Of Ink and Alchemy

Sloane St. James

Black Rabbit Series, Book 1

450 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2026

All’s fair in love and war at a tattoo parlor―until a stalker enters the picture―in this deliciously dark romance from the author of the Lakes Hockey series.

Even before her father’s death, Kelly Everhart always knew Logan Teller was someone she could rely on. Now he’s taken over the Black Rabbit tattoo shop and brought her along with him. And while Kelly still finds her former crush and current mentor hot as hell, they’re firmly in the friendzone. Or so she thinks . . .

Logan’s been biding his time, but he’s no longer leaving anything to chance―not since Kelly started getting serious with her boring boyfriend. And as Logan manipulates the situation and sabotages the couple every chance he gets, Kelly starts to notice all the ways her Jason doesn’t quite measure up to the man who’s always been such a huge part of her life.

When her relationship with Logan suddenly goes from playful and platonic to strictly sinful, Kelly can’t stop herself from falling head over heels. But just as things are heating up between them, she starts receiving anonymous messages with information only a few―including Logan―could possibly know about her. Can she trust him after all?

Of Ink and Alchemy is a dark romance with a morally gray MMC and mature content featuring explicit scenes.

4.5 Stars

Kelly Everhart is living in and trying to break out of the shadow that is her namesake. Being the daughter of a major influential tattooist, her name alone, gives her big shoes to fill and exceed. With her father ‘s passing Kelly deals with major loss while putting everything of herself into her art. Logan, her father ‘s protégé, now her mentor and her best friend is a constant in her life. Yes she has crushed on him and is attracted to him, but everything is strictly in that friend zone. Or is it?

Logan Teller is an amazing tattooist and current owner of black rabbit tattoos. Logan yes oh my God I need a fan myself hot. Description of his face and those glasses my goodness ladies. Logan is obsessive and possessive and morally gray. Logan always knew that Kelly was the one for him and he decided to buy his time patiently waiting for the girl that he deemed his. My goodness does this man have the most delicious dirty mouth on him. Promising Kelly’s father that he would care for her when he was no longer here was an easy one to make, but waiting for her to choose him makes him do a few questionable things. All in the name of love right.

Of Ink and Alchemy was a sinfully delicious read. Level five on the spice, with that dark and slightly forbidden edge and some well written suspense, makes this story unbelievably good. Chefs kiss all the way. Logan and Kelly worked so well together. They’ve known each other for years and have a friendship that is bonded deep. There is one Smexy scene that is so emotionally fueled. I can’t even begin to describe how good it was.

Feelings boiled with hatred, combined with chemistry that is about to explode. Yes, that one was really hot. This is my first time reading anything from Sloane St. James and will definitely not be my last. Her writing style is amazing, and she was able to paint this beautiful vivid story with words.

As always, please check the trigger warnings as this does contain darker content. Your mental health comes first and please only read what is comfortable for you.