Name: Destiny Rose Pluff's review of Inked Armor by Helena Hunting
Item: Inked Armor
Rating: 5
Author: Destiny Rose Pluff

Helena Hunting

Can a love this deep heal the scars of the past? The second book in the dangerously addictive Clipped Wings series. Tenley has gone. And in the wake of her leaving, Hayden's carefully ordered world threatens to spiral out of control. Balanced on the brink of self-destruction, he realises he needs to face the truth about his past if he has any hope of a future. Back in her hometown, Tenley lays her ghosts to rest. And despite her grief, her feelings for Hayden remain as intense and all-consuming as ever. Desperate to repair the damage she has done to their relationship, she returns to Chicago and the man she loves. But there are still so many obstacles in their path. Will their love conquer all? Or will it tear them apart?

Inked Armor

Destiny Rose Pluff

In this follow-up to Clipped Wings, the emotional love story continues between Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts. In the wake of losing Tenley Page, tattooist Hayden Stryker's tumultuous past is haunting him. Plagued by nightmares about the murder of his parents, Hayden reaches out again to Tenley. Having run from the man she doesn't believe she deserves, Tenley finally lays her guilt to rest. Despite their intense physical attraction, Hayden and Tenley struggle to repair their fragile emotional connection. As Hayden gets closer to the truth, he must find a way to reconcile his guilt over his parents' death in order to keep the woman who finally cracked his armor, and found her way into his heart.

Anna Ureta

I live for the last pages of a book or series, when everything finally comes together and you feel complete.
 Inked Armor and the Clipped Wings series was a journey – it was a hard journey. This couple had their share of drama, problems, and their past to deal with, but this book was all about the recovery and what they needed to fix as a couple. The first book was about the pain and the secrets, and the second book was the recovery and how they all came together. This really is a beautifully dark story, full of love, trust and lots of sex.
 
After being dragged back home to Arden Hills to attend her family’s memorial, Tenley finally decided to take her life into her own hands by dealing with her family matters and herself almost brother-in-law, Trey. Making sure to leave him with nothing, she decides to head home to try to patch up things with Hayden and the gang. However, when she gets back, Hayden is not entirely sure he wants to take her back. Left broken-hearted, Hayden began to relapse into his old habits and was completely lost without her. Now that she’s back he doesn’t know if he can trust her with his heart and let her back into his life.
 
This book was the PERFECT FOLLOW-UP to Clipped Wings that sort of ended off on a tiny little cliff-hanger. Upon first cracking open Inked Armor I was a little confused as to where we were. I’m not going to spoil it and say where it starts, I’m just going to say that I was surprised that we missed out on a lot of important details. (Details that were explained later in the book). Despite first being lost, the book picked up again quickly once Tenley went back to Chicago.
 
New and improved healing Tenley is definitely more badass than the old Tenley. She has a grasp on her life, she knows what she wants and is willing to work her ass off to get it. Readers will notice that in this book Tenley does A LOT of apologizing for her behaviour and is constantly trying to repair what she broke with Hayden. On the flip-side, readers might also notice and may consider Hayden to be a little bit… DESPERATE if not extremely clingy. Hayden becomes EXTREMELY VULNERABLE in this book and a lot of women might not like having someone be THAT clingy.
 
Like I’ve mentioned, the novel is about repairing their relationship and a lot of it is trying to earn back each other’s trust. Here Hayden believed that Tenley didn’t want to see him, that he was just a fling, or something she thought she deserved, while Tenley felt like she needed to go away to try to fix up her life but didn’t explain the reasons why she had to go away first. Open communication would have definitely saved this couple a lot of hardship but again it’s a book, it’s a work of fiction, we learn from their mistakes :P.
 
“I know they’re gone, Hayden. I live with it every day.” I got up.
 He left the kitchen, barricading me between the couch and coffee table. “I’m sorry, that was a ******* thing to say. I didn’t mean it. I’m just trying to understand. The last time we were together, we were closer than we’ve ever been. When Trey showed up, you let him **** all over what we had. Then you pretty much backed him up when you told me to leave and disappeared for three weeks. I’m confused. I want you here, but I’m just so-“
 
Despite the demons of their past, Tenley and Hayden are able to work through their problems and pull their lives together in order to get through some unsettling business regarding Hayden’s old life. Despite Hayden’s NEED to have Tenley in his life and to have her all the time, I NEVER ONCE said to myself, “He’s too clingy” or “He needs to give her personal space.” I think Hayden is the kind of guy that would respect her wishes if she needed time alone, but it doesn’t seem like Tenley’s in a rush to spend time away from him. She needs him just as much as he needs her.
 
Here’s a story of two broken people who need each other, who’ve made mistakes, who love each other, and who go through the hardships of repairing a broken relationship. If two people were meant for each other they’ll do whatever they can to make it work, no matter what the cost. These two might have been broken beyond repair, but eventually they work through their trust issues and let the other back in. This book also makes me want to get another tattoo and some piercings…
 
5/5 Hearts of Love

Thais Souza Passos

This is book is the proof that New Adults (or any category) are not just about sex, teenagers or adults trying to get a relief in having sex and stuff. NO!
This book series is about discovering who you really are, finding out the things that make you happy or sad, finding some place where you really belong.
Is about love, caring, sharing happy and sad moments. It's so true, so realistic, so much like our lives, that I can't even <33333333333333333333
I must confess I got scaried once Tenley left Arden Hills and Trey behind, wondering if he was coming back for her. And it didn't got any easier once Hayden started having nightmares with Tenley shot at her chest. But every little thing turned out just fine and perfect and so beautiful <333333333333
I wonder why I took so long to start reading this book series!!!!! 
*wipes tears* *sobs uncontrollably*

Vilde

Ella Zegarra

Publicado originalmente: El Extraño Gato del Cuento

Reseña primer libro: Publicado originalmente: Clipped Wings

Que manera de darme la contra, señora escritora. No fue lo que esperaba :D

Recuerdo que en la reseña de Clipped Wings les dije que tenía curiosidad de leer Inked Armor a pesar de ya tener idea de cómo terminaba. No sé porque prejuzgué el libro sin haberlo leído, supongo que tiene que ver con mis escasas y no del todo buenas experiencias con el New Adult. I was wrong.

Ya había resaltado la narración de Helena Hunting, debí basarme en eso antes de hacerme una idea errónea. Cómo ya sospecharán disfruté el libro. Algo que no me había dado cuenta con Clipped Wings era lo graciosa que puede llegar a ser la escritora, los primeros capítulos de Inked Armor me hicieron reír mucho, no porque el libro sea todo broma, son las situaciones, en realidad fue esa risa nerviosa cuando esperas algo. La anticipación puede ser graciosa de vez en cuando.

Me gustó el crecimiento de los personajes, el que haya estado balanceado en cada cambio de perspectiva... al menos la mayor parte del tiempo. Esta vez no tuve esa sensación de desbalance que tuve con el primer libro. Es un libro mucho más explícito que el anterior.

Y Hayden, obviamente. Es como Hellboy, su amor por KT es adorable, soy amante de los gatos, como quizá habrán notado, y en los libros y en general, se pone a los gatos como estas criaturas frías con poca gracia, me encantó que Hunting utilizara un gato en lugar de un perro ¡Fuerza Gato! Solo quiero que se hagan a la idea Hayden es: tatuado, tiene un gato, una extraña obsesión por los cupcakes y encima cocina, además llega un punto en que no se afeita... ¡Y! Un estilo minimallista que simplemente yo... *sigh*

La conclusión de la historia me ha gustado bastante, me sorprendió que no cayera en los recursos fáciles en ningún momento, Helena Hunting me está dando esperanza con el New Adult, al menos con sus próximos libros.

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Ooooh boy. Inked Armor was a roller coaster ride with a ton of feels and emotions. Hayden and Tenley are deeply in love, but separated after Tenley leaves to try to wrap up her estate and issues with her jerk (almost) brother-in-law. She's completely torn because she doesn't believe she deserves Hayden and guilty with the realization that losing all the people close to her led her to find this man who is so obviously the love of her life. I could feel her emotions in the words and thoughts of her character. That's how good Helena's writing is. I wasn't just reading it. I was living it. 

Hayden is a bit of a mess in this book, but it's completely understandable. He's lost Tenley. Not only is he having nightmares about the murder of his parents again, but now Tenley is prominently featured in them. After one particularly bad night, he reaches out to her again and she returns. They set about trying to fix their relationship – and themselves. It's not an easy road, but they're traveling it together with the realization that even though they love each other, they're going to have to fight to stay together. 

Inked Armor had it all. It was an unflinchingly honest look at a relationship between two characters with a lot of baggage. After awhile you begin to wonder if love would be enough to make this relationship work. It was angsty, but I didn't think it was overly so. There were quite a few seriously sexy moments and some suspenseful ones as Hayden and Tenley started to reevaluate what happened the night of Hayden's parents' deaths, thinking answers will help lay some of the nightmares to rest. 

I loved these characters and felt their emotions so strongly as I was reading this book. Tenley is so strong, but still so vulnerable. Hayden looks like the stereotypical pierced and tatted bad boy on the outside, but there is so much more to him underneath. They were both so complex and so broken. My heart broke for both of them during this book. But, by the end, secrets had been revealed, the characters had grown tremendously and everything was right with the world. 

Helena is two for two with me. Her books have ripped my heart out and put it back together. I love her writing style and I can't wait to read more from her in the future... starting with the novellas in this series. After that, I'll be stalking her Goodreads author page looking for upcoming releases. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

Audiobook Review:

This book was jointly reviewed by myself and my co-blogger, Becca!

* Though this review is spoiler-free for Inked Armor, it may contain spoilers for Clipped Wings, book one in this series. *

THE STORY:
Becca:
Inked Armor starts off where Clipped Wings stopped. Clipped Wings ended leaving me wanting more and Inked Armor gave me just what I was looking for! More Tenley… more Hayden… more passion and more answers! Again I am blown away by Helena Hunting’s talent! Her characters, her ability to evoke emotion and her story telling are impeccable. There were several things I loved about this book, the connection between Hayden and Tenley, their growth as individuals and the answers we get about their pasts. Although I did feel like it dragged on in some places… it was slow to start and a little slow in the middle, but by the end it had picked back up and I loved the end of their journey. Not much can compare to my love of Clipped Wings… but I loved this book as well!

Lisa:
I have to agree, Becca. It’s tough not to compare this book to Clipped Wings, which was simple perfection. Inked Armor started off good for me, bringing us right to Tenley being with Trey (immediately where Clipped Wings ended off) and Hayden determined to save her. I was a bit disappointed in how quickly the scene ended, as I was really enjoying the suspense and impact the first few chapters had. But getting to see more of Hayden and Tenley, though somewhat conflicted at this point, really made their relationship come to life for me.


“Love doesn’t always have convenient timing.”


THE CHARACTERS:
Lisa:
In Inked Armor we get to see more of Hayden on a deeper level. In this story, he’s fighting his inner demons more aggressively, unwilling to let others help me in the process. I was quite pleased to see Hayden’s parents’ murder played such a big part in this story. It was tough to read about all of Hayden’s torturous issues, but really helped us get to know him a lot better.

Tenley came off as a bit tougher in this book, really having dealt with a lot of her inner struggles in Clipped Wings and in the very beginning of Inked Armor. She definitely still has her hands full with all of her emotions, including her horrible adviser, dealing with her recurring nightmares, and now trying her best to help Hayden through this difficult time for him.

This is definitely a power couple that I really enjoy reading about. My only complaint with them is the obsessive amount of sexy scenes. These two can’t keep their hands off of each other. Which is really fine (and many others will probably really enjoy that aspect.), but for me it was just too much. Every chapter or two there was some scene that I found myself skimming over. I do like my romantic scenes, but at a minimum. And these two were definitely at it more often than not.

Becca:
I agree with Lisa, the growth of Tenley and the light shed on Hayden were such amazing parts of this book. I loved how Tenley learned to cope and overcame so much. When she toughened up and fought for herself, I actually cheered out loud for her I was so proud :) When Hunting then turned her focus to Hayden and we got to learn about his past, his parents and his PTSD I was completely invested and did not want to stop listening! I did not think it was possible to love these characters more then I already did, but Hunting does an amazing job making her characters believable and lovable.

I have to agree with Lisa on the “sexy scenes” there were a lot of them. Don’t get me wrong… I am OK with some steaminess ;) but this did get a little over the top, towards the middle. So much so that Lisa and I were commenting on it. Then it dissipated and we got back to the heart of the story, which I was very happy with :)


“She’d found a way between the cracks in my armor and blew it apart. I wanted to have the same effect on her.”

OVERALL:
Becca:
I loved how this began and I loved how this ended. Although it cannot compare to Clipped Wings I really enjoyed it. This book really completed Tenley and Hayden’s story for me and made me excited for Sarah and Chris’ story as well. I love when a sequel tidies up loose ends and answers your burning questions and this did just that. We listened to this on Audio, just as we did with Clipped Wings and again I was so impressed with Elizabeth Louise and Jason Carpenter. Their ability to portray each character was just amazing! Let’s not forget Helena Hunting! She has quickly topped my list of favorite Authors!

Lisa:
I totally agree! This combination of narrators mixed with Helena Hunting’s amazing writing makes for a very enjoyable read. I’m glad we decided to go the audiobook route with this entire series. It definitely has not disappointed one bit! If you like romance novels with flawed characters and lots of sexy scenes, this is a series for you! We want more, Helena! (Especially Chris and Sarah… hint, hint… ;) )

(Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the review copy!)

Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!

Gretchen Gomez

This book was just utterly amazing. A great continuation and great end!!!! I'm so satisfied and happy. We finally got to see more into Hayden's past and things make so much sense. The way he loves Tenley is so beautiful and full of flaws that he works on every day. I found nothing wrong with this book.

Destiny Rose Pluff &
Inked Armor by Helena Hunting

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