Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Patchwork
SERIES: Ink Slingers #3
AUTHOR: K.M. Neuhold
NARRATORS: Tim Paige and Liam DiCosimo
PUBLISHER: KM Neuhold Publishing LLC
LENGTH: 5 hours and 2 minutes
RELEASE DATE: September 2, 2025
BLURB:
It’s not a relationship, it’s just a patchwork of tattoo sessions and sweaty secrets with a rock star. No big deal.
I’ve been keeping this secret for four years, counting down the months in between visits from Onyx.
To everyone else I’m “Hero” but he mostly just calls me “yes” and “more” while we trade heated kisses and wandering hands.
I know it won’t ever be anything more than a wild secret and eventually he’ll get bored hooking up with a tattoo artist fifteen years too old for him from Nowhere, Wisconsin. But I’m more than happy to enjoy this while it lasts.
But when Onyx shows up unannounced and tells me that instead of a hurried weekend we have 3 full months before he has to hit the road again, I don’t know if I’m more excited or terrified to see where things will go.
I’m sure there’s more to life than tattooing Onyx and spending late nights talking until the sun comes up, but whatever that “more” is, it can’t be as fun as this.
No matter how hard I’m falling for him, there’s no way that he’s going to give up his rock star lifestyle to stay here with me… is there?
REVIEW:
Hero and Onyx, who is a rock star, met years ago at a Milwaukee tattoo convention where Onyx’s band was in town playing a gig and Hero and the Ink Slingers guys are showcasing their work. Hero doesn’t recognize him, but one of the other guys does and so Hero and Onyx have a scorching hot one night stand. But they exchange numbers. And Onyx reaches out. They continue to have intermittent hookups for over 4 years. Now Onyx is taking a break and he wants to spend it in Fall Cross (coincidentally where Onyx is from). Hero isn’t sure what to think because up until now, their “relationship” that has consisted of Hero tattooing Onyx and them hooking up when Onyx has a break in his touring and recording schedule. This three months off and he wants to spend them with Hero? Why?
The rest of the guys at Ink Slingers have been teasing Hero for years, but now they are no longer fooled that this isn’t more than a “friends and tattoo artist” situation. When Hero tries to be discreet and keep Onyx’s privacy, Onyx is less concerned. He’s happy to be seen with Hero and spend time with him and his friends. Turns out he’s not all that happy or enamored of his current life and longs for something more real. And Hero is that something. He hasn’t exactly made that clear to Hero though.
Hero is happy to have Onyx stay with him. He is however worried about how heartbroken he will be when Onyx has to leave after three months. He’s decided he wants to enjoy this time but try to protect his heart too. Easier said than done. Especially when Onyx hasn’t exactly been forthcoming about his own feelings. He’s be hinting around, but Hero is reluctant to believe that this is something real 🙂
Oh this is so sweet! I loved these two characters. As usual, the dual POVs in the story provide a clear picture of the journey these two take from hookups to so much more. Be warned that this story is told in alternating timelines as well – going back to the past and how they met and how their relationship has evolved slipped in between the 3 months they are spending together in current time. The guys at Ink Slingers are their usual entertaining selves 😉 Fall Cross is such a delightful little town – and the setting for such a fun series. These tattoo artists are an eccentric group of found and real family that continue to grow with their partners and true loves. I can’t wait for the next book – always a fun low angst romance where true love wins!
As usual, the winning duo of narrators, Tim Paige and Liam DiCosimo provide their stellar talents to bringing these two characters to life. Hero is a a little bit gravelly and adorably and naively shocked that a younger gorgeous rock star could be interested in him. Onyx is not what he seems on the surface. There is a lot more under the surface that he hasn’t shared because he has to protect his privacy more. But their chemistry is ON FIRE and the truth is they just fit. It takes them a while to get on the same page, but thankfully not too long 😉 I could listen to these two narrator KM Neuhold’s stories forever. Highly recommended as an audio treat!
RATING: 
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