When a hot tattoo artist has a chance encounter with his high school girlfriend, it’s hot and angsty and real. But will she give him a second chance?
I’m a world famous tattoo artist with a six month waiting list. Everybody’s begging me to put my ink on them. I’m the hottest shit in L.A., and can get any girl I want. So the last thing I expect is for Ash Carter to walk into my shop and blow me … walk into my shop and blow me off.
I’ve spent the last seven years screwing half the women in the northern hemisphere, but nobody could come close to the girl I left behind. Ash was my world. But in order to protect her, I had to let her go. It was the biggest mistake of my life. And now I’ll do anything to get her back.
It’s been seven years since we last spoke. Seven long years of trying to ignore the memory of her skin, her eyes, her incredible confidence. She is everything I remember. Still stubborn and feisty and sexy as hell. They say you should forgive and forget. But Ash can never forget what I did. And I can never forgive myself.
She’s left a permanent mark on my heart.
But even if she takes me back, will we be able to overcome the past? Will we be able to move forward towards our future?
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Five inked stars! This is a refreshing Second Chance Romance you should not miss! Highly recommended.
Sweet baby Jesus! Please someone has to pinch me like right now because I have found a booknicorn (book + unicorn), a rare and unique piece of freaking heaven. Love & Ink by JD Hawkins is a guaranteed booksgasm. This is the first time I read something from this author and I am completely overwhelmed with his writing. There is not greater experience than reading a well developed and intense book where the characters are complex and strong, where the storyline is refreshing and original.
Love & Ink is a mind-blowing book that was worth of every second of my time. Each page took me deep into the story. Ash and Teo gave a new meaning for raw and lustful second chances. If you are into tattooed bad boys with a golden heart, this book is perfect for you. Teo has a strong and sinful personality. He has the looks of a bad boy but he is a sweet and lost man who had endured a lot in his past.
“Teo tastes like lust and aggression, alcohol-hot tongue writhing in my mouth.”
The heroine of this book is a sweetheart. The good girl who fell for the bad boy but he left her. Teo broke her heart in the past. He is the only one who can put the pieces back together. Apart they are incomplete. Together they are a beautiful couple. Messy things separated them in the past and finding each other again will be a thoughtful journey.
“Tattoos are permanent. Homes aren’t.”
I love everything of this book. It was a beautiful Second Chance Romance that left my heart full of hope. The chemistry between the characters is fierce and warm like fire. This is the story of two souls that found their way back home; in each other’s arms.
Be prepared for an all-consuming romance that will leave you wanting more. This is about forgiveness and redemption, about lust, sex and love, about soul mates destined to be together no matter what or who. I highly recommend this book. This is a must read you don’t want to miss and I mean it. I assure you that you will enjoy it hugely.
Two people from opposite sides of the tracks can’t believe they fell in love. Teo and Ash are as far apart as you can get when they meet in high school. Teo’s dad boarders on the outside of the law and Teo is labeled as his father’s son. He continually gets stopped by the police and given warnings for doing nothing. Ashley is a politician’s daughter. She is given everything that her father can provide. Their relationship is a secret until they decide to go to prom together. But he never showed up. Ash was devastated. Fast forward seven years and Ash wants a tattoo of her mother. She walks in for appointment and comes face to face with the last person she expects. Not that Teo expects her either.
I absolutely loved the dynamics of these two characters. Even though Ash was raised in an affluent family, she is grounded. She wants and needs to achieve her success her own way. She doesn’t depend on her father’s connections to get ahead in her career. Teo as done things after leaving that has not proud of but has turned his life around. He is one of the most sought after tattoo artists in Hollywood. He has achieved the success that no one in their hometown thought he could.
They still have the same love for one another that they had when they were kids. And they click all over again. They just need to get past their past and how they were broken up in the first place. Things haven’t been spoken and that can blow up in their faces.
I’ll be honest, sometimes I don’t read the blurb of a book. I love to be surprised and the anticipation of what’s to come totally adds to the reading experience. Well, I did that here and I have to say that JD Hawkins did a great job with this second chance romance. The story of Teo and Ash is now my favorite by him!
This journey of lost love grabbed me right from the beginning. Teo and Ash were high school sweethearts that haven’t seen each other in seven years. What tore them apart? Why didn’t they try to connect with one another after all of these years? Little by little Mr. Hawkins weaves a tale of misunderstandings, secrets and truths.
His storytelling is great and it was so easy to get engrossed in Teo and Ash’s journey. It had just the right amount of angst, heat and sexy times. The build-up between these two was so delicious. It was just a matter of time before their connection burst into flames and waiting for it was worth the ride.
The characters, backgrounds and different scenarios of his romance stories are fresh and fun. I really appreciate that about his work. I have always been indifferent about tattoos, I can take them or leave them. After reading about Teo and Ash, I’m more intrigued than ever. I look forward to what Mr. Hawkins brings us next.
I’m so in love with Teo and Ash! Their story pulled at my heart, the feelings from their past, moving forward, such a deep connection between them. It’s an up and down journey that I couldn’t get enough of. I’m hoping we get more of the other characters, Ginger, Jenny, Kayla and Isabel. This is a book that needs to be on your TBR.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
In true Romeo and Juliet fashion, Teo and Ash were high school sweethearts. He was the son of a drunken career criminal while she was the youngest child from an affluent family. For years they kept their affair a secret and on a fateful night, he left town to never return.
Now high school is only a memory and when Ash walks in the hottest tattoo parlor in L.A., the last thing she expects is to find Teo.
Second chance stories are a favorite of mine and Love & Ink was everything I expected and so much more Hawkins brought us a beautiful story about a couple so in love that, when they find each other again, despite their past mistakes and unfinished business, are able pick up as if they were never apart.
I loved everything about this book. The storyline, the characters, the writing. It was engaging, sexy, romantic and full of wisdom nuggets.
* Received an ARC for which I voluntarily provided an honest review *
Love & Ink is the first book from this author that I have read. And I absolutely loved it.
Love & Ink is a great second chance romance. Ash and Teo were high school sweethearts but in secret. He left her on prom night and never heard from him in seven years. When they see each other again the clear that they never stopped loving each other.
Ashley (Ash) is from a prolifically affluent family. While Teo comes from the trailer park with an alcoholic, criminal father.
Seven years is a long time to still wonder why and what if. Ash wants answers but Teo doesn’t want to lose her or have the past ruin what they have going now. As things unfold secrets come out and hearts are broken. But don’t worry they do get their HEA.
After reading this book I’m definitely gonna check out more from JD.
Teo and Ash’ s story is a perfect second chance at love. This book will catch you right at the beginning and you won’t be able to put it down. The relationship and love bond between Teo and Ash will make you fall in love with them. Teo has a perfect bad boy reputation that you can’t help but love. Ash is a sweet girl, who once was in love but lost the love of her life unexpectedly without warning. Can she fall in love again? Could a little Ink change it all? This has got to be my favorite book JD Hawkins has wrote yet. If you are looking for a great second chance romance story, this book will not disappoint!
It’s book like Love & Ink that makes me glad I love reading, and ecstatic to find authors like JD Hawkins. His writing style and writer’s voice keep me engaged from page one of every, single book. Love & Ink might be my favorite Hawkins story to date…a thoughtful, tearful second chance tale that I read in one go.
Ash and Teo are former high school sweethearts whose young love was shattered abruptly. Years later, a chance meeting has left Ash reeling, reliving all the hurt that shredded her young heart. Facing the heartbreak that shaped her adult life, she struggles with wanting to know what happened all those years ago and the realization that her feelings for Teo haven’t changed.
Teo is now a successful business owner, he’s driven, and he wants to keep the past buried. He knows nothing good will come from telling Ash anything about it–that it will only cause her more pain. The look I got into the heart of this bad boy made me love him despite his actions. Ash may be more open with her emotion, but that doesn’t mean Teo hurts any less.
Love & Ink is gorgeous inside and out. From the eye-catching cover to the wonderful words within, this is a 5 Star read I wholeheartedly recommend!
What happens when you are 17 and the love of your life up and vanishes, with no explanation?
What happens when you see your former love seven years later? Do you tell them off? Get the answers that you did not get in the past?
These are the questions that are asked and answered in this book. This is the story of Ash and Teo.
I totally loved this second chance romance. JD always tells a great story, giving a lot of insight as to how guys think and act. He also does a wonderful job on the female perspective. I don’t want to give too much away, but if you have never read any of his books, try this one.
Seeing someone again for the first time in years can be overwhelming. When it’s the boy you loved who ran without any explanation it can be that and so much more. And that’s what happens when Ash Carter sees Teo again. So many things left unsaid, so many feelings left unspoken, secrets kept and questions unanswered. The writing pulls you in immediately with a rush of emotions. There is that deep attraction, chemistry, regrets, pain and sorrow, insecurities, meddling parents and supportive friends all told with smart dialogue and insight. Both Ash and Teo are smart and mature and their sexy times together are hot. This is a love story of second chances and a once in a lifetime kind of love. Love & Ink takes you on a ride that you’ll happily take.
JD did a great job with this story. It’s a wonderful second chance lovers book. I would recommend this book!
5 happy stars !!
Mr. Hawkins has become one of my favorite romance writers , every time I read one of his books I say “this is the best of him yet” , and of course I can say the same thing about Love & Ink.
This time he took me to a new place , a tattoo shop, it is so appealing what I learned about the meaning of some tattoos that I almost felt like having one.
I enjoy the way he describes everything, it’s as if I was looking at a movie with so many details, I could feel the sand on my feet or taste the cotton candy, he made me feel as if I was INSIDE the book.
Teo and Ash are wonderful characters and I fell in love with them and their story , there were so many times I smiled and others I got angry, there is a special scene that made me swoon and of course for me that I LOVE HEA , the epilogue was PERFECT !!
This was such a great story, young lovers reunited after many years, reconnecting, secrets from the past, but above all, love. And some sexy steaminess. You’ve got a bad a** sexy biker tattoo artist, who already wins me over (I’ve got 30, so you can say I dig tattoos lol). He’s seen and done a lot, but gets himself together and owns the best tattoo shop around. And you’ve got a smart, beautiful talented producer, trying to make her own way. I loved their story, how they still loved each other, how they came back together. It wasn’t always easy & there were times I was stressed & worried, but the end result was worth it. Just loved it!!!
JD Hawkins has quickly moved up my list as must read authors!! He always brings the reader a great sexy story that I cannot wait to devour! With Love & Ink he brings us a second chance romance story that had me swooning at every turn. I loved Ash and Teo’s story and was rooting for them until the very end! This is one I would highly recommend and would rate at a very solid 4 stars. You cannot go wrong with a novel from JD Hawkins!
Ash has finally settled on a getting a tattoo. Because she wanted it done right, she did her homework and looked into different artist and knew when she found the right one. She just didn’t know it was the one guy her broke her heart so many years ago. Seeing him again opens old wounds and with so many unanswered questions she needs to determine if she wants to go back to all those years ago.
The last thing Teo thought was he would see Ash after all these years. She was the love of his life but he knew she deserved better than him. They were from different worlds and he convinced himself she would forget about him in time and she would be better off. Seeing her now though he can’t help but rethink those decisions.
Can Ash and Teo get a second chance at love or will he always be that guy from the wrong side of the tracks? Can their love conquer all or will social status get in the way like it did so many years ago? You will need to read Love & Ink to find out!!
Imma sucker for a good second chance romance and JD Hawkins didn’t disappoint with Love & Ink. I could almost feel the chemistry between Ash and Teo radiating from the pages. A fun and emotional story of how opposites attract and the struggles they face. I was hooked right away and really didn’t want the story to end.
I love this book!
A definite must read
This was my first book by this author and I am now going to binge read the rest! This book was so all written and it drew me in right from the first page.
It takes us through the feelings of first love, heartache, and second chances. I was completely engrossed in the story and not only could I not put of down, I didn’t want it to end. I fell hard for Teo and Ash was so sweet. Together they were the perfect couple, so in love it made everyone swoon around them.
Get this book and fall in love with Teo and Ash.
4.5 stars
The One who got away…
Love & Ink is the right amount of angst, history, and love. It has just enough hurt, longing, and tension to drag you through the feels…because there are definitely feels.
A painful past, unanswered questions, and a love broken through a departure she never saw coming. Things just have a way of going from meh to worse.
The love in these pages is a beautiful story. It’s easy to see with the chemistry between them that, as intense as it is, it’s also not going to fade anytime soon.
But with so many questions floating around unanswered…
Love & Ink is a home in and of itself. With crazy friends, cool places to hang out, and that contentment that comes with them, you won’t want to leave.
reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
JD Hawkins writes beautiful stories, and I’m not just talking about the characters and their love journey, but particularly in the imagery he creates with his scenes and perspectives, his detailed descriptions of his characters down to their quirks and gestures and in the sensations and emotions he is able to evoke in the reader.
With this second chance at love for Ash and Teo he more than delivers this, with a perfectly written dual POV, and gives you a rollercoaster ride to boot.
Ash was a bit of a conundrum to me initially, it’s obvious she is trying to forge her life on her own terms but it is evident she just hasn’t quite been able to develop the fortitude she needs to achieve her goals, and if I’m honest this “failure to launch” mode she’s in I found a little frustrating, particularly when she’s confronted with her father’s devious undertakings the first time, I wanted to slap her for not backing her man.
Teo is the perfect mix of wrong side of the tracks underdog and smoking hot lover with enough vulnerability to make any woman swoon, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a gifted artist with his own tattoo business, you can’t help but side with him in his efforts to win Ash back.
Jax makes you wait for the good stuff with this story, with a steady paced plot that makes you and the characters work for the explanations for their separation, it’s heavy on the angst, with some brilliant colourful, humorous and even downright nasty side characters that bolster and challenge our hero and heroine.
This is well worth the read and another well crafted 5 star offering from this author.
As always JD has written another great book and I am in love with another man!! Ash was such a strong heroine. Teo was everything an alpha male should be. I felt their connection and the love they shared for 10 years even through their time apart. Loved it!!!