Cupcakes and Ink by Helena Hunting Review

Cupcakes and Ink by Helena Hunting
(Clipped Wings #0.5)
Release Date: February 3, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Star; 60 pages

Tenley Page is looking for a new start: a new city, a new apartment, a new life. Her plan is to keep to herself and stay focused. But leaving her past behind and starting over isn’t as easy as she thought. And neither is maintaining her solitude. As Tenley settles into her new surroundings, she finds herself drawn to Inked Armor, the tattoo studio across the street. But it’s the gorgeous, dark-haired tattoo artist who captures her interest. There’s something about his severe beauty that captivates her—and not just in her waking hours.

Covered in the ink he inscribes on other people’s skin, Hayden Stryker has made a career out of being a tattooist. He’s got his own business and a tight circle of friends. As far as he’s concerned, that’s all he needs. At least until his aunt, who owns the antiques and used book store across from his tattoo studio, hires a new employee. At first his intrigue is based on physical appeal; hot chick equals something nice to look at. But as he begins to catch glimpses of the fiery personality under the fragile, feminine exterior, his fascination with Tenley grows. Annoyed by his inability to control his fixation, Hayden decides the best way to cure him of the new obsession is to get to know the girl under her skittish façade.

But like the ink he wears as armor, Tenley has the ability to get under his skin and stay there.

Thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Here is some advice.  Read this novella before you read Clipped Wings!  I love these books!  I can easily say that I am obsessed with Hayden and Tenley!  This novella gives a brief insight to their lives before Clipped Wings.  I wouldn't really call it a prequel because it literally takes place just a few weeks, if not days before the first book.  But it gives you the details of Hayden and Tenley's first meeting.  And if you're like me, you are craving for anything with Hayden and Tenley!

As with most novellas a preview of the next book is included.  But I love when novellas include some extra features.  I would have loved to see maybe some of Tenley's drawings or pictures of Hayden's tattoos.  This is such a visually stimulating book that having some photos would be really cool!  

It makes sense that this novella is released before the novel.  Because it is enough to keep you on your toes as you await the first book's release!  And it's a wonderful introduction to both Hayden and Tenley.  I think it's good way for someone to decide if they want to read a book or not.  It's a preview and a good preview.  I wish more authors of new series would release novellas before a book release.