Stevie‘s review of Clipped Wings (Clipped Wings, Book 1) by Helena Hunting
Contemporary New Adult Romance published by Gallery Books 04 Mar 14
There’s a definite trend in New Adult books to kill off at least one close relative of one of the protagonists, and to use that death for major angst (as opposed to in books aimed at younger readers, where the trope is used at least as much as a call to adventure or an excuse for the protagonist to be out and about unnoticed at all hours). I suspect the trope will get rather tired eventually, but so far I’m still seeing enough variations on the theme for it not to annoy me yet. Which is quite fortunate really, as the heroine of this new series seems to have suffered more losses than most, and carries the physical scars of that loss, as well as mental ones.
Tenley has moved across the country for her master’s degree and made that move a month early, in order to escape her past – as well as to get away from the one other survivor of the tragedy that left her orphaned and alone with scars and a damaged hip. While waiting for her semester to start, she passes the time by helping out in the bookshop below her apartment, by admiring the tattooist across the road – who happens to be the nephew of the owner of both shop and apartment – and by ignoring all attempts at contact from her one surviving almost-relative.
Hayden, the tattooist, has losses of his own to overcome and is as fascinated by Tenley as she is by him. They have plenty of opportunities to meet: he is a great reader of philosophy and other serious books he finds in his aunt’s shop, as well as a great fan of the cupcakes and coffee sold in the adjoining shop, while the subject of Tenley’s master’s degree is body art and modifications. Plus, she’s keen to get a tattoo as a memorial to all she’s been through and to commemorate all of the loved ones she lost.
The book has an excellent stock of secondary characters too, most of whom offer support to Tenley and Hayden – together or separately – except for Tenley’s academic advisor, who is a total sleaze, and her almost-brother-in-law, who is determined to take away everything she inherited following the accident.
My main gripe with the story is it ends on one hell of a cliffhanger, so if you read for the Happy Ever After, then you may want to wait for the next book at least before diving into this series. If, like me, you’re mostly happy to wait and wonder between books, then pick this one up now. It has some interesting commentary on body art, although I’m still waiting for a book that properly tackles some of the piercings that I’m particularly fond of.
Grade: B
Summary:
Their body art is hot. Their chemistry is even hotter.
From her dark hair sweeping below her waist to her soft, sexy curves, Tenley Page intrigues tattoo artist Hayden Stryker in a way no one else ever has…especially when she asks him to ink a gorgeous, intricate design on her back. Yet for all her beauty, there is something darkly tragic and damaged about Tenley that Hayden is everything.
Covered in ink and steel, Hayden is everything Tenley has never dared to want, awakening a desire to explore more than the art adorning his stunning body. Trapped by a past that leaves her screaming from nightmares, Tenley sees Hayden as the perfect escape. Although he has secrets too, if they both keep themselves guarded perhaps their intense physical connection will remain only that.
But nothing, not even passion, can keep them safe from their pasts…
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
