{Review} Inked Armour (Clipped Wings #2) by Helena Hunting

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 8th, 2014

Finished Date: May 8th, 2014
Publishers: Orion
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance 

Source: For Review
Format: Paperback
Pages: 272

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

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.

The Review: Inked Armour is the follow up to Helena Hunting’s debt novel Clipped Wings where we witnessed the love and struggles between Tenley and Hayden. This time around we see the aftermath of Tenley leaving and how both characters try and repair their love for one another that literally consumes their every waking day, but also try and overcome their terrible pasts. Can their love survive or will they be forced to live in the past? 

I absolutely loved Clipped Wings so as soon as Inked Armour became available I knew I needed it straight away, and boy was I in for an emotional ride. I was guessing the insensitivity and the emotions would be churning during this sequel, but I just didn’t know how much and I was surprised by how many times I was brought to tears. I’m not one to cry during a novel, I well up but, this did me over! Tenley and Hayden’s pasts darken their future so much and their issues are so delicate and fragile, that just one little thing can bring it all down on top of their heads – and this was the case a number of times. Even though Tenley and Hayden’s love shone throughout this story, their relationship isn’t easy – it’s a constant battle and I was rooting for them to get the happy ending they both deserved, because they both deserved to be happy. Their story is quite simply heart-breaking at times.

I did really enjoy Inked Armour though, even though I’ve made it sound like an emotional mess, it was just great to be back with these characters no matter the struggles. I love both of them and I adore the dual narrative. I think that’s why their story is so powerful because you get the impact of both characters issues and their feelings. I don’t believe it would have been the same if it was told from just one characters point of view. 

In all, Inked Armour was an absolute pleasure to read and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more work from Helena Hunting! 

Favourite Quote: "Sometimes I feel guilty for having you," I whispered. 
"I get that. And I wish I could make that feeling go away for you. You know your family wouldn't want you to be alone, right? They'd want you to have people in your life to love you and take care of you. I don't know that they would have chosen me to be that person, but I want to be if you'll let me."

Thank you to Orion publishing for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.