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Review

4 stars for a fantastic series finish

This is the fourth and final book in the Second Circle Tattoos series. These books are inter-connected standalones and technically could be read on their own, however I would definitely recommend reading them in order – and before you read this book you should at least read the first book in the series The Strongest Steel. This book features the final tattooist from Second Circle to have their story told, Lia, and mysterious (and up until now, missing) Reid Kennedy, brother of Harper from book #1.

Lia is a strong, confident heroine with a quirky sense of style but who knows who she is, does what she loves and unapologetically enjoys her life. Her wealthy father has political aspirations and his own ideas about how Lia should look and what she should do with her life, and he makes it clear that she is nothing but a disappointment to him, but she holds firm to her unique style and the life that makes her happy. I loved her immediately!

When Lia’s car breaks down on a near-deserted highway, she is rescued by a scruffy yet gorgeous man on a motorbike and from that first encounter sparks fly! Amidst flirty banter and scorching looks, mechanic ‘Kenny’ organises for her car to be towed and repaired and though Lia isn’t interested in a relationship at all, there’s nothing holding her back from a hot encounter with her sexy rescuer.

‘Kenny’ is actually Reid Kennedy (Kenny is his nickname). After everything that happened with his sister, he left Chicago under a shroud of guilt and has lived a quiet life away from his family and the torment of his past. He owns and runs a small-town garage and spends his private time helping out local teens. He never expected Lia to come crashing into his life, or the intense feelings that he would have for her from the very beginning.

He needed desperately to explore what they could be together, because his gut was telling him that it would be special.

Lia and Reid’s chemistry literally explodes off the page. Their attraction is sizzling, and their banter and openness with each other is fantastic. They don’t hold back on how they’re feeling – or in the bedroom – and they very quickly find themselves on the precipice of something amazing.

“Just so you know, it’s totally your fault if I fall in love with you”
“The thought that you could makes me smile.”

And then Reid’s life is turned upside down. His inevitable meet up with the Second Circle crew brings his past screaming into the present when he is reunited with his sister after years of hiding. Full of all of the emotion, intensity, happiness and pain that you would expect from their long-awaited reunion, Reid and Harper commence the process of revealing secrets from the past, dealing with their anger and pain and finding a way to move forward together. And while Reid is struggling to truly deal with his past for the first time, Lia is right by his side, there for him and supporting him unequivocally, and it only serves to bring them closer together.

But Reid isn’t the only one having family drama. Lia’s family situation is way more messed up than anticipated and causes all sorts of issues, and everything is complicated further when danger from Harper and Reid’s past resurface. The new lovers are put to the test in ways they never could have imagined, and the danger, suspense and mystery make this one exciting ride.

This sort of storyline can often overshadow a great love story, but in this case I thought Scarlett Cole did a fantastic job of blending the drama and excitement with the romance. Lia and Reid certainly go through a lot, but I thought the way they handled it was mature and sensible. They hold nothing back from each other, standing by each other’s sides the whole way through, and with their relationship unfolding naturally and realistically despite everything that is going on around them, the dramas just became something else for them to deal with together, and I loved the way it all played out.

“I need you to promise me that you will never let anybody dim your light. It’s the most goddamn beautiful think about you. Don’t dim it for anyone. Ever.

Lia is a wonderful heroine, but it was Reid who absolutely stole my heart. He’s been through so much, but he is such a big-hearted, gentle man (with epic bedroom skills), and the way he opened himself up was gorgeous to see, and I loved watching these two fall hard and fast for each other.

“Would it scare you if I said I had fallen for you just a little bit?”
Reid leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. “I’d be fucking honoured.”

Of course the whole Second Circle crew are a part of the story – especially Harper and Trent – and I loved seeing them all loved-up and happy. There is an epilogue which finishes the story off beautifully and brings the series around full-circle (pardon the pun), and I finished this book with a huge smile on my face.

“I don’t know how much plainer I can be than this. I love you, and that makes you the most important thing in my life, regardless of anything else.”

I really loved this book. It’s a great mix of sweet, sexy, swoony romance with drama, suspense and excitement. It’s a great finish to a series I’ve really enjoyed and I’m looking forward to seeing what Scarlett Cole has in store for us next.

4 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.