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Inked Love #4
The Hookup Experiment
Psychologist in training Imogen needs a little fun. Bedroom fun. So she does what any scientific woman would do: she devises a hookup experiment.
Patrick is the perfect participant. Handsome, talented, totally ready to be used. After a tough year, the tattoo artist needs out of his head and into her… research.
The guidelines are simple. One summer. Weekly sessions. Him, helping her discover exactly what she likes.
But human subjects don't follow the rules. And her hypothesis, the one about separating sex and love? That hypothesis is dead wrong…
Patrick is the perfect participant. Handsome, talented, totally ready to be used. After a tough year, the tattoo artist needs out of his head and into her… research.
The guidelines are simple. One summer. Weekly sessions. Him, helping her discover exactly what she likes.
But human subjects don't follow the rules. And her hypothesis, the one about separating sex and love? That hypothesis is dead wrong…
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2022
597 people are currently reading
1956 people want to read
About the author
Crystal Kaswell
114 books2,548 followersCrystal Kaswell is the author of the Sinful Serenade series. She writes steamy new adult romance with flawed characters. She loves police procedurals, tea, and The Hunger Games series. She lives in Portland, OR with her husband.
http://www.crystalkaswell.com/
https://twitter.com/CrystalKaswell
http://www.crystalkaswell.com/
https://twitter.com/CrystalKaswell
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
June 25, 2023
I wanted to love this, truly. But there’s no plot other than the main characters sleeping together.
The book literally starts with them hooking up, continues with them hooking up and quickly catching some sort of feelings for each other and proceed to hook up. Pretty much every single chapter…
It could’ve been so much better if there was more focus on the actual problems surrounding the characters and if there was some development in that sense but unfortunately, it didn’t happen.
The book literally starts with them hooking up, continues with them hooking up and quickly catching some sort of feelings for each other and proceed to hook up. Pretty much every single chapter…
It could’ve been so much better if there was more focus on the actual problems surrounding the characters and if there was some development in that sense but unfortunately, it didn’t happen.
January 14, 2025
After his older sister commits suicide Patrick is desperate to discover why, and in his search he discovers an online journal writer who has attempted to end her life in the past and survived. He falls in love with her vulnerability and honesty and craves learning more about her. Imogen wants a hookup and decides to text the cute tattoo artist who designed her tattoo. Patrick is only happy to oblige and the two of them hookup.
They decide to pursue a friends with benefits relationship and Imogen calls it the hookup experiment studying their different sexual adventures together. Just when the two are starting to fall for each other Imogen decides she must end things with Patrick because she learns his sister committed suicide and she feels guilty for her own attempt a year prior and doesn't want him to know about it.
Because of her distance Patrick discovers she's the journal writer he has fallen for and he continues to read her online journal entries not telling her that he's reading them. When Imogen finds out she is hurt and Patrick realizes he must share his own feelings with her and starts his own journal for her to read so she understands how he found her and why he didn't tell her when he discovered it was her.
I liked this book but the suicide idealization was hard to read at points. I loved that Patrick fell for Imogen's words before he fell for her in person. I felt for both of them with all the pain that was there when they first started their relationship but was glad they were able to help each other through it. I was glad that they got the happy ending they deserved and I was happy to see other inked love characters and couples make appearances in this book..
They decide to pursue a friends with benefits relationship and Imogen calls it the hookup experiment studying their different sexual adventures together. Just when the two are starting to fall for each other Imogen decides she must end things with Patrick because she learns his sister committed suicide and she feels guilty for her own attempt a year prior and doesn't want him to know about it.
Because of her distance Patrick discovers she's the journal writer he has fallen for and he continues to read her online journal entries not telling her that he's reading them. When Imogen finds out she is hurt and Patrick realizes he must share his own feelings with her and starts his own journal for her to read so she understands how he found her and why he didn't tell her when he discovered it was her.
I liked this book but the suicide idealization was hard to read at points. I loved that Patrick fell for Imogen's words before he fell for her in person. I felt for both of them with all the pain that was there when they first started their relationship but was glad they were able to help each other through it. I was glad that they got the happy ending they deserved and I was happy to see other inked love characters and couples make appearances in this book..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 28, 2023DNF 23%
February 17, 2023
This was a woat read. Similar to what I would write in middle school; if there was a lull in the plot it was filled with a cliche and I am icked out. I wish I didn’t have to tell my Goodreads friends I read this
October 9, 2022
Crystal Kaswell killed it again! She was one of the first authors I read when I started reading again back in March. Literally read through the first 3 Inked Love books and then hopped straight into Inked Hearts (which, by the way, I did it backwards - it should have been Inked Hearts and then Inked Love). BUT, that's besides the point.
If you’re looking for well written, smutty ass books that have a tattoo bad boy as the male main character, and a big variety of female leads - please try her books! She represents so many different types of women and it makes my heart SO happy. From Asian, to Irish, to nerdy, to plus size women, and even tackles important and serious topics like depression, eating disorders, suicide. Crystal Kaswell DOES NOT DISAPPOINT.
This book follows Imogen and Patrick. She’s a psychology and economics major who suffers from depression. Patrick is a tattoo artist at Inked Love and is still trying to cope with his sister’s death after her suicide (since no one really wants to acknowledge HOW she died). He takes comfort in an online blog that his sister loved - hint: it’s Imogen's. Imogen struggles with talking about her feelings with those around her - like to the point where it felt like Imogen SAW me because I’m literally the same way.
ENTER THE EXPERIMENT. After a change in her meds, Imogen finds herself with some sexual needs. She had just received a tattoo from Patrick and she hits him up for a booty call. Because she’s a scientist at heart, her roommate recommends she do a hookup experiment to try and keep it physical instead of getting attached with Patrick.
Truly, this book just redefined WHY I love Crystal’s books so much and how after I get done with my over-committed ARCs at the end of the year, I’ll be diving into the rest of her catalogue (because that Sinful Serenade series is calling my name!!!!) I couldn’t put this one down - like how I was with all of her books. She hooks you and keeps you captivated and needing more!
If you’re looking for well written, smutty ass books that have a tattoo bad boy as the male main character, and a big variety of female leads - please try her books! She represents so many different types of women and it makes my heart SO happy. From Asian, to Irish, to nerdy, to plus size women, and even tackles important and serious topics like depression, eating disorders, suicide. Crystal Kaswell DOES NOT DISAPPOINT.
This book follows Imogen and Patrick. She’s a psychology and economics major who suffers from depression. Patrick is a tattoo artist at Inked Love and is still trying to cope with his sister’s death after her suicide (since no one really wants to acknowledge HOW she died). He takes comfort in an online blog that his sister loved - hint: it’s Imogen's. Imogen struggles with talking about her feelings with those around her - like to the point where it felt like Imogen SAW me because I’m literally the same way.
ENTER THE EXPERIMENT. After a change in her meds, Imogen finds herself with some sexual needs. She had just received a tattoo from Patrick and she hits him up for a booty call. Because she’s a scientist at heart, her roommate recommends she do a hookup experiment to try and keep it physical instead of getting attached with Patrick.
Truly, this book just redefined WHY I love Crystal’s books so much and how after I get done with my over-committed ARCs at the end of the year, I’ll be diving into the rest of her catalogue (because that Sinful Serenade series is calling my name!!!!) I couldn’t put this one down - like how I was with all of her books. She hooks you and keeps you captivated and needing more!
October 12, 2022
All The Character And Relationship Depth
Crystal is where I come to when I need a solid story with amazing character depth, relationship depth and word building....she does it her own way...and in a way that keeps a reader invested for the entirety of the series.
I really like that this touched on some heavier topics, and followed Imogen in her self-discovery / rediscovery of her sexual side after medication side effects, etc. Definitely not a topic that many authors would dare attempt, but of course Crystal nailed it.
I loved the concept of the online journal and the side of Imogen that Patrick got from it...and two-fold what it did for her.
As was the nature of their relationship, there was definitely more intimate scenes in this book I felt, but it really fit the couple and who they were and what they were exploring together.
Their play in the exhibitionism kink was also a lot of fun. They did it in a safe/consensual way that I appreciated but also added the spice they were both craving.
As with most of her books, Crystal set us up well for the next book and has this ready anxiously awaiting it's release.
Crystal is where I come to when I need a solid story with amazing character depth, relationship depth and word building....she does it her own way...and in a way that keeps a reader invested for the entirety of the series.
I really like that this touched on some heavier topics, and followed Imogen in her self-discovery / rediscovery of her sexual side after medication side effects, etc. Definitely not a topic that many authors would dare attempt, but of course Crystal nailed it.
I loved the concept of the online journal and the side of Imogen that Patrick got from it...and two-fold what it did for her.
As was the nature of their relationship, there was definitely more intimate scenes in this book I felt, but it really fit the couple and who they were and what they were exploring together.
Their play in the exhibitionism kink was also a lot of fun. They did it in a safe/consensual way that I appreciated but also added the spice they were both craving.
As with most of her books, Crystal set us up well for the next book and has this ready anxiously awaiting it's release.
March 15, 2023
Was it spicy? YES!!! Was it a sweet book? Also YES!!! The hookup experiment is a perfect, easy beach read with a good amount of spice. Patrick is come se dice THE BEST and Imogen is just *chef’s kiss*!!! Together they are just so sweet!!! I love this book and I highly recommend it!!! 4 stars because of the whole blog situation…but it is really is an AMAZING read!!! It is a book I will be rereading!!!!!!!!!!
dnf
January 19, 2024dnf 60%
just bland to me. the writing style was also very bizarre? a lot of quick short sentences, tons of dialogue, like pages of it w no dialogue tags. the banter was fun and quick and snappy because of that but i think there was a real detached feeling to the writing. very unemotional which made it hard to care about these characters.
not terribly by any means i just simply didn’t care enough to spend another minute on this book.
just bland to me. the writing style was also very bizarre? a lot of quick short sentences, tons of dialogue, like pages of it w no dialogue tags. the banter was fun and quick and snappy because of that but i think there was a real detached feeling to the writing. very unemotional which made it hard to care about these characters.
not terribly by any means i just simply didn’t care enough to spend another minute on this book.
January 19, 2024
only reason why it’s 3 stars is because it’s very smut heavy, maybe too much so! but i really loved these characters and the story line behind it !
October 11, 2022
Imogen and Patrick's Experiment . . .
Imogen is a psych major who decides an experiment to investigate hookups might give her a bit of fun and relaxation while investing energy in furthering her “education”. She asks tattoo artist Patrick Murphy to be her research subject and he can also benefit from the “distraction”.
They agree to a summer of experimenting in the bedroom. Then they spell out the rules that everyone knows will blow up in their faces. Casual meetings with no feelings attached. They had been attracted to each other in several ways they didn’t realize, so those rules just couldn’t last as they fell in love. Maybe they didn’t use that label, but it’s impossible to keep feelings out of the equation when you respond to what attracted you to begin with! Grab your copy and see what conclusions she comes to on the completion of her experiment.
Imogen is a psych major who decides an experiment to investigate hookups might give her a bit of fun and relaxation while investing energy in furthering her “education”. She asks tattoo artist Patrick Murphy to be her research subject and he can also benefit from the “distraction”.
They agree to a summer of experimenting in the bedroom. Then they spell out the rules that everyone knows will blow up in their faces. Casual meetings with no feelings attached. They had been attracted to each other in several ways they didn’t realize, so those rules just couldn’t last as they fell in love. Maybe they didn’t use that label, but it’s impossible to keep feelings out of the equation when you respond to what attracted you to begin with! Grab your copy and see what conclusions she comes to on the completion of her experiment.
October 15, 2022
Don’t Forget To Download The Free Extended Epilogue By Signing Up For The Newsletter Via The Link At The Back Of The Book! Patrick & Imogen’s Story Is About Growth & Acceptance. It Is About Letting Go & Finding Purpose. Finally, It Is About Hope. Their Love Triumphs Over The Darkness That Has Overshadowed Both Their Lives.
This is book four in the Inked Love series. It reads perfectly as a standalone, but it is more thoroughly enjoyed if read in sequence. This series is a spin-off of the Inked Hearts series and picks up where The Baby Bargain, book eight of the Inked Hearts series, leaves off. There Chase agreed to help Ariel, his best friend's sister, get pregnant. In this series, Chase is the manager of the new sister shop about a twenty-minute walk away, and his best friend, Ariel's brother Forest, gets his own story in book one. Forest and Ariel's younger brother Holden, as well as his friends, work at Inked Love along with Chase and Forest. Holden gets his own story in book two. His best friend Oliver’s story follows in book three. Here, Patrick’s story is told.
Thus far, the Inked Love series includes:
1. The Best Friend Bargain (Forest & Skye’s story)
2. The First Taste (Holden & Daisy’s story)
3. The Roomie Rulebook, a.k.a. The Rule Breaker
(Oliver & Luna’s story)
4. The Hookup Experiment (Patrick & Imogen’s story)
5. The Friend Zone Fiasco (Darren & Valeria’s story)
FROM THE BEST FRIEND BARGAIN, BOOK 1:
Forest Ballard, twenty-eight, works at Inked Love tattoo parlor alongside his younger brother Holden and Chase Keating - his high school friend, basketball buddy, soon-to-be brother-in-law, and manager. The tall, stoic neat freak has wanted to be a tattoo artist since he was a kid. He had tried to pursue a more practical career - tried college - but in the end, he couldn't let go of his dream. His mother had died of cancer when he was a teen and his father couldn't cope with the loss, so as the eldest of three he took charge of the household, bearing enormous responsibility for his age until suddenly everyone had grown up. His father is functioning again and travels frequently for work. Ariel, nearly twenty-five, has moved out. Holden, just twenty-one, has his own apartment. Forest has an apartment in West LA, too, but he neglects it most of the time, opting instead to stay in his childhood home. Holden often stays there, too, but the real reason that keeps Forest at home is his long-time neighbor and best friend. Skye.
The broken heart tattooed on his chest reflects his inner turmoil. His relationship with Mackenzie Davis ended three years ago when he walked in on her with another man. But his brain is stuck on repeat and replays that scene in his head constantly, experiencing the betrayal over and over again. He lacks the closure to move on. It has been two years since he was with a woman. His constant is his neighbor and best friend Skye. She stood by him through the breakup and understands everything. She knows about his fear of intimacy, his trust issues, his feelings of inadequacy. But he has a big problem. He can't stop fantasizing about Skye. And he can't act on it because he can't ruin their friendship.
Skye Kim, twenty-five, has tried to put her degree in film studies to work. It was her dream growing up to work in film and television. But the industry is hyper-competitive and pay is little to non-existent. Although she has wonderful, supportive parents, she hopes to someday make enough to have a place of her own, so it is time to look toward other career opportunities. Her blog, Princess Skye's Plus-Size Fashions, reviews plus-size fashion for real women like her who aren't interested in conventional clothing. Her full hourglass figure is hard to shop for and the selection of clothes that suit her tastes is even more limited. Her blog satisfies a niche without competitors, so she has picked up a considerable following of like-minded women - and men, apparently, if what Holden says is true. She got the name from her best friend and forever crush Forest, who calls her a goth princess. She makes enough from ads to provide spending money, plus more free clothes than she can wear, but she sees an opportunity to turn it into a career as a model and photographer for her blog.
Skye hasn't been with a man since her last relationship ended in college, three years ago. Her friendship with Forest is everything. Her parents insist they are dating and don't understand why she doesn't admit it, no matter how hard she tries to explain that they are just friends. They spend all their time together. She sleeps over with him routinely. But they have only ever been friends and she accepts that.
Forest and Skye's story is raw and real. Forest's melancholy and the constant narrative in his head make him the ultimate broody bad boy. The depth of his hurt is palpable. Forest and Skye make a bargain to have a fake relationship when Mack announces she will soon marry the man she cheated on Forest with and asks them to attend. Neither wants to face her alone.
This book is nicely written. The plot is fairly simple. It is character-driven, with wonderfully developed characters. Forest and Skye are easy to love and their characters are beautifully written. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Forest and Skye. I rate this book four stars.
FROM THE FIRST TASTE, BOOK 2:
Holden Ballard, twenty-one, is a wise-cracking troublemaker and bad boy tattoo artist. He works with his brother Forest, brother-in-law Chase, and best friend Oliver at Inked Love tattoo parlor in L.A. He might have followed his older brother Forest into his profession, but his artwork had become a very important and private part of his life over the years. He immerses himself in his creations as an outlet for his feelings – the feelings that he never lets anyone see. Holden had seen the devastated state of his father following his mother’s death years ago. He watched his father become withdrawn and Forest step up to become the caretaker of the family. Holden knows that love isn’t forever, so he remains aloof and disconnected by causing trouble and being a jokester. He doesn’t do girlfriends. He loves hanging out with Oliver, his best friend since they began high school. They enjoy tattoos, parties, booze, and a steady supply of willing women.
Daisy Flynn is a recent high school graduate and is turning eighteen. She has grown into a beautiful young woman during the past year, but her body issues make it difficult for her to accept that idea. With just weeks to go before heading off to her freshman year at UC Berkley, her father has offered to pay for a trip to Puerta Vallarta to celebrate her birthday. Her best friend Luna is going, as is her old brother Oliver, whom she fears has a drinking problem. Oliver will worry about her – he hovers incessantly after what happened last summer – but the possibility of Oliver’s best friend Holden joining their group outweighs the negatives. Daisy has had a crush on Holden for years. Although he has been a little more attentive over the last several months, he hasn’t shown any real interest in her romantically. But Luna has generously offered to keep Oliver occupied during the trip – Luna happens to think he is hot – thereby freeing up alone time for Daisy and Holden. Daisy knows that nothing can come from it because Holden doesn’t date and because she is about to move away for school, but simply spending time with him will make her happy. And she needs some carefree happiness in her life, some time to just feel like a normal person. Free from her inner critical voice and free to experience joy in the moment. Like Holden does.
Holden and Daisy’s story is a beautiful surprise. Holden knew better than to think of Daisy romantically because she had been underage. With her birthday, though, his best friend Oliver remains an obstacle to the idea. He would kill Holden for hurting Daisy – which is inevitable since Holden doesn’t date. Holden, quite young himself, is just three and one-half years older than Daisy, but with Daisy’s youth and plans for college, their age gap is a real obstacle to a future together. Throughout this story, I struggled to understand how Holden and Daisy could find a happy ending in a single book. Daisy’s age is a real issue, and Holden is young himself – though with his wild lifestyle he has boatloads of life experience. He is a humble tattoo artist, not a billionaire, so he can’t magically snap his fingers and buy a happy ending. Despite my doubts, the very last pages of the book produce a beautiful and tearful happy ending for the young couple. I hope to see more of Holden and Daisy in an extended epilogue and future installments of the series!
Holden and Daisy’s story of young love is an emotional journey. Both are damaged, but they find solace in one another. Underneath Holden’s wild persona lies a heart of gold. Daisy sees that in him, and with her he finds a way to open up again to his feelings. With him, she finds the courage to live life to the fullest. Their story is well-written and character-driven. The characters are three-dimensional with compelling backgrounds. The plot is fairly simple. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Holden and Daisy. I rate this book a full five stars (something I rarely do).
FROM THE ROOMIE RULEBOOK (a.k.a. The Rule Breaker), BOOK 3:
Oliver Flynn, twenty-one, is a disappointment to everyone. The most important person in his life is his little sister Daisy, and after everything that happened with her a year ago, he never wants to disappoint her again. He still can’t forgive his best friend Holden for sleeping with her at the end of the summer, before she left for UC Berkley. It was a betrayal, regardless of the fact that they claim to be in love. Holden broke his trust. But Oliver has his own problems to deal with now, and the pressure on him is intense. His father is riding him – the state of California has its say as well now. Everyone has told him he has a drinking problem, but they don’t understand. The booze and the hookups are just a way to forget, to get a release, and he can quit whenever he wants. If only the cost of living weren’t so expensive he would move out of his father’s house in a heartbeat, but he promised Daisy he would stay at home for at least a year.
Luna Locke, eighteen, has just started her freshman year at UCLA. She is single, having been told months ago by her ex-boyfriend of eighteen months that she is too much. That hadn’t exactly helped her self-esteem. Still, she has a busy class schedule and swim practice in the afternoons. She is lucky that she gets to live at home with her parents because rent in L.A. is outrageous. Her mother Allison is a successful CEO, driven by ambition and serious in nature. Divya, her other mother, is full of love and warmth. Divya is the fun mother. Luna may be biologically related to Allison, and share some of her tough attitude, but she also shares some of Divya’s colorful traits. Luna thought they were madly in love, so when they sat her down and told her they are divorcing, it felt like a betrayal. She saw no signs of it coming and now feels like she has been living a lie. She spent half her childhood in her best friend Daisy’s home, and with no other obvious place to turn, so goes to the Locke home for refuge.
As this book opens, it is October, and Ariel’s baby is two months old. Holden has agreed to be sober and is four weeks into a ten-week commitment. He has kept this fact to himself, though. Gabe Locke worries that Luna’s presence may be a problem for Oliver, but he also knows that Oliver really needs a friend in Daisy’s absence. Luna’s parents understand she needs some space, so Luna temporarily moves into the Locke guest room.
Oliver and Luna’s story is tender and heartbreaking. In Daisy’s absence, Oliver and Luna lean on one another for support. They bond over coffee and cooking, and Oliver more than most understands the feelings that Luna is sorting through as she watches her family fall apart. Oliver and Luna have long been attracted to one another when she moves into the Locke home, so their chemistry is off the charts from the beginning. Their playful banter is fabulous, and I love that they bond over coffee. But Oliver is a real surprise here. There is so much more to the drunken fool that appeared in previous books. Underneath he is all silent but deeply—feeling, and devoted to the people that he loves. Once he puts down the bottle, he is a pillar of strength.
Oliver and Luna’s heartwarming story deals with alcoholism, divorce, trust, and betrayal. It is beautifully written. The plot is fairly simple. The characters are carefully crafted and three-dimensional. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Oliver and Luna. I rate this book five stars.
IN THIS BOOK:
As this book opens, it is June 16. About one year has passed since Holden and Daisy’s story opened in book two. Daisy is still away at UC Berkeley and enrolled in summer classes. Oliver and Luna have been together since earlier in the year, and Luna is helping out in the shop.
Patrick “Tricky” Murphy, roughly twenty-two, disappointed his parents when he chose to become a tattoo artist, but he followed his heart and never looked back. He loves art and takes pride in his work. His job gets him lots of invites to parties, and he has hung out with a long list of women. He prefers to be in relationships, though most are short-lived. Lately, though, he has been too much in his head to give women much thought. Patrick has secrets. The beer-loving tattoo artist was sometimes known as the life of the party, but he lost his carefree attitude when he lost his older sister Deidre a year ago. He now lives in the apartment he inherited from her – in a hipster neighborhood he could never afford.
Patrick spends much of his free time pouring over Deidre’s books and looking for answers. He found an online journal that Deidre had subscribed to – Hearts and Thorns – and that has given him the most insight into his sister’s mind when she chose to take her own life. Patrick wants to understand, and the words from the journal resonate with him. They are beautiful, exposed, and vulnerable. He wants to know where he went wrong, how he failed Deidre. His life before now seems shallow, empty. He isn’t the same person he was before. He craves something real. He wants intimacy, a connection. His friends know that Deidre died, but he hasn’t told anyone how it happened. Not even his best friend since middle school, Darren, knows the truth of it. It is a heavy burden, but it is still too raw for Patrick to talk about so he keeps it bottled up inside.
Imogen Nguyen, roughly twenty-one, is getting by day by day. She is glad each day that she is still here, that her attempt to end her depression failed. Imogen isn’t good with people or feelings. She is direct and strong, which can be intimidating, so she has become adept at hiding things. She is often in her own head. With her last boyfriend, Zack, she was not open and honest. Instead, she played a role. Needless to say, it was no loss to her when it ended. She is on the swim team at UCLA – a Division One swimmer in her junior year – but she swims for pleasure rather than the drive to compete. A science nerd, she is majoring in Economics and Psychology. She comes from nearby Newport Beach where her Vietnamese parents own a successful coffee and pastry shop. As the one-year anniversary of her attempt to take her own life approaches, Imogen decides to get a tattoo as a reminder of what she has been through.
After Imogen gets a tattoo from Patrick, she isn’t afraid to ask for more. Their relationship begins as a one-time deal, but it quickly leads to more. The complication comes when it turns out that Patrick follows Imogen’s anonymous online blog and he puts two and two together. She anonymously bears her heart online, and Patrick feels a deep connection to her writing. Discovering her true identity gives him all kinds of mixed feelings. He knows he doesn’t want things to end with Imogen, but telling the truth will likely push her away. Soon, he finds himself in too deep for comfort. The couple faces several challenges, but they eventually find a happy ending.
Don’t forget to download the free extended epilogue by signing up for the newsletter via the link at the back of the book!
Wow! Patrick and Imogen’s story is a deep and emotional read. It is about suicide. Patrick and Imogen both deal with the aftermath of a suicide attempt. For Patrick, it is about picking up the pieces after the fact. For Imogen, it is about picking up the pieces after her own failed attempt. They come from different perspectives, but Patrick finds a strange sense of comfort in relating to Imogen’s experience.
Note that in book one, we learn that besides Chase and Forest, the guys that work at Inked Love are all Holden’s friends, a younger crew. We can presume that Patrick is thus roughly Holden’s age, which is about twenty-two here. Note also that in book one, Patrick is not over an ex-girlfriend. That background is never addressed here.
Patrick and Imogen’s story is about growth and acceptance. It is about letting go and finding purpose. Finally, it is about hope. Their love triumphs over the darkness that has overshadowed both of their lives. Their story is wonderfully written. It is deep but not too complex. The characters are well-defined and likable. It is easy to cheer for their happy ending. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Patrick and Imogen. I rate this book 4.5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book four in the Inked Love series. It reads perfectly as a standalone, but it is more thoroughly enjoyed if read in sequence. This series is a spin-off of the Inked Hearts series and picks up where The Baby Bargain, book eight of the Inked Hearts series, leaves off. There Chase agreed to help Ariel, his best friend's sister, get pregnant. In this series, Chase is the manager of the new sister shop about a twenty-minute walk away, and his best friend, Ariel's brother Forest, gets his own story in book one. Forest and Ariel's younger brother Holden, as well as his friends, work at Inked Love along with Chase and Forest. Holden gets his own story in book two. His best friend Oliver’s story follows in book three. Here, Patrick’s story is told.
Thus far, the Inked Love series includes:
1. The Best Friend Bargain (Forest & Skye’s story)
2. The First Taste (Holden & Daisy’s story)
3. The Roomie Rulebook, a.k.a. The Rule Breaker
(Oliver & Luna’s story)
4. The Hookup Experiment (Patrick & Imogen’s story)
5. The Friend Zone Fiasco (Darren & Valeria’s story)
FROM THE BEST FRIEND BARGAIN, BOOK 1:
Forest Ballard, twenty-eight, works at Inked Love tattoo parlor alongside his younger brother Holden and Chase Keating - his high school friend, basketball buddy, soon-to-be brother-in-law, and manager. The tall, stoic neat freak has wanted to be a tattoo artist since he was a kid. He had tried to pursue a more practical career - tried college - but in the end, he couldn't let go of his dream. His mother had died of cancer when he was a teen and his father couldn't cope with the loss, so as the eldest of three he took charge of the household, bearing enormous responsibility for his age until suddenly everyone had grown up. His father is functioning again and travels frequently for work. Ariel, nearly twenty-five, has moved out. Holden, just twenty-one, has his own apartment. Forest has an apartment in West LA, too, but he neglects it most of the time, opting instead to stay in his childhood home. Holden often stays there, too, but the real reason that keeps Forest at home is his long-time neighbor and best friend. Skye.
The broken heart tattooed on his chest reflects his inner turmoil. His relationship with Mackenzie Davis ended three years ago when he walked in on her with another man. But his brain is stuck on repeat and replays that scene in his head constantly, experiencing the betrayal over and over again. He lacks the closure to move on. It has been two years since he was with a woman. His constant is his neighbor and best friend Skye. She stood by him through the breakup and understands everything. She knows about his fear of intimacy, his trust issues, his feelings of inadequacy. But he has a big problem. He can't stop fantasizing about Skye. And he can't act on it because he can't ruin their friendship.
Skye Kim, twenty-five, has tried to put her degree in film studies to work. It was her dream growing up to work in film and television. But the industry is hyper-competitive and pay is little to non-existent. Although she has wonderful, supportive parents, she hopes to someday make enough to have a place of her own, so it is time to look toward other career opportunities. Her blog, Princess Skye's Plus-Size Fashions, reviews plus-size fashion for real women like her who aren't interested in conventional clothing. Her full hourglass figure is hard to shop for and the selection of clothes that suit her tastes is even more limited. Her blog satisfies a niche without competitors, so she has picked up a considerable following of like-minded women - and men, apparently, if what Holden says is true. She got the name from her best friend and forever crush Forest, who calls her a goth princess. She makes enough from ads to provide spending money, plus more free clothes than she can wear, but she sees an opportunity to turn it into a career as a model and photographer for her blog.
Skye hasn't been with a man since her last relationship ended in college, three years ago. Her friendship with Forest is everything. Her parents insist they are dating and don't understand why she doesn't admit it, no matter how hard she tries to explain that they are just friends. They spend all their time together. She sleeps over with him routinely. But they have only ever been friends and she accepts that.
Forest and Skye's story is raw and real. Forest's melancholy and the constant narrative in his head make him the ultimate broody bad boy. The depth of his hurt is palpable. Forest and Skye make a bargain to have a fake relationship when Mack announces she will soon marry the man she cheated on Forest with and asks them to attend. Neither wants to face her alone.
This book is nicely written. The plot is fairly simple. It is character-driven, with wonderfully developed characters. Forest and Skye are easy to love and their characters are beautifully written. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Forest and Skye. I rate this book four stars.
FROM THE FIRST TASTE, BOOK 2:
Holden Ballard, twenty-one, is a wise-cracking troublemaker and bad boy tattoo artist. He works with his brother Forest, brother-in-law Chase, and best friend Oliver at Inked Love tattoo parlor in L.A. He might have followed his older brother Forest into his profession, but his artwork had become a very important and private part of his life over the years. He immerses himself in his creations as an outlet for his feelings – the feelings that he never lets anyone see. Holden had seen the devastated state of his father following his mother’s death years ago. He watched his father become withdrawn and Forest step up to become the caretaker of the family. Holden knows that love isn’t forever, so he remains aloof and disconnected by causing trouble and being a jokester. He doesn’t do girlfriends. He loves hanging out with Oliver, his best friend since they began high school. They enjoy tattoos, parties, booze, and a steady supply of willing women.
Daisy Flynn is a recent high school graduate and is turning eighteen. She has grown into a beautiful young woman during the past year, but her body issues make it difficult for her to accept that idea. With just weeks to go before heading off to her freshman year at UC Berkley, her father has offered to pay for a trip to Puerta Vallarta to celebrate her birthday. Her best friend Luna is going, as is her old brother Oliver, whom she fears has a drinking problem. Oliver will worry about her – he hovers incessantly after what happened last summer – but the possibility of Oliver’s best friend Holden joining their group outweighs the negatives. Daisy has had a crush on Holden for years. Although he has been a little more attentive over the last several months, he hasn’t shown any real interest in her romantically. But Luna has generously offered to keep Oliver occupied during the trip – Luna happens to think he is hot – thereby freeing up alone time for Daisy and Holden. Daisy knows that nothing can come from it because Holden doesn’t date and because she is about to move away for school, but simply spending time with him will make her happy. And she needs some carefree happiness in her life, some time to just feel like a normal person. Free from her inner critical voice and free to experience joy in the moment. Like Holden does.
Holden and Daisy’s story is a beautiful surprise. Holden knew better than to think of Daisy romantically because she had been underage. With her birthday, though, his best friend Oliver remains an obstacle to the idea. He would kill Holden for hurting Daisy – which is inevitable since Holden doesn’t date. Holden, quite young himself, is just three and one-half years older than Daisy, but with Daisy’s youth and plans for college, their age gap is a real obstacle to a future together. Throughout this story, I struggled to understand how Holden and Daisy could find a happy ending in a single book. Daisy’s age is a real issue, and Holden is young himself – though with his wild lifestyle he has boatloads of life experience. He is a humble tattoo artist, not a billionaire, so he can’t magically snap his fingers and buy a happy ending. Despite my doubts, the very last pages of the book produce a beautiful and tearful happy ending for the young couple. I hope to see more of Holden and Daisy in an extended epilogue and future installments of the series!
Holden and Daisy’s story of young love is an emotional journey. Both are damaged, but they find solace in one another. Underneath Holden’s wild persona lies a heart of gold. Daisy sees that in him, and with her he finds a way to open up again to his feelings. With him, she finds the courage to live life to the fullest. Their story is well-written and character-driven. The characters are three-dimensional with compelling backgrounds. The plot is fairly simple. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Holden and Daisy. I rate this book a full five stars (something I rarely do).
FROM THE ROOMIE RULEBOOK (a.k.a. The Rule Breaker), BOOK 3:
Oliver Flynn, twenty-one, is a disappointment to everyone. The most important person in his life is his little sister Daisy, and after everything that happened with her a year ago, he never wants to disappoint her again. He still can’t forgive his best friend Holden for sleeping with her at the end of the summer, before she left for UC Berkley. It was a betrayal, regardless of the fact that they claim to be in love. Holden broke his trust. But Oliver has his own problems to deal with now, and the pressure on him is intense. His father is riding him – the state of California has its say as well now. Everyone has told him he has a drinking problem, but they don’t understand. The booze and the hookups are just a way to forget, to get a release, and he can quit whenever he wants. If only the cost of living weren’t so expensive he would move out of his father’s house in a heartbeat, but he promised Daisy he would stay at home for at least a year.
Luna Locke, eighteen, has just started her freshman year at UCLA. She is single, having been told months ago by her ex-boyfriend of eighteen months that she is too much. That hadn’t exactly helped her self-esteem. Still, she has a busy class schedule and swim practice in the afternoons. She is lucky that she gets to live at home with her parents because rent in L.A. is outrageous. Her mother Allison is a successful CEO, driven by ambition and serious in nature. Divya, her other mother, is full of love and warmth. Divya is the fun mother. Luna may be biologically related to Allison, and share some of her tough attitude, but she also shares some of Divya’s colorful traits. Luna thought they were madly in love, so when they sat her down and told her they are divorcing, it felt like a betrayal. She saw no signs of it coming and now feels like she has been living a lie. She spent half her childhood in her best friend Daisy’s home, and with no other obvious place to turn, so goes to the Locke home for refuge.
As this book opens, it is October, and Ariel’s baby is two months old. Holden has agreed to be sober and is four weeks into a ten-week commitment. He has kept this fact to himself, though. Gabe Locke worries that Luna’s presence may be a problem for Oliver, but he also knows that Oliver really needs a friend in Daisy’s absence. Luna’s parents understand she needs some space, so Luna temporarily moves into the Locke guest room.
Oliver and Luna’s story is tender and heartbreaking. In Daisy’s absence, Oliver and Luna lean on one another for support. They bond over coffee and cooking, and Oliver more than most understands the feelings that Luna is sorting through as she watches her family fall apart. Oliver and Luna have long been attracted to one another when she moves into the Locke home, so their chemistry is off the charts from the beginning. Their playful banter is fabulous, and I love that they bond over coffee. But Oliver is a real surprise here. There is so much more to the drunken fool that appeared in previous books. Underneath he is all silent but deeply—feeling, and devoted to the people that he loves. Once he puts down the bottle, he is a pillar of strength.
Oliver and Luna’s heartwarming story deals with alcoholism, divorce, trust, and betrayal. It is beautifully written. The plot is fairly simple. The characters are carefully crafted and three-dimensional. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Oliver and Luna. I rate this book five stars.
IN THIS BOOK:
As this book opens, it is June 16. About one year has passed since Holden and Daisy’s story opened in book two. Daisy is still away at UC Berkeley and enrolled in summer classes. Oliver and Luna have been together since earlier in the year, and Luna is helping out in the shop.
Patrick “Tricky” Murphy, roughly twenty-two, disappointed his parents when he chose to become a tattoo artist, but he followed his heart and never looked back. He loves art and takes pride in his work. His job gets him lots of invites to parties, and he has hung out with a long list of women. He prefers to be in relationships, though most are short-lived. Lately, though, he has been too much in his head to give women much thought. Patrick has secrets. The beer-loving tattoo artist was sometimes known as the life of the party, but he lost his carefree attitude when he lost his older sister Deidre a year ago. He now lives in the apartment he inherited from her – in a hipster neighborhood he could never afford.
Patrick spends much of his free time pouring over Deidre’s books and looking for answers. He found an online journal that Deidre had subscribed to – Hearts and Thorns – and that has given him the most insight into his sister’s mind when she chose to take her own life. Patrick wants to understand, and the words from the journal resonate with him. They are beautiful, exposed, and vulnerable. He wants to know where he went wrong, how he failed Deidre. His life before now seems shallow, empty. He isn’t the same person he was before. He craves something real. He wants intimacy, a connection. His friends know that Deidre died, but he hasn’t told anyone how it happened. Not even his best friend since middle school, Darren, knows the truth of it. It is a heavy burden, but it is still too raw for Patrick to talk about so he keeps it bottled up inside.
Imogen Nguyen, roughly twenty-one, is getting by day by day. She is glad each day that she is still here, that her attempt to end her depression failed. Imogen isn’t good with people or feelings. She is direct and strong, which can be intimidating, so she has become adept at hiding things. She is often in her own head. With her last boyfriend, Zack, she was not open and honest. Instead, she played a role. Needless to say, it was no loss to her when it ended. She is on the swim team at UCLA – a Division One swimmer in her junior year – but she swims for pleasure rather than the drive to compete. A science nerd, she is majoring in Economics and Psychology. She comes from nearby Newport Beach where her Vietnamese parents own a successful coffee and pastry shop. As the one-year anniversary of her attempt to take her own life approaches, Imogen decides to get a tattoo as a reminder of what she has been through.
After Imogen gets a tattoo from Patrick, she isn’t afraid to ask for more. Their relationship begins as a one-time deal, but it quickly leads to more. The complication comes when it turns out that Patrick follows Imogen’s anonymous online blog and he puts two and two together. She anonymously bears her heart online, and Patrick feels a deep connection to her writing. Discovering her true identity gives him all kinds of mixed feelings. He knows he doesn’t want things to end with Imogen, but telling the truth will likely push her away. Soon, he finds himself in too deep for comfort. The couple faces several challenges, but they eventually find a happy ending.
Don’t forget to download the free extended epilogue by signing up for the newsletter via the link at the back of the book!
Wow! Patrick and Imogen’s story is a deep and emotional read. It is about suicide. Patrick and Imogen both deal with the aftermath of a suicide attempt. For Patrick, it is about picking up the pieces after the fact. For Imogen, it is about picking up the pieces after her own failed attempt. They come from different perspectives, but Patrick finds a strange sense of comfort in relating to Imogen’s experience.
Note that in book one, we learn that besides Chase and Forest, the guys that work at Inked Love are all Holden’s friends, a younger crew. We can presume that Patrick is thus roughly Holden’s age, which is about twenty-two here. Note also that in book one, Patrick is not over an ex-girlfriend. That background is never addressed here.
Patrick and Imogen’s story is about growth and acceptance. It is about letting go and finding purpose. Finally, it is about hope. Their love triumphs over the darkness that has overshadowed both of their lives. Their story is wonderfully written. It is deep but not too complex. The characters are well-defined and likable. It is easy to cheer for their happy ending. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Patrick and Imogen. I rate this book 4.5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 16, 2022
Normally I like books by this author. However, this one didn't work for me. Imogen wants sex but no relationship. So she starts up a thing with Patrick. Of course, by the end they are in love. This in my personal opinion would have been better if it wasn't almost 400 pages long.
January 27, 2023
this was just messy, had great potential, but missed with its execution. a little slow for me.
November 29, 2022
I had such high hopes for this book because the premise was right up my alley. Imogen wants a no strings attached relationship with Patrick and he is more than happy to oblige. Obviously love is gonna happen, we all know this and that doesn't mean it can't be an amazing story, but this fell so flat. The chemistry was nonexistent, the dialogue was incredibly inorganic and stilted, the prose was a mess, and the character growth was nonexistent. The characters were just so boring that it made the spice bland.
My biggest issue was the dialogue because it droned on for pages without dialogue tags so I last track of who was speaking, and since both characters were not well-developed, there was nothing in their style of talking that would make it distinguishable. Additionally, the dialogue felt out of place and forced, there were moments when I couldn't tell if the conversation was flirty/banter or just outright awkward. This easily could have been fixed with either dialogue tags or additional prose to break up the monotony. Overall, it just wasn't for me and I'm sad about it.
My biggest issue was the dialogue because it droned on for pages without dialogue tags so I last track of who was speaking, and since both characters were not well-developed, there was nothing in their style of talking that would make it distinguishable. Additionally, the dialogue felt out of place and forced, there were moments when I couldn't tell if the conversation was flirty/banter or just outright awkward. This easily could have been fixed with either dialogue tags or additional prose to break up the monotony. Overall, it just wasn't for me and I'm sad about it.
March 30, 2023
I really wanted to read this book, but I was very disappointed. I've read all of the Inked Hearts and Inked Love books.
At first, it caught my attention, but not to the point where I would stay up late reading it in one sitting.
I got bored and even though I normally try to keep going, I just didn't have the motivation. I stopped for several days and then I continued reading. Thankfully, the second part was better.
The talk about the music started to feel like filler after a while, there could have been a lot better dialogue or action moving the story along. Talking about Fiona Apple scene after scene just bores no matter how much you love Fiona Apple (22 times in the book - who, by the way, I don't even know).
Another thing was that sometimes it was hard for me to follow who was speaking. I thought one person was, but after reading the answer, I was wrong. I skipped some of the talking parts because I didn't have the motivation to reread the conversation.
But just because I didn't like the book, doesn't mean you won't!
At first, it caught my attention, but not to the point where I would stay up late reading it in one sitting.
I got bored and even though I normally try to keep going, I just didn't have the motivation. I stopped for several days and then I continued reading. Thankfully, the second part was better.
The talk about the music started to feel like filler after a while, there could have been a lot better dialogue or action moving the story along. Talking about Fiona Apple scene after scene just bores no matter how much you love Fiona Apple (22 times in the book - who, by the way, I don't even know).
Another thing was that sometimes it was hard for me to follow who was speaking. I thought one person was, but after reading the answer, I was wrong. I skipped some of the talking parts because I didn't have the motivation to reread the conversation.
But just because I didn't like the book, doesn't mean you won't!
October 14, 2022
The Hookup Experiment is the fourth book in the Inked Loved series. It’s filled with all the things I love about a Crystal Kaswell book- writing a book involving a taboo topic that involves a brooding tattoo artist, an intelligent woman, sunny California, chai tea and gin and tonic references, spicy and steamy scenes, and crossover characters from the other Inked Love books.
This book does discuss suicide and depression so if this is a trigger for you then proceed with caution or don’t read this book. It also gives insight on the good, bad, the ugly, and the beautiful sides from the one who attempted suicide and a family member who suffered the loss of a loved one.
Imogen Nguyen is a Vietnamese college student double majoring in psychology and economics at UCLA who is currently taking a break before her senior year.The book falls in the aftermath of her attempted suicide- where she is currently managing her therapy, treatment, and positive ways to battle her depression and thoughts (online journalling). She is also trying to mend the strain her suicide attempt put on her family and life. earning how to feel and want things again and she thinks she found the perfect person to help her experiment on what she likes and doesn’t like.
Patrick Murphy is a tattoo artist at Inked Love. His appearance is every bit Irish with his sandy blonde hair, freckles, and green eyes as well as hot tattoo artist with him being adorned in all his ink glory. He is currently going through a mini life crisis and his sister’s suicide has him reeling and reevaluating his life. After he spent time grieving and processing his loss, he devotes his time to reading her favorite books, online journals, and graphic novels and following her footsteps to see if that would give him insight into the life of his sister before she decided to say goodbye.
This book follows the friends-to-lovers romance between Imogen Nguyen and Patrick Murphy. These two meet after Imogen is referred to him as a tattoo artist and Patrick does her latest tattoo for her. Imogen decides to perform an experiment- The Hookup Experiment after she goes over what went wrong in her last relationship and what her ex called her (heartless). She is going to experiment what she likes and doesn’t like in regards to her needs and she decides that Patrick is the perfect person to help her out. Their relationship starts out as a booty call, which obviously turns into more. Their agreement was strictly just physical, to just feed the beast and not get too attached to one another. But the more time they spend together, the more they want more than just the physical and of course, feelings are involved. Their relationship is a roller coaster ride, which is real life and they talk about the hard stuff as well as learn to open up to one another. While Imogen decides what she needs to do when she finds something big out, they both dig deep and in the end, it seems as though everything happens for a reason and they were meant to be.
This book hit home for me in more ways than one and it took me some courage and putting my big girl panties on to re-visit them after reading this book. I love how Crystal can take a topic and make it so relatable as well as my love for her have heroines that are of Asian decent. My heart jumped for joy when I read how Imogen was of Asian decent. Crystal does an amazing job at making sure her characters come from a variety of backgrounds and heritages.
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a spicy book to dive into while reading about a hard topic weaved in as well. I also recommend the previous 3 books in the Inked Love series as well as the Inked Hearts series. I know I am ready to go back and start from the beginning with Brendon and Kaylee.
P.S. There is an extended epilogue for this book posted on the author’s website so make sure you head to her website and read it.
This book does discuss suicide and depression so if this is a trigger for you then proceed with caution or don’t read this book. It also gives insight on the good, bad, the ugly, and the beautiful sides from the one who attempted suicide and a family member who suffered the loss of a loved one.
Imogen Nguyen is a Vietnamese college student double majoring in psychology and economics at UCLA who is currently taking a break before her senior year.The book falls in the aftermath of her attempted suicide- where she is currently managing her therapy, treatment, and positive ways to battle her depression and thoughts (online journalling). She is also trying to mend the strain her suicide attempt put on her family and life. earning how to feel and want things again and she thinks she found the perfect person to help her experiment on what she likes and doesn’t like.
Patrick Murphy is a tattoo artist at Inked Love. His appearance is every bit Irish with his sandy blonde hair, freckles, and green eyes as well as hot tattoo artist with him being adorned in all his ink glory. He is currently going through a mini life crisis and his sister’s suicide has him reeling and reevaluating his life. After he spent time grieving and processing his loss, he devotes his time to reading her favorite books, online journals, and graphic novels and following her footsteps to see if that would give him insight into the life of his sister before she decided to say goodbye.
This book follows the friends-to-lovers romance between Imogen Nguyen and Patrick Murphy. These two meet after Imogen is referred to him as a tattoo artist and Patrick does her latest tattoo for her. Imogen decides to perform an experiment- The Hookup Experiment after she goes over what went wrong in her last relationship and what her ex called her (heartless). She is going to experiment what she likes and doesn’t like in regards to her needs and she decides that Patrick is the perfect person to help her out. Their relationship starts out as a booty call, which obviously turns into more. Their agreement was strictly just physical, to just feed the beast and not get too attached to one another. But the more time they spend together, the more they want more than just the physical and of course, feelings are involved. Their relationship is a roller coaster ride, which is real life and they talk about the hard stuff as well as learn to open up to one another. While Imogen decides what she needs to do when she finds something big out, they both dig deep and in the end, it seems as though everything happens for a reason and they were meant to be.
This book hit home for me in more ways than one and it took me some courage and putting my big girl panties on to re-visit them after reading this book. I love how Crystal can take a topic and make it so relatable as well as my love for her have heroines that are of Asian decent. My heart jumped for joy when I read how Imogen was of Asian decent. Crystal does an amazing job at making sure her characters come from a variety of backgrounds and heritages.
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a spicy book to dive into while reading about a hard topic weaved in as well. I also recommend the previous 3 books in the Inked Love series as well as the Inked Hearts series. I know I am ready to go back and start from the beginning with Brendon and Kaylee.
P.S. There is an extended epilogue for this book posted on the author’s website so make sure you head to her website and read it.
October 16, 2022
I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.
Imogen is dealing with her life after a suicide attempt, she has been studying Psychology and economics and will be starting her senior year at UCLA shortly. Her biggest outlet in the aftermath of her attempt is her online blog where she starts interacting with one of her followers, who turns out to be Patrick Murphy the man she goes to for her Hearts and Thorns tattoo. The more that they talk the more she builds a connection with him and feels safe exploring what she wants from a man in bed after her ex had described her as heartless. What starts as a booty call and was meant to be for data turns into so much more, can they both work through issues and realize that they were meant to be?
Patrick works at Inked Love who is having a hard time moving past his sister’s suicide leaving him re-evaluating his life but has found comfort following what she was doing preceding her death and has read her favourite books but what has his attention is the online blog of someone dealing with the aftermath of an attempt and reading of their journey through depression and therapy. But the day that Imogen comes into Inked Love he realises who she is and its her journey he has been following and when she comes to him with the idea of an experiment he agrees. He never expected that they would share more than just sex or that they would be opening to each other in ways that showed vulnerability, but is Imogen able to give him her heart or was it really all an experiment?
This book deal with a subject that other authors shy away from, and this is just one reason why I love this author and her books. They may be an emotional rollercoaster, but every part of the book was relevant and had me hooked from the start. This isn’t a nice, sweet journey but one worth investing in. There may be triggers for some readers so be aware. 5* read
Imogen is dealing with her life after a suicide attempt, she has been studying Psychology and economics and will be starting her senior year at UCLA shortly. Her biggest outlet in the aftermath of her attempt is her online blog where she starts interacting with one of her followers, who turns out to be Patrick Murphy the man she goes to for her Hearts and Thorns tattoo. The more that they talk the more she builds a connection with him and feels safe exploring what she wants from a man in bed after her ex had described her as heartless. What starts as a booty call and was meant to be for data turns into so much more, can they both work through issues and realize that they were meant to be?
Patrick works at Inked Love who is having a hard time moving past his sister’s suicide leaving him re-evaluating his life but has found comfort following what she was doing preceding her death and has read her favourite books but what has his attention is the online blog of someone dealing with the aftermath of an attempt and reading of their journey through depression and therapy. But the day that Imogen comes into Inked Love he realises who she is and its her journey he has been following and when she comes to him with the idea of an experiment he agrees. He never expected that they would share more than just sex or that they would be opening to each other in ways that showed vulnerability, but is Imogen able to give him her heart or was it really all an experiment?
This book deal with a subject that other authors shy away from, and this is just one reason why I love this author and her books. They may be an emotional rollercoaster, but every part of the book was relevant and had me hooked from the start. This isn’t a nice, sweet journey but one worth investing in. There may be triggers for some readers so be aware. 5* read
October 19, 2022
Imogen is a science nerd who is majoring in Psychology and Economics who swims for pleasure. On the one year anniversary of her attempted suicide, Imogen decides to get a tattoo to remind her of all she has been through and survived. Patrick aka Trick is a tattooist who loves art and takes pride in his work. Patrick carries a secret that changed his life forever when one year ago his sister, Deidre, died. Patrick now lives in Deidre's apartment that Patrick inherited from her. Patrick wants to understand Deidre and comes across an online subscription to Hearts and Thorns that helps him better understand his sister's mind when she committed suicide. Patrick feels he failed Deidre and now wants something more that is real and makes a connection. Imogen is strong and direct which makes her intimidating and leads her to hide things from others. Imogen decides she wants Patrick for a one night stand. Imogen likes that Patrick likes her the way she is, and Patrick likes that Imogen is direct and says what she wants. Their one night leads to more as they begin to spend more time together slowly learning about each other but still clinging to their secrets. Will Patrick open up about his sister's suicide with Imogen? What happens when Patrick learns Imogen is Hearts and Thorns? How will Imogen react when she learns Patrick has been reading her online blog, Hearts and Thorns? Can Patrick prove to Imogen that he fell in love with her words while he was falling in love with her? Can Imogen forgive Patrick for not telling her he knew about her suicide? Can Imogen and Patrick find their way back to each other? I absolutely loved The Hookup Experiment by Crystal Kaswell. Patrick and Imogen have amazing chemistry that burns up the pages. Imogen and Patrick each struggle with the aftermath of suicide. The Hookup Experiment had this reader hooked from the beginning to the end with tears shed throughout. I would highly recommend getting The Hookup Experiment by Crystal Kaswell. I received an ARC copy of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
October 11, 2022
Another Great One!
The Hookup Experiment by Crystal Kaswell, another book in her Inked Love series, is an amazing addition to this angsty, messy, beautiful collection of books.
It’s implied at the beginning of the book that Imogen and Patrick meet when she wants a tattoo and Patrick is who she chooses to give it to her…instant attraction. Imogen, surviving a suicide attempt, has turned to an anonymous blog to free her feelings. While not much detail was given on why she attempted suicide, we see that it has left Imogen with a strained relationship with her mother and sister. Patrick, affected by the actual suicide of his sister, turns to Imogen’s blog to survive the aftermath of losing his sister and immediately gets caught up in each post that she makes. Neither Imogen nor Patrick realize they each know about the blog, until Patrick figures out who “Hearts and Thorns” is and that realization sends us on an emotional journey to watch how their story unfolds.
The actual “hookup experiment” is Imogene’s idea, her way of adding to her degrees in psychology and economics. While not much is mentioned about how the actual “experiment” unfolds and what she’s actually using the “data” for, we quickly see that the actions of the experiment are far more soul-reaching than any basic science experiment would produce. This couple was so sensual and their banter was adorable. I truly believe what they found was love at first sight and neither one realized it, they just were there for each other from the start and neither one wanted to let go.
Ms. Kaswell is one of my absolute favorite authors and this book is definitely another hit for her. Looking forward to the next book!
The Hookup Experiment by Crystal Kaswell, another book in her Inked Love series, is an amazing addition to this angsty, messy, beautiful collection of books.
It’s implied at the beginning of the book that Imogen and Patrick meet when she wants a tattoo and Patrick is who she chooses to give it to her…instant attraction. Imogen, surviving a suicide attempt, has turned to an anonymous blog to free her feelings. While not much detail was given on why she attempted suicide, we see that it has left Imogen with a strained relationship with her mother and sister. Patrick, affected by the actual suicide of his sister, turns to Imogen’s blog to survive the aftermath of losing his sister and immediately gets caught up in each post that she makes. Neither Imogen nor Patrick realize they each know about the blog, until Patrick figures out who “Hearts and Thorns” is and that realization sends us on an emotional journey to watch how their story unfolds.
The actual “hookup experiment” is Imogene’s idea, her way of adding to her degrees in psychology and economics. While not much is mentioned about how the actual “experiment” unfolds and what she’s actually using the “data” for, we quickly see that the actions of the experiment are far more soul-reaching than any basic science experiment would produce. This couple was so sensual and their banter was adorable. I truly believe what they found was love at first sight and neither one realized it, they just were there for each other from the start and neither one wanted to let go.
Ms. Kaswell is one of my absolute favorite authors and this book is definitely another hit for her. Looking forward to the next book!
October 11, 2022
Heartbreakingly real with healing humor and love
The Hookup Experiment (Inked Love Book 4) by Crystal Kaswell, as usual and expected, engaged, ensnared and enchanted my heart from beginning to end. What further endeared this particular book to me is that Imogen and her roommate, Jade, became my new favorite characters. Jade hummed Duran Duran while making grilled cheese and Imogen recognizes that it’s Duran Duran! Crystal Kaswell always rocks my romance reader heart, but The Hookup Experiment just became a treasured favorite in one descriptive sentence. Additionally, Imogen’s struggle reminds me of a Duran Duran song’s lyrics (Falling): ‘Falling to my senses, You fill up the heart of me’ as an example. It just seemed fitting and true to Imogen trying to adjust, heal, feel and understand her normal. As for Patrick, yes there’s another lyric (Nice) that comes to mind, also from Duran Duran: ‘Now it hurts me to think you might never know, Will it hurt as much being true?, I might as well be brave and tell you’. The entire song pretty much sums up Patrick’s feelings about Imogen and his hesitancy to share his true feelings as well as some other truths.
So, thank you Crystal Kaswell, it may not have been your intention, but this book is perfection for this Duran Duran fan. I’m in lyric heaven and thrilled that this couple also finds healing and health in each other’s hearts along with the promise of a forever after HEA. I’d give it extra stars if I could!
I read an ARC of this book and voluntarily share my review.
The Hookup Experiment (Inked Love Book 4) by Crystal Kaswell, as usual and expected, engaged, ensnared and enchanted my heart from beginning to end. What further endeared this particular book to me is that Imogen and her roommate, Jade, became my new favorite characters. Jade hummed Duran Duran while making grilled cheese and Imogen recognizes that it’s Duran Duran! Crystal Kaswell always rocks my romance reader heart, but The Hookup Experiment just became a treasured favorite in one descriptive sentence. Additionally, Imogen’s struggle reminds me of a Duran Duran song’s lyrics (Falling): ‘Falling to my senses, You fill up the heart of me’ as an example. It just seemed fitting and true to Imogen trying to adjust, heal, feel and understand her normal. As for Patrick, yes there’s another lyric (Nice) that comes to mind, also from Duran Duran: ‘Now it hurts me to think you might never know, Will it hurt as much being true?, I might as well be brave and tell you’. The entire song pretty much sums up Patrick’s feelings about Imogen and his hesitancy to share his true feelings as well as some other truths.
So, thank you Crystal Kaswell, it may not have been your intention, but this book is perfection for this Duran Duran fan. I’m in lyric heaven and thrilled that this couple also finds healing and health in each other’s hearts along with the promise of a forever after HEA. I’d give it extra stars if I could!
I read an ARC of this book and voluntarily share my review.
October 11, 2022
TWs: depression, suicidality
Although I’ve read Kaswell’s other works in the INKED HEARTS and SINFUL SERENADE series, THE HOOKUP EXPERIMENT was the first book I read in the INKED LOVE series. Good news is that you don’t need to read the series in order to understand the relationship dynamics of the INKED LOVE universe, as it had all of the makings of a classic Crystal Kaswell book: witty banter, conversations about coffee (and how to make the perfect chai tea!), hot romance, vulnerable tattooed heroes, equally tough-yet-vulnerable heroines, and nuanced writing about mental health rep.
Imogen Nguyen and Patrick Murphy are two people in their early 20s who are living with the impact that depression and suicide have had on their lives. When Imogen and Patrick get together, what starts as a casual fling becomes complicated once feelings are involved and secrets unravel that neither quite knows how to handle.
This book may have had the ingredients to take a turn toward darkness and angst, but surprisingly, it doesn’t. Kaswell is adept at deftly balancing humor and romance while not shying away from the darkness of real life, and THE HOOKUP EXPERIMENT is no exception. I was rooting for Imogen and Patrick to not only get their HEA, but to get inner peace as well.
THE HOOKUP EXPERIMENT had a nice round of side characters that made me want to get grab a drink with them or just sit and chat with them in a coffee shop. Characters from the INKED LOVE universe make appearances, as do Imogen’s mom and sister – although I wish Kaswell could’ve delved deeper into Imogen’s relationship with her mom. Mental health is still a fairly stigmatized topic within the Vietnamese community, and I would’ve liked to see Imogen further explore that issue with her family. While the story was great and touched on relevant, important issues, there were also times that the pacing was choppy enough that it detracted me from fully getting sucked into the story.
Many thanks to the author for the ARC. Review is completely my own.
This review and others can be found on my book blog: MitchiexBooks.
Although I’ve read Kaswell’s other works in the INKED HEARTS and SINFUL SERENADE series, THE HOOKUP EXPERIMENT was the first book I read in the INKED LOVE series. Good news is that you don’t need to read the series in order to understand the relationship dynamics of the INKED LOVE universe, as it had all of the makings of a classic Crystal Kaswell book: witty banter, conversations about coffee (and how to make the perfect chai tea!), hot romance, vulnerable tattooed heroes, equally tough-yet-vulnerable heroines, and nuanced writing about mental health rep.
Imogen Nguyen and Patrick Murphy are two people in their early 20s who are living with the impact that depression and suicide have had on their lives. When Imogen and Patrick get together, what starts as a casual fling becomes complicated once feelings are involved and secrets unravel that neither quite knows how to handle.
This book may have had the ingredients to take a turn toward darkness and angst, but surprisingly, it doesn’t. Kaswell is adept at deftly balancing humor and romance while not shying away from the darkness of real life, and THE HOOKUP EXPERIMENT is no exception. I was rooting for Imogen and Patrick to not only get their HEA, but to get inner peace as well.
THE HOOKUP EXPERIMENT had a nice round of side characters that made me want to get grab a drink with them or just sit and chat with them in a coffee shop. Characters from the INKED LOVE universe make appearances, as do Imogen’s mom and sister – although I wish Kaswell could’ve delved deeper into Imogen’s relationship with her mom. Mental health is still a fairly stigmatized topic within the Vietnamese community, and I would’ve liked to see Imogen further explore that issue with her family. While the story was great and touched on relevant, important issues, there were also times that the pacing was choppy enough that it detracted me from fully getting sucked into the story.
Many thanks to the author for the ARC. Review is completely my own.
This review and others can be found on my book blog: MitchiexBooks.
November 5, 2022
Given the title, you know this book is going to revolve around sex. And yes, there is a lot of it, but it also discusses several heavy topics (depression, suicide) and mental health. The smut was good and the reader will especially enjoy if they are into exhibitionism.
This book is part of a series, but I decided to read this one first and did not read the first three of the series. It think it can be read as a standalone. I don’t think you need to read the others to enjoy because there was enough background provided about the other couples to know what happened in the other books.
I loved the dual POV and don’t think this book would be nearly as good without Patrick’s POV. I liked the online diary entries, but they did not overwhelm the book and the author mostly stuck to normal format for Imogen’s POV. The chapters were short and fast-paced, but it still took me longer than I anticipated to finish… I don’t really know why honestly. A lot of the story has their inner thoughts and internal dialogue, and maybe it needed more banter between the characters? There was a lot of back and forth text messages between multiple characters.. Maybe that took me out of the story? Idk! Overall, I enjoyed but felt like it was missing something to keep me hooked.
This book is part of a series, but I decided to read this one first and did not read the first three of the series. It think it can be read as a standalone. I don’t think you need to read the others to enjoy because there was enough background provided about the other couples to know what happened in the other books.
I loved the dual POV and don’t think this book would be nearly as good without Patrick’s POV. I liked the online diary entries, but they did not overwhelm the book and the author mostly stuck to normal format for Imogen’s POV. The chapters were short and fast-paced, but it still took me longer than I anticipated to finish… I don’t really know why honestly. A lot of the story has their inner thoughts and internal dialogue, and maybe it needed more banter between the characters? There was a lot of back and forth text messages between multiple characters.. Maybe that took me out of the story? Idk! Overall, I enjoyed but felt like it was missing something to keep me hooked.
December 7, 2022
I really enjoyed the storyline of Imogen who was so closed off after traumatic past experiences that she had to learn to trust someone in sex before she could trust them in love. I also like a girl in charge and all the thumbs up to her for taking what she needed sexually.
I liked the mix of insane spice (hello sex in public) with some serious, hard topics. Told in dual POV, Imogen and Patrick are both dealing with the after effects of suicide and depression and aren't quite sure how to share this with each other which complicates their ever growing bond and pushes them towards self-healing and opening up. Three cheers for mental health rep.
There was a lot of dialogue that was sometimes hard to follow, but I found the scenes between Patrick and Imogen to be quite cerebral. It's no surprise they were very in tune from their very first meet-up. I did find the characters a little young but they are supposed to be early 20s so something to keep in mind.
Thank you to Crystal Kaswell for my gifted copy. This is the 4th book in a series but can be read as a standalone.
𝑻𝑾: 𝑺𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆 & 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏
I liked the mix of insane spice (hello sex in public) with some serious, hard topics. Told in dual POV, Imogen and Patrick are both dealing with the after effects of suicide and depression and aren't quite sure how to share this with each other which complicates their ever growing bond and pushes them towards self-healing and opening up. Three cheers for mental health rep.
There was a lot of dialogue that was sometimes hard to follow, but I found the scenes between Patrick and Imogen to be quite cerebral. It's no surprise they were very in tune from their very first meet-up. I did find the characters a little young but they are supposed to be early 20s so something to keep in mind.
Thank you to Crystal Kaswell for my gifted copy. This is the 4th book in a series but can be read as a standalone.
𝑻𝑾: 𝑺𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆 & 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏
February 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It was a rom com that also had some mental health representations. This book was about Patrick and Imogens' story. Imogen has a history of depression. She recently had her meds changed, and the beginning of the book focuses on how she is getting her libido back. Imogen is trying to feel better about herself and wants to explore her sexuality in ways that she never felt allowed to before. Meanwhile, Patrick is still grieving the loss of his sister. Patrick is this sexy, broody, tattoo artist. It is very easy to love his character. He is willing to explore with Imogen and be the person who helps her find who she is.
The spice was well written, and the chemistry between them was on point. However, I did not like how we never truly addressed her suicide attempt. We never discovered if she healed her relationship with her mom. We also never found out if she healed and opened up to her sister.
That being said, it was also written in a way that the reader can make those assumptions for themselves. Sometimes, as readers, we will never have all of the information, but we can imagine it for ourselves. Overall, I highly recommend this book!
Happy reading!
The spice was well written, and the chemistry between them was on point. However, I did not like how we never truly addressed her suicide attempt. We never discovered if she healed her relationship with her mom. We also never found out if she healed and opened up to her sister.
That being said, it was also written in a way that the reader can make those assumptions for themselves. Sometimes, as readers, we will never have all of the information, but we can imagine it for ourselves. Overall, I highly recommend this book!
Happy reading!
October 12, 2022
The Hookup Experiment is the fourth installment in the Inked Love series. You don't need to read the first three before this one as like the rest it is a standalone. I will say even though she goes over multiple times throughout the book what happened with the previous stories, I still reccomend reading them first so you really get an idea for the characters you come across. In this book we get to learn more about Patrick who is another tattoo artist at Inked Love.
Patrick is trying to start living his life normally again after his sister died. During his struggles in trying to understand why it happened she stumbles across an online blog site from a mysterious girl who went through similar things like his sister. Fast forward and he gets a text from Imogen who he recently tattooed implying a one night stand. Of course that one night stand turned into many and thus the Hookup Experiment. Little did he know that the girl he fell for online was the very same girl he was falling for in real life.
Imogen is a girl who is constantly stuck in her head and due to past incidents left her astray with her parents, especially her mom.
Imogen and Patrick have strong chemistry and almost an instant connection. They just seem to click sexually.
As always I loved the interactions with everyone at the tattoo shop. I love how they just goof off together and how they are practically one big crazy family in a sense. I also liked how Imogen and Patrick were able to help eachother overcome their struggles and of course their insanely hot chemistry.
All in all I really enjoyed this book and I hope we get to see Dare's story next with his best friend. He was becoming one of my favorites in this book. I highly reccomend.
*I received an ARC for my honest opinion.
Patrick is trying to start living his life normally again after his sister died. During his struggles in trying to understand why it happened she stumbles across an online blog site from a mysterious girl who went through similar things like his sister. Fast forward and he gets a text from Imogen who he recently tattooed implying a one night stand. Of course that one night stand turned into many and thus the Hookup Experiment. Little did he know that the girl he fell for online was the very same girl he was falling for in real life.
Imogen is a girl who is constantly stuck in her head and due to past incidents left her astray with her parents, especially her mom.
Imogen and Patrick have strong chemistry and almost an instant connection. They just seem to click sexually.
As always I loved the interactions with everyone at the tattoo shop. I love how they just goof off together and how they are practically one big crazy family in a sense. I also liked how Imogen and Patrick were able to help eachother overcome their struggles and of course their insanely hot chemistry.
All in all I really enjoyed this book and I hope we get to see Dare's story next with his best friend. He was becoming one of my favorites in this book. I highly reccomend.
*I received an ARC for my honest opinion.
October 21, 2022
The Hookup Experiment by Crystal Kaswell is about a college student and a tattoo artist that decide to have a no strings attached hookup. Their one-and-done hook-up leads to many scorching hookups where passion flames first before a relationship develop. Both are torn emotionally from tragic pasts that are connected through a blog Imogen writes and Patrick loves to read. Imogen is unaware that Patrick found her blog as something his sister read. Yet, Patrick has no idea Imagen is the author despite him tattooing the logo on her blog on her chest. With time, Patrick and Imagen find themselves falling for the other person. It's only when Imogen discovers Patrick reads her blog and didn’t tell her he knew she was the author did they encounter trouble. Crystal Kaswell can write about a sensitive issue with a tender heart that understands the triggers and questions of a person who is dealing will internal emotional trauma. Always a good story amid roiling emotions and smoldering hot scenes. Once more, Crystal Kaswell's books are found among the best books written.
October 28, 2022
Wasn’t To Capturing
I only got about 66% before I decided I couldn’t get into the book that much. Honestly I thought the sex was interesting but it was kind of meh writing. It also really didn’t have trigger warnings which is should’ve sent to deals with some heavy topics. I know it’s something that isn’t triggering for me but there are a lot of people out there it will be triggering for and giving them a heads up doesn’t take that long.
While Patrick is a OK character I didn’t really think either of them were interesting enough for me to wanna continue with the book. I got bored and while normally I try to push through I just didn’t have the motivation to.
I loved the idea and the concept I just kind of wish it was executed a bit better. Well this review isn’t really for the author this is more of just a reminder to myself what I didn’t care about that way if I come across it in the future and I forget I’ve tried reading it.
I am just one reader! Just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean you won’t!
I only got about 66% before I decided I couldn’t get into the book that much. Honestly I thought the sex was interesting but it was kind of meh writing. It also really didn’t have trigger warnings which is should’ve sent to deals with some heavy topics. I know it’s something that isn’t triggering for me but there are a lot of people out there it will be triggering for and giving them a heads up doesn’t take that long.
While Patrick is a OK character I didn’t really think either of them were interesting enough for me to wanna continue with the book. I got bored and while normally I try to push through I just didn’t have the motivation to.
I loved the idea and the concept I just kind of wish it was executed a bit better. Well this review isn’t really for the author this is more of just a reminder to myself what I didn’t care about that way if I come across it in the future and I forget I’ve tried reading it.
I am just one reader! Just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean you won’t!
October 31, 2022
The Latest in the Inked Love Series.
The latest in Crystal’s Inked Love Series proves that love still rules.
Patrick has been through a tough year with the loss of someone very close to him. He’s being going through the motions and trying desperately to make sense out of everything. When he comes upon a blog named “The Hookup Experiment,” he finds himself enthralled. He wants to know more about this person, and what she’s been through. It feels as though she knows exactly what he’s feeling.
Imogene is working through her own demons and after deciding she needs to have some fun, works on a blog that will not only help her with her project but also have some fun.
Patrick and Imogene meet with a pact in place. Hookup for up fun, no commitments and separate when the project is complete. But before long, it becomes obvious the rules aren’t being followed and that’s when things get complicated.
I’m a fan of Crystal’s and while I love her writing, I’m ready for her to go back to her original genre of rockstar romance. A good read and you will get your HEA.
The latest in Crystal’s Inked Love Series proves that love still rules.
Patrick has been through a tough year with the loss of someone very close to him. He’s being going through the motions and trying desperately to make sense out of everything. When he comes upon a blog named “The Hookup Experiment,” he finds himself enthralled. He wants to know more about this person, and what she’s been through. It feels as though she knows exactly what he’s feeling.
Imogene is working through her own demons and after deciding she needs to have some fun, works on a blog that will not only help her with her project but also have some fun.
Patrick and Imogene meet with a pact in place. Hookup for up fun, no commitments and separate when the project is complete. But before long, it becomes obvious the rules aren’t being followed and that’s when things get complicated.
I’m a fan of Crystal’s and while I love her writing, I’m ready for her to go back to her original genre of rockstar romance. A good read and you will get your HEA.
December 6, 2022
Part of the Inked Love series (#4)
HFN
Standalone, interconnected characters
Trigger warnings
Suicide mentions
Mental health issues
Drug use mentions
Tricky lost his sister to suicide. Imogen is recovering from her attempt a year ago. While Tricky is dealing with his grief over losing his sister, he reads an online journal that his sister followed and falls in love with the thoughts the writer puts out there. Imogen comes into his shop to get a tattoo and later calls him for some no-strings adult time. Their relationship progresses without either knowing the deep things going on with the other, until it all blows up.
This book deals with some serious issues and should only be read by readers over 18. The further I got into this series, the more things about the way the author writes stand out. She doesn't shy away from the mental health issues. She also doesn't finish her books with the standard marriage or proposal for HEA. It's not a bad thing, just different.
HFN
Standalone, interconnected characters
Trigger warnings
Suicide mentions
Mental health issues
Drug use mentions
Tricky lost his sister to suicide. Imogen is recovering from her attempt a year ago. While Tricky is dealing with his grief over losing his sister, he reads an online journal that his sister followed and falls in love with the thoughts the writer puts out there. Imogen comes into his shop to get a tattoo and later calls him for some no-strings adult time. Their relationship progresses without either knowing the deep things going on with the other, until it all blows up.
This book deals with some serious issues and should only be read by readers over 18. The further I got into this series, the more things about the way the author writes stand out. She doesn't shy away from the mental health issues. She also doesn't finish her books with the standard marriage or proposal for HEA. It's not a bad thing, just different.
January 1, 2023
Why is there so much public sexual shit in this book?
Ok, I am officially DNFing this one. I keep trying. I just can't. I read the first 3 Inked Love books. They were ok - not amazing, not terrible. This one is bad. The characters are annoying, even Luna from book 3 was annoying without Oliver around. I get that characters need to have conflict and whatever to drive the story along, but it's like the author picked traumas out of a hat and then assigned them to her characters. Girlfriend cheated on you? Check. Mom died? Check? Eating disorder? Check. Alcoholism? Check? Depression? Check. Suicide? Check.
Maybe if I hadn't read all the books in a row it wouldn't be so bad, but ugh, these were just too much.
Also, the smut in this was not only weird but it was also annoying. They had so much sex and so much of it was in public. Like look, I get being horny, but I do not want to see your boob when I'm just out here trying to enjoy a drink at the bar after work.
Ok, I am officially DNFing this one. I keep trying. I just can't. I read the first 3 Inked Love books. They were ok - not amazing, not terrible. This one is bad. The characters are annoying, even Luna from book 3 was annoying without Oliver around. I get that characters need to have conflict and whatever to drive the story along, but it's like the author picked traumas out of a hat and then assigned them to her characters. Girlfriend cheated on you? Check. Mom died? Check? Eating disorder? Check. Alcoholism? Check? Depression? Check. Suicide? Check.
Maybe if I hadn't read all the books in a row it wouldn't be so bad, but ugh, these were just too much.
Also, the smut in this was not only weird but it was also annoying. They had so much sex and so much of it was in public. Like look, I get being horny, but I do not want to see your boob when I'm just out here trying to enjoy a drink at the bar after work.
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