Derek

Hel's Ink - Extended, Book 4

By: DJ Krimmer

Narrated by: Mollie Stark, Joe Arden, Maxine Mitchell

"My house is a mess, my underwear is mixing with hers in the laundry, and my safe, quiet haven now smells of burnt candles and her."

Indy

Being the founder of a non-profit and keeping it going is my only focus right now. I don't have time for distraction–men, my health, my friends–all of it takes a back seat to me keeping this going. I've lived by other people's rules for too long, I am ready to break out on my own, and I'll prove to everyone I can do it. The Crown Project helps sick children and their families find some happiness during hard times, and I am committed to making it happen. If I can't have my own, I'll give someone else a fairytale. The only man I'd want is off-limits to me anyway. He's the meanest, grumpiest, and, unfortunately, the sexiest man I know. He also works with my brother. So there's that. I'll always be a supporting character, never the princess. My life just won't let me. It's impossible.

Derek

Without routine and order, the only thing left is chaos. Chaos leaves room for disorder and unhappiness. And that leads to betrayal. Never again will I allow that to happen. I am steady, focused, and at the top of my game as a tattoo artist at Hel's Ink. I am established, successful, and there is nothing that happens in my life that I don't allow. And then there is Indy. She is inescapable - a whirlwind of kindness and beauty and goodness. Everything about her is impossible. Left with no choice but to help her out of a challenging situation. I soon regret my decision and the insanity that comes with it. I let her in. Into my home and my life. But never– never- into my heart. There's no such thing as fairytales, and love stories don't really exist. But when everything changes, I wonder if maybe I've found a little piece of chaos I can live with.

©2024 DJ Krimmer (P)2025 DJ Krimmer

LOVED

I think this boom is my favorite in the series. There is just something about it. It was so good!

Derek

I can’t pinpoint but just not as good as the first 3 🤷🏼‍♀️

While it’s a 20 yr age gap, it doesn’t fell like it — he’s emotionally stunted and she’s very mature for her age (even if her personality doesn’t match that 😂).

𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗟: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘: 🌶️.75
𝗛𝗘𝗔: 💖
𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘: Interconnected Standalone
𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: Hel’s Ink #4
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞: Duet narration

𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚: M/F
𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗣: 🚫
𝗪𝗛𝗬-𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗘: 🚫

𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:
♥︎ grumpy x sunshine
♥︎ age gap (he’s older • 20 yrs)
♥︎ bubbly fmc with multiple sclerosis
♥︎ mmc who needs some angry mgmt classes but cinnamon roll for her
♥︎ found family
♥︎ tattoo artist x nonprofit founder for childrens hospital

Amazing narraration!

Both these narrarators deserve all the flowers for this amazing performance! Brought the story to life in more ways than one

Grumpy and sweet

I have fallen in love with the men of Hel's Ink. Derek is no exception. He is broody, rude, quiet, grumpy, standoffish, sensitive, sweet, protective, nurturing.....there are many varying degrees of Derek. He is perfect. Indy is sweet, bubbly, caring, strong and an inspiriting. The dynamic between these 2 makes for a great story. I absolutely loved every single word. The narrators did amazing as always. Joe Arden is perfection, Mollie Stark is perfection and Maxine Mitchell is perfection...can't get any better than that.

This one shot right through my heart!!

Story - ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Spice - 🌶 🌶 🌶
Narration - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Derek is book #4 in the Hel's Ink series and maybe my favorite. While this story deals with serious issues, I found myself laughing at all the banter between the main characters, the Hel's ink family, and Derek's family in Virginia. My wheel of emotions definitely went around full circle. Derek was burned in his past by his ex-wife and best friend and vowed to never get close enough to anyone to get hurt again. Indie fights her inner "darkness" to not feel like a burden to everyone while trying to fully function with Multiple Sclerosis. There is darkness to this story, lightness to this story, and eventually some super smoking spice. And yes, we get all the Hel's Ink family involved with this story, too. This is an age-gap, grumpy/sunshine standalone, but this series is definitely best read in order. I sure hope there will be stories on Derek's family...those boys are hilarious!

The narration was fantastic. Joe Arden and Mollie Stark were perfect to voice Derek (grumpy, broody loner) and Indie (sunshine, thoughtful and caring). 5/5 stars!