Clipped Wings (The Clipped Wings Series Book 1)

This book was really moving, but it ended too soon for my liking, disclosing only part of the information I really need to know, stat. The secrets are unraveled, but it seems, only to a point, and it ends on the cliffhanger, so that's a warning for people that need it.The lives our main characters, Tenley and Hayden, led, were determined with such tragedies that you ask yourself how someone who has gone through such things in life has the strength to move on, get up and face the new day. I loved that the emotional struggles weren't masked in the book, the characters felt so real, and you can't help but sympathize with them. What really impressed me, though, was the fact that the emotional struggle to let go of the past is represented in a way that gives hope: Tenley, while resisting at first, does not deny herself a relationship with Hayden, but indulges herself, and him, when the restraints he held on the attraction to her break; she gives herself a chance of moving on bit by bit, as she feels comfortable with, but in all fairness, the one more reason it felt so realistic, is that nothing is perfect, and there are many setbacks on their way to the recovery. And while I still loved the story, it was *a bit* too drawn out for my liking, and the fact that even the end gave little unraveling to the story, the secrets didn't appeal much to me. I'd have loved if there were a little more heart-to-heart where we would find out some more about, mainly, Tenley's past.It's a sexy story between a relationship between a tattoo artist and a shy girl asking for a tattoo - and so much more! It's tragically sad, moving, angsty... and a just right amount of dark. It's a love story that will consume you, and sweep you right into the heart of angsty madness that it is. And then, it's beautiful.For all those who enjoy emotional, angsty, but sexy reads, I definitely recommend this book!

Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting was the first book in the Clipped Wings series.Tenley Page was a master’s student who worked part time at a book store. She was quiet, timid and hiding from her past tragedy; although she unfortunately relived it nightly in her dreams.Hayden Stryker was a co-owner of Inked Armour, the shop where Tenley received her tattoo. He too had a tragic and troubling past. Controlling his environment steeped with routine and order helped him move forward. His connection with Tenley wasn’t something he could control and he was off balance.Hunting built the relationship between Hayden and Tenley slowly. The connection was instant but it took a while to establish the pattern and trust between two broken souls. It was an emotional journey while peeling back layers and there was still a large amount of secrecy and imposed emotional isolation - but primarily on Tenley’s part. It also painted the story for coping and healing through the tattooing process.As a whole it was well written, well developed and a heartfelt read. I vacillated between a 3-4 rating so I settled on a 3.5, which rounds to. 4 on this rating site. As a multi-part series, it was left unfinished and I was craving more and not exactly happy with some of the drawn out drama. It was a little slow at times so I would have preferred it all in one book. However, I liked the premise of the story and based on this first book, I anticipate the conclusion in Inked Armour will make it well worth the wait.

Favorite Quote: I spent my entire life trying to color inside the lines, only to wind up restrained by them.This book was pretty intense. It’s not what I was expecting from Helena Hunting. I’ve read a few others by her and they were way more sexual in nature than this one. This one was more emotional. And while I enjoy internal emotional conflict more this one drug out more than I wanted and I found myself losing interest towards the end.Also, the ending was a bit over the top and not very consistent with the rest of the story. I was a bit upset at the ending and I’m still on the fence if I want to read the next one or not since there wasn’t really any resolution for the plot. Other than that the characters were well developed and had some great origin stories.I like Hayden more than Tenley because he seemed be more self aware. I couldn’t really identify with Tenley because looking in from the outside I could see how her trauma was eating her and she couldn’t or wouldn’t see that she needed professional help. And the whole self hatred thing felt like it went on for far too long. The big bad was a total douche and a great evil character, I get why he blamed Tenley but I felt he was holding on a bit too tight. While I could see how her guilt got in the way of defending herself from him because she felt that she deserved to be treated that way, I still had a hard time with her refusal to accept help.The tattoo was a great healing idea. I get exactly how cathartic it can be. I’m gonna wait a bit and maybe check the second book out later.

I came across Helena Hunting through her Pucked series, which I love. It’s funny and sexy and just a great series all around. I really wanted to catch up on her backlist while I had some free reading time and see where things started for her. Clipped Wings is a good book. It’s different from the Pucked series. It’s darker and a bit more haunting. The characters are definitely more damaged and their lives a bit more complicated.I really like Hayden and Tenley. I love their complexity and how they fit together. Tenley’s story is ridiculously heartbreaking and actually one of my all-time biggest fears. Hayden’s story is also sad and I have no idea how I would handle it. These two need each other, but not in an unhealthy way. In fact, finding each other helps them realize that they can and should live again despite what happened to them.I couldn’t wait to pick up the second book as soon as Clipped Wings ended, so I didn’t. I needed to know how things worked out for Tenley and Hayden.

Tenley has moved across the country to try and sort her life out, meeting Hayden has helped her start the healing process but there are secrets on both sides that are trying to come out. What happens when the past starts to appear? What happens when the intensity of their relationship grows? Can they survive the fallout to grow until something more or will they be torn apart by the secrets? This was both intense and at times light hearted. The characters are both broken but struggling to grow and heal and find out their true selves with each other! This was a dynamite of a read and I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Wow! What a rollercoaster ride of emotions!!! I've been meaning to read these ever since I was introduced to Inked Armor in the Pucked series. I as not disappointed! I LOVE intense book boyfriends and Hayden might just be one of the most intense! I really appreciated how much Tenley blossomed. I am shaking my fists at the ending though!!! (But thankfully I have the next one ready to go....

Helena writes a beautifully, she draws you in, tangles you up in the lives of her characters, and before you realise what's happened you've read the whole novel and forgot to sleep. This is not a light read, the main characters are two very broken people who find solace in each other. The secondary characters are all individuals with their own back stories and as a group they make for an intriguing story. I find myself screaming in my head talk to each other, communicate, but if Hayden & Tenley took my advice this would be a short, boring tale (that's why I read and don't write). I find myself invested with these people, my emotions rise and fall with their's and I love that.

I was recommended to read this book by a friend , at first I wasn't so such as I'd never read a book by this author before , but omg I was so wrong , it had me on the edge of my seat and tears in my eyes , I love the chemistry between Tenley and Hayden can't wait to find our what happen between them and see if they can both get over there past and move forwards together x

I had read "Fractures In Ink" and loved it. I was intrigued by Hayden and Tenley and wanted to know their story so I thought I would give this a read. I have very mixed feelings about this book. Ultimately I prefer "Fractures In Ink". This book was ok, I felt the characters were a bit weak.