Book Review: Clipped Wings

Author: Helena Hunting

Publication Date: March 4, 2014

Publisher: Gallery Books

Series: Clipped Wings # 1

An emotional love story that follows the touch-and-go relationship of Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.

As Hayden and Tenley navigate their newfound but slightly unstable relationship, they want to trust each other, but Hayden is hiding a dark and shameful past that he doesn't ever want Tenley to find out about. And Tenley has secrets of her own that could make Hayden run away forever. When Tenley asks Hayden to put a beautifully elaborate tattoo across her back, the two form what they thought was an unshakeable bond. But when Tenley's past shows up on her doorstep, will Hayden stand by her side...or run?

I wasn't sure what was happening between us, but it felt like whatever our tentative friendship was transforming into, the process wasn't reversible. Like a chemical reaction, there was no going back once the catalyst had been added.

Everyone has scars, Tenley. If you’re lucky, they’re only on the outside.

But like me, he was closed off; his tattoos formed his walls. I knew all about walls. I had built my own.

He kissed me again. It wasn’t as hard this time, but it was equally possessive.

Tenley and Hayden’s stories will absolutely break your heart. Hayden, being the impulsive, fearless tattoo artist that he is, decides to draw a very important tattoo for Tenley after she has suffered through a tragic event in her life very recently. After Hayden agrees to complete the tattoo, he and Tenley realize that they have more in common than they originally thought. Hayden realizes that he might just be the one to help Tenley piece her life back together. What they both don’t realize is all that will escalate after their initial connection. Emotions run wild in this breathtaking new series.

The dual points of view shared by Tenley and Hayden were one of the best parts of this book. I thought they were very well written and did not confuse me, but rather helped me to share in what each character was feeling and experiencing both emotionally and physically. I think this book would have read entirely differently had I only had either Tenley’s or Hayden’s point of view to rely on. Some people might feel different, but I feel that having both was a great asset and helped me relate and understand both of them even more.

I loved Hayden’s bad boy image, and that is why I think most young girls my age will share in my enjoyment of this book as well. He had a hard edge and exterior, but his past was behind him and he was no longer the “bad boy” he used to be; however, that doesn’t change his image. He still comes off as the “bad boy”, which I think all girls have craved at least once or twice in their lives, and many have even fallen for one of these notorious men. He passion and desire to protect and shelter Tenley touched my heart, and I loved seeing a softer side to him!

***A copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Gallery Books in exchange for my honest review***