ARC Review: The Taste of Ink by Daniel May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“I want your name between my legs,” he said. “I want to see it every time I get dressed. I want your name on my thighs, hurting like this—” He touched his stomach. “—while it heals. I want you to be able to see it, every time you fuck me. I want to be covered in ink under my clothes, to be a different person under them, someone only you can see. Only you get to see. And I want you to pick the designs. I want you to decide every line, so that when I’m getting tattooed, and the needle is burning, I’ll know it was your choice to hurt me there.”
Yes, this is a book about cheating as the main plotline. I don't like cheating in romance, but listen, Daniel May makes it acceptable, somehow. I think it works because it's not just a book that features cheating but is a book that's entirely about cheating. It's not used as a plot device just to create conflict, cheating is literally the main kink. I didn't know it could be a kink, but turns out it is, and it's even a fantastic theme in dirty talk.
Daniel May creates this kind of alternate universe where cheating is something that can really help someone grows as an individual and as a partner for their SO. I know, I know, but hear me out: It's a little like reading mafia romance or dubcon stuff. It's something you don't condone IRL, but as a fantasy, you can go with it. And with good writing, you can reframe some moral parameters and enjoys the narrative opportunities this fantasy offers. Here, the cheating storyline offered a lot of things I liked: sneaking around, sexual tension, high stakes, kink exploration... And did I mention the dirty talk yet? But it also moves the story forward and allows some nice character exploration for Trinket, the main character and the only POV.
Trinket and Zee have some relationship problems, the root of which are not obvious from the beginning but will slowly be explored in the rest of the series. What's obvious is that those problems manifest themselves with communication and trust issues in the relationship. Trinket has some strong submissive fantasies that he feels he can't fully explore with Zee. With Mini, he can let go of his shame, and the things he learns with Mini help Trinket be more confident, and yes, weirdly, a better boyfriend. The cheating is never about Trinket falling out of love with Zee. It's about Trinket figuring himself out, learning about boundaries, trust, power, and ownership. Trinket and Zee are completely devoted to each other, but seem to be only able to be truly vulnerable and open with each other by exploring the kinks and fantasies Trinket brings home after meeting up with Mini. Of course, this creates an interesting dynamics between Trinket and Zee, but honestly, it mostly makes up such FUN scenes with Trinket/Mini. I loved Mini, his dirty mouth and his over-the-top bratty Dom/"teacher" antics.
Trinket is also an incredible character and I found myself weirdly defending his sneaking around and being anxious it was threatened! He is at once very aware of his actions and decisive in his cheating while still being devoted to his BF, which makes him likable and redeemable. Yet, he barely experiences guilt about it, which IMO helps lighten the overall tone of the book, so the cheating doesn't feel heavy or angsty at all.
On the contrary, this book is SO fun. Some passages are hilarious, but most of it is at least amusing, and that's all thanks to Daniel May's writing. Some of the cheating stuff is straight-up wrong (the triple challenge, oh god), but so entertaining. I read this in one sitting, which I don't usually do with books that have so many sex scenes, but this wasn't boring or repetitive at all. The sex scenes were hot, and the DIRTY TALK. Jesus. I think it's the best, most elaborate, creative, filthy dirty talk I've ever read. The kinks mainly revolve around D/s and humiliation, but in such a sweet way, and the praise was just *chef's kiss*. And mostly, the sex scenes and all the kinky content serve the story and the characters well.
I've read all three books and I can assure readers that it ends in a HEA and the cheating issue is resolved in a satisfying manner. This doesn't end in a cliffhanger, but it is one continuous story, and you need to read all three books to get the HEA.
I received a free copy of this book and am providing my honest review voluntarily.
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