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Irons and Works #8.5
Snakebites
Fairfield, Colorado saved Ryder’s life once, and seven years later, he’s back to consider a job at the halfway house that gave him hope.
A lot has changed, including the town, and Ryder’s about to find out just how much when he steps into the Irons and Works tattoo shop and meets their new punk piercer who can’t take his eyes off the new art therapist.
Linc is a wandering soul with four fingers between both hands, and a chip on his shoulder, but something tells him he can’t leave that small mountain town.
At least, not yet.
And when a nervous man with eyes as bright as the sun wanders into the shop one afternoon, he immediately knows why his feet have stayed put.
Now all he has to do is convince Ryder that taking a chance on a washed-up, metal-loving drummer like him is worth it. And that there’s more to love and life beyond the present.
Snakebites is a 20k word Irons and Works novella featuring a nervous new therapist, a pierced up punk band drummer, loud voices, quiet kisses, and a wild happily ever after.
A lot has changed, including the town, and Ryder’s about to find out just how much when he steps into the Irons and Works tattoo shop and meets their new punk piercer who can’t take his eyes off the new art therapist.
Linc is a wandering soul with four fingers between both hands, and a chip on his shoulder, but something tells him he can’t leave that small mountain town.
At least, not yet.
And when a nervous man with eyes as bright as the sun wanders into the shop one afternoon, he immediately knows why his feet have stayed put.
Now all he has to do is convince Ryder that taking a chance on a washed-up, metal-loving drummer like him is worth it. And that there’s more to love and life beyond the present.
Snakebites is a 20k word Irons and Works novella featuring a nervous new therapist, a pierced up punk band drummer, loud voices, quiet kisses, and a wild happily ever after.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2022
59 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Lindsey
142 books1,405 followersE.M. Lindsey is the author of MM contemporary romance. She presently lives and works in the southeastern United States.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 16, 2023
mostly bored
May 29, 2024
Unfortunately this one didn't work for me. Went from trauma dumping after meeting for the first time to "did we just become best friends?!" to lovers in a meh way.
December 1, 2022
This is quite a time jump for the series. One of the prior main couples daughter is old enough to be going college! While I loved getting to see the future of my favorite couples, Ryder and Linc were crazy insta love and much too rushed for their feelings to be believable.
I am looking forward to the spin-off series coming in 2023 because I really liked Linc's best friend Zac!
- Schizophrenic MC
- MC with Dactyly
I am looking forward to the spin-off series coming in 2023 because I really liked Linc's best friend Zac!
- Schizophrenic MC
- MC with Dactyly
November 4, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Snakebites is the ninth and final book for sale in E.M. Lindsey’s excellent Irons and Works series. It wraps things up for the gang in Colorado and servers as a bridge to the spin-off series set in Florida, Ink and Iron. (That said, Lindsey has indicated there will be a side story or two set in this world coming as giveaways.) This book features various characters from Irons and Works, as well as the other spin-off series, Breaking the Rules, so this is really going to be ideal for those familiar with at least some of the books in this world to get the most out of it. But the romance does stand alone if you want to jump in here.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Snakebites is the ninth and final book for sale in E.M. Lindsey’s excellent Irons and Works series. It wraps things up for the gang in Colorado and servers as a bridge to the spin-off series set in Florida, Ink and Iron. (That said, Lindsey has indicated there will be a side story or two set in this world coming as giveaways.) This book features various characters from Irons and Works, as well as the other spin-off series, Breaking the Rules, so this is really going to be ideal for those familiar with at least some of the books in this world to get the most out of it. But the romance does stand alone if you want to jump in here.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
November 12, 2022
Loved it❤️
This was a delightful novella I smashed through in one go.🖤
I've been a massive fan of Irons and Works for ages and to see this series evolve and produce the next generation of characters and another brand new spin-off is so heartwarming.🖤
This was a low angst, love at first sight, when you know you just fudging know kind of romance. 🖤 Ryder and Link were absolutely adorable together.🖤Their chemistry and the honest emotional response to being close was undeniable. 🖤
Yet again, E.M.LINDSEY uses her writing as a platform to educate and bring awareness about mental health, disability and the everyday struggles of living under circumstances beyond your control.🖤
I fell in love with the realism clashing with the overwhelming romance in this story. It was beautiful. 🖤
Adorable cameos and honourable mentions of characters were a sweet highlight. 🖤
This novella is a bit of an introduction into the upcoming spin off series, INK AND IRON, coming in 2023. I can't wait 🥰🎉❤️
Loved it!🖤
This was a delightful novella I smashed through in one go.🖤
I've been a massive fan of Irons and Works for ages and to see this series evolve and produce the next generation of characters and another brand new spin-off is so heartwarming.🖤
This was a low angst, love at first sight, when you know you just fudging know kind of romance. 🖤 Ryder and Link were absolutely adorable together.🖤Their chemistry and the honest emotional response to being close was undeniable. 🖤
Yet again, E.M.LINDSEY uses her writing as a platform to educate and bring awareness about mental health, disability and the everyday struggles of living under circumstances beyond your control.🖤
I fell in love with the realism clashing with the overwhelming romance in this story. It was beautiful. 🖤
Adorable cameos and honourable mentions of characters were a sweet highlight. 🖤
This novella is a bit of an introduction into the upcoming spin off series, INK AND IRON, coming in 2023. I can't wait 🥰🎉❤️
Loved it!🖤
July 25, 2024
Okay, so Snakebites was the actual sweetest thing ever! It was this really soft, sweet, little ball of sunshine amidst all the emotional angst of the rest of this series. I loved that both Ryder and Linc had this little epiphany of “oh, that’s my person” from the moment they met. Because sometimes you just know, you know? Anyway, this was adorable and sweet and it’s getting a solid four stars!
November 2, 2022
This was a delicious little surprise. Now I’m going to be honest it was very short. And that made me. Because I enjoyed it and wanted so much much more. The world that E. M. Lindsey has created fits me perfectly and is just what I need during tough work days.
January 29, 2023
This was okay. It’s very short and obviously a set up for the next series that’s coming out soon (which I am super excited for!). Since it’s so short, the relationship feels very rushed.
May 28, 2023
This is an instant-love kind of story between two people that have sworn off relationships. The two main characters were peripheral characters from other stories in this Iron and Works Series. They have now been joined forever. The end.
November 29, 2022
Never read an E.M. Lindsey I didn't love and this is no different. Perfectly bite-sized with fab disability rep (schizophrenia and limb difference), hot tattoo boys and familiar faces from the Irons and Works series, Snakebites follows Ryder's and Linc's sweet love story. Serving as a bridge for a new series with more hot tattoo boys, this novella gave all the heart and swoon I love!
CW's: mild ableism and ableist language; mentions of past child abuse and neglect;
CN's: This novella contains a character with schizophrenia who has auditory and visual hallucinations, as well as a character with limb difference. There is one, very sexy on-page sex scene between the two main characters.
CW's: mild ableism and ableist language; mentions of past child abuse and neglect;
CN's: This novella contains a character with schizophrenia who has auditory and visual hallucinations, as well as a character with limb difference. There is one, very sexy on-page sex scene between the two main characters.
December 16, 2022
I prefer longer novels in the romance genre because that gives the author so much more time to develop a meaningful relationship between the characters rather than just default to “insta-love.” However, even that can be done well in the right hands, among which I certainly include Lindsey. Sometimes people do just click, and I can accept early “love” as the genuine potential for a lasting relationship.
Ryder and Linc shouldn’t work together. The former is adorable, and the latter is more of a punk badass, but they’re each incredibly sweet and a little awkward in different ways. That awkwardness might stem from their differences (Ryder’s schizophrenia and Linc’s limb differences), but as always, Lindsey makes those aspects integral facets of their characters and not the entirety of their personalities. Together, these men are unexpected and delightful in a way that made me want so much more than just their initial interactions.
Luckily, Lindsey is using this novella as a jumping-off point for a connected series, and we’ll be sure to see more of these men in future works. While I’m sad to leave them, I agree that the Irons and Works crew more than deserves to enjoy their hard-won happily ever afters, and I’m excited to meet a new found-family that I’m sure to love just as much.
Ryder and Linc shouldn’t work together. The former is adorable, and the latter is more of a punk badass, but they’re each incredibly sweet and a little awkward in different ways. That awkwardness might stem from their differences (Ryder’s schizophrenia and Linc’s limb differences), but as always, Lindsey makes those aspects integral facets of their characters and not the entirety of their personalities. Together, these men are unexpected and delightful in a way that made me want so much more than just their initial interactions.
Luckily, Lindsey is using this novella as a jumping-off point for a connected series, and we’ll be sure to see more of these men in future works. While I’m sad to leave them, I agree that the Irons and Works crew more than deserves to enjoy their hard-won happily ever afters, and I’m excited to meet a new found-family that I’m sure to love just as much.
December 8, 2022
Some Places Really Can Be Different
A good portion of foster parents were not in it because they wanted to help. No, they wanted government benefits, a paycheck, and free labor around their house.
And kids like him? Yeah, they were a dime a dozen. If he mouthed off, they could send his ass right back to the group home and they’d send some other unsuspecting, exhausted teen to fill his slot. Their money never stopped, but he doubted they ever thought about him the moment he was no longer under their roof.
Ted House had been like another world — another universe. He’d laughed in Sage’s face when he sat Ryder down and told him that the place they were running was different. He was too world–weary to think that just because Sage was covered in tattoos and had a husband that it wouldn’t be exactly like all the other homes that had promised him love, and care, and stability.
It probably wasn’t until his first year of grad school, when Sage still called every Thursday, that Ryder finally accepted that Sage wasn’t like everyone else.
But all that really did was make Ryder ache inside because Ted House could only help so many kids. The rest all slipped through the cracks.
A good portion of foster parents were not in it because they wanted to help. No, they wanted government benefits, a paycheck, and free labor around their house.
And kids like him? Yeah, they were a dime a dozen. If he mouthed off, they could send his ass right back to the group home and they’d send some other unsuspecting, exhausted teen to fill his slot. Their money never stopped, but he doubted they ever thought about him the moment he was no longer under their roof.
Ted House had been like another world — another universe. He’d laughed in Sage’s face when he sat Ryder down and told him that the place they were running was different. He was too world–weary to think that just because Sage was covered in tattoos and had a husband that it wouldn’t be exactly like all the other homes that had promised him love, and care, and stability.
It probably wasn’t until his first year of grad school, when Sage still called every Thursday, that Ryder finally accepted that Sage wasn’t like everyone else.
But all that really did was make Ryder ache inside because Ted House could only help so many kids. The rest all slipped through the cracks.
October 30, 2022
Loved it! Classic Lindsey!
What a marvelous book! And I learned a lot about limb differences and schizophrenia - something especially important to me, since my mother had schizophrenia and it always scared me a bit. But learning how Ryder lived with it on a daily basis gave me much more insight into my mother gave me some peace. Thank you, E.M.
Yes, I definitely wished it was longer than a novella, but it was one of the most satisfying short books I ever read. And, yes, there were a few missing words (I counted 3 or 4), but it didn’t bother me too much - just though ‘huh’, and continued on my merry way reading an awesome story. I can’t wait to read the spin-off series, Ink and Iron, come 2023. With more Linc, Ryder and Zeke!
Thank you again, E.M., for a wonderful, special reading experience!
What a marvelous book! And I learned a lot about limb differences and schizophrenia - something especially important to me, since my mother had schizophrenia and it always scared me a bit. But learning how Ryder lived with it on a daily basis gave me much more insight into my mother gave me some peace. Thank you, E.M.
Yes, I definitely wished it was longer than a novella, but it was one of the most satisfying short books I ever read. And, yes, there were a few missing words (I counted 3 or 4), but it didn’t bother me too much - just though ‘huh’, and continued on my merry way reading an awesome story. I can’t wait to read the spin-off series, Ink and Iron, come 2023. With more Linc, Ryder and Zeke!
Thank you again, E.M., for a wonderful, special reading experience!
February 2, 2023
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I love the Irons and Works series. It’s one of my favs. I don’t know how EM Lindsey managed to come up with all the characters and partnerings, but they were all so perfect. And Ryder and Linc are no different.
I loved their easy awkward acceptance of each other. For once they found someone they were willing to let see them for themselves and believe they deserved it.
It was a fast connection, but when you know. You know. And I’m so glad they decided to go with it, rather than fight it.
If you haven’t read any of this series, you really should. It’s a down-to-earth series with a lot of very real feeling guys.
I love the Irons and Works series. It’s one of my favs. I don’t know how EM Lindsey managed to come up with all the characters and partnerings, but they were all so perfect. And Ryder and Linc are no different.
I loved their easy awkward acceptance of each other. For once they found someone they were willing to let see them for themselves and believe they deserved it.
It was a fast connection, but when you know. You know. And I’m so glad they decided to go with it, rather than fight it.
If you haven’t read any of this series, you really should. It’s a down-to-earth series with a lot of very real feeling guys.
November 21, 2022
I wanted more of these two characters but grateful for what we’re given!
This is a modern romance novella, there’s a bunch of books you should read first. I loved so many aspects of this story but it just went too fast for me that you can’t read this one on it’s own, a lot of background comes from reading the other books, so much so that this was just like an episode rather than a whole season and frankly, I wanted more time with these characters. I’m still glad this author wrote it, maybe they couldn’t think about more when these two were so well-suited, I don’t know but still worth the time to read!
This is a modern romance novella, there’s a bunch of books you should read first. I loved so many aspects of this story but it just went too fast for me that you can’t read this one on it’s own, a lot of background comes from reading the other books, so much so that this was just like an episode rather than a whole season and frankly, I wanted more time with these characters. I’m still glad this author wrote it, maybe they couldn’t think about more when these two were so well-suited, I don’t know but still worth the time to read!
October 30, 2022
DNF
I honestly tried with this book but it was too much and not enough at the same time. It was supposed to be "in the future," but there is a line where one of the characters said something about there heart skipping like a CD! Um, who is comparing anything to CD in 2022 or ant year after? I think EM needs to let this universe go. The more you try to put all the various disorders into one set of books the more unrealistic it becomes.
I honestly tried with this book but it was too much and not enough at the same time. It was supposed to be "in the future," but there is a line where one of the characters said something about there heart skipping like a CD! Um, who is comparing anything to CD in 2022 or ant year after? I think EM needs to let this universe go. The more you try to put all the various disorders into one set of books the more unrealistic it becomes.
October 31, 2022
Super quick read that brings us back to our favorite town in CO! Linc and Ryder were wonderful and sweet and hot and this book just left me wanting more. I loved revisiting Ted House, loved seeing the boys of I&W and loved meeting the new MCs.
My biggest complaint is that I wanted more- and I'm really hoping we get that in the spinoff series!
My biggest complaint is that I wanted more- and I'm really hoping we get that in the spinoff series!
November 3, 2022
Sweet and spicy
A very nice capstone for the series. It's both a short story and a transition to the next series. The story itself is classic EM Lindsey in that, it is about two men with physical and mental challenges who are totally overcoming them and rocking each other's worlds. It is a short story so be prepared for love at first sight.
A very nice capstone for the series. It's both a short story and a transition to the next series. The story itself is classic EM Lindsey in that, it is about two men with physical and mental challenges who are totally overcoming them and rocking each other's worlds. It is a short story so be prepared for love at first sight.
November 11, 2022
A short, insta-love treat. Linc & Ryder are an unlikely but enjoyable pairing.
This story has excellent therapy representation (past.) There's a charming scene where extensively-pierced Linc models consent for a child, explaining she needs to trust her guts around whether she's ready to have her ears pierced.
CW: Both protagonists have dealt with significant ableism from a young age.
This story has excellent therapy representation (past.) There's a charming scene where extensively-pierced Linc models consent for a child, explaining she needs to trust her guts around whether she's ready to have her ears pierced.
CW: Both protagonists have dealt with significant ableism from a young age.
December 7, 2022
Love is love!
I love the premise of this book I’ve never read a book before where both of the emcees have a certain type of disability that would make them possibly difficult to date based on societies perception. But this story shows us that love can be found in the most unique and most beautiful places if you open your heart to it❤️❤️
I love the premise of this book I’ve never read a book before where both of the emcees have a certain type of disability that would make them possibly difficult to date based on societies perception. But this story shows us that love can be found in the most unique and most beautiful places if you open your heart to it❤️❤️
December 20, 2022
Short and sweet
It amazes me that Lindsey can pack such depth into such a short novella! Overcoming obstacles and finding that one special person that just ‘clicks’ is the basis of the whole series, and ‘Snakebites’ is no different. I usually don’t like novellas because they aren’t usually ‘deep’ enough or fulfilling. This novella was just right though! Great story, great depth.
It amazes me that Lindsey can pack such depth into such a short novella! Overcoming obstacles and finding that one special person that just ‘clicks’ is the basis of the whole series, and ‘Snakebites’ is no different. I usually don’t like novellas because they aren’t usually ‘deep’ enough or fulfilling. This novella was just right though! Great story, great depth.
February 12, 2023
Ryder and Linc
I probably could have skipped this but I liked this series so I read this quick novella. This is the very definition of a whirlwind romance. I don’t know if these two will have a full length novel. I kinda hope so. This seemed like it should have been longer. It was cute though.
I probably could have skipped this but I liked this series so I read this quick novella. This is the very definition of a whirlwind romance. I don’t know if these two will have a full length novel. I kinda hope so. This seemed like it should have been longer. It was cute though.
February 13, 2024
I found Ryder’s story really interesting and was bummed that this was so short. This was definitely instalove with Linc and Ryder. I think if this had been a full length novel it would have been fleshed out a little more. The relationship never really got off the ground because of the length. I do love all these characters though.
October 31, 2022
loved it!
E.M.Lindsey is one of my absolute favorite authors and the Irons and Works series was my introduction to their work - and it just keeps giving! Ryder and Linc are excellent together and I am so looking forward to the new spin off series.
E.M.Lindsey is one of my absolute favorite authors and the Irons and Works series was my introduction to their work - and it just keeps giving! Ryder and Linc are excellent together and I am so looking forward to the new spin off series.
November 2, 2022
Great read
Great to be back in the Irons and Works universe and meet the men again. My only complaint it was for such a short time being a novella. Ryder so deserved to be loved and Lync perfect for him. I’m really looking forward to the new series.
Great to be back in the Irons and Works universe and meet the men again. My only complaint it was for such a short time being a novella. Ryder so deserved to be loved and Lync perfect for him. I’m really looking forward to the new series.
November 4, 2022
This series is amazing
I really love this authors work, but this series is special in some undefinable way. I’m guessing that there is a spin off series coming and I’m totally there for it.
I really love this authors work, but this series is special in some undefinable way. I’m guessing that there is a spin off series coming and I’m totally there for it.
November 11, 2022
Insta!
Maybe a bit too insta love but I still adored this short story set in the Iron and Works world. Two men, opposites yet finding common ground.
KU, contemporary, disabilities, opposites attract, piercer, art therapist
Maybe a bit too insta love but I still adored this short story set in the Iron and Works world. Two men, opposites yet finding common ground.
KU, contemporary, disabilities, opposites attract, piercer, art therapist
November 25, 2022
I enjoyed this book. This novella is a quick entertaining read full of fast pace friendships and happiness. I liked learning about Ryder and Linc, along with their disabilities. They really had great chemistry.
I enjoyed this one and I think others will too!
I enjoyed this one and I think others will too!
February 21, 2023
Nice lil ending to this series (idk if it actually is but I’m assuming so) and a lil sneak peak of a spin off series !!! Didn’t really like this couple compared to the others in the series but their story was still cute.
January 2, 2026
There were quite a few typos and/or grammatical errors, which surprised me because I’ve read many of Lindsey’s works and don’t recall them having this problem. Besides that, I just found the book lacking in most aspects – plot, character development, chemistry, etc.
2.5/5 stars, rounded down to 2.
2.5/5 stars, rounded down to 2.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews