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Thorn & Thistle #1
New Ink on Life
Quiet does not equal weak…
Leaving a dependable job to apprentice as a tattoo artist was a drastic step after surviving breast cancer, but Cassie Whiteaker is nearly five years cancer-free. Nearly. She’s not ready to go out on her own until she clears that all-important hurdle. Also off-limits are relationships and sex—something Cassie is sure she’ll never want again.
Struggling tattoo shop owner MJ Flores doesn’t give a damn what people think, but losing Thorn & Thistle would mean losing everything. When her former mentor’s protégé arrives at her door, MJ hires her out of obligation…at first. Cross-stitching goody-goodies are not her type, but Cassie’s business background might just get the shop back on solid footing. They strike a bargain: Cassie will enact new marketing plans and MJ will teach her to find her inner bitch.
Only when clients request to see Cassie—having learned of the beautiful, compassionate tattoos she creates for survivors and their families—does MJ realize all Cassie has endured. And as Cassie’s fears fade, she finds it harder to keep her admiration for her bad-girl boss from reawakening all she’d feared was lost.
This book is approximately 82,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
Leaving a dependable job to apprentice as a tattoo artist was a drastic step after surviving breast cancer, but Cassie Whiteaker is nearly five years cancer-free. Nearly. She’s not ready to go out on her own until she clears that all-important hurdle. Also off-limits are relationships and sex—something Cassie is sure she’ll never want again.
Struggling tattoo shop owner MJ Flores doesn’t give a damn what people think, but losing Thorn & Thistle would mean losing everything. When her former mentor’s protégé arrives at her door, MJ hires her out of obligation…at first. Cross-stitching goody-goodies are not her type, but Cassie’s business background might just get the shop back on solid footing. They strike a bargain: Cassie will enact new marketing plans and MJ will teach her to find her inner bitch.
Only when clients request to see Cassie—having learned of the beautiful, compassionate tattoos she creates for survivors and their families—does MJ realize all Cassie has endured. And as Cassie’s fears fade, she finds it harder to keep her admiration for her bad-girl boss from reawakening all she’d feared was lost.
This book is approximately 82,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 27, 2019
26 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Jennie Davids
3 books39 followersJennie Davids fell in love with romance when she was twelve and snuck her mother’s books. For her it wasn’t the handsome, dashing heroes that captivated her but the heroines. She is thrilled to be writing what she longed to see then— two heroines falling in love.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her rescue animals that somehow never end up as well-behaved as their bio promise. The sound of the rain inspires her as she writes or maybe it’s the gallons of hot chocolate she consumes to stay warm in the damp climate.
When not writing Jennie is reading, watching reality TV, or bemoaning how quickly weeds grow back and keep her from reading.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her rescue animals that somehow never end up as well-behaved as their bio promise. The sound of the rain inspires her as she writes or maybe it’s the gallons of hot chocolate she consumes to stay warm in the damp climate.
When not writing Jennie is reading, watching reality TV, or bemoaning how quickly weeds grow back and keep her from reading.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
May 5, 2019
3.75 Stars. I didn’t really have any expectations going into this book. I don’t have any tattoos but I’ve always been “the support friend” to go and help distract my friends from the pain of theirs. Personally, I’d love to geek out and get a big dragon tattoo going down my arm, but I’m not doing that at the local ‘buy one get one free’ tattoo shop. I would want to go to NYC or LA and get a real piece of art, so until then I’m inkless. But luckily, being inkless didn’t stop me one bit from really enjoying this book. I was hooked from the first few pages and I found the story had a nice flow that was really easy to read. This is not perfect, but this is a quality debut book.
We all have our own personal triggers, mine happens to be books about cancer. I’ve lost so many people in real life that I don’t like reading about cancer in a piece of fiction. While this book was about a character having cancer, it was about her being a warrior that is fighting the disease. Not only was she a warrior against the disease but she wants to take that approach in how she lives her life. It was really nice to see this different way to address such an awful disease and I thought it was really well done.
Besides this being a book about tattoos and finding your own personal strength, it is a romance. As other reviews have mentioned MJ, one of the mains is a complete jerk at times. I actually think I would call her an ice king. Cassie, on the other hand is the complete opposite, a total people pleaser. These two are so opposite that they almost don’t work together. I was actually scratching my head wondering how did this pairing work? I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s because they both were what the other needed. Cassie needed more of MJ’s strength and MJ needed the warmth and caring of Cassie. Whether I’m right or not, this paring worked for me. I enjoyed them together and found all of the intimate scenes and sex scenes to be well done.
I’m really glad I read this one. It was more enjoyable than I expected and I think romance fans will enjoy this too. It looks like this may become a series staring other characters from the tattoo shop, if so I will absolutely be reading more.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
We all have our own personal triggers, mine happens to be books about cancer. I’ve lost so many people in real life that I don’t like reading about cancer in a piece of fiction. While this book was about a character having cancer, it was about her being a warrior that is fighting the disease. Not only was she a warrior against the disease but she wants to take that approach in how she lives her life. It was really nice to see this different way to address such an awful disease and I thought it was really well done.
Besides this being a book about tattoos and finding your own personal strength, it is a romance. As other reviews have mentioned MJ, one of the mains is a complete jerk at times. I actually think I would call her an ice king. Cassie, on the other hand is the complete opposite, a total people pleaser. These two are so opposite that they almost don’t work together. I was actually scratching my head wondering how did this pairing work? I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s because they both were what the other needed. Cassie needed more of MJ’s strength and MJ needed the warmth and caring of Cassie. Whether I’m right or not, this paring worked for me. I enjoyed them together and found all of the intimate scenes and sex scenes to be well done.
I’m really glad I read this one. It was more enjoyable than I expected and I think romance fans will enjoy this too. It looks like this may become a series staring other characters from the tattoo shop, if so I will absolutely be reading more.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
March 15, 2020
This book is incredible! MCs had so much chemistry, it was like fireworks were coming off of them. I've never enjoyed a clash of personalities this much. Those two were like fire and cotton candy. MJ was a angry grump while Cassie was an absolute sweetheart. I wanted to wrap her in a blanket and protect her from the cruel world. She was such an 'conceal don't feel' introvert, I have never felt more seen. The way she took charge of her life after everything that happened to her was truly remarkable. MJ and Cassie were such intriguing characters. Since the first scene MJ was a brooding jerk which instantly made me love her. The way she helped Cassie come out of her shell was truly exceptional. In turn Cassie taught her the opposite, to manage her negative emotions better. This was really fun read for me.
April 27, 2019
I seem to have read quite a few novels recently with angry women as leads but this one is a little different in that it is less about her finding her gentler side and more about her counterpart finding her own fire and anger. Cassie Whiteaker turns up at MJ Flores’ tattoo shop, Thorn & Thistle, asking for an apprenticeship. MJ is abrasive and bitter, and really has no interest in an apprentice except that Cassie was recommended by her own mentor. Reluctantly she takes her on but doesn’t really like the fake sweetness and spinelessness that Cassie portrays. Cassie has been cancer-free for nearly five years but when MJ realises this, she changes her attitude and agrees on an exchange of skills: Cassie can research and propose marketing ideas for the shop and MJ will help her find her inner warrior.
Although I don’t have a single tattoo, I love tattoos. I love the precision of line that is required for such an unforgiving medium. I love the way they alter the skin that they’re a part of. This definitely contributes to my enjoyment of this novel. I liked MJ as a character, her directness and her anger, but I loved Cassie as a character because she wasn’t the usual counterpart to the angry woman. Her cheerfulness wasn’t because she was happy and positive but because of her need to have people like her.
This is the first lesbian romance I’ve read where the main character has had a double mastectomy and it was beautifully written. It was also sensual and sexy with wonderful chemistry between the MJ and Cassie without losing the inner turmoil of each character’s experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the read even though it was quite poignant at times. Four and half stars, rounded up.
Book received from Netgalley and Carina Press for an honest review.
Although I don’t have a single tattoo, I love tattoos. I love the precision of line that is required for such an unforgiving medium. I love the way they alter the skin that they’re a part of. This definitely contributes to my enjoyment of this novel. I liked MJ as a character, her directness and her anger, but I loved Cassie as a character because she wasn’t the usual counterpart to the angry woman. Her cheerfulness wasn’t because she was happy and positive but because of her need to have people like her.
This is the first lesbian romance I’ve read where the main character has had a double mastectomy and it was beautifully written. It was also sensual and sexy with wonderful chemistry between the MJ and Cassie without losing the inner turmoil of each character’s experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the read even though it was quite poignant at times. Four and half stars, rounded up.
Book received from Netgalley and Carina Press for an honest review.
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June 28, 2019F/f romance set in a tattoo parlour, with foul-tempered MJ setting out to teach deeply insecure people-pleaser Cassie to be more assertive.
OK so 'unlikeable heroine' is normally my catnip. It tends to mean a woman who doesn't settle for less or sacrifice herself for people who don't deserve it, all of which I am here for. However, for the first 50% of this, I found MJ just awful. She's horrible to her staff, aggressive to people who have done nothing to merit it, totally self-centred, and a workplace bully who is borderline sexually harassy at one point. And doesn't use her indicators when she drives *side eye*. She steamrollers a cancer survivor over her own medical decisions. Her influence is probably best shown by a sequence where Cassie wishes she was the kind of person who'd give her doctor unsolicited explicit details of sexual acts during a medical consultation, because MJ would like that. Please don't be that person, Cassie, that's gross.
If I was a slow reader I would probably have bailed because screw MJ, honestly. Luckily, the back half shows us her coming to some quite important realisations about herself and understanding she's destroying herself as well as hurting other people. And she keeps on coming to them: this is a lengthy process as she realises the multiple ways she's been awful, and she keeps making mistakes but gets faster at recognising and fixing them.
What's interesting in the first half is that the text doesn't explicitly say MJ is awful. (It's alternating first person.) She has no insight, or at least chooses not to apply it, and Cassie is so consumed by lust and desperately low self-esteem that she has a very skewed view of acceptable behaviour. It's not entirely clear for a while that this relationship will be other than bad for her. Of course, it is: both of them grow in the course of the romance, so Cassie starts to see she deserves better, and to identify when people are pushing her around.
It ends up as a satisfying romance, if you can put up with MJ in the first half. And MJ's behaviour is probably on a level with that of a LOT of male romance MCs which is taken as standard--it's just more obvious in a woman. I'm not sure if it's progress that we can now have romance novels where women are as toxic as men. Probably, yes, actually, and props to the author for going for it.
NB Cassie is a cancer survivor and there's lots about cancer in here. It seemed well handled to me but just fyi.
OK so 'unlikeable heroine' is normally my catnip. It tends to mean a woman who doesn't settle for less or sacrifice herself for people who don't deserve it, all of which I am here for. However, for the first 50% of this, I found MJ just awful. She's horrible to her staff, aggressive to people who have done nothing to merit it, totally self-centred, and a workplace bully who is borderline sexually harassy at one point. And doesn't use her indicators when she drives *side eye*. She steamrollers a cancer survivor over her own medical decisions. Her influence is probably best shown by a sequence where Cassie wishes she was the kind of person who'd give her doctor unsolicited explicit details of sexual acts during a medical consultation, because MJ would like that. Please don't be that person, Cassie, that's gross.
If I was a slow reader I would probably have bailed because screw MJ, honestly. Luckily, the back half shows us her coming to some quite important realisations about herself and understanding she's destroying herself as well as hurting other people. And she keeps on coming to them: this is a lengthy process as she realises the multiple ways she's been awful, and she keeps making mistakes but gets faster at recognising and fixing them.
What's interesting in the first half is that the text doesn't explicitly say MJ is awful. (It's alternating first person.) She has no insight, or at least chooses not to apply it, and Cassie is so consumed by lust and desperately low self-esteem that she has a very skewed view of acceptable behaviour. It's not entirely clear for a while that this relationship will be other than bad for her. Of course, it is: both of them grow in the course of the romance, so Cassie starts to see she deserves better, and to identify when people are pushing her around.
It ends up as a satisfying romance, if you can put up with MJ in the first half. And MJ's behaviour is probably on a level with that of a LOT of male romance MCs which is taken as standard--it's just more obvious in a woman. I'm not sure if it's progress that we can now have romance novels where women are as toxic as men. Probably, yes, actually, and props to the author for going for it.
NB Cassie is a cancer survivor and there's lots about cancer in here. It seemed well handled to me but just fyi.
April 9, 2020
Reading this series is making me want a new tattoo even more than before! Not that the timing is right for that or anything, but the time will come when I can start making plans again. And when that time comes, I want to find a place like Thorn & Thistle, or, rather, like the Torn & Thistle of the end of this novel.
MJ Flores is still reeling from the betrayal of her ex-business partner (and ex-lover) splitting and setting up her own tattoo parlour with half of Torn & Thistle’s team, leaving MJ with terrible reviews and a even worse attitude. MJ is so not in the mood for a mousy apprentice but can’t find it in her to reject the woman her former mentor sent to her. Cassie left her secure and well-paying job as an executive assistant to become a tattoo artist, disappointing her father and delighting her mother. A born people-pleaser, she wants to change, find her backbone, yet is not entirely sure life will let her enjoy it once she’s found it, as she’s waiting to know whether she’s finally rid of cancer.
When we meet her, MJ is awful, the kind of character I don’t often care about, hard and self-centred. It’s a testament to the author’s talent that she managed to make me relate to her anyway. That’s all the more impressive as New Ink on Life is Davids’s debut novel. When she finds out about Cassie’s battle with breast cancer, MJ’s attitude changes at first towards her, which Cassie hates. But it also makes MJ open in her own way, and she takes it upon herself to teach Cassie how to stand up to others. While Cassie thinks she’s the one learning, MJ goes on her own unexpected journey. And as different as they are – big badass MJ and timid Cassie and her sweaters –, the chemistry between them is irresistible and completely believable.
Watching MJ lower her defenses and Cassie let her strength shine is a thing of beauty. I really liked that it’s not so much cancer that defines Cassie as the way she fights it. She thinks she’s weak but she’s a total warrior and, in the end, one of the strongest characters I’ve read about.
I think I liked this book even better than Inked with a Kiss, the second one in the series, which I read not long ago and really enjoyed.
MJ Flores is still reeling from the betrayal of her ex-business partner (and ex-lover) splitting and setting up her own tattoo parlour with half of Torn & Thistle’s team, leaving MJ with terrible reviews and a even worse attitude. MJ is so not in the mood for a mousy apprentice but can’t find it in her to reject the woman her former mentor sent to her. Cassie left her secure and well-paying job as an executive assistant to become a tattoo artist, disappointing her father and delighting her mother. A born people-pleaser, she wants to change, find her backbone, yet is not entirely sure life will let her enjoy it once she’s found it, as she’s waiting to know whether she’s finally rid of cancer.
When we meet her, MJ is awful, the kind of character I don’t often care about, hard and self-centred. It’s a testament to the author’s talent that she managed to make me relate to her anyway. That’s all the more impressive as New Ink on Life is Davids’s debut novel. When she finds out about Cassie’s battle with breast cancer, MJ’s attitude changes at first towards her, which Cassie hates. But it also makes MJ open in her own way, and she takes it upon herself to teach Cassie how to stand up to others. While Cassie thinks she’s the one learning, MJ goes on her own unexpected journey. And as different as they are – big badass MJ and timid Cassie and her sweaters –, the chemistry between them is irresistible and completely believable.
Watching MJ lower her defenses and Cassie let her strength shine is a thing of beauty. I really liked that it’s not so much cancer that defines Cassie as the way she fights it. She thinks she’s weak but she’s a total warrior and, in the end, one of the strongest characters I’ve read about.
I think I liked this book even better than Inked with a Kiss, the second one in the series, which I read not long ago and really enjoyed.
April 25, 2019
Nice debut book from Jennie Davids.
MJ Flores is the owner of a tattoo shop in Portland, Oregon. Cassie is a tattoo artist that searches out MJ to help complete her apprenticeship. These two characters could not be more different from each other. While MJ is brash and doesn't give any thought to what people think, Cassie is reserved and overly worried about others' opinions.
I was uncomfortable with the setting (tattoo shop) and characters (tattoo artists). Completely not my scene at all. While I can appreciate ink on other people, I do not have any tattoos myself. The author painted a picture of what I stereo typically perceive those establishments be like. Rebellious, out there, judgmental, and egotistical owners and artists. I have always wanted to get a bar code on my inner wrist with my dad's date of birth and date of death. Concept: Property of my father. But I've always felt I would be laughed out of the shop. This book only enforced that thinking. All of this was not to knock the setting/book. It was to really imply that the writer did a great job of setting the stage and characters. As all of that was pivotal for the growth that happens throughout. Yeah, MJ isn't likable in the beginning. But I don't think she is supposed to be.
I was able to feel very connected to both of the main characters as a result of their individual backstories that impact who we are introduced to in the beginning. I found it so satisfying to see how a sex only arrangement evolved. There was an underlying theme of hope as both MJ and Cassie begin to see each other as more than that. And there wouldn't be a great payoff if you didn't have a good dose of angst. And this delivers.
As this story has a huge focus on a non romantic sexual entanglement, you can expect that there are plenty of intimate scenes. I'm not the biggest fan of that but they were all well written and got the temperature rising. I didn't even skim read or skip any of it, which is saying something!
I didn't care for the repetitiveness off the phrase 'blissed out.' There are plenty other descriptive ways to describe that. And I feel like there are some family characters and story lines that were just kind of left dangling out there (Or at least I expected more.)
But overall this was a good debut novel. I recommend for those who love romance, tattoos, girl fights, old lady sweaters, and hate cancer.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review
MJ Flores is the owner of a tattoo shop in Portland, Oregon. Cassie is a tattoo artist that searches out MJ to help complete her apprenticeship. These two characters could not be more different from each other. While MJ is brash and doesn't give any thought to what people think, Cassie is reserved and overly worried about others' opinions.
I was uncomfortable with the setting (tattoo shop) and characters (tattoo artists). Completely not my scene at all. While I can appreciate ink on other people, I do not have any tattoos myself. The author painted a picture of what I stereo typically perceive those establishments be like. Rebellious, out there, judgmental, and egotistical owners and artists. I have always wanted to get a bar code on my inner wrist with my dad's date of birth and date of death. Concept: Property of my father. But I've always felt I would be laughed out of the shop. This book only enforced that thinking. All of this was not to knock the setting/book. It was to really imply that the writer did a great job of setting the stage and characters. As all of that was pivotal for the growth that happens throughout. Yeah, MJ isn't likable in the beginning. But I don't think she is supposed to be.
I was able to feel very connected to both of the main characters as a result of their individual backstories that impact who we are introduced to in the beginning. I found it so satisfying to see how a sex only arrangement evolved. There was an underlying theme of hope as both MJ and Cassie begin to see each other as more than that. And there wouldn't be a great payoff if you didn't have a good dose of angst. And this delivers.
As this story has a huge focus on a non romantic sexual entanglement, you can expect that there are plenty of intimate scenes. I'm not the biggest fan of that but they were all well written and got the temperature rising. I didn't even skim read or skip any of it, which is saying something!
I didn't care for the repetitiveness off the phrase 'blissed out.' There are plenty other descriptive ways to describe that. And I feel like there are some family characters and story lines that were just kind of left dangling out there (Or at least I expected more.)
But overall this was a good debut novel. I recommend for those who love romance, tattoos, girl fights, old lady sweaters, and hate cancer.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review
July 8, 2019
Lex from GR was dead right when she thought I'd enjoy Jennie Davids' debut novel, "New Ink On Life" after I read her review which prompted me to take a closer look at the story's blurb. (Cheers, Lex!) Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish. An original story with one specific detail that I never came across in my lesfic romance reading (yet). Well, Ronica Black's "The Last Seduction," had that subject matter broached but definitely not told from that MC's POV. But in Davids' story, I was delighted that it was. Finding romance post-breast cancer, in a 5-year remission. Not an easy setup to create a compelling romance around it especially when there's always a possibility of a relapse, innit? That was what piqued my interest the most.
I was curious to find out how Davids approached this subject with her story. I had certain expectations because it was about one of the most, if not the most, private, life-altering circumstance a woman could ever possess in her life. Something that effectively alters one's mental, emotional and psychological mindset about her sexuality, self-worth, body image, and self-confidence, all of which, makes a woman, a woman. And most importantly, that it would yield a positive, hopeful and happy ending simply because the last thing I wanted was to invest in a character's emotionally taxing journey only to discover that survival and recovery of a life-changing condition was all in vain in the end.
Full commentary here... In Bugs' Own Words
I was curious to find out how Davids approached this subject with her story. I had certain expectations because it was about one of the most, if not the most, private, life-altering circumstance a woman could ever possess in her life. Something that effectively alters one's mental, emotional and psychological mindset about her sexuality, self-worth, body image, and self-confidence, all of which, makes a woman, a woman. And most importantly, that it would yield a positive, hopeful and happy ending simply because the last thing I wanted was to invest in a character's emotionally taxing journey only to discover that survival and recovery of a life-changing condition was all in vain in the end.
Full commentary here... In Bugs' Own Words
July 19, 2019
4.4 stars. I loved this book. Ordinarily I wouldn’t have picked this because I don’t like tattoos much, but some of the reviews made me curious and think that I would like this one. I am glad that I took the chance to read this book. Never heard of the writer, but I’ll certainly be on the look out for any new books, especially the next one in this series. This book was a little different from most romances, because Cassie, one of the main characters had cancer and was waiting for her five year scan to see if she’d battled the cancer for now. Still her history of cancer didn’t make up the storyline. It was more about her decisions about her life and how she wanted to live it after her diagnose and about coming more into her own and being what she wanted to be, not what others wanted her to be. The other main character, MJ though presenting as tough was struggling with her own insecurities. I loved how their stories and their relationship was build along with the story of the tattoo shop. Well written book.
dnf
September 27, 2019-I was a fan of the show Miami Ink
-I 💕 Kat Von D
-Not allowed to have tattoo/s but always picture a cake tattoo on my wrist - surprisingly since the latest gadget that I bought, I named it Vader's Third Cousin.
-Maybe I am suffering from the book flu but the lead in this book made my blood/temper/urine boil. I don't have enough patience to wait for her to turn into a decent human being, so.. So long sucker. Congratulations, Ms.Davids, you successfully wrote an assholic boss!
- DNF @ 17%
-I 💕 Kat Von D
-Not allowed to have tattoo/s but always picture a cake tattoo on my wrist - surprisingly since the latest gadget that I bought, I named it Vader's Third Cousin.
-Maybe I am suffering from the book flu but the lead in this book made my blood/temper/urine boil. I don't have enough patience to wait for her to turn into a decent human being, so.. So long sucker. Congratulations, Ms.Davids, you successfully wrote an assholic boss!
- DNF @ 17%
May 11, 2019
Pretty great debut novel! I especially liked that it's told in alternating first person POV, especially since Cassie and MJ are so different.
They both have excellent arcs, as Cassie helps smooth some of MJ's awfully hard edges and MJ helps Cassie grow confidence and assertiveness that she so desperately needs. I also loved the chemistry between them.
I hope Jennie Davids keeps writing, because I'd love to see what else she has in store for us.
They both have excellent arcs, as Cassie helps smooth some of MJ's awfully hard edges and MJ helps Cassie grow confidence and assertiveness that she so desperately needs. I also loved the chemistry between them.
I hope Jennie Davids keeps writing, because I'd love to see what else she has in store for us.
dnf
September 29, 2019I would never read and strongly dislike asshole alpha male characters in romance novels, so why would I want to put up with a lesbian version? MJ is just a total jerk to everyone including her employees and is bordering on sexual harassment with Cassie who is supposed to be her future love interest. Plus, casual bisexual erasure. No thank you.
May 6, 2019
3.75 stars rounded up
Cassie Whittaker is a cancer survivor – although there’s still several months left before she gets her final health test. As one of the things she does to gain back the control of her life, Cassie leaves her job and apprentices as a tattoo artist. Her new mentor, MJ Flores, the owner of Thorn & Thistle shop, is 180 degrees different than Cassie. While Cassie prefers to make everyone happy, MJ doesn’t care what everyone thinks of her.
MJ can’t stand to see the “fake” Cassie, so she makes Cassie a deal. She will help Cassie to “find her backbone” while she mentors Cassie in the shop, and Cassie can help MJ with the marketing plan to keep Thorn & Thistle open.
When I first read the blurb of this book, I was immediately intrigued. I wanted to add more lesbian romance in my book catalogue and this sounded good – especially the promise of opposites-attract between the two women. I requested the advanced review copy from Netgalley and I was so happy that I got approved.
It is easy to admire Cassie – even if she doesn’t like to rock the boat and likes to please everyone (which probably drives myself nuts!) – the way that she stands her grown against MJ and works on her own self esteem slowly but surely, that’s something that can inspire.
MJ herself can come as brash to other readers, but I actually love her. I love characters who are willing to say what in their mind, even if it sounds rude to others. BECAUSE, I tend to do it myself in real life too, I even speak challengingly against my boss *laugh*. It’s in my bones, and MJ’s way just speaks true to me.
It loses its steam near the end, and I feel like there are important scenes written off page, which annoys me quite a bit. However, in overall, I find this debut from Jennie Davids to be an appealing romance between two women with opposite traits.
Davids also does a great job of making me curious with the other women at the Thorn & Thistle shop. I read that the next book will be Jamie's. Can't wait to see who is the woman the author is reserved for unflappable Jamie :)
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Cassie Whittaker is a cancer survivor – although there’s still several months left before she gets her final health test. As one of the things she does to gain back the control of her life, Cassie leaves her job and apprentices as a tattoo artist. Her new mentor, MJ Flores, the owner of Thorn & Thistle shop, is 180 degrees different than Cassie. While Cassie prefers to make everyone happy, MJ doesn’t care what everyone thinks of her.
MJ can’t stand to see the “fake” Cassie, so she makes Cassie a deal. She will help Cassie to “find her backbone” while she mentors Cassie in the shop, and Cassie can help MJ with the marketing plan to keep Thorn & Thistle open.
When I first read the blurb of this book, I was immediately intrigued. I wanted to add more lesbian romance in my book catalogue and this sounded good – especially the promise of opposites-attract between the two women. I requested the advanced review copy from Netgalley and I was so happy that I got approved.
It is easy to admire Cassie – even if she doesn’t like to rock the boat and likes to please everyone (which probably drives myself nuts!) – the way that she stands her grown against MJ and works on her own self esteem slowly but surely, that’s something that can inspire.
MJ herself can come as brash to other readers, but I actually love her. I love characters who are willing to say what in their mind, even if it sounds rude to others. BECAUSE, I tend to do it myself in real life too, I even speak challengingly against my boss *laugh*. It’s in my bones, and MJ’s way just speaks true to me.
It loses its steam near the end, and I feel like there are important scenes written off page, which annoys me quite a bit. However, in overall, I find this debut from Jennie Davids to be an appealing romance between two women with opposite traits.
Davids also does a great job of making me curious with the other women at the Thorn & Thistle shop. I read that the next book will be Jamie's. Can't wait to see who is the woman the author is reserved for unflappable Jamie :)
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
May 31, 2019
I was making progress, minuscule progress, but it gave me hope. Hope that I could build on this and get to the point where it wasn’t someone else’s opinion of me that was the most important, but mine.📖 BUY THIS BOOK: Amazon ⏺ Barnes and Noble ⏺ Kobo ⏺ Book Depository 📖
Much thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin-Carina Press for this complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and opinions are fully my own.
📚 Series: Yes. First of the Thorn & Thistle series.
📚 Genre: LQBTQ+ New Adult Romance
📚 POV: Dual Alternating First Person.
📚 Cliffhanger: No.
⚠ Content Warnings: Betrayal. Cancer. Dealing with Death. Work Romances.
⚠ Read if: you are looking for a slow burn lesfic.
New Ink on Life is the debut novel of author, Jennie Davids. It is set on Thorn & Thistle tattoo shop with fiercr girlboss owner MJ and her shy apprentice Cassie.
Cassie left her career as an executive assistant to pursue her art, and be a tattoo artist. It was a life change after her survival of breast cancer, which was very brave.
I would really want to like this book, but something about how rude and mean and basically unlikeable MJ is. Seeing her POVs does not help. It's hard to push through reading a promising book because of an unappealing character.
We're all for strong women in books, but strong is different from mean and rude.
I have to admit, I only read this for Cassie and her story. I am opting out of continuing this series. May be a great read for some, but not for me.
☁ THE CRITERIA ☁
🌻 Blurb:⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Heroine 1:⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cassie
🌻 Heroine 2:⭐⭐⭐ MJ
🌻 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Romance:⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Pacing:⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Ending:⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Page Turner:⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐
☁FINAL VERDICT: 3.27/5 ☁
Review also appears on my blog.
April 4, 2019
This is my first time reading a book by this Author so I had no expectations going in. Cassie Whiteaker is a few months shy from reaching 5 years breast cancer free and has asked MJ Flores the owner of Thorn & Thistle to take over her apprenticeship (her previous mentor has died of breast cancer). Cassie wants everyone to like her and you can say that she doesn't have much of a backbone. MJ is a hard core badass. Her tattoo shop is having financial hardship and she doesn't want to take on the apprenticeship, but when she finds out who her mentor was, she feels obligated to take on Cassie. MJ also has a hard time trusting others since her former lover/business partner ditch her to open her own tattoo business.
For the first 50%/60% of this romance, I hated MJ and I had a really hard time connecting to the book because of MJ. I honestly wanted to stop reading it because she was such a terrible character. I have also mentioned in previous reviews that I hate it when a character stays in their head. I don't need to know every thought they are having to have a connection with the character, especially when I find it not interesting. This bored me to pieces and I found myself skimming often. Cassie's character was fine for me, but I could not understand why she would be remotely interested in MJ.
After the 60% point, MJ started to grow on me because she soften up as the rest of the book progressed. This helped the story turn around for me. There are still other issues but another main one for me is that lack of chemistry between the two MCs. For me there is no reason why I would be attracted to MJ if I was Cassie and no reason to be attracted to Cassie if I was MJ. The two characters don't fit.
The first part of the book was easily a 2 star book and the second portion maybe a 3. I will just average them to be 2.5 stars.
For the first 50%/60% of this romance, I hated MJ and I had a really hard time connecting to the book because of MJ. I honestly wanted to stop reading it because she was such a terrible character. I have also mentioned in previous reviews that I hate it when a character stays in their head. I don't need to know every thought they are having to have a connection with the character, especially when I find it not interesting. This bored me to pieces and I found myself skimming often. Cassie's character was fine for me, but I could not understand why she would be remotely interested in MJ.
After the 60% point, MJ started to grow on me because she soften up as the rest of the book progressed. This helped the story turn around for me. There are still other issues but another main one for me is that lack of chemistry between the two MCs. For me there is no reason why I would be attracted to MJ if I was Cassie and no reason to be attracted to Cassie if I was MJ. The two characters don't fit.
The first part of the book was easily a 2 star book and the second portion maybe a 3. I will just average them to be 2.5 stars.
July 5, 2019
(free review copy) f/f romance set in a tattoo shop with a major breast cancer storyline. Scowl-y grumpy shop owner MJ meets tiny meek Cassie, who is MJ’s new apprentice. As a reader of a lot of romance, this is the first time I’ve read this couple-trope in a f/f story, although the alpha + delicate-flower relationship is shown ALL the time in both m/f and m/m stories and I never thought much of it. This story made me realize how I take attitude and behavior of a character like MJ completely in stride when it’s a male, but it made me think hard when it came from a woman - lots to think about there! I definitely plan to read more in this series.
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NOTE - the cover pic looks NOTHING like MJ and Cassie, which drives me crazy. I’m glad I was reading this on my Kindle so I didn’t have to notice it every time I picked up the book!
.
NOTE - the cover pic looks NOTHING like MJ and Cassie, which drives me crazy. I’m glad I was reading this on my Kindle so I didn’t have to notice it every time I picked up the book!
June 14, 2019
CW: breast cancer
4.5 stars. This was a fantastic FF romance between a tattoo shop owner and her apprentice. MJ is a total badass and a great foil to people pleaser Cassie.
Cassie is in remission from breast cancer (triple negative breast cancer). She was being mentored by MJ’s old mentor Zan but then Zan died from breast cancer (invasive inductal) and essentially told Cassie to finish her apprenticeship with MJ. MJ is very skeptical about Cassie, in a lesson of why you shouldn’t judge people by their appearances. Cassie may not look like a tattooer in her cardigans and good girl looks but she’s a talented artist who could be ready to tattoo on her own. However, Cassie wants to wait until May when she will officially be in remission. Cassie is in the process of reclaiming her life and everything cancer treatment took from her, including her sexuality.
Cassie and MJ both have a lot to teach each other. Cassie is learning not to be such a people pleaser and how to take risks. MJ, on the other hand, needs help with updating her business and with learning how to trust again, after her ex-partner left Thorn & Thistle suddenly. They both have issues with their fathers and it was interesting to see them work through that.
The strongest arc of the book was Cassie empowering herself. She already has a tattoo over her mastectomy scars but she needs to reclaim the rest of her body and see what she’s capable now. Part of that is through her relationship with MJ but it’s also in discovering her voice, really for the first time in her life. She also needs to learn how to let other people be there for her, not easy since her ex-girlfriend broke up with her shortly after she was diagnosed. MJ is highly invested in making sure Cassie takes care of herself and proving she’ll be there for her, no matter what. This was marvelous.
There are a couple of threads that are left unaddressed. We never fully learn why MJ’s ex-partner left the business or why she tried to sabotage the business. Even once she’s confronted, her actions didn’t make a whole lot of sense and it veered a little too much into Evil Ex territory for my preference. But it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story overall.
I did question one aspect of MJ’s portrayal. She’s mentioned as having “brown skin.” I think MJ is Latina but there wasn’t an indicator besides her last name and that her brother’s name is Javier. She’s from Arizona, which has a large Latinx population. Maybe she is Latina and it doesn’t mean anything to her but the representation isn’t as nuanced as what I’m used to compared to books written by Latinx writers.
This had the perfect amount of angst and a great pairing of two opposites. I look forward to what Davids does next!
CW: breast cancer, grief, death of a loved one, parental abandonment, parental estrangement after coming out, homophobia
4.5 stars. This was a fantastic FF romance between a tattoo shop owner and her apprentice. MJ is a total badass and a great foil to people pleaser Cassie.
Cassie is in remission from breast cancer (triple negative breast cancer). She was being mentored by MJ’s old mentor Zan but then Zan died from breast cancer (invasive inductal) and essentially told Cassie to finish her apprenticeship with MJ. MJ is very skeptical about Cassie, in a lesson of why you shouldn’t judge people by their appearances. Cassie may not look like a tattooer in her cardigans and good girl looks but she’s a talented artist who could be ready to tattoo on her own. However, Cassie wants to wait until May when she will officially be in remission. Cassie is in the process of reclaiming her life and everything cancer treatment took from her, including her sexuality.
Cassie and MJ both have a lot to teach each other. Cassie is learning not to be such a people pleaser and how to take risks. MJ, on the other hand, needs help with updating her business and with learning how to trust again, after her ex-partner left Thorn & Thistle suddenly. They both have issues with their fathers and it was interesting to see them work through that.
The strongest arc of the book was Cassie empowering herself. She already has a tattoo over her mastectomy scars but she needs to reclaim the rest of her body and see what she’s capable now. Part of that is through her relationship with MJ but it’s also in discovering her voice, really for the first time in her life. She also needs to learn how to let other people be there for her, not easy since her ex-girlfriend broke up with her shortly after she was diagnosed. MJ is highly invested in making sure Cassie takes care of herself and proving she’ll be there for her, no matter what. This was marvelous.
There are a couple of threads that are left unaddressed. We never fully learn why MJ’s ex-partner left the business or why she tried to sabotage the business. Even once she’s confronted, her actions didn’t make a whole lot of sense and it veered a little too much into Evil Ex territory for my preference. But it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story overall.
I did question one aspect of MJ’s portrayal. She’s mentioned as having “brown skin.” I think MJ is Latina but there wasn’t an indicator besides her last name and that her brother’s name is Javier. She’s from Arizona, which has a large Latinx population. Maybe she is Latina and it doesn’t mean anything to her but the representation isn’t as nuanced as what I’m used to compared to books written by Latinx writers.
This had the perfect amount of angst and a great pairing of two opposites. I look forward to what Davids does next!
CW: breast cancer, grief, death of a loved one, parental abandonment, parental estrangement after coming out, homophobia
July 26, 2019
3.5 stars. The blurb &cover initially drew me in on this book. Plus, a book about female tattoo artists, should be kick ass. The book centers around Cassie, a breast cancer survivor who's going through her tattoing apprenticeship. She's overturned her life to become a tattoo artist after overcoming her cancer. Her mentor another female tattoo artist has passed away from the same cancer. She locates the other MC MJ.Who is another former apprentice of the same mentor. She works on finishing up her time with her. The MJ character is a ice character who is more of an asshole than anything else, whos only semi redeemed by the books end. She agrees to be her mentor if the malleable Cassie (who is a whizz at business,) agrees to learn to be more authoritative & grow a spine. In the meantime, she helps MJ's flailing business. Obviously, romance ensues between this unlikely couple. The tattooing background & ideas for customers tattoos is well thought out. Alas,I wanted to hear more about that. I really did like the MC Cassie but MJ could have used more development.
May 7, 2022
Cassie has spent her life trying to gain acceptance and approval. She is sent to be mentored by MJ the owner and tattoo artist at Thorn & Thistle. MJ is not interested in helping Cassie at first, but then decides to help her grow a backbone and stand up for herself. In the process Cassie teaches MJ a few things too. I was drawn into the story and these characters. MJ isn't really as tough as you think and Cassie isn't as sweet. They make an amazing team. I love that it had 2 narrators Carly Robins & Kate Zane. I have already started book 2 and hope there is a third book coming. I found their passion about art and tattooing captivating.
November 7, 2022
Crazy as it sounded, in some ways, my life was easier when I was fighting. All I could focus on was survival.
3.5 stars. Cute grumpy/sunshine romance with maybe just a biiiiit too much grump? I don't know, it's something I get really picky about. I love a grumpy character, but some writers make characters out to be complete assholes. MJ almost tipped right into that for me. MJ is the owner of a tattoo parlour, and Cassie is her new mentee, and a cancer survivor. They fall into a deal where Cassie will help out with creating new ideas to revitalise the shop, and MJ will help Cassie stop being so much of a people pleaser. I really enjoyed the setup, and sometimes when MJ would push Cassie to her limits and try to bring her out of her shell, try to get her to fight back, to stand up for herself, it was soooo satisfying. But sometimes she went completely over the line and I couldn't stand it. She didn't impress me much as a boss, her attitude got a pass way more than it should have, and the way she pushed at Cassie's boundaries was sometimes just obnoxious. And the book didn't address this as much as I wanted it to. Like, don't get me wrong. I have little interest in a book with perfect characters, who say and do all the right things form page one, never fuck up or make mistakes, or who say a bad thing and then immediately gain self awareness like 'Ah, that was unfair of me. I should apologise immediately.' That's not how people work, or how good character development works. But the thing with MJ is that she never got a really satisfying arc (imo) and didn't come to some conclusions I think she should have (imo). Some of the emotional conversations in this happened soooo quickly, and they felt fake/insincere.
But I did still like this quite a bit. It still had its charm, and I loved the setting, and the uniqueness of the characters. I described this as grumpy/sunshine which maybe isn't very accurate; Cassie starts off as a bit of a doormat. But she was such a sweet and strong woman. Even though I didn't like a lot of MJ's methods with her, it was gratifying when she'd snap, and MJ would encourage her, and praise her for it. They had so much good chemistry, and I loved the scenes where they got intimate and comfortable with each other's bodies. Cassie's cancer is a big part of the story, and while that made it serious and sombre at some times, I really liked how it was handled. (Especially when Cassie talks about the way people see her, or expect her to behave.) Definitely helped me enjoy this more.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Kate Zane and Carly Robbins, and it was pretty good. The pacing wasn't the best, and I preferred Cassie's narrator over MJ's (probably because I just liked Cassie more) but it was still a good time. I'll definitely continue the series soon.
Content warnings:
April 7, 2019
Oh my gosh, yes!!! This is the kinda romance I've always wanted to read because nothing about this story is predictable at all. I happen to love all things ink and skin so it wasn't hard for me to fall in love with the Thorn and Thistle shop, Cassie and MJ. This story has so many hidden truths and nuggets of timeless wisdom and I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
May 28, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
I knew within the first three pages that I was going to love this book. Something about MJ, all hard edges, strutting, and posturing, or Cassie with her demure grey sweater and steely determination, or maybe it was the simple, effective writing. The author doesn’t overwhelm with descriptions of the shop, the apartments, or even the people. Her focus is more on the characters than their clothing, and the writing has a spare eloquence that I truly enjoyed.
There were times where I found myself grinning at some of the dialogue, or snorting at some of the more acerbic retorts from Cassie. Davids made the two characters come alive as people, with their shallow moments, mean moments, and thoughtless moments. The fights made sense, they weren’t there just to cause drama — though they did — they were there because that’s what happens when you say something stupid and the other person says something stupid back. When they made up it wasn’t a one-line “I’m sorry,” or a “please forgive me.” It was because one of them was trying her hardest to make it up to the other person, knowing — both of them — that MJ would blow up mountains for Cassie if they blocked the sunlight, and knowing that Cassie would fight tooth and nail to make MJ happy.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
I knew within the first three pages that I was going to love this book. Something about MJ, all hard edges, strutting, and posturing, or Cassie with her demure grey sweater and steely determination, or maybe it was the simple, effective writing. The author doesn’t overwhelm with descriptions of the shop, the apartments, or even the people. Her focus is more on the characters than their clothing, and the writing has a spare eloquence that I truly enjoyed.
There were times where I found myself grinning at some of the dialogue, or snorting at some of the more acerbic retorts from Cassie. Davids made the two characters come alive as people, with their shallow moments, mean moments, and thoughtless moments. The fights made sense, they weren’t there just to cause drama — though they did — they were there because that’s what happens when you say something stupid and the other person says something stupid back. When they made up it wasn’t a one-line “I’m sorry,” or a “please forgive me.” It was because one of them was trying her hardest to make it up to the other person, knowing — both of them — that MJ would blow up mountains for Cassie if they blocked the sunlight, and knowing that Cassie would fight tooth and nail to make MJ happy.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
February 28, 2020
This is my first read with a focus on tattoos and breast cancer. For me, the read provides an understanding of the power of finding self through the tattoos. Which in my opinion is wonderful when a cancer survivor can find something to grab and hold on to through a life challenging experience. MJ Flores is a strong, no nonsense character that unexpectedly meets her match when she encounters Cassie Whiteaker. MJ initially exhibits a personality that you would not want to take home to meet your parents. Well, at least, I would not. Cassie on the other hand is sweet and reflective almost to her detriment. A read that made me think and I appreciated that.
ARC provided by Carina Press via NetGalley with thanks.
ARC provided by Carina Press via NetGalley with thanks.
did-not-finish
June 15, 2019DNF @ ~15%
I think this book just wasn't for me as I had a difficult time getting into it from the start.
It was off-putting to have one main character's point of view being so antagonistic--even towards her own employees and customers, aka people who bring in money for her--while the other's was so timid and self-deprecating. Neither worked to keep me in the story.
I think this book just wasn't for me as I had a difficult time getting into it from the start.
It was off-putting to have one main character's point of view being so antagonistic--even towards her own employees and customers, aka people who bring in money for her--while the other's was so timid and self-deprecating. Neither worked to keep me in the story.
May 10, 2019
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley
This f/f contemporary had an interesting premise about breast cancer survivor Cassie who creates art for and tattoos other survivors. Unfortunately I could not get on with the romance in this at all because I found Cassie's love interest and boss MJ such a horrible person that I didn't want Cassie to end up with her. MJ bullies and berates Cassie as soon as she starts apprenticing in MJ's tattoo shop, and is determined to try to change Cassie's personality and behaviour, and I just couldn't get over how this felt more like an HR complaint waiting to happen than a romance.
This f/f contemporary had an interesting premise about breast cancer survivor Cassie who creates art for and tattoos other survivors. Unfortunately I could not get on with the romance in this at all because I found Cassie's love interest and boss MJ such a horrible person that I didn't want Cassie to end up with her. MJ bullies and berates Cassie as soon as she starts apprenticing in MJ's tattoo shop, and is determined to try to change Cassie's personality and behaviour, and I just couldn't get over how this felt more like an HR complaint waiting to happen than a romance.
April 20, 2020
This is told in alternating 1st person. Cassie is a breast cancer survivor. She also draws and does tattoos and approaches MJ for an apprenticeship. MJ only agrees because they shared the same mentor. MJ's business is not doing well.
I wanted to like this, but really hated MJ. MJ was a bitch. And not in a good way. She is nasty to everyone. Cassie was meek and a bit of a doormate. But the time MJ was kinder and Cassie more spine, I really didn't care.
I read this for Romance-opoly Rainbow Row square Sun track.
I wanted to like this, but really hated MJ. MJ was a bitch. And not in a good way. She is nasty to everyone. Cassie was meek and a bit of a doormate. But the time MJ was kinder and Cassie more spine, I really didn't care.
I read this for Romance-opoly Rainbow Row square Sun track.
August 27, 2019
I absolutely loved this book! I really enjoyed the way MJ supported Cassie in becoming a stronger more confident person. I also liked that Cassie was able to help MJ open up and begin to trust people again. I was skeptical about how the author was going to tie in all these things: cancer, tattoos and a lesbian relationship, but she pulled it off very well. I am really excited to see what the next book will be about and who. I personally would like to continue the story with Cassie and MJ. Their parents seemed interesting especially Cassie's mom. Can't wait to read more!!!
June 2, 2019
3.75 ⭐
May 11, 2019
I received an advance copy of New Ink on Life from Carina Press via Netgalley. This in no way influences my review; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.
Content notes:
I was really excited about this book when I first heard about it. Sapphic tattoo artists?? Sign me up! Unfortunately, this romance just didn’t work as well for me.
Cassie is nearing her five-years-cancer-free and in that time she changed her career and has been making strides to living her life for herself, but she refuses to hope too much and won’t become a full-time tattooist or start a relationship until she gets the all-clear. MJ is a tattoo shop owner whose previous partner left her and took half the staff, leaving her floundering with debt up to her eyeballs and using her badass image to keep people from getting too close again.
I liked that MJ and Cassie are such drastically different personalities and in many ways they help each other grow and improve. MJ starts off really cruel and harsh, critiquing everything Cassie does, especially because she can’t stand what she considers Cassie being fake and trying too hard to be a people pleaser. A big part of why the romance didn’t work so well for me is how abruptly MJ’s attitude shifts the moment she learns that Cassie is a cancer survivor. It was like she went from hating everything Cassie created to immediately starting to develop a crush-like interest in her. I absolutely get that learning about Cassie’s history will add understanding around her art, but it felt like an abrupt personality shift for MJ.
Thorn & Thistle, MJ’s shop, is a bit of a dysfunctional family in the beginning, in part because MJ lashes out and they’re getting a lot of harmful reviews that are hurting everyone’s revenue from previous partner. I wish we’d gotten to see more of the tattoo family and a better idea of who they were and what kind of artists they are. Like, I wanna know more about the side characters so I can look forward to their stories, but New Ink on Life really didn’t go past MJ and Cassie and their relationship. Even when MJ goes to see her father in the hospital, there’s a case of more telling than showing that they communicate, and that happens with the tattoo shop as well. In the end we know they’re working together and everyone is happier, but it feels like missing a chunk of the story.
My favorite part of this book was absolutely Cassie. I loved her growing into herself and gaining confidence. She’s so used to bending over backwards to do for others, even at expense of herself, so watching her make changes was wonderful. Her growth was absolutely the best part of this book, in my opinion.
Overall I found this book to be more okay than anything else. I wasn’t wholly invested in the romance, though I did like the contrast in MJ and Cassie’s personalities, as well as the ways they both grow and change. I wish there’d been more with side characters because as it stands, this felt more like a stand-alone than the beginning of a new series. If you’re looking for a wlw romance with tattoos and personal growth, this may be right up your alley.
Content notes:
I was really excited about this book when I first heard about it. Sapphic tattoo artists?? Sign me up! Unfortunately, this romance just didn’t work as well for me.
Cassie is nearing her five-years-cancer-free and in that time she changed her career and has been making strides to living her life for herself, but she refuses to hope too much and won’t become a full-time tattooist or start a relationship until she gets the all-clear. MJ is a tattoo shop owner whose previous partner left her and took half the staff, leaving her floundering with debt up to her eyeballs and using her badass image to keep people from getting too close again.
I liked that MJ and Cassie are such drastically different personalities and in many ways they help each other grow and improve. MJ starts off really cruel and harsh, critiquing everything Cassie does, especially because she can’t stand what she considers Cassie being fake and trying too hard to be a people pleaser. A big part of why the romance didn’t work so well for me is how abruptly MJ’s attitude shifts the moment she learns that Cassie is a cancer survivor. It was like she went from hating everything Cassie created to immediately starting to develop a crush-like interest in her. I absolutely get that learning about Cassie’s history will add understanding around her art, but it felt like an abrupt personality shift for MJ.
Thorn & Thistle, MJ’s shop, is a bit of a dysfunctional family in the beginning, in part because MJ lashes out and they’re getting a lot of harmful reviews that are hurting everyone’s revenue from previous partner. I wish we’d gotten to see more of the tattoo family and a better idea of who they were and what kind of artists they are. Like, I wanna know more about the side characters so I can look forward to their stories, but New Ink on Life really didn’t go past MJ and Cassie and their relationship. Even when MJ goes to see her father in the hospital, there’s a case of more telling than showing that they communicate, and that happens with the tattoo shop as well. In the end we know they’re working together and everyone is happier, but it feels like missing a chunk of the story.
My favorite part of this book was absolutely Cassie. I loved her growing into herself and gaining confidence. She’s so used to bending over backwards to do for others, even at expense of herself, so watching her make changes was wonderful. Her growth was absolutely the best part of this book, in my opinion.
Overall I found this book to be more okay than anything else. I wasn’t wholly invested in the romance, though I did like the contrast in MJ and Cassie’s personalities, as well as the ways they both grow and change. I wish there’d been more with side characters because as it stands, this felt more like a stand-alone than the beginning of a new series. If you’re looking for a wlw romance with tattoos and personal growth, this may be right up your alley.
March 30, 2019
Cassie decides to leave her steady job to pursue a new passion, giving tattoos to cancer survivors like herself. She's almost ready to take off on her own, but until she reaches her five year cancer free milestone, she isn't willing to take the leap.
She gets a job at a struggling tattoo shop under the tutelage of MJ Flores, agreeing to learn the trade in exchange for help MJ with a new marketing plan. What Cassie isn't expecting is to have feelings for MJ, as Cassie has been on a strict no sex and no relationship regime since her diagnosis, since her mastectomy.
MJ also wasn't expecting to fall for such a "good girl" but as she discovers Cassie's hidden strengths she can't help but want to also show Cassie what life can be, fear be damned.
I've read a few tattoo shop romances, but this is my first with a queer couple! I really enjoyed it, especially for the tender way the author handles the love scenes. I haven't read many other romances that feature a character with a mastectomy, and it is nice to see that represented on page.
I received an ARC in exchange for a fair review, thank you to the publisher!
She gets a job at a struggling tattoo shop under the tutelage of MJ Flores, agreeing to learn the trade in exchange for help MJ with a new marketing plan. What Cassie isn't expecting is to have feelings for MJ, as Cassie has been on a strict no sex and no relationship regime since her diagnosis, since her mastectomy.
MJ also wasn't expecting to fall for such a "good girl" but as she discovers Cassie's hidden strengths she can't help but want to also show Cassie what life can be, fear be damned.
I've read a few tattoo shop romances, but this is my first with a queer couple! I really enjoyed it, especially for the tender way the author handles the love scenes. I haven't read many other romances that feature a character with a mastectomy, and it is nice to see that represented on page.
I received an ARC in exchange for a fair review, thank you to the publisher!
June 20, 2019
https://celebrityreaders.com/2019/06/...
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4.5 stars — I haven’t read a lot of F/F (or really many of the other flavours of LGBT besides G), and I’ve been wanting to expand my diversity reading. So I was so excited when I saw the blurb for this one and it sounded so good! You could tell it was own voices because it felt authentic. I never forgot I was reading about two women, but other than that it was just like any other romance: strife, struggle, swoony moments, frustrating moments.
I found it SOOOOO easy to connect with Cassie, b/c I have so many of her personality traits, and not necessarily the best ones. But it made it really easy for me to understand her reactions to various situations, because it was how I might react. It was really fulfilling to watch her shed those shackles of trying to get everyone to like her and embrace who she really is deep inside. I didn’t mind the backsliding, b/c it made sense, and it made her journey that much more believable.
MJ was a bit harder for me to connect with, b/c, well, just like for Cassie, MJ’s my opposite. But through all that I felt for her struggles, and I understood her defense mechanisms. I absolutely loved when she got back from her family and got the fairy tattoo, it was so symbolic. I really felt the way she started to understand how her own reactions were also sabotaging her happiness. It was fulfilling in its own right.
I loved that MJ and Cassie had so much in common, even as they were so different. They both felt rejected and discarded and not worth taking a chance on. They came at it from different directions, but the results were the same. It made their journey very gratifying, each of them learning to trust and let another person in.
Their chemistry was fantastic, the steamy scenes were like woah! I loved how they complemented one another, it all fit perfectly with the opposites attract. They each made me swoon for the other with the little gestures they would make. And they both frustrated the crap out of me when they fell into typical pitfalls that I saw coming a mile away…which does mean that some of the conflict was a bit cliche and expected, but I found that it played out with a bit more depth than I was expecting, and wasn’t trite.
I expected Cassie’s cancer, and the compassionate tattoos that were mentioned in the blurb, would come into play more, but they were kind of background/secondary. Which was a bit disappointing, b/c I was so intrigued by that, but I got so much else from their story that I really didn’t miss it.
All this to say that I will DEFINITELY be looking forward to more F/F from this author in the future. I’m excited to see whose story will be next in this series!
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4.5 stars — I haven’t read a lot of F/F (or really many of the other flavours of LGBT besides G), and I’ve been wanting to expand my diversity reading. So I was so excited when I saw the blurb for this one and it sounded so good! You could tell it was own voices because it felt authentic. I never forgot I was reading about two women, but other than that it was just like any other romance: strife, struggle, swoony moments, frustrating moments.
I found it SOOOOO easy to connect with Cassie, b/c I have so many of her personality traits, and not necessarily the best ones. But it made it really easy for me to understand her reactions to various situations, because it was how I might react. It was really fulfilling to watch her shed those shackles of trying to get everyone to like her and embrace who she really is deep inside. I didn’t mind the backsliding, b/c it made sense, and it made her journey that much more believable.
MJ was a bit harder for me to connect with, b/c, well, just like for Cassie, MJ’s my opposite. But through all that I felt for her struggles, and I understood her defense mechanisms. I absolutely loved when she got back from her family and got the fairy tattoo, it was so symbolic. I really felt the way she started to understand how her own reactions were also sabotaging her happiness. It was fulfilling in its own right.
I loved that MJ and Cassie had so much in common, even as they were so different. They both felt rejected and discarded and not worth taking a chance on. They came at it from different directions, but the results were the same. It made their journey very gratifying, each of them learning to trust and let another person in.
Their chemistry was fantastic, the steamy scenes were like woah! I loved how they complemented one another, it all fit perfectly with the opposites attract. They each made me swoon for the other with the little gestures they would make. And they both frustrated the crap out of me when they fell into typical pitfalls that I saw coming a mile away…which does mean that some of the conflict was a bit cliche and expected, but I found that it played out with a bit more depth than I was expecting, and wasn’t trite.
I expected Cassie’s cancer, and the compassionate tattoos that were mentioned in the blurb, would come into play more, but they were kind of background/secondary. Which was a bit disappointing, b/c I was so intrigued by that, but I got so much else from their story that I really didn’t miss it.
All this to say that I will DEFINITELY be looking forward to more F/F from this author in the future. I’m excited to see whose story will be next in this series!
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