on a business trip leaving Trinket free to stay over at Mini’s place. Although the first half is smut heavy, the relationship between Trinket and Mini undergoes a metamorphosis during this period. It evolves from a mere fuckfest to catching feelings. Mini is still Mini—crude, blunt, sarcastic—and yet he also has his vulnerable and tender moments with Trinket. And Trinket finally loses his ice cold composure and becomes a hot cheating mess. He alternates between gleefully escalating things and then feeling remorse, but not for long. The sex is of course smutty and kinky.
Things get really interesting when Zee returns and the book ends on quite a cliffhanger.
“You know, I think you guys are about even.”
Trinket blinked. “What do you mean?”
“In terms of shittiness,” Mini elaborated. “He lied to you about drugs, treated you to the world’s worst first fuck, and is just kind of dense and stupid about how to treat you in general. You cheated long, hard, and often, and are just kind of sociopathic in general. You’re both awful people. But you love each other, right?”
“I will never get tired of fucking you,” said Mini. “I hope you marry him. I hope you marry him so you never have any more temptation to stray, so busy juggling two men that you never have time to let anyone else between your legs. I don’t want anyone else in the world to know how fucking good you are, how you spread your legs so easy, how you love to lie on your back and get rough-fucked until you’re crying.”
December 6, 2022
WHYY DOES THIS SLAP???? WHY AM I INVESTED????
June 23, 2023
Poor twinky Trinket,
lurching between bad choices.
Can he have it all?
lurching between bad choices.
Can he have it all?
October 8, 2022
I just love Daniel May as an author. I know his books are slightly disturbing and in this series the subject of cheating meets with a lot of resistance. However, I can put myself in Trinket's shoes so well that the cheating here seems insanely natural to me, which probably also has to do with the fact that I don't like his boyfriend and Mini is simply more interesting.
If you managed to read the first three parts of the series and you' re not certain if you really want to go further, then here' s my advice. If you can overlook the cheating thing, or it doesn't completely repulse you, then it's worth reading on. Parts 4-6 or Volume II continue seamlessly. The sex scenes pile up and become more intense, respectively. A few of them I liked less. A good portion of the scenes with Mini felt too impersonal. But little by little Mini and Trinket open up to each other and it becomes just wonderful.
The scene in Trinket's car ... 🔥🔥🔥
If you have lasted until then, everything suddenly starts to make sense. It becomes more and more clear why Trinket behaves the way he does, even if you already suspected it, but slowly all the little things are revealed that led to Trinket's betrayal and his remorselessness about it.
Nobody was innocent.
Everyone hurt him.
Was it possible for him to exist without pain?
Did he deserve to exist without pain?
He thought yes, of course he did, because he was one of those people who believed fundamentally that all living beings deserved to exist without pain.
But he also thought... no.
Absolutely not.
Not him.
God, I want to crawl inside Trinket's head and pick it apart piece by piece, I want to know what makes him tick. 😳
If you managed to read the first three parts of the series and you' re not certain if you really want to go further, then here' s my advice. If you can overlook the cheating thing, or it doesn't completely repulse you, then it's worth reading on. Parts 4-6 or Volume II continue seamlessly. The sex scenes pile up and become more intense, respectively. A few of them I liked less. A good portion of the scenes with Mini felt too impersonal. But little by little Mini and Trinket open up to each other and it becomes just wonderful.
The scene in Trinket's car ... 🔥🔥🔥
If you have lasted until then, everything suddenly starts to make sense. It becomes more and more clear why Trinket behaves the way he does, even if you already suspected it, but slowly all the little things are revealed that led to Trinket's betrayal and his remorselessness about it.
Nobody was innocent.
Everyone hurt him.
Was it possible for him to exist without pain?
Did he deserve to exist without pain?
He thought yes, of course he did, because he was one of those people who believed fundamentally that all living beings deserved to exist without pain.
But he also thought... no.
Absolutely not.
Not him.
God, I want to crawl inside Trinket's head and pick it apart piece by piece, I want to know what makes him tick. 😳
June 9, 2024
"There's something..." Mini mused. "Not quite right about you." If I could summarize this book in a line, it would that. Used to describe Trinket, our protagonist, it is pretty accurate. He is a fucking mess.
In this book, we see him delve deeper into this affair with tattoo artist Mini while his partner is away for work. This book, while still being seriously spicy, has less sex that the first part of this series, instead we get a fuller look at Trinket and his multiple neuroses. Therapy was briefly brought up, and I was literally screaming at him to take it up, because goddamn he needs it.
I don't know how to feel about this series. I mean, I am enjoying the hell out of it, but some seriously fucked up choices are made and while I appreciate that they are in no way justified in the book, it's just so fucking shameless. These people are terrible people. I love it.
In this book, we see him delve deeper into this affair with tattoo artist Mini while his partner is away for work. This book, while still being seriously spicy, has less sex that the first part of this series, instead we get a fuller look at Trinket and his multiple neuroses. Therapy was briefly brought up, and I was literally screaming at him to take it up, because goddamn he needs it.
I don't know how to feel about this series. I mean, I am enjoying the hell out of it, but some seriously fucked up choices are made and while I appreciate that they are in no way justified in the book, it's just so fucking shameless. These people are terrible people. I love it.
May 8, 2022
In this episode of how things escalated quickly, we get the episode of Zee going to be away for a month to spend time on more work! Trinket goes all out with Mini and much more. We get some serious secrets revealed that impacts certain events in the first book. Also, there is more kinky, sexy stuff curtsey of Mini and Trinket. Some really personal and utterly emotional things unpacked here as well.
I find Trinket, Zee and Mini as really fascinating and complex characters. They wouldn't make my list of favorite characters but their story is quite compelling as it unfolds before you. As always the author makes brilliant use of erotica to explore and dissect certain aspects of sex, romance and the psyche of the characters. You get to see the characters try figure things out, make choices and mess things up. You see their journey of self-discovery for the most part and whether the choices are right or wrong in your opinion, the writer does a good job in making it all understandable and relatable in some ways.
There were some things that really stood out for me like the moment Mini brought out that collar for Trinket and how it contrasts so much to the collar that Zee gave him. Like in someway that shows how the two men see Trinket differently - For Zee he sees Trinket as beautiful, fragile while Mini sees him as someone more enduring, strong and malleable. The moment Mini placed that collar on Trinket with the collar that Zee gave - it made me think on how their relationships were at that time - Trinket and Zee as a couple is the perfect, beautiful, loving relationship that the world sees but underneath it all - delicate and riddled with unspoken doubts and emotional pain; Mini and Trinket - hidden not something the world knows and should be seen built on cheating and yet somehow turned out to be more enduring and had more trusts built into.
Trinket wearing both is just symbolic on how both relationship is so important to him and how those two are the driving force for him to truly figuring himself out.
I do recommend starting out this series if you haven't. But do bear in mind the cautionary words provided by the author. They are there for a reason.
This would be 4 stars out of 5 stars for me.
I received an ARC of this book via GRR and I have chosen to publish my fair and honest review.
I find Trinket, Zee and Mini as really fascinating and complex characters. They wouldn't make my list of favorite characters but their story is quite compelling as it unfolds before you. As always the author makes brilliant use of erotica to explore and dissect certain aspects of sex, romance and the psyche of the characters. You get to see the characters try figure things out, make choices and mess things up. You see their journey of self-discovery for the most part and whether the choices are right or wrong in your opinion, the writer does a good job in making it all understandable and relatable in some ways.
There were some things that really stood out for me like the moment Mini brought out that collar for Trinket and how it contrasts so much to the collar that Zee gave him. Like in someway that shows how the two men see Trinket differently - For Zee he sees Trinket as beautiful, fragile while Mini sees him as someone more enduring, strong and malleable. The moment Mini placed that collar on Trinket with the collar that Zee gave - it made me think on how their relationships were at that time - Trinket and Zee as a couple is the perfect, beautiful, loving relationship that the world sees but underneath it all - delicate and riddled with unspoken doubts and emotional pain; Mini and Trinket - hidden not something the world knows and should be seen built on cheating and yet somehow turned out to be more enduring and had more trusts built into.
Trinket wearing both is just symbolic on how both relationship is so important to him and how those two are the driving force for him to truly figuring himself out.
I do recommend starting out this series if you haven't. But do bear in mind the cautionary words provided by the author. They are there for a reason.
This would be 4 stars out of 5 stars for me.
I received an ARC of this book via GRR and I have chosen to publish my fair and honest review.
August 11, 2022
There are very good, articulate reviews out there for these books - this is not one of them. I am all reactions for this HOT AF installment in the series with messy, sexy, fascinating characters. Read these books (but definitely read the CW).
Now I'm off to read Book 3
Now I'm off to read Book 3
May 8, 2022
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews (thank you!), and this is my honest review.
This volume is divided into two parts: Trinket staying with Mini while Zee is away, and then a focus on Zee and Trinket's relationship after his return.
Mini gives Trinket a solid introduction to BDSM when he finally gets him to himself for an extended period of time. Mini is a caring and experienced dom. He gives Trinket safewords, rules, and punishments, starts him slow, and paces the introduction of new sensations and activities. Trinket, while eager, is a novice; his internal struggles with obedience and with wanting-to-but-not-wanting-to-but-wanting-to are very well portrayed. Mini treats Trinket with ruthless care, merciless love, skilled sadism, and horny, slut-shaming adoration, and May's clean, direct prose takes us right along for the ride.
At about the 70% mark, Zee comes home and Trinket is with him and away from Mini. As the pressures they've been sublimating in rough sex and ruthless sexual teasing become overt, the subtle cracks in their relationship begin to fracture visibly.
There are some things about how both Trinket and Zee view their first time having sex that surprised me the first time through this book. Now, on my second time through, I can see where the seeds for that were sown earlier. It feels like a bit of a structural flaw in the trilogy, but it's not going to stop me giving all three books 5 stars.
I'm reading this trilogy as an e-ARC; I hope to hell it's available in physical form because I am definitely going to want copies on my nightstand. I'd also love audiobooks -- I would listen over and over, trust me -- and other fans to talk with, plus fan art of Trinket and his tattoos. I like these books a lot, is what I'm saying, to the point where there's some risk of them becoming my next special interest.
This volume is divided into two parts: Trinket staying with Mini while Zee is away, and then a focus on Zee and Trinket's relationship after his return.
Mini gives Trinket a solid introduction to BDSM when he finally gets him to himself for an extended period of time. Mini is a caring and experienced dom. He gives Trinket safewords, rules, and punishments, starts him slow, and paces the introduction of new sensations and activities. Trinket, while eager, is a novice; his internal struggles with obedience and with wanting-to-but-not-wanting-to-but-wanting-to are very well portrayed. Mini treats Trinket with ruthless care, merciless love, skilled sadism, and horny, slut-shaming adoration, and May's clean, direct prose takes us right along for the ride.
At about the 70% mark, Zee comes home and Trinket is with him and away from Mini. As the pressures they've been sublimating in rough sex and ruthless sexual teasing become overt, the subtle cracks in their relationship begin to fracture visibly.
There are some things about how both Trinket and Zee view their first time having sex that surprised me the first time through this book. Now, on my second time through, I can see where the seeds for that were sown earlier. It feels like a bit of a structural flaw in the trilogy, but it's not going to stop me giving all three books 5 stars.
I'm reading this trilogy as an e-ARC; I hope to hell it's available in physical form because I am definitely going to want copies on my nightstand. I'd also love audiobooks -- I would listen over and over, trust me -- and other fans to talk with, plus fan art of Trinket and his tattoos. I like these books a lot, is what I'm saying, to the point where there's some risk of them becoming my next special interest.
October 9, 2022
This was outstanding! If you made it this far through the discomfort of book one and all the cheating stuff, this was like the soft landing too-good-to-be-true sequel. Mini taught a masterclass in domming, and feelings started to get involved, making my heart all squirmy. The last quarter of the book brings us right back down into reality, but in such a wonderfully poignant way. Suddenly characters who were basically just fuck vessels for much of the early story gained depth and turned into fully rounded people. There was some kind of witchery or magic about it. And then the ending! The setup for book 3! I'm actually screaming, it's perfect, I cannot wait to see how they all survive this clusterfuck.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2025
I’m in love with these men. And I’m so sad the next book is the end. This one was just as spicy, but more emotions. We get deeper in to Zee and Trinkets relationship, we fall in love with Mini, have our hearts broken a bit, and get left on a cliff hanger. I’m excited and sad for this series to end.
June 21, 2022
Hmmm, the plot is getting better but Trinket is progressing in a little monster, #manipulator. Zee is not a victim, he has his own problems but damn, he at least tried to do sth rational.
June 11, 2022
Mini 🖤 Trinket 🥵😍
June 21, 2022
I am flying through this series! It’s nearly impossible to stop reading and I plan on diving into book 3 as soon as possible. The cliffhangers are subtle but effective. I am dying to know where things are going to go from here and how on earth this triad is possibly going to come together. (There may be spoilers below if you haven’t read book 1.)
I am one million percent Team Mini. How on earth did Daniel May get me to root for a guy who went after Trinket despite knowing he had a boyfriend?! Pure sorcery. But gah, Mini really is the best! He is patient and giving and funny and the right amount of asshole and good lord does he know how to be an excellent Dom. He should give workshops on consent—I would push everyone to sign up. I was as impressed with the scenes he put together for Trinket as I was by the way he negotiated consent, educated on safety, and checked in on Trinket throughout. There’s some hard kink here that won’t be for everyone, cheating aside, but I found it to be incredibly hot and compelling. He also continues to give Trinket such thoughtful advice, all the more impressive since it’s about Trinket and Zee’s relationship. We’re given some tantalizing details but Mini remains a mystery for the most part and I’m looking forward to finally learning more of his backstory in the next book. Mostly, I just want him to be loved. He deserves good things!
Zee is still harder to get a read on but I was thrilled we got a very brief POV from him toward the start. It makes me wonder how much of a mastermind he might be and I’m eager to see if my hunch proves correct. We learn something that gave new light to a few things but Trinket’s tendency toward denial meant their relationship still isn’t in a healthy place. I was glad, however, that Zee finally named their first time having sex as sexual trauma, even if Trinket doesn’t want to use that term. That said,
Zee does so much to take care of Trinket—the koi pond! making food! cabin getaway!—and I have to admit this installment made me question why. What is it about Trinket that Mini and Zee are drawn to? Why does everyone want to take care of him and how do I sign up for that plan? As frustrated as I am with Trinket’s choices, there’s still something endearing about him. I feel incredibly invested in him figuring things out. He definitely activated my Big Sister Mode this book. He’s so reckless and thoughtless with his actions and what cheating on Zee means. The choices around this horrified me! Bringing Mini to their home?! Wearing the collar Zee gave him with Mini for the first time instead of saving that moment for Zee? Like, come on, Trinket!!!! I really wanted to take him to task. I was wondering if he'd ever feel guilt or think about the risks to his relationship.
But…it’s clear his actions are borne out of trauma. Between that bad first time with Zee and what we learn about his upbringing, it’s no wonder he runs away from problems, keeps his mouth shut, and prefers to be kept in the dark. Those coping skills will only go so far though and now we see what happens when he doesn’t address his problems. True, it’s not going to come out as infidelity for many people. But this is Trinket's path and it's fascinating to see him start to process his tendencies and why he enjoys pain and what he gets from both men. I’m torn because he shouldn’t have done this but I’m so glad Mini is a part of his life now. I have no idea how an HEA will be possible for these three. Zee and Mini are incredibly different! How would this work even as a polyamorous hinge?! Will Zee forgive Trinket once he finds out???
I’m intrigued and riveted and completely astounded by Daniel May’s storytelling. I love the way he’s built and layered both the characters and the plot. Never could have guessed I'd be this into an infidelity romance. You really do learn something new every day. I have so many questions and I can’t wait to see how they’re answered.
Characters: Trinket is an academic (Ancient Greek mythology and history) with very long hair and a submissive. Zee is an architect and inexperienced Dominant with touch-aversion. Mini is a tattoo artist and experienced Dom with a tongue piercing and dyslexia. Trinket and Zee seem to be Asian. All three men seem to be gay. (Trinket asked Zee if he was into women and he sidestepped that question in favor of a discussion countering gender roles so it’s possible he could be bi or pan.) Per the last book, Zee could be read as demisexual. Zee and Trinket were friends for many years and have been together for two.
Content notes: , infidelity (MMC cheats on other MMC with third MMC), past sexual trauma/dubious consent (bad first time), body modification (tattoo, consensual cigarette burns as marking/pain play), past death of parents (), use of safeword (respected), Mini has dyslexia, unprotected sex, on page sex, D/s, masochism, sadism, degradation play, impact play, pain play, bondage, orgasm control, hair pulling, praise kink, exhibitionism, public sex, office sex, biting,, fluid exchange, accidental blood play, edging, rimming, sex toys, lingerie, erotic photos, phone sex, sex tape, consensual slut-shaming, masturbation, alcohol, inebriation, cigarettes, marijuana references, discussion and countering of gender roles, gendered pejoratives, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, reference to colleague donating a kidney
*Buddy read with Vicky!
I am one million percent Team Mini. How on earth did Daniel May get me to root for a guy who went after Trinket despite knowing he had a boyfriend?! Pure sorcery. But gah, Mini really is the best! He is patient and giving and funny and the right amount of asshole and good lord does he know how to be an excellent Dom. He should give workshops on consent—I would push everyone to sign up. I was as impressed with the scenes he put together for Trinket as I was by the way he negotiated consent, educated on safety, and checked in on Trinket throughout. There’s some hard kink here that won’t be for everyone, cheating aside, but I found it to be incredibly hot and compelling. He also continues to give Trinket such thoughtful advice, all the more impressive since it’s about Trinket and Zee’s relationship. We’re given some tantalizing details but Mini remains a mystery for the most part and I’m looking forward to finally learning more of his backstory in the next book. Mostly, I just want him to be loved. He deserves good things!
Zee is still harder to get a read on but I was thrilled we got a very brief POV from him toward the start. It makes me wonder how much of a mastermind he might be and I’m eager to see if my hunch proves correct. We learn something that gave new light to a few things but Trinket’s tendency toward denial meant their relationship still isn’t in a healthy place. I was glad, however, that Zee finally named their first time having sex as sexual trauma, even if Trinket doesn’t want to use that term. That said,
Zee does so much to take care of Trinket—the koi pond! making food! cabin getaway!—and I have to admit this installment made me question why. What is it about Trinket that Mini and Zee are drawn to? Why does everyone want to take care of him and how do I sign up for that plan? As frustrated as I am with Trinket’s choices, there’s still something endearing about him. I feel incredibly invested in him figuring things out. He definitely activated my Big Sister Mode this book. He’s so reckless and thoughtless with his actions and what cheating on Zee means. The choices around this horrified me! Bringing Mini to their home?! Wearing the collar Zee gave him with Mini for the first time instead of saving that moment for Zee? Like, come on, Trinket!!!! I really wanted to take him to task. I was wondering if he'd ever feel guilt or think about the risks to his relationship.
But…it’s clear his actions are borne out of trauma. Between that bad first time with Zee and what we learn about his upbringing, it’s no wonder he runs away from problems, keeps his mouth shut, and prefers to be kept in the dark. Those coping skills will only go so far though and now we see what happens when he doesn’t address his problems. True, it’s not going to come out as infidelity for many people. But this is Trinket's path and it's fascinating to see him start to process his tendencies and why he enjoys pain and what he gets from both men. I’m torn because he shouldn’t have done this but I’m so glad Mini is a part of his life now. I have no idea how an HEA will be possible for these three. Zee and Mini are incredibly different! How would this work even as a polyamorous hinge?! Will Zee forgive Trinket once he finds out???
I’m intrigued and riveted and completely astounded by Daniel May’s storytelling. I love the way he’s built and layered both the characters and the plot. Never could have guessed I'd be this into an infidelity romance. You really do learn something new every day. I have so many questions and I can’t wait to see how they’re answered.
Characters: Trinket is an academic (Ancient Greek mythology and history) with very long hair and a submissive. Zee is an architect and inexperienced Dominant with touch-aversion. Mini is a tattoo artist and experienced Dom with a tongue piercing and dyslexia. Trinket and Zee seem to be Asian. All three men seem to be gay. (Trinket asked Zee if he was into women and he sidestepped that question in favor of a discussion countering gender roles so it’s possible he could be bi or pan.) Per the last book, Zee could be read as demisexual. Zee and Trinket were friends for many years and have been together for two.
Content notes: , infidelity (MMC cheats on other MMC with third MMC), past sexual trauma/dubious consent (bad first time), body modification (tattoo, consensual cigarette burns as marking/pain play), past death of parents (), use of safeword (respected), Mini has dyslexia, unprotected sex, on page sex, D/s, masochism, sadism, degradation play, impact play, pain play, bondage, orgasm control, hair pulling, praise kink, exhibitionism, public sex, office sex, biting,, fluid exchange, accidental blood play, edging, rimming, sex toys, lingerie, erotic photos, phone sex, sex tape, consensual slut-shaming, masturbation, alcohol, inebriation, cigarettes, marijuana references, discussion and countering of gender roles, gendered pejoratives, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, reference to colleague donating a kidney
*Buddy read with Vicky!
May 17, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
The Guilty Canvas is the second installment of the Taste of Ink series. The series was originally published as a set of seven books and is now being re-released and repackaged into three long books. The series is made up of one continuous story and therefore must be read in order, starting with The Taste of Ink. This review will reveal plot points from the first book in the series.
The Guilty Canvas picks up just where The Taste of Ink leaves off, with Zee away for work and Trinket and Mini heading into Mini’s apartment. This time alone really develops Mini and Trinket’s relationship in some interesting ways, as the domesticity of being alone together for days in Mini’s apartment is so different from their usual quick hookups. There is still that intensity to their dynamic, the hard sex that gets both of them off. And Mini still can be distant and hard to read. But there is also a softer side that comes through as the men spend more casual time together.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
The Guilty Canvas is the second installment of the Taste of Ink series. The series was originally published as a set of seven books and is now being re-released and repackaged into three long books. The series is made up of one continuous story and therefore must be read in order, starting with The Taste of Ink. This review will reveal plot points from the first book in the series.
The Guilty Canvas picks up just where The Taste of Ink leaves off, with Zee away for work and Trinket and Mini heading into Mini’s apartment. This time alone really develops Mini and Trinket’s relationship in some interesting ways, as the domesticity of being alone together for days in Mini’s apartment is so different from their usual quick hookups. There is still that intensity to their dynamic, the hard sex that gets both of them off. And Mini still can be distant and hard to read. But there is also a softer side that comes through as the men spend more casual time together.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
November 4, 2022
Completely hyped for the last book and so glad I haven’t allowed myself to be spoilered :D
May 2, 2022
I will start this review by stating that I have finished reading the trilogy so some of my opinions on this book may be skewed by knowing how it ends. That being said I absolutely LOVE this trilogy and it is HOT HOT HOT!
Basing my review on just book 2 rather than trying to factor in what I know about the final book I will try to keep it focused on just this addition. This book picks up exactly where book 1 ends. I know there are complications/strains on Trinkets relationship with Zee but their love is so apparent. Zee is going away for a month on a business trip, so there was a tear there in the connection with Trinket. And I think Trinkets actions with Mini while Zee is gone are pushing the envelope of an cheating and are honestly disrespectful to his relationship and I felt that reagrdless of what Zee had done wrong he is being taken advantage of.
Most of the first portion of the book is dedicated to Trinket and Mini and you can see the emotional connection along with all the kink development. Once Trinket is reunited with Zee and they go away together you really see their connection deepen and a lot of truths come out and forgiveness starts to happen. Trinket also realizes he does not know a lot of Mini outside of the bedroom, however as he does with Zee he uses sex rather than communication to work things out.
What I find fascinating about these books is that in a typical cheating troupe it is easy to find a villain or to point a finger at someone as the guilty party however in these books each character has redeeming qualities that make you love each of them individually and for some f'ed up reason they all work together.
Near the end of this book Mini and Zee meet and so you know there will be upcoming progress or bloodshed, I can't add more without spoiling book 3. But my opinion of the characters is so strong that Mini needs more emotionally than he admits to himself or anyone else and Zee has so much love to give but is so easily used and manipulated by Trinket and his guilt. Trinket has a lot of self discovery and development to accomplish before he is a functioning adult. I knew even before reading the last book how I wanted this to end and I must say that I was NOT disappointed!
Highly recommend this series, it is different, engaging, thought provoking and HOT!
Basing my review on just book 2 rather than trying to factor in what I know about the final book I will try to keep it focused on just this addition. This book picks up exactly where book 1 ends. I know there are complications/strains on Trinkets relationship with Zee but their love is so apparent. Zee is going away for a month on a business trip, so there was a tear there in the connection with Trinket. And I think Trinkets actions with Mini while Zee is gone are pushing the envelope of an cheating and are honestly disrespectful to his relationship and I felt that reagrdless of what Zee had done wrong he is being taken advantage of.
Most of the first portion of the book is dedicated to Trinket and Mini and you can see the emotional connection along with all the kink development. Once Trinket is reunited with Zee and they go away together you really see their connection deepen and a lot of truths come out and forgiveness starts to happen. Trinket also realizes he does not know a lot of Mini outside of the bedroom, however as he does with Zee he uses sex rather than communication to work things out.
What I find fascinating about these books is that in a typical cheating troupe it is easy to find a villain or to point a finger at someone as the guilty party however in these books each character has redeeming qualities that make you love each of them individually and for some f'ed up reason they all work together.
Near the end of this book Mini and Zee meet and so you know there will be upcoming progress or bloodshed, I can't add more without spoiling book 3. But my opinion of the characters is so strong that Mini needs more emotionally than he admits to himself or anyone else and Zee has so much love to give but is so easily used and manipulated by Trinket and his guilt. Trinket has a lot of self discovery and development to accomplish before he is a functioning adult. I knew even before reading the last book how I wanted this to end and I must say that I was NOT disappointed!
Highly recommend this series, it is different, engaging, thought provoking and HOT!
September 22, 2024
I am kicking myself for reading this series. Unfortunately I struggle to DNF books, I just keep hoping it will get better. So I rage read this series. I really hated the characters in this book. The whole "I love him so much but let me F@$K around on him" pissed me off. I get he had trauma but Z asked him point blank have you been with a man before, he's not a mind reader so he believed you. They all need therapy. I hate the "I had trauma so I can do whatever I want" trope. So yeah I was so pissed the whole time I was reading these, my poor husband avoided me for days. 🤣 I waited a week to write this review hoping my perspective might change but nope. If 0 stars was an option I would give that. If you don't mind cheating then you might like these books. I was expecting light cheating then groveling for forgiveness not the bull💩 that happened in this book. Zee was the only character I kinda liked, I felt so bad for him. He could do so much better. Who's to say those 2 won't meet somebody else in a few months and do it all again? I mean Trinket was like "I love Z so much" the WHOLE time he was riding Minis D so the fact they "LOVE" Z means NOTHING. OK rant over 🙄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2022
In love with this series 🤩
Trinket is swimming in desire thicker than molasses and I am happily drowning trying to keep up. This character is fantastic and for me it represents so much more than the outline of a person.🖤 I follow him and find myself in so much of the things he contemplates. There is something insatiable about him.
Trinket is on the precipice of something big, something soul shattering and Mini leading him through it reminded me so much of an epic journey through hell. Mini is the devil and the tiny voice of reason in your head all muddled in one, served up in a body made for sin and debauchery. 😈🖤
Zee is the master of the golden cage Trinket comfortably lounges in, slowly turning the tables on his man until in the end Zee is the one rattling the bars he has erected around his most prised possession, begging to be let in.🖤
Reading this book was transformational to say the least. The style is so vivid it left me freaking breathless and contemplating contacting the author just to verify that Mini isn't real, because God-fucking-damn-it do I want that dude all up in my...storyline 😈🖤 fine, Zee too😈🖤
Trinket deserves to be worshipped. If you read this book and don't feel like licking him top to bottom you need to go back and read it a few more times😈🖤
Trinket is swimming in desire thicker than molasses and I am happily drowning trying to keep up. This character is fantastic and for me it represents so much more than the outline of a person.🖤 I follow him and find myself in so much of the things he contemplates. There is something insatiable about him.
Trinket is on the precipice of something big, something soul shattering and Mini leading him through it reminded me so much of an epic journey through hell. Mini is the devil and the tiny voice of reason in your head all muddled in one, served up in a body made for sin and debauchery. 😈🖤
Zee is the master of the golden cage Trinket comfortably lounges in, slowly turning the tables on his man until in the end Zee is the one rattling the bars he has erected around his most prised possession, begging to be let in.🖤
Reading this book was transformational to say the least. The style is so vivid it left me freaking breathless and contemplating contacting the author just to verify that Mini isn't real, because God-fucking-damn-it do I want that dude all up in my...storyline 😈🖤 fine, Zee too😈🖤
Trinket deserves to be worshipped. If you read this book and don't feel like licking him top to bottom you need to go back and read it a few more times😈🖤
May 10, 2022
I hardly know where to begin. *deep breath*
So, at the end of A Taste of Ink, Zee goes on a business trip, leaving Trinket free to spend more time with Mini -- "spend more time with" being, of course, a euphemism for "bang." Most of The Guilty Canvas is given over to an account of the festival of kink that ensues.
And here's the thing about that festival: as Daniel May writes it, it's also a master class in character development and emotional -- change? turmoil? honesty? Mini is constantly at work on Trinket, not only in the obvious way but also getting Trinket to acknowledge both his desires and, crucially, his limits. Mini is just a fascinating person; at his initial appearance in book 1, he looked a bit sociopathic to me, but in this book his tender care for Trinket, the ethical standards by which he conducts himself in BDSM, make him more and more appealing. And though he seems genuinely not to be jealous of Trinket's relationship with Zee, it's hard to believe he's feeling complete equanimity at what both he and Trinket think will be the end of their affair.
As for Trinket and Zee ... without spoilers, it's hard to describe their course, except to say that some terrible griefs, pains, and deceits start to come to the fore instead of being hidden. And then at the end, the stakes suddenly get even higher -- higher than I might've believed possible / plausible."
The hotness of this book is enough to earn it 5 stars, but I love a writer who can make sex insanely hot and also use it to tell a complex story about three troubled, ultimately good people. Daniel May is brilliant at that, and I can't wait for volume 3 -- I want more time with Trinket, Mini, and Vee, their suffering, their lies, their banging.
I received a free ARC of The Guilty Canvas and am reviewing it voluntarily.
So, at the end of A Taste of Ink, Zee goes on a business trip, leaving Trinket free to spend more time with Mini -- "spend more time with" being, of course, a euphemism for "bang." Most of The Guilty Canvas is given over to an account of the festival of kink that ensues.
And here's the thing about that festival: as Daniel May writes it, it's also a master class in character development and emotional -- change? turmoil? honesty? Mini is constantly at work on Trinket, not only in the obvious way but also getting Trinket to acknowledge both his desires and, crucially, his limits. Mini is just a fascinating person; at his initial appearance in book 1, he looked a bit sociopathic to me, but in this book his tender care for Trinket, the ethical standards by which he conducts himself in BDSM, make him more and more appealing. And though he seems genuinely not to be jealous of Trinket's relationship with Zee, it's hard to believe he's feeling complete equanimity at what both he and Trinket think will be the end of their affair.
As for Trinket and Zee ... without spoilers, it's hard to describe their course, except to say that some terrible griefs, pains, and deceits start to come to the fore instead of being hidden. And then at the end, the stakes suddenly get even higher -- higher than I might've believed possible / plausible."
The hotness of this book is enough to earn it 5 stars, but I love a writer who can make sex insanely hot and also use it to tell a complex story about three troubled, ultimately good people. Daniel May is brilliant at that, and I can't wait for volume 3 -- I want more time with Trinket, Mini, and Vee, their suffering, their lies, their banging.
I received a free ARC of The Guilty Canvas and am reviewing it voluntarily.
March 12, 2023
amazingggg
these books, these characters, just keep getting better and better. to say i’m obsessed is an UNDERSTATEMENT. i never want it to end
these books, these characters, just keep getting better and better. to say i’m obsessed is an UNDERSTATEMENT. i never want it to end
June 9, 2022
Seriously this continued series just gets better and better. This 2nd book in the A Fresh Taste of Ink series starts off right where the first book The Taste of Ink ended with Trinket following his lover Mini into the sensual, kinky, dirty talking side of his world. Man I was really looking forward to and dreading this part of the story in equal measure. I wanted to see more of Mini for sure because I adore him but I also did not Zee to be put on the back burner because I LOVE him. Daniel May did not disappoint.
Trinket and Mini spend a handful of days together where Mini continues to bring out things in Trinket that have been lurking under the surface for years. Mini seems to understand Trinket in ways that Zee doesn't and together they explore all the ways two people can learn to please and trust and damn near screw each others brains out. I was looking for maybe slightly more of Mini walking the walk of a Dom. He talked a big game. Yes he knows what he is doing and knows how to take a submissive like Trinket under his wing and tear him apart in the best way. But I did feel like he went easier on him than I was expecting. Also I really did not enjoy one particular scene and that is where Trinket "tops". It didn't feel right to me for some reason. This book also took a turn regarding Zee that added even more drama to an already high angst book which didn't bother me but I am glad it wasn't a huge focus either. It was presented, discussed and in a sense worked through. I loved seeing more of Zee and Trinket having one on one time without sex involved because it felt like healing even though there was still so much unsaid. I also LOVED the ending when Zee and Mini finally meet. I could feel the tension like I was right there and it was just perfect because so many things were not said but also were hanging in the air like it would burn all three of them any second.
This series so far has been such a pleasant surprise. It is ridiculously high heat. One of the sexiest series I have ever read. Trinket and Mini have a connection that feels bone deep. They turn each other inside out. And then we have Zee who I for one feel like has a delicious monster lurking underneath just waiting for the right events or person to bring it out. And that time has come. What is coming for the very complicated but super intriguing throupple? May promises an HEA (I have read the last book and I assure you there is) and I was literally on pins and needles thinking of all the ways these three men can fit. SO SO GOOD! If you read the first book and you are on the fence on whether you should continue, please so it! Please Please Please don't let the fear of the unknown stop you because it is EPIC! Grab The Final Stroke with your hot little hands!!
Trinket and Mini spend a handful of days together where Mini continues to bring out things in Trinket that have been lurking under the surface for years. Mini seems to understand Trinket in ways that Zee doesn't and together they explore all the ways two people can learn to please and trust and damn near screw each others brains out. I was looking for maybe slightly more of Mini walking the walk of a Dom. He talked a big game. Yes he knows what he is doing and knows how to take a submissive like Trinket under his wing and tear him apart in the best way. But I did feel like he went easier on him than I was expecting. Also I really did not enjoy one particular scene and that is where Trinket "tops". It didn't feel right to me for some reason. This book also took a turn regarding Zee that added even more drama to an already high angst book which didn't bother me but I am glad it wasn't a huge focus either. It was presented, discussed and in a sense worked through. I loved seeing more of Zee and Trinket having one on one time without sex involved because it felt like healing even though there was still so much unsaid. I also LOVED the ending when Zee and Mini finally meet. I could feel the tension like I was right there and it was just perfect because so many things were not said but also were hanging in the air like it would burn all three of them any second.
This series so far has been such a pleasant surprise. It is ridiculously high heat. One of the sexiest series I have ever read. Trinket and Mini have a connection that feels bone deep. They turn each other inside out. And then we have Zee who I for one feel like has a delicious monster lurking underneath just waiting for the right events or person to bring it out. And that time has come. What is coming for the very complicated but super intriguing throupple? May promises an HEA (I have read the last book and I assure you there is) and I was literally on pins and needles thinking of all the ways these three men can fit. SO SO GOOD! If you read the first book and you are on the fence on whether you should continue, please so it! Please Please Please don't let the fear of the unknown stop you because it is EPIC! Grab The Final Stroke with your hot little hands!!
May 12, 2022
When the cat is away the mice will play. And in this case the mouse is Zee and he’s away for a month, leaving Trinket to play with his lover. Trinket and Mini finally have alone time to really explore the depth of their relationship. And it was brilliantly written.
With only one man to occupy his time, there was significantly less sex in this book than the first. But it certainly didn’t lack. With Zee away for work it meant that you actually get to know who Mini is. He’s not just the sexy, mysterious tattoo artist. At the end of the first book it’s revealed Mini lives in a very fancy apartment, which is completely at odds with what Trinket thinks of him. But we quickly find out it belongs to a friend, and Mini is borrowing it, able to enjoy all the spoils of a friends wealth.
It’s so much fun getting to see these two on their own and actually developing a relationship that’s based on more than sex. Meanwhile, Trinket is still talking with Zee almost everyday, and missing him more than he thought he would considering he’s with Mini day in, day out.
And when Zee gets back it’s an interesting dynamic shift between him and Trinket. It’s been quite clear that they’ve been keeping secrets from each other. Trinket about their first time, and the cheating obviously. But as it turns out Zee is also keeping secrets.
I think I preferred this book to the first one, it was heavier on the plot than the first one which I really enjoyed. I’m still so unsure as to how they all end up together, because at this point Trinket has been cheating for almost a year, and it’s a huge secret, and I don’t know how Zee will take finding out the truth. But I need to know, so I’m pumped to read book three.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
With only one man to occupy his time, there was significantly less sex in this book than the first. But it certainly didn’t lack. With Zee away for work it meant that you actually get to know who Mini is. He’s not just the sexy, mysterious tattoo artist. At the end of the first book it’s revealed Mini lives in a very fancy apartment, which is completely at odds with what Trinket thinks of him. But we quickly find out it belongs to a friend, and Mini is borrowing it, able to enjoy all the spoils of a friends wealth.
It’s so much fun getting to see these two on their own and actually developing a relationship that’s based on more than sex. Meanwhile, Trinket is still talking with Zee almost everyday, and missing him more than he thought he would considering he’s with Mini day in, day out.
And when Zee gets back it’s an interesting dynamic shift between him and Trinket. It’s been quite clear that they’ve been keeping secrets from each other. Trinket about their first time, and the cheating obviously. But as it turns out Zee is also keeping secrets.
I think I preferred this book to the first one, it was heavier on the plot than the first one which I really enjoyed. I’m still so unsure as to how they all end up together, because at this point Trinket has been cheating for almost a year, and it’s a huge secret, and I don’t know how Zee will take finding out the truth. But I need to know, so I’m pumped to read book three.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
July 12, 2024
Book 2 is divided into two parts.
First part is about Trinket & Mini’s escape to sex while Zee is away for business trip. This was hot & steamy part with lots of sex, elements of BDSM involved.
This book really shows how compatible Trinket & Mini are in terms of sexually & emotionally as well. I love Mini in this book, he seems the most emotionally mature out of all three. Even though at first glance, it might not seem like it, he really is more mature than the others.
This book also gets more into Zee & Trinket’s relationship part. When Trinket discovers Zee’s pills, he blanks & rages out. All he can think about is how he can hurt Zee back. The more I read, the more I do not like Trinket as a character. While the sex is hot, he doesn’t know how to handle any type of emotions. His response to everything is either sex or ignore it till it goes away. He has two men who love him & somehow he’s fucking up with both of them. I get the appeal of his character however I do not like him.
The second part of the book when Zee is back in picture, it is lots of emotional turmoil. He admits to drug abuse and they also finally talk about their first time and how it went wrong. The much needed talk is there but not enough. They’re still trying to figure it out. On top of that, there’s the disastrous proposal.
It was a mess to say the least.
The book ends with Zee & Mini meeting each other for the first time. There’s tension there.
All in all, I think it is enjoyable book with lots of things going on that keeps you hooked.
First part is about Trinket & Mini’s escape to sex while Zee is away for business trip. This was hot & steamy part with lots of sex, elements of BDSM involved.
This book really shows how compatible Trinket & Mini are in terms of sexually & emotionally as well. I love Mini in this book, he seems the most emotionally mature out of all three. Even though at first glance, it might not seem like it, he really is more mature than the others.
This book also gets more into Zee & Trinket’s relationship part. When Trinket discovers Zee’s pills, he blanks & rages out. All he can think about is how he can hurt Zee back. The more I read, the more I do not like Trinket as a character. While the sex is hot, he doesn’t know how to handle any type of emotions. His response to everything is either sex or ignore it till it goes away. He has two men who love him & somehow he’s fucking up with both of them. I get the appeal of his character however I do not like him.
The second part of the book when Zee is back in picture, it is lots of emotional turmoil. He admits to drug abuse and they also finally talk about their first time and how it went wrong. The much needed talk is there but not enough. They’re still trying to figure it out. On top of that, there’s the disastrous proposal.
It was a mess to say the least.
The book ends with Zee & Mini meeting each other for the first time. There’s tension there.
All in all, I think it is enjoyable book with lots of things going on that keeps you hooked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2022
4.5 stars
The story of Trinket, Mini, and Zee continues in this book (if you haven’t already, definitely start with book one). Trinket continues to be the lynchpin: he’s in a relationship with Zee and cheating with Mini, a process that is both complicated and weirdly compelling— if cheating absolutely is not for you, this might not be your series, but the author does a good job of making the characters and their choices, good, bad, and indifferent, feel understandable and even relatable (there are no perfect characters here, only interesting humans). There is plenty of heat, which fits both the characters and the focus of the story: it’s intense and well written and also one of the key ways that characters figure out things about themselves (and how readers get to see the essence of who the characters are). I say how the characters figure things out for themselves, but I should add the caveat that that’s true, when they let themselves, which…isn’t always. I’m going to generously call Trinket a work in progress— there’s some heavy lifting yet to do in being honest with himself, let alone others, but it’s a testament to how compelling the author has made these characters that it’s easy to be invested in in the journey and to want to know what will happen next.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
The story of Trinket, Mini, and Zee continues in this book (if you haven’t already, definitely start with book one). Trinket continues to be the lynchpin: he’s in a relationship with Zee and cheating with Mini, a process that is both complicated and weirdly compelling— if cheating absolutely is not for you, this might not be your series, but the author does a good job of making the characters and their choices, good, bad, and indifferent, feel understandable and even relatable (there are no perfect characters here, only interesting humans). There is plenty of heat, which fits both the characters and the focus of the story: it’s intense and well written and also one of the key ways that characters figure out things about themselves (and how readers get to see the essence of who the characters are). I say how the characters figure things out for themselves, but I should add the caveat that that’s true, when they let themselves, which…isn’t always. I’m going to generously call Trinket a work in progress— there’s some heavy lifting yet to do in being honest with himself, let alone others, but it’s a testament to how compelling the author has made these characters that it’s easy to be invested in in the journey and to want to know what will happen next.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
May 9, 2022
Guilty Canvas picks up right where A Taste of Ink left off. This book was so intense! You really get to know the characters so much more in depth in this book. There is a lot more relationship development in this book and we really learn the ins and outs of each individual. Trinket really learns more about himself and learns more about how his decisions effect other people. He becomes more self aware. Zee has a lot of self reflection as well and learns that he wasn’t always as honest as he should have been. We also get to see another side of Mini and the true feelings he has. He is not really cold but has up walls and truly and deeply cares. This book had so much emotion behind it and so much feeling. You could really feel the love between these men while reading. They really are going through some heavy stuff and learning so much about themselves. It is not always easy by any means and they have to work really hard at their relationships with each other. I’m excited to read the conclusion to this amazing trilogy!
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
POV: 3rd Person
Standalone or series: Book 2 in The Taste of Ink series
Would I recommend it: 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ highly recommend!! 🤩
Would I read it again: Most definitely!
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
POV: 3rd Person
Standalone or series: Book 2 in The Taste of Ink series
Would I recommend it: 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ highly recommend!! 🤩
Would I read it again: Most definitely!
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