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mrscassiopeiak's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
gizdawgs's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mandyreads's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. It went straight to my heart and I loved every single minute of it. Even though I am new to this series and am jumping in the middle of the over arching story line, I did not feel like I was lost one little bit. Carrie Ann Ryan was more than able to portray the strong emotions of longing and unrequited love between Sloane and Hailey.
Hidden Ink is the story of two physical and emotionally scared souls who meet and find they are kindred spirits. Sloane is a former military man who has made it back from the war with a tired, battered, and weary soul. He also has a major case of PTSD with soul screaming nightmares. He's been working as a full time artist at Montgomery Ink which seems to be helping to heal him and integrate him back into society. Hailey owns and runs the bakery Taboo next door to Montgomery Ink and has become apart of their family since the two buildings are connected by a single door. From the first moment that Sloane and hailey laid eyes on each other, they have a had an intense connection and amazing chemistry. But Sloane has refused to make a move because he doesn't think that he is good enough for her. He believes that he will taint her good with his "bad soul". Little does he know that Hailey has deep and dark secrets of her own.
"And until he could know for sure that the darkness within him wouldn't touch Hailey, he had to hold himself back. He'd known he was playing with fire by waiting, by watching for years and never doing more. But she'd held back, too. She'd know it wasn't the right time yet."
I was brought to tears when Hailey's secret was revealed. This book deals with tough, relatable, and real life situations and I think they were handled perfectly. Carrie Ann Ryan's writing is lyrical, profound, and just hits you right in the gut. I loved how strong each of her characters ended up being, even when they didn't feel strong themselves. I loved that they kept persevering and had hope for the future. I will easily be adding the rest of the Montgomery Ink series to my TBR.
For more reviews please visit: https://bookspieandcoffee.wordpress.com/
Hidden Ink is the story of two physical and emotionally scared souls who meet and find they are kindred spirits. Sloane is a former military man who has made it back from the war with a tired, battered, and weary soul. He also has a major case of PTSD with soul screaming nightmares. He's been working as a full time artist at Montgomery Ink which seems to be helping to heal him and integrate him back into society. Hailey owns and runs the bakery Taboo next door to Montgomery Ink and has become apart of their family since the two buildings are connected by a single door. From the first moment that Sloane and hailey laid eyes on each other, they have a had an intense connection and amazing chemistry. But Sloane has refused to make a move because he doesn't think that he is good enough for her. He believes that he will taint her good with his "bad soul". Little does he know that Hailey has deep and dark secrets of her own.
"And until he could know for sure that the darkness within him wouldn't touch Hailey, he had to hold himself back. He'd known he was playing with fire by waiting, by watching for years and never doing more. But she'd held back, too. She'd know it wasn't the right time yet."
I was brought to tears when Hailey's secret was revealed. This book deals with tough, relatable, and real life situations and I think they were handled perfectly. Carrie Ann Ryan's writing is lyrical, profound, and just hits you right in the gut. I loved how strong each of her characters ended up being, even when they didn't feel strong themselves. I loved that they kept persevering and had hope for the future. I will easily be adding the rest of the Montgomery Ink series to my TBR.
For more reviews please visit: https://bookspieandcoffee.wordpress.com/
jeannethinks's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kymreads's review against another edition
5.0
This one....so touching...difficult topics but presented in such a wonderful manner!
jigsawgirl's review against another edition
3.0
Another OK read. A fast paced novella. The narration was ok.
I liked Hailey. She was strong, and managed to stay that way through the book. She had a couple of moments of doubt or hesitancy, but that didn't stop her from standing her ground or cause the old "I'm not good enough" angst.
That was all Sloane's department. I got that he suffered from PTSD. It was starting to rear its ugly head again, but he didn't DO anything about it. I didn't hear him mention going back to counseling, or talking to anyone. I didn't like Sloane.
I don't understand why the characters in the Montgomery Ink series have all these secrets they don't want to share, but their secrets affect so many people.
I give this novella 3.5 stars because of Hailey.
I liked Hailey. She was strong, and managed to stay that way through the book. She had a couple of moments of doubt or hesitancy, but that didn't stop her from standing her ground or cause the old "I'm not good enough" angst.
That was all Sloane's department. I got that he suffered from PTSD. It was starting to rear its ugly head again, but he didn't DO anything about it. I didn't hear him mention going back to counseling, or talking to anyone. I didn't like Sloane.
I don't understand why the characters in the Montgomery Ink series have all these secrets they don't want to share, but their secrets affect so many people.
I give this novella 3.5 stars because of Hailey.
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
In Hidden Ink you will meet Hailey and Sloane. She owns the café next to the tattoo parlor where Sloane works. Interesting enough that they are work next door neighbors.. so maybe it will be the kind of "girl/guy next door relationship' as well?
It really was that sort of thing. They were cute trying to dodge each other left and right but a relationship was bound to happen to them. These two had crazy chemistry and definitely needed to lean on one another's shoulders from time to time. Yes, they both had a past that they didn't want to share to anyone.. but it wasn't always going to keep someone at arm's length.
Overall, they were so freaking cute. I just wish that Sloane was less dramatic when it came to Hailey. The whole 'I don't deserve them' makes my eyes roll constantly. Just kiss and get jiggy with it.
It really was that sort of thing. They were cute trying to dodge each other left and right but a relationship was bound to happen to them. These two had crazy chemistry and definitely needed to lean on one another's shoulders from time to time. Yes, they both had a past that they didn't want to share to anyone.. but it wasn't always going to keep someone at arm's length.
Overall, they were so freaking cute. I just wish that Sloane was less dramatic when it came to Hailey. The whole 'I don't deserve them' makes my eyes roll constantly. Just kiss and get jiggy with it.
romancejunkie1025's review against another edition
4.0
wow, the story is finally revealed. I LOVED seeing these two finally get their chance.
rescues_and_readers's review against another edition
Unfortunately, I haven’t read any of the Montgomery Ink series until Hidden Ink. Fortunately, I wasn’t lost a bit in this story.
Immediately into the book, I adored Hailey. There was just something about her character that endeared her to me. Maybe it was her past struggle, that she fought by herself, that won my heart or that her love for Sloane, even though she thought that there would never be a chance between them. And really, the reasons above are what endeared me to Sloane. He also struggles with a past and believes that Hailey is too good for him so he keeps his distance. What I love is that one customer changes it all. One customer flirts with Hailey and Sloane pushes himself into making his feelings known. (Eeekkk!) Once everything is out in the open, this is when the characters became even more real. Both revealed their secrets of their tortured hearts to each other and the rest of the gang, which created a tight solidarity circle between all.
Like I stated above, I haven’t read any of these books before this one but this one has definitely peaked my interest in the other’s stories and in those to come.
P.S. Hailey’s tattoo…such a beautiful idea.