Hellion by Rhys Ford

From the moment SFPD Detective Ruan Nicholls meets Ivo Rogers, he knows the tattoo artist is going to bring chaos to his neat, orderly life. A hellion down to the bone, Ivo is someone Ruan not only doesn’t understand, he’s not even sure he needs to. Everything about Ivo is vibrant, brash, cocky, and arrogant, and Ruan wants no part of him.

Or at least that’s the lie he tells himself when he damps down his desire for the social wild child life tosses into his path.

For Ivo Rogers, life revolves around two things—his family and 415 Ink, the tattoo shop he co-owns with his four brothers. His family might be stitched together by their battle scars from growing up in foster care, but their brotherhood is tight—and strong enough to hold Ivo together during the times when he falls apart.

Now Ivo faces a new challenge when he falls for a cop with an old-school mentality on how a man looks and acts. Ruan is the promise of a life Ivo thought he’d never have, but their clashing perspectives threaten any chance of a relationship. Being the family’s hellion makes it easy to be misunderstood, yet Ivo has faith Ruan will not only embrace who he is but love him as well.

Book 3
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Dreamspinner Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
Finally! Ivo’s book! And it was definitely worth the wait. I’ve loved this series from the start, but it has always been the beautiful, heel wearing youngest brother who has properly had my heart. And Ivo is just as heartbreakingly fabulous in his own book as I always expected he would be.

This book starts with a teenage Ivo defending himself against a would-be rapist while wearing sparkly heels and dressed like a naughty schoolgirl. This first scene is a torturous read but it introduces us to a terrified but defiant Ivo and introduces us readers to Ruan as a beautiful and kind policeman who takes care of the bloodied teenager. I can’t imagine a more perfect first scene and I’d dare anyone not to shed a few tears over these first few pages. Ivo and Ruan’s relationship is a decade in the making but their first encounter is really beautiful.

As with the first two books, much of this story focuses on Ivo growing into himself and coming to terms with his horrific childhood. Readers will remember many of Ivo’s early experiences from Gus’ book but because Ivo is so much younger than Gus, his memories are more fragmented and his experiences in the system are quite different. And while Ruan seems to be older and have himself together, his loneliness is awful and his experiences as a closeted cop are heartbreaking and thought provoking.

Almost surprisingly, this isn’t a depressing read. Ivo’s passion for his art is joyful and Ruan’s enormous cat is delightful. I love catching up with the brothers’ expanding family and I love the way the family is expanding across the series.

As a foster carer myself, this series has hit me in the heart from the start. The brothers’ experiences feel real to me and I recognise many of my own kids in the boys. There is a powerful passage in this book where Ivo tries to explain foster care to Ruan as being similar to trying to teach a dog to live in a tree. It’s a beautifully written passage that explores a brutally uncomfortable truth. I cried through this book as I have through the others – but I also love that this is a hopeful series and the brothers are survivors who create a beautiful family for themselves. This story won’t stand alone – readers will need to start at the beginning of the series – but I can’t recommend this series highly enough.

Also Available in the 415 Ink Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Dreamspinner Press

For reviews & more info, check out our Rebel post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Dreamspinner Press

For reviews & more info, check out our Savior post.

RHYS FORD admits to sharing the house with three cats of varying degrees of black fur and a ginger Cairn terrorist. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and an overworked red coffee maker.

Connect with Rhys

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Blog  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Hellion (415 Ink #3) by Rhys Ford to read and review.

Savior by Rhys Ford

A savior lies in the heart of every good man, but sometimes only love can awaken the man inside the savior.

The world’s had it out for San Francisco firefighter Mace Crawford from the moment he was born. Rescued from a horrific home life and dragged through an uncaring foster system, he’s dedicated his life to saving people, including the men he calls his brothers. As second-in-command of their knitted-together clan, Mace guides his younger siblings, helps out at 415 Ink, the family tattoo shop, and most of all, makes sure the brothers don’t discover his darkest secrets.

It’s a lonely life with one big problem—he’s sworn off love, and Rob Claussen, one of 415 Ink’s tattoo artists, has gotten under his skin in the worst way possible.

Mace’s world is too tight, too controlled to let Rob into his life, much less his heart, but the brash Filipino inker is there every time Mace turns around. He can’t let Rob in without shaking the foundations of the life he’s built, but when an evil from his past resurfaces, Mace is forced to choose between protecting his lies and saving the man he’s too scared to love.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Dreamspinner Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/M Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

I have not read the previous book in this series, but I never felt that I was missing something.

This is Mace's story. He had a terrible start to life. I liked how Ford was able to give the reader snippets of his past in order to move the story along, but that it was really in Mace learning to trust his brothers that he was able to truly share his past. Mace is a firefighter who has made it his mission to save other people. But with a past looming closer to his new life, he knows that he has to do something, but he's not sure if he can trust that his brothers will truly stand next to him when they find out what he has done.

Rob is a great tattoo artist and he loves working at the 415. His personal torture is that Mace is part owner and relationships between employees and owners are not allowed. Rob's home life is less than ideal, but not truly abusive. What he knows is that despite his father's wishes, Rob had to follow his own path and he loves where he's heading.

When Rob and Mace butt heads, both believe it's because they can't stand each other. But when attraction gives way to an office hookup, neither Rob or Mace can deny what is brewing between them.

There are hard truths in this book and when faced with them, Mace's family and Rob have to decide if they can show Mace what is reality versus what's in Mace's head. I love the family dynamic in this series and the brothers are hilarious. I can't wait for more and hope that we get to see more of Mace and Rob's relationship down the line. The only thing that I was annoyed about was that the biological family connection for Mace was left hanging. I wanted more of a resolution.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series. While you might not need to read the first one it will help you understand the dynamics of everyone in the story. Just like the first book, there were several pages with no dialogue, usually that really bothers me but in this series it works for me and I'm not sure why, it just does. Mace had a very hellish childhood, the things nightmares are made from, but he has grown into a strong man. Mace is a fireman and part owner of a tattoo shop with his brothers. The tattoo shop is where he meets Rob. Rob is under Mace's skin and when an earthquake shakes things up, there is no turning back. Rob and Mace are hot together. Some of the scenes are implied but some are described and these two are great together. When Mace's past comes back to haunt him, Rob is by his side. I hate all the pages with no dialogue but the ones with dialogue make up for it. I can't wait for the next book, the teaser at the end has my interest peaked!


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
The second book in the 415 Ink series is just as heartbreaking as the first. Firefighter Mace seems to have his life sorted but when his abusive father is released from prison, Mace realises that he is barely managing to hold himself together. Even after twenty years, Mace still can’t trust that he deserves to be loved. Support from his brothers and a budding relationship with a tattoo artist he can’t seem to resist give Mace the strength he needs to finally start to put his past behind him.

Like the first book, this story is all grit and angst. It’s as much about Mace coming to terms with his past as it is about the romance between Mace and Rob. It’s also a story about brotherhood and the families we create for ourselves. Mace is a troubled, difficult character and there are moments in the story where I couldn’t decide whether I loved or hated him. However, his history is revealed slowly and once I knew his whole story, it was impossible not to fall hard for him.

The romance in this book isn’t quite an afterthought but it isn’t always the focus. Rob is a perfect match for Mace – even if neither man has any communication skills. Mace and Rob have wonderful chemistry. Rob’s own story is a little bit too tidy. I still don’t quite understand how Rob is able to make peace with his family so easily.

As a foster carer, I really appreciate the way the Rhys Ford explores the lifelong consequences of child abuse in this series. Mace’s attachment issues are heartbreaking. The author doesn’t sugar coat or dramatise his early experiences – I’ve met too many kids with similar stories. While the subject matter in this story is pretty dark, I love the hope and possibilities offered by Mace’s chosen family.

I’m really enjoying this series and I love the way the next book is set up at the end of this one. I’m hooked and I can’t wait for the next book.

Also Available in the 415 Ink Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Dreamspinner Press

For reviews & more info, check out our Rebel post.

RHYS FORD admits to sharing the house with three cats of varying degrees of black fur and a ginger Cairn terrorist. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and an overworked red coffee maker.

Connect with Rhys

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Blog  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Savior (415 Ink #2) by Rhys Ford to read and review.

Rebel by Rhys Ford

The hardest thing a rebel can do isn’t standing up for something—it’s standing up for himself.

Life takes delight in stabbing Gus Scott in the back when he least expects it. After Gus spends years running from his past, present, and the dismal future every social worker predicted for him, karma delivers the one thing Gus could never—would never—turn his back on: a son from a one-night stand he’d had after a devastating breakup a few years ago.

Returning to San Francisco and to 415 Ink, his family’s tattoo shop, gave him the perfect shelter to battle his personal demons and get himself together… until the firefighter who’d broken him walked back into Gus’s life.

For Rey Montenegro, tattoo artist Gus Scott was an elusive brass ring, a glittering prize he hadn’t the strength or flexibility to hold on to. Severing his relationship with the mercurial tattoo artist hurt, but Gus hadn’t wanted the kind of domestic life Rey craved, leaving Rey with an aching chasm in his soul.

When Gus’s life and world starts to unravel, Rey helps him pick up the pieces, and Gus wonders if that forever Rey wants is more than just a dream.

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Dreamspinner Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆☆
I have to be honest, I almost bailed on this book. The first half there wasn't much dialogue and that is a huge pet peeve of mine. I need dialogue. Plus, the first half just seemed to be the same thing said over and over. After saying that, I am so glad I stuck with it because I ended up really liking the story and all of the characters. Gus and Rey are two characters you can't help but love after finding out their back story and following their story. I also love all of Gus's brothers and can't wait for their stories.


Rachael – ☆☆☆☆
For me, this was a lot tougher to get into than Rhys Ford books normally are. I'm not sure why other than maybe because we were jumping in where there was a whole lot of backstory that we needed to get caught up with in order to feel the emotions the characters were feeling from the get go.

I will say, the further into the book you get, the more you learn and the more you will love the characters. My heart hurt so many times through this book as secrets are reveals or I suppose, more of the story is revealed.

I have to say that I'm glad I stuck through the beginning so that I could get to know the guys and really cheer for them to find a happy ending.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is the best kind of angst fuelled romance. As children attempting to survive chaotic and abusive situations, a small group of men claimed each other as brothers and their bond pulled them through the horrors of their early years.

The first story is Gus’. When he finds out he has a child, he finds himself struggling to adult and overwhelmed by memories of his own childhood traumas. Gus and firefighter Rey have a long and tangled history as lovers. But Rey needs security and Gus has never been able to settle down or grow up.

This is a difficult and quite graphic read. Gus’ experiences as a child are horrific. I like that the writer doesn’t allow any quick fixes or easy solutions to Gus’ trauma. The relationship between Rey and Gus isn’t an easy fix either. The angst in this story feels real. The emotions are raw and honest. Love doesn’t fix Gus. Being a father doesn’t either. But both are catalysts for Gus to reevaluate and attempt to create a future that is different from his past. I found parts of this story hard to read. I blubbed through way too much of this book but I loved Gus and Rey fiercely and I couldn’t put their story down.

I love these brothers and I’m really excited for future books in the series. But I have to admit that I found the writing style of this story really difficult to get into. This is the first book in the series, but readers are plunged into complicated relationships between characters with more than twenty years of history between them. The story starts with a series of flashbacks and snippets that don’t easily fit together. It took me some time before I understood who the five ‘brothers’ were to each other and figured out how the other men fit into their lives. This series could benefit from a list of characters or a family tree of sorts at the start of each book.

RHYS FORD admits to sharing the house with three cats of varying degrees of black fur and a ginger Cairn terrorist. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and an overworked red coffee maker.

Connect with Rhys

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Blog  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Rebel (415 Ink #1) by Rhys Ford to read and review.