Review: Cracks in the Armor by Helena Hunting

Cracks in the Armor

(Clipped Wings # 2.5)

By: Helena Hunting

Pub. Date: June 23, 2014

Publisher: Pocket Star

Source: Netgalley

Chris, a sexy tattoo artist, tries to win the heart of Sarah, a grad student with little interest in him, in this second e-short and follow-up to Helena Hunting’s gripping love story, Clipped Wings.


Part owner of the Chicago tattoo shop Inked Armor, Chris Zelter is a talented artist who decorates skin with gorgeous designs. He might look the part of the typical jacked-up, inked-up bad-boy, but underneath is a fiercely loyal, complicated man. Kicked out at sixteen, Chris has had to fend for himself for the last twelve years, making his Inked Armor crew as much family as they are business partners. For him, it’s enough—until he meets Sarah Adamson.

A grad student waitressing at the local strip club, Sarah is used to propositions and crude comments. The job is a means to an end—finish her MBA, pay off the tuition loans, and get a good job. Then she won’t have to rely on anyone to take care of her. So when brawny, tatted up Chris begins hanging out at the club, she rebuffs his advances. At first. But Chris isn’t like her usual clientele: despite his hard exterior, he’s almost…sweet.

Sometimes, the people with the roughest edges have the biggest hearts.

 I received this galley from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited when I first heard about this novella because it was going to be about Chris and Sarah. I didn't really have any feelings on Sarah at this point, but I loved Chris and wanted to know more about him and his life. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with his story because it was more about Hayden and Tenley. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love these two and it was nice to see them happy, but we already were given two books about them. It would have been one thing if they were just in the story as background characters, but I felt they were the main focus point and Chris and Sarah were the background characters. If it was marketed like that, I probably wouldn't have cared, but I really wanted Chris' story, not Chris describing Hayden's story.

The novella did give me a little insight into their wants and their pasts so I am still looking forward to their story. Chris is such a special character. I have so much respect for him, especially for the way he still loves his family and will do anything for them, even though they treat him horribly.

I might have given this story three stars, but that cover deserves a million stars! I am obsessed with tattoos and can not stop staring at it!