Messy Ink

Get Ink'd, Book 2

De: Ali Lyda

Narrado por: Connor Brown

Dane

Chris is a great doctor, but he can’t heal me....

I learned to look out for myself on the streets and in juvie. I’ve cleaned up my act, but it doesn’t mean that I’m about to start trusting a guy to stick around. Especially not a clean cut-doctor like Chris. No wonder I ended things between us the first time around.

I’m sure it’s for the best. A guy like me can’t have a guy like Chris, no matter how much I want him. I’ve done too many bad things, and now karma is coming back to bite me. But every time my path crosses with Chris, I can’t help but wonder what might have been.

Chris

Is Dane too broken to try again with me?

I knew Dane was a player when we hooked up the first time, and I thought I didn’t want strings. But the smoking hot tattoo artist makes me want to break the rules and try something new. His past is full of pain, and I’ve got commitment issues of my own. It’s no wonder we didn’t last.

Dane has hidden depths, and my heart still beats like crazy every time I get close to him. If I let him get too close he could hurt me all over again - but maybe I’m ready to take a risk. Can we overcome the odds and make things work?

Messy Ink is an m/m romance that gives you steamy second chances, a bad boy tattoo artist learning he’s worthy of love, the doctor who’s ready to mend his heart, and tons of gorgeous ink all wrapped up and ready for reality TV.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Special Fiction Books (P)2020 Special Fiction Books

Messy Ink - well developed while keening attention

I loved this book/listen. Christian and Dane are such a great couple, and their journey is full of self-discovery, love, and care. I was always engaged in the story, which doesn't always happen when world-building and character development is center stage. I can't wait for more.

Connor Brown is not a name I know but one I will look out for as he did a great job.

Oh! I haven't read/listened to the first book and had no problems. This is a true standalone.

Another great read!

Swoon! First let me say, I love Dane and Christian in Daddy Ink. I knew their story would be just as great by itself when we only got a glimpse of it in the first book. Both Dane and Christian have their own past histories. They've both been through a lot in their lives and sometimes getting over your past is a difficult thing to do.

Dane has a past of gangs and violence. If it weren't for Reagan and Get Ink'd, he wouldn't have gotten away from it. It's been difficult for him to see himself as a good person when all he did in the past was hurt others. He believes that he doesn't deserve happiness and love regardless of the number of people that care for him. When he meets Christian, his defenses are high and no matter how much time they spend together, he still believes it won't work.

Christian has a different type of past. He has a mother that means the world to him; a half-brother that when he takes him in, he has to get to know; and a father that left him years prior. He wants someone to love him and to find someone to love. He thinks he finds that in Dane, but could things be too good to be true. Through all of their time together, the hurt, and their time apart, there was always going to be a way for them to come back together. This story is a great representation that no matter what lies in your past and the mental instabilities someone may face, you can never count love out.

I listened to this ARC for an honest review as a part of the Gay Romance Readers Group.

A good story

I liked it. In book one of the series we are witness to a scene that announced LOTS of drama for Christian and Dane, and, well... yes, lots of drama *laughs*

One of the things I liked the most was the way in which both characters were aware of their issues and shortcomings, and how that self-awareness didn't help them when one of them makes a mess of their relationship. Because between knowing and feeling are miles and miles of distance. Even when you know the other one is acting up as a reaction to stuff in their past, that won't make it hurt less nor will make it easier to forgive.

That said... I'm not sure I could have been able to forgive Dane. If I'm telling you that I have issues, and there is this particular thing I can't abide, and you still go and do it... and in a particularly cruel way I must add, I might understand why you did it, but forgive you? I don't know...

I liked how the Jason's situation highlighted that Dane isn't as strong and self-sufficient as he would like to think, and the way in which Channing plays in the story, as a bridge between the MCs, although I'm not sure about him and Reagan...

But yes, I liked the story, and I like the characters, all of them.
Spoiler






I only wish there wasn't a marriage proposal at the end of the book. I'm a little tired of over-the-top marriage proposals at the end of each romance book

Doctor and Tattoo artist fall in love

Chris a surgeon and Dane a tattoo artist with a record, come together in a story of forgiving yourself for the past and finding love in unexpected ways with unexpected people. Both men have trouble trusting others so this is not a quick romance without a lesson or two in learning to trust along the way. The author was great with character development and you get to see characters from the first book I. The series and you get to see couples to come in the next book to come in the series, which I will be listening to once available!
The narration was spot on for each character and I would definitely recommend listening to other narrations by this narrator. I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audio book.

Loved it!

On paper, one would not put a tattoo artist with a juvenile record together with a well respected, and successful surgeon together. Life doesn't work that way. Hearts don’t work that way. Dane panics, leaning on old hangups and habits, and pushes Christian away. Dane us convinced that a man with his past, doesn’t deserve to be forgiven or loved. He still feels like he has a lot of atoning to do for his teenage mistakes. Plus he has his sick mom to take care of. Misunder-standings and a slimy tv producer continue to keep them apart. On top of all of this going on, Christian takes in his much younger brother, after he attempts to rob the tattoo shop. Dane takes pity, and wants to pay it forward by offering Dane the chance to work off the damage instead of calling the cops. Dane’s boss took a chance on him, years ago, and his life turned around. When Dane steps up again, to help Christian during a crisis, maybe they will finally see what’s in front of them is worth fighting for.

The narrator does a fantastic job with each character. This is the first book I’ve listened to, that he’s narrated. Hopefully I will get to listen to more in the future.

This is the second book in the series. We get to see Gordo, Javi, and the rest of the crew again. We first met Dane and Christian in book one, and this book picks up where that left off. That said, it can be listened to as a stand-alone.

Forgiveness is Divine

I was very curious as to what happened between Christian and Dane. They got together hard and fast in Daddy Ink and towards the end of the story, there was already some trouble in paradise. I'm glad their story is being told following Daddy Ink.

Christian and Dane both came with baggage, their past had made them guarded and it made enough impression as to how they want love or how they feel like they don't deserve love. These poor souls.

Although Dane drove me nuts and Christian is a better person that I'll ever be, I'm glad both of them finally got their HEA.

Connor Brown is a big change and improvement of an author compared to the first book.

**thanks to GRR for the opportunity to listen and review**

Cute and Emotional

Connor Brown is so good! He adds so much character and strength to get main character, Dane and Christian.

Like the book beforehand, Daddy Ink, both have so much emotional baggage that it takes so much pain on each one to grow. Dane and Chris dancing around each other then getting to talk to each is the sweetest thing. I adore them and I wanted them together so bad. We got a taste in the beginning and that was a beautiful thing.

The problem that aches my heart the most in this book is Jason. I want to punch him and honestly throw up. His character is disgusting and he made it hard. But he was just one of the issues pulling between Dane and Christian. They soon work between the issues.

The writing of the story like before is good. The one thing about this story that the first didn’t have to me was a good pace. I felt the first book was rather long, but this one was good. Both great stories and great characters!

Enjoyed!

Nice addition to the Get Ink'd series. I really liked the main characters, and how they worked so hard with their relationship to make it work. I love the connection that Chris and Dane had. These two complete opposites just worked together! I enjoyed following them on their journey towards their HEA. Connon Brown does a nice job of narrating this story.

So Good

Continuing were the first book ends, but with a new couple. Dane and Chris have some obstacles in the way, but they surpass them.The narration was good.

Second Chances

This book picks right up after first one in this series, Daddy Ink. The narrator was so much better than the narrator in book one. However, Christian and Dane sound the same throughout the entire story which makes it difficult to follow.

I'm not a fan of second chance stories. I missed the beginning of their story! I wish there was a prologue beginning after the charity race, and then continued on to the events leading up to why they broke up in the first place. The monologue helped a little bit, but I felt a little disconnected because it wasn't in the story.

I can't wait for Channing and Reagan's story! It should be interesting.