Title: The Fractured Heart
Series: Second Circle Tattoos series book 2
Author: Scarlett Cole
All things, when placed under pressure, eventually break or leave a mark.
Tattoo artist Brody “Cujo” Matthews knows how to keep things simple. In life and in love. Abandoned as a child by a mother who refused to stick around to raise three boys she didn’t want, he’s intent on staying clear of complicated women. The only things complicated in Cujo’s life are the killer tattoos he designs and inks. That all changes when he’s asked to help organize his best friend Trent’s engagement party, which means working with Trent’s fiancée’s best friend, Drea, the definition of high maintenance and sizzling curves. And the one woman he doesn’t want to walk away from.
Andrea “Drea” Caron is broke and tired. After years of caring for her ailing mom, she’s at the end of her rope trying to manage the piling medical bills, two jobs, and a life placed on hold. She certainly doesn’t need the added frustration of a sexy playboy tattoo artist messing up her best friend’s engagement party or her carefully balanced life. But when Drea witnesses the abduction of a woman from the café she works at, she can’t help but turn to Cujo who’s determined to prove to Drea that he’s someone she can count on forever…but as they attempt to bring the truth to light, someone is working to bring that forever to a sudden, deadly halt.
THOUGHTS:
This is a story about 2 people that have been damaged by life and are just getting by the best that they know how… surviving… Drea is one day at a time and Brody is doing ok not even realizing that he could use a little ‘more’ in his life… These 2 slowly build a relationship, lean on each other and figure out that they do not have to take on the world alone.
Reason others should read this book:
-I loved the wrap up with Drea’s mom because WOW was she a witch or what? didn’t think there was any redemption for that woman…
-the cast of supporting characters/friends is exceptional in this series and I look forward to learning more about them all
-the twist with the woman missing from the coffee shop (that’s all I can say without giving away a spoiler)
-that Drea realized that Brody “…can’t fill the holes for me, but I think I know the difference now. Somehow, around you, I feel like I can fill them on my own. You give me the confidence to do that.”
Only thing that was kinda iff-y for me:
-that Drea took forever to realize that she was confident enough to fill “the holes” on her own…
but even as frustrating as this leading lady could be at times its still a testament to the writings of Ms Cole that she could bring forth that level of emotion from her words alone… solid 3.5 star read for me.
Grade B
