She’s been broken by life. He’s always had it easy. Can they trust each otherenough to be the fix they both need?I used to wonder if there was something wrong with me, because there was nothing wrong with me. I’m a happy, well-adjusted, laid-back guy, or so I always thought. The reality, though, is I’ve been coasting through life, not thinking or feeling, just being. That is until everything goes … being.
That is until everything goes wrong, and Emi comes crashing into my life in the worst way possible. Yet for all the drama, angst, and heartache she brings with her, she’s also shown me what it means to be human—to feel, love, and hurt. She’s taught me what it meant to be alive.
She’s so fragile, yet she’s also the strongest person I know—a true survivor. She’s been to hell and back but wakes up every morning ready to fight another day.
And when tragedy strikes and my perfect world falls apart, she’s the one helping me pick up the pieces. Yet each time she needs me to be there for her, she pushes me away.
But I refuse to just walk away. She’s taught me that real life isn’t easy, and if something’s worth wanting, it’s worth fighting for.
TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains information about domestic violence and/or violence which may be triggering to survivors.
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A beautiful well written read that swept me off my feet and demanded every piece of my heart. It’s everything and more. Intense, edgy, fierce, heartfelt beautiful emotions and all the warm fuzzy passionate chemistry that kept me spellbound and turning the pages as if my very existence depended on it. I loved this read and am delighted to have read it.
5 BEAUTIFUL SPIDER STARS!! Oh my goodness….this beautiful story touch my whole heart. Spider and Emi speak beautiful music to each other with all the feels. Their story grabbed me like a vise grip and did not let go until the last word. I loved everything about this story. This author has won me over with her beautiful storytelling.
Well let’s just say this book packs a punch from the very beginning.
Reading about domestic violence is never easy… but MV Ellis handled this extremely well.
Our main character EMI is a survivor… doing what she has to do to make it through.
It was like fate when Spider met Emi… and although Spider wanted her immediately… EMI had more of a journey to get to her HEA. The writing of this book and how it tackled the issues was done amazingly.
The story had me at times questioning Emi’s decisions… but I enjoyed living the journey with them.
I fell in love with Spider immediately but EMI did eventually grow on me.
Well done on a book that had me continuously reading because I had to know what happens.
Will definitely be going back to read Zed. I don’t think I was at a disadvantage from not reading this first… but I enjoyed the characters and would love to know more.
Well done.
I was given an arc for an honest review
Straight out of the gate this story attacks your senses!
You’re under no illusion that violence is the undercurrent to this union between Spider and Emi, but it’s how M.V. Ellis handles their transition to love that is the real story here, and she delivers it with all the necessary pain, fight and beauty I’ve come to expect from this exceptional author!
Domestic violence in the presence of mental health instability is a volatile cocktail, and the resultant mix is always explosive and painful, and leaves all it touches irreparably changed.
This is the life Emi is accustomed to.
One she has no doubt will one day kill her.
Until her life plays out in the presence of the right people. And one of those in particular; who was destined to be her saviour and her soulmate.
I loved our introduction to Spider in the previous book of the Rough Ink series, which is not necessary to have read to enjoy this one.
He has an easy-going presence and joy for life that lights up this series.
To say nothing of his description as a Nordic God – Oh, the image that created in my mind’s eye!!
All that coupled with his wit and personality, the man is undeniable man candy with a capital C!
Emi is a little harder to connect with, but that’s almost necessary for her character, for how are we to truly understand her unless we’ve walked in her shoes?
She’s lived a life of violence from her very beginning. No doubt shaping her thoughts, behaviours and expectations to ensure her survival. And she is just that; a survivor.
The violence of their meeting and their subsequent relationship will have you thinking they are fated; written in the stars. He is her hero in every sense and in a way, she is his.
After all, what better person to save someone who has not known pain and hardship, than the person whose known nothing but.
As such these two are destined, but they still need to get on board with the idea.
For Spider, it’s a no-brainer; he wanted this woman the minute she walked into his tattoo shop under duress.
Eli though is going to need more time and this author writes it into this tale beautifully and with adequate respect for the journey she needs to take.
Though I felt a little short changed by the ending, which was however salvaged with a great Epilogue; I still really loved this story; the process these characters had to go through for their HEA, the connection to the previous book and the promise of more from the “SK:eTCH” family.
Looking forward forward to much more Rough Ink!!
Spider is a story that will crawl under your skin and weave its way right into your heart. Emi and Spider’s story is at times confronting and one that a few of us can relate to in one form or another. It is emotional, passionate, powerful and packed full of inspiration. Two people who meet under extenuating circumstances who have a connection that time does not diminish. A story of strength, growth and finally acceptance of the past. Their story made me cry, smile, anxious and every emotion in between. This amazing book finishes on a pinnacle moment for these two and will have you falling hard for another character who steals the show.
This was a challenging read. Emi’s road in life was full of big, ugly potholes, many of whom were people spewing evil. I was captivated by her strength as she finds a way to keep moving forward when life kept showing her so much bad. The courage she shows is inspiring. Meeting Spider was a pivotal moment in her life, the true turning point to get out from under the emotional and physical abuse from her boyfriend. Spider needs Emi in his life but he struggles to get past her walls for her to embrace a relationship with him. I loved how he never gave up and he truly listened to her. I know I read the best first date ever in this story. His determination is needed to help Emi realize that she is worthy of love, something that is not easy to know based on her past. This journey made me cry then cheer for joy in triumph. The material isn’t easy to read but I feel the author did a masterful job in conveying the difficulties of abuse while showing the beauty in overcoming the horror. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
With every book I read from Ms. Ellis (and I’ll admit, it’s ALL of them) I admire her work more and more. You can tell she is really finding her groove and her confidence in her storytelling.
This is Spider and Emi’s story. First off, I like the fact that she embraces characters from all walks of life and ethnicity. I admire that about her and I also admire that her character’s ethnicity is almost secondary to what her characters feel and how they relate to each other and the relationships they forge. It’s like an afterthought and shows that love is colorblind and it’s beautiful.
The tragedies that both characters face is heartbreaking and would totally break a lesser person. But the strength of both Spider and Emi and their unbelievable strength together is phenomenal. Even with their tragic and catastrophic initial meeting (it was no meet-cute by any stretch of the imagination) the love that these two characters had for each other was amazing.
The chemistry between Spider and Emi was volcanic and oh so swoony! Reading past characters and the other crew at SK:eTCH was like a bit of a family reunion and I can’t wait to see more stories from this cast of characters.
You can’t go wrong with and MV Ellis book! Get your hands on it!!
Where do I start about Spider and Emi, a storyline that shatters you from the beginning chapter. A storyline so intense that you want to hunt him down. A storyline filled with so many emotions that leave you wanting more. The characters were beautifully written complex, heartwarming, and with emotional moments surrounded such despair and heartbreak, however with a loving light that guides you through the heartache of lives once endured. This was an absolute emotional book filled with both darkness and light, strength of family both born and forged through love friendship and love. A wonderful highly recommended read.
Trapped in a volatile and abusive reletionship is she. Afraid and scared of what is, and what will be.
Inking people is his passion, but running the tattoo studio is his life.
One fateful day is all it takes to shake both their worlds…
I admit I’ve not read the first book in this series Zed. Not because I dont want to, but because of lack of time.
I might of missed a portion of the big picture but I like to think I got the gist of the previous story, between the little references and the name drops I might not be an artist but a picture formed.
The story starts in an explosive fashion! thrown into the deep end of madness, delusion and danger!
When the storm calms the characters take a breather and you get to see more of their hearts and minds.
Spider is a creative nordic god like man. He’s the guy who will keep you awake at night with the beauty in his eyes, and the depth in his soul.
Em is the girl who gained freedom to become the mother she wanted to be. She escaped the cycle her own mother endured.
Two completely different lives brought together not once but twice, it was like fate needed something from them both!
I enjoyed this book, but after the initial shock wore off the wow factor for me personally dwindled a little.
Mv Ellis does a good job with the storyline and the characters but I couldnt help feeling a little disconnected through it all. I cant quite put my finger on as to why and that’s on me.
For that reason, and the fact I only merely enjoyed it I’m giving this four stars.
Received ARC from Author for Honest Review.
I Give this book a 3-3.5/5 Star Rating, Listing as 3.
HEA(?): Yes.
Heat: 3ish/5
Romance: 3-3.5/5
Suspense: 3.5/5
Drama: 3.5/5
One thing I noticed is that you have to make sure to read the other books of this universe?
This is the Second Book I’ve read of this author, and there are quite a bit of side characters and I feel like I should already know them, like I entered a series mid series or heck just mid movie and that’s a big no no lol.
Even though the series are standalones, the series itself isn’t really kind to new readers when you feel like your missing something huge and it becomes a bit overwhelming when in some areas in the book it’s almost like some of the characters try to take over or well dominate a scene.
Will I read more from this & Series, hopefully the next book will get a higher rating from me 🙂
When you have seen and lived through things that would have most people sitting in the corner rocking Emi has survived. Spider knew the day that Emi came in to his life that it was changed for ever. Will Emi ever believe that she’s good enough. Once Spider realised that he was in love with Emi he shows her what it’s like to be loved the right way. This is a beautiful story of survival. Definitely a 5 star read.
I couldn’t put this book down, from the very beginning I was engrossed. This book was heartbreaking, endearing and emotionally charged. I found myself crying, laughing and I wanted to hug some of the characters.
Opposites attract, she’s got an education, he hasn’t, he’s chill, she’s anxious, he’s had an easy life, while she has had to fight… but they compliment each other perfectly.
Spider and Emi’s initial meeting was one they’ll never forget, but never want to reenact. They had chemistry which was off the charts from the moment he set his eyes on her. He was a Norse god who swept her off her feet and protected her. Then she was gone, until one night when Spider ran into her in a bar. Emi was like Cinderella, she kept disappearing on him though. She’s been hiding her entire life and she hasn’t realised that she doesn’t need to keep running and hiding anymore.
4*
Emi’s boyfriend Tommy has been so
controlling for years when he demands they get tattoos she fears for her life.
Spider feels a connection to her & is trying to get her attention not fully understanding the situation.
I loved how spider was so caring and in awe of Emi.
Emi’s character was broken but never beaten.
This series is great I cannot wait to see who gets their book next fabulous characters.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Brilliant addition to the series.