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Author: Nyrae Dawn
My Rating: 4 out 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | TBD
A biker. A tattoo artist. A love to last a lifetime.
Maddox Cross has always had to be tough. When his father went to jail for murder, the teenager took care of his sister and mother. Now on his own and working security at a night club, Maddox wants to become a tattoo artist-a dream that comes closer to reality when he falls for the hottest, most tatted woman he's ever seen. She's wild and beautiful, and Maddox will do anything to be with her.
Bee Malone came to town to open up her new tattoo parlor, Masquerade. Since being kidnapped as a young girl, Bee has had trouble getting close to anyone. But when she meets Maddox, she sees that under his hard biker's body is the sensitive soul of an artist. What starts out as a sizzling one-night stand soon becomes so much more.
Bee wants Maddox to join her tattoo business, but letting him into her life means revealing all her most intimate secrets. And as the past begins to intertwine with her present, Bee fears their love may not be as permanent as their ink . . .
“We’re not perfect, though none of us are. We’re works in progress and what matters is we’re moving forward and we’re doing it together. In love.”
I was excited when I first saw this book and more when I was about to read it. I told myself I should be ready for whirlwind of emotions because so far this series has given me nothing but a rollercoaster ride. Then I struggled. I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I was having trouble getting the right feel of the story because of how the characters were; one moment, they’re tough then the next they secretly breaks down by themselves. That feeling stretched out for almost the whole first half and I was worried.
One of the things that helped me get to Maddox was Laney. I was reminded of who he was in Façade by their conversations and bickering. It was then I started to understand his character. Slowly, as if I was not just a reader but another person in the book, it was like Maddox and Bee decided to give pieces of themselves, not just to each other but also to me. It was when I started to appreciate the characterization. They were so in-character, even I can’t breakthrough.
There was something with the way it was written that Dawn made me feel almost—if not exactly—the way the characters feel. I felt the way Bee felt lost while I was reading her. It was like standing on a shaky ground where I can’t seem to find the right footing. Maddox’s frustration and desire to make things right despite not wanting to be the hero was also very present every time I read his chapters.
I liked how strong the characters were despite their brokenness. At first, Bee’s bluntness shocked me but I started to like it after a while. It’s always a plus to see women who knows what they want and doesn’t let others fuck them around. She’s strong despite her avoidance about getting close to other people.
Maddox might not be a showy person but his ability to love and care those people who are dear to him is so freakin astounding. He might always say that his sister has a big heart but he also has one, even though he tries to hide it.
Only issue I had was the too much emphasis on how Bee struggles with the concept of love. We get it, she’s confused. It doesn’t have to be mentioned again and again every time Bee has this moments where she witnesses love around.
This was different from the first two books but it was heartbreaking as well. If you struggled reading the first half like I did, don’t give up and just read on.
This copy was provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
