Asher (Inked Brotherhood 1): Inked Boys

The story was long for the central plot. There was no creativity in writing and it felt flat and monotonous circling around the scrappy life Asher had.. I mean i get it that it was about things going really south before hope starts and all that but there was seriously not much to the story.

I tried I really tried, I could not finish this book. It just like so many other books out there right how. The tortured soul the bad boy and the girl with the tortured past,will they ever find love. Or will they be able to heal each other. Unfortunately this seems to be a common theme right now with authors in these books. I really did try to get into this book but I could not get past the characters and the lack of story. I also cannot get past her nagging friends who would not leave her alone about certain issues and then we get mad at her when she shut down. I found myself really hating her an her friends for that and that was part of the reason why I could not finish the book. it mean character also is extremely selfish and want everyone to pity her but then when they do pity her if she gets mad at it Also the back and forth between her character and Asher character, they want each other they don't want each other they hate each other they don't hate each other. Also Asher self loathing and self destruction behavior got tiresome. It's a good story concept unfortunately its been played to death. If you want to read a good book with the same type of theme look into reading bully or until you. It's a good ideal just not for me.

2.5 stars
It was an okay read for me.
Asher seemed nice enough though the book was way too rushed for me!
You hate him, you loathe him, 5 days later you love him more than anything..
Must be nice to turn your feeling on and off again.

This was a good quick read. However it would have been better with more story and less detailed sex. I felt like those were the parts the author really got into. I wish there had been as much detail in the characters as there was in the sex dialogue
All and all good read.

This is so deep...This is not a feel good read....Asher, Has lived the last three or so years in total torment, with his abusive father and the death of his mom and some brother who left years ago....he has no one but Zane, a childhood friend.
In walks a blast from his past, Audrey. Asher hasn't seen her since his alcoholic father hit her father's car, three years ago.
Audrey decides to come back to her childhood home to attend her freshman year of college. She has always cared for Asher but now all she has is fear and sadness.
This is not a book you can read at one time, too deep. There are follow-up books about Asher and his friends.....language is a huge factor and this book relates around eighteen year old people.....who have some deep issues.

This book was ok. I feel like so much was missing. Even with the history between the two main characters it seemed rushed. Needed more about his family and hers instead of the splotchy info. It did touch on a sore subject of child abuse even when the character became a legal adult. Made you feel sorry for the main hero to have suffer through that type of home life.

I don't think that I can see it as an excuse for the next few weeks of a sudden it was the best of the year and I don't think that I can see it as an excuse for the next few weeks of a sudden it was the best of the day before I get a follow back on my way home from work to be the first half of the day before I get a follow

Just couldn't get into this book. I think for me the characters were just too young. More of a young adult book. I had read mixed reviews and I really wanted to like this book, but I ran out of patience about a third of the way through... I just really didn't care what happened.

Im having a really hard time undrrstanding all the five star ratings. The writing style wasn't very good. Quite a few typos and the subject was a difficult one to swallow. Child abuse is an awful thing and I understand that it needs to be talked about to get it out in the open, however the only reason why I finished this book was for a happy ending. I found it extremely hard to read with grim details of child abuse.

Well honestly this book just was not for me....it partly had to do with the mood I was in at the time I started the book...but as a rule...I dont like a ton of angst...a little goes a long ways for me...it just gets to the point in the book...where im like O_O O-kayyyyyy time out! everyone go to your corners & have a break from all the drama...the book had its pros & cons as all books do..it dont have a cliff hanger HUGE PLUS! a very HEA thank god LOL otherwise I would have gave it one star....after a while in my mind Im thinking okay ENOUGH whining dangit! he said, she said BS & she thought this about him & he thought he was worthless cause of his hateful rotten father O_O I get it...I realllly realllly do!! I just dont like reading the same drama 3/4ths the way through the book before things progress ya know? as far as the steamy factor since its just a couple scenes it was the best part of the whole dang book LOL!!!

If ya dont like ODing on angst...spare yourself or ya can get it & wait for a day when ya wanna read something like that...as far as the writing? the author did great...didnt notice any type o`s...good editing ect ect... the story was good but the angst between the hero & heroine (who by the way was enough to give me hives) she was a brat...the hero sounded hot at first....(((those spare steamy scenes helped there))) but..other than that...he bugged me too...time to shape up or ship out!

I'm mid-20's and Ya is what I generally read. I read a lot. That being said I'm pretty sure it wasn't me but it was the book that had the problems.
The writing felt very forced. There were obvious, misplaced set ups for the next books. The only connection between Asher and Auds is that she thinks he's totally hot, which is really juvenile.
Especially in a book that's supposedly dealing with abuse (I don't buy that, by the way). Victims of abuse have a lot more in common than bruises they're trying to hide. At some point in his life, Asher (being the big strong muscled tattooed bad-A that he is) would have fought back!!! He didn't have the personality of a victim, he had the personality of a fighter. This had me rolling my eyes the whole freaking time. The abuse-subplot was thrown in for suspense and it wasn't believable. It would have been better to make him an ex-junkie, or homeless, or a convict on the run. Anything but an abused kid.

First off- Auds hasn't seen Asher or spoken to him since she was in high school. Next thing you know, she realizes she loves him! Second, the book is filled with repetitive statements about their feelings. Lastly, there are obvious set ups for other books that I found annoying and misplaced. Don't waste your time

I'm not 18 anymore and I'm just flat out too old to identify with these characters at all. I like the premise of the story and for someone who can identify with these characters I bet it's a really good story but I can't.

Because it is a New Adult story I get the somewhat immature voice the entire series is written in. I'm writing this review after reading the entire series.
The believability of this series come into question when most of the stories get tied up in nice little bows. It is only Zane's story that reaches its HEA in the series epilogue Ink Babies. Five young men between 18 and 22 have overcome insurmountable odds to survive their less than ideal past.
Two of them own a tattoo parlor, that stretches my ability to buy the veracity of their narrative. Right out of high school? But I went with it and really got into the dark aspects of their stories. But I couldn't understand why Asher stays in his abusive home after he turns 18.
Keep in mind, Ms. Raven paints almost every father (figure) in this series as, criminal or abusive and except for Erin and Dakota, the mothers are not maternal. They either abandon their children physically and/or emotionally. They blindly follow the tyrannical fathers dictates. Or put their child in the direct path of danger.
This device to explain the characters' struggle is cliche and overused.
Yet the love between the couples and the brotherhood is strong and anchored in need. Their individual struggles make the, often difficult subject matter, a little easier to swallow. Last note, sometimes the abuse reads as if Ms. Raven didn't know how to individualize the characters' situations.
Well told stories worth a peek.

I'm shocked by some of the reviews here! It's like a group of readers all got caught up in the pack mentality and decided to pick this book to trash this time out.

This was only the second book I'd read by Jo Raven, but it was quickly clear what to expect. Thank God she didn't disappoint! The writing was excellent, the characters were understandable and believable, and their heartbreak realistic. Asher's father had destroyed Audrey's family and her life, and he'd destroyed Asher's life, too. It was just more of a secret.

Understanding Asher's motivation was easy and straightforward: he was a protector, and he did the best he could. Emotionally, his growth became somewhat stunted when his brother left and his mom died; he didn't have time to do anything but survive. It took Audrey's return to open him up again.

Audrey was hurt, first by Asher's seeming rejection and then by the car accident that injured her and killed her father. It was easy to blame Asher, but coming face to face with him again, her feelings got all scrambled. She wanted to hate him, had blamed him for stuff that wasn't his fault because she didn't have an outlet for her feelings. Seeing him again, she couldn't deny her feelings and that was confusing, as well.

I found the whole thing very well done. I was so proud of Audrey for growing and learning and changing, even if she stumbled a couple of times. My heart ached for Asher as he tried to do the right thing, even for people who didn't deserve it.

I can't wait to start Tyler!

Asher is quite the beautiful but damaged and smolderingly angst-ridden kind of guy that can’t seem to break thru his ‘pissed at the entire world” attitude to see the beauty that stands right before him.

Audrey so damaged from a mentally crippling life experience, she may never be a whole person again. Returning back to her hometown and all its residence may prove to be more than Audrey can handle, especially if Asher is one of them.

This story is full of reckless endeavors, misguided youthful decisions, loads of self-doubt and more adult scenarios than the average person is strapped with in a lifetime.

This story has a HEA and has no cliffhanger. There are characters referred to that will have their own stories, so for the best experience read them in series order.

Jo Raven....what an outstanding author.....Asher was worth every one of the 5 stars

Asher, badboy, a whole heap of sexy badboy......but look past the badboy and don't judge to harshly till you get to know all that's Asher....you might just find he's not what you thought

This story is gunna tug at your heartstrings more than once...so be prepared because life isn't always easy and can suck every last bit of joy from you...till your left so empty you don't even recognize a good thing you truly deserve..

That's it that's all your getting from me....to meet Asher your gunna have to go one click

Asher

This book was my first experience of Jo Raven's writing and I more than loved this book.

Usually I'm not a huge fan of books in their teens but this was amazing! I one-clicked this book on a whim because I am now a fan for life!

I instantly connected with all of the characters (despite wanting to bash Asher & Audrey's heads together for them to get their arses into gear!). Asher broke my heart and Audrey helped rebuild it. The chemistry between Asher and Audrey is undeniable and pure and some of the scenes in this book will leave you hot and bothered! The only problem I could possibly say is that the book ended way too soon for my liking!

It's been a while since I have read it now and the thought of the book still leaves me speechless.

First to write a review for this book.. really. This book does not disappoint, it was a great read, quick paced and we'll written. As i started reading it was safe to say that Asher was breaking my heart.... he's trying to do his best in a bad situation, which gets worse. Audrey has gone through her own hell and comes back home and sees Asher for the first time in almost 3 years. I believe that reviews should not have any spoilers, but I can tell you that Asher makes some mistakes and some situation he goes through are really hard. There's are great secondary characters in the book. Throughout the the book you get glimpses of the Inked Brotherhood, who are all somewhat flawed, broken and dealing with their own set of problems. Hope to read more about them in the future. It's hard to believe that most of these characters are supposed to be young, like 18 years old young. As I stated before I loved it, recommended and can't wait to read more about the brotherhood soon!

This is my first glimpse at author Jo Raven and while I jumped in head first without really knowing what I was getting into, I was quite surprised by how well I enjoyed this book and the main characters as well as the supporting characters who I’m now excited to read about!

The cover first caught my attention – I will admit it! I have an obsession with tattooed heroes with an edge! So I thought a whole series on Inked Men – umm yes please!

I was surprised to find out that the main characters are literally just out of high school. I read young adult/new adult books and have totally loved them, but they are usually not my preference when choosing a book. I just wasn’t expecting it when I started. Now, to be fair, the issues and circumstances within the book honestly make this more of a hybrid story – the issues the author deals with are very heavy and sometimes when you are reading, you feel like the characters are older and more mature because of the hand they have been dealt by life. In this way, it made me connect more with the characters.

Asher Devlin has been dealt a terrible hand in life. Abandoned by his mother, living with a drunken father who conveniently takes out his sorrow and grief on his son, left to protect himself alone by his only brother who he hasn’t heard from in years – Asher feels like the world sits on his shoulders and he cannot escape it. He quit school because he gained a bad reputation for causing fights – and he stays away from the one person on earth that he wants to be around every day - Audrey. Because of a terrible accident that his father caused and Asher knows that she deserves better than he could ever give her. He can’t even give himself a better life so why would he be able to give Audrey what she needed and deserves.

Audrey’s life is coming full circle – when the accident took away something so precious to her after her best friend decided to close her out of his life, she ran. She ran away from it all. But now, she has decided to go back to the beginning where it all happened for college. She thinks she can avoid the memories and move on – she thinks she can avoid him. But in her heart, he’s always been there and she still compares the men in her life to them. No one ever had that affect on her and she doesn’t understand. But he doesn’t want her – her traitorous body needs to remember that he chose to walk away from her and she needs to move on.

But is this really the whole story? Assumptions can end up making you have tunnel vision. Without really talking through problems or circumstances, your imagination runs wild and by the end of the road, you have no idea what you imagined or what’s real.

So this journey takes you through the reunion of two friends who have assumed they know what’s going on in the other person’s head. But what you quickly find out is neither one has ever thought the other one needed them as much as they do. It’s a journey filled with heartbreak, coming to terms with a grief stricken past, learning to trust someone completely enough to let yourself go, and finding love that you never thought existed for you.

Take a chance on this book! But be warned, do not judge a book by its cover and take some time to reflect on this book before you decide your thoughts. Look at the situation and put yourself in their shoes. At their age, what would you have done if you faced all of these messy situations? Then let yourself fall in love with this beautiful story of hope, compassion and love.

Audrey has moved back to her old home town she isn’t running anymore she is going back. She left when she was in a terrible accident and lost her dad Audrey was lucky to escape.

What do you do when the one guy you love runs from you?

You can’t work out why.

Then his alcoholic dad kills your father in the crash all because he was drink driving.

You have to leave her.

You can’t let him hurt her.

She is your weakness.

Your beaten badly and often every time her drinks.
He hates you but you stay you can’t leave him after your mum died.
Your brother ran away.
It’s just you.

You have nothing.

No money.

No home.

No food.

Nothing.

Audrey can’t continue to hold Asher at fault she knows it wasn’t him, she loves him but is it too late for them?
Has there time come and passed?

This was the 1st book in the series it was good well written we could feel Asher’s pain and hurt and we look forward to seeing where the series goes

4 stars

Barely 10% through and I feel I've been hit with the kitchen and bathroom sinks. The problem with first person narratives in angst-filled stories is that is can sound extremely whiny and self-obsessed. Some SPOILERS: We find out within the first few pages that Audrey was in an accident that killed her father, she had scars, she was lonely due to neglect from her mother, her first kiss ditched her, she dated guys who looked like said first kiss, people don't understand, she withdrew from her social life and her last boyfriend cheated on her. I haven't even started on Asher! "Woe is me" gets tiring after a while, but this is just too much.

Asher and Audrey were best friends since they were nine. When they were teens he started pushing her away with no explanation. Then he kisses her and never talks to her again. Shortly after that tragedy strikes Audrey’s family, and it also involves Asher’s family. She moved away, but now she is back and once again they see each other. She told herself for years she hated him, but will seeing him again prove that a delusion? Asher had a very rough time growing up and he is still struggling now at 18. Jo Raven writes about such tough subjects. There are definite trigger warnings here, but it is a great read.

Audrey has come back to where she grew up to attend college. She has a few friends still so thinks everything will be ok. That is until she sees Asher while at a party.

This book will wow you and leave you wondering why these two couldn't just get their act together sooner.

It contains abuse so if you are sensitive to this then I don't recommend this book, but if you love a good romance where true love prevails then grab this book now!!

Spoilers
Archer's life is pain and abuse from childhood to young adult. His father uses him as a punching bag and he won't hit back. Audrey's life is love and goodness until the day Archer's father killed Audrey's father in an auto accident and she is severely injured. Years past when Audrey finally returns home to college. She sees Archer at a party and memories from when they once loved and everything after came tumbling back. This story is about forgiveness, acceptance and maturity on the long road to their HEA

I have a love/hate relationship with books that are written in a series. All of them are amazing...
But like all avid readers I'm very impatient while waiting for the next book and I see the Inked Brotherhood series will be no exception!!

4.5 tattooed STARS!!!

This book is written in dual POV which really helps the reader to 'get' each character. Get them in a way that wouldn't be possible without getting in their heads. Audrey, or Auds, is coming back to town after some time away. She took time away due to a tragedy and has been trying to work on herself and letting go. But to have gone through something like that and still be standing is a feat in itself. Audrey is nervous about coming back to see Asher. Her best friend and love of her life - until tragedy struck. She's come back hoping to start over. Back to a town that means so much but holds so many more unknowns.

"Only, this town holds lots of memories, both good and bad. It's where I spent a magical childhood, where I fell in love for the first time and had my heart-broken. Where the accident took place, turning my world upside down."

Audrey is most nervous about seeing Asher. He was her best friend and she fell in love with him. But something changed in him after they shared an amazing kiss.and he left her by the wayside. Stopped talking to her altogether worst of all. Even through all the angst in trying to figure out what happened to their friendship, she never stopped loving him. Although, Audrey seems to be in a bit of denial for the first parts of the book. Asher reveals what the tragedy was 3 years ago. Not only what it was but how he was involved. When he sees Audrey for the first time in forever, immediately he feels gutted. But he 'knows' he's no good for her. Then and now. He feels he doesn't deserve her. Because of the terrible thing that happened that linked them and the unthinkable things that happened to him alone.

"Not kissing her, or hugging her, though that's the best memory I have, the one burning in my brain, the one getting me through the really tough times."

When they are forced together, the connection they've always had, burns like an inferno. Hot people! The timid chemistry just under the skin simmers afraid to bubble completely. After what they each endured, and what they each continue to dwell on, it seemed that they may never get their happily ever after. Audrey was afraid to tell him how hurt she was after that kiss and Asher unsure how to apologize - how to show her, without her flinching, how he feels. He needs her with such fierceness and she feels the same way. I found myself rooting for them even before their second chance really began. And that's such a great thing! Second chance relationships! Asher loves her as much as she loves him and as much as he knows this - he can't bring himself to tell her the whole truth. He feels it's still a part of him that she doesn't deserve to have to put up with or worry about. And reading those parts hurt my heart to think that he felt that way. Felt ashamed of holding a part of him back and uncertain when or how to tell her.

"I have to talk to her, tell her. I'm a f*ck-up. She must know. It's dangerous for her, being with me. Being anywhere near me is a mistake. I have to warn her to stay away. Have to tell her everything."

There was a gritty under tone to this book. It was gritty and sometimes dark. But those parts always left me rooting for the main characters even more. Put me through many emotions. I felt the terror and the angst as much as the sweet spots. I was so wrapped up in the dynamics of them, their friends and how they were all connected. They were all so intricately woven - I was amazed at the level of loyalty and raw goodness that each character had. I can see how that statement may make readers to conclude all the characters were cookie cutter. This could not be further from false. I'm thrilled this is a series and will hopefully get into the lives of the other 'brothers' as I was just as intrigued with them as I was Asher and Audrey. This author was smooth in transitions from one POV to the next. And wrote with such passion that I couldn't help but be drawn in!! I cannot wait for news of the next Inked Brotherhood book!!

I read this book because when I saw the cover reveal and read the blurb, I was intrigued. It sounded like a different kind of NA Contemporary Romance.

Is it a different NA Contemporary Romance? In the end, not really as much as I was expecting.

I love it when the characters have a troubled past, when they have hang ups and issues plaguing them still. It’s always thrilling to read a story where you actually see the characters healing. Asher is all of that.

This story is told from two POVs and I think it’s really needed to better understand both characters and to better feel their issues. There are parts that actually made my heart break a little bit. I mean, you can’t stay cold and detached when you read about what happened to Audrey and what is going on in Asher’s life.

Though, I would have loved it if the author would have dug deeper when it comes to the connection between Audrey and Asher to better understand how it is for both of them. I was quite distanced from Audrey for a long while.

The relationship between Audrey and Asher starts a little too soon for my liking and I think the angst could have been used more to better enhance the irrevocable connection between Audrey and Asher. It could have been more epic and that’s what I was expecting.

But don’t get me wrong, I really liked reading this book. It’s a fast read, fast paced and intriguing enough to make me want to even discover the other sets of characters.

My main issue would be Audrey that switches a little too fast for my liking. But I could relate to it to a certain extent so maybe it’s just me.

Asher is really an interesting character and I felt for him. Somehow, I would have loved to read more about him, more of his POV because he’s the real asset in this story.

Just for Asher, I’m glad I read this book!

I give this a 5 out of 5 Fighting stars.

Audrey is an eighteen year old college bound woman. She had a tragedy strike her family not too many years earlier and she ended moving away but now that she is college bound she moved back to her hometown. She thought things were going to be okay until she saw the one person she didn't want to, Asher Devlin.

Asher looks like your typical teenager on the outside other then his tattoos nobody sees what he hides. He has a father that is abusive to him. He hides the bruises most of the time but his one friend, Zane, knows what he hides. Asher doesn't know what to do after years apart from the one and only girl he has ever wanted.

Asher and Audrey were best friend in school until one day thing just suddenly changed and Asher started avoiding Audrey at all cost. The his father had caused a tragedy to not only his family but also Audrey's. She moved away but when she came back things that she didn't know before start to come to light for her. Asher wants to stay away from Audrey because of his father and he also thinks he is no good for her.That all changes once Audrey starts to get what Asher has been through.

Asher tries to solve problems on his own but when Zane leaves for Christmas holiday and Asher is left in his apartment he starts to try and figure out how to raise money to live on his own but that leads to more problems that could put not only his life in danger but also Audrey's. What Asher does scares him and could leave him dead. Does he reconnect with Audrey? Can Asher put part of his past to rest to move forward? Does Audrey get past her hurt to give Asher a chance?

I would recommend this to my friends.

~ Lisa The Book Nuts

Two childhood friends who lost each other du to tragedy......
This was a sad one for one for me to read, I felt so many emotions especially for Asher.
He was dealt a crap hand for a life, definitely got the short end of the stick. Growing up with a alcoholic father who's emotionally abusive all the way around made Asher believe he wasn't worthy of life.Then you have Audrey who's conflicted of her feelings because of what happened, and shared their "first" everything together. When they run into each other again, it's conflicting full force. She thought she had her feelings tamed, no longer an issue but she was wrong. Asher struggles day to day until Audrey is there and won't leave his side. They make such a cute couple. As the story moves on something bad happens again, putting Asher in the spot light, but will Audrey be able to deal with this along with secrets he's been holding back from her? Can he trust Audrey to not bail on him?
This is definitely a shot for true love that was never give a chance in the first place.

I reviewed for Beautifully Broken Book Blog!

Audrey has been away since the accident that changed her life and tore her family apart. But truth be told, things started changing long before she lost her dad. It started to fall apart after her first kiss. Her first heartbreak. After she lost her best friend. It doesn't matter now. She is back and ready to start over. Now in college, she wants to reclaim her life, make friends and get over the past. Except her old friends are here. Her old life is here. He is here. Asher is more devastatingly handsome than he was at fourteen. Now he is taller, all muscle, tattooed bad boy, dark hair and piercing blue eyes that she has never forgotten. But she doesn't know him anymore. The boy she knew didn't fight or ignore her. Until he did. Asher tried to stay away. He needed to protect her from the same fate that haunted him. But now that she is here again, he doesn't seem able to stay away. She is all he ever wanted. He is the only one she ever loved. Asher and Audrey's story is poignant, with twists and turns over the pain carried for the loss of a good father and the anger of a bad one. It has so much love and passion that it carries through each page and lingers on, demanding that we get to know more about each tattooed boy and the cross he bares. Also about each loving girl and her demons. Above all about each story they share.

I was sucked into the world of the Inked Brotherhood and read the book in one day. With their history you would not expect Asher and Audrey to be perfect for each other but they are. Their chemistry flies off the pages. Both have had a lot of darkness in their lives (especially Asher) but you feel that if they will just trust each other they can overcome it. This is written in dual POV’s and I think this is a perfect example of how important it is for people to just talk through issues you never know what the other is thinking. This is the first in the series with planned books for the other guys. I am looking forward to see what happens next and the all the pasts alluded to in Asher (especially Zane, Dylan and Tessa). But this is a self contained story with no cliffhanger if that’s what you are looking to read.

Reviewed by Cathy

Oh my goodness! I loved Asher! From the moment I picked it up to the second I put it down I was pretty much in love with this book. Jo Raven's writing was strong, the dialogue witty and the story line was serious but also entertaining. From the first page you want these characters to overcome their seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Audrey has just moved home to attend college. Since the tragic death of her father in a car accident, she's been living with her mother and trying to recover. She thinks she's finally ready to pick up her life and reunite with her old friends. But everything is not as she left it nor as she expects it to be. Going home is never easy and Audrey is confronted with Asher almost right away. Asher. Her best friend, her first love, her first heartbreak. As Audrey works to keep herself away from Asher, he works just as hard to stay away from her. Except he can't help wanting to protect her. The crash that killed Audrey's father was caused by Asher's dad and he carries the guilt and responsibility with him daily. While Audrey is struggling to figure out how to fit Asher back into her life and forgive him for the sins of his father, Asher is struggling for his own life. His alcoholic father is extremely abusive and Asher spends much of his time couch surfing at friends' houses or on the streets. Determined to make something of himself so he is worthy of Audrey he enters into some risky behaviours. Will the past tear the growing love between Asher and Audrey apart? Pick up your copy today and find out!

Asher is the first book in the Inked Brotherhood Series. It is about two young people that were best friends that fell apart and are finding their way back to one another.

Audrey had fled from her hometown after a tragic accident took her father away from her and left her scarred. She comes back trying to move forward in her life, going to college and reuniting with her friends from the past. There is one person she doesn't want to see, he broke her heart, but fate seems to have other plans.

Asher is struggling to get by and nobody really knows what he has to deal with. He puts up a front, making him look like he is in control of his life. His home life is a living nightmare and he only has his brotherhood to turn to. When he sees Audrey for the first time he wants her, but knows he isn't good for her and plans on keeping his distance.

As Audrey and Asher's lives come together secrets get revealed and take this couple on a whirl-wind of highs and lows.

I think Jo Raven did an amazing job writing her debut novel and I look forward to reading more from the Inked Brotherhood Series. I enjoyed the dual POVs. I think the way the story is told it sets up for the next book in this series nicely.

I stumbled across Jo Raven and was hooked on her books after reading Asher, I loved the guys, their stories are heartbreaking, and when they do love it's 100%. Asher & Audrey's story is one of young love gone wrong and their fight against the odds to get it back. What I love most is you seem to forget that these are young adults dealing with adult problems, they should be off partying and playing around instead of dealing with what life has thrown at them. Jo Raven does an incredible job bringing these stories to life, you get invested in them. I loved this book, I would recommend it to all my friends, actually the whole series is amazing.

Like the title says it's a good story and the issues are believable,however the time frame isn't. You have a bunch of 18 to I think the oldest will be Tyler and he's 22? Living way beyond their age. It's really just a flow issue the character will mention being in high school years ago when really they just graduated. So it's kind of like wtf. The author tries to portray them sometimes as being very mature but you can really tell there just babies playing grown up. I felt this book would be better if they were older. I have a feeling this is gonna be a common theme throughout the series. Good but just to much.

This one got me hooked. Hooked on Jo Raven and hooked on the Inked Brotherhood. Thank god I found this book when there were already three books published, so I could gorge on this stuff.
Asher is not my favorite of the brotherhood, but that may be, because he's the first and the author's writing improves massively through the series and the other books she has published. However it was a great book and I totally recommend it to everyone who loves a bad boy love story/ series.

I loved this book and I can't wait to read the next one in the series. Something about Asher&Audrey that drew me to them, they gave me chills. They were hot and so intense. I loved them. They just had a very insane attraction/connection that kept my interest throughout the story. They were both broken scarred people that added to their appeal. They were very similar in ways and shared a kind of innocence that made them adorable and the couple to root for which I did with glee.

hotties. tattoos and badboys what is not to love? this is my first book from jo and I must say I loved it hopeless romantics you are going to love this one and all of the bad boys it has to offer, there is so many yummy males in this book and i loved it i cannot wait to dive into other books from Jo Raven i felt so sad for Asher at times and i wanted to belt him across the head at other times so emotional and RaW fantastic book
would Asher Be My Book Boyfriend? Damm ladies i wanted to marry this one and have his babies !

3.5 stars

This is a good new adult story even though it was full of angst. I wish there could have been a few light moments to break things up a bit. I found myself getting a little bit frustrated with the characters, though I did like them well enough. The whole tattoo/inked brotherhood thing could have been explained a bit better.

As a whole though I did like the story and was rooting for Asher. He is so sweet but yet so lost in the world.

Holy crap let me just start by saying that this book blew me out of the water. The chemistry between Asher and Audrey is off the charts.

This story is essentially the second love between Audrey and Asher. Audrey finally comes back home after moving away for three years only to find out that everything has changed. Asher isn't the crazy popular guy with all of his crap together. Instead she comes home to find that Zane is Asher's only real friend and everything she thought was true about him is really a lie.

Instead of making this story your basic cliché Ms. Raven has taken a new spin on what can become of troubled teens and the struggles they go through.

This book is a must read and best of all it is the beginning of a series in which each hot sexy alpha male gets his own story. Tyler is up next and I can't wait to read it.

Do yourself a favor and one-click this must have book!

You know I had to read a book with the series title of Inked Brotherhood! The Inked Brotherhood is a group of guys with rough pasts.

This book is about Asher – his way into the brotherhood is quite tragic – and Audrey. Her past is intertwined with Asher’s. Their childhood friendship was destroyed because of the evil actions of another. Neither of them can see a way to fix things after they find themselves thrust back into each other’s lives.

I like that nobody in the story had the perfect thing to say. They are young – Audrey is back in her hometown for college – and they shouldn’t be expected to have all of the answers. These kids are more grown up in some ways because of their pasts but they are still very much restricted by their age when it comes to dealing with things. They have to learn to ask for help and not try to do everything on their own.

This story was well written and has me intrigued about the other Inked Brotherhood members with their matching dragon tattoos.

This book was such a contradictory to me, there were words that were conservative then when it got to sex scenes they were a little graphic. It was confusing, it was almost like it wanted to be a sweet romance and a gritty romance rolled in one. Once I got past that, the story was okay, the secondary characters kind of got on my nerves and I felt that the story was missing something, I would have wanted to know more of the feeling of Ash instead of the little we got from his actions about his feelings for Auds.
Asher’s father was involved in a drunk driving car accident that killed Auds father and nearly killed her and it put a riff between her long time best friend Ash. Until they both realize that they are both in love with each other. Asher is a boy who had a hard life and is just trying to make it, without bringing everyone else down with him, especially Auds, who he loves enough to push away.

The author spins the story of Ash and Audrey. Two souls who both went through a lot in their young life but still managed to love each other. Ash was this beautiful teenager who had a horrible father. The author spun this story so well that you couldn't help but to be gripped by the main characters. Auds had to forgive a d understand everything that Ash went through. When that happened, she was amazing with him. I can't wait to read the story of all the supporting characters.

If you like a sexy read with good character and plot development, this series is for you. I wish I knew her characters in real life. All 5 books in this series are page turners but please read in order, 1-5. If you're offended by the F word and graphic descriptions of sex and parts of the body, move on. Download samples for a taste of Jo Raven's writing. You won't be disappointed but be prepared for binge reading.

Out of all of the 5 brothers and their significant others I felt like Asher and Audrey had the deepest connection. Part of me thought maybe this was because they knew each other for so long but so did Dylan and Tessa and I didn't get that mega love feeling from them like I did Asher and Audrey.I also think Asher has the best cover of all of the books in the series ;)

Asher was second Jo Raven book and I didn't exactly know what I'd be getting myself into since her Candy Boys was somewhat light and sweet and yet angsty. Asher kicks of a totally different series and yet, my heart was squeezing so much for him throughout the book it's crazy. I breezed through this since I found the writing style captivating, and the story held me prisoner right from the start.

I enjoyed this book immensely, the deep pain that Asher had to suffer with an abusive home and feeling as if he had no one to really talk to broke my heart.
I think that his friends felt a little broken to when finding out,. When they rallied around him and gave him a sense of belonging for the first time in years, it was with great satisfaction that I got to read about him coming out of his self imposed isolation and finding he never had to be alone.

Boy was this an intense and interesting book. Asher was a character who had so much bad luck with everything. Every time you'd think he had a way out he was sucked back in. Audrey was a great character with a sweet heart. She was able to help him even after all her own personal hell.

An enjoyable read. I loved Asher and everything that happened to him just gutted me. For some reason though, I thought he was older and it threw me that he was barely eighteen. Audrey was a little hard to like ar first. I just didn't understand the hate coming from her just because he ignored her after their kiss. I can understand being angry and sad that he pulled away but the hate was a little too much. Received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book which allows us into Asher's life and what he has endured growing up.
With a disjointed family Asher has a close circle of friends that all look after each other, each sporting a tattoo with meaning behind it.
Fantastic read and cant wait to read more of this fantastic series! <3

**Complimentary ARCopy provided by author for an honest review**

Loved it!From the start up to the last, this book captivated me.
Love the story and the characters.
The story is easy to relate with ad the characters are easy to love.
I love how the story is written.
The emotions of the characters are easily felt (one thing I liked about it).

The characters, Audrey and Asher are easily to relate with.
I love how the two characters personalities made their chemistry more interesting.
The story, it’s good.
I love how the story evolved.
With all the drama and issues, it just made the story more appealing.
The way the story ended, it’s great.
Loved it!
Ms. Jo did a good job in making the story interesting.
I can’t wait in the next Inked Brotherhood.

Interesting characters...Believable plot. But sure could have used more of a backstory about the brotherhood and the meaning behind the tattoo. And do any of the girls have this tattoo??? At one point you're lead to believe one does.
I will read book two and decide if I like this series.

I stumbled on to Jo Ravens book Caveman, which is a great story and it lead me to the beginning of the story, which is Asher and it was every bit as great as the first one. Great second chance stories with HEA endings. Love the action and who doesn't enjoy a great steamy romance. Now I'm off to read Tyler's story.

This book was brought to my attention via the store recommendations, so I thought why not. I read a ton and am always looking for new authors. Unfortunately, this book didn't do it for me. I can't pinpoint exactly why I disliked this book but I think a big part was I didn't find the chemistry of the two main characters believable. It felt forced. While I do like the concept of the book/series this one didn't hit it out of the park.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I received the book in exchange for a honest review. I enjoyed this book very much. I liked the characters and their interaction with each other. It was heartbreaking to me what Asher went through, but also irritated me that he stayed with his Dad! It's a story of heartbreak and forgiveness and eventually a happy ending. I look forward to reading the other books in the series!

I literally don't read mf anymore... but damn!!! I read the blurb on this series and had to give it a shot! I'm so happy I did it!
Ash grabbed me from the first page and i literally devoured it!!!
I'm about to start Tyler now!!!
loved it ❤❤❤

I liked the book and it had a lot of intense emotional episodes. Death, teen age angst and parental abuse on to a teenage boy. And let's not forget the first young love. This is a good read. Ok for 17+. SQ

I've been waiting for an amazing story for so long Mrs Raven. One that will make me addicted. One that will give me insomnia thinking I want to keep reading because I'm dying to know what will happen next with these amazing characters. And you delivered Asher to me. Beautiful, haunted Asher. I love him so much. He's perfect. You've done an amazing job with this story!
I have a feeling it will keep getting better and better :)

I have to believe that the author truly tried to portray the male character as vulnerable yet resilient. Well it didn't carry over that way, all I kept thinking was this cast needs psychiatric help.

Enjoyed this first in the series. A well-written, painful love story. Great cast of characters for these books; each is intriguing with their own unique backstory. Already have the second book downloaded and ready to go!

I initially read this book, just for the name 'inked brotherhood', and I quickly fell in love with the characters and especially Asher & Audrey's story, how two people who seemed destined to be pulled apart fought to find one another.

I loved how Jo has set up all the other characters briefly in this book, which has left me wanting and waiting for more from the Inked Brotherhood Series

Awesome book to start this series. Shows that Jo Raven is a smart and good writer. Can't wait to read all the books in the series.
I can't wait to tell my best friend about this new series and the new author I discovered.

A great story this is a new author for me and I must say I've enjoyed reading Asher and Audrey's story. I'm so looking forward to the next story it appears to be a exciting series, so I'm on my way to Tyler's story betting I won't be disappointed especially if it's as good as Asher.

Was an interesting read.

Warning: Has some content about parental abuse that may be difficult for some to read.

Overall a pretty good book to read once you get past the first few chapters.

Loved it! Jo Raven is great. The way the characters are describes makes you feel like you really know them. You feel their pain. The back and forth between Asher and Zane is classic. Reminds me of my own brother and his buddy's bickering. The romance between Asher and Auds is wonderful and realistic, not all romance novels grasp the fact that not all couples start out all fairytaleish.

I've been waiting for an amazing story for so long Mrs Raven. One that will make me addicted. One that will give me insomnia thinking I want to keep reading because I'm dying to know what will happen next with these amazing characters. And you delivered Asher to me. Beautiful, haunted Asher. I love him so much. He's perfect. You've done an amazing job with this story!
I have a feeling it will keep getting better and better :)

I have to believe that the author truly tried to portray the male character as vulnerable yet resilient. Well it didn't carry over that way, all I kept thinking was this cast needs psychiatric help.

Enjoyed this first in the series. A well-written, painful love story. Great cast of characters for these books; each is intriguing with their own unique backstory. Already have the second book downloaded and ready to go!

I initially read this book, just for the name 'inked brotherhood', and I quickly fell in love with the characters and especially Asher & Audrey's story, how two people who seemed destined to be pulled apart fought to find one another.

I loved how Jo has set up all the other characters briefly in this book, which has left me wanting and waiting for more from the Inked Brotherhood Series

Awesome book to start this series. Shows that Jo Raven is a smart and good writer. Can't wait to read all the books in the series.
I can't wait to tell my best friend about this new series and the new author I discovered.

A great story this is a new author for me and I must say I've enjoyed reading Asher and Audrey's story. I'm so looking forward to the next story it appears to be a exciting series, so I'm on my way to Tyler's story betting I won't be disappointed especially if it's as good as Asher.

Was an interesting read.

Warning: Has some content about parental abuse that may be difficult for some to read.

Overall a pretty good book to read once you get past the first few chapters.

Loved it! Jo Raven is great. The way the characters are describes makes you feel like you really know them. You feel their pain. The back and forth between Asher and Zane is classic. Reminds me of my own brother and his buddy's bickering. The romance between Asher and Auds is wonderful and realistic, not all romance novels grasp the fact that not all couples start out all fairytaleish.

I liked this book okay but I was a little disappointed that the characters were so young. While they had a decent level of depth for 18 year old kids I would have preferred a story where they were a little older.

This book is well written and has a great suspense factor. It is about the trials that Asher goes through to be a better person and good enough to be with Audrey. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good romance.

2 stars - SPOILER ALERT

MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY

**This book was given to Books on Fire Review and Edits as an Advance Copy Read.**

I read this book in one sitting; however, I skimmed most of it. At first, I was caught off guard when I agreed to read this for the team because I didn't realize that it was part of a series titled the Inked Brotherhood. Jay Crownover had an amazing, original idea and I can't help but notice that all the titles in the series are guys names. Rule Archer (Marked Men #1) v. Asher Devlin. What are the similarities? Not much! They both sport tattoos and a bad history of debauchery. So I was glad to read on.

The style in this novel is what I like to call "text message" writing. The POV style is taken to a new level of incomplete sentences and starting off sentences with subordinating conjunctions. This can be very effective if it is used occasionally. In "Asher", sentences that began with "and", "but" and "though" were so overused that it was choppy. Overall, it took away flow and affects it had on the story line.

The characters were introduced to the reader only by the devastating events that they were either suffering through or recovering from. I admired Dylan for sticking up for Audrey but then he was gone. Where did he go? I didn't understand Zane's story and half way through the book, the reader is introduced to another issue with Audrey's best friend, Tessa. At that point, I had disconnected with all of the characters. Asher's flip flop decision-making in addition to his "I need a plan" or some variation of that sentence was extremely repetitive.

We see so many great NA books out there these days that contain two or three main characters. In this book, I needed a notepad to write down the specifics of each character. In addition, this book was saturated with themes. The themes included but were not limited to drinking, cage fighting, abusive or controlling parents, death, loss of virginity, sexual abuse, physical abuse, college, hospitals and sibling conflict. The ONLY theme that is missing here is a rock and roll band. Ms, Raven, less is more. Pick two or three themes and stay focused.

Alas, people will most likely read this and love it, as it is a spin off from J.Lynn's "Wait for You", Katy Evans' "Remy" and Jay Crownover's "Rule". People will follow the incomplete sentences just fine and won't notice the poor editing. The story line between Asher and Audrey is good but not explored enough.

Books on Fire

The author has created an amazing story that will piss you off while you're reading, make you feel so much sorrow you wish you could take away every hurtful thing in Ashers life, just steal Asher straight out of the book, bring him home and show him that there is good in the world. This was such a touching story. Although I didn't cry there was so much emotion in every page from Audry and Asher that you can feel your chest tightening. You can't not love Asher with everything he's gone through. Although a grown man at 18, inside he's still like a lost child seeking love, shelter and acceptance. It will be great to know more about the other brothers in the installments as they each seem to have their own secrets and darkness that plagues them. Nonetheless my heart is still aching for Asher.

Audrey knows sorrow. She's had her world turned upside down when her love of her life's father takes something so precious away from her, but before that Asher hurt her and humiliated her by running away from her and never talking to her again. Loved this book.

this story is amazing and really good. I like it because it tell's a story that is truer than most. Asher, who loves Audrey, tries to save her from his life. unfortunately, there is no way for him to keep that from happening. good story ms Raven.

What a story! So much angst between these two characters. Asher needs to learn to trust Audrey after a past that would have made most people give up. Audrey needs to disassociate Asher from a painful event in their past in order to move forward....reading how they dealt with everything was very intriguing and made it hard to put down. Can't wait to read more!!

This book has a lot of emotional feelings. Its the struggle of a young couple to claw their way back to one another when life gets hard. I fell in love with them. Asher is a strong man that could've made a lot of wrong choices. Audrey could never get over the boy she fell in love with. I loved the way this story came together.

I liked this book. I won't say it is one I can see myself reading over and over again like some other books but I did feel invested enough in the characters that I will read the rest of the books in this series as they come out.

Asher and Audrey were extremely close as children. Inseparable, they knew how to take away each other's sadness. They shared laughter, games and sometimes just talked. Asher was always very protecting of Audrey. Then the unthinkable happened. Asher withdrew from Audrey and Audrey ran away. Now she is back
And 18 year old young woman. She is torn between loving Asher and despising
him. Asher is full of regret and self loathing. He is also hiding a deep painful secret. Read this incredible story of love, hate, violence and forgiveness. A story of rediscovering the truth and finding their way back from the darkness. An incredible love story. Where learning you don't have to be alone. Also intertwined in this emotionally driven book is the friends that have always been there for them if they simply open their eyes and learn to trust again. This is a must read.

When you have to fight your way through life, it is completely and utterly hard. This is a good view into that life. I enjoyed this book very much and can't wait to read the rest. Great friends make everything in life sometimes.

I liked this book okay but I was a little disappointed that the characters were so young. While they had a decent level of depth for 18 year old kids I would have preferred a story where they were a little older.