It all starts with a one-night stand…AMANDAMen like Nick should come with a warning label… “don’t touch.” He walked into the shop, smelling like heaven, wanting his first tattoo, and I should have refused his business. Because I knew the moment I set eyes on him, I didn’t stand a chance. Still, I fell down the rabbit-hole with him.Now, he’s gone, moved on, and the result of our one-night … and the result of our one-night stand is left growing inside me. I’ll probably never see this man again.
NICK
It was only supposed to be a little ink. A parting gift to myself from myself. Because when your girlfriend dumps you for a famous rockstar, you leave. You move on. You get the hell out of town and forget all about her. But I never counted on meeting Amanda right before I left. Or the night we shared. Or the mark she left when she put her ink on my skin.
I have to go back.
For her.
INKED is a full-length standalone set in Sarah Darlington’s Kill Devil Hills world.
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4.5 Stars for Inked
This is the first book I have read by this author and it certainly won’t be the last because truth be told I’m really struggling to understand why I haven’t come across Ms Darlington before now.
Inked is a stand-alone romance that starts in a tattoo parlour, Nick walks in to get his first tattoo and it’s Amanda who is the tattoo artist who has the honour of tattooing his virgin skin. An instant attraction turns into a night of passion, they are never meant to meet again but Nick can’t get the stunning tattoo artist out of his mind. Amanda is also struggling to forget the handsome guy who left her with more than just memories and when he arrives back in town she knows he deserves to be told he is going to become a father but will the man who struggles to understand his real worth ever feel worthy enough to be a father she knows he is capable off…..
This is an emotional read that at times broke my heart, but it also had me smiling as the characters learnt to love themselves as well as the partners that came into their lives when they least expected it.
Inked is beautifully written, it covers mental health issues compassionately and it’s told in both Nick and Amanda’s POV. Love is not always easy, it’s not always simple but it’s always worth it.
Looking forward to reading more from the very talented Ms Darlington.
This book stole my heart. I loved Nick and his turtle tattoo idea but what I loved the most was he was such a relatable character because he was flawed. Nick had the money, had the gorgeous looks, but he suffered from panic attacks that were debilitating. I could sympathize with him as someone who suffers with anxiety and panic attacks I knew exactly what he was feeling, how it effects everyday life, and how more than anything the need to just feel normal and make them stop. I also loved Amanda she was this gorgeous, amazing tattoo artist who was independent and introverted. These two are almost total opposites but they make it work because Amanda wants nothing more than to help Nick and be someone that helps ease his anxiety, but it takes Nick to realize he is the one controlling them and he has to help himself to an extent. It was such a great storyline and I can’t wait to read about Finn and Lou.
I fell in love with this book from the very first chapter. The chemistry between Amanda and Nick was off the charts. I would definitely recommend this book to others. I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my fair and honest review.
In romance books, there is usually a man or woman that did you wrong. The way the author writes about that character makes you detest them, and prepare them to look like the villain. Then Sarah Darlington writes about the “villain,” and you fall in love with that character. You find out they aren’t as bad as they seemed. They just hadn’t found their special someone. You didn’t have their whole story. I found this with Nick. His ex-girlfriend dropped him for a rockstar. She found him so dull that she fell asleep at dinner while he was talking! This leaves you to believe that Nick is one big dud. However, digging deeper into Nick’s life and learning his quirks, it wasn’t because he was annoying, just not made for his ex. Amanda is the critical piece to his puzzle. Amanda is exactly what Nick needs. Someone that finds him irresistible wants to care for him, grown with him, and love him. I love how Nick had a bite of the “love at first sight” bug but didn’t pay it any heed. Amanda is a vibrant, easy-going girl that is the calm to Nick’s storm. Darlington writes another rockin’ book that will leave its imprint on you!
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntarily, honest review of it.
‘Inked’ is the story of Nick and Amanda. It’s a standalone story but if you have read this writer her rockstar series then you will recognize some familiar faces in this story. But if you are new to this writer, then know that there is no need to read those stories first to read this one.
Nick and Amanda meet each other for the first time, when Nick goes to Amanda’s workplace to get a tattoo. From the beginning there is great attraction between the two of them and they both decide for their own reasons to act on it. So Nick and Amanda have an one nightstand, both knowing that they will not see each other again after that. But to their surprise they can’t stop thinking of each other, especially Amanda when she discovers that she’s pregnant from their one night together. And when Nick decides to move back in town, it will change everything. But like always, life isn’t that simple and both will have to overcome their fears to find a future together.
‘Inked’ is a new adult story, that is light to read but like always with Sarah Darlington’s stories, her main characters are somewhat different/special and that is one of the things that I like about her books. That she writes light but still emotional stories about people that aren’t ‘perfect’ but who then find someone that is perfect for them. Who accepts them just the way that they are.
Just like Amanda, I was immediately intrigued by Nick, because let’s be honest, who wouldn’t be… by a hot guy who wants a turtle on a certain, special part of his body. There is something fascinating with that cute animal and especially that body part, I think.
But Nick may look confident, cocky, charming and be self-assured on the outside, that is all just an act. Inside he’s more introvert, insecure and lonely. Because he’s hiding a big secret. From a young age, he has been suffering from panic attacks (he has a panic disorder). He feels ashamed about it and he hides it from everyone, even his parents and his older brother. Only his best friend Lou knows that he suffers of them.
Amanda is a bit of the same, she may have pink hair and have a lot of tattoos on her body but that expressive exterior isn’t like her shy and introvert self. The fact that both of them had two different sides to their personalities was something that intrigued me a lot.
And it was lovely to see how these two lonely people with their gentle heart felt for each other. How they accepted each other just like they were and how they supported each other. That they could be themselves with the other. Of course, their self-doubt made that their journey to love wasn’t that simple, it made them believe that the other could find someone better.
The story is told from both POV’s. I especially liked it that each chapter was told alternately from Nick’s or Amanda’s POV.
I enjoyed this story.
3
To be honest, this book really wasn’t for me. There was a lot of promise and I think the plot itself was great, but the execution wasn’t my cup of tea.
I liked Amanda for the most part, but couldn’t connect with her. Nick, just didn’t completely make sense in my head and he seemed to skiptrace emotions and actions. Without spoilers, none of this may make sense so I do encourage you to read and make your own opinions about this romance.
It was a HEA and quick read for me.
Tattoo artist, baby, opposites attract
“You inked my heart when you inked my ass.”
Ok, so this book is amazing.
I can’t even begin to express how much I liked this book.
Sarah’s depiction of mental illness was handled with such care on one hand but with such a strong effect on the other. I got so sucked into the Kill Devil world, there were parts of this book where I could feel my own anxiety bubbling up as the story progressed, along side a few tears shed and some uncontrollable laughter.
I love it. This is a wonderful start to a new series, and the next book in it really can’t get here fast enough.
5 stars and a sea turtle tattoo.
I loved this book so much! I was so excited to read about Nick and see who his lady was gonna be. Amanda is perfect for him! She is so sweet and so understanding. Nick is also sweet and a bit self critical. I hated that he had to go through all he did. To have to experience panic attacks and never know when they might occur is so scary, but Amanda, even though she had no clue what to do, was so supportive. I love the surprise pregnancy and how Nick reacted! What I love about Sarah Darlington is how she puts real issues, be it physical or mental in every book. There is never a miraculous fix. Her characters have to work for every bit of their HEA and it’s still not always smooth. Just like real life. Because of that it is so easy to connect with them and understand their actions. It makes me think “what would I do ? ” in the same situation. Great writing, great characters, and a very sweet/steamy read! I was given the opportunity to read a copy of this book.