Messy Ink

Get Ink'd, Book 2

By: Ali Lyda

Narrated by: Connor Brown

Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

Dane 

Chris is a great doctor, but he can’t heal me.... 

I learned to look out for myself on the streets and in juvie. I’ve cleaned up my act, but it doesn’t mean that I’m about to start trusting a guy to stick around. Especially not a clean cut-doctor like Chris. No wonder I ended things between us the first time around. 

I’m sure it’s for the best. A guy like me can’t have a guy like Chris, no matter how much I want him. I’ve done too many bad things, and now karma is coming back to bite me. But every time my path crosses with Chris, I can’t help but wonder what might have been. 

Chris 

Is Dane too broken to try again with me? 

I knew Dane was a player when we hooked up the first time, and I thought I didn’t want strings. But the smoking hot tattoo artist makes me want to break the rules and try something new. His past is full of pain, and I’ve got commitment issues of my own. It’s no wonder we didn’t last. 

Dane has hidden depths, and my heart still beats like crazy every time I get close to him. If I let him get too close he could hurt me all over again - but maybe I’m ready to take a risk. Can we overcome the odds and make things work? 

Messy Ink is an m/m romance that gives you steamy second chances, a bad boy tattoo artist learning he’s worthy of love, the doctor who’s ready to mend his heart, and tons of gorgeous ink all wrapped up and ready for reality TV. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Special Fiction Books (P)2020 Special Fiction Books

Forgiveness is Divine

I was very curious as to what happened between Christian and Dane. They got together hard and fast in Daddy Ink and towards the end of the story, there was already some trouble in paradise. I'm glad their story is being told following Daddy Ink.

Christian and Dane both came with baggage, their past had made them guarded and it made enough impression as to how they want love or how they feel like they don't deserve love. These poor souls.

Although Dane drove me nuts and Christian is a better person that I'll ever be, I'm glad both of them finally got their HEA.

Connor Brown is a big change and improvement of an author compared to the first book.

**thanks to GRR for the opportunity to listen and review**

Not my normal read

This is the first book I've read/listened to by Ali Lyda. M/M is not my normal read, but I've read some from favorite authors. This was well written with a good storyline and likeable characters. The back and forth romance was frustrating for me. These men were acting like high school boys. Also, there were few women mentioned other than the mothers. Not a real world scenario.

Connor Brown was the reason I accepted the code for this book. He has a great voice. Easy to listen to for long periods of time. His performance was excellent. A favorite narrator.

*I received a code for this audiobook and this is my voluntary and honest review.

I love this!!!!

I so glad I started this series. it's speak to what can be really.

Not a bad book

I enjoyed this book, followed the storyline and enjoyed it well. Looking forward to the next book in the series. The narrator did a great job with that lovely voice.

Messy Ink - well developed while keening attention

I loved this book/listen. Christian and Dane are such a great couple, and their journey is full of self-discovery, love, and care. I was always engaged in the story, which doesn't always happen when world-building and character development is center stage. I can't wait for more.

Connor Brown is not a name I know but one I will look out for as he did a great job.

Oh! I haven't read/listened to the first book and had no problems. This is a true standalone.

Doctor and Tattoo artist fall in love

Chris a surgeon and Dane a tattoo artist with a record, come together in a story of forgiving yourself for the past and finding love in unexpected ways with unexpected people. Both men have trouble trusting others so this is not a quick romance without a lesson or two in learning to trust along the way. The author was great with character development and you get to see characters from the first book I. The series and you get to see couples to come in the next book to come in the series, which I will be listening to once available!
The narration was spot on for each character and I would definitely recommend listening to other narrations by this narrator. I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audio book.

Chris & Dane

Love this story of Chris and Dane. I never would have pictured these two together, Chris a surgeon and Dane a tattoo artist with a record, but they’re actually perfect together. They are both wounded souls who because of their past have a really hard time trusting. They have ups and downs but their love is strong enough to withstand. But can they really learn to trust each other and in their love.
The narrator was fantastic with the story and was great with all of the characters. I can’t wait for Reagan and Channing’s story. I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audio book.

So Good

Continuing were the first book ends, but with a new couple. Dane and Chris have some obstacles in the way, but they surpass them.The narration was good.

Loved it!

On paper, one would not put a tattoo artist with a juvenile record together with a well respected, and successful surgeon together. Life doesn't work that way. Hearts don’t work that way. Dane panics, leaning on old hangups and habits, and pushes Christian away. Dane us convinced that a man with his past, doesn’t deserve to be forgiven or loved. He still feels like he has a lot of atoning to do for his teenage mistakes. Plus he has his sick mom to take care of. Misunder-standings and a slimy tv producer continue to keep them apart. On top of all of this going on, Christian takes in his much younger brother, after he attempts to rob the tattoo shop. Dane takes pity, and wants to pay it forward by offering Dane the chance to work off the damage instead of calling the cops. Dane’s boss took a chance on him, years ago, and his life turned around. When Dane steps up again, to help Christian during a crisis, maybe they will finally see what’s in front of them is worth fighting for.

The narrator does a fantastic job with each character. This is the first book I’ve listened to, that he’s narrated. Hopefully I will get to listen to more in the future.

This is the second book in the series. We get to see Gordo, Javi, and the rest of the crew again. We first met Dane and Christian in book one, and this book picks up where that left off. That said, it can be listened to as a stand-alone.

OMG!!

I just love this series! Dane is so broken and the good doctor, Chris finally manages to help him. There was a moment or two that I wanted to smack him for messing up so royally but he redeemed himself. So Good!!!

Messy and Perfect

This audiobook was the perfect combination of hot and spicy and cute and sweet. This had such raw and endearing characters that spoke to me on a deep level! The main characters were so honest and heartwarming. The way the story touches heavily on mental health really spoke to me and the author Ali Lyda handled it with grace. All the scenes, heartfelt to spicy, were so incredibly well done from dialogue to descriptions. I enjoyed every minute Connor brown did an impeccable job with this narration though he did bounce around on the pronunciation of Javis name at times. Otherwise it was crisp, clear and passionate!

Much better than the first

I enjoyed this book, and Dane & Christian’s story SO much more than the first in the series. I was hesitant listening to this after the first, as I really didn’t enjoy that one, but I am really glad I decided to continue with the series. This is not a 2 men meet, and everything is roses and they fall in love. Dane & Christian both have a past and both are human enough to be imperfect, and that shows in their developing relationship. I enjoyed how they worked together to come out on top.
Connor Brown did a great job of the narrating Dane & Christian. He did awesome bringing their emotions and their story to life.
So glad I gave this a chance!

Whirlwind

Whew... this was a lot of story... Dane is afraid to let good things happen to him while Christian has been burned before, too. But after hurting each other a few times, they bond over Dane’s younger brother. Plus, we get to see the whole crew and the set-up for what looks to be a very interesting next book. Looking forward to it! I enjoyed the narrator, too!

Great

This was a very entertaining audiobook.
I really enjoyed listening to this story.
I can’t wait to listen to more of this series.

Third Times the Charm

Third Times the Charm (audio review)

I enjoyed Daddy Ink, but struggled with narration, and I didn’t like the amount of breaking up, getting back together, hurting each other, etc. that went on in the book. Optimist that I am, I picked up this second book with high hopes.

Let me start with narration – Connor Brown is someone I’ve listened to before and he’s a good narrator. He certainly delivers a solid performance with this book and I enjoyed listening to him.

Now the book. In retrospect, there was a lot of back and forth, breaking up and getting back together, and hurting each other. Somehow this book was less painful than the last. I think part of that was having the involvement of an important secondary character.

In this book, Dane is a tattoo artist with a bit of a problem. He and his crew have been tapped to do a television show. His mother requires a fulltime nurse, so this gig is a must. He is barely squeaking by but that won’t hold. This television show is a god send. What is not so great is the producer who won’t take a hint. Jason is definitely the villain of the piece. And who hasn’t faced someone in their lives who won’t back off. Won’t take a hint.

Plus, Dane has someone he is interested in – the surgeon Christian. But Dane weirdly believes that if he allows something good into his life that bad things will happen. That might sound bizarre, but I’ve had that thought myself a time or two. Don’t enjoy this too much because the other shoe is going to drop any day now and it’ll all come crashing down. Better to keep expectations low. Chris doesn’t understand Dane’s sudden withdrawal when things are going well and is leery to let the man back into his life. Then Chris’ life is turned upside down with the reappearance of his younger brother Channing into his life. Suddenly he and Dane are drawn together, both wanting to put Channing on the straight and narrow.

This brings up memories of their childhoods – neither had it easy. As they help Channing, things start to get back on track between the men. Then something bad happens in Dane’s life, he turns away from Chris, and the whole cycle repeats. It broke my heart. But, third time’s the charm and they do finally talk to each other and figure things out. All good. I loved seen Javi and Gordo from the first book, but what I really like is the set up for the next book – Dane’s boss Regan and Chris’ younger brother Channing. There is a serious age gap between the two, so I’ll be interested to see how that works out. Hopefully the book will come to audio soon.

Super addition

Another amazing book by Ali Lyda. Love the characters and their story, can't wait for the following book. Connor Brown was super with the narration. Really enjoyed it.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

It was a sweet story

I totally enjoyed Messy Ink. It was a great story in the Get Ink’d series. I love Dane and Chris, they were both likable men with definite issues and I liked how they worked things out. I loved getting to know the artists at Get Ink’d better and Channing was a great addition to the story. I liked their dialogue and how Chris and Dane interact with each other.
I loved the narrator, Connor Brown’s voice and the pace he read the story. I really enjoyed listening to him and the story. I definitely recommend this audiobook.

Angsty and realistic

I hurt for these guys so much. Dane feels so unworthy he lets people hurt him and Christian is fearful of being abandoned based on past parental experiences. Their insecurities are a perfect breeding ground for misunderstandings and heartbreak. The author does not soft pedal the problems these two have. This is an angsty roller coaster of a story that gets sad before it gets better. No instant "love fixes all" here. The performance by Connor Brown was excellent. You felt like you were inside a real person's head, hearing their lies and rationalisations as they tried to convince themselves and others things were ok, but knowing full well they weren't. If you've ever been there, you will recognise how true this narration rings. Great story, excellent performance.

One hot mess I thoroughly enjoyed...

Dane Hart is a troubled guy with a problematic past. It’s a past full of violence and crime. As a teen, he ended up getting involved with the wrong crowd which led to some time spent in juvie. Dane’s life really could have gone to hell, but he got a lucky break, cleaned up his act, and started to make something of his life. He ended up with a job as a tattoo artist at Get Ink’d and made good friends with his work family. Life was pretty good for him, and he turned into quite the playboy until his mom had a stroke.

Christian Lowe is a world-class surgeon, one of the top surgeons in the state, at the hospital doing emergency surgeries. He too had a troubled past but it was different than Dane’s. Chris had a flighty father who would come and go in his life, building up his trust before casting him aside again. Because of that, Chris suffers from abandonment issues. His only stable relationships are with his good friend Gordo and his mom. He’s a man with commitment issues and doesn’t plan on risking his heart.

These two men couldn’t be more different. Dane is the tatted-up bad boy while Chris is a clean-cut surgeon, and yet they come together to start a passionate casual fling. Because of their individual personal issues, a casual hook-up seems like a good plan. What they didn’t expect was real feelings to become involved. Chris finds himself wanting more from Dane despite their original arrangement. When Chris starts pushing him for more, the troubled tattoo artist breaks things off.

Chris and Dane are brought back together when Chris gets a call from Dane asking him to come to Get Ink’d. Chris’ younger brother, Channing, was caught breaking into the shop with some of his friends. They’d seen the shop when the Get Ink’d show aired on TV and thought they’d get some money by robbing the place. Dane decided to give the kid a break because Dane had stopped the robbery and there was only one broken window in the back. He wanted to give the kid a chance as Reagan gave to him when he was a troubled youth. So he calls Chris to get his brother and they decide to let Channing work off the cost of the broken window.

From that point, there is so much that happens in this book. Channing is given a second chance by Dane, Chris, and Reagan. He moves in with his older brother who helps to help get his life on track. Meanwhile, Dane realizes that he needs professional help for his issues. His efforts to better himself helps him and Christian find their way back to each other. They have problems, for sure, until things get worked out once and for all. Jason is an annoying pest who shows up again, but Chris shuts him down pretty quickly which was funny to see. There’s drama, hurt, reconciliation, personal growth, the development of something between Channing and Reagan, and a happy ever after.

I loved the problems that these characters have. They come across as real people with real problems. It was great to see that Dane, Chris, and Channing were all willing to get professional help. It was obvious they needed to work on their mental health for different reasons. They all had things haunting them that were preventing each from living a happy, healthy life. It’s great to see someone struggle but overcome those struggles with help from their friends and family. This book really delivered when it came to that.

Honestly, if you enjoyed book one, I think you’ll love this addition to the series. Some moments hit me in the heart, scenes that made me tear up. So if you want a book that makes you have all the feels, good and bad, check this out. The narrator and author both did a wonderful job bringing you a captivating story about troubled individuals who overcome their struggles to live happily ever after.

Brill

Brill book to listen to as both Chris and Dane have pasts that they have to deal with to be able to build and keep their relationship.