Okay hear me out yes the beginning is a bit heavy. Starting right before chapter 1 and it does continue to get dark.. people who have sensitive triggers I suggest you read the trigger warnings on this book.. BUT…. I will say it does calm down quite a bit and to the point where some parts of the book I found very mellow.
Definitely a hate to love relationship. Both so confused on why they can’t get enough of each other.
Only reason it’s not a 5 start for me is because by the end of the book like 75% + completed there was still a lot that hadn’t happened yet almost to the point where I started to think there must be a part 2 to the book to finish it and it was going to end on a cliff hanger but it does end all it one book! But it did feel like a lot had to be jammed into a small portion of the end and it felt rushed. Even leaving out some things…
this book immediately grabbed me by the throat, dragged me into a back alley, and said you’re not in control here anymore 🖤
And honestly? I LOVED IT.
This is not your soft, swoony, ride-into-the-sunset kind of romance. This is obsession, danger, power, and a relationship that feels like standing too close to a fire and knowing you’re going to get burned… but not stepping back anyway.
Stevie??? My girl is thrown into absolute chaos and just… survives it. After everything she’s already been through, she’s trying to rebuild her life, keep her head down, start fresh. And instead?? She gets hunted. Watched. Pulled into something dark and consuming that she never asked for.
The way the tension builds before she even meets Kingston?? CHILLS. The letters. The shadows. His presence before his actual presence?? It felt like a storm circling, getting closer and closer until there’s nowhere left to run.
And then… Kingston “Frost” Tate.
SIR.
This man is exactly what his nickname promises. Cold. Controlled. Calculating. The kind of man who doesn’t raise his voice because he doesn’t need to. Everything about him is quiet dominance and danger, and the second he steps onto the page you can feel the entire atmosphere shift.
He is not a good man. Let’s be very clear. But he is compelling in that way dark romance does so well, where you’re equal parts fascinated and slightly terrified of how much you’re invested.
The dynamic between him and Stevie?? Toxic, intense, addictive. It’s not about easy love. It’s about power, control, resistance, and that push-pull that keeps tightening until you don’t even know who’s winning anymore.
And I actually loved that the book doesn’t try to soften it. It leans into the darkness. It lets the relationship be messy and complicated and uncomfortable at times, which makes it feel way more real for the kind of story it’s telling.
Also?? The MC element?? SO GOOD. The Wolves of Mayhem are not just background noise, they’re a full presence. Gritty, dangerous, a little chaotic… and weirdly entertaining with the banter sprinkled in. It gives the story this rough, lived-in world that feels bigger than just the main couple.
And can we talk about the tone for a second?? Because it balances this eerie, almost horror-like tension with moments of sharp humour and bite. One second you’re uneasy, the next you’re smirking, and then suddenly you’re right back in that “something bad is about to happen” feeling.
It keeps you on edge the entire time.
This book is dark. Like actually dark. Not aesthetic dark. Not “he’s a little mean but secretly sweet” dark. This is obsession with teeth, love tangled up with control, and characters who don’t always make the right choices.
This is a solid 3-star read for me. I finished it without struggling, and while there were elements I genuinely enjoyed, there were also others that didn’t fully work for me. Overall, it left me with a pretty mixed feeling—but not a negative one.
First of all, this is definitely a much darker MC romance than what I usually read, and that’s noticeable right from the start. The atmosphere is heavy, sometimes even oppressive, with a tension that builds early on. At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to connect with it, mainly because it pushed me out of my comfort zone—but at the same time, that darker edge kept me curious enough to keep reading.
The story is very character-driven, with a strong focus on Stevie and Frost—and especially their relationship, which is undeniably toxic for a large part of the book. Their dynamic revolves around control, tension, and power struggles. While that’s not usually what I gravitate toward, I can appreciate that it fits the tone of the story. Their relationship evolves slowly, in a raw and imperfect way, sometimes uncomfortable, but consistent with the kind of story being told.
Frost is a particularly compelling character. He’s not a good guy— sometimes hard to like—but as the story progresses, we start to understand what shaped him. It doesn’t excuse his behavior, but it does add depth. Stevie, on the other hand, was the character I connected with the most. She goes through so much, yet keeps pushing forward, and her resilience really carries the story.
Where it fell a bit short for me is the MC aspect. The club is present, and the members are there, but I didn’t really feel that strong sense of brotherhood and found family that I usually love in MC romances. Here, it feels more like a background element rather than a core part of the story.
As for the plot and action, there are some really intense moments—especially in the first half—with an almost horror-like tension at times. The buildup before Frost fully enters the picture was particularly effective. However, after that, those moments become more sporadic, and the story leans much more heavily into the relationship than into ongoing action or suspense.
In the end, this is a book that didn’t leave me indifferent. It wasn’t a favorite, but it did offer something different—darker, rawer, and more uncomfortable than what I usually read. If you enjoy dark, toxic romances with morally gray characters and a heavy atmosphere, this might really work for you.
As always, this is just my personal opinion based on my tastes in MC romance—so I definitely encourage you to give it a try and form your own opinion
I’m so grateful to Denise for trusting me with a beta reading of this story—it was an absolute ride from beginning to end.
From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. The pacing never lets up, and before I knew it, I had devoured the entire book in less than a day. It pulled me in so deeply that I found it hard to resurface—at one point, I was so absorbed while waiting at the doctor’s office that being called in felt genuinely jarring, like I’d been dropped back into reality.
This is a dark MC romance that doesn’t shy away from the harsher edges of that world. The atmosphere feels raw and unpolished in a way that adds to its authenticity, but readers should definitely be aware of potentially heavy themes. Frost, the MMC, is far from a hero at the start—he’s rough, unapologetic, and often frustrating—but that’s what makes his arc so compelling. Watching him slowly confront his flaws and grow is incredibly satisfying.
Stevie—is just as powerful in her own right. She refuses to bend, stands firm in her boundaries, and doesn’t make forgiveness easy. Her journey is just as emotional, as she works through grief, anger, and self-reflection. The dynamic between her and Frost is intense, messy, and ultimately rewarding.
The romance develops gradually, shaped by hardship and resistance rather than instant attraction. While it brushes against enemies-to-lovers territory, it feels more layered than that, built on tension, growth, and earned trust. Frost may be ice-cold at first, but there’s something about Stevie that slowly breaks through.
The story begins with Stevie trying to rebuild her life after losing her best friend in a tragic accident. Her fresh start leads her straight into MC territory—something she never anticipated—and into Frost’s orbit, even while he’s behind bars. As their connection deepens, both characters begin to change in ways they never expected.
By the time I reached the conclusion, I was completely invested. The ending delivers an emotional payoff without leaving readers hanging, though there are still unresolved threads—especially involving a rival MC—that hint at more to come in future installments. And honestly, I can’t wait to dive back into this world and spend more time with these characters.
If you enjoy intense, slow-burn romances with a rough beginning and a deeply earned connection, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
I loved this book for how character-driven it was. Here we encounter two very compelling characters: one is a man who is undeniably morally gray in his values that bleeds into his treatment of people around him, whereas another is a woman who is just so down in her luck that shit things happen to her one after another. The way they meet seems almost destined somehow, like events in each of their lives happened precisely the way it should that ultimately led to their paths finally crossing. The way they start their relationship is definitely awful, but as the story progresses one could see slowly but surely how they were changing each other's lives for the better.
It was brilliant how the author handled the character development of Frost and Stevie. It was especially true for Frost, whom we can't help but despise at the beginning but eventually our opinion of him changes the more we understand why he is the way he is. By the end of the book, you wouldn't be able to resist rooting for him and wishing him all the best, no matter that he is still absolutely morally gray in specific aspects of his life as a ruthless biker. With Stevie, one cannot help but be amazed by the strength and fortitude she displays throughout her many horrific ordeals. She had exceptional grit, as she was one woman you definitely could not keep down for long because she staunchly refused to do so.
I was definitely thankful for the trigger warnings given at the start of the book. This had truly been an intense story to go through, and it's with this kind of book that I understand why these stories are dubbed "dark" romance. Good thing I'm the kind of reader who's always appreciative of a good story regardless of its tone!
This is the second book by Denise Baer that I've read and loved. That now puts her as my go-to author for dark romances that I can trust to be good in spite of its dark themes.
I was granted an advanced review copy of this book. This review is being offered voluntarily.
Inkd & Ice completely blew past every expectation I had for an MC romance. This wasn’t just a gritty, high-stakes story—it was emotional, intense, and deeply character-driven in a way that kept me hooked from beginning to end. It kept me up way late because I just couldn’t put the book down.
Stevie is an incredibly strong FMC. She’s been through more than most, and even as the story unfolds and throws more challenges her way, she never loses that resilience. She has been abused both mentally and physically but she continues to defy her circumstances and push forward. Watching her navigate everything while still standing her ground made her such a compelling and admirable character.
And then you have Frost… whew. He definitely lives up to his name in every way—a frosty, unapologetic SOB who walks that fine line between pitch black and morally grey. But that’s exactly what makes him so captivating and intriguing. From the moment he enters the story, you can’t look away. There’s something about him that pulls you in, even when you know you should probably run and run fast. I realized early on Stevie didn’t stand a chance against him. LOL.
What I loved most was how authentic this story felt. The way it started gave me one expectation—but the ending? Completely different, and so much more satisfying than I could have imagined. The relationship between Stevie and Frost is full of tension, enemies to lovers, push-and-pull, and real growth. He goes from demanding her time and attention to making her the center of his entire world. Meanwhile, Stevie’s journey from hating everything he represents to loving him unconditionally is raw, believable, and beautifully done.
I truly didn’t want this book to end. The emotional investment is real, and I’m already hoping we get to see Stevie and Frost again somewhere in this series.
If you love MC romance with depth, edge, and characters that stay with you long after the last page—this one is a must-read.
Ink’d & Ice by Denise Baer is a Dark MC Romance. It’s gritty, dark and can be hard to read, so check the triggers before delving too deep.
The MMC, Kingston, “Aka Frost” had a very rough childhood, so he’s unapologetic in who he is. He feels, and subsequently acts, like the world owes him something. So he mistreats and dominates the FMC (Stephanie (aka Stevie, Aka Rebel) in the beginning of…well, the majority of…the book. She struggles with survivors guilt on two fronts and a deep-seated dislike of motorcycle clubs. Why she didn’t beat feet out of town the minute she realized the town was run by one…or the minute she got “the note”…well, that spark of brilliance on her part would have turned this novel into a novella and we would have missed some drama, intrigue and spice!
The love of a good woman did soften the hardened criminal to a degree in the end, but we all know, as is evident in the final scenes, you can’t change who a person is at their core.
I liked this book and read it in about 24 hours. I struggled with liking and despising Kingston “Frost” from chapter to chapter. To be fair, I also struggled with liking and wanting to shake some sense into Stevie! Their relationship develops, changes and grows throughout the book and as this appears to be the first in a series, I’ll look forward to seeing how their relationship progresses if they’re mentioned in future books.
I received this ARC through Pen Pinery and this review is purely based on my own opinions.
This book was a fast‑paced, twist‑filled MC romance from start to finish. I loved that the relationship between the main couple was given time to develop naturally. The leads are older than in most books—37 & 40—with real life behind them, which brings its own challenges when building a relationship.
Stevie was a strong FMC, and everything she has gone through—and continues to go through in this book—never breaks her softness. Perfectly named “Rebel,” she’s the ideal match for the MMC with her independence and refusal to back down.
Frost—OMG—I absolutely fell for this feared inmate: cold, calculating, a strategist whose name fits him perfectly, a man with antifreeze running through his veins. A top‑tier asshole in the best possible way, and what I especially loved is that he doesn’t melt the moment he meets the FMC. If anything, he stays just as cold and goes after what he wants with precision. The slow thaw doesn’t begin until later in the book with the FMC’s encouragement, and even this icy man eventually reveals the sweetest partner underneath.
The pacing is relentless in the best way—you get pulled in so deeply that the outside world fades. It’s the kind of story you look up from and realize time has disappeared around you. The side characters are compelling, and the classic MC “our family, we protect each other” energy is strong throughout the pages.
I recommend this book to fans of MC romance, but definitely check the triggers first.
REVIEW OF AN ADVANCED COPY RECEIVED FROM THE AUTHOR.
This new MC romance series is gonna be a must from me.
This is SOO different from anything I’ve read.
After a traumatic event, Stephanie moves to a new town and gets a job as a crime scene cleaner, and surprise it’s not a legit crime scene cleaner that’s working with the cops. She’s cleaning up jobs from the seedy underworld of the town.
After being there for a short while, she receives a letter in her inbox from an inmate at the local prison requesting a conjugal visit, and when she doesn’t show, the whole town turns against her. Why? Bc he is a high ranking member of the MC that most of the town belongs to or associates with.
This book takes you on a ride. SO MUCH HAPPENS in these 326 pages but it does not feel rushed at all.
I loved the pacing, the trauma (CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS Y’ALL, it’s not sugar coated), the relationship and understanding these characters have of the person they’re with, and the way this man is ONLY soft for her.
The MMC does some pretty terrible things to the FMC. If you’re not able to look past that, this is not the book for you. He does sexually assault her. It is not dubious consent, it is assault. So if that’s a hard line for you, pass on this.
But his growth in this book is tremendous and worth the read.
A uniquely chaotic love story that’ll make you fall in love with the stalker convict biker. I’m actually bordering on obsessed with this story and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
This was such a different type of MC biker romance from others that I’ve read! I commend the author for being unique with not only the character choice (usually we have a MC President storyline, but this time we start off with the Sergeant at Arms) but also the way our FMC and MMC meet! From the first page to the last, I was sucked in.
Full disclosure: this is a dark MC romance and things are NOT sugarcoated. Please check your trigger warnings before reading. Our MMC does some horrible things to our FMC before their HEA, so if that’s something that’s triggering for you, this may not be the read for you.
I’ll admit, our MMC, Frost, doesn’t start off the greatest. He’s mean, forceful, unapologetic and doesn’t take no for an answer. But as the story progresses, we get to see him grow to be a better man who develops a soft spot only for her.
Our FMC, Stevie, is just trying to figure out what to do next in her life. After losing her mom and high school best friend, she moves to a new town to start over. A town full of bikers…and she has unfortunately caught the attention of one of the most unhinged ones.
Tropes 🏍️ Accidental pregnancy ❄️ Enemies to lovers 🏍️ Stalker ❄️ Found family 🏍️ Morally gray
Well, that's one way to start a book. Way to grab the readers attention Denise Baer!!!
This was an ARC read that came to me from the author through Booksirens. This is my first book by this author, and if that's how she writes all her books, then I'm in!
I was taken in right from the start of this story, and if you think the prologue is bad, put your big girl panties on and hold onto your hat, because this ride is crazy!
Stevie, our FMC has had it pretty rough with one thing and another over the last few years. She's nursed her dying mother, been in a relationship with an average guy, that's not really going anywhere, and when she finally reconnects with her childhood friend, it ends in disaster. But, wait! Theres more. Oh, yes, ! This story just goes from bad to worse, and then worse than that!!! Damn! I hated our MMC!!!! What a pig! And so were all his friends. No care given! These motorcycle club members , and their female counterparts were horrible. So, I guess youre thinking, ' what kind of story is this"? Well, its an MC romance! Its rough, raw and gritty, It takes a bit to get to the romance part, but in the meantime, its a story of personal growth, learning to love, and change and acceptance.
I loved this story, and I'm definitely lining up for more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in!
I genuinely could not book this book down. I stayed up way too late because I was completely hooked from start to finish. This is one of those reads that grabs you, and refuses to let go - and I was completely here for it.
This story is intense, emotional and deeply character-driven. King is, without a doubt, morally black and makes some seriously unhinged choices–especially in the way he initially pursues Stevie. What makes this story stand out is how real their growth feels. It’s messy, complicated, and at times downright chaotic, but it never feels shallow or unearned. The situations these characters face are wild, but underneath all that intensity are relationship struggles that feel surprisingly grounded. You watch them mess everything up, try to fix it, completely destroy it again–and somehow, piece by piece, rebuild something stronger. Seeing them come through all that and reach a place that could actually be called safe and healthy is incredibly satisfying - all without compromising who the characters are at their core. And I have to say…King? Absolutely mouthwatering. Flawed, dark, intense and fully living rent free in my mind… I’m already looking forward to the next book!
This book was incredible! It gripped me from the first page and it was nonstop action throughout the whole rest of the book! I was so engrossed, it took me just under 24 hours to finish. It’s not often I fall so completely into a world, but I was absolutely enthralled. I was reading in the doctors office and was annoyed when they called my name. I came back to reality like I didn’t know where I was for a moment.
It’s a dark MC romance, the MMC, Frost, is an unapologetic a$$ and it takes a good while for him to see the error of his ways. The MC life is a tough one and this book was more on the gritty, rough side, which feels more authentic. Please mind the triggers because it does cross into some dark places.
Rebel, aka Stevie, is a strong woman who will not be cowed. She makes him work for his redemption and does not give an inch. It takes her a long time to forgive him, the club, the women, and herself.
The ending was beautiful and heartwarming. No cliffhanger. However, the recurring conflict with a rival MC is not fully resolved so I expect it will continue into future books. I cannot wait to read more about this complex group of men and women!
First off, there is nothing morally grey about some of the characters, there are things that happen in this book that will cause you to question why ?, each of you will have to decide that yourself, but read the trigger warnings, they are there for a reason. Frost/Kingston is a product of his environment and upbringing, he is crass, cruel and takes what he wants. Stevie is a woman who life has hurt, but she keeps getting up every morning and lives her day. This book centers on their meeting and the aftermath of that crossing. In my mind it is full of sexual abuse, rape and death. Yes, the two main characters grow, and turn to each other, become better people, but the hell Stevie goes through to get her twins and happy ever after nearly broke her. Denise Baer wrote a controversial book, that many will say is nothing more than evocative fiction that relies on shock value, I say she was trying to show that growth can come at any age, that people can be more than their upbringing. I give this 4✨’s. I received an ARC from the author and am choosing to leave this review.
If you like your heroes dark, dangerous, and a little bit unhinged, then Kingston “Frost” Tate is about to be your next obsession. What starts as a "fresh start" for a woman trying to outrun a tragic accident quickly turns into a high-stakes nightmare when she catches the eye of a lethal convict. The Wolves of Mayhem MC aren’t just a club; they’re a shadow following her every move. This story captures that suffocating feeling of being watched perfectly—the transition from laughing off a "mistake" to realizing she’s trapped in Frost’s cold, calculating grip was a spine-tingling ride. This isn't a "sweet" romance; it’s a heart-pounding descent into a world where the heroine loses her voice and her freedom to a powerful anti-hero. The unique backdrop of her job as a crime scene cleaner adds a morbid, fascinating layer to the plot that sets it apart from your standard MC read. I couldn't put it down—even when I wanted to scream at her to run!
This is a dark slow burn MC romance with tons of plot action. Frost is a harsh and crude biker who takes what he wants and doesn’t give a damn about anyone else but his MC brothers. His world is dark and gritty and there are some really heavy themes throughout the book. Stevie just wanted a new start in life after dealing with grief and survivors guilt, unfortunately she catches the eye of Frost, a crazy biker convict and suddenly her life is nothing but chaos. Watching Frost and Stevie’s relationship evolve from unredeemable to epic love was so satisfying. Their dynamic starts off as frustrating, crude and hostile, but slowly morphs into something more sincere and tender. Frosts personal growth and Stevie’s strength and resilience was fiercely earned and the way they finally gave in to each other was real and raw. I’m looking forward to more of the Wolves of Mayhem world.
Absolutely Amazing story. I absolutely LOVED that you get the mix of the MC CLUB business story, the romance story, the mix of the couple and the club together intertwined, and their back stories. I absolutely got to have a season of INK'D & ICE in 1 go and I ate it up.... Frost / Kingston can absolutely summon me anytime 🤭🤭 or I will be happy to go play in the woods with Smoky and see what sparks we could get flying 🤣🤣 ( BTW Denise I need his book like yesterday!!!! ) And y'all seriously Stevie / Rebel I would become her BFF in a heartbeat she is such a sweetheart little bad@ss and the crap she goes through for the club instead of saving herself absolutely solidifies her bad@$$ery
My first MC dark romance but definitely will not be my last. You get hooked from the very first page.
It was very refreshing to have an older MMC and FMC at around late 30's ish so there was more back story for the both and that made them more relatable.
The plot twists were really well planned out and didn't feel like there were there just for the sake of having one and they made the story flow better.
The only thing I wanted more on is more detail than just part of the epilogue on how they found the mole but it didn't take away form a fabulous read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Stevie is one very strong female, who has gone through so much physical and mental abuse. Even with all she has survived she keeps standing.
Frost’s name suits him. He is dark, cold and a man who walks a fine line between , grey, dark and darker. Even though he comes across as cold you can’t help but like him.
Oh these two push and pull at each other. The chemistry between them melts ice and shows Stevie not is all black.
The characters are amazing, the plot is fast paced and the spice is perfect.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really didn't know how to feel about this one. It's not an easy read in the first half, and i almost dnf a few times.
The mmc is a bit contradictory, and i feel the harshness of him in the first half was overly done and uneeded. His character could have given the impression of being an absolute dickhead caveman without the non-con stuff, especially when it contradicts so much with the work he does as a tattooists. It was very hard to push through his charcter until after the incident with ace. The first 35% of his charcter seemed very unnecessary harsh in his approach.
Ink’d & Ice is book one of the Wolves of Mayhem Series.
Frost is very unlikeable for the majority of this book. We are warned before reading that it is a dark read and some bad things would happen to Stevie. She doesn't have the best experiences with life so far and when she moves to the small town she unfortunetly gets into view of Frost and he forever changes her life. She shows a lot of strength with everything she goes through. I loved how much she fought against everything Frost was trying to control in her life.
This book had so many twists and turns, I was not really sure how it was going to go. Frost was an alpha stalker and Rebel was his perfect match. This book is a dark book and as such please check your triggers before reading it. There are quite a few times I was not sure how things were going to go but I am happy with the way it was laid out. There are quite a few side characters, that I would like to know their stories and would like to see them get their own books. I do recommend this book just watch your triggers before reading it.
Loved it, a gripping read. Loved the characters, the growth of King through the book was amazing to see, he learned how to feel and to a point where he was sometimes so sweet to Rebel/Stevie. Stevie had a hard time at first and was treated poorly but she had a backbone and didn't let them walk all over her. I was relieved that the r@pe wasn't committed by the MMC. I can't wait to read the next book.
This book was amazing I could not wait to turn the page. The growing love story for these characters is one that I enjoy reading about. Frost is definitely a man that can thaw even when he doesn’t realize. I wish I could erase it from my brain just to read it again. I 100% recommend this book to any one who loves a growing hard start romance. Enemies to lovers isn’t exactly what I would call it but it falls with in that category I guess. Any way I loved loved loved this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
So you need a change. You move to a new town so you can get your life together. You land a job on a ‘clean up crew’. You think everything is going great, until… You get a letter from an inmate, requesting your presence. Then things take a turn.
This is deliciously dark and I ate it up!!!! So buckle up for this ride. This is intense, cold and dark.
🖤Grieving 🖤Inmate 🖤$ta/ker 📚Book 1- Wolves of Mayhem series 📖 320 pages 🌶️🌶️🌶️