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Sketch

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My name is Devin, but everybody calls me Sketch. I opened my own tattoo shop two years ago, and I’ve finally gotten to the point where I’m going to be able to give my wife everything she’s ever wanted. I’m going to be able to take time off and spend a day a week with her. In fact, tonight, I stopped and grabbed some wine, got her flowers, and those chocolates she likes.

What I wasn’t prepared for was to be met at the front door by her carrying her sh*t out.

She loves me, but she’s not in love with me anymore. What kind of bulls*it excuse is that? I’ve left her alone too often, I’ve been completely focused on one goal, and apparently she’s sick of waiting.

So here I stand. Half the man I was, p*ssed as f*ck, because while I was busy making a better life for us, she was under the impression I was leaving her lonely. I know one day she’ll see what I’ve been doing has been for us, and when that day comes… She can damn well come crawling back to me.

191 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2016

52 people are currently reading
952 people want to read

About the author

Laramie Briscoe

166 books2,148 followers

Laramie Briscoe is the USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of over 30 books.

When she's not writing alpha males who seriously love their women, she loves spending time with friends, reading, and marathoning shows on Netflix.

Laramie lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband and an adorable dog named Gus.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,638 reviews11k followers
December 12, 2015
༺**Complimentary Copy**༺ Provided by the author
"Laramie Briscoe" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!

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TITLE: Sketch
AUTHOR: Laramie Briscoe
GENRE: A Stand-Alone Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: January 21st 2016

MY RATING: 5 STARS

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What I Loved the most about this was the realness of the story it could be based on you or I, it's what could or can happen when there's lack of communication, divided loyalties. When I first started reading this I was leaning more towards Sketch but then when you read Nina's POV it becomes clearer that it takes two to make a relationship work, it's hard work, it's daily work, if one drops the ball even for a little bit a rift can form and that's what happened in this book, neither were solely at fault, both were..

My name is Devin, but everyone calls me Sketch, I've known Nina for fourteen years, since freshman year of high school, we've been together just as long.

One of life's hard lessons to learn..

A marriage is a partnership

An emotionally raw story about Sketch just trying to build his tattoo empire up so that he an afford to give his wife Nina everything that she deserves, but in doing so they lose themselves in the process, whilst he was doing long hours at work to bring in the clients Nina is siting at home waiting, waiting waiting for him to come home feeling neglected and unloved..

It was her that suggested I become a tattoo artist

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told in dual POV

Giving up is easy, it's the making it work, that's the hard part.

With a divorce looming filed by Nina, can Sketch and Nina find each other again, or will it be too late to fix what's broken?

It takes a lot for two people to admit their faults and then admit they want to work n things.

Every couple at some time in their relationship, marriage etc go through this at some stage, daily grind of making ends meet, taking the other for granted, time spent separately and not together, relationships vs work need a balance..

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There didn't have to be all this hurt and miscommunication.


Profile Image for SamJ ★Needs a HEA★.
622 reviews897 followers
January 22, 2016
Check out this and my other reviews at My Blog, Facebook, Google+, Twitter and Pinterest




★Book Basics★

Genre : - Cont. Romance
Series : - Stand Alone
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Maybe
Rating - 3

★Review★

You know, I had been so looking forward to this maybe too much and it was never going to live up to the expectation?

Who knows?

But, it ended up being an ok read. But just an ok read.

We get very very little POV form the heroine so most of our impression of her is from the hero, who starts the book very angry and bitter toward the heroine. We see nothing of them as a happy couple before, and they have been together for 14 years!

The lack of a heroine POV made her quite an unsympathetic character. But as I read, it felt like the heroine just did not matter. Very little POV, and then only a cpl paragraphs here and there, the hero is ALL about HIS dream and how it was THEIR dream and they were both working towards HIS dream. It took till after 30% before we are even told what the heroine did for a living, it felt as if she mattered so little. Then the hero gets all surprised that she has wanted to be a teacher for years, since what had been her wish clearly for having children had been put off. He has been with this woman for 14 years! And yet seemed surprised she had dreams of her own that did not revolve around his career. Even going so far as telling her repeatedly, she did not need to work and even with her telling him she wanted to, he kept telling her she did not need to.

So, with the heroine coming across a bit like a spoiled brat, and the hero angry and bitter, the heroine and any wishes or dreams seeming inconsequential, I was sort of thinking these 2 should just call it a day and move on.

At one point the hero thinks "Everything doesn't have to revolve around me, the shop, or tattoos"

And I was like...



All in, I did end up liking it, and being happy for them I suppose.

3 stars, which tbh, it may well be probably more like 2, but as I said above, maybe my eager anticipation led to me being more disappointed than I otherwise would have been.

Profile Image for ✿kawehi.reviews.
1,453 reviews428 followers
December 15, 2015
☆ I received an ARC via Passionate Promotions in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! ☆

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I didn't know what to expect when I initially started reading this book, but I have to tell you, it seriously tacks onto many, if not all, couples issues. It just seems as if everything all stems from communication. Ever heard of that saying by Tony Gaskins?-- “Communication to a relationship is like oxygen to life. Without it..it dies.”

Yeah well, I definitely felt this quote through the underlying factors and layers of what put a cork in this couples relationship and what drove it to unravel until the point of divorce.

I’m not saying that by no means, there’s such thing as a perfect relationship or a bulletproof way to salvage one that is tattering by the seams. All I’m saying, is that in some cases, sometimes love needs some time. Work. Space apart. This is one prime example of two people who needed a serious reality check to find what was broken.
There was a mixture of red flags and problems, each of which I was really curious as to how Sketch and Nina were going to mend and move past.

Going into it, I’m not going to lie. At first, I severely loathed Nina, but luckily author Laramie Briscoe offers a dual POV, so I got to get into her head and sort of why she did what she did and therefore understood her and the motives behind her actions.
As for Sketch, you can already feel his anguish, his anger, his helplessness, devastation, and trying to figure out the million dollar question, “why?”.

I would say more, but, it’s really one of those you should just read for yourselves.

Kawehi
7 reviews
Read
January 23, 2016
Hero checking out OW. Going in great detail about he hot her cleavage or her ass looks. Thinking he might be an idiot for not tapping it. Ugh. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
Profile Image for Nikki ღ Navareus.
1,098 reviews62 followers
January 25, 2016

I cannot believe I made made it all the way to the end. The cover of this story was super freaking hot, and the blurb made this story look very promising. But for me the story was just very boring and the characters (Nina, even more so than Devin) were pretty shallow. After years of marriage, Nina and Devin have drifted apart and with Devin being so busy trying to make his tattoo shop successful so he can take care of his wife. He's not had the time to be with his wife through these years of business growing pains, and she's refused to spend any time with him to help his business thrive. She couldn't have just told him up front she was feeling unhappy and neglected, and demanded he spend more time with her? The only way to get her point across was to blindside him by leaving him and serving him divorce papers? That was the exciting part. Nothing else really happened in this story. Nina leaves Devin because she's feeling neglected, she never talks to him about it at all beforehand, to let him know in any way that she was ever unhappy. Devin starts working out and getting his body in shape, and then Nina sees a woman come onto him and she finally decides that maybe she wants to try to work it out because someone else thinks he's hot. They spend more time together and have sex, then decide to spend even more time together and have even more sex, I think this story needed be a little longer, with better developed characters, having a much better reason for the break up, and a lot more angst.
Profile Image for Laramie Briscoe.
Author 166 books2,148 followers
Read
November 16, 2015
I have wanted to write this book for a VERY long time and I'm so glad that the early ARC readers are enjoying it! I hope when it goes completely live, that everyone else will as well!

A Tattoo Artist - A Husband - An Alpha Male Who Makes No Excuses

Coming JANUARY 21ST, 2016!!!!

ARE: http://bit.ly/SketchARE
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1jVGjHv
Amazon UK - http://bit.ly/SketchUK
Amazon AUS - http://bit.ly/SketchAUS
Amazon CA - http://bit.ly/SketchCA
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/SketchBN
Google Play: http://bit.ly/SketchGPL
iBooks: http://bit.ly/SketchIB
Kobo: http://bit.ly/SketchKB

For a sneak peak of the Prologue & Chapter 1 - http://bit.ly/LBSketch

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Profile Image for Desirae (Dee).
1,074 reviews59 followers
September 25, 2015
*arc provided for an honest review*

I can not wait for someone to read this book. I read this for Laramie as it was being written. it is hands down my favorite book written by her so far. She absolutely nails writing in the first person and writing from a mans point of view. She also captures the turmoil of reconciling with someone after they break your heart and struggling with trust and reconnecting.

Gah! Believe me when I tell you, you want this book in your hot little hands the minute it comes out. and you too, will want to be Sketched
Profile Image for Book-Bosomed  blog.
516 reviews260 followers
January 22, 2016
4.75 Stars

Devin Solomon aka Sketch just watched his wife, Nina, drive out of his life. Proclaiming the marriage over, Nina feels like they are no longer a couple. And in a lot of ways, they aren’t. While initially devastated, Sketch learns that what he thought was his perfect life wasn’t so perfect after all.

This book is really a journey. It’s emotional but not somber, and it’s about struggles but not angst. It’s probably the most real story I’ve read in a long time. It didn’t feel contrived as it avoids using all those standard troupes that are way too prevalent in many romances. There’s no inflated OW/OM drama. This is simply about a marriage in trouble because they’ve lost sight of who they are and what they truly want. The issues that Sketch and Nina have aren’t overblown plot-driven issues and they aren’t silly misunderstandings that could easily be remedied with one conversation. While Nina and Sketch do have to learn better communication, their marital problems are far more complex.

Can this marriage be saved? is the question posed. And there’s two sides to every story. Marriage is a partnership; it’s about working together. And if you want it to work, you have to put in the effort.
Now don’t go thinking that this is only about a troubled marriage and the downfall of a relationship because it’s really about so much more than that. It’s also about finding yourself and doing what’s right for you which in turn is right for the both of you. It’s about breaking things down and putting the pieces back together.

“This is us being exactly who we’ve always meant to be. This is the new and improved us, and I want us to give this to each other.”

And holy cow is it sexy too. I’ve never read about a nearly divorced couple who know how to find the intimacy again like this.

“Her juices are coating the head of my cock, and I’m leaking everywhere. Together we’re straining trying to come to the end of this ride, even though neither one of us knows where it’s going to lead us.”

It’s touching; it’s steamy; it’s bittersweet; but most of all it’s real.

I would definitely recommend this one to any couple married one year or twenty years or who haven’t been married yet. It’s thoughtful and has a great message. Told mainly from Sketch’s first person point of view with a few small sections from Nina, it’s so much more than just a second chances love story.

“‘If we end up happy because of it, then the journey has been worth it.’” –Sketch

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Jan .
2,156 reviews45 followers
December 4, 2015
Heartwarming, Hot second chance romance

What a refreshing change, this isn't a teen romance or young love, this a couple who have been there done that got the T shirt and threw it away.

"She loves me but she's not in love with me anymore. What sort of bullshit is that?
Together from being teens Sketch and Nina are on the brink of signing divorce papers and it's at that point they recognise along the way in their marriage things got blury, after being seperated could they try to start again with each other or end it.

Told in Sketch and Nina's pov this was a really good read, hot in the right places and with a different spin on it than most reads it was refreshing a second chance romance were it took reinvention to a new level to make it work for a couple that were obviously born soul mates.

Sketch
This separation has forced us to find ourselves.I think again that maybe this Sketch and Nina are better than previous versions.

Loved the characters, pace and flow of the read and will definitely look out for more from reads from Laramie Briscoe

Arc gratefully received for honest review.
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Profile Image for Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.•.
2,430 reviews238 followers
January 21, 2016
3.5 stars

The blurb for this story really intrigued me as I could sense a second chance love story was a coming my way and I was right. This is a story about a couple who have been together for a number of years but they have drifted apart. While Sketch was busy making a name for himself and building up his own business, his wife Nina has been left feeling ignored and alone. She doesn't feel like she is a priority in his life and she has had enough. Enough to walk out the door with her suitcase in tow.

Before this separation becomes a permanent decision for both of them, Sketch is determined to get answers from Nina. They both still love each other but sometimes love is not always enough. These two have to take some steps backward to figure out where things went wrong if they are to ever get closure on a relationship that they have both dedicated a significant amount of their life too.

'Part of me is starting to see that what you did was the brave thing. You made us change.' - Sketch

There are two sides to every story and I'm glad that we got to see both, it helped explain where each of their heads were at. I liked the premise of this story and enjoyed reading it too. What I would have liked to see was more details of the time before things went wrong. It felt like I was reading the second half of a story with the first half missing.
Profile Image for Books Laid Bare.
2,275 reviews37 followers
January 7, 2016
I have one word for this book and that is Excellent!
This is a story of shows just what it takes to realise not only what you want but what you need.
I loved the fact that Sketch was a man that knew his own mind, he was strong in mind, body and soul and he didn’t hold back, he laid his thoughts out for all to see and didn’t care who the hell had an opinion or what they thought because he was not to be swayed!
This sexy as sin man had everything it would have taken to be a complete m*****ore but he could not be defined by that alone because he had more under his colourfully decorated skin, than most. He had a heart that oozed with both love and compassion and a desire to succeed.
Nina on the other hand, well let’s just say that I initially wasn’t much of fan.
My opinion changed in as much as I understood that no one person is ever responsible for the lack of communication in a relationship, they both had to accept responsibility for the fact that they had allowed their relationship to get to that point.
But what would or could they do about it?
I liked the empathy that the author was able to draw from me as the story progressed, the fact that she encouraged me to imagine the emotiveness of the whole situation, the creativity that she employed as the two of them worked to try and save or should I say salvage what they had and to decipher a future.
I smiled from start to finish, chuckling at the humour and smiling at the sarcasm, blushing when their feelings began to take hold and fanning myself when they let the flames of passion loose.
Over all this is one that you really should not miss.
Profile Image for Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications.
1,038 reviews153 followers
September 20, 2016
I don't think I've ever read a romance book about a married couple. Isn't that strange? I certainly never expected to read a hot as hell romance about a married couple.

Laramie Briscoe did an outstanding job writing a second chance romance about an established couple. It was equal parts romance and erotica. It was also quite suspenseful in that I couldn't figure out where the story was headed. I kept expecting something horrible to happen, especially since the opening scene was heartbreaking.

There were a couple of scenes that had me scratching my head. Unfortunately, one if them was a pivotal one. I reread it three times but still didn't quite get it. It didn't seem impactful enough for the turning point it caused. However, after I finished the book, my overall feeling was that it was REAL. A happy real, a good real, but also a heartbreaking real. This happens people. It happens in real life.

The story follows a couple of high school sweethearts who married young and spent the first many years of their marriage establishing their lives. Unfortunately, in that time, the focus on success has caused them to grow apart. That first scene is so vivid. :-( The rest of the book walks us through two people growing personally and together. Approaching life as adults with care and discussion. It is beautiful.

The author has a subtle way of making our feelings change as the story develops. At the end, I was thoroughly in love with both characters and amazed at their strength.

I think everyone should read this story.

*free copy received in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Bethany.
880 reviews12 followers
January 7, 2016
“I love you, but I’m no longer in love with you, Devin."

What do you do when your spouse walks away from you when you have no clue what went wrong? This story tackles how communication and just going through the motions in life can fracture any marriage. Devin/Sketch thought everything was fine. Nina was miserable.
At first I was thinking that Nina was a spoiled princess and was just in the marriage for the good life that Sketch could provide for her. I could feel the pain in his words. He was shattered, so you pretty much wanted to shake her and say, “Girl, what is your deal”?

“Giving up is easy. It’s the making it work, that’s the hard part.”

Any married couple knows this is true! This is where I love the progression of the story. You find out that Nina is not alone in her actions. They both have things they need to change in order to make their marriage stay alive. She felt alone and Sketch had no idea thinking that she only wanted “pretty things” when all she wanted was him.

“If we end up happy because of it, then the journey has been worth it.”
I enjoyed taking the journey with them, rooting them on and seeing them go after their second chance. Can they love again? You will love finding out. I did!

#igotsketched
Profile Image for Leanne.
537 reviews47 followers
January 21, 2016
There's something real about this book. It pinpoints a lot of problems in many a relationship. The man's overwhelming need to be the provider, the protector, the caveman. The woman's desire to be loved and cuddled and showered with affection. The problems caused when wires get crossed and we stop talking and start assuming.
I was quite surprised with myself to find that I sided with Sketch. His anger, heartbreak and suffering came across as more real, his words and actions were etched into my heart. Nina...pfft. She says she wants to prove herself as not a spoilt brat but, jeez! She didn't help herself much.
It's a heart warming, real life situation. It gets you were you need it to, it may even make you look twice at your own relationship and tey to change things a little.
There were a few downsides for me though...I just needed a bit more depth in story I think. It starts with a bang that I kind of wish the author had kept up. Maybe if she had shown us some of the heartbreak during the 6 month split rather than just had it narrated. Maybe if we saw a bit more from Nina. A bit more about her Dad maybe.

I'm not saying it's not a good read. I enjoyed it, it could have just been a bit more for my liking.
Profile Image for Hooked On Books.
1,887 reviews65 followers
December 29, 2015
This is my first book by Laramie Briscoe and defiantly wont be my last. OMG I want to be sketched. This is a 5 star from me. Devin known as Sketch though his serious tattoo art is one hell of a sexy guy.

This is a story about a marriage break-up and realising the things that have gone wrong through the years. But the love is still there between them and about rebuilding a relationship.

I love the fact that this is told mainly from the mans point of view. It is a refreshing insight to see what feelings and emotions a man goes through after having his heart broken. Then the exciting feelings he goes through when Sketch and Nina decide to work it out step by step. Laramie Briscoe has written this so well you can feel the emotions and excitement Sketch goes through as you turn the pages.

I read this book in one sitting I just couldn’t put it down. It is very gripping and refreshing read I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Amy.
1,081 reviews16 followers
January 16, 2016
The premise of this story had great potential: man's wife leaves him after feeling neglected for years. I was hoping to get a lot of that gritty emotion of their separation, but that didn't happen. It's not that the story was bad, it's just that it could have been so much more. Both Devin and Nina had some growing up to do, and I think this situation helped with that aspect. I like that the story comes full circle for both of them. It was an okay tale that had the potential for more depth.

ARC received from author for my honest review
Profile Image for Alyssa Janine Busia.
125 reviews47 followers
June 2, 2019
The sketch is a sexy romance novel about the journey to second chances.

This book tells us the story of Devin and Nina. After Nina walked away and leaving Devin behind, Devin decided to fix himself. He also says himself that he will do everything for Nina to go back to him – crawling – but it didn’t happen. Instead, he just finds himself and Nina working their own problems to save their marriage.

“Anger and hurt makes people lash out; sometimes the say things they don’t mean.” – Laramie Briscoe, Sketch

This book is kind of new to me because most of the romance books I’ve read, all of it contains love triangles and cheating problems while this book only focuses on the marriage of two people. In short, the book was about a troubled marriage and second chances.

“You’ve changed, Devin.” Back to the real name again. “I had to. When your heart is ripped from your chest and torn into a million pieces, you’ve kinda gotta do hat you’ve gotta do.” – Laramie Briscoe , Sketch

This is another realistic novel that I’ve read this year. I loved how it tells us how these two characters tried their best to work their marriage. How they fix their issues and misunderstandings. Aside from that, this story also shows us how the characters changed their own self after finding out what’s the problem with them.

Games are much easier to play when they’re your own – Laramie Briscoe, Sketch

Anna is courageous to leave Devin even if it hurts both of them. She seems not the kind of woman that would do something like that, but for the love and marriage she wanted to fight for, she decided to willingly accept Sketch and start all over again.

“I broke you today the same way you broke me” – Laramie Briscoe, Sketch

Devin (also known as Sketch) is the kind of guy that would do everything just to make his wife happy. What he just didn’t see is that Anna was already slowly moving away from him.

A marriage is a partnership. – Laramie Briscoe, Sketch

This book was told from the POV of Devin and Nina. I loved how it was done because I was able to get to know the two sides here. I can’t just hate Nina or Devin because they just did what they think is right.

Giving up is easy, deciding to try to make it work has been the hardest decision of all. – Laramie Briscoe, Sketch

I don’t have any negatives about this book except that it didn’t really grasp my attention.

“If we end up happy because of it, then the journey has been worth it.” – Laramie Briscoe, Sketch

This book is really an inspiring story that would make a married person think about their own fault as to why his/her marriage doesn’t work anymore. This book is really recommended, especially if you feel you need something to read that could help you in your marriage. This is also an excellent book for those who are planning to get married someday so you’ll know how to handle your problems with your partners.

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Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,100 reviews93 followers
January 21, 2016
* A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review *

~ 5 Rebuilding Stars ~

Sketch is the first book by Laramie Briscoe that I have read and I am happy to say it won't be my last.

When I agreed to read this arc I took a chance on a new author and I am so glad I did, because this book was fantastic!!! The writing was flawless and the storyline was captivating. This story was told primarily from Sketch's POV but we do get some chapters in Nina's as well. I thought that worked well because we got to see what both characters were feeling and what each thought was wrong with their marriage.

I was drawn to this book one because of the cover ;) and two because it was about a married couple. I haven't' read many books when the Hero and heroine are married, so that really attracted me to this story. I thought the author gave an accurate portrayal of what happens in a marriage when the communication is missing or goes away. Anyone will tell you the key to a happy relationship is open communication and they are so right. I also loved that Nina and Devin were the true focus of this story. There weren't a lot of extra characters to take away from the real story.

In this book we meet Nina and Devin (Sketch) Solomon. They have been married for 7 years and have hit a rough spot in their marriage. Sketch is a tattoo artist and owns his own shop. Nina is his wife who over the course of the marriage has felt neglected by Devin. Sketch is finally at a place in his life and with the shop that he feels he can step back and spend more time with Nina. But she has other ideas. She's ready to walk away. Will this couple be able to overcome their obstacles and find their way back to their HEA?? you'll just have to read this story to find out.

Sketch is a standalone novel with no cliffhanger. I thought this was a great book and would recommend it to everyone. I mean who doesn't love a Hero who is a tattoo artist ;)

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Profile Image for Michelle.
1,115 reviews81 followers
January 20, 2016
4.5 stars

This was a good book to start off my 2016 reading year.
I think everyone who is married for any length of time can relate to Sketch's (Devin) and Nina's problem. Being married is hard and it requires a lot of work. You can never take anything for granted. Your partners feeling are constantly changing as time goes on.
Needs and feelings when you were first married change as time goes by.

When I first started to read this book I was kind of put off by Nina. I thought all her reasons for leaving Sketch were crazy! I mean she had a man. And he gave her the world.
But really... Problems are never that easy and cut and dry.

Once I started to read everything I started to see her point and I was also seeing Sketches. He was trying to make a name for himself in the tattoo world and he was also trying to provide for his wife. And he was trying to prove to Nina's father that he could take care of his daughter with his chosen profession.
Sketch had a lot on his shoulders. Unfortunately he could not find the balance for it all. And certain things fell to the waist side. Nina kept a lot in and the way she handled things was to argue with Sketch.

I don't want to give it all away. But I loved how this book unfolded. I love how they took their time with each other. Getting to know each other all over again.
It was a process but it was well worth it for both of them.
They didn't rush into anything.

This book was certainly sexy. I loved how they showed a different side to each other and were willing to try new things with each other. They made a conscious effort not to go back to the way things were before the split.
They wanted to do and try new things.
A fresh start....

This was a good book and I'm so glad I got to read it! I will definitely be reading more books by this author.

*ARC provided for an honest review*

(This same review is on my blog Goodreads account.)
Profile Image for Sarah Reads "Reading in Sarah's Corner".
415 reviews35 followers
January 12, 2016
You need to check this book out. It is hands down one of the best stories I read in 2015. ((THIS BOOK RELEASES JAN. 21!))

This story blew me away. Laramie Briscoe wrote about something that so many couples go through every day. She beautifully told a story of a couple headed towards divorce. The couple has lost their way over the past year and do not know how to fix it.

I’ve told everyone they need to check out this raw, emotional story that completely consumes you while you read. I could not put this book down until I knew how it ended. I was not sure if it would end in an HEA or not but I did know that whatever happened I would be along for one heck of a ride.

My favorite thing about this story is how realistic it was, it isn’t some fairytale about rainbow and butterflies. No this story is about a couple who have grown apart and lost their way. Their dreams and goals changed along the way and they did not communicate. We are all guilty of dropping the communication stick a time or two.

What Sketch and Nina discover is that they must find themselves before they can work on finding their way back to each other. And that may not even be an option. Feelings get hurt and it is hard to talk about it to even the one you love.

My heart ached for Devin aka Sketch as his entire world crumble before him when his wife walked out the door. His heartache and anger was real. You could practically see it coming off the pages as your read.

At first, I hated Nina. All I could think was how dare you! Then when Nina tells her side of the story, I instantly understood. She was just as broken as Sketch was and needed to discover who she was again.

And if you are curious about the HOTNESS of this story… Let’s just say Sketch is one hot alpha who knows what his wife needs.

Profile Image for Lustful Literature.
1,822 reviews336 followers
January 21, 2016


Debbie's Review

This is the first book by this author and it certainly will not be my last. Her writing drew me in from the beginning and this book held my attention until I got to the last page.



This story is a story that most people can relate to. It is the story of Devin A.K.A Sketch and his wife Nina. The couple has been together for fourteen years and married for seven. Sketch is a tattoo artist who has his own shop and has become vey well known. Nina feels like Sketch has forgot about her and only cares about his business. I really connected right away to this story as it takes you through all the emotions a couple would have in trying to find themselves again and try to make things work. It really made me stop and think about my own marriage and how sometimes we get lost in our day-to-day things and forget what really matters. This book brought out so many emotions. I was pissed at times, flat out angry, and heart broken a few times too.



“Giving up is easy. It’s the making it work, that’s the hard part.”



I loved the main character Devin. My heart really broke for him. Nina without a doubt really pissed me off sometimes. I felt she was a little selfish and should have addressed the issues she had with Devin before just telling him it was over and walking away leaving him devastated. I have to mention that I liked that the author did not put useless drama into this book and I loved that she didn’t have one of the characters a cheater. The plot was perfect and the book flowed extremely well. I loved that the book had both Sketch’s and also Nina’s POV. I love it when you can get into the characters heads and really get a feel of what is going on in there.

“ I lean down over my paper, and I do what I do best- I start with a sketch.”
Profile Image for Tina.
147 reviews7 followers
December 2, 2015
I received an ARC for an honest review.

This is the story of Devin aka Sketch who is a tattoo artist and his wife Nina who is spoiled at first. Sketch is devastated that his wife left him for reason that he couldn’t understand and made him who he is now. Nina wanted more attention from Sketch, but he was building his business up for them. She has had enough and left him. Nina comes off as a spoiled bitch and one of those types me, me, and me. At first, I thought this about Nina, but once, I read on that I could see her point on her relationship with Sketch. Even when you’re apart from the person you truly love for a while, you feel things you never thought you would ever again.

This story takes you on the journey of rediscovering yourself with the person you truly loved, even when apart. All Nina wanted from Sketch was attention from him, but separated for her was also being independent and learning things on her own. What I loved about this story is Sketch and Nina start from the beginning with a new start together as a couple. In this story you get the drama as well some very hot sex scenes not only hot as well you can feel just reading it. Sketch and Nina never stopped loving each other but being apart from someone you love can make you see what, you’ve had all this time. They are building their relationship back up one step at a time. They met at a young age as well married with little money. I truly enjoyed every part of this story and didn’t want it to end. Overall, this book had me from the first page till the end.

Tina-Fabulous Ladies Book Blog

Profile Image for Sue.
1,945 reviews25 followers
November 16, 2015
I just finished this gem from Laramie Briscoe and all I can say is WOW...she really hit the nail on the head with what goes wrong in so many young marriages and what needs to be done to fix them.
I LOVE Sketch the man...he's everything you would want in a sexy, tatted and very strong partner in life...and he is that perfect blend of compassionate, loving, smart and sweet that every woman wants.
Nina is that spoiled rich daddy's girl who didn't appreciate what she had until it was gone...but it takes two to mess up a relationship (in this case there is a third party who instigates trouble) and when push comes to shove, neither one of them was completely at fault or completely innocent in what caused the failure.
I really loved this second chance romance...it was sarcastic in parts, funny (I love all the mind games) and OMG so steamy hot that I was sweating as I read the naughty (and very nice) scenes as these two tried to figure out if they could make it work.
A really nice change for this author (I adored her Heaven Hill bikers and enjoyed her fluffier Rockin' Country series) and I think this book is at the top of my list for favorite one of hers so far (maybe tied with Meant to Be)...it had me smiling the whole time I was reading when I wasn't wishing I had a man like Sketch in MY life. Excellent read.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.

***** 5 ***** "turning up the heat and getting back where you belong" stars
Profile Image for Laura Smith.
603 reviews20 followers
December 14, 2015
Floved it!

ARC given by the author for an honest review.

Laramie Briscoe is a new author to me and WOW! This book is freaking
awesome! Who wouldn't want a hot blooded, tattooed, alpha male who
makes you clench your thighs together! ;)

When Devin's (Sketch) wife walks out on him accusing him of not
making the effort to spend time with her, Sketch is devastated to say
the least. He has worked so hard to build his tattoo business up so his wife Nina, can have the life he feels she deserves.

Six months later and divorce papers ready to be signed, Sketch and
Nina start to talk and after one extremely hot and passionate encounter, they both begin to discuss the things that split them up and begin to grow closer again. They decide to work through their problems and start to do things that they both took for granted. Eventually old feelings become new feelings and they gradually fall back in love with each other. Both of them promising to change things for the better.

An absolutely fantastic read and it's nice to read a book that shows
characters working through their problems and trying to fix them .

This is a definite, without a doubt, a well written 5 star read and one that you need to read!
Profile Image for Julie Reveles (Juls ~ ILST BLOG).
852 reviews11 followers
March 1, 2016



4 Stars!


"Giving up is easy. It’s the making it work, that’s the hard part.”


Wow! What a story! It is definitely an eye opener. There's nothing like reading a story that feels so real. That is exactly why I really enjoyed Sketch. Devin and Nina's story is one I think many people will relate to. I'm sure there are a lot of couples that have had the same struggles that they did and have learned what needed to be done in order to save their relationship. I think that this is a great story that everyone can benefit from in some way. I think it shows how real life can get between couples. The part that gutted me the most, was when Devin said...

“I broke you today, the same way you broke me.”

That part in the story for me, was intense. I felt that it was the breaking point between both characters and those last words drove it home. I also really liked that the story was told from Devin's POV. I love reading stories from the guys perspective. I will confess that Sketch was not what I had expected. I thought that the storyline was going to be completely different; instead it was a nice surprise. I would definitely recommend this book to my fellow readers!!

-Juls
Profile Image for Patti.
193 reviews2 followers
November 19, 2015
**ARC provided for an honest review**

I want to be Sketched!! This book is that good, so good in fact that I've read it twice. Devin, aka Sketch and his wife Nina have a real relationship. Things happen for a reason and working through the problems are a part of marriage. It's just like a job and all parties involved need to feel it to make it work. Nina acted like a princess because that's the way she was treated all her life. Things were given to her but she didn't really feel loved. Her father never liked Devin and he (Devin) worked extra hard to give her the life she was used to. I don't do spoilers so I need to stop here and just say, read this book. You will love it. Laramie Briscoe has a way of writing that just draws you into the story so you feel the pain her characters are feeling. You will find yourself so involved with them that you won't even realize it's just a story. They feel like your family and you are going through the emotions with them. And I'm speaking the truth when I say, "I want to be Sketched". You will understand this feeling after reading this book.
Profile Image for Amanda Lanclos.
Author 16 books96 followers
November 24, 2015
What can I say about this book that will do it justice? Laramie sent me an ARC with fear, worried about what I would think, but I LOVE IT! It even has a glimpse of my favorite Laramie Briscoe character which is of course REAPER. But, in saying that I may be jumping ship to Sketch. He's a good guy, who works hard for the woman he has at home. Nina is a woman who just really wants the affection of Devin aka Sketch. Both have come so far in their marriage that it actually leaves them being strangers in their own home.
It takes one of them walking away for them to realize that life isn't perfect. What i loved about this book is that it is something EVERY married couple can relate too. Work comes between you, kids come between you, life gets in the way of that perfect marriage we all dream of. But, if you're willing to work for the person that you fell in love with those years ago, it is possible to get it back. There are also some very sexy scenes. Good job Mrs. Briscoe! This is a book should be extremely happy with. Its simply amazing!
Profile Image for Carrie White.
301 reviews29 followers
November 30, 2015
From prologue, Sketch is totally amazing & captivating; it's raw, emotional and real.
After years of marriage Nina and Sketch have lost their way, only this is news to Sketch.
Everything was all hunky & dory in his eyes. He’s given Nina everything and anything she could ever want. But one thing. One thing that Sketch is totally unaware of and it takes a journey for this to shed some light.
It takes a lot of work and bravery but they try to rebuild what they had, learning about one another all over again, bringing their most sexual fantasies to life. After all the ups and downs with them, they need to make a decision; if rekindling what they had is even a possibility. People grow, change, evolve into something different, more exciting.
Is it possible to let go of all the emotions; anger, hurt, devastation, trust?
This is what this couple has to trudge through. It’s messy, heartbreaking & joyful.
Never take happiness for granted; it could be ripped out from under you at any time.
I was graciously gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
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