3.75 stars—PASSION AND INK is the second instalment in Naima Simone’s contemporary, adult SWEETEST TABOO erotic romance series. This is twenty-seven year old,tattoo artist Jude Gordon, and twenty-six year old, waitress /accountant Cypress Winters. PASSION AND INK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jude and Cypress) PASSION AND INK follows the forbidden or ‘taboo’ relationship between step-siblings twenty-seven year, tattoo artist Jude Gordon, and twenty - six year old, waitress / accountant Cypress Winters. Tattoo artist Jude Gordon struggles with his direction in life; an ex-girlfriend who won’t let go; and the secrets and memories he is must keep to himself. Meeting the beautiful waitress who calls herself Ro, is the perfect foil for a man who battles between in the here and now. But a family dinner reveals Jude’s one-night stand is none-other than the step-sister he hasn’t seen for close to ten years, a woman who now consumes his fantasies and dreams. Enter Cypress ‘Ro’ Winters-Keller, and the woman with whom Jude will fall in love. What ensues is the building but secret relationship between Cypress and Jude, and the potential fall-out as Cypress and Jude’s time together comes with an unexpected expiry date.

Cypress Winters left California amid a work place controversy, and her mother’s inability to thrive on her own. Returning to Chicago meant starting over but never did she think she would have to face the man who all but destroyed her family and her mother’s life. Jude Gordon struggles with memories of the past, a time long ago where a thirteen year old boy became the adult to his mother’s spiral out of control. A gifted tattoo artist, our hero finds himself in direct competition with his more ‘successful ‘ brother Knox.

The relationship between Jude and Cypress is a step-sibling, taboo romance. Cypress’ father makes our heroine an offer she is unable to refuse but in doing so, places her relationship with Jude towards a path with only heart break but no future. The $ex scenes are passionate, vibrant and intense.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Cypress’ broken mother Brenda Keller, her father Dan Keller, and Jude’s mother Katherine.We are reintroduced to Jude’s brother and fellow tattoo artist Knox Gordon (Sin and Ink #1), and his girlfriend Eden, as well as several fellow tattoo artists at Hard Knox Ink, and Jude’s ex-girlfriend Annalise.

The world building continues to focus on the forbidden, the relationships deemed taboo by society but relationships where two people find love and their happily ever after.

PASSION AND INK is a story of family, betrayal, loss and love. The premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are broken, determined and lost.

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HOLY HOTNESS!
Cypress and Jude oh my! I loved this story. Cypress had a rough life, and after returning to her home town to help her Mother with medical bills find herself working at a dive bar where she meets Jude. They soon discover that Jude was her Dad's stepson she hadn't seen in years. They fall for each other in a very hot and dirty turn of events.
Jude has his own demons to fight but together they are so good! I love how easily you connect with Ms. Simmone's character. They are so raw and real and I literally couldn't put it down! I loved this one just as much as the first book in the series. Can't wait for whoever is next!

Wow-Wow-Wow-Wow-Wow! Passion and Ink is my favorite of the series so far.

Hot but tender. Angsty but not dreary. Deep and nuanced. Dirty and oh. so. sweet. All elements of the story are balanced. Jude and Cypress are both immensely likable and relatable. Two people with lots of baggage between them yet they dealt with their problems individually and with support from the other. They're mature characters who face their crises head-on, who express their wants and needs, who act with a purpose.

I liked that the push and pull wasn't severe. I also liked that Ms. Simone didn't play up the taboo aspect too much. I appreciated that the side characters added depth to the story. Some initiated the conflicts, others provided the light relief. I loved that hard topics like sexual harassment in the workplace and mental health issues are addressed with sensitivity and compassion. I loved that friendship and family are at the core of the story. Finally, I absolutely believed in the transition from lust to love between Jude and Cypress.

Superb writing. Definitely a contender for one of my Top 19 of 2019. I can't wait for Simon's story!

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet, sexy romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

Passion and Ink is book 2 in the Sweetest Taboo series and since I loved the first book, I was really looking forward to the second book. Jude and Cypress are supposed to have just one night together and then go their separate ways. That's not easy for either of them to do when they can't get that night off there minds, and of course there's the fact that they are kind of related. '
Jude and Cypress''s relationship is a little forbidden as they are step siblings, but it's also intensely hot and hard to not pursue for the both of them. Their journey to happiness is not an easy one with family bonds being tested along with Jude and Cypress having personal issues of their own to work through. If you're looking for a romance full of heart, with passion that's off the charts then you will want to pick up Passion and Ink.

I absolutely love Naima Simone's books! I've been a fan for a long time, and each new release has me gobbling it straight through. Passion and Ink was no different.

I actually forgot who Cypress was going to be to Jude in this taboo romance, and when it came about, I did a happy dance because heck, yes!! Cypress is down on her luck and working at a bar when she meets Jay at one of her tables. The chemistry crackles from the very first and despite Cypress's misgivings about getting invested again, that's just what happens.

If only the man in question didn't turn out to be her stepbrother to boot! *cackles in glee*

Jude was the sweetest! I had a case of heart eyes after this book was finished because he's such a GOOD MAN. He kind of has his "Oh, shitake mushroom" moment where Cypress is concerned, but I also love how everything played out. There's a lot in Jude's past he has to confront, but confront it he does.

Cypress was the perfect mix of badass but vulnerable, and I just loved her to pieces. Naima writes such dynamic heroines that you can't help but think of them as friends long after the book is finished. Get ready for steam, drama, and the heart squeegies in this read!

4 stars!

wow.
ok, first off, i had heard of sin and ink and knew several of my friends liked it, so i added it to my list. then i saw this on netgalley and requested it. then sin and ink went on sale, so i bought it - i can't read books in a series unless i've read the previous ones, i was going to buy it anyway, bonus that it was on sale.

then i read the synopsis for sin and ink. meh. not my fave. then i read the synopsis for passion and ink, definitely not my fave. you might be thinking - kristen, surely you should read the synopsis for a book before you buy/request it? well, normally i do. but i've read a couple other naima simone books and i didn't need to. i know i love her writing, her characters, everything. so even though 'taboo' is really really really not my jam (i'm not *against* it, just don't love it), i went into sin and ink with high high high expectations. and it blew them away, naturally. so then i went into this with high high high high expectations.... and shocker, it was fanfreakingtastic. like, wow.

reading the synopsis, you know the characters are stepsiblings before they do. the reason stepsibling romances aren't my thing is because i can't imagine being attracted to someone you grow up with, but these characters don't grow up together. they spend every other weekend for 3 years when they are teenagers, and avoided each other during that time (or jude avoided her, because she was a brat). they don't even recognise each other, obviously, when they meet again 10 years later. i'm sure lots of other stepsibling romances are the same, but normally the synopsis turns me off before i can find out..

anywho. moving on to this book. the chemistry was off the charts. i adored the characters. i loved their connection. i felt it. i love love love how realistic naima simone's characters and stories always are, complete with family drama. this book had the right amount of angst and internal/external conflict. i loved watching jude and cypress fall in love and i really felt it too. i loved the snippets we got of Knox and Eden, right dash of 'hey, we had a book before this and we are popping in to say hello' without overpowering cypress and jude's story. i adored the ending, i loved how strong cypress was and how much she grew. i really wanted to smack knox and jude's mother, but eventually naima simone even makes me like/understand her. i struggled with Dan but i understand cypress feeling the need/want to forgive and have a relationship. been there. his apology was realistic and made me teary.

there's really not much more i can say about this book! loved it and now i need the next one, stat.

Explosive chemistry, broken souls and glorious redemption! With the next book in the Sweetest Taboo series, we step into the familiar Gordon family's world. In the first book, we met hardened brother Knox, and the story continues now with Jude's story. I recommend reading SIN AND INK first even though they are both stand alones just because you'll get a greater appreciation of the family nuances if you do. Jude and Cypress were a great second book and I enjoyed their story a lot!

Cypress Winters has had just about as much of "life" as she can take. She lost the high paying job that she had worked hard for just for having the nerve to stand up for herself, her mom is sick and running up hospital bills left and right, and now she finds herself serving drinks to grabby jerks in a dive bar just to survive the best she can. She needs an outlet for this frustration or she's going to explode!

Jude Gordon has a bit of his own pent up energy to burn, and when he sets eyes on Cypress, he can't leave until he makes her his. One night of fun, that's what they agree to. Only there's just one little thing that neither of them realized ... they are step-siblings and their parents are going to flip out!

I'm going to do my best to do justice to this story. We'll start with the fact that I think the author has written her best book to date. For this reader, this book perfectly showcased how love and acceptance can break through walls that keep us from living our best lives.

I'll start with my feelings about the heroine, Cypress. Walls built upon walls, she's under the impression that she's keeping herself safe by remaining distant from others. Her journey was at times painful to follow because I felt so much of myself within her. Those feelings of familial responsibility, inadequacy, and a determination to never allow yourself to be weak again that she possessed were absolutely gut-wrenching. Following along as Cypress begins to sort of unpack her baggage, allowing the hero to slip through her walls, left me with an absolute sense of rightness. Cypress doesn't become strong because of Jude. Instead, her strength is bolstered by his quiet and unassuming support until she believes in it enough to be able to move forward with her life.

As for the hero, Jude. Oh man...again, that absolute feeling of connection! Being a caretaker for familial secrets. Wanting to hold everyone else together, no matter how badly it breaks you. Jude was all of that. From the very get-go he was all about making sure Cypress set the pace for her relationship. His maneuvering gave her room to come to terms with her past, and offered her a chance at stability when she was floundering. That he did all of that for her, while dealing with his own anxiety and family drama, showed that he is, simply stated, a stand-up guy. Jude is the catalyst that will bring his family back together. He's personified the love and care they all have for one another in his compassion and willingness to be there for each of his family members. The absolute best of the bunch. No games. No gimmicks. He's all heart and I am so glad that he is Cypress'.

As for the story line in this book, the author unpacks a lot. The issue of emotional damage done to children by their parents, particularly when divorce is involved, is addressed. The final scene between Cypress and her father absolutely slayed me. I sobbed, and sobbed, and then sobbed some more. I felt such relief for Cypress, knowing that she was working out a way to move past the negative emotions that had locked her down for over a decade. I read that passage over and over, wallowing in those difficult feelings until a sense of catharsis settled over me. I was, without a doubt, completely invested in their exchange. My heart broke for them and for their lost years, while still embracing the hope that they would be able to move forward with a more honest and respectful relationship.

If you read the first book, Sin and Ink, then you'll be happy to know that we get a few scenes with Knox and Eden. I'll warn you that, should you be a super emotional reader like myself, you're going to want to have some tissues nearby. Our stoic mute, Knox, has apparently been saving up his words. He has a lot to say to Jude about family and what it means to build a life. I cried all the tears because their entire interaction during a tattoo scene was BEAUTIFUL and PERFECT!

The other issues addressed, those related to mental health and attempted suicide, and their subsequent impact on families, were handled delicately and with compassion. We all have the power to find acceptance and peace, both for ourselves and for others. The familial relationships within this book are testament to that. Most importantly, I appreciate that care was taken to emphasize people are neither the mistakes they've made in the past, nor doomed to a miserable existence because of mistakes their family members made.

Now on to the "taboo". I know the step-brother thing has some folks' knickers in a knot. Admittedly, I was a little hesitant when I heard this was the trope. So, if my words can offer any help in regards to your concerns, here's my take on the matter. They're not half-siblings. They're not related in any way beyond a marriage between their parents that occurred when they were teens. They had limited interactions for a few years in the early stages of the marriage, and have not seen each other in a decade. Hope that helps anyone on the fence about this book.

I'll end by saying that beyond being a beautiful portrayal of broken families, this book is still very much a super sexy romance. So, if that's what you're looking, know that the author definitely delivers! Cypress and Jude burned up my e-reader in all the best ways!

This is the second installment of this series and although it can be read as a stand-alone, don’t. You’ll get a better connection with the characters if this is read in sequence.

Naima continues to be one of my very favorite authors and this book is just as wonderful as the others - really amazing! . Not only was the story line compelling enough to keep my interest engaged, the way it was written and told was perfect. I don’t think anyone can take the place of Knox (read book one first) but Jude came close.

The step sibling is done so well, it’s not icky or taboo. The sexual chemistry between these two is beyond hot, but it’s honestly the story, the drama and the love that kept me turning up all night with reading this story. I can’t wait to see where Simon’s story takes us.. A must read!

This is book 2 in the Sweetest Taboo series and can absolutely be read as a stand alone although I recommend the first book as well just because it is a really good read. This one is about his brother Jude and Cypress. Jude and Cypress meet one night in a bar and have a one night stand, not realizing exactly who they are to each other until later as they had seen each other in over a decade. But this also leads to conflict not only for them but for their combined families. Along with the conflicts they are both already facing.

I really liked this one! They both have issues that they are trying to overcome while at the same time trying to just figure out what they need and want in their lives. Throwing in the family dynamics and having that hit close to home also drew me in and made me want to read more. The only thing that drew me back and made not give this one 5 stars is Cypress could have stayed in the town she was already in and found another position instead of completely uprooting herself and starting over. And I really don't like Jude's mom. She definitely get's on my very last nerve! But I think that is part of the family dynamic and she is that way in order to explain why they are the way they are. On a whole though, it is definitely a great read!

Passion and Ink by Naima Simone is book Two in the Sweetest Taboo Series. This is the story of Cypress and Jude. I have read the previous book, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Cypress and Jude are both having family and career issues along with other bad baggage. They come together for one hot night of no promises and just need. But things are so easy because they feel more than just that night but a relationship would be somewhat taboo since they are step-brother/sisters. But together they pull each other together to make them whole. Exciting hot read!!!

Just could not get into this book. Tried several times and failed miserably. I'm not a huge fan of the step-brother genre, but thought I would give it a try again.

Did not feel a huge connection to either character.

Writing was fine, but just not a fit for me.

Cypress and Jude have to overcome family objections!

After getting sexually harassed at her job by her boss in California and the company not doing anything about it, Cypress Winters headed home to Chicago to take care of her mom. Cypress had to take the only job she could get after being blackballed in the industry working at a dive bar. After spending an evening drinking tattooist Jude Gordon had a one night stand with Cypress who told Jude her name was Ro since she never gave the customers her real name.

Jude attended a family dinner with his mom and stepdad because his step-sister that he hadn’t seen in 10 years was back in town and in walks his step-sister Cypress who he just had a one night stand. Jude had slept with his step-sister and his mother still hadn’t accepted that her former daughter-in-law was seeing her other son.

There is so much going on with Passion and Ink with Jude and Cypress being step-siblings but Naima Simone takes a really messy situation and makes it work.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was very emotional and poignant. It's about rising above the lessons you were taught in childhood, and embracing your own life, flaws, hurts, happiness, and all. It's about forgiveness, and loyalty, loss, and going after what you want, regardless of the consequences. It was so good.

Jude Gordon is an amazing tattoo artist, but he's always felt as though he was in his older brother Knox's shadow. Knox was a famous MMA fighter, and now he owns the tattoo shop that Jude works in. Even though Jude knows he's a great artist in his own right, he feels everyone only sees him as the younger brother of "Hard Knox". His family has been in turmoil since Knox and Eden got together in book 1. Eden was their dead brother's wife, and Knox and Jude's mother, Katherine, can't forgive them for getting together. It's left Jude holding all the pieces and trying desperately to keep them together, as he's done since his father died when he was 13. He's always been the family "secret keeper". On top of that, he has a stalker ex that can't accept their breakup, and won't leave him alone. He needs a break, even just for one night. When he walks into the local dive bar and sees her, he knows she's exactly what he needs.

Cypress Winters needs a break. She left her job 3 months ago after a horrible workplace sexual harassment episode left her unable and unwilling to deal with the fallout. Also, her mother had a heart attack, so she packed everything she could and drove from California back to Chicago to help take care of her mom. She's slinging drinks in a dive bar, and wondering how in the world this became her life, when he walks in. She sees a one night distraction from all her problems. Little does she know her problems are just beginning. As they both discover a few days later, they are step-siblings. They haven't seen each in 10 years, not since those awkward early teenage years. Cypress' dad is married to Jude's mom. Cypress hasn't had any contact with her dad in that time, after she decided at 16 that she didn't want anything from him after the way he left her mom so long ago, and left Cypress to deal with the fallout. But now, her mom's medical bills are stacking up, and she does need her dad's help. Financially anyway. So, it's hands off Jude for good. Famous last words...

Jude and Cypress' chemistry was blazing hot, and it practically singed me through the pages. Though, the forbidden aspect of their connection wasn't lost on them,, eventually they decided it didn't matter. They wanted each other too much. But after everything that happened with Knox and Eden in book 1, Jude was reluctant to stir the family pot too much. Cypress also had horrible examples of selfish love throughout her life, and she didn't know what it should really look like, even when it was staring her in the face.

I love Jude and Knox's younger brother Simon. I hope he gets his own story one day. He's such an enigmatic character, and I feel we've barely scratched the surface of him. All the other employees at the tattoo shop were awesome too. On the other hand, the rest of their family is a HOT MESS. I HATED their selfish, horrible mother in book 1, after the things she had said and done to Knox, but I hated her even more after I found out what secrets Jude had been keeping. She was a spoiled, selfish witch. I understand that she had horrible loss in her life, but what she did, and the burden she left on Jude was more than any young boy should be made to bear. Even later once they FINALLY started talking and being honest about the problems in their family, her apologies and regret weren't enough for me to get over it. She was the epitome of a "woe is me", perpetual victim, and I just wanted to smash her face into something. Sorry, not sorry. Her husband, and Cypress' dad, Dan, wasn't much better. As much as I want Simon's story, and to see more of Knox, Eden, Jude, and Cypress in the future, I'm not sure if I can take more of Katherine, that selfish excuse for a mother.

Jude and Cypress really needed each other. They didn't know what they were missing until they found each other, and I loved how much better, stronger, and happier they made one another. It was hard watching them dig through the muck to figure their stuff out, but it was so worth it. I love when the heroine is the one who has to make the grand gesture and grovel, and Cypress did it perfectly. They both truly deserved happiness, and found it in each other. The epilogue was lovely, but I hope to get some other glimpses of them in the future.

I truly love everything I've read by this author so far, and I've got more of her backlist to get through. While I'm doing that, I'll be highly anticipating what comes next!

I loved this book! It's not the typical forbidden romance between step siblings since Cypress and Jude never lived together but the angst and yearning are still strong. Cypress and Jude have a real connection and an incredible night of passion before they ever realize who the other is. That connection is fiery, hot and all consuming, Once they know about the step sibling connection they try to resist the chemistry that burns between them. The last thing this family needs is more scandal. Yet some things just can't be denied.

Great characters, great writing, and an amazing story. Don't miss this one.

Passion and Ink by Naima Simone is the second book in her Sweetest Taboo series and is a forbidden love story that captivated me. I loved the character and their crazy and intriguing drama-filled journey! I am quickly becoming a huge Naima Simone fan!

Cypress is back home, the last place she wants to be deciding what her next step will be when she meets a man who will give her a night to remember! What neither realize is that they already know each other! Now Cypress is dealing with family drama all while wanting the one man she cannot have.

Jude is carrying his own issues that weigh him down. One night with a beautiful woman is just what he needs. Their chemistry and connection is insane but fighting what they feel is nearly impossible. Both characters had so much to work through, including dealing with their families and trying to fight what they feel for each other! You will quickly become drawn into this story! Passion and Ink was a quick read with all the feels.

Passion and Ink is book two in the series and stars Jude and Cypress. These two really know how to steam it up. When a moment between them leads to a lot more, there's no way they can go back. But when Jude and Cypress learn they a step brother and sister, that's when the games really begin. Cypress really impressed me in this book. She doesn't let anything that has happened in her life break her it only made her stronger. Naima knocked my socks off with this book. I'm excited to see what is next.

Well I didn't like this one as well as the first, it was still good but not one of my top favorite. This is Cypress and Jude book, cypress once had a degree in accounting, now she slinging drinks at the local hole in the wall! Jude works at hard Knox ink tattoo shop that his older brother owns. It's definitely worth reading but to me it was a little repetitive and depressing I really loved the first book but like I said to me this one was just ok! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

<b>3.5 stars</b>
This is the second book in the Sweetest Taboo series, and features the taboo of the stepbrother romance. Now, I’m usually not into the stepbrother romance thing, but I gotta say this is most definitely working the chemistry between the characters and giving it that slightly dirty edge. It’s hotfire as far as the sex is concerned, no doubt.

Jude and Cypress meet at a bar and have a insanely hot ONS, which we all know is going to lead to romance happening. That worked like gangbusters. Then they meet again at his mother and stepfather’s dinner get together, only to realize that um, oops they boned a family member (ok thankfully not blood related, but still), since they hadn’t seen each other in a decade…..and that’s where I struggled a wee bit, but once I settled into the story, I could buy it a little more. This family is clearly about the messy love, and it leads to alot of angst.

What I really struggled to buy, was the manufactured angst injected into the story by her father (frankly both parents are as messy as the younger generation and while I appreciated the time spent explaining their mess more this time around, I’m still not a fan of them). And the circumstances that lead to their tension in their relationship (her job, his travel, their emotional issues), were all enough without the stepsibling part. It didn't feel integral, and I would have bought into the freakout if they had at least recognized each other and still be hot for each other. I also think it would have been more difficult to connect with this if you aren't familiar with the first book because there's some background for Jude's role in his family that isn't as developed here as it could have been.

Much like the first book, the main reason I’m not rating this higher is that it tends to hit the same beats over and over, and it gets a little repetitive with said angst, and once the secrets come tumbling out, it’s resolved fairly quickly. However, I am rating it higher because I think there are some really good scenes between Jude and Cypress where they delve into their history and both are dealing with some serious issues like panic attacks and sexual harassment in the workplace. I just wish those were delved into a bit more.

But if you’re into the sexual tension and heat that comes with the forbidden love trope, you may enjoy this.

**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**