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Clipped Wings #1
Clipped Wings
An emotional love story that follows the touch-and-go relationship of Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.
As Hayden and Tenley navigate their newfound but slightly unstable relationship, they want to trust each other, but Hayden is hiding a dark and shameful past that he doesn't ever want Tenley to find out about. And Tenley has secrets of her own that could make Hayden run away forever. When Tenley asks Hayden to put a beautifully elaborate tattoo across her back, the two form what they thought was an unshakeable bond. But when Tenley's past shows up on her doorstep, will Hayden stand by her side...or run?
As Hayden and Tenley navigate their newfound but slightly unstable relationship, they want to trust each other, but Hayden is hiding a dark and shameful past that he doesn't ever want Tenley to find out about. And Tenley has secrets of her own that could make Hayden run away forever. When Tenley asks Hayden to put a beautifully elaborate tattoo across her back, the two form what they thought was an unshakeable bond. But when Tenley's past shows up on her doorstep, will Hayden stand by her side...or run?
391 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2014
About the author
Helena Hunting
63 books24.1k followersHelena Hunting is the author of The USA Today and NYT bestselling PUCKED Series. She lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes everything from romantic sports comedy to new adult angst.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,447 reviews
December 13, 2014
::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED ::: 4.5 STARS :::
I loved this book so much!!
It was one of those ones I'd had on my TBR since the day it came out but for some reason, I just didn't get around to reading it until now and I'm SO glad I finally did because this is going on my favorites list!!
First thing, this is a contemporary romance (not paranormal in any way). I know a few of you were asking about this, but I promise it's all real-world. It's also the first book of a complete 2-book series so there's no waiting between books!! (*squee*). And it's somewhere between New Adult and Adult in terms of steam.
This is a stories about two broken people falling in love. Yes, you can say that that type of story has been done before, but the way this author wrote this story gave it a unique spin that really made it standout in my eyes. It felt fresh, the story was engaging, and I really didn't want to put it down.
The hero, Hayden, was a tall, dark, mysterious guy covered in tattoos that told the story of his painful past. He ran a tattoo parlor and was intrigued when the girl from across the street who he couldn't stop thinking about showed him a hauntingly beautiful, intricate tattoo design that she wanted him to ink onto her.
He was attracted to her, felt protective of her her, and they had this connection he couldn't ignore. He wanted to get to know her more, and could sense that the tattoo was a representation of her pain...
She knew he was keeping secrets about his past but she also sensed that he understood her pain on a deeper level. They were drawn to each other and just couldn't stay away. And so this is their love story.
This was a nice long book with a really great balance of all the feels. Overall, I'd call it edgy. It was sexy and steamy, but it also had a darker angsty side that gave it deeper emotional depth, and at the same time, there were so many scenes were just light-hearted and sweet to break everything up.
And now throw in a dash of forbidden romance into this mix too because Hayden had a strict rule never to sleep with clients and the girl he was falling for had just asked him to tattoo her. He couldn't stay away, but also didn't want to give up the chance to ink her with the design she'd entrusted him with.
Honestly though, the first thing that struck me when I started reading was just how strong the writing was. I absolutely adored this author's style. The story came alive so vividly in my mind. I felt the horror of her nightmares, the strength of their feelings for each other. I felt their pain and the intensity of their connection. My heart raced, I laughed out loud, I just was completely drawn in from the very beginning.
WARNING: have cupcakes on hand before you start this book. You will crave them when you read. Hayden has a heart-meltingly adorable obsession with them and trust me, you'll develop one too. ;)
Heehee :D
I really just loved this story. Yes, I've read many books about 'broken characters falling in love', so that part wasn't new, but what was different was the way the author chose to build the story. This felt unique. It felt different than anything else I'd read even though it shared a similar base. I loved Tenley and Hayden, I was intrigued by their stories, invested in their relationship, rooting for their future. I loved the writing -- so much of my book is highlighted -- and overall this just really worked for me. Yes, there's kind of a cliffhanger, but the sequel (and conclusion to their story) is out already so I'll be starting that ASAP!!
Rating: 4.5 stars.
First book of a complete 2-book series. Dual POV.
Contemporary romance (NOT paranormal).
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Twitter
I loved this book so much!!
It was one of those ones I'd had on my TBR since the day it came out but for some reason, I just didn't get around to reading it until now and I'm SO glad I finally did because this is going on my favorites list!!
First thing, this is a contemporary romance (not paranormal in any way). I know a few of you were asking about this, but I promise it's all real-world. It's also the first book of a complete 2-book series so there's no waiting between books!! (*squee*). And it's somewhere between New Adult and Adult in terms of steam.
This is a stories about two broken people falling in love. Yes, you can say that that type of story has been done before, but the way this author wrote this story gave it a unique spin that really made it standout in my eyes. It felt fresh, the story was engaging, and I really didn't want to put it down.
The hero, Hayden, was a tall, dark, mysterious guy covered in tattoos that told the story of his painful past. He ran a tattoo parlor and was intrigued when the girl from across the street who he couldn't stop thinking about showed him a hauntingly beautiful, intricate tattoo design that she wanted him to ink onto her.
"You need to be careful with her. She's broken."
"Worse than me?"
"I don't know. Maybe… She has a lot of scars."
He was attracted to her, felt protective of her her, and they had this connection he couldn't ignore. He wanted to get to know her more, and could sense that the tattoo was a representation of her pain...
"The darkness in it told me there was a story I should know."
She knew he was keeping secrets about his past but she also sensed that he understood her pain on a deeper level. They were drawn to each other and just couldn't stay away. And so this is their love story.
"I wanted my mouth on her skin. I wanted to kiss, lick, suck, bite. And not necessarily in that order. It was like my body knew what it needed and my brain was working to catch up."
This was a nice long book with a really great balance of all the feels. Overall, I'd call it edgy. It was sexy and steamy, but it also had a darker angsty side that gave it deeper emotional depth, and at the same time, there were so many scenes were just light-hearted and sweet to break everything up.
"She wants a tattoo, you know."
"Have you seen the design?" I asked.
"No. But I almost convinced her to bring it by so you could have a look. Then you ruined it when you got all up in her space and tried to dry hump her."
"I didn't try to dry hump her."
"You would have if there hadn't been witnesses present… I don't even know why I bother with you. It's like herding a cat."
And now throw in a dash of forbidden romance into this mix too because Hayden had a strict rule never to sleep with clients and the girl he was falling for had just asked him to tattoo her. He couldn't stay away, but also didn't want to give up the chance to ink her with the design she'd entrusted him with.
"I thought you said just one time." Her hands slid under my shirt…
"I meant one night."
"You're changing the rule?"
"Didn't I tell you about the fine print?" I asked, working a knew between her thighs.
"Fine print?"
"Mm-hmm." My lips moved over her cheek to her ear. "Rules are subject to change."
Honestly though, the first thing that struck me when I started reading was just how strong the writing was. I absolutely adored this author's style. The story came alive so vividly in my mind. I felt the horror of her nightmares, the strength of their feelings for each other. I felt their pain and the intensity of their connection. My heart raced, I laughed out loud, I just was completely drawn in from the very beginning.
"His armor of ink and steel protected him; it kept most [emotions] at a distance. Getting to know the man underneath would never be easy. And yet here he was, letting me in, hoping I would do the same... Under all the armour he wore, Hayden was in pieces like me. It made him safe. He understood what I'd been through."
WARNING: have cupcakes on hand before you start this book. You will crave them when you read. Hayden has a heart-meltingly adorable obsession with them and trust me, you'll develop one too. ;)
"Do you really think you can order me around?" He crossed his arms over his chest in a show of dominance."
"I have more cupcakes in my apartment..."
"Are you trying to bribe me?"
"Is it working?"
"Yes."
Heehee :D
I really just loved this story. Yes, I've read many books about 'broken characters falling in love', so that part wasn't new, but what was different was the way the author chose to build the story. This felt unique. It felt different than anything else I'd read even though it shared a similar base. I loved Tenley and Hayden, I was intrigued by their stories, invested in their relationship, rooting for their future. I loved the writing -- so much of my book is highlighted -- and overall this just really worked for me. Yes, there's kind of a cliffhanger, but the sequel (and conclusion to their story) is out already so I'll be starting that ASAP!!
Rating: 4.5 stars.
First book of a complete 2-book series. Dual POV.
Contemporary romance (NOT paranormal).
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
June 14, 2016
4-4.5 stars!
After reading Helena Huntings Pucked series, I wanted to read more of her stuff. The Pucked books are hilarious, sexy and fun- Clipped Wings is a totally different kind of read, but to be honest, much more my speed. I love books with damaged characters and both the hero and heroine have endured so much loss and are damaged. These two broken people come together and find love. See- right up my alley!
Hayden is covered in tattoos and piercings and co-owns a tattoo parlor with his two best friends. Hayden isn’t looking for a relationship. It’s the last thing he’s looking for, as a matter of fact, but when he sees Tenley, all he can think about is how much he wants to get to know her. Tenley left her hometown after a tragic loss and is in a new city completing her graduate program. She has scars on the inside and out and after losing everyone important to her, she has trouble letting anyone get too close.
These two both had such a sad and heartbreaking pasts. They both had secrets and things going on that they weren’t filling the other in on. But they both were drawn to each other and the more time they spent together, the harder they fell for one another.
Although this story was emotional, it had a lot of funny parts and steamy scenes. It was a great mix. Huntings writing is strong and her characters are endearing. I listened to the audio and the narration was great. The ending has a cliffhanger, but thankfully book 2 is also available in audio so after I eat the cupcake this book has me craving (LOL) I’ll jump right into book 2!
After reading Helena Huntings Pucked series, I wanted to read more of her stuff. The Pucked books are hilarious, sexy and fun- Clipped Wings is a totally different kind of read, but to be honest, much more my speed. I love books with damaged characters and both the hero and heroine have endured so much loss and are damaged. These two broken people come together and find love. See- right up my alley!
Maybe that’s where the connection came from: we were linked through the pain of loss.
Hayden is covered in tattoos and piercings and co-owns a tattoo parlor with his two best friends. Hayden isn’t looking for a relationship. It’s the last thing he’s looking for, as a matter of fact, but when he sees Tenley, all he can think about is how much he wants to get to know her. Tenley left her hometown after a tragic loss and is in a new city completing her graduate program. She has scars on the inside and out and after losing everyone important to her, she has trouble letting anyone get too close.
These two both had such a sad and heartbreaking pasts. They both had secrets and things going on that they weren’t filling the other in on. But they both were drawn to each other and the more time they spent together, the harder they fell for one another.
Although this story was emotional, it had a lot of funny parts and steamy scenes. It was a great mix. Huntings writing is strong and her characters are endearing. I listened to the audio and the narration was great. The ending has a cliffhanger, but thankfully book 2 is also available in audio so after I eat the cupcake this book has me craving (LOL) I’ll jump right into book 2!
July 29, 2016
My Tenley and Hayden:
Cupcakes-addicted tattoo artist and closed-off fragile girl. Both extremely attracted to each other and both hiding heartbreaking past. Can physical and emotional bond they slowly developped help them to overcome their nightmares or will it push them over the cliff?
Clipped Wings is one of the most intense and gut-wrenching stories ever. It is phenomenal book and I loved everything about it!
Hayden and Tenley are quite a pair. Him fearless, impulsive and overwhelming with OCD tendencies (yet adorable in his own way) and her being shy, emotionally unstable and completely messed up. I loved them together in this book!
Once Hayden agrees to do this significant tattoo for Tenley, one huge can of worms is open and story gets extremely emotional. Not so long ago, Tenley went through huge tragic event and her life crumbled completely. Can Hayden be the one to help her pick up the pieces? Or will it be too much for him to deal with their demons and heavy burden of the guilt they both carry?
Written in dual POV, author perfectly depicted emotions and feelings of both main protagonists. I loved how different individual chapters felt, depending on whose POV it was. Moreover, it was never re-telling of the same events which ensured the quick pace of the story.
It is worth mentioning that even though hero and heroine had extreme attraction between each other, this story never turned into insta-love. Their fascination witch each other was sexy and cute and brought some funny banters and entertainment into otherwise depressive and heartbreaking story.
Together with rich background story, author created strongly captivating book which you would not be able to put down. I am already couting days utill the realease of sequel!
*ARC provided by publisher as an exchange for honest review*
MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG Reading Is My Breathing
Cupcakes-addicted tattoo artist and closed-off fragile girl. Both extremely attracted to each other and both hiding heartbreaking past. Can physical and emotional bond they slowly developped help them to overcome their nightmares or will it push them over the cliff?
Clipped Wings is one of the most intense and gut-wrenching stories ever. It is phenomenal book and I loved everything about it!
Hayden and Tenley are quite a pair. Him fearless, impulsive and overwhelming with OCD tendencies (yet adorable in his own way) and her being shy, emotionally unstable and completely messed up. I loved them together in this book!
Once Hayden agrees to do this significant tattoo for Tenley, one huge can of worms is open and story gets extremely emotional. Not so long ago, Tenley went through huge tragic event and her life crumbled completely. Can Hayden be the one to help her pick up the pieces? Or will it be too much for him to deal with their demons and heavy burden of the guilt they both carry?
Written in dual POV, author perfectly depicted emotions and feelings of both main protagonists. I loved how different individual chapters felt, depending on whose POV it was. Moreover, it was never re-telling of the same events which ensured the quick pace of the story.
It is worth mentioning that even though hero and heroine had extreme attraction between each other, this story never turned into insta-love. Their fascination witch each other was sexy and cute and brought some funny banters and entertainment into otherwise depressive and heartbreaking story.
Together with rich background story, author created strongly captivating book which you would not be able to put down. I am already couting days utill the realease of sequel!
*ARC provided by publisher as an exchange for honest review*
MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG Reading Is My Breathing
March 4, 2016
“Everyone has scars. If we're lucky, they're only on the outside."
(I buddyread this book with my lovelies Bea and Nicay)
One word to describe Helena Hunting's writing style: extraordinary. It's my first time to read a book written by this author and I instantly fell in love with her words. I've been meaning to get into this book for a while now ever since I saw a picture of it on Instagram. The beautiful cover caught ny attention! And because it also garnered lots of positive remarks, I decided to really invest in it.
Well, it was totally a great decision. Clipped Wings hooked me! This book seems to have it all if you're looking for a heavy New Adult romance story. The main reason why I loved it is because of the main characters. Hayden and Tenley are one of those interesting characters to read about. They're both broken and are hiding deep, dark secrets on their own. When these two collided, the connection slowly built-up and simmered in a beautiful way.
“I was starting to think of her as mine. For the first time in my life, I wanted someone for myself. And I would take her any way she came.”
There were lots of smexy scenes here (the male mc is sexy himself, just saying) as well as twists and turns that defined the characters' strengths and weaknesses. What especially surprised me was the romance which was well-developed. Tenley and Hayden went through a step by step process before they developed feelings for each other.
The plot, on the other hand, was greatly done. I felt a whole lot of emotions while reading this book simply because of its powerful plotline and its overall impact. Also, the way Helena Hunting intricately described those tiny little details of the tattoo that Hayden designed-- simply FLAWLESS!
What stopped me from rating it a perfect 5 was the length of the book. It was too heavy (and I'm just a light reader. lol) Needless to say, it's totally worth the time because it has the elements of a New Adult book that I'm looking for. You want angst, steamy scenes, and a disarmingly moving story all rolled into one, then you get it all here. Overall, it was a satisfying NA read. I am definitely going to read the sequel, Inked Armour.
Rating:
December 9, 2013
This is a story of a girl in her early twenties who has recently experienced a horrific accident that has left her alone in life and devastated to the core. This is also about a guy who has experienced a tragedy and is starting to deal with the emotional wreckage. And he loves cupcakes. Each of them is loaded with guilt and attempting to move on.
What I liked:
I loved how in depth the tattoo artist lifestyle was described. This wasn't just a bad boy with some ink, this was a guy who expressed himself and his emotions through his art. Whether on his own skin or other people's. And Hayden felt very proprietary about it. He got sick of inking hearts and butterflies on silly college freshmen looking to rebel in the most inconspicuous of places. Tattooing was a huge part of him and who he is.
Honestly, I think I just loved Hayden. His past is an easy one to relate to, and his shame and guilt about the role he played in his past mistakes came across as very genuine. And the story with Hayden's ex lover, the way she keeps throwing herself at him and he's just ashamed to think that he actually hit that...I loved that part. Haven't we all done things we are ashamed of? Certainly in our formative teenage years, when we think we and those we love have all the time in the world to live, and when we are selfish in our actions because we just don't know better yet. This aspect of the book really resonated with me, and made Hayden an extremely sympathetic character.
The sex scenes were well done, in my opinion. Nothing to explicit or too often. It didn't overshadow the story, it enhanced the romance. And a few of the details about the sex were some of my favorite things as well, so it just hit the mark for me. I love when Hayden prompts Tenley to tell him what she wants, what feels good. It's dirty talk without the raunch, it's a way of connecting without sounding like porn stars. It was just a great way to enhance the act and force Tenley to be more vocal and involved. It was dead sexy. Hayden and his tattoos, his piercings, his sexy talk...it added up to some really hot loving.
What I didn't like:
Tenley...she was a hard character to love. I like that the way she was initially coping with her own tragedies was to throw herself into school and moving away from the dead weight holding her back. But good grief, the girl added so much unnecessary drama to her own life. Whereas Hayden's shame stemmed from some seemingly realistic feelings, Tenley's lack of self worth felt contrived and whiny. Why would you not tell your lover...a guy that you have THIS strong of feelings for...about your past? Why the big secret? I just don't get it, and since the entire conflict stemmed from her inability to open up, it ruined her character for me. She seemed self destructive despite the attempt to make her a strong female. I sort of wish that more than ten months had gone by since the accident. I think she would have been in a much better place mentally to deal with the fallout of this new relationship. And then the focus could have been less on her secretiveness and more on her healing.
Some of the random things that caught my attention were very minor hiccups but still pulled me out of the story. The no sex rule after the tattoo...what? That's so contrived to add tension here. So it's a back piece...you don't have to lay on your back to have sex. That's ridiculous...we don't live in Victorian England. Throw that chick up against the counter (as that was a fave place of Hayden's...yum!) and get 'er done. Silly little things like that bothered me and kept this from getting a better rating from me.
Last but not least...the LAST IMPRESSION THAT I HAD OF THIS BOOK was UTTER DISAPPOINTMENT. Such a ridiculous cliffhanger, and it was so unnecessary. NOTHING is explained or finished in this book. If you expect an ending to this story or any type of closure whatsoever, you will be disappointed. It doesn't happen. This book simply stops in the middle of a dramatic scene. And what is such a bummer is how much ample opportunity the author had to finish out at least a couple of the smaller conflicts, to give her readers SOME kind of resolution, some kind of meaning to these 400 pages that they just read. Just a couple of suggestions: Honest to goodness, I would have been in a much better place if just one thing had come from this book, but all I got was more and more and more conflict, leading up to...more conflict.
Arc provided by the publisher via Edelweiss
October 26, 2015
ARC Received on behalf of Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books from NetGalley
When I finished Cupcakes and Ink I was already completely intrigued by this story and these characters. I expected a journey laced with pain and heartache. I expected to enjoy it. What I did not expect is to fall completely in love with it.
Tenley, she's broken. Not just a little, but completely. But for the first time in ten months something, or should I say someone, is bring her peace.
Hayden, his past is not pretty. He's done things he regrets, but he's changed his life. He knows all about loss and pain. He sees that reflected when he looks at Tenley. He wants to fix her and he prays that by fixing her, it will fix him.
The story...
Tenley and Hayden begin a shaky friendship where the attraction is obvious but both seem to refrain from giving into the attraction. But when Tenley decides to display her pain through the ink of a tattoo, there is only one man that she wants to do it. Her piece is complex and dark, showcasing just how deep her scars go. Hayden knows that giving her this won't fix what's broken, but he understand the release that comes with it.
The only problem is, this tattoo is going to take at least two months to complete. Two months of him touching her in private, two months of her pain being exposed and brought to the surface. Events that she isn't ready to share. Hayden can't seem to stop himself when it comes to wanting Tenley. He wants her to open up, wants to know her. Exposing his own pain in an effort to gain her trust. But she's only ready to give him pieces, unable shake the fear that it all could be lost, again.
When their relationship goes beyond client & artist it is clear that these two need each other, that both fill the void that has been left vacant with sorrow. Secrets are lurking around every turn, both of their pasts can't seem to be escaped and neither are willing to risk what they've found to expose it.
Rather than face it head on, both bury it just beneath the surface. Their need for one another is primal and deeper than any connection either of them had ever experienced before. It's too much to risk, holding on for as long as they can until their grasp begins to fail. Hayden realizing that Tenley is much stronger than she believes herself to be, but realizing that in order for her to conquer her pain he's going to have to show her how to fight and prove that he is willing to fight her demons right alongside of her.
"The scars are ugly."
"Everyone has scars, Tenley. If we're lucky, they're only on the outside."
Wowzers.
I was blown away by just how much I adored this story and these characters. I was certain that I would be rolling my eyes at yet another weak heroine that was going play hard to get. But that was not the case. Tenley barely puts up a fight when it comes to her feelings for Hayden. Her innocence was not so much that she was going to go out of her way to show him just how much she wanted him. But at the same time, she was sheltered. Her past, tragic. It was overwhelming, but it never felt like it was forced or just too much. I think had her history been attached to another character by another author I would have thought it was just all too much. But there was something beautiful in the way this was written and how the character carried herself. It just fit.
Hayden, swoon. This man is pure heaven. Just a bit of an alpha, but only with her. Unable to explain why he can't seem to control his need to possess her, to own her, but not willing to apologize for it. His control is completely gone. And boy is he beautifully broken. Every detail of his behavior is a glimpse into his past. I absolutely fell in love with this character. There was depth and being able to connect to him was instant. And ladies, he's got some cock-flair....
"I don't even know what to do with that information. Three times? Is she okay?"
"It was only twice, and why wouldn't she be okay?"
"Hayden, remember who put that piercing in your special place?" She pointed at herself. Like I could forget that experience.
"I'm far too well aware of what kind of damage you could do with that thing."
Helena Hunting created an emotionally charged romance that even with all the heartache had blissful moments of pure heat.
And the supporting characters? Fantastic. The one downside, was the cliffy end. The next book is due out in May, which isn't too far out (considering at the time of this review, this isn't even out yet), but I am dying to get my needy fingers on the next book.
When I finished Cupcakes and Ink I was already completely intrigued by this story and these characters. I expected a journey laced with pain and heartache. I expected to enjoy it. What I did not expect is to fall completely in love with it.
Tenley, she's broken. Not just a little, but completely. But for the first time in ten months something, or should I say someone, is bring her peace.
Hayden, his past is not pretty. He's done things he regrets, but he's changed his life. He knows all about loss and pain. He sees that reflected when he looks at Tenley. He wants to fix her and he prays that by fixing her, it will fix him.
The story...
Tenley and Hayden begin a shaky friendship where the attraction is obvious but both seem to refrain from giving into the attraction. But when Tenley decides to display her pain through the ink of a tattoo, there is only one man that she wants to do it. Her piece is complex and dark, showcasing just how deep her scars go. Hayden knows that giving her this won't fix what's broken, but he understand the release that comes with it.
The only problem is, this tattoo is going to take at least two months to complete. Two months of him touching her in private, two months of her pain being exposed and brought to the surface. Events that she isn't ready to share. Hayden can't seem to stop himself when it comes to wanting Tenley. He wants her to open up, wants to know her. Exposing his own pain in an effort to gain her trust. But she's only ready to give him pieces, unable shake the fear that it all could be lost, again.
When their relationship goes beyond client & artist it is clear that these two need each other, that both fill the void that has been left vacant with sorrow. Secrets are lurking around every turn, both of their pasts can't seem to be escaped and neither are willing to risk what they've found to expose it.
Rather than face it head on, both bury it just beneath the surface. Their need for one another is primal and deeper than any connection either of them had ever experienced before. It's too much to risk, holding on for as long as they can until their grasp begins to fail. Hayden realizing that Tenley is much stronger than she believes herself to be, but realizing that in order for her to conquer her pain he's going to have to show her how to fight and prove that he is willing to fight her demons right alongside of her.
"The scars are ugly."
"Everyone has scars, Tenley. If we're lucky, they're only on the outside."
Wowzers.
I was blown away by just how much I adored this story and these characters. I was certain that I would be rolling my eyes at yet another weak heroine that was going play hard to get. But that was not the case. Tenley barely puts up a fight when it comes to her feelings for Hayden. Her innocence was not so much that she was going to go out of her way to show him just how much she wanted him. But at the same time, she was sheltered. Her past, tragic. It was overwhelming, but it never felt like it was forced or just too much. I think had her history been attached to another character by another author I would have thought it was just all too much. But there was something beautiful in the way this was written and how the character carried herself. It just fit.
Hayden, swoon. This man is pure heaven. Just a bit of an alpha, but only with her. Unable to explain why he can't seem to control his need to possess her, to own her, but not willing to apologize for it. His control is completely gone. And boy is he beautifully broken. Every detail of his behavior is a glimpse into his past. I absolutely fell in love with this character. There was depth and being able to connect to him was instant. And ladies, he's got some cock-flair....
"I don't even know what to do with that information. Three times? Is she okay?"
"It was only twice, and why wouldn't she be okay?"
"Hayden, remember who put that piercing in your special place?" She pointed at herself. Like I could forget that experience.
"I'm far too well aware of what kind of damage you could do with that thing."
Helena Hunting created an emotionally charged romance that even with all the heartache had blissful moments of pure heat.
And the supporting characters? Fantastic. The one downside, was the cliffy end. The next book is due out in May, which isn't too far out (considering at the time of this review, this isn't even out yet), but I am dying to get my needy fingers on the next book.
November 20, 2013
This fic truly is amazing.
Don't let the auto-ratings of the P2P auto-haters fool you (always one star) and their dramatic effect on stuff like this that only has a dozen or so ratings. It wasn't even published yet, but I guess they rated it with the idea that maybe she would publish someday... like a pre-auto-hate rating.
This, this, this is one of those first cornerstone fanfics that hooked readers like myself into reading more romance fiction altogether. For me it was the first of it's kind- a young, adult, gritty, sexy, edgy, soulful story that has impacted my reading landscape so much in the past few years. I'm a little concerned it will seem outdated by the time I read the published version.
It was with this story that I discovered the freedom and creativity in the fanfic world (this and Wide Awake *member', you member'*), which kinda seems oxy-moronic or maybe paradoxical, yet it's true. In fact, this story was so gutsy, untethered and wildly popular that it was likely among the first seeds of what became the New Adult genre.
The cover is lovely (especially the Inked Armor one)! What has taken so long to get this published? I wonder if it went through a big editing process? I wonder if it will still read as fresh and edgy now as it did before hundreds of books followed it with eerily similar characterizations.
It looks like a Simon & Schuster deal that will come out in March. Hooray!
October 13, 2016
My drama-llama shelf can't do any justice to this book. I've also just found out that this was a Twilight fanfiction. Oh, what a joy.
Anywaaaay, Tenley is... I don't think I can explain how melodramatic and self-destructive this chick is. Everytime I started liking the story she would come up with a stupid idea and ruin it all. Hayden is a God for dealing with this girl... Even though I still don't realize why he liked her in the first place. Oh, yeah, she was mysterious... *sigh*
NA dramas are on telenovela level.
Anywaaaay, Tenley is... I don't think I can explain how melodramatic and self-destructive this chick is. Everytime I started liking the story she would come up with a stupid idea and ruin it all. Hayden is a God for dealing with this girl... Even though I still don't realize why he liked her in the first place. Oh, yeah, she was mysterious... *sigh*
NA dramas are on telenovela level.
January 28, 2014
Title: Clipped Wings
Series: Clipped Wings #1
Author: Helena Hunting
Release Date: March 4th, 2014
Rating: 3.75 stars
Cliffhanger: Yes.
HEA:
After finishing prequel novella called Cupcakes and Ink by Helena Hunting I knew, that I won’t be able to stop myslef from wanting to read more of her work.
I fell in love with her incredibly beautiful writing and damaged characters, so sixty pages weren’t enough to satisfy my hunger. I needed to know more about Tenley and Hayden’s story. Once I reached the ending of Clipped Wings, I was very satisfied and despite few issues I had, I can say that it was a damn good story.
Written in dual POV, Clipped Wings starts exactly where Cupcakes and Ink left of. Hayden and Tenley are attracted to each other and don’t know what to do with it. They act like shy middle school students with their first crush. It was sweet and all kinds of adorable to see them this way. Especially Hayden. That made my day :)
But that phase doesn’t last long. The impulse to know more about each other pushes them together. With every new encounter they slowly reveal themselves to each other. Both of them have a secrets and fresh scars that are hard to forget about. When Tenley ask Hayden to tattoo her, the story only gets more spicy and complex...
I’m a sucker for story with classic yet beautiful plot about two broken people who heal each other and learn to let go. Clipped Wings was gut wrenching read and I enjoyed most of it. I was very fond of Hayden and my heart beat faster when he said something sexy, which was almost every time he opened his mouth.
But after some time I was very tired of constant running in the circles. I felt like some things repeated themselves and it was very hard for me to not skim the pages. I couldn’t stop myslef from sighing in frustration few times. While I did enjoy the plot and was a great fan of the hero I felt the need to use shake him and Tenley!
Overall, Clipped Wings is a very nice story. There were many things I immensely enjoyed and found sexy or beautiful. Despite being frustrated by the characters and their actions once or twice, I quickly forgave them only to be having fan again.
*ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest review *
March 4, 2014
4 stars
Everyone has a past but, when you let your past rule your life, can you really ever move on? Hayden and Tenley want nothing more than to deserve each other but keeping the details of their past a secret from each other only gives it the power to destroy anything good they have together.
Hayden
Hayden is a tattoo-artist who runs the shop across the street from where Tenley works and lives, her boss being his Aunt. He can’t explain what it is about this scared mouse that calls to him, but he can’t stop thinking about her trying to draw her out and trust him enough for a conversation. Hayden’s troubled past is something he can never forget, ashamed of how he chose to deal with it all, haunts him to this day. His past is never far from causing problems especially now that he finally found someone good to share his future with. He lives his life in order and control, but where Tenley is concerned he has none. He has to learn that not everything is black and white and sometimes someone comes along worth breaking the rules for.
Tenley
Tenley secrets continue to terrorize her, she finds no comfort in the dark and no peace alone. She craves connection, but she is afraid at the man she wants to share this connection with. Tired of living in fear, she decides to cope with her pain by inflicting pain on herself, in the form of a tattoo, a permanent reminder of her past, hoping that it would be enough to start to heal. She doesn’t deserve happiness, she doesn’t deserve forgiveness but she is unwilling to let go of the man that consumes her soul.
Tenley trusted Hayden to bring her tattoo to life, but what she doesn’t realize that once the needle starts, she is going to have to face her demons and start answering some questions. The emotional aspect of the after effect of the tattoo is almost too much to bear, and the only way Hayden can help is if he knows, but when his past comes walking in will it scare Tenley away?
Clipped Wings was an emotional love story about two people who are perfect for each other but kept apart by their own secrets. Wanting to be enough for each other, hoping that even though they are broken, together they can be complete. Knowing that they have to come to terms with their own past before they can help each other. Their story got off on a slow start but it changed as soon as the cat and mouse game ended. The tone of the book was very sad and subdued which had me wishing for a happy ending for the two of them. With the pace of the book, I was starting to wonder if their story would even end here, and I was right, it wasn’t a heart-stopping cliffhanger, but it promises that more is coming. Now that I read this book, I don’t think I could go back to the prequel just yet, I would be too upset since I already seen a piece of their past and the effect it had to their future. I will however want to continue onto the next book, I almost need to know they are okay, and that things work out.
ARC kindly provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
**Quotes were taken from the ARC version of the book and may change upon publication**
Everyone has a past but, when you let your past rule your life, can you really ever move on? Hayden and Tenley want nothing more than to deserve each other but keeping the details of their past a secret from each other only gives it the power to destroy anything good they have together.
Hayden
Hayden is a tattoo-artist who runs the shop across the street from where Tenley works and lives, her boss being his Aunt. He can’t explain what it is about this scared mouse that calls to him, but he can’t stop thinking about her trying to draw her out and trust him enough for a conversation. Hayden’s troubled past is something he can never forget, ashamed of how he chose to deal with it all, haunts him to this day. His past is never far from causing problems especially now that he finally found someone good to share his future with. He lives his life in order and control, but where Tenley is concerned he has none. He has to learn that not everything is black and white and sometimes someone comes along worth breaking the rules for.
“What I want to know is why the fuck I can’t get you out of my head.”
“What I want…is to figure out why I have no control when it comes to you.”
Tenley
Tenley secrets continue to terrorize her, she finds no comfort in the dark and no peace alone. She craves connection, but she is afraid at the man she wants to share this connection with. Tired of living in fear, she decides to cope with her pain by inflicting pain on herself, in the form of a tattoo, a permanent reminder of her past, hoping that it would be enough to start to heal. She doesn’t deserve happiness, she doesn’t deserve forgiveness but she is unwilling to let go of the man that consumes her soul.
It was my attempt at finding closure, at putting everything behind me by accepting it, owning it, wearing it on my skin.
Tenley trusted Hayden to bring her tattoo to life, but what she doesn’t realize that once the needle starts, she is going to have to face her demons and start answering some questions. The emotional aspect of the after effect of the tattoo is almost too much to bear, and the only way Hayden can help is if he knows, but when his past comes walking in will it scare Tenley away?
Clipped Wings was an emotional love story about two people who are perfect for each other but kept apart by their own secrets. Wanting to be enough for each other, hoping that even though they are broken, together they can be complete. Knowing that they have to come to terms with their own past before they can help each other. Their story got off on a slow start but it changed as soon as the cat and mouse game ended. The tone of the book was very sad and subdued which had me wishing for a happy ending for the two of them. With the pace of the book, I was starting to wonder if their story would even end here, and I was right, it wasn’t a heart-stopping cliffhanger, but it promises that more is coming. Now that I read this book, I don’t think I could go back to the prequel just yet, I would be too upset since I already seen a piece of their past and the effect it had to their future. I will however want to continue onto the next book, I almost need to know they are okay, and that things work out.
ARC kindly provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
**Quotes were taken from the ARC version of the book and may change upon publication**
April 10, 2017
~And another stunning read from Helena Hunting! It seems I cannot get enough!~Full Review to come....when I get caught up!!!!~
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
March 19, 2015
Actual Rating: 4.5/5
The greatest thing about New Adult is that it often pulls me out of a reading slump when I feel myself heading towards one. Clipped Wings was no exception. Before I knew it, it was over and I definitely will be ranking this one among my favorite NA books.
What I liked most about this book were our two main characters Tenley and Hayden. The story is told in dual-perspective which I LOVED, because I loved being in both of their heads. Getting insight on their struggles and pasts really made them stronger characters. Tenley has to be one of my favorite contemporary romance females because she doesn't fit the mold of some of the other NA females do in some books, (cookie-cutter, doesn't do bad things, regrets said bad things, and then vows to never do bad things again. ie - a role model.) No no, Tenley has her flaws that make her such a strong character. She's been through a lot, she doesn't always make the best decisions, and she's just all-around awesome. Another thing about these two is that they started out being just acquaintances. I also liked this for the relationship because while they sort of knew each other, they didn't know a lot about each other, which was a great foundation for their growth.
The side characters were also great. Hunting takes time to develop not just the one token female friend, but two female friends for Tenley. The workers at the tattoo parlor where Hayden works felt like family to him and it made me wish I had friends like that.
A few things I didn't like were the repetition of phrases. If I read that someone "palmed" someone else's body part I might actually scream. Grabbed, held, touched, caressed, clasped, clutched. All words could be used instead.
The greatest thing about New Adult is that it often pulls me out of a reading slump when I feel myself heading towards one. Clipped Wings was no exception. Before I knew it, it was over and I definitely will be ranking this one among my favorite NA books.
What I liked most about this book were our two main characters Tenley and Hayden. The story is told in dual-perspective which I LOVED, because I loved being in both of their heads. Getting insight on their struggles and pasts really made them stronger characters. Tenley has to be one of my favorite contemporary romance females because she doesn't fit the mold of some of the other NA females do in some books, (cookie-cutter, doesn't do bad things, regrets said bad things, and then vows to never do bad things again. ie - a role model.) No no, Tenley has her flaws that make her such a strong character. She's been through a lot, she doesn't always make the best decisions, and she's just all-around awesome. Another thing about these two is that they started out being just acquaintances. I also liked this for the relationship because while they sort of knew each other, they didn't know a lot about each other, which was a great foundation for their growth.
The side characters were also great. Hunting takes time to develop not just the one token female friend, but two female friends for Tenley. The workers at the tattoo parlor where Hayden works felt like family to him and it made me wish I had friends like that.
A few things I didn't like were the repetition of phrases. If I read that someone "palmed" someone else's body part I might actually scream. Grabbed, held, touched, caressed, clasped, clutched. All words could be used instead.
April 29, 2020
I don't even have the energy to say much about it...
The beginning was pretty great, the characters so perfectly damaged, I was looking forward to see their growth and healing. The tattoo studio setting was good. The chemistry between the characters - damn, it was hot and well done!
But then something happened - or not happened - I don't know.
The secrecy, characters' inability to TALK and sex as a way of escaping from dealing with problems just started ruining such a wonderful build-up!! Plus the characters...
We found out that:
- our heroine was a little hypocrite (I want to have all my secrets for myself, but don't YOU dare have secrets from me!!)
- the drama became pretty unbearable (not going into any details)
- the villains (there were several - and unrelated) became way too ridiculous
It all kinda exploded, fell apart - and ended in a middle of a dramatic scene. Well, I knew already there would be a cliffhanger, I knew it was a duet, yet to leave ALL the conflicts built up and not even one of them resolved by the end of the book is just bad taste, imo.
So yeah, the first part gets 4 stars; the second one around 2 - so 3 stars it is.
The beginning was pretty great, the characters so perfectly damaged, I was looking forward to see their growth and healing. The tattoo studio setting was good. The chemistry between the characters - damn, it was hot and well done!
But then something happened - or not happened - I don't know.
The secrecy, characters' inability to TALK and sex as a way of escaping from dealing with problems just started ruining such a wonderful build-up!! Plus the characters...
We found out that:
- our heroine was a little hypocrite (I want to have all my secrets for myself, but don't YOU dare have secrets from me!!)
- the drama became pretty unbearable (not going into any details)
- the villains (there were several - and unrelated) became way too ridiculous
It all kinda exploded, fell apart - and ended in a middle of a dramatic scene. Well, I knew already there would be a cliffhanger, I knew it was a duet, yet to leave ALL the conflicts built up and not even one of them resolved by the end of the book is just bad taste, imo.
So yeah, the first part gets 4 stars; the second one around 2 - so 3 stars it is.
February 15, 2023
4.25⭐
I am loving listening to Tenley and Hayden’s story. Both have a tragic past and their chemistry is on fire. I love that it’s written in both of their pov’s. Usually I hate when a book leaves me on a cliffhanger, but luckily I had the next book queued up ready to go.
*older read mini review*
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I am loving listening to Tenley and Hayden’s story. Both have a tragic past and their chemistry is on fire. I love that it’s written in both of their pov’s. Usually I hate when a book leaves me on a cliffhanger, but luckily I had the next book queued up ready to go.
*older read mini review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
August 9, 2016
2.5 "Meh" Stars.
I struggled with this book honestly..it took me a long time to finish...Like way longer than it should have...I just kept finding other stuff I would rather read...In the end I liked it but I didn't love it. I received an ARC copy and while I expect there to be errors the word spacing on my cop y just a bou t drove me c razy. :)
Tenley is a broken girl.
She was on her way to get married and her fiance and whole family died in the crash. She is left scarred and broken.
She meets Hayden when she goes in to get an intricate tattoo on her back at the tattoo shop he works at.
She conveniently works next door at the bookstore that his aunt owns...They bond over cupcakes. He loves them, she bakes them...
She wants to get this tattoo as a way to remember but also a way to move past the tragedy and cover her scarred back.
"The scars are ugly."
"Everyone has scars, Tenley. If we're lucky, they're only on the outside."
There is an attraction and a relationship develops but its somewhat tricky since Hayden has a pact with his coworkers not to date customers.
Will they heal each other or will their secrets tear them apart?
I was a little disappointed in the cliffhanger at the end. I just felt it was too OTT but that's just me...
Anyways,
What I liked:
Hayden is a hottie
Tattoos are involved...I love a dude with tattoos
Cupcakes...I love me some cupcakes...
Tenley was in grad school, working to better herself
TK the cat :)
What I didn't like:
How soon Tenley began her relationship.
I could have done without the nickname "Kitten"
Tenley was annoying and caused unnecessary drama
The whole Trey drama thing
The student professor issue
The cop drama
There is such a thing as too much drama and I felt that this book definitely had that.
ARC provided via Edelweiss
I struggled with this book honestly..it took me a long time to finish...Like way longer than it should have...I just kept finding other stuff I would rather read...In the end I liked it but I didn't love it. I received an ARC copy and while I expect there to be errors the word spacing on my cop y just a bou t drove me c razy. :)
Tenley is a broken girl.
She was on her way to get married and her fiance and whole family died in the crash. She is left scarred and broken.
She meets Hayden when she goes in to get an intricate tattoo on her back at the tattoo shop he works at.
She conveniently works next door at the bookstore that his aunt owns...They bond over cupcakes. He loves them, she bakes them...
She wants to get this tattoo as a way to remember but also a way to move past the tragedy and cover her scarred back.
"The scars are ugly."
"Everyone has scars, Tenley. If we're lucky, they're only on the outside."
There is an attraction and a relationship develops but its somewhat tricky since Hayden has a pact with his coworkers not to date customers.
Will they heal each other or will their secrets tear them apart?
I was a little disappointed in the cliffhanger at the end. I just felt it was too OTT but that's just me...
Anyways,
What I liked:
Hayden is a hottie
Tattoos are involved...I love a dude with tattoos
Cupcakes...I love me some cupcakes...
Tenley was in grad school, working to better herself
TK the cat :)
What I didn't like:
How soon Tenley began her relationship.
I could have done without the nickname "Kitten"
Tenley was annoying and caused unnecessary drama
The whole Trey drama thing
The student professor issue
The cop drama
There is such a thing as too much drama and I felt that this book definitely had that.
ARC provided via Edelweiss
February 2, 2015
Normally, I have a lot of hearsay when it comes to books I read but for some reason I am speechless when it comes to Clipped Wings . I am not saying that this is the best book I've ever read in my life. But there is definitely something about it that worked for me and made it poignant and a standout in my eyes.
Everything was nicely balanced and it kept the right amount of intrigue to keep readers engaged. I mean, there is suspense yet there isn't. You figure out these characters' motives and back stories relatively early and from there it's just a matter of time to see where the pieces lie after.
These characters, Hayden and Tenley, don't have just your typical clichéd tragic romance that you tend to see in a lot of books. No, they were much deeper and heartbreaking. How can you not be scarred from ordeals like that?
Anyways, over all, a nice balance of: love, secrets, dark pasts, tattoos and piercings, as well as cupcakes. And yes, I did mention tattoos, piercings, and cupcakes in one sentence! Hah!
Can't wait for the next book in the series, Inked Armor!!
December 28, 2021
2.5
- Bad boy— love ‘em.
- Ink— yeah, I’m okay with that.
- Less than stellar dialogue— well, now we’ve got a problem.
- Lots of potential plot threads that either don’t pan out or go on forever? Sorry, but I’m drawing a line here.
Basically YA meets Inked meets slightly similar Shades of Gray chick. I’ll freely admit this just isn’t my mug of beer.
Moving on.
- Bad boy— love ‘em.
- Ink— yeah, I’m okay with that.
- Less than stellar dialogue— well, now we’ve got a problem.
- Lots of potential plot threads that either don’t pan out or go on forever? Sorry, but I’m drawing a line here.
Basically YA meets Inked meets slightly similar Shades of Gray chick. I’ll freely admit this just isn’t my mug of beer.
Moving on.
August 6, 2016
"Why didn't she just tell me the truth in the first place?"Well I certainly don't get it.
"Maybe she wanted to protect herself."
"From what? Me?"
"She's petrified of losing you, Hayden. Don't you get it?"
Please explain to me how some authors find it acceptable to make their characters utterly hypocritical. It's not bad enough that the pattern of the story borders on predictable - but now the female protagonist has to have double standards on top of all of that.
Whatever happened to the saying 'whatever's good for the goose is good for the gander'? A saying that basically translates into:
If you expect someone to be honest with you, then you should be honest with them. If you get upset when you're lied to, they have the right to be, too.
But nope. Not in Tenley's world.
She gets to keep her dark secrets. She gets to hide things, run away when it's too hard to handle everything and people will make excuses for her. 'Oh, she's upset/she's damaged/she's afraid of losing you/she's afraid you'll see her differently!'
But when Hayden keeps his secrets, Tenley gets hurt. Tenley gets a posse of people surrounding her to 'protect' her and these people treat Hayden like the plague. Why can't he just tell the truth? Why can't he face everything? Why, why, why, why, why?
Well, why the hell can't Tenley tell the truth either?! When did she suddenly become King of the World? Unless there was a Titanic 2 made that I wasn't aware of, the only King of the World is Jack, end of story.
And so what if she has hardships - so does Hayden!
So what if she's sad and alone - so is Hayden!
So what if she needs time to heal - so does Hayden!
Essentially, Hayden deserves the same respect, the same courtesies.
If she was open with him, then she could expect the same. But since she wasn't, she doesn't have the right to demand anything from him.
The worst bit is after she finds out about Hayden's past. And how she even acknowledges that she still won't/can't tell Hayden her own past. But she still manages to get worked up over how he kept his from her!
'It had been difficult. Painful. But I couldn't tell Hayden. There was already so much on the table that if I added anything else, the legs would collapse. I wasn't in any frame of mind to deal with something like this. Not now.'
Tenley has to one up everyone. Always.
Think your life is hard? Well Tenley's is harder! Think you're sad 'cause your parents died? Hers died in a plane crash! It's like a game of Whose Life is the Worst? where Tenley always wins by default.
And every pitiful moment sounds like something out of an angsty teen's diary:
So, yeah. Gorgeous book cover, but that was about it for me.
December 4, 2015
Helena Hunting is somewhat a new author for me but has recently has become one of my new favorite authors after I read Pucked and Pucked Up. I was instantly hooked and addicted to her writing, creativity, characters and witty humor. And so I knew that I wanted to check out her previous works. When I finally sat down to read Clipped Wings, I was in awe and consumed with this emotionally gripping beautiful read. With her gorgeous prose, Ms. Hunting paints a bold, sexy, beautiful, heart-tugging emotional read that will leave a permanent mark on your hearts. Two broken souls. Two tragic pasts. A shattered heart. And a guilt that is a constant reminder of what you have lost.
"He took away the pain, consuming it and me."
"Hope was a dangerous emotion; it gave false confidence and made a person do unconscionable things."
Tenley Page is broken. She is shattered. Her guilt, pain, and loss consumes her. And so when she meets, Hayden Stryker, he intrigues her. He ignites a spark into her lonely life. He makes her feel alive for the first time in so long. And when the tattooed reformed bad boy finally was able to immersed himself into her life, he soon begins to see the real Tenley Page. He is aware of her physical scars but doesn't realize how deep these scars run emotionally. With Tenley being apprehensive of opening up her painful past, can Hayden show her that he wants to be that person. The person that she can count on. The one who will shoulder her burdens and will wipe away her tears. Comfort her when she has nightmares. And that one person who will ignite a new sense of hope, desire, and love. Can Hayden Stryker show her that her wings are not truly broken? Will he take her broken wings and show her once again how to soar? Will Hayden be able to hold onto this tangible bond that he shares with Tenley or will she clipped the wings of their love?
"For the first time in my life, I wanted someone for myself. And I would take her any way she came."
Clipped Wings was a stunning, touching and emotionally consuming read. Helena Hunting stripped her readers naked as she gave us flawed, broken, vulnerable and raw characters. She allowed her readers to truly see and feel for Tenley and Hayden. Behind the tattoos and piercings, lies a story. A story that could only be told by them. And let me just say, Ms. Hunting did an amazing job telling their story. She left a permanent mark on her readers as she held us hostage in their pain, loss, beauty, forgiveness, absolution, and hope. So thank you Ms. Hunting for writing this heartfelt story of grief, pain, guilt, loss, remorse, and most importantly thank you for reminding readers that nothing is truly beyond shattered and that love can indeed heal. And so I look forward to reading Inked Armor and can't wait to see what awaits for Hayden and Tenley.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Helena Hunting
August 10, 2016
★★★★ 4 stars!
An interesting storyline; broken, tortured characters who understand each others pain and and try to help each other overcome their past...this was a very unique, heartfelt NA romance story that I very much enjoyed reading! Can't wait to start the next book in this series!
**ARC courtesy of Gallery, Treshold, Pocket Books, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honesty eview**
October 19, 2023
This is a case of the right book at the right time. I felt myself slipping into a slump with the other book I was reading so I set it down and picked up Clipped Wings. I think my favorite thing about new adult books is that they are some of the best to pick up when you need to get out of a reading slump. Though Clipped Wings is overall your basic NA novel, I did enjoy that there was a little something different about it, and something that surprisingly related rather close to me.
Clipped Wings is about a rocky secret keeping relationship between Tenley and Hayden. Tenley is a college student working on her thesis while working at the bookstore she lives above. Hayden is the bad boy with the dark past who has now straightened out his life and is working/owning a tattoo parlor across the street from his aunt's bookstore... So you see where this is going. After several visits to the store Hayden takes a liking to Tenley and after a series of events talks her into coming in for a tattoo session. Tenley though shy and guarded at times still managed to be both funny and charming. As far as leading ladies went I was really pleased with her, and how she is written. Hayden however was the character I oddly ended up relating to the most. Not only is he a total babe, but also a total sweetheart. The reason however I contacted him was because much like him I am often discriminated against because of the amount of tattoos I have. People see them and then automatically assume you're up to no good. So naturally I felt a connection to him and how he sees the world seeing him. I also can't mention Hayden without mentioning his love of cupcakes and how much it made me love him. But, to be completely honest I really enjoyed everything about his character. He turned out to be a lot more swoon worthy than I originally thought he would be. At first I thought I knew how his character would be, but once he started to actually reveal himself and start to win over Tenley I was completely sold. That sweet tattooed dreamboat stole my heart.
The story line is told in a dual POV which I digged. I enjoyed getting to see both of their struggles along with hearing both of their thoughts on one another. I also liked how the book, though it's deeper message was about working through struggles and learning that it's okay to lean on people, still found a unique way of bringing tattooing into the picture. Hot guys, talks about tattoos, and a storyline that wasn't choppy had me sold. Though the plot is rather predictable it was still written so well that I was able to set that aside. The plot keeps a steady pace through-out the novel and the romance is always on point. I will say I thought this was a stand-alone but it turns out there is a sequel. With an ending I did see coming, I still wasn't disappointed because it does leave it off so the next book is actually a mystery. Really looking forward to seeing how this series ends because right now I'm so clueless and curious about how everything will wrap up.
Clipped Wings is about a rocky secret keeping relationship between Tenley and Hayden. Tenley is a college student working on her thesis while working at the bookstore she lives above. Hayden is the bad boy with the dark past who has now straightened out his life and is working/owning a tattoo parlor across the street from his aunt's bookstore... So you see where this is going. After several visits to the store Hayden takes a liking to Tenley and after a series of events talks her into coming in for a tattoo session. Tenley though shy and guarded at times still managed to be both funny and charming. As far as leading ladies went I was really pleased with her, and how she is written. Hayden however was the character I oddly ended up relating to the most. Not only is he a total babe, but also a total sweetheart. The reason however I contacted him was because much like him I am often discriminated against because of the amount of tattoos I have. People see them and then automatically assume you're up to no good. So naturally I felt a connection to him and how he sees the world seeing him. I also can't mention Hayden without mentioning his love of cupcakes and how much it made me love him. But, to be completely honest I really enjoyed everything about his character. He turned out to be a lot more swoon worthy than I originally thought he would be. At first I thought I knew how his character would be, but once he started to actually reveal himself and start to win over Tenley I was completely sold. That sweet tattooed dreamboat stole my heart.
The story line is told in a dual POV which I digged. I enjoyed getting to see both of their struggles along with hearing both of their thoughts on one another. I also liked how the book, though it's deeper message was about working through struggles and learning that it's okay to lean on people, still found a unique way of bringing tattooing into the picture. Hot guys, talks about tattoos, and a storyline that wasn't choppy had me sold. Though the plot is rather predictable it was still written so well that I was able to set that aside. The plot keeps a steady pace through-out the novel and the romance is always on point. I will say I thought this was a stand-alone but it turns out there is a sequel. With an ending I did see coming, I still wasn't disappointed because it does leave it off so the next book is actually a mystery. Really looking forward to seeing how this series ends because right now I'm so clueless and curious about how everything will wrap up.
April 4, 2016
I buddy read this book with sis Pearl and sis Nicay [Click the names to read their reviews]
I put this book down for a month (almost two months) because the story was too heavy and got me on a reading slump. So I decided to switch to another book and just go back to it when I'm on the mood. Surprisingly, I'm more engrossed with it than before.
Tenley Page and Hayden Stryker - These two have dark stories that made them broken. Both endured such pain leaving them scars. As they get to know more better, these two are drawn with each other and slowly opened up their dark secrets that might make them vulnerable and hurt. Their story sure is heavy and really tough to get through it. Still, I love the way it was told with such emotions and you can totally feel it. Their character development is really good and they have a sizzling chemistry. Lots of steamy sexual tensions.
I love how these characters slowly opened up their feelings. It's a huge step up for them to unload such burden. I think both of them stand out individually and as a couple. Their romance is swoon-worthy.
I love Helena Hunting's writing style. It's mesmerizing, beautiful, intricate and filled with emotions. The way she described the tattoos, the emotions of the characters, the sexy scenes -- everything is written beautifully. Overall, I really enjoyed this book despite of the slow pacing.
I put this book down for a month (almost two months) because the story was too heavy and got me on a reading slump. So I decided to switch to another book and just go back to it when I'm on the mood. Surprisingly, I'm more engrossed with it than before.
Tenley Page and Hayden Stryker - These two have dark stories that made them broken. Both endured such pain leaving them scars. As they get to know more better, these two are drawn with each other and slowly opened up their dark secrets that might make them vulnerable and hurt. Their story sure is heavy and really tough to get through it. Still, I love the way it was told with such emotions and you can totally feel it. Their character development is really good and they have a sizzling chemistry. Lots of steamy sexual tensions.
I love how these characters slowly opened up their feelings. It's a huge step up for them to unload such burden. I think both of them stand out individually and as a couple. Their romance is swoon-worthy.
I love Helena Hunting's writing style. It's mesmerizing, beautiful, intricate and filled with emotions. The way she described the tattoos, the emotions of the characters, the sexy scenes -- everything is written beautifully. Overall, I really enjoyed this book despite of the slow pacing.
November 30, 2013
this is a great story. i read it as fanfiction....here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
March 21, 2014
**Clipped Wings generously provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Guilt - it should be categorized as the eighth deadly sin. Guilt’s a manipulative feeling settling deep in your soul, rooting itself; a nagging feeling warping all intrinsic, gut reactions. It’s always there ready to strike at the first sign of peace. Ready to strike at any given moment, the aftermath of which is akin to the aftermath of a tornado, irreparable destruction. Except guilt induced destruction comes in the form of raw emotions.
Clipped Wings chronicles the journey of Tenley and Hayden, two painfully broken characters whose need for each other becomes an addiction. These characters are enigmas to each other but as the reader we have inside access to their minds. We know the answers already. It emits such a sense of impending doom to the story; a testament to the brilliantly provocative writing of this author. It has been a while since I’ve read a story where I wasn’t waiting to hear all the secrets. When knowing what secrets are hidden and anticipating the outcome, feeling the angst of the character completely? It’s truly a fun and evocative reading experience.
I never focus on the hero before the heroine. But now Hayden Stryker finishes first in my world, above everyone. Maybe ever. He’s a complete contradiction that’s just everything. He bears his soul on his body, his brokenness a beacon. Hayden’s intense appeal is irresistible; he’s as sensitive as he is rough and demanding. Hayden’s passion turns Tenley to fire, scorching feelings of worthlessness; it’s visceral through the author’s prose. Even his evasive non-truths add to his undeniable appeal. Hayden’s control keeps the chaos created by guilt in check. Tenley’s unforeseen presence in his life imitates that tornado, the lasting effect causing irreparable effects. And seriously the man loves Oreo’s, references Flashdance, and turns undeniably adorable at the mere mention of cupcakes. There is not one thing about this character that deterred me from falling in love; Tenley certainly never stood a chance.
Tenley proves to be a manifestation of the very essence of guilt. She’s not broken, she’s shattered as Hayden comes to realize. Tenley puts on a show of strength as best she can for the outside world while her feelings of loss, guilt, and loneliness fester deep within her, paralyzing with the fear that, if exposed, the guilt will eat her alive. It’s an intoxicating cancer. And while, Tenley makes choices that I did not agree with in this book I understand them. Like all great characters Tenley is tragically flawed inviting a host of feelings both bad and good from the reader. She’s evasive and skirts the edge of dishonesty by way of deflection and half-truths. Normally, I would feel put off by this behavior but this character is so raw, so stripped bare, so irrevocably damaged sympathizing with her, feeling her pain in your chest makes you accept her, root for her. The reader comes to understand Tenley’s irrationality as her true rational because she’s so consumed with guilt and that guilt has skewed and manipulated all rational thought.
The writing wraps the reader up, immersing them in this world of conflicted feelings, angst, and steaming passion. These characters catch fire when they’re together, there’s nothing that feels truer than these two tortured souls placating themselves with one another. The feelings alone evoked from this book are worth five stars. The overall plot and conflict in this story provides an exhilarating read. It’s a cliffhanger though so be forewarned. However the story ends in this genius way, exciting and reminding us that even from the most devastating of storms the rainbow eventually following brings irreplaceable beauty. Clipped Wings climbed to the top as my new favorite book of 2014. It's one of those books where I wish I could erase my memory and start fresh at the beginning to experience it all over again. There is nothing I want more than to be immersed again in the tragically beautiful world of Tenley and Hayden when Inked Armor arrives.
Guilt - it should be categorized as the eighth deadly sin. Guilt’s a manipulative feeling settling deep in your soul, rooting itself; a nagging feeling warping all intrinsic, gut reactions. It’s always there ready to strike at the first sign of peace. Ready to strike at any given moment, the aftermath of which is akin to the aftermath of a tornado, irreparable destruction. Except guilt induced destruction comes in the form of raw emotions.
Clipped Wings chronicles the journey of Tenley and Hayden, two painfully broken characters whose need for each other becomes an addiction. These characters are enigmas to each other but as the reader we have inside access to their minds. We know the answers already. It emits such a sense of impending doom to the story; a testament to the brilliantly provocative writing of this author. It has been a while since I’ve read a story where I wasn’t waiting to hear all the secrets. When knowing what secrets are hidden and anticipating the outcome, feeling the angst of the character completely? It’s truly a fun and evocative reading experience.
I never focus on the hero before the heroine. But now Hayden Stryker finishes first in my world, above everyone. Maybe ever. He’s a complete contradiction that’s just everything. He bears his soul on his body, his brokenness a beacon. Hayden’s intense appeal is irresistible; he’s as sensitive as he is rough and demanding. Hayden’s passion turns Tenley to fire, scorching feelings of worthlessness; it’s visceral through the author’s prose. Even his evasive non-truths add to his undeniable appeal. Hayden’s control keeps the chaos created by guilt in check. Tenley’s unforeseen presence in his life imitates that tornado, the lasting effect causing irreparable effects. And seriously the man loves Oreo’s, references Flashdance, and turns undeniably adorable at the mere mention of cupcakes. There is not one thing about this character that deterred me from falling in love; Tenley certainly never stood a chance.
Tenley proves to be a manifestation of the very essence of guilt. She’s not broken, she’s shattered as Hayden comes to realize. Tenley puts on a show of strength as best she can for the outside world while her feelings of loss, guilt, and loneliness fester deep within her, paralyzing with the fear that, if exposed, the guilt will eat her alive. It’s an intoxicating cancer. And while, Tenley makes choices that I did not agree with in this book I understand them. Like all great characters Tenley is tragically flawed inviting a host of feelings both bad and good from the reader. She’s evasive and skirts the edge of dishonesty by way of deflection and half-truths. Normally, I would feel put off by this behavior but this character is so raw, so stripped bare, so irrevocably damaged sympathizing with her, feeling her pain in your chest makes you accept her, root for her. The reader comes to understand Tenley’s irrationality as her true rational because she’s so consumed with guilt and that guilt has skewed and manipulated all rational thought.
The writing wraps the reader up, immersing them in this world of conflicted feelings, angst, and steaming passion. These characters catch fire when they’re together, there’s nothing that feels truer than these two tortured souls placating themselves with one another. The feelings alone evoked from this book are worth five stars. The overall plot and conflict in this story provides an exhilarating read. It’s a cliffhanger though so be forewarned. However the story ends in this genius way, exciting and reminding us that even from the most devastating of storms the rainbow eventually following brings irreplaceable beauty. Clipped Wings climbed to the top as my new favorite book of 2014. It's one of those books where I wish I could erase my memory and start fresh at the beginning to experience it all over again. There is nothing I want more than to be immersed again in the tragically beautiful world of Tenley and Hayden when Inked Armor arrives.
August 3, 2021
Helena Hunting is an insta-read author for me, so I dove into this book without reading anything about it or the series. All I knew was that she wrote it and it has a crossover book with my favorite series of hers, Pucked.
This was the first Helena Hunting book that I was somewhat disappointed in. I struggled with whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars, but I ultimately decided to go with 3… even favorite authors have some misses!
I believe this book was published before she wrote the Pucked series, and it definitely seems like HH had some growing pains to work out before she really hit her stride with Pucked. I could see glimmers of the writing style and story-telling and character-development things I love about HH’s books within this, but there were a bunch of kinks along the way. (And not the good kind, lol)
A few things I had issues with:
--> While I actually really liked Hayden despite this, he was way too overbearing and possessive.
It was a little out of control. I feel like if HH were to write this book now, she likely would’ve balanced him out a tad.
--> The antagonists were incredibly one-dimensional.
It seemed like everyone was out to get this couple, yet there wasn’t much depth to those secondary characters… or at least, they didn’t seem to have good enough reasons to be so awful.
--> Being inside Hayden’s one-track mind got exhausting after awhile.
Like I mentioned earlier, I actually did end up liking Hayden (and Tenley and Hayden as a couple), but there were minor issues that I had throughout the book.
-->The cliffhanger ending seemed unnecessary.
It looks like the next book in the series continues with this couple and I kind of feel like it should’ve ended with this book. Luckily there is a 1.5 that tells Chris’s story before continuing with Hayden/Tenley. When series do this, it sometimes feels like it drags the story out way longer than necessary. Womp.
At the end of the day, I definitely will continue reading this series. If only to get to the Pucked crossover book LOL!
Read the full review here.
This was the first Helena Hunting book that I was somewhat disappointed in. I struggled with whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars, but I ultimately decided to go with 3… even favorite authors have some misses!
I believe this book was published before she wrote the Pucked series, and it definitely seems like HH had some growing pains to work out before she really hit her stride with Pucked. I could see glimmers of the writing style and story-telling and character-development things I love about HH’s books within this, but there were a bunch of kinks along the way. (And not the good kind, lol)
A few things I had issues with:
--> While I actually really liked Hayden despite this, he was way too overbearing and possessive.
It was a little out of control. I feel like if HH were to write this book now, she likely would’ve balanced him out a tad.
--> The antagonists were incredibly one-dimensional.
It seemed like everyone was out to get this couple, yet there wasn’t much depth to those secondary characters… or at least, they didn’t seem to have good enough reasons to be so awful.
--> Being inside Hayden’s one-track mind got exhausting after awhile.
Like I mentioned earlier, I actually did end up liking Hayden (and Tenley and Hayden as a couple), but there were minor issues that I had throughout the book.
-->The cliffhanger ending seemed unnecessary.
It looks like the next book in the series continues with this couple and I kind of feel like it should’ve ended with this book. Luckily there is a 1.5 that tells Chris’s story before continuing with Hayden/Tenley. When series do this, it sometimes feels like it drags the story out way longer than necessary. Womp.
At the end of the day, I definitely will continue reading this series. If only to get to the Pucked crossover book LOL!
Read the full review here.
March 4, 2014
Love consumes you. Secrets tear you apart.
Clipped Wings is book one in a new series from Helena Hunting focusing on the story of Tenley and Hayden. There is a prequel novella, Cupcakes & Ink, which it is not necessary to have read to enjoy this book but provides some nice background. The story does not conclude in this book and will continue in Inked Armor due for release in May.
I really loved this darkly atmospheric story from Helena Hunting. It’s so full of raw pain, anguish and sorrow. It tells the story of Tenley and Hayden, two very damaged people linked through the pain of loss who share an unyielding chemistry whose connection grows far beyond the physical into an innate need for one another.
We start with Tenley moving to Chicago to embark on a Masters Programme at the university and renting an apartment opposite a tattoo parlour. She can see the comings and going of the four people that work there but one of them catches her eye, Hayden and she watched him from afar, silently longing for him. She takes a part-time job at his aunt’s shop which is right next to Inked Armor, his tattoo parlour, but she’s painfully shy and skittish and every time he comes into the shop she tries to blend in with the background and disappear and constantly hides from him but he has noticed her and he likes what he sees and he is intrigued.
Tenley really did a number on me. Even when I was sleeping, she haunted my dreams. Her pain and her incredible grief were almost palpable. She’s so broken and she’s built such incredibly strong emotional walls that she really doesn’t want to let anyone in but, slowly, Hayden chips away at her defences and she begins to let him in and he agrees to do a really huge tattoo on her back – something that will bring them into close, intimate contact for weeks to come. It’s going to be very hard for them to resist that incredible pull that exists between them.
Hayden is inked and pierced but beneath that apparently hard exterior and brash comments and flirtatious nature lurks a surprisingly sensitive soul – he’s quite the pussycat under all that body modification. No stranger to loss himself, Hayden has handled things badly in the past and it’s only in the last year that he’s attempted to clean up his act and make something of his life but he also has a past that haunts him and is ready to roar back into his life.
Hayden has a bad case of OCD going on, really likes things in order and his feelings for Tenley are like a tornado throwing everything into upheaval – Tenley is the variable disrupting the order in his life. He sees her pain and can only guess at what she’s been through and he can see that she’s keeping everyone at a distance and how socially awkward she is but he can’t help but find himself developing very strong feelings for her. He’s a little territorial and possessive where she’s concerned but just his physical presence seems to ease Tenley’s pain and, slowly, they start up a beautiful relationship.
They’re linked through the pain of loss and they really do manage to heal one another – they’re both eased by the other’s presence but there were times when their reticence really frustrated me. They’re both very backward at coming forward and both hold so much back that, with your birds eye view as a reader, you can see disaster lurking on the horizon for these two as secrets from the past come roaring back to tear them apart and you can do nothing to stop it. There were times when I wanted to scream at them to just talk and open up but, alas, they don’t do enough of this and we;re left with a humdinger of a cliffie!
I really enjoyed this – it’s really quite haunting and atmospheric and I completely lost myself in their world. The pacing is spot on and I loved at how much time was given to allow these two to get to one another, to digest what was happening and recognise their feelings and, OMG, just how hot is it when Hayden finally gets to ink Tenley?? It’s actually a slow burner but all that pent-up sexual attraction becomes wound so tight that it’s ready to go off like a nuclear bomb when they finally succumb.
I’m now desperately waiting for the sequel to see how on earth these two come back from the events of the last few chapters – it can’t come soon enough.
4.5 stars
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September 20, 2015
OH. MY. GOD. I LOVED HIS BOOK!! THE STORY, THE CHARACTERS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN!!
I am going to put the warning out there though, it has a cliffhanger! I didn't realize it and I was about in tears last night when there were no more pages to turn! Ya know when you tap your kindle and the page doesn't turn because you didn't realize you were at fucking 99%!! Yeah, that was me last night!!
Soooo, all of you that know me should know that the moment this book was recommended to me and I heard tattooed and pierced hero and heroine and hero owns a tattoo shop I was ALL OVER IT!!
Hayden & Tenley are the beautiful and broken and just perfect for each other. They are both carrying a mountain of misplaced guilt and find peace in each others arms. The attraction is undeniable! When Tenley asks Hayden to ink her pain in the form of a full back piece, he kind of reluctantly agrees. He would never let anyone else do her ink but he really wants to know her pain and try to help her heal. But Hayden has demons and pain of his own. IMO, they are way to into their secrets! I find myself holding my breath when one of them gives up a little info about their past and hurt they are holding onto.
Oh, and I have to mention Hayden's crazy love of cupcakes! I can almost see the crazy come into his eyes when he spies a delicious cupcake! I love that sweet part of this book as well!
As a lover of ink myself, that was one of the things I liked about the way this story was written. The intensity of getting a large tattoo was given accurate descriptiveness. The intimacy of getting ink, the adrenaline high and the emotions that come out when you come down. It's beautiful and addictive!!
I was able to get my hot little hands on the prequel Cupcakes and Ink so I don't have to leave Hayden & Tenley just yet but I don't know how I'm gonna make it to May for the conclusion!
I am going to put the warning out there though, it has a cliffhanger! I didn't realize it and I was about in tears last night when there were no more pages to turn! Ya know when you tap your kindle and the page doesn't turn because you didn't realize you were at fucking 99%!! Yeah, that was me last night!!
Soooo, all of you that know me should know that the moment this book was recommended to me and I heard tattooed and pierced hero and heroine and hero owns a tattoo shop I was ALL OVER IT!!
Hayden & Tenley are the beautiful and broken and just perfect for each other. They are both carrying a mountain of misplaced guilt and find peace in each others arms. The attraction is undeniable! When Tenley asks Hayden to ink her pain in the form of a full back piece, he kind of reluctantly agrees. He would never let anyone else do her ink but he really wants to know her pain and try to help her heal. But Hayden has demons and pain of his own. IMO, they are way to into their secrets! I find myself holding my breath when one of them gives up a little info about their past and hurt they are holding onto.
Oh, and I have to mention Hayden's crazy love of cupcakes! I can almost see the crazy come into his eyes when he spies a delicious cupcake! I love that sweet part of this book as well!
As a lover of ink myself, that was one of the things I liked about the way this story was written. The intensity of getting a large tattoo was given accurate descriptiveness. The intimacy of getting ink, the adrenaline high and the emotions that come out when you come down. It's beautiful and addictive!!
I was able to get my hot little hands on the prequel Cupcakes and Ink so I don't have to leave Hayden & Tenley just yet but I don't know how I'm gonna make it to May for the conclusion!
March 17, 2015
I really enjoyed this one ! I apparently have a fetish for moody, broody and pierced tattoo artist :)
May 12, 2014
“I’m sorry I can’t make the hurt go away.”
“You do, every time you touch me.”
Flawed, imperfect, tortured, impeccably developed characters are my undoing, but couple that with some pretty spectacular writing, and I find myself bursting at the seams from glee. When I started this book, I knew nothing about it, so everything I found caught me completely by surprise. I can only compare it to a blind date that ends up rocking your world, because in no time this book consumed my every thought. I became so addicted to its pages that I caught myself furtively reading it even when I knew too well that doing so wasn’t exactly considered socially acceptable. It was a sweet addiction, beginning to end, and I’d recommend it in a heartbeat to anyone seeking a competently written, carefully knitted tale that will somehow manage to make you sigh and fan yourself all at the same time, and make it so that you’ll never be able to look at another cupcake the same way.
“Everyone has scars, Tenley. If we’re lucky, they’re only on the outside.”
At face value, Tenley and Hayden couldn’t be more dissimilar if they tried. A timid bookworm, demure and guarded, would appear to be no match for the heavily inked and extensively pierced tattoo artist, but their supposed incompatibility is nothing more than a reflection of society’s prejudices and presumptions. From the moment they meet, their attraction is immediate, visceral, unexpected, their pull originating from the very places inside them that they desperately try to hide from the world. Their physical appearances might differ somewhat, but the pain they secretly carry in their hearts is the same.
“Maybe that was where the connection came from: we were linked through the pain of loss.”
As they spend long periods of time together while Hayden works on Tenley’s new tattoo, the heightened emotional intimacy stemming from those rather painful sessions is a catalyst of change for both of them, making them slowly open up to one another and free themselves from the burden of the secrets they carry. Hayden’s patience and gentleness overwhelm her, cracking her defensive armour and giving her the freedom to reach out for the only thing she ever truly wanted in her life. Tenley’s sense of guilt over one particularly traumatic event in her past has made her distance herself from everyone around her, believing herself undeserving of happiness, but the more she detaches herself from human contact, the more she craves a connection with someone.
“I hadn’t considered the possibility that I might find someone who would understand what I had endured and want me anyway, even though I wasn’t whole.”
While Hayden’s fearless personality and refusal to be confined by what society deems acceptable act as a trigger for Tenley, releasing all her inhibitions and giving her the freedom to be herself, free from judgement or expectations, Hayden hides his own demons behind his tattoos, his defiance of all conventions mirroring his suppressed anger and inability to deal with his own past. His character is so carefully woven, each layer of his broken self giving us further insight into one of the most tridimensional heroes I have ever come across.
“Hayden embodied everything I wasn’t but wanted to be. I spent my entire life trying to color inside the lines, only to wind up restrained by them.”
What starts as an exquisite game of stolen glances and subtle flirting, both grabbing any chance they get to talk to or spend time around each other, very soon escalates to an all-consuming physical relationship where being with one another becomes as essential as the air they breathe. Every touch they share shows the overwhelming urgency of their need for one another, for the growing closeness between them, showing them almost unable to get close enough to one another. Before they realise it is happening, they have become so crucial to each other’s happiness, that every attempt to preserve distance, both physical as well as emotional, proves to be futile.
“Everything about the life I had been living before her seemed like a wash of grays.”
But guilt can be a powerful foe, and while they can cover the scars marring their young bodies, letting go of that guilt proves to be the only obstacle standing in the way of their happily-ever-after. The very thing that initially brings them together—Tenley’s new tattoo—is the embodiment of the only thing that can pull them apart, its symbolism capable of either cathartically releasing her from the bounds of her own past, or giving her guilt the insurmountable power to lock her heart even further.
“My remorse over things that couldn’t be changed was like acid, burning through skin and bone, seeping into the heart of me.”
United by their desperate need for each other, this is a tale of two broken people whose connection is so primal and absolute, that they become one another’s only salvation and chance at happiness. But nothing in this story is hurried or instantaneous, and we are left at the end of this book with an incomplete storyline, its delicious conclusion given to us in the sequel, Inked Armor.
“All I know is that I want you, all the f*cking time, every day, endlessly.”
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