Reviewed by Ro
TITLE: Finn
SERIES: Love in Ink, book 1
AUTHOR: Ruby Raynes
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 282 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 12, 2023
BLURB:
Spencer
I was minding my own business when I ran into the sexiest tattooed god I’d ever seen. I’ve seen a ton, considering I own Dragonfly Books, which just so happens to be located next to Ink Me. You get the picture. While trying to find myself after the death of my mother Finn throws my world upside down. Will the makeup and lace be too much for him or will he walk with me through my own journey of self-love?
Finn
Deciding to move from one side of the country to the other, was the only way I could quiet the ghosts haunting my memories. It was a hail mary attempt to save my life. When Spencer, the sweet, sexy bookstore owner from next door comes in and flips my world right side up, I’m thrown. How do I push through the grief that consumes me and let myself feel worthy of love? And how do I purchase stock in Manties?
**This book deals with past loss of a loved one, anxiety and panic attacks . Please read the content warning at the beginning of the book for more information.
REVIEW:
Finn is the story of Dragonfly Bookstore owner Spencer and tattoo artist Finn. Finn is hired at Ink Me, the tattoo parlor next door to Dragonfly Books. They each have an apartment upstairs from the stores and meet when Spencer smacks into Finn as they are by their front doors. Spencer lost his mom fairly recently and is grieving while Finn left California to escape his mom, who frankly doesn’t deserve the title.
There are some heavy topics in this story, drug addiction, loss of a parent, panic attacks. Despite this, the whole mood of the book is pretty light. There are some awesome side characters in Jules, Alex, Jaxon, Mira and Dom. Alex especially, “I lost his back!” made me smile. As did the very badass Mira. There is an evil ex, who frankly I felt Spencer gave too much brain space to and who definitely didn’t deserve even a second thought.
There were comments throughout about Spencer living his authentic life, which I am assuming was because he wears makeup and manties. At one point Finn says, “For Spencer, even living as his true self takes guts.” That sort of confused me, why “even”? Again, because of the makeup? The evil ex did have a problem with the makeup so I sort of could see where Spencer doubted himself but not why Finn thought so.
The story of them getting to know each other through Finn’s baggage and Spencer’s clumsiness is endearing at times, funny at other time. They have a solid group of friends behind them, who encourage and support. There is a misunderstanding that caused a little blip, but otherwise it’s a pretty even-keeled story.
One thing that is, I’m sure, just a me thing – there were way too many exclamation points. I know this seems silly but things that should have just been stated were given the exclamation. There were 536 exclamation points, which was distracting for me.
RATING: 
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