Buy: Kindle Ebook | Paperback

Review

4 swoony stars!

Lukas and Ivy’s story has been unfolding in the background of the last two books of this series, and I was so happy that we got the chance to go back to the beginning with them and get to know these characters properly and appreciate their younger man/older woman love story in all of its swoony glory.

Lukas is the 24 year old younger brother of Vandal. Though he occasionally rocks his violin with his brother and the rest of his cousins in metal band Ashes & Embers, his passion is being a tattoo artist and running the studio that he and Vandal own.

Ivy is a 36 year old married mother of two who has just learned that her husband has been having an affair with her best friend. Of course she is devastated, but she’s a strong woman and she’s working on moving forward. Part of that entails reaching out and doing all of the things she’s always wanted but her husband held her back from doing – including getting a tattoo.

At Ivy’s first session with Lukas, sparks fly. And thankfully she’s getting a big piece which takes multiple sessions because it provides ample of opportunity for flirting, and Lukas is one determined man! Although attracted to the gorgeous tattooed and pierced rocker, Ivy is understandably wary of the age difference between them, so Lukas has a battle on his hands, but he wants her and pursues her with unwavering determination.

OMG, Lukas stole my heart! He is an absolute sweetheart and his open heart and passionate soul are just gorgeous. He’s not just after a hook-up, he’s a man who wants marriage and a family, to build a life with somebody and he is not afraid of the intensity of his feelings. He shares his emotions with Ivy, holding back nothing and letting her know just how much he wants her, and I was swept up in the swoon of it all. And he uses his big heart and his seriously sexy bedroom skills to prove just how much he feels for her, and Ivy can’t help but be swept up by the charismatic man.

“Do you believe in soul mates?” His voice is low and soft, with a hint of hesitancy, like he’s afraid of what I might say. Lukas doesn’t belong here, I realized right then. He’s a Knight. A prince. A warrior. A Viking. He’s one of those men that fight for love ‘til the end of time. One who would carry a woman away on his horse and make mad passionate love to her on the grass. A man who takes what he wants and make it his forever. A man not afraid to dream or believe in what can’t be seen, but only can be felt. His heart is lost in this time, where people no longer live to love or believe that love can transcend time.

Their relationship is gorgeous to watch. It’s sweet, sexy and super functional, and I like how the timeline overlapped the other books in the series so we got to revisit a few scenes from the alternate POV. There are heartbreaking moments, and there’s a bit of angst as Ivy struggles to fully let go of her demons and learn to trust in Lukas’ love for her, but this is a beautifully romantic story, and I loved watching Lukas and Ivy’s story play out.

Spoiler

…though that final twist was an unexpected surprise and I can’t help but wonder if that one may come back to bite them :\