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Second Circle Tattoos #3
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Obcesowy i bezczelny Dred Zander na pozór wydaje się właśnie tym mężczyzną, którego Pixie powinna za wszelką cenę unikać. Porzuciwszy swoją przeszłość i tożsamość, dziewczyna stara się od nowa zbudować życie – bezpieczne, spokojne i pewne. Ktoś taki jak Dred kompletnie do niego nie pasuje, ale on ma ten temat inne zdanie.
Orzechowe oczy Pixie, fioletowe włosy i piękny egzotyczny tatuaż nie dają mu spokoju. Musi ją zdobyć, musi ją przekonać, że wspólnie mogą stawić czoło koszmarom przeszłości i ufnie spojrzeć w przyszłość.
Orzechowe oczy Pixie, fioletowe włosy i piękny egzotyczny tatuaż nie dają mu spokoju. Musi ją zdobyć, musi ją przekonać, że wspólnie mogą stawić czoło koszmarom przeszłości i ufnie spojrzeć w przyszłość.
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2016
108 people are currently reading
2077 people want to read
About the author
Scarlett Cole
44 books2,213 followersFour-time RITA finalist, Scarlett Cole, is a contemporary romantic suspense / contemporary romance author (represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency) who calls both Toronto, Canada and Manchester, England home. A born city dweller, she periodically quashes the urge to live in the country by hiking up a mountain to remind herself that living away from people would terrify the pants off her.
She believes everybody deserves their love story to be told and loves her heroes on the rough and rugged side…and usually tall (because she married one of those 6ft 6” men you read about in romance!). She’s an A-type personality and Scorpio star sign, so good luck getting her to do anything she doesn’t want to.
When she isn’t writing, she’s happy to talk hot men and expensive shoes while drinking a cold gin and tonic. Don’t bring up olives. As far as Scarlett is concerned, they are the devil’s food. As long as you don’t bring up olives, she’s happy to hear from any time.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarlettcole/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsscarlettcole
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Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FNTzyC
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/scarl...
Newsletter sign-up: http://www.scarlettcole.com/contact
If you want to know more about Scarlett's books, visit her at:
www.scarlettcole.com
She believes everybody deserves their love story to be told and loves her heroes on the rough and rugged side…and usually tall (because she married one of those 6ft 6” men you read about in romance!). She’s an A-type personality and Scorpio star sign, so good luck getting her to do anything she doesn’t want to.
When she isn’t writing, she’s happy to talk hot men and expensive shoes while drinking a cold gin and tonic. Don’t bring up olives. As far as Scarlett is concerned, they are the devil’s food. As long as you don’t bring up olives, she’s happy to hear from any time.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarlettcole/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsscarlettcole
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ItsScarlettCole
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FNTzyC
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/scarl...
Newsletter sign-up: http://www.scarlettcole.com/contact
If you want to know more about Scarlett's books, visit her at:
www.scarlettcole.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 415 reviews
May 3, 2016
IT'S LIVE!!!
3,5 STARS
This is the first time I've read anything from this author and I have to say I'm not disappointed. When I first read the blurb I thought why not give it a try. I love books about rock stars but who doesn't, right? So, if nothing else, that definitely sold me to read the story. Since this is a series and I (shame on me) didn't read the first two books, I still didn't have any problems understanding the plot and characters. I love all of them, they seem like a fun bunch to hang out with. I hope Jordan gets his story, soon. I really want to know about his past and why his room looks the way it does.
Right, back to Dred and Pixie's story. Wow, where to start? I have a feeling those two danced around each other for a while and I loved how Dred would always ask Pixie when they'd go on a date and she would then give him an impossible answer, like Not until it snows on the Sahara. Also their other 'game' was very sexy and amusing, so thumps up for that.
Both knew how to have a great time but while they certainly had fun they both held back secrets that neither of them wanted to share. At least not just yet and that's all thanks to their horrible past that left deep scars. A past that is linked to drug abuse. I know what you might think right now, they both used them and what not but that's not the case. Basically their childhood was real shity and those who were supposed to protect them failed at it big time! I guess Pixie's guardian angels turned out to be Trent and Cujo, her bosses, who found her literally on their doorstep and helped her get back on her feet. And as for Dred, he and his bandmates were all dealt a bad hand and together they fought to make the best out of it. And guess what, they succeeded big time in becoming one of the big shots in music industry.
But as Dred and Pixie grew closer, those close guarded secrets started to catch up to them and they
would either make them or break them. There were many ups and downs and to be honest I didn't like how Dred's drama played out. I think it was resolved way too easily, since in real life those things take a lot more time, patience and above all money. But the twist at the end of the story, now, that one I liked big time. I always love action in my reads, so that was a big plus for me for sure. Also, the secondary characters were awesome, I can't wait to read their stories.
Would I re-read the story? Probably not anytime soon BUT would I recommend it, absolutely! So go and get it now!
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3,5 STARS
This is the first time I've read anything from this author and I have to say I'm not disappointed. When I first read the blurb I thought why not give it a try. I love books about rock stars but who doesn't, right? So, if nothing else, that definitely sold me to read the story. Since this is a series and I (shame on me) didn't read the first two books, I still didn't have any problems understanding the plot and characters. I love all of them, they seem like a fun bunch to hang out with. I hope Jordan gets his story, soon. I really want to know about his past and why his room looks the way it does.
Right, back to Dred and Pixie's story. Wow, where to start? I have a feeling those two danced around each other for a while and I loved how Dred would always ask Pixie when they'd go on a date and she would then give him an impossible answer, like Not until it snows on the Sahara. Also their other 'game' was very sexy and amusing, so thumps up for that.
Both knew how to have a great time but while they certainly had fun they both held back secrets that neither of them wanted to share. At least not just yet and that's all thanks to their horrible past that left deep scars. A past that is linked to drug abuse. I know what you might think right now, they both used them and what not but that's not the case. Basically their childhood was real shity and those who were supposed to protect them failed at it big time! I guess Pixie's guardian angels turned out to be Trent and Cujo, her bosses, who found her literally on their doorstep and helped her get back on her feet. And as for Dred, he and his bandmates were all dealt a bad hand and together they fought to make the best out of it. And guess what, they succeeded big time in becoming one of the big shots in music industry.
But as Dred and Pixie grew closer, those close guarded secrets started to catch up to them and they
would either make them or break them. There were many ups and downs and to be honest I didn't like how Dred's drama played out. I think it was resolved way too easily, since in real life those things take a lot more time, patience and above all money. But the twist at the end of the story, now, that one I liked big time. I always love action in my reads, so that was a big plus for me for sure. Also, the secondary characters were awesome, I can't wait to read their stories.
Would I re-read the story? Probably not anytime soon BUT would I recommend it, absolutely! So go and get it now!
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2016
NOW LIVE!!!
*Amazon US*Amazon UK*Barnes & Noble*
4 'Play with me' Stars
I pretty much fell in love with this series from the very first chapter of the first book. Since then I have no shame in saying that I've been stalking the shit out of the author waiting for the next release. When I got this book I jumped on my Kindle and ignored the world for a few hours while I immersed myself into Pix and Dred's life. And I loved it!
This book follows Pix, the receptionist at Second Circle Tattoo's, as she tries to navigate through her attraction to Dred Zander. Dred is the too-hot-for-his-own-good rockstar that works with her boss on a tattoo show. He's been flirting with her for awhile but she keeps turning down his advances, knowing that someone like him would be very bad for her, someone that doesn't want to be hounded by paparazzi and have her life out there for anyone to know about.
But Dred doesn't give up very easily, not when he see's something he wants. And Pix is the only one he wants. When she gives in to him will it be both of their downfall, like she expects? With Pix's past coming to haunt her again, she's pretty sure the answer to that question is a solid "yes." But leaving Dred is harder than she thought it would be.
It's been about a week since I read this book and I still can't get Dred and Pixie out of my mind. I loved how sweet and gentle Dred could be with Pix and let her work up to a serious relationship at her own pace. After a past like hers, even though he didn't know all the details at the time, it was just amazing to see him handle her with such care. The great thing about these characters were that they weren't your typical Hero and heroine. Dred wasn't the cliched rockstar playboy, that we had to dig deep into to find the sweet side to. It was just there and evident at all times. And Pix wasn't the shy heroine that could get on my nerves, she was strong and independent, and didn't run from her issues.
I'm pretty sure that I say this in every review I do from this series, but I love Scarlett Cole's side characters. She makes them interesting enough for me to want to know more about them, but doesn't give an overload of information about them, taking the focus off of the main characters. In this book we got to meet even more characters when we met Dred's band and I loved all of them. I really hope she'll end up doing a book for them because they were all amazingly intriguing.
Overall, I loved this story and the characters and I really hope everyone else will too. The story was full of emotional times mixed in with the humor and sexiness that I've come to expect from this author. There was a little bit of angst thrown in too that had me captivated and I think even people that hate angst will be okay with it.
ARC kindly provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*Amazon US*Amazon UK*Barnes & Noble*
4 'Play with me' Stars
I pretty much fell in love with this series from the very first chapter of the first book. Since then I have no shame in saying that I've been stalking the shit out of the author waiting for the next release. When I got this book I jumped on my Kindle and ignored the world for a few hours while I immersed myself into Pix and Dred's life. And I loved it!
This book follows Pix, the receptionist at Second Circle Tattoo's, as she tries to navigate through her attraction to Dred Zander. Dred is the too-hot-for-his-own-good rockstar that works with her boss on a tattoo show. He's been flirting with her for awhile but she keeps turning down his advances, knowing that someone like him would be very bad for her, someone that doesn't want to be hounded by paparazzi and have her life out there for anyone to know about.
But Dred doesn't give up very easily, not when he see's something he wants. And Pix is the only one he wants. When she gives in to him will it be both of their downfall, like she expects? With Pix's past coming to haunt her again, she's pretty sure the answer to that question is a solid "yes." But leaving Dred is harder than she thought it would be.
It's been about a week since I read this book and I still can't get Dred and Pixie out of my mind. I loved how sweet and gentle Dred could be with Pix and let her work up to a serious relationship at her own pace. After a past like hers, even though he didn't know all the details at the time, it was just amazing to see him handle her with such care. The great thing about these characters were that they weren't your typical Hero and heroine. Dred wasn't the cliched rockstar playboy, that we had to dig deep into to find the sweet side to. It was just there and evident at all times. And Pix wasn't the shy heroine that could get on my nerves, she was strong and independent, and didn't run from her issues.
I'm pretty sure that I say this in every review I do from this series, but I love Scarlett Cole's side characters. She makes them interesting enough for me to want to know more about them, but doesn't give an overload of information about them, taking the focus off of the main characters. In this book we got to meet even more characters when we met Dred's band and I loved all of them. I really hope she'll end up doing a book for them because they were all amazingly intriguing.
Overall, I loved this story and the characters and I really hope everyone else will too. The story was full of emotional times mixed in with the humor and sexiness that I've come to expect from this author. There was a little bit of angst thrown in too that had me captivated and I think even people that hate angst will be okay with it.
ARC kindly provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2017
I m a sucker for a rockstar
I was dying to read this book when I knew it was goin to be Pixie and Dred's story. There was so much I wanted to know about them both but I just knew that what Pixie went through was good. Both characters had dealt with some really horrible stuff at a young age. They had to deal with the families being torn apart. They never thought they would have a family again. But once Pixie meet Trent and Cujo she knew they were goin to be her new family the guys meant so much to her they helped when she was at rock bottom and she didn't think anything good could happen. She owned the guys so much. Dred was the same life had just been crap until he met his band mates they were like brother they had al been through a lot but together they could get through anything they were very close and would do anything for each other.
I m totally luvin this series. It's just brilliant i wish I had read it sooner. They story just had me hooked from the very start. I luv the characters there just so good but have been through so much my heart breaks for them. The story never gets boring once I ve started I can never put it down. I like how close the characters are and how the other characters story blends in with this story. I ve luvd everything book from this series ad I ll be gutted when it's over it become one of me al time favourite series can't wait for the next book.
I was dying to read this book when I knew it was goin to be Pixie and Dred's story. There was so much I wanted to know about them both but I just knew that what Pixie went through was good. Both characters had dealt with some really horrible stuff at a young age. They had to deal with the families being torn apart. They never thought they would have a family again. But once Pixie meet Trent and Cujo she knew they were goin to be her new family the guys meant so much to her they helped when she was at rock bottom and she didn't think anything good could happen. She owned the guys so much. Dred was the same life had just been crap until he met his band mates they were like brother they had al been through a lot but together they could get through anything they were very close and would do anything for each other.
I m totally luvin this series. It's just brilliant i wish I had read it sooner. They story just had me hooked from the very start. I luv the characters there just so good but have been through so much my heart breaks for them. The story never gets boring once I ve started I can never put it down. I like how close the characters are and how the other characters story blends in with this story. I ve luvd everything book from this series ad I ll be gutted when it's over it become one of me al time favourite series can't wait for the next book.
May 7, 2016
Oh yas. This book.
I have been a fan of this series ever since I discovered the first book through the wonders of Netgalley. Sure, the second book fell a little short for me, because drama-llama and all that, but I've always been a fan of pretty much everything about this series.
Full disclosure: I am currently binge watching Ink Master and am incredibly in love with Dave Navarro and his beautiful face. And the entire time I read this book, I pictured Dred as Dave Navarro. I don't even care that Dred was meant to be 28 and not 48 , once that image of Dave Navarro was in my head, it wasn't going anywhere. SO. Take this review with a grain of salt because this could be a right book, right time kind of thing.
Now onto the book... This installment seesDave Navarro Dred, the lead singer in a band called Preload attempting to woo the manager of Second Circle Tattoos, Pixie. Turns out Dred and Pixie both have super sad badawful pasts and stacks of baggage, WHAT COULD POSSIBLE GO WRONG?
This is NA, so, obviously everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. But, fuck I love broken characters. LOVE THEM. I love them even more when they actually realize that they are broken and take steps to overcome their issues and try to live the best life they possibly can. Mad props to characters who are actively trying to slay their demons!
And I love it when the characters who are making bad decisions and being all round asshats, actually acknowledge that they are making bad decisions and being all round asshats and then go and remedy their asshatery. A+ for self reflection, asshats!
Fair warning, this book is drama heavy. Like. There's an elephant sitting on the book and it's name is drama. SO MUCH DRAMA. But I guess because I was reading aboutDave Navarro Dred, I completely let it go. I think the probability of me allowing this much drama under any other circumstances is pretty low. So proceed with caution if you are sensitive to the drama-llama allergy like I usually am.
You guys know how much I love using my alien sex verbs, right? Well I am pleased to say that nearly every alien sex verb got a workout in this. There was Raahoshing! There was Vektalling, Rukhing, Salukhing and of course, plenty of the freshly coined Haedening. For those of you not in the know about the alien sex verbs - While I do think that their first time was a little abrupt, it seemed to come out of nowhere and I would have enjoyed a little more build up to it, from then on it was wonderful and I thought the fact that they set up a "safe phrase" to help Pixie work through her triggers was excellent.
The big mystery I figured out within the first 20%, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story, I really, really enjoyed this. It kind of reminded me of sitting down to watch a soap opera, I knew what was coming but couldn't wait to see what would happen, regardless.
I was super worried that the inclusion of music in this book might put me off, because I fucking HATE when music is used too heavily in books, but apart from me not getting ANY of the musical theater references in this, I really didn't have a problem with it. And watchingDave Navarro Dred come up with his song for Pixie was actually quite awesome.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, over the top drama and all. I am so glad I have been able to experience Scarlett Cole's progression as an author, her debut was strong, the second lost steam, but this one is definitely the best so far and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. It's lovely to have such broken characters that feel real and have aspects to them that we can all relate to.
I can't wait for the next book. BRING ON THE BROKEN CHARACTERS. YAS.
4 dred-can-woo-me-any-day Stars
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC!
I have been a fan of this series ever since I discovered the first book through the wonders of Netgalley. Sure, the second book fell a little short for me, because drama-llama and all that, but I've always been a fan of pretty much everything about this series.
Full disclosure: I am currently binge watching Ink Master and am incredibly in love with Dave Navarro and his beautiful face. And the entire time I read this book, I pictured Dred as Dave Navarro. I don't even care that Dred was meant to be 28 and not 48 , once that image of Dave Navarro was in my head, it wasn't going anywhere. SO. Take this review with a grain of salt because this could be a right book, right time kind of thing.
Now onto the book... This installment sees
This is NA, so, obviously everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. But, fuck I love broken characters. LOVE THEM. I love them even more when they actually realize that they are broken and take steps to overcome their issues and try to live the best life they possibly can. Mad props to characters who are actively trying to slay their demons!
And I love it when the characters who are making bad decisions and being all round asshats, actually acknowledge that they are making bad decisions and being all round asshats and then go and remedy their asshatery. A+ for self reflection, asshats!
Fair warning, this book is drama heavy. Like. There's an elephant sitting on the book and it's name is drama. SO MUCH DRAMA. But I guess because I was reading about
You guys know how much I love using my alien sex verbs, right? Well I am pleased to say that nearly every alien sex verb got a workout in this. There was Raahoshing! There was Vektalling, Rukhing, Salukhing and of course, plenty of the freshly coined Haedening. For those of you not in the know about the alien sex verbs - While I do think that their first time was a little abrupt, it seemed to come out of nowhere and I would have enjoyed a little more build up to it, from then on it was wonderful and I thought the fact that they set up a "safe phrase" to help Pixie work through her triggers was excellent.
The big mystery I figured out within the first 20%, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story, I really, really enjoyed this. It kind of reminded me of sitting down to watch a soap opera, I knew what was coming but couldn't wait to see what would happen, regardless.
I was super worried that the inclusion of music in this book might put me off, because I fucking HATE when music is used too heavily in books, but apart from me not getting ANY of the musical theater references in this, I really didn't have a problem with it. And watching
I thoroughly enjoyed this, over the top drama and all. I am so glad I have been able to experience Scarlett Cole's progression as an author, her debut was strong, the second lost steam, but this one is definitely the best so far and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. It's lovely to have such broken characters that feel real and have aspects to them that we can all relate to.
I can't wait for the next book. BRING ON THE BROKEN CHARACTERS. YAS.
4 dred-can-woo-me-any-day Stars
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC!
May 23, 2021
4 Can We Play Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
There is nothing better than when a series you felt had that extra something to it... proves once again... it is back on track. Scarlett Cole's third entry of the Second Circle Tattoos Series was a winner for me. It felt closer in style and content to the first entry...and for me, that made The Purest Hook thoroughly enjoyable.
This story took secondary characters we met from the first book and let them have center stage. Both Dred, the Heavy Metal Rock Star, and Pixie, manager of the shop have painful childhoods and secrets galore. Both are attracted to each other but Pixie fights it until she can't.
This is their love story and it is layered with all kinds of complications.... but finally there is a reckoning where these two realize they are stronger together... free of secrets, safe, and able to confront whatever they have to... as long as they are together.
There is humor, pathos, sexy times and recurring characters from the Tattoo shop, and more insight about the band. Which has me thinking an off-shoot series could be coming once this one is completed. Either way, I will continue to visit the Second Circle Tattoo shop as you never know who will show up next to by inked...
The Strongest Steel (Second Circle Tattoos, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Fractured Heart (Second Circle Tattoos, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Purest Hook (Second Circle Tattoos, #3
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * Spoiler Free
There is nothing better than when a series you felt had that extra something to it... proves once again... it is back on track. Scarlett Cole's third entry of the Second Circle Tattoos Series was a winner for me. It felt closer in style and content to the first entry...and for me, that made The Purest Hook thoroughly enjoyable.
This story took secondary characters we met from the first book and let them have center stage. Both Dred, the Heavy Metal Rock Star, and Pixie, manager of the shop have painful childhoods and secrets galore. Both are attracted to each other but Pixie fights it until she can't.
This is their love story and it is layered with all kinds of complications.... but finally there is a reckoning where these two realize they are stronger together... free of secrets, safe, and able to confront whatever they have to... as long as they are together.
There is humor, pathos, sexy times and recurring characters from the Tattoo shop, and more insight about the band. Which has me thinking an off-shoot series could be coming once this one is completed. Either way, I will continue to visit the Second Circle Tattoo shop as you never know who will show up next to by inked...
The Strongest Steel (Second Circle Tattoos, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Fractured Heart (Second Circle Tattoos, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Purest Hook (Second Circle Tattoos, #3
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
May 27, 2018
Review to come!
May 3, 2016
I am pretty sure Scarlett Cole is incapable of writing a book I don't love. Dred and Pixie are amazing and wonderful! Full review on The Book Disciple
October 23, 2019
Spoilers ahead
I'd say this is the first book of the Preload series
Dredd is the lead singer and a songwriter for Preload. He's credited as being the driving force of the band of "brothers" who all came from horrible childhood circumstances to make it big. Dredd met Pixie at Second Circle Tattoos, he's been asking her out ever since and she'd give a clever and flippant response until she nursed him back to health and he finally got the answer he'd been waiting for. But with invasive but close to the truth stories being printed, a gruelling schedule and a surprise baby Dredd's courtship of Pixie started heading for the rocks....when news of her past comes forward their tentative relationship may not be able to stand up to the pressure
Pixie has overcome a drug addiction and sexual abuse by her stepfather to make a new life for herself. When her stepdad tried to sell her virginity to his partner she stabbed the man In self defense, thinking he'd died Pixie fled her old life as Sarah and reinvented herself as Pixie. With the help of Trent and Cujo she's finally kicked her drug habit and put her past behind her. Giving Dredd a chance was the icing on the cake.....until her evil stepfather started blackmailing her with the secrets of her past
***********
Ok so this plot was based on a couple things I didn't like....lies, secrets and lack of communication
Dredd took Pixie's virginity without telling her about the child with OW which I wasn't a fan of. He told her after but it felt icky to me the way he chose to do it
*Side note the child was from a ONS who poked a hole in the condom
With all the leaks, their overpacked schedule and the frequent falling out they had with Sam one would think they'd look to him for the troubles plaguing them but nope they were stunned he betrayed them. I dislike any of my mcs being oblivious much less dumb
I actually didn't like Dredd much at all, the whole baby thing coupled with a few comments about women irritated me and had me side eyeing him the entire book.
Pixie stood by Dredd through the pictures of him in the newspapers, through a baby by another woman, through his frequent travels that left little time for them to be together but from the moment he heard she'd been an addict he scraped her off. He didn't allow her to explain nothing! I understood he had issues because of drug abuse by his mom and her ODing but honestly Pixie deserved much better than his shit head reaction. His lame ass apology was weak especially as he now has his child with him.... really was it true love or the convenience of a ready made !mama for his child
Pixie too had her moments where I wanted to smack her. Given what her stepfather had done to her one would think she'd have a completely different reaction when he showed up with his blackmail scheme but she paid the blackmail, went on with Dredd, paid him again and didn't tell anyone. Trent and Cujo had helped her through drug withdrawal without even knowing her how much more would they have done as they've known and loved her for years ughhhh unnecessary angst anyone????!!!!
All in all this didn't work for me but the Preload series isn't one I regret trying at all
Virgin h
Manwhore H
h was touched and sexually exposed by her stepfather
H's mom, h's mom and the h herself were drug users. H's mom overdosed
Baby from a OW he was with before the h who conveniently died of drug overdose too
I'd say this is the first book of the Preload series
Dredd is the lead singer and a songwriter for Preload. He's credited as being the driving force of the band of "brothers" who all came from horrible childhood circumstances to make it big. Dredd met Pixie at Second Circle Tattoos, he's been asking her out ever since and she'd give a clever and flippant response until she nursed him back to health and he finally got the answer he'd been waiting for. But with invasive but close to the truth stories being printed, a gruelling schedule and a surprise baby Dredd's courtship of Pixie started heading for the rocks....when news of her past comes forward their tentative relationship may not be able to stand up to the pressure
Pixie has overcome a drug addiction and sexual abuse by her stepfather to make a new life for herself. When her stepdad tried to sell her virginity to his partner she stabbed the man In self defense, thinking he'd died Pixie fled her old life as Sarah and reinvented herself as Pixie. With the help of Trent and Cujo she's finally kicked her drug habit and put her past behind her. Giving Dredd a chance was the icing on the cake.....until her evil stepfather started blackmailing her with the secrets of her past
***********
Ok so this plot was based on a couple things I didn't like....lies, secrets and lack of communication
Dredd took Pixie's virginity without telling her about the child with OW which I wasn't a fan of. He told her after but it felt icky to me the way he chose to do it
*Side note the child was from a ONS who poked a hole in the condom
With all the leaks, their overpacked schedule and the frequent falling out they had with Sam one would think they'd look to him for the troubles plaguing them but nope they were stunned he betrayed them. I dislike any of my mcs being oblivious much less dumb
I actually didn't like Dredd much at all, the whole baby thing coupled with a few comments about women irritated me and had me side eyeing him the entire book.
Pixie stood by Dredd through the pictures of him in the newspapers, through a baby by another woman, through his frequent travels that left little time for them to be together but from the moment he heard she'd been an addict he scraped her off. He didn't allow her to explain nothing! I understood he had issues because of drug abuse by his mom and her ODing but honestly Pixie deserved much better than his shit head reaction. His lame ass apology was weak especially as he now has his child with him.... really was it true love or the convenience of a ready made !mama for his child
Pixie too had her moments where I wanted to smack her. Given what her stepfather had done to her one would think she'd have a completely different reaction when he showed up with his blackmail scheme but she paid the blackmail, went on with Dredd, paid him again and didn't tell anyone. Trent and Cujo had helped her through drug withdrawal without even knowing her how much more would they have done as they've known and loved her for years ughhhh unnecessary angst anyone????!!!!
All in all this didn't work for me but the Preload series isn't one I regret trying at all
Virgin h
Manwhore H
h was touched and sexually exposed by her stepfather
H's mom, h's mom and the h herself were drug users. H's mom overdosed
Baby from a OW he was with before the h who conveniently died of drug overdose too
06-reasons
September 16, 2016Update 26/08/2016.
I love this author I just don't like the plot of this book. Let's face it all the books we put on hold end up in the couldn't/didn't finish shelf. This is going to ny nuff said shelf.
My best advice for you?
Read it. Judge for yourself as I can't really give a full opinion.
Update 27/04/2016 - on hold I don't think I'm in the right mood at the moment. Besides Rockstar romances are ifffy & shoot me now.
See spoilers
I love this author I just don't like the plot of this book. Let's face it all the books we put on hold end up in the couldn't/didn't finish shelf. This is going to ny nuff said shelf.
My best advice for you?
Read it. Judge for yourself as I can't really give a full opinion.
Update 27/04/2016 - on hold I don't think I'm in the right mood at the moment. Besides Rockstar romances are ifffy & shoot me now.
See spoilers
April 23, 2016
4.5 stars. Dred and Pixie were so great together. He was patient and gentle where and when she needed and let her set the pace. Pixie has had a really bad upbringing. She suffered abuse and that has colored her adult interactions. Dred is a rock star with a level head. He knows what he wants and is willing to work for and wait when the time calls for either. He gets an unexpected curveball but he handles it perfectly. The plot is interesting though a little on the predictable side. The characters are very dynamic and complex with unique traits that make them all the more endearing. The friendships that the MCs have with people in their lives are amazing and make the whole package of the story even better. There's one moment Dred has that I wasn't overly fond of but it is what makes the story great because the MCs are not perfect always saying or doing the right thing. I have really enjoyed this series so far and won't hesitate to continue it :) Safety: No OW/OM/sharing though the H has to deal with one from his past. They use condoms. h was a V. h was sexually abused though not raped. Some descriptions will be difficult. Alludes to H being physically/emotionally abused. H pushes h away one time.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2016
Check out this and my other reviews at My Blog, Facebook, Google+, Twitter and Pinterest
Copy received via netgalley in exchange or an honest review
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Cont. Romance
Series : - 3 in the series.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 4
★Review★
I actually started reading this a few weeks ago but struggled to get into it, maybe as a much anticipated book was due, then that was a HUGE disappointment, so I re read some old favourites to cheer myself up, and picked this up again after, started from the beginning, and got into it a lot better.
However, I ended up loving it. The heroine Pixie, I liked her so much more than the heroine in book 2, who drove me up the wall. I loved Dred, he was a great hero, and him and Pixie were just perfect for each other.
And while for me, book 1 is still the best, this one was much better then book 2.
As with book 2, I felt there was maybe a touch too much drama going on, with his history, her history, her history making a re appearance, his issues with an ex hook up, the band and their issues with their manager etc...but it felt more organic and less contrived than some of the drama from book 2.
And I truly loved the story about Dred and Pixie, however - there are a few plot devices that I tend to really dislike in romance land, but can be rather overused. MAJOR MAJOR
But, despite that, I really enjoyed this and look forward to more in the series.
I will say to the author, please please pleeeeaaaaasssse can we have a series about Dred's band?
Because I fell in love with them ALL.
Especially Jordan!
She knew Jordan had some kind of issues that kept the band living together, but the décor spoke volumes. At one end, the room was sparse, barren of anything. Jordan sat on a double bed, which seemed uncomfortable for a man of his stature. There was a desk, but it had nothing on it except a spiral notebook and a pen. But the corner he'd created for Petal...it was as if spring had sprung. From the point where the two walls met was a beautiful mural of a field with wild flowers. A white crib sat pushed up against it, while a large mobile with butterflies, bees and dragonflies swirled overhead.......
And yes that little bit brok my heart and deserved that many GIFS!
Copy received via netgalley in exchange or an honest review
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Cont. Romance
Series : - 3 in the series.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 4
★Review★
I actually started reading this a few weeks ago but struggled to get into it, maybe as a much anticipated book was due, then that was a HUGE disappointment, so I re read some old favourites to cheer myself up, and picked this up again after, started from the beginning, and got into it a lot better.
However, I ended up loving it. The heroine Pixie, I liked her so much more than the heroine in book 2, who drove me up the wall. I loved Dred, he was a great hero, and him and Pixie were just perfect for each other.
And while for me, book 1 is still the best, this one was much better then book 2.
As with book 2, I felt there was maybe a touch too much drama going on, with his history, her history, her history making a re appearance, his issues with an ex hook up, the band and their issues with their manager etc...but it felt more organic and less contrived than some of the drama from book 2.
And I truly loved the story about Dred and Pixie, however - there are a few plot devices that I tend to really dislike in romance land, but can be rather overused. MAJOR MAJOR
But, despite that, I really enjoyed this and look forward to more in the series.
I will say to the author, please please pleeeeaaaaasssse can we have a series about Dred's band?
Because I fell in love with them ALL.
Especially Jordan!
She knew Jordan had some kind of issues that kept the band living together, but the décor spoke volumes. At one end, the room was sparse, barren of anything. Jordan sat on a double bed, which seemed uncomfortable for a man of his stature. There was a desk, but it had nothing on it except a spiral notebook and a pen. But the corner he'd created for Petal...it was as if spring had sprung. From the point where the two walls met was a beautiful mural of a field with wild flowers. A white crib sat pushed up against it, while a large mobile with butterflies, bees and dragonflies swirled overhead.......
And yes that little bit brok my heart and deserved that many GIFS!
May 2, 2016
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: The Purest Hook
Series: Second Circle Tattoos #3
Author: Scarlett Cole
Release Date: May 3rd 2016
Rating: 4 Stars
Cliffhanger: No
Writing Style: Third Person POV
HEA:
MY REVIEW
I have a penchant for rock stars, so when I know this book is about a hot, bad boy rock star, I knew I had to read this!
Dred Zander is a famous, successful rock star. Or so, what people know. What they don't know is that he has a painful past. And so did the other members of his band, Preload.
Meet Sarah-Jean 'Pixie' Tarvers, a cute Second Circle Tattoos store manager with purple hair. Just like Dred, Pixie also has a painful past. That's the reason she left her hometown and moved to Miami, to escape her abusive stepfather.
Generally this story is about 2 people who have been through bad pasts, fell in love, and try to complete each other despite all their own problems that need to be fix.
I find this book pretty similar with the first book in the series, The Strongest Steel. Just like Harper, Pixie also left her hometown to escape abusive people from her past.
As usual, Scarlett Cole's writing is amazing. And just like her other books, this book is also a page turner because all the mysteries make me so curious and want to find out what actually happens to the main characters.
The biggest BUT though, I'm not a very patient person. So when the heroine put her 'I-don't-want-to-tell-anyone-because-I-want-to-protect-them' panties on, it really drives me insane!!
I hate it when someone can't stand up for themselves even when they're being bullied. I guess angst stories are just not my cup of tea.
Even though some part of the book really drives me nuts, but I'm glad the story turns out really good. All the problems are solved.
That 'Sam issue' is kinda predictable for me though. LOL
The characters are great.
I like Pixie because she's a kickass heroine. Although sometimes she can't seem to stand up for herself.
And does it make me crazy if I say I love Cujo even more because of this book? LOL. I know Cujo's story is in the previous book, but seriously that guy is the best!!
Dred is not my favorite rock star, but I don't hate him either. There was a time when I really want to punch him in the face for being an asshole.
But in the end I end up liking him because he's a bad boy rock star with a very gentle heart ♥
I feel so honored to be able to read this book early. I'm so looking forward for the next books in this series. I hope all the band members will get their own story too.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the invitation to read and review this book. The review written above was my honest opinion about this book.
April 30, 2016
[3.25 stars]
I liked it. The series hasn’t hit returned to the heights of my feelings for the first book, but I did enjoy Pixie and Dred’s romance more than the last one. Two damaged souls clinging to each other, a protective hero and a heroine with an evil stepdad, it has some fairy tale qualities to the romance that tripped my switch. What perhaps didn’t work as well was the pacing - it took a while for them to open up to each other and both were fixated on why they shouldn’t be together (also, when I wanted Dred to step up, he didn’t, though I understood why).
But the story does pick up steam as it goes along and the tension is strong by the time the big climactic scenes happen. That said, there’s no big surprises and you know how it’s all going to play out by the end. I really liked the characters, but the romance itself wasn’t as smoking hot as I thought it would be. That’s just me though. Overall, the ‘verse still has good bones and I’d recommend for rocker romance fans.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
For more reviews, visit
April 27, 2016
4.5 stars
I loved it!
Scarlett Cole made me an instant fan of this series with her amazing debut novel, The Strongest Steel. This is the third book in the series and she has me well and truly captivated now! Pixie and Dred’s story has been building since book 1, and I loved finally getting their story! I was immediately sucked in by their flirty banter, but this book was so much deeper than I was expecting. It’s a great story with a beautiful romance and lots of feels, and I absolutely loved it!
Pixie is the receptionist/sort-of-manager of Second Circle Tattoos. She has worked with Trent and Cujo ever since they found her homeless and sleeping on the front doorstep of their store. She had just run away from a hideous home life, and was hooked on drugs and at rock bottom when they picked her up, helped her get clean and gave her a job. Since then she has created a great life for herself. She loves the boys who she thinks of as her big brothers, and enjoys her work with them. She shares a great condo with Lia (another of the tattoo artists she works with), has a side business sewing and selling clothes, and she tries her best not to think about her dark days, and the hell that she left behind.
Dred is the lead singer of platinum-album seeling metal band, Preload. He has a project on the go with Trent so has spent a bit of time at Second Circle Tattoos, and from the moment that he first laid eyes on Pixie, he’s been captivated. She is undeniably attracted to him, but the issues from her past mean she’s terrified of exploring something with him and she has adamantly refused his advances, but Dred persists with his flirting, figuring she can’t refuse him forever.
I love Dred! He’s a tortured musician who has endured his own awful childhood, but he has a huge heart, and he’s such a nice guy! Smart, funny, sweet and sexy as all hell, he’s the classic manwhoring rockstar, but there’s so much more to him. His attraction to Pixie is something he hasn’t experienced before and I love how determined he is to win her over, and as that starts to happen they become friends, both of them are aware of the simmering attraction between them, and it creates a wonderful dynamic.
Things are complicated by the fact that Pixie lives in Miami and Dred is based in Toronto, but the distance gives them the opportunity to take things slowly and get to know each other just by talking. All that Pixie has been through has left her shy and wary of all things sex, so the separation and the slow build gives her a safe way to progress forward, and it’s really beautifully done. It’s natural and it’s easy, and as they start to become more comfortable with each other, they open up and start to understand where the other is at, moving forward at a pace that is comfortable for them both.
Dred is so amazing! He’s incredibly understanding and beautifully patient with Pixie, yet confident enough to give her a push when she needs it. He has his own concerns about exposing her to his lifestyle, and his own issues that he needs to deal with. They definitely have a lot to work through, but I loved the way their relationship progressed!! It doesn’t take too long for them to really fall for each other, and even with the distance they make it work. And it makes the times that they actually see each other more intense and steamy hot, but all very meaningful.
But it’s not easy for them – of course they have to deal with the distance and the pressure of Dred’s fame and celebrity, but Dred and his bandmates are also dealing with the threat of a brutal expose, and his whole life is about to get turned upside down in a way he never expected. And when someone from Pixie’s past reappears with vicious intentions, it threatens everything that she has worked so hard to achieve, and the peace that she and Dred found together.
Like the other books in this series, the beautiful love story is mixed in with a bit of suspense and excitement, and I thought it was really well done! This one in particular has quite a bit of drama (most of it predictable), but it adds a nice intensity to the story, and thankfully it’s mostly external to the relationship so we get lots of time with Pixie and Dred together and standing strong together to find their way forward. And I LOVE THAT!!!
I also loved that we got to catch up with the couples from the previous books and I loved how Pixie’s relationship with Trent and Cujo was explored. They truly are like two protective big brothers, and seeing them be there for her was gorgeous!
And then there’s the boys from Preload. Wow, they’re awesome! Dred and his four bandmates spent part of their childhoods in a group home together, and each of them have major issues from their past that have followed them into adulthood and continue to haunt them. They all share the same house and are closer than brothers, supporting and protecting each other through hard times, and they all there for each other unquestionably. They may have their demons, but they are a great group of guys, and with a number of set ups already in place, I’m hoping that Scarlett continues on with a series for them.
I loved this book. It quickly sucked me in, and I was completely engaged the whole way through. I love both Pixie and Dred, and I think they’re amazing together, I love how they dealt with their issues, and I really loved the direction their story took.
Such a beautiful story – 4.5 stars
Advanced Reader Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved it!
Scarlett Cole made me an instant fan of this series with her amazing debut novel, The Strongest Steel. This is the third book in the series and she has me well and truly captivated now! Pixie and Dred’s story has been building since book 1, and I loved finally getting their story! I was immediately sucked in by their flirty banter, but this book was so much deeper than I was expecting. It’s a great story with a beautiful romance and lots of feels, and I absolutely loved it!
Pixie is the receptionist/sort-of-manager of Second Circle Tattoos. She has worked with Trent and Cujo ever since they found her homeless and sleeping on the front doorstep of their store. She had just run away from a hideous home life, and was hooked on drugs and at rock bottom when they picked her up, helped her get clean and gave her a job. Since then she has created a great life for herself. She loves the boys who she thinks of as her big brothers, and enjoys her work with them. She shares a great condo with Lia (another of the tattoo artists she works with), has a side business sewing and selling clothes, and she tries her best not to think about her dark days, and the hell that she left behind.
Dred is the lead singer of platinum-album seeling metal band, Preload. He has a project on the go with Trent so has spent a bit of time at Second Circle Tattoos, and from the moment that he first laid eyes on Pixie, he’s been captivated. She is undeniably attracted to him, but the issues from her past mean she’s terrified of exploring something with him and she has adamantly refused his advances, but Dred persists with his flirting, figuring she can’t refuse him forever.
“You’ll cave eventually Pix. I give good date, among other things.”
I love Dred! He’s a tortured musician who has endured his own awful childhood, but he has a huge heart, and he’s such a nice guy! Smart, funny, sweet and sexy as all hell, he’s the classic manwhoring rockstar, but there’s so much more to him. His attraction to Pixie is something he hasn’t experienced before and I love how determined he is to win her over, and as that starts to happen they become friends, both of them are aware of the simmering attraction between them, and it creates a wonderful dynamic.
Things are complicated by the fact that Pixie lives in Miami and Dred is based in Toronto, but the distance gives them the opportunity to take things slowly and get to know each other just by talking. All that Pixie has been through has left her shy and wary of all things sex, so the separation and the slow build gives her a safe way to progress forward, and it’s really beautifully done. It’s natural and it’s easy, and as they start to become more comfortable with each other, they open up and start to understand where the other is at, moving forward at a pace that is comfortable for them both.
“There may be times when it seems like I don't, because something we do together is a trigger for me, but never doubt for an instant that I want this with you.”
Dred is so amazing! He’s incredibly understanding and beautifully patient with Pixie, yet confident enough to give her a push when she needs it. He has his own concerns about exposing her to his lifestyle, and his own issues that he needs to deal with. They definitely have a lot to work through, but I loved the way their relationship progressed!! It doesn’t take too long for them to really fall for each other, and even with the distance they make it work. And it makes the times that they actually see each other more intense and steamy hot, but all very meaningful.
“I want to make you melt for me so bad it hurts … But I want to leave you as perfect as you are. I can’t help but think I’ll be bad for you, Pix.”
His words were heartfelt, and she knew it was up to her to decide to take the next step. “I pick melting.”
“Play with me , Pix. Please.”
But it’s not easy for them – of course they have to deal with the distance and the pressure of Dred’s fame and celebrity, but Dred and his bandmates are also dealing with the threat of a brutal expose, and his whole life is about to get turned upside down in a way he never expected. And when someone from Pixie’s past reappears with vicious intentions, it threatens everything that she has worked so hard to achieve, and the peace that she and Dred found together.
“Just don't give up on me Pixie.”
Like the other books in this series, the beautiful love story is mixed in with a bit of suspense and excitement, and I thought it was really well done! This one in particular has quite a bit of drama (most of it predictable), but it adds a nice intensity to the story, and thankfully it’s mostly external to the relationship so we get lots of time with Pixie and Dred together and standing strong together to find their way forward. And I LOVE THAT!!!
“I don't have words or a song,” she said quietly, taking his hand and placing it on her chest. “But my heart understands yours in ways I don't think I'll ever quite comprehend.”
I also loved that we got to catch up with the couples from the previous books and I loved how Pixie’s relationship with Trent and Cujo was explored. They truly are like two protective big brothers, and seeing them be there for her was gorgeous!
And then there’s the boys from Preload. Wow, they’re awesome! Dred and his four bandmates spent part of their childhoods in a group home together, and each of them have major issues from their past that have followed them into adulthood and continue to haunt them. They all share the same house and are closer than brothers, supporting and protecting each other through hard times, and they all there for each other unquestionably. They may have their demons, but they are a great group of guys, and with a number of set ups already in place, I’m hoping that Scarlett continues on with a series for them.
I loved this book. It quickly sucked me in, and I was completely engaged the whole way through. I love both Pixie and Dred, and I think they’re amazing together, I love how they dealt with their issues, and I really loved the direction their story took.
Such a beautiful story – 4.5 stars
Advanced Reader Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2017
“I have you and you have me.”
THE PUREST HOOK, the third fantastic installment in Scarlett Cole's Second Circle Tattoos series, electrified my heart!!!
I have loved every book in this tantalizing series, but Instant Daddy tales are my KRYPTONITE, and when said Daddy is a hot, broody rock star it catapults this tale to STAR-STUDDED status!!
Gah! Where to begin? For starters, I have been looking forward to Dred and Pixie's story since I saw sparks fly between them in The Fractured Heart and holy moly did this book exceed Every. Single. Expectation!
Between the sweet, sultry romance between tortured souls Dred and Pixie, the close-knit brotherly camaraderie with Dred's beautifully broken Preload bandmates, and the OVARY-EXPLODING daddy/baby girl bonding with precious baby Petal, this book hit me so hard in the swoony feels I could barely CONTAIN myself.
Of course, at the center of all the angst and drama was a soul-burning love story that set my heart aflame!
Dred Zander and Sarah-Jane "Pixie" Travers may live WORLDS apart--she is a purple-haired working class girl who comes from the trailer park and he is a platinum selling Rock Star GOD--but despite their differences they share an irresistible attraction that CANNOT BE DENIED. The pure-hearted "Snowflake" is the calm in hot tempered Dred's storm--and together they create a beautiful melody. But there are many hurdles strewn in their path--a long distance relationship, vastly different lifestyles, unexpected fatherhood, miscommunication, and dark, toxic secrets to name a few!--but through it all (and with the support of their steadfast inner circle) their love shines! They are true kindred spirits... and their tender, infectiously charming romance struck a deep visceral chord in me.
In my opinion, Scarlett Cole upped her game with this book...the emotionally-wrenching narrative, well-balanced plot and playful banter draws you right in, and there is the perfect blend of steamy sensuality, heartstopping drama and suspense, angst, hope, heartbreak and joy to keep me glued to the pages!! From start to finish, the emotions are so raw and palpable and achingly real in this book it ROCKED ME TO THE CORE!! From one moment to the next, I was swooning in delight, clutching my chest in despair, seething with anger, shivering with trepidation or shedding tears of unabashed joy and sadness!
Pixie is an endearing heroine....she possesses an alluring infusion of shy innocence, fragility and headstrong bravado, and despite her diminutive size, she has a backbone of steel and is a TRUE SURVIVOR! My heart panged for her as she struggles to contain a past that cannot be outrun, and as the walls start closing in, I fretted mightily about the catastrophic fallout.
And Dred...OMFG!! How I IDOLIZED that gorgeously tatted man!! He is so big and fierce, impossibly stubborn, UBER INTENSE...the quintessential broody rock star...but there are so many unexpected layers to this badass dude!! Sigh. I melted into a puddle whenever he cradled his baby daughter in his arms and soothed her cries, or reverently brought his beloved Pixie to the heights of exquisite pleasure. Dred's transformation from volatile, hard-edged Alpha rocker to doting nurturer and primal protector when his girls were in his orbit was a truly GLORIOUS sight to behold!
Both protagonists undergo enormous growth throughout, which is truly gratifying, and the supporting players (friends and foes alike) were pivotal to the advancement of the plot. It was a BLAST catching up with fan faves Trent and Cujo basking in their happiness with their ladyloves, and acting all macho-protective and territorial over their "little sis" Pixie. Ms. Cole also provides a fantastic introduction to the Preload crew, which are featured prominently in this book and are going to be key players in her highly-anticipated spinoff series. In fact, one of the most touching aspects of the book for me was the bandmates interactions together. I love how fiercely devoted Dred is to his equally screwed up brothers, cast offs who became each other's lifelines during their time together in a group foster home, and who always, always have each other's backs no matter what!!
The fast-paced plot kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and there is a huge jawdropping twist at the end that I Never. Saw. Coming. But of course, the final refrain was pitch perfect and provided the ULTIMATE romantic payoff!!!!
Bottom line? THE PUREST HOOK, penned by the magnificent Scarlett Cole, was beyond epic!! It ensnared my heart, consumed my soul and left me completely starstruck!!
Five +++ Worshipful Stars!!
THE PUREST HOOK, the third fantastic installment in Scarlett Cole's Second Circle Tattoos series, electrified my heart!!!
I have loved every book in this tantalizing series, but Instant Daddy tales are my KRYPTONITE, and when said Daddy is a hot, broody rock star it catapults this tale to STAR-STUDDED status!!
Gah! Where to begin? For starters, I have been looking forward to Dred and Pixie's story since I saw sparks fly between them in The Fractured Heart and holy moly did this book exceed Every. Single. Expectation!
Between the sweet, sultry romance between tortured souls Dred and Pixie, the close-knit brotherly camaraderie with Dred's beautifully broken Preload bandmates, and the OVARY-EXPLODING daddy/baby girl bonding with precious baby Petal, this book hit me so hard in the swoony feels I could barely CONTAIN myself.
Of course, at the center of all the angst and drama was a soul-burning love story that set my heart aflame!
Dred Zander and Sarah-Jane "Pixie" Travers may live WORLDS apart--she is a purple-haired working class girl who comes from the trailer park and he is a platinum selling Rock Star GOD--but despite their differences they share an irresistible attraction that CANNOT BE DENIED. The pure-hearted "Snowflake" is the calm in hot tempered Dred's storm--and together they create a beautiful melody. But there are many hurdles strewn in their path--a long distance relationship, vastly different lifestyles, unexpected fatherhood, miscommunication, and dark, toxic secrets to name a few!--but through it all (and with the support of their steadfast inner circle) their love shines! They are true kindred spirits... and their tender, infectiously charming romance struck a deep visceral chord in me.
In my opinion, Scarlett Cole upped her game with this book...the emotionally-wrenching narrative, well-balanced plot and playful banter draws you right in, and there is the perfect blend of steamy sensuality, heartstopping drama and suspense, angst, hope, heartbreak and joy to keep me glued to the pages!! From start to finish, the emotions are so raw and palpable and achingly real in this book it ROCKED ME TO THE CORE!! From one moment to the next, I was swooning in delight, clutching my chest in despair, seething with anger, shivering with trepidation or shedding tears of unabashed joy and sadness!
Pixie is an endearing heroine....she possesses an alluring infusion of shy innocence, fragility and headstrong bravado, and despite her diminutive size, she has a backbone of steel and is a TRUE SURVIVOR! My heart panged for her as she struggles to contain a past that cannot be outrun, and as the walls start closing in, I fretted mightily about the catastrophic fallout.
And Dred...OMFG!! How I IDOLIZED that gorgeously tatted man!! He is so big and fierce, impossibly stubborn, UBER INTENSE...the quintessential broody rock star...but there are so many unexpected layers to this badass dude!! Sigh. I melted into a puddle whenever he cradled his baby daughter in his arms and soothed her cries, or reverently brought his beloved Pixie to the heights of exquisite pleasure. Dred's transformation from volatile, hard-edged Alpha rocker to doting nurturer and primal protector when his girls were in his orbit was a truly GLORIOUS sight to behold!
Both protagonists undergo enormous growth throughout, which is truly gratifying, and the supporting players (friends and foes alike) were pivotal to the advancement of the plot. It was a BLAST catching up with fan faves Trent and Cujo basking in their happiness with their ladyloves, and acting all macho-protective and territorial over their "little sis" Pixie. Ms. Cole also provides a fantastic introduction to the Preload crew, which are featured prominently in this book and are going to be key players in her highly-anticipated spinoff series. In fact, one of the most touching aspects of the book for me was the bandmates interactions together. I love how fiercely devoted Dred is to his equally screwed up brothers, cast offs who became each other's lifelines during their time together in a group foster home, and who always, always have each other's backs no matter what!!
The fast-paced plot kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and there is a huge jawdropping twist at the end that I Never. Saw. Coming. But of course, the final refrain was pitch perfect and provided the ULTIMATE romantic payoff!!!!
Bottom line? THE PUREST HOOK, penned by the magnificent Scarlett Cole, was beyond epic!! It ensnared my heart, consumed my soul and left me completely starstruck!!
Five +++ Worshipful Stars!!
April 28, 2016
2.5 stars.
I haven't read the first two books in the Second Circle Tattoos series and that really wasn't a problem as The Purest Hook can be read as as a standalone. Unfortunately though, I, she who loves her angst, struggled with Dred and Pixie's story as Scarlett Cole wenta little seriously overboard on the drama.
Both characters have led difficult lives up to the point where we meet them, but they each have a supportive network courtesy of their friends. I liked Dred, he has his demons, but a good heart and was a good balance of dominant and protective yet patient and gentle. Pixie though was bland in comparison and whilst they started well and had the chemistry, their lives were quickly taken over by one drama rolling into another.
"I got shit I need to deal with too."
There were some nice moments along the way, but on the whole the story needed more than the intimacy between Dred and Pixie to lift this when it needed it, and rather than empathise with their situations I spent much of the time emotionless. Had the author focussed closer on a couple of the issues in their lives rather than so many, then this may well be a very different review.
Copy received courtesy of St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I haven't read the first two books in the Second Circle Tattoos series and that really wasn't a problem as The Purest Hook can be read as as a standalone. Unfortunately though, I, she who loves her angst, struggled with Dred and Pixie's story as Scarlett Cole went
Both characters have led difficult lives up to the point where we meet them, but they each have a supportive network courtesy of their friends. I liked Dred, he has his demons, but a good heart and was a good balance of dominant and protective yet patient and gentle. Pixie though was bland in comparison and whilst they started well and had the chemistry, their lives were quickly taken over by one drama rolling into another.
"I got shit I need to deal with too."
There were some nice moments along the way, but on the whole the story needed more than the intimacy between Dred and Pixie to lift this when it needed it, and rather than empathise with their situations I spent much of the time emotionless. Had the author focussed closer on a couple of the issues in their lives rather than so many, then this may well be a very different review.
Copy received courtesy of St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
April 16, 2016
I'm a HUGE fan of Scarlett's work and each time she has released a new book I thought to myself, "There's no way she can top this one because that was effin' brilliant." But boy was I wrong!
The Purest Hook completely wrecked me! In a fantastic way, of course. So many emotions flowed through me during each of my reading sessions. One minute I'd be laughing because of something ridiculous that Dred, Trent, or Cujo said. The next I would be crying because of something tragic that happened in the past, or happy tears because of a beautiful moment that transpired between Dred and Pixie. And on several occasions, my voice of reason talked me down from throwing my brand new Kindle at the wall. Not to mention all the sexy times, Holy God, Dred's REALLY good at sexy times! Sweet times too.
In my personal opinion, The Purest Hook has surpassed the previous books in the Second Circle Tattoos Series. It is hands down her best work to-date! I look forward to many years and many more books from this amazingly talented author.
The Purest Hook completely wrecked me! In a fantastic way, of course. So many emotions flowed through me during each of my reading sessions. One minute I'd be laughing because of something ridiculous that Dred, Trent, or Cujo said. The next I would be crying because of something tragic that happened in the past, or happy tears because of a beautiful moment that transpired between Dred and Pixie. And on several occasions, my voice of reason talked me down from throwing my brand new Kindle at the wall. Not to mention all the sexy times, Holy God, Dred's REALLY good at sexy times! Sweet times too.
In my personal opinion, The Purest Hook has surpassed the previous books in the Second Circle Tattoos Series. It is hands down her best work to-date! I look forward to many years and many more books from this amazingly talented author.
May 5, 2016
I'll start by mentioning that I haven't read the first two books in this series, and it was a great read in its own right. It completely stands alone and it isn't essential to have read the other stories first because this author is fantastic at building each character's profile one step at a time. A lot of times, I find books of a similar nature are on the short side and have a tendency to rush characterization. Not this book. Not this author. Scarlett took her time presenting and molding her characters and the book is such a good read because of it.
Both Dred and Pixie are complex characters with plenty of skeletons in the closet. I adored reading their love story. Especially, how they gradually grew closer to one another, and starting opening up and sharing their demons and the details of their past. By the end they were a very solid union with a promising future.
Family features quite heavily as a theme in this book, and how the notion of family can come in many guises. Pixie's own family let her down and she has a surrogate family in the guys from Second Circle. They were so protective of her and it was lovely!
Dred's own situation is far from ideal either and he still bears the scars from his dysfunctional childhood. His band members are his family and they all looked out for one another. Dred is a hard-core rocker with a hidden inner sweetness that comes to the fore when Petal enters the scene. Gosh, those scenes were so emotional, so beautiful! Imagine a badass tattooed rocker swooning over a baby, and more than that, doing everything in his power to ensure that baby has the best start in life and the prospect of a happy, healthy future. And it wasn't just him - his bandmate brothers were equally as protective and caring - and I LOVED that aspect of this story. It really tugged on my heartstrings.
I did think the plot was quite predictable in parts and it's not difficult to figure out who the antagonists are and what they are up to. It's all building toward a confrontation at the end that felt a little rushed to me, and lacked punch as a result.
I also thought that Pixie's sexual transformation was a little too quick for a girl with so much baggage.
The writing and pacing were great and I really enjoyed the worldbuilding. Love rocker romances and this one had the balance right between all key components.
Overall, this was a really great read and I look forward to reading more in the series in the future.
Thanks to the publisher and publicist for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This review will appear on my blog on May 12th. http://myyanabookobsession.com
Both Dred and Pixie are complex characters with plenty of skeletons in the closet. I adored reading their love story. Especially, how they gradually grew closer to one another, and starting opening up and sharing their demons and the details of their past. By the end they were a very solid union with a promising future.
Family features quite heavily as a theme in this book, and how the notion of family can come in many guises. Pixie's own family let her down and she has a surrogate family in the guys from Second Circle. They were so protective of her and it was lovely!
Dred's own situation is far from ideal either and he still bears the scars from his dysfunctional childhood. His band members are his family and they all looked out for one another. Dred is a hard-core rocker with a hidden inner sweetness that comes to the fore when Petal enters the scene. Gosh, those scenes were so emotional, so beautiful! Imagine a badass tattooed rocker swooning over a baby, and more than that, doing everything in his power to ensure that baby has the best start in life and the prospect of a happy, healthy future. And it wasn't just him - his bandmate brothers were equally as protective and caring - and I LOVED that aspect of this story. It really tugged on my heartstrings.
I did think the plot was quite predictable in parts and it's not difficult to figure out who the antagonists are and what they are up to. It's all building toward a confrontation at the end that felt a little rushed to me, and lacked punch as a result.
I also thought that Pixie's sexual transformation was a little too quick for a girl with so much baggage.
The writing and pacing were great and I really enjoyed the worldbuilding. Love rocker romances and this one had the balance right between all key components.
Overall, this was a really great read and I look forward to reading more in the series in the future.
Thanks to the publisher and publicist for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This review will appear on my blog on May 12th. http://myyanabookobsession.com
March 7, 2018
Having read all books in the “Second Circle Tattoos” series by Scarlett Cole I think it is fair to say that so far each book was a little better than the previous one. Which makes “The Purest Hook” the best book so far.
I was intrigued from the beginning of that series what Pixies story would be and I guess other readers felt the same. I liked the story that the author came up with for Pixie as it suited her and Dred – wow – he was just THE guy for her.
If you would have asked me before, I would have said that Pixies story would be the strong one. But somehow if I am honest, after reading the book I feel that Dred’s story was the stronger one. But I do not mind at all as it was a perfect fit.
But I have to be totally honest – I know that the next book in the “Second Circle„ series will be about Lia – BUT – the Author introduced us to some very intriguing side characters in this story. And I feel the need to express very loudly that those characters were so awesome and well developed that they not only deserve their own stories to be told in a book – no – THEY NEED their stories to be told.
I have this “thing” for wounded leading characters and those guys are the perfect casts for the role.
During the whole story – that was supposed to be just about Dred and Pixie – I found myself sucking up every tiny bit of information about those guys and now I just really need to hear that they will get their chance to tell their own stories. They were so awesome and the setting the author placed them in was just to great and to well developed to be just a thing for this novel alone.
– So – Dear Author - #pretty please … -
May 12, 2016
4 stars
The Purest Hook was a heartwarming read, loved both Dred and Pixie.
The storyline was well written, and it held my interest from the first page until the last.
The characters were both likable, lovable and very relatable.
Loved their interactions, they were fun and sweet together and their chemistry was smoking!
I really connected with Pixie's character, she touched my heart with her story and I wanted nothing but the best for her. And Dred was the perfect man.
He was able to make Pixie feel safe, sexy and loved, seriously this guy was just UNF! Loved everything about him, his humor, his honesty and especially his heart. It was touching watching Pixie push through her fears and insecurities to open up and let love in.
Seriously these two together made my heart swoon :)
Second Circle Tattoos has been such a great read. Each book can be read as a standalone, and I highly recommend them all.
*Thank you St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts*
The Purest Hook was a heartwarming read, loved both Dred and Pixie.
The storyline was well written, and it held my interest from the first page until the last.
The characters were both likable, lovable and very relatable.
Loved their interactions, they were fun and sweet together and their chemistry was smoking!
I really connected with Pixie's character, she touched my heart with her story and I wanted nothing but the best for her. And Dred was the perfect man.
He was able to make Pixie feel safe, sexy and loved, seriously this guy was just UNF! Loved everything about him, his humor, his honesty and especially his heart. It was touching watching Pixie push through her fears and insecurities to open up and let love in.
Seriously these two together made my heart swoon :)
Second Circle Tattoos has been such a great read. Each book can be read as a standalone, and I highly recommend them all.
*Thank you St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts*
April 24, 2016
I had to force myself to finish this book. It was way too drawn out, and, quite frankly, boring. I skimmed most of it. I really wanted to love this book, the cover is great, the blurb is all spot on, but I just did not get it. I just have to say that the story lacked a lot. The dialogue was contrived, Dred was sexy and I liked him, but the story was too boring, there was no content. I found the whole thing quite slow and unrealistic to be honest.
ARC kindly provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC kindly provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2016
4.5 "Rough beginnings to well deserved wonderful endings" Stars
This series is sooo awesome! Not the best I've read, but close. All have good plots, Suspense, Love, Humor, Hard times, and Erotic times too, Kickass Heroines and of course Sexy, Buff, Tattooed (women too) Badass Heroes! All the books have been great but this one, I thought, especially ROCKED, literally. Be aware though, that it does touch on some sensitive subject matter (they all do though really).
The band members are terrific and very memorable characters. Even though the band isn't directly related to Second Hand Tattoo Parlor, I'm hoping Ms. Cole will give them each their member a book. Each one of them had a tragic beginning and need a HEA of their own.
Onto Lia's story now.
This series is sooo awesome! Not the best I've read, but close. All have good plots, Suspense, Love, Humor, Hard times, and Erotic times too, Kickass Heroines and of course Sexy, Buff, Tattooed (women too) Badass Heroes! All the books have been great but this one, I thought, especially ROCKED, literally. Be aware though, that it does touch on some sensitive subject matter (they all do though really).
The band members are terrific and very memorable characters. Even though the band isn't directly related to Second Hand Tattoo Parlor, I'm hoping Ms. Cole will give them each their member a book. Each one of them had a tragic beginning and need a HEA of their own.
Onto Lia's story now.
September 4, 2019
This is the third book in a series, but just like with the previous two, it works perfectly well as a standalone :) each story so far focuses on a different couple, and even though main characters from other novels appear as secondary characters in each of them, you get all the necessary informations to enjoy each book in it ;) this particular installment was yet another perfect example of why I love Scarlett Cole so much and why she so quickly rises on my list of favourite authors :) let me explain in more details ;)
With each story in this series I read so far I fell in love with the main characters… it wasn’t always the case of love from the very first chapter, but by the end of each book I was head over heels in love with both of them… and that’s all because of the amazing ability of Scarlett Cole to create wonderfully complex and flawed people… *sighs happily* and she did it yet again in this book… let’s start with Pixie, our heroine :) we saw her in previous books cause she works as a receptionist / office manager in the Second Circle tattoo studio which is co-owned by the heroes of the first two books… there were glimpses into her past in those stories, but I won’t spoil you anything here in case this will be your first dive into this series :) but it’s bad and it’s gonna be hard to read, that I can warn you about… I am definitely giving you trigger warnings about abuse and addiction… it’s just something to keep in mind while making decision if you want to read this book… so back to Pixie… she had a pretty horrible past that she escaped from, and now she’s making the best she can with her new family :) enter Dred, the lead singer and songwriter for the metal band Preload… *sighs* give me a minute to compose myself ;) they flirt for a while but Pixie is reluctant to start anything more serious with him, for very valid reasons… nevertheless, their sizzling chemistry wins in the end and things start to get interesting… ;)
I have so many great things to say about this book so I will just mention all of them in a totally random order :) the writing style was once again very entertaining and every time I thought I knew where we’re going, it took some sort of surprising turn I did not expect… the story kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to read chapter after chapter to see how everything will end… ;) all the yeses to mentioning therapy in this book… Dred and all his bandmates met and spent a lot of time in a group home, and they all have some demons to battle and I loved how many times therapy was mentioned as a way to help them with their issues… obviously the biggest focus was on Dred and Pixie, and I loved how Scarlett portrayed their fight to get better… mentioning therapy and how Pixie battled her addiction… oh, and another great thing were the sex scenes… and I am mentioning them because of Pixie’s past… not going into details, she has some serious hang ups, but I adored how they worked together to overcome them, talking honestly and yeah, making mistakes along the way, but it felt so raw and real… similar thing can be said about how they handled conflict and arguments between them… it takes time for them to build enough trust to share details of their pasts, and even after that there are situations where both of them could have reacted better… but what I love is how they act after those moments… they talk and tackle those issues head on and together :) and that makes my heart so happy :) the last thing I want to mention are the band members… we get a little bit more informations about them in this book and all those little snippets only made me more curious about their own stories… fortunately for me, all of them are already available to buy and read… and if you think I am taking any sort of longer break before I finish this series and then jump straight into the one about the band, well… you’re wrong ;) I am gonna read something lighter because this was a very emotional book, but very soon I am jumping back to the last story about Lia this time, another tattoo artist in the studio and someone we may or may not have heard about already… but that’s all I am saying here, after all I don’t want to spoil anything for you ;) I can highly and wholeheartedly recommend you guys this book and this series in general and I hope that if you haven’t picked it up yet, I convinced you to give it a try :)
XOXO
A
With each story in this series I read so far I fell in love with the main characters… it wasn’t always the case of love from the very first chapter, but by the end of each book I was head over heels in love with both of them… and that’s all because of the amazing ability of Scarlett Cole to create wonderfully complex and flawed people… *sighs happily* and she did it yet again in this book… let’s start with Pixie, our heroine :) we saw her in previous books cause she works as a receptionist / office manager in the Second Circle tattoo studio which is co-owned by the heroes of the first two books… there were glimpses into her past in those stories, but I won’t spoil you anything here in case this will be your first dive into this series :) but it’s bad and it’s gonna be hard to read, that I can warn you about… I am definitely giving you trigger warnings about abuse and addiction… it’s just something to keep in mind while making decision if you want to read this book… so back to Pixie… she had a pretty horrible past that she escaped from, and now she’s making the best she can with her new family :) enter Dred, the lead singer and songwriter for the metal band Preload… *sighs* give me a minute to compose myself ;) they flirt for a while but Pixie is reluctant to start anything more serious with him, for very valid reasons… nevertheless, their sizzling chemistry wins in the end and things start to get interesting… ;)
I have so many great things to say about this book so I will just mention all of them in a totally random order :) the writing style was once again very entertaining and every time I thought I knew where we’re going, it took some sort of surprising turn I did not expect… the story kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to read chapter after chapter to see how everything will end… ;) all the yeses to mentioning therapy in this book… Dred and all his bandmates met and spent a lot of time in a group home, and they all have some demons to battle and I loved how many times therapy was mentioned as a way to help them with their issues… obviously the biggest focus was on Dred and Pixie, and I loved how Scarlett portrayed their fight to get better… mentioning therapy and how Pixie battled her addiction… oh, and another great thing were the sex scenes… and I am mentioning them because of Pixie’s past… not going into details, she has some serious hang ups, but I adored how they worked together to overcome them, talking honestly and yeah, making mistakes along the way, but it felt so raw and real… similar thing can be said about how they handled conflict and arguments between them… it takes time for them to build enough trust to share details of their pasts, and even after that there are situations where both of them could have reacted better… but what I love is how they act after those moments… they talk and tackle those issues head on and together :) and that makes my heart so happy :) the last thing I want to mention are the band members… we get a little bit more informations about them in this book and all those little snippets only made me more curious about their own stories… fortunately for me, all of them are already available to buy and read… and if you think I am taking any sort of longer break before I finish this series and then jump straight into the one about the band, well… you’re wrong ;) I am gonna read something lighter because this was a very emotional book, but very soon I am jumping back to the last story about Lia this time, another tattoo artist in the studio and someone we may or may not have heard about already… but that’s all I am saying here, after all I don’t want to spoil anything for you ;) I can highly and wholeheartedly recommend you guys this book and this series in general and I hope that if you haven’t picked it up yet, I convinced you to give it a try :)
XOXO
A
May 20, 2018
Entre 3 et 4 étoiles. Un peu trop de pathos pour moi dans ce livre, l'auteur a frôlé le complètement glauque de très, très peu. Le héros aurait mérité d'avoir à ramper plus à un moment du livre.
Sinon le reste était pas mal et la lecture fluide et rapide.
Sinon le reste était pas mal et la lecture fluide et rapide.
April 29, 2016
Blown away!! That’s how I felt reading this killer rock romance about a drop dead gorgeous guy who knew what to do with the women in his life. Well not at first maybe; but boy did he learn. Dred Zander was the lead singer and guitarist for the rock band Preload who had met the rest of his bandmates/brothers in a group home when they were kids. With the guidance of a couple of caring people these guys became one of the top rock bands in the world. There was no looking back for these guys, only moving forward. Dred was also one of the judges on a TV show about tattoos. Dred had ink of his own and when you add the bad boy rock star persona to it, he was a hit. One of the other judges on that show was an extraordinary tattoo artist from Miami, Trent, who had an ink shop along with his partner Cujo. When Dred would roll into Miami he was always game to go to his favorite tattoo spot for some more ink. It just so happened that is where Dred me Pixie who was the receptionist for Trent and Cujo’s place. Every time he would see her he would ask her to go out with him and every time Pixie would give Dred some type of line that would keep him asking for more.
Pixie was guarding herself and her past because she, like Dred, had past childhood issues that she wanted to keep buried. If it weren’t for Trent and Cujo finding her one day outside of their tattoo shop going through withdrawals who knows what would have happened to her. These guys had huge hearts and a willingness to help this poor girl they had found. Six years ago they helped Pixie get treatment and she had been with them ever since trying to pay back their kindness they had shown her. The guys didn’t know her whole story but they knew that she was someone special who had lived through some type of hell. Dred was drawn to Pixie and once she finally gave in and went out with him for the first time they both had a pull toward one another neither had felt before. Dred soon learned that Pixie came with her own baggage and was surprised to learn that his little purple haired beauty was a virgin. Is possible that a rock star, who is able to have any woman he wanted, be one to take it slow with someone with something so special to give to him without getting too attached? Dred wasn’t sure himself but he definitely wanted to find out. He was learning how much Pixie meant to him both in mind and body with the times they spent together.
Just as things are looking good for Dred and Pixie a woman from Dred’s past comes forward saying that Dred is the father to her baby. First of all, is it true and if it is will Dred find it in himself to raise a kid since he had no role models whatsoever in parenting. Is this accusation too much for Pixie to handle and does she want to bring any attention to herself since she is hiding from the past she ran from? Will Dred and Pixie ever be able to tell the other of their dark secrets that formed them into the people they are today without having their whole world’s crash down around them? This is one hell of a story that you won’t be able to put down. The chemistry between Dred and Pixie is like none other but is it enough to get through everything that is confronting them now? I am happy to say that I just found another rock romance author that I’m excited about because when she writes another book about these rocker boys it will be the top of my list to read.
This book was provided as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
Pixie was guarding herself and her past because she, like Dred, had past childhood issues that she wanted to keep buried. If it weren’t for Trent and Cujo finding her one day outside of their tattoo shop going through withdrawals who knows what would have happened to her. These guys had huge hearts and a willingness to help this poor girl they had found. Six years ago they helped Pixie get treatment and she had been with them ever since trying to pay back their kindness they had shown her. The guys didn’t know her whole story but they knew that she was someone special who had lived through some type of hell. Dred was drawn to Pixie and once she finally gave in and went out with him for the first time they both had a pull toward one another neither had felt before. Dred soon learned that Pixie came with her own baggage and was surprised to learn that his little purple haired beauty was a virgin. Is possible that a rock star, who is able to have any woman he wanted, be one to take it slow with someone with something so special to give to him without getting too attached? Dred wasn’t sure himself but he definitely wanted to find out. He was learning how much Pixie meant to him both in mind and body with the times they spent together.
Just as things are looking good for Dred and Pixie a woman from Dred’s past comes forward saying that Dred is the father to her baby. First of all, is it true and if it is will Dred find it in himself to raise a kid since he had no role models whatsoever in parenting. Is this accusation too much for Pixie to handle and does she want to bring any attention to herself since she is hiding from the past she ran from? Will Dred and Pixie ever be able to tell the other of their dark secrets that formed them into the people they are today without having their whole world’s crash down around them? This is one hell of a story that you won’t be able to put down. The chemistry between Dred and Pixie is like none other but is it enough to get through everything that is confronting them now? I am happy to say that I just found another rock romance author that I’m excited about because when she writes another book about these rocker boys it will be the top of my list to read.
This book was provided as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
April 7, 2016
'"Hey Pixie" Then he winked at her. Not just any wink. No, that was his rock star wink. The one that caused panties to drop and heartbeats to race on a global scale.'
The Purest Hook is the third standalone in the Second Circle Tattoos series by Scarlett Cole and after staying up all night to complete it I think I can honestly say that it is my absolute favorite in the series. Full of action, deeply emotional situations and wickedly sexy talk I loved Dred and Pixie's story from the first page to the last.
'Shit. They were still at the airport. Struggling to regain his composure, he ran his nose along Pixie's jaw to her ear.
Fuck all the people going by him in a whirl. Fuck the group of tourist laughing as they walked by. And fuck the Greater Toronto Airport Authority for building the airport so far away from his fucking bed.'
Pixie is the manager at the shop and if Trent and Cujo hadn't rescued her six years ago when she stumbled into the shop she would still be a junkie on the streets. Running from her past has left her both innocent and over aware of the dangers that can lurk around. Especially from men. So while she is insanely attracted to the famous metal band singer she has yet to fall for Dred's charm. But her resolve can only last so long, but is Dred ready for the baggage that Pixie brings? Is she ready for his?
'His kiss consumed her and turned her inside out, leaving her all kinds of raw.'
Dred and his band have been close since they all were in the system together. Each has his own personal demon he is struggling with and Dred is no different. These two have so many issues individually and yet when they come together it all seems to fade away a little bit. They honestly make the other better. I never imagined I would be lusting over a long haired metal playing book boyfriend but leave it to Scarlett Cole to show me what I never knew I wanted. From his gentle way of pursuing the skittish Pixie and the loving way he calls her Snowflake to the way he has power to open her up sexually, Dred is utter perfection.
"Can I help at all?"
"Just don't give up on me Pixie."
A delightful mix of emotional scenes and laughable situations The Purest Hook was impossible to put down and distracted me from my day in the best way possible. I am incredibly intrigues by the other men in the band and am beyond excited to hear their stories will be told as well. This book has something for everyone and in my opinion is the best in the series. Scarlett Cole is definitely working her way into my list of favorite authors. Just trust me READ THIS BOOK. As part of the series or as a standalone, but really read this book!
"Play with me , Pix. Please."
http://amzn.to/1qwulI1
~miranda
The Purest Hook is the third standalone in the Second Circle Tattoos series by Scarlett Cole and after staying up all night to complete it I think I can honestly say that it is my absolute favorite in the series. Full of action, deeply emotional situations and wickedly sexy talk I loved Dred and Pixie's story from the first page to the last.
'Shit. They were still at the airport. Struggling to regain his composure, he ran his nose along Pixie's jaw to her ear.
Fuck all the people going by him in a whirl. Fuck the group of tourist laughing as they walked by. And fuck the Greater Toronto Airport Authority for building the airport so far away from his fucking bed.'
Pixie is the manager at the shop and if Trent and Cujo hadn't rescued her six years ago when she stumbled into the shop she would still be a junkie on the streets. Running from her past has left her both innocent and over aware of the dangers that can lurk around. Especially from men. So while she is insanely attracted to the famous metal band singer she has yet to fall for Dred's charm. But her resolve can only last so long, but is Dred ready for the baggage that Pixie brings? Is she ready for his?
'His kiss consumed her and turned her inside out, leaving her all kinds of raw.'
Dred and his band have been close since they all were in the system together. Each has his own personal demon he is struggling with and Dred is no different. These two have so many issues individually and yet when they come together it all seems to fade away a little bit. They honestly make the other better. I never imagined I would be lusting over a long haired metal playing book boyfriend but leave it to Scarlett Cole to show me what I never knew I wanted. From his gentle way of pursuing the skittish Pixie and the loving way he calls her Snowflake to the way he has power to open her up sexually, Dred is utter perfection.
"Can I help at all?"
"Just don't give up on me Pixie."
A delightful mix of emotional scenes and laughable situations The Purest Hook was impossible to put down and distracted me from my day in the best way possible. I am incredibly intrigues by the other men in the band and am beyond excited to hear their stories will be told as well. This book has something for everyone and in my opinion is the best in the series. Scarlett Cole is definitely working her way into my list of favorite authors. Just trust me READ THIS BOOK. As part of the series or as a standalone, but really read this book!
"Play with me , Pix. Please."
http://amzn.to/1qwulI1
~miranda
April 22, 2016
Once again Scarlett Cole has blown me away with her ability to masterfully craft a story that grips my heart and sticks with me long after the last page has been read. Her characters are real, raw, and flawed yet striving to make the best of what life has given them and the H/h of this story are no different.
Pixie literally owes her life to the guys at Second Circle. They found her when she was at her lowest and have been by her side every step of the way. Now she's living a quiet happy life and very happy. Dred Zander is bigger than life. He's the seriously sexy rock star that works with Trent on the TV show. The last thing Pixie needs is to be tempted by his sweet talk and washboard abs. Especially with all the paparazzi that follows him around. There are things in her past that need to stay firmly in the past. He's hard to deny though and before long she finds herself in the whirlwind that is his life. Will this be the best thing to ever happen to her or will it be the end of the new life she's built?
This one should be on the top of everyone's must read list. I highly recommend it.
Pixie literally owes her life to the guys at Second Circle. They found her when she was at her lowest and have been by her side every step of the way. Now she's living a quiet happy life and very happy. Dred Zander is bigger than life. He's the seriously sexy rock star that works with Trent on the TV show. The last thing Pixie needs is to be tempted by his sweet talk and washboard abs. Especially with all the paparazzi that follows him around. There are things in her past that need to stay firmly in the past. He's hard to deny though and before long she finds herself in the whirlwind that is his life. Will this be the best thing to ever happen to her or will it be the end of the new life she's built?
This one should be on the top of everyone's must read list. I highly recommend it.
June 2, 2016
The Purest Hook is a rocker story with very tragic pasts. Both Pixie and Dred both have overcome very dark childhoods that could be triggers for some readers. The story is maturely written and despite all the dark tones in the story, Pixie and Dred are the light of the story. The way they take care of each other was beautiful to read. There were a few times Dred messed up but quickly realized his mistakes. The other band members come from the same background as Dred but you don't really learn their story. I admit, it has me curious and hoping the author will write a story for each of the band members.
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2016
This book is my favorite of the series ,so far. There's just something about a big tough man who goes all soft and sweet for his woman. That's Dred. A big badass rockstar with a mushy heart all for Pixie. They both did a lot of maturing throughout the book and by the end you're just cheering them on! I love Scarlett and her writing and stories are just surpassing my expectations with each new book. Can't wait for the next one!
March 5, 2018
Pixie and Dred fought for the first place of my favorite characters in this series. Hard. And won. Again, I loved it right from the beginning till the end.
But still, there were a few tiny little bitty things I wasn't fond of—
But still, there were a few tiny little bitty things I wasn't fond of—
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