Summary
In this follow-up to Clipped Wings, the emotional love story continues between Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.In the wake of losing Tenley Page, tattooist Hayden Stryker’s tumultuous past is haunting him. Plagued by nightmares about the murder of his parents, Hayden reaches out again to Tenley. Having run from the man she doesn’t believe she deserves, Tenley finally lays her guilt to rest. Despite their intense physical attraction, Hayden and Tenley struggle to repair their fragile emotional connection. As Hayden gets closer to the truth, he must find a way to reconcile his guilt over his parents’ death in order to keep the woman who finally cracked his armor, and found her way into his heart.
My Review (Some spoilers)
There’s a new book boyfriend in my life along with a new favorite series. I met him when I first read Cupcakes and Ink. My interest flourished with Clipped Wings, and I totally fell head over heals over him when I read Inked Armor. Do you know who this amazing book boyfriend is? Hayden Stryker is his name. Let me just say that I am totally confident that you will fall in love with him and this amazing book too.
Inked Armor is the continuation of the story of Hayden and Tenley. After the cliffhanger ending in Clipped Wings, we find Hayden struggling over the loss of Tenley. Their separation has been difficult for both of them. While their time away was arduous, it almost seemed necessary for them. Tenley finds strength and closure and returns. Tenley’s initial return turns out to be quite the experience for her. Let’s just say Tenley proves to be a tough kitten after all.
Once reunited, their relationship takes some time to grow. During this process, they both find healing through each other. Their unquenchable love is evident throughout the entire story. While Hayden has his own demons, his past to deal with, Tenley blossoms. Her character, the once timid girl opens up and enjoys her new friends/family who always demonstrate support for her. These supporting characters, Chris, Sarah, Lisa, Jamie, Aunt Cassie and Nate take on new roles in this book and demonstrate true love and friendship to both Tenley and Hayden. I enjoyed them all so much more in this story.
Hayden’s past, his parents death looms over him. The fact that he is so Type A, OCD, makes dealing with the unknown even more severe for him. Discovering the truth about his parents murder brings closure to his internal struggle. Tenley was by his side the entire time and helped make this journey to healing possible.
There were many parts of this book that I truly loved. Hayden, the uber sexy tattooed and pierced man shows his love for Tenley in different ways. I guess my favorite declaration of love was during Christmas. Christmas was not easy for either one of them but Hayden, for the first time in seven years, made it a memorable day for both. His gifts for Tenley, made me love him more. It wasn’t the gifts but the significance of each one that had me wiping my eyes. Happy tears were spilled over this couple.
Hayden still loves cupcakes and their presence in the story adds to the many reasons why I adore this book.
Tenley also offers Hayden her own gifts throughout. Once again, she shows a more relaxed and playful demeanor in this book and I am so glad to see that positive change in her character.
Because this story is told from both Hayden and Tenley’s point of view, experiencing the events along with them, inside of their heads, and understanding their thoughts is quite powerful. The story becomes so real and I know I felt the same emotions along with the characters. (On a personal note, I recall my stepdaughter asking me about what I was reading. She said I was totally immersed in this book. And, I was.) This series totally consumed me.
The love scenes in this book are hot! Wow, Helena. The hood of a car…. Hayden and Tenley are so perfect for each other. These characters have undeniable chemistry.
This series taught me new things too. I turned to Google (never Wikipedia) to discover and learn about some piercings. I had to get the full understanding 😉 This new knowledge about tattoos and piercings has made me look at them in a different way now.
There are so many things I want to say about this series but I will not because I really don’t want to spoil the amazing adventure that awaits the reader as they meet Hayden and Tenley.
I am always recommending and talking about books with my friends and colleagues. This series, has been my most talked about. Helena Hunting has done a fascinating job with this her well written characters and fantastic story. I can’t think of anything I didn’t like about Inked Armor. I look forward to reading more of her amazing writing in the future.
I love Hayden. He has a special place in my book boyfriend world.
I gave this book 5++++ stars!
My Favorite Lines
“I missed you so much. I’m sorry I was gone so long. I won’t do it again, I promise.”
“I never wanted anyone but you.”
“I love cupcakes, and, uh…she makes the best cupcakes ever, so I figure it’s fitting, yeah?”
“Hayden, you are everything I could ever want. You are the place I want to be.”
“You have all of me. I am only yours.”
“Just so you know, I’ve wanted to do you in that chair ever since I put that cupcake on you. So be prepared for me to follow through on that as soon as I have the chance.”
I received and ARC in exchange for an honest review
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Buy Links
Kobo Inked Armor
Kobo Cracks in the Armor
Kobo Cracks in the Armor
Helena’s Social Media
Bio
Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s putting her English degree to good use by writing popular fiction. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.
Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s putting her English degree to good use by writing popular fiction. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.
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