Stevie

Hel's Ink: Extended, Book 5

By: DJ Krimmer

Narrated by: Lucy Rivers, Aaron Shedlock

Friends with benefits—nothing more

Stevie

As the lead piercer at Hel’s Ink, I’ve gained skills, made friends, and accepted the chaos that is my family. Finally, good things are coming my way, and I am feeling confident, maybe a little too confident, when I post a video to my socials describing the toxicity and abuse that is all too frequent in my industry and the life I left behind. After it goes viral, I get threats that move from on-screen to real life and I’m forced to come to terms with needing help. Pushed into the protective arms of a man I can’t stand, but whose body I crave. He wants more, but I’m not even sure what it is I want, or if I even have anything left to give.

Brooks

After finding out that Stevie Campbell is being harassed over her viral video, I step up to keep her safe and protect her from the increasingly real and frightening threats she’s getting. Hel’s has become a family to me and Stevie, well, she’s become my entire world. Our physical chemistry is a perfect match, but as we get closer, I’m falling harder and she’s pulling away. I’d do anything for her, give her everything… if only she’d believe in herself the way I do.

©2024 DJ Krimmer (P)2025 DJ Krimmer

Real & Raw

Every book in this series has hit something emotionally for me but this one is more personal. As someone with Endo and Ovarian Cysts, Stevie touches me in a way that mimics my own life. The amount of doctors that will not listen is so real and raw and frustrating.

Hel's Ink is a series of honesty and found family and so much love. Not just between the FMC and MMC but all of the supporting characters that we follow along with through every book.

This series is full of what we expect from our romances;Lots of spice and swoon. But also honesty and touching on real life things that oftern are overlooked. I can not recommend this series highly enough.

Another 5-Star Hel's Ink Story

I am loving this series and really hope there are more to come.

Brooks fell first and hard and worked to prove to Stevie that it could work between them. Stevie's past was so traumatic she couldn't let herself live and love without that shadow constantly hanging over her head. She wouldn't let herself embrace the feelings she had within her own heart and no matter what her head said, she had a hard time letting logic rule. But Brooks met her there, he protected her when she put herself in the spotlight, he let her lead when she needed control and best of all, he won over Stevie's Croatian grandmother (such a feat...).

The audiobook is performed in duet by Lucy Rivers and Aaron Shedlock. Lucy was so emotionally moving as Stevie with all her history, what she lives through, remembers and describes to others, she is such a strong character but also really vulnerable and scared at times. The way Lucy also breathed life into the side characters was fantastic. Again I want to talk about Stevie's grandmother, her Baka Nika. That woman is completely bad a$$, she makes me laugh but also warms my heart with how protective she is over her family (found and blood). When she accepts Brooks, it's gold star approval. Aaron was terrific as Brooks and the Hel's gang, the warmth, the teasing, the banter from all of them, it was so light and fun, passionate and firm, endlessly committed to Stevie's safety, happiness and pleasure. But also, the way Aaron performed Stevie's former abuser, that creole accent sent chills down my spine. The dramatic difference was intense and powerful. When this book was over I couldn't believe it was over so fast. I was so absorbed int he story it just flew by time lost all meaning, I was just gripped by the performance and sucked in.

I requested and was provided with an advanced copy of the audiobook. These are my honest opinions.

So good

I loved it. The banter made me laugh out loud. Lucy did a great job as Addy and Baka. Perfection. The story line kept my attention and I couldn’t stop listening

Loved it!!

loved it loved it loved it, I laughed, I cried, I finished it in 2 nights. LOVED IT!

Spunky and cute

Loved the relationship between Brook and Stevie! Being a woman with stage 4 endometriosis, this book hits home harder than most and I truly appreciate being this condition out of the shadows to help bring awareness to the issues we face!

The writing is incredible as always!

DJ always kicks it out of the park! I loved the Hells Ink Series so much!

A moving yet stunning audio to listen to.

Stevie by DJ Krimmer is a moving yet stunning audio to listen to.
Oh, my poor heart just did a number with this one—just another great addition to a phenomenal series. The Performers by Lucy Rivers and Aaron Shedlock was the next level good.

Swoon!

All of DJ’s books are like an addiction, they are so good and always bring new trials to the table, Stevie is no different, the FMC puts the MMC through a lot to get to their HEA. Hels Ink is such a fantastic series and love having this in depth characters added to the world! DJ had certainly become one of my “if she writes it, I’ll read it authors”

Updated: after listening to the ALC of this story it is even better, Lucy Rivers and Aaron Shedlock bring it to life, Lucy’s voice for Stevie’s grandma is amazing! The story is just an amazing cherry on top of the rest of the Hels Ink Series!

Awesome narration

Stevie Campbell is girl abused but not out. As a lead piercer at Hel's Ink, she's seen a lot of background victimization and exploitation that goes on in tattoo & piercing industry. She's stronger now so decides to help her peers by posting a video laying out all in the open, that goes viral and as expected, harassment starts.
Brooks steps in to shield her from outside brick bats and her internal health struggles. You see even though he's reaping the bodily benefits, he's wanting in her heart. And that makes him a true alpha in my eyes.
It has ups & downs, banter and love, push & pull till they find their HEA.
Lucy Rivers and Aaron shedlock are masters of their craft and have added flavour to the story
4.5 stars

Not up to the Standard

I really was excited, but this book fell flat in both story and performance compared to the other books in the series.

The story felt rushed and chaotic which made it harder to attach to the characters, their development, and the intimate scenes. Some of it felt tropey at best and cringey in the worst spots. The handling of Endo was attempted and displayed tons of care for the huge impact it can have on women’s lives, but fell short of telling the whole story. It’s like the hysterectomy solved all of her problems and emotional distress around the loss. It was rushed in the end which was disappointing.