Hook
Men of Inked: Southside #3
By Chelle Bliss
Reading Order Timeline for the three Men of Inked Series:
Men of Inked (original)
Men of Inked: Southside (Chicago)
Men of Inked: Heatwave (the second generation)
*Can be read as a standalone*
TheStory
After losing his wife, Angelo meets fellow widow Tilly when she moves her cupcake business next door. Tilly is sassy and witty and stirs something in Angelo he never thought he’d feel again - a spark.
Due to the tragic loss of their spouses, Tilly and Angelo find connection, healing, and solace in one another after years of shutting themselves off to love. Through love and acceptance of the past, Angelo does everything in his power to keep Tilly for himself.
TheReview
First and foremost, prepare for a little bit of a tear jerker. Props to Chelle Bliss for writing this so beautifully. Two widows coming together out of their tragedies and into love? Beautiful. There is so much loss, grief, and pain shared between the main characters. This is not the classic cutesy romance story. It’s emotional but well balanced between grief, humor, and sweetness.
Tilly comes on a little strong (and a little *woo woo*) but I learned to love her. Everyone handles heartbreak and loss differently, and she was no different. She learned to have fun and just be herself. Angelo is just the sweetest man. Not that anyone wants to imagine someone losing their forever person, but anyone would want to see a man like Angelo healing and finding love again. *sniff sniff*
Just in case anyone is reading this as a standalone and you haven’t read the previous books, Angelo is a father of two. I feel like it’s not clearly said anywhere, so if you haven’t read the other two books, you wouldn’t know that. And I just like to know when there are children involved in the relationship because it changes my expectations, as well as the dynamic of the book and relationship overall.
It was a very good, very beautiful book but definitely not something to read if you are looking for a lighthearted romance. It’s deep and tragic and beautiful.
TheRating
Storyline: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
World Building: N/A
Writing: 5/5
Overall: 📘📘📘📘📘
Spice: 🌶️🌶️