Title: The Strongest Steel
Series: Second Circle Tattoo #1
Author: Scarlett Cole
Publisher: St. Martin
Publish Date: July 7, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Suspense
Page Count: 297
**I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for a honest review.**
Harper Connelly never expected to find herself outside of a tattoo parlor at one in the morning, summoning the nerve to take back her past. She's determined to forget her old life and is looking for an artist who can tattoo over the scars on her back.
Trent Andrews, local legend and owner of the Second Circle tattoo studio, has his own reasons for specializing in inking over scars. And in spite of her mysterious past and the difficult road ahead, he quickly realizes that Harper is funny, smart, and-under her ridiculously oversized clothing and SPF 100 sunscreen-totally hot. He's happy to take on the challenge of designing a meaningful and deadly full-back tattoo for her.
But when cryptic messages start appearing on Harper's phone, strange deliveries arrive at her door, and Second Circle is vandalized, Harper is convinced that her ex-boyfriend has tracked her down, and worse, that he knows about Trent. Running was the only thing that saved her last time, but now that she's started to put down roots in Miami, she'll have to decide if she can finally fight back ?
It's not often that a book affects me. This book did but in a good way. A beautiful story about letting go of he past and healing. Harper's character is one that i can relate to. Having a traumatic past myself, i can understand the hold that it has on you. Harper seeks to release herself of the hold it has on her. She decides to get a tattoo to help cover up the scars of the past. Most would not understand the meaning behind such a tattoo. It's a permanent reminder that you overcame the worst and survived. Harper's transition into a strong woman is wonderful to read. It happens gradually over the course of the book. That's what I loved about the way the author told this story. She didn't fast track her progress. She didn't make it seem like Harper woke up one morning cured. She showed what it is really like to heal from something that bad. Kudos to you Ms. Cole.
Trent is the answer to Harper's prayers. He is kind and patient. He wants nothing more than to see Harper happy. He doesn't come off as an overbearing alpha male. That's not what Harper needs. He's protective but not crowding. It's the perfect balance.
When it came to the villain in the story, Cole did a good job at making to think. You automatically think it's one person, but as the story progresses you change your mind. Any book that has me second guessing like that, is written well.
For a debut book, Cole hit this one out of the park. She has had created characters that are addictive. I want to read more about them. She took a sensitive concept and created a wonderful story. I was so happy i got the pleasure to read this book and i look forward to future works from this author.
5 out of 5 stars!!!
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I agree with your review 100%
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