Review:  Flash (Ink Slingers Book 1) by KM Neuhold 

Rating: 3.25🌈

Ink Slingers is a new series that follows and contains the characters from both the Four Bear Construction Series and Big Bull Mechanics. 

As Flash, the first book to focus on the group of tattoo artists we have met, it will introduce new people as well, brought in to provide additional romantic partners and cast to this enlarged universe. 

The newest couple is Arrow, the  older motorcycle riding owner of the tattoo shop, and Lewis, the young “twink” who recently arrived in town to open his new flower shop.  The location of this new floral shop just happens to be next door to the Ink Slingers.  This element in the story leads to a series of increasingly juvenile pranks between the shops as well as a plot thread that makes little sense where neither man knows what the other does for a job. 

Flash, meaning a standard 

piece of ink artwork available to anyone, is a sexy contemporary romance that is light, a quick read and has some interesting characters.

However, unlike the other novels from preceding series, I just couldn’t connect with it.  It starts with the pranks plot threads. I don’t find pranks funny.  Instead they are often actions that border more along the lines of harassment and bullying.

Here?  Neuhold clearly meant it to be funny and cute, and each business used it to create a positive effect.  But honestly, these are grown businessmen, one trying to establish a new business and identity in the community, and this is what they do? The author doesn’t have Arrow the owner at least investigate what his shop and employees are doing against a new business next door? 

The one that he is having a relationship with but isn’t aware that Lewis owns that very store? SMH

And Lewis isn’t even aware that the motorcycle riding hottie he’s in bed with often is the tattoo shop owner next door? No one Googles anyone anymore? Especially Lewis with his trust issues?

And Jag’s character is just turning mean.  I’m not sure why Neuhold thinks Jag’s behavior and words are funny or even things to overlook, but his fellow artists seemingly give his character a free pass.  Another no here.

A cute dog , who I do like, just doesn’t help to connect me to a story and characters that just pop with issues.  

Others will find they like Flash more than I did.  I’ll be interested in seeing if the next story has a similar or different slant to it. 

Ink Slingers:

Flash #1

Virgin Skin #2 – November 1,2024

Buy link

        Flash (Ink Slingers Book 1)

    

Blurb 

A tattooed silver fox, a dramatic florist, and the epic prank war standing in the way of their happily ever after. Let the fun begin… 

A chance encounter during a flash rainstorm isn’t supposed to be anything serious, just a little fun to pass the time. So why can’t I stop thinking about Lewis weeks later? 

Running into him a second time feels like fate, but it’s obvious he isn’t interested in anything more than casual. 

I’ve never managed to leave a fling where it belongs before, but there’s a first time for everything, right? 

Besides, who has time for anything but a quick fling when we’re in the middle of a prank war With the twink who owns the flower shop next door. I haven’t met the poor guy yet, but if I ever do, I’ll have to tell him that a store full of rubber duckies is just the price you pay for messing with the Ink Slingers. 

There are goats in my tattoo shop and drag queens delivering crude singing telegrams. Will I ever get untangled from this mess? And, more importantly, will Lewis ever be interested in more than a good time or is this thing between us nothing more than a Flash tattoo that will fade with time?

Flash is a “they don’t know they’re enemies”, lust at first sight, “we can totally keep this thing casual” mm romance featuring a silver fox tattoo artist and a snarky florist twink. First in the Ink Slingers series set in the world of Four Bears Construction.

• Publication date: August 2, 2024
• Language: English
• Print length: 206 pages