Book Reviews/ June 5, 2023June 13, 2023

Inferno by Chelle Bliss Book Review

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Blurb

Stone Gallo has lived life like every day is a party. No attachments, no responsibilities, and absolutely no falling in love. He spent his days at Inked and his nights wherever he pleased. But when Stone rescues a beautiful woman in need, his entire world gets turned upside down, and he’ll never be the same.

Opal hasn’t had much luck in life. No family, no friends, and absolutely no love. But when a handsome tattoo artist steps in and saves her from a horrible situation, her entire world changes. She’s immediately sucked in by his charming family, wanting nothing more than to be one of them, but knows it’s not in the cards for her…it never is.

But when fate steps in, they can’t stop what’s coming—Stone and Opal sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g…

Inferno is book twelve in the interconnected standalone series Men of Inked® Heatwave by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Chelle Bliss®.

Sensitive Content

There are no sensitive content warnings but this is a romantic suspense novel. Here is the sensitive content I observed while reading:

Abusive relationship (not between main characters)
Alcohol
Blood
Car Accident
Death of a parent (off-page)
Emotional abuse (not between main characters)
Kidnapping
Misogyny
Profanity
Sexually Explicit Scenes
Violence

Ratings

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There are possible **SPOILERS** beyond this point!

Overall Rating

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I liked Stone and Opal’s love story. It opens with the moment that changes everything for the two main characters. Stone overhears Opal’s boyfriend berating her at the Inked tattoo shop where he works. Stone kicks the deadbeat out and offers Opal safety at his house for the night. The two of them get to talking at a bar before making it Stone’s house. Both of them feel something special but neither makes a move because of everything that’s happened to Opal just that day. Weeks pass with very little contact until Opal gets a flat, ending up at Nuts & Bolts Mechanic shop which happens to be owned by the Gallo family, as well. Through the Gallo family grapevine, Stone finds out and meets her there. Secrets were revealed about Opal’s ex that pushes Stone to step in for good. Is the steamy attraction between them enough to overcome Opal’s past so they can move forward together?

So happy to be back with the Gallos again! Inferno is book 12 of the Men of Inked: Heatwave series. It’s always such a treat to come back to this family saga! I love the Florida vibes, makes feel like I’m back there again. The whole family really comes together in this one to get Stone and Opal’s romance! Though these two definitely start off as friends, their moments together were very sweet. The lines are blurry between what either of them wants and they would slip up into something deeper every time they spent time truly alone together.

This story does have instalove which is not my favorite but it makes sense with these two. Other Gallo family members bring about a lot of their deeper conversations. But I liked that they still had the conversations that were tough and would push their boundaries. Especially Stone!! That man was a vault… until Opal lol

Overall, I really enjoyed Inferno and the newest addition to the Men of Inked: Heatwave series! I definitely recommend you give this one a read if you love romantic suspense and family sagas that will make you laugh. A big, big thank you to Chelle Bliss and Valentine PR for an advanced copy for review!

Spice Rating

2/5 🌶️🌶️

There is open door scenes in this book though they are short and not often! Innuendo throughout.

Main Characters

Female Main Character

Opal’s character had a rough go at life. The most unlucky person! It was as if she could not catch a break until her life collided with Stone’s. She finds contentment, safety and consistency in this man. I do not begrudge her a thing—she deserves it after all she went through! Losing her family at a young age, going into the foster system and her abusive relationship with her ex are just some of a long series of unfortunate events. Despite all that, Opal is sweet and but struggles with trusting Stone and what he has to offer. I don’t blame her given her past! I relate to Opal so much with that feeling of not wanting to be a burden and having to do it on your own! Really resonated with me. This book had some heavy topics, but I feel Chelle treated them well! I love how the Gallos surround Opal with so much love but they aren’t overbearing.

Male Main Character

Stone is our good time guy who has no plans to marry or settle down any time soon… until Opal. He is completely out of his depth trying to pursue her but wants to be with Opal. He is so fiercely protective of her from the very beginning. Sort of a meathead like his dad but definitely still really romantic like Mike too! So cocky, this man will hear a compliment about himself through walls! Covered in tattoos and bulky muscle he is exactly how his name implies 😏 I loved that his family saw him struggling and gave him the little pushes and nudges in the right direction with her. I love Lily, his sister, and how gentle and reassuring she was with him. Especially when everyone else in the shop would pile on him lol Stone was losing his shit over Opal but he shocked me with some of the sweet words he would say to her.