Sins & Needles (Artists Trilogy, #1)

by Karina Halle

[Angie]

I can definitely understand the hype when it comes to Sins & Needles. Like I said in my review for ,i>On Every Street, I knew nothing about this series. I was just being a follower and it certainly paid off! I never thought I was a crime and suspense kind of reader, but when it's paired with sexy people doing sexy things, I'm a fan! Ellie returns to her hometown after seven years with the intention of going legit, but that plan goes up in flames when she runs into Camden McQueen. He was once her only friend until she betrayed him, but now she's trying to get close again after learning that he's quite the successful tattoo artist. She hopes to rob him and get out quick, but those plans are also foiled when she gets caught. Camden has evidence that can get her sent to prison, at least if she doesn't use her conning skills to help him out of a sticky situation.

I actually really like the author's writing style. I'm a big fan of more conversational narratives, and Sins & Needles has that. Ellie does occasionally address the reader directly, but it's nothing major, so I don't think readers who hate breaking the fourth wall will be too bothered by it. I like that it allows us to get into her head more, rather than just getting a play by play of events. However, I really didn't like the sections about Ellie's past. They're in third person and Ellie is always referred to as "the girl." The girl did this, the girl did that, the girl, the girl, the girl. I hate this. It does become clear later on why the author chose this method, but I still found it extremely annoying. I did like learning more about her past that wasn't included in On Every Street, but I just wish it had been written differently.

So, I was already pretty impressed with Ellie's sex life after reading all about her sexcipades with Javier. Now I'm just jealous. Sins & Needles has some of the hottest sex scenes I have read outside of erotica. No joke. I thought Javier was sexy, but Camden is much more my type. Loser, geeky, goth teen turned into tattooed, rock star, sex god? Yes, please! On the lawn, by the fire, in the bed, on the car! Everywhere! They could not keep their hands or mouths to themselves! I needed a cold shower after all that. And I have the very strong urge to get another tattoo.

The plot of Sins & Needles was fast paced and always kept me engaged. Ellie and Camden have both pissed off the wrong people, including each other, so it's no easy task keeping their lives. They're on the run for a good chunk of the book, and I was quite entertained by their schemes to "clean" their money and float under the radar. It's not until the end though, where things really pick up, and everyone's pasts come back to bite them. There was one plot point that really made me roll my eyes though. I couldn't believe Ellie was that stupid, but then again I do kind of believe that she had that much misplaced faith in this certain person. Without her blunder there wouldn't be a second book though.

Clearly, I really enjoyed Sins & Needles. It's exciting and sexy! The con artist, tattoo artist, drug lord plot line was completely engaging and unlike anything I had read before. That's not to say that it's totally unique, but it was my first experience with it (and it won't be the last!). Ellie is in a lot of trouble, and I'm eager to see how she gets out of this one!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.