Title: Does He Know?
Series: Everlasting Ink #1
Author: Kaylee Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Age Gap/Best Friend's Brother
Release Date: November 14, 2023
BLURB
NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylee Ryan brings you a new standalone series surrounding five best friends who co-own a tattoo studio.
Emerson
It’s not like I planned to fall for my older brother’s best friend.
It just happened. With a perfect body covered in tattoos, and a dirty mouth, Roman is the kind of guy women notice—and believe me, I noticed. Even when I tried not to.
When he finally gives in to temptation, there’s no going back. At least for me. Too bad Roman doesn’t see it that way.
He thinks he needs to protect me and my relationship with my brother, but I don't need him to fight my battles. I just need him.
Roman
My name whispered from Emerson’s perfect pink lips is all it takes for me to betray my best friend.
Before that night, I kept the green-eyed beauty at arm’s length. Watched her from afar and told myself that the chemistry between us was one-sided.
I pretended that I didn’t want her more than my next breath. Which is what’s on the line if her brother ever finds out we’ve been sneaking around behind his back.
But I can’t stay away. Especially after knowing what it’s like to have her and lose her.
Now, I’m given a second chance, and I have every intention of making her mine—consequences be damned.
PURCHASE LINKS
REVIEW
Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
Tattooed bad boys with a heart of gold are kind of one of my weaknesses. If they are yours as well then Roman Bailey is going to light your world on fire.
Let me tell you right now, Roman Bailey has #endgoals book boyfriend written all over him. From the outside looking in he is tall, dark, and handsome. The quiet guy with an edgy exterior. On the inside, Roman is a cinnamon roll all day long. When he cares for someone he is going to pull out all the stops making sure that they are protected, loved, and taken care of. Pampered, even. He has a big heart and he doesn't shy away from showing the people that he cares about that they are important to him. Emerson's character didn't stand out to me in any monumental way but I didn't dislike her character either. I admired her for going after what she wanted when it came to having a relationship with Roman. She wasn't shy about her feelings and taking a plunge with him. I also liked that she knew what she wanted out of life and she wasn't going to let anyone dictate how she should live it. Especially not her overprotective (though coming from a good place) brother.
I loved the cast of side characters in this book. There is a great found-family vibe going on that I found compelling. The overall themes of friendship and family are strong throughout the story. I really latched on to that and I am excited to read the rest of the books in the series. The only issue that I had with the characters was that most of them felt one-dimensional. I honestly couldn't picture any of them in my head and their personalities were void of personalization. I could get a general sense of their personality through their dialogue but other than that the only thing I could gather about them personally was their shared interest in the tattoo shop. No other hobbies or interests are ever really mentioned for any of the side characters and that distanced me from the story a little bit.
The romance in this one is a reaaaaally slow-burn. Keep in mind that Emerson and Roman have a ten-year age difference and Emerson isn't all that experienced where romance or intimacy is concerned. I liked that Roman was adamant about taking this slow with Emerson. And when I say slow I mean it! I liked how their intimacy wasn't always sexual. They just loved laying next to each other skin to skin and basking in each other's warmth and comfort. Once they decided that they were going to give things a try their relationship progression felt very genuine and organic.
I have read this author before and I have always enjoyed her writing style. It is very polished and easy to read. Though the plot in this book was nicely crafted, it did lag in places. There were a lot of inner monologues going on and I think that slowed things down. Otherwise, I enjoyed the progression of the plot and the ideas used. The world-building was on the smaller side but the reader definitely gets a feel for the surroundings.
Overall, this is a romance story that packs on the feels with a swoony hero that will sweep you off your feet. If your go-to tropes are age gap or brother's best friend/best friend's sister then this book is going to be right up your alley. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
TRAILER
COMING SOON
Releasing March 19
Only available at the following
retailers for a limited time
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
AUTHOR BIO
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylee Ryan has been crowned the Queen of Swoon by her readers. With nearly fifty romance books under her belt, she’s known for penning happily ever afters with heart. When she's not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand or hanging out with her family where she resides in her home state of Ohio.
AUTHOR LINKS
My name is Vanessa a.k.a. Queen Alchemy. I am a 30-something-year-old mother of four nerdy, fantastic children. We live in the Midwest. I have a reading addiction, and I hope that I never recover! I'm the hugest nerd you can find with interests not limited to the following: comics (Batman and Captain America for the win!), science, computers, zombies, unicorns, Harry Potter, cartoons from the 80's & 90's, Frankenstein, history, crafting, cooking & baking, Star Wars, digital scrapbooking, D&D, Minecraft, Hello Kitty, horror, metalcore, royalty, tattoos & piercings, bright colors, and so much more!
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