Ink Is Thicker Than Water

by Amy Spalding

[Angie]

I received an ARC through NetGalley.

I absolutely adored this author's debut novel earlier this year, which set my expectations quite high for Ink is Thicker Than Water. Unfortunately, it didn't measure up. My rating feels unfairly low, but three stars doesn't feel right either. I didn't think this book was bad, or not for me, or anything like that. In fact, I found it really cute in places and refreshing as a whole, but it bored me like no other! I honestly cannot believe how boring it was. I liked that it was about more everyday teen problems and there was no big, overly dramatic drama for the sake of drama. But oh my goodness. It didn't hold my attention for more than two or three chapters at a time, so it took me forever to finish!

The worst part about Ink is Thicker Than Water was that is was most unmemorable to me. I seriously forgot almost everything that I read whenever I set it down. It was like starting over every time I picked it back up. Luckily, there is no major plot, so it's not like I actually needed to remember all of Kellie's everyday activities and interactions to move forward. I guess this means nothing was happening, and that's mostly true. The story is mainly about Kellie trying to figure out where she fits in the world and in her family. Plus there's some family issues, best friend problems, and an awkward budding romance. It was all missing an essential spark for me though. Maybe the problems were too normal? It was also lacking the fun that The Reece Malcolm List was radiating.

Of course there were things that I liked about Ink is Thicker Than Water. I loved the unique family dynamics. Kellie lives with her mother, step-father, adopted older sister, and younger half-brother. Her dad and his (secret) girlfriend are also around at times, making up a quite unconventional, but loving family. Kellie's mom is big on family time, not having secrets, and letting everyone be themselves. This is all well and good, but we really only get to know Kellie and her mother. Her sister plays a huge role in the story, but she felt like just a name on paper since she spends most of the book avoiding her family.

The romance had me really conflicted. Kellie is dating a college boy named Oliver, whom she had met several months prior. Their meeting is actually really unique and interesting, and I was hoping it would make their romance awkward but adorable. Well, it's definitely awkward, but nowhere near adorable. Oliver says about 10 words whenever they're together, most of which was taken up by "You can talk to me." It's great that he's willing to listen to Kellie's problems, but that's really all we get to know about him. At least until the end, when his huge secret that makes him less than perfect comes out. It's an interesting secret, but doesn't make up for lack of personality.

I did really like how sex was portrayed in Ink is Thicker Than Water for the most part. Kellie is very confident in herself and is able to tell Oliver that she's not ready when things start to heat up. I just wish she didn't have to say it every single time we see them together. There are discussions of gynecologist visits, birth control, and condoms which I think is important. Kellie also talks to her mom about it, so again great family!

Ink is Thicker Than Water also focused a lot on Kellie's crumbling relationship with her sister once she meets her biological mother, her best friend ditching her to become popular, and finding her place on the school newspaper staff. However, none of these plot threads really held my attention at all. There were just kind of there, giving Kellie something to do. The ending was really cute and cheesy though, and I liked it. It also made me start plotting another tattoo to add to my long list of tattoos to get done.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.