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Thorn & Thistle #2
Inked with a Kiss
Tattoo artist Jamie Winston is used to caring for others. Between her assistant manager position at a tattoo parlor, single-parenting her twelve-year-old daughter and supporting her alcoholic parents, Jamie rarely prioritizes her own needs—unless Sierra Clark is in her chair. The bubbly younger woman somehow manages to make Jamie feel like the carefree teenager she never got to be, making anything seem possible.
For Sierra, time with Jamie is a much-needed escape. She takes her work as a social worker seriously, but with budget cuts threatening her job, there’s a lot riding on the fund-raiser she’s planning with Jamie. The fact that it means working closely with the sexy older tattooist is a bonus—a deliciously tempting bonus. Sierra isn’t one for relationships, but she’s never felt such a strong desire to mix business with pleasure.
Sizzling chemistry quickly erodes Jamie’s fears of being too old for Sierra, but navigating a romance with someone who’s at such a different stage in life is no easy task. They’ve each come to rely on themselves more than anyone else, but having a future together will mean letting their guards down and accepting each other as a safe place to fall.
This book is approximately 85,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
For Sierra, time with Jamie is a much-needed escape. She takes her work as a social worker seriously, but with budget cuts threatening her job, there’s a lot riding on the fund-raiser she’s planning with Jamie. The fact that it means working closely with the sexy older tattooist is a bonus—a deliciously tempting bonus. Sierra isn’t one for relationships, but she’s never felt such a strong desire to mix business with pleasure.
Sizzling chemistry quickly erodes Jamie’s fears of being too old for Sierra, but navigating a romance with someone who’s at such a different stage in life is no easy task. They’ve each come to rely on themselves more than anyone else, but having a future together will mean letting their guards down and accepting each other as a safe place to fall.
This book is approximately 85,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2020
18 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Jennie Davids
3 books39 followersJennie Davids fell in love with romance when she was twelve and snuck her mother’s books. For her it wasn’t the handsome, dashing heroes that captivated her but the heroines. She is thrilled to be writing what she longed to see then— two heroines falling in love.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her rescue animals that somehow never end up as well-behaved as their bio promise. The sound of the rain inspires her as she writes or maybe it’s the gallons of hot chocolate she consumes to stay warm in the damp climate.
When not writing Jennie is reading, watching reality TV, or bemoaning how quickly weeds grow back and keep her from reading.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her rescue animals that somehow never end up as well-behaved as their bio promise. The sound of the rain inspires her as she writes or maybe it’s the gallons of hot chocolate she consumes to stay warm in the damp climate.
When not writing Jennie is reading, watching reality TV, or bemoaning how quickly weeds grow back and keep her from reading.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
April 15, 2020
3.75 Stars. I’m a fan of this series. Something about tattoos mixed with romance just brings the heat. This is the second book in the series and I liked both books about the same. What’s nice about this series is that while it centers on a group of women, who work in a tattoo shop, the stories completely stand on their own. You can read these first two books in any order you want while not having to worry about any spoilers or any open storylines that might mess you up.
This is a small age-gap romance of about 12 years. Jamie, a tattoo artist is the “mom” of the group always taking care of everyone including her own parents. Sierra is almost the opposite of Jamie, very bubbly, outgoing, and up for adventure. Can two women with great chemistry, but that are so different, have a chance at being together?
I liked that while this book dealt with some tougher subjects like alcoholism, it really was a feel good romance. It did have some angst, but it was very low all things considering. I’m in a mood were I am craving drama and angst, so this was actually not the perfect book for me right now, but I really liked this couple so I was happy for them to have a mostly feel good romance.
The main characters worked for me. While both could drive me nuts for different reasons, I still enjoyed them. Even with Jamie being a little “subdued” at times, I think I was getting a little character crush on her. I was also happy with their chemistry together. The characters didn’t fall into bed right away and it helped their chemistry together grow so that the eventual sex scenes were pretty good too.
I did have a few complaints, but they were only minor ones. I did not understand why Davids made Jamie seem so old. She’s only 37! As a 37 year-old myself, you made me feel like I’m ready for retirement reading this, jeez. That was just weird and annoying. Secondly, I missed the other characters from the shop. I felt like in book one I was getting a good feel of the other artists, but here there was not a lot of interaction with them. There was a little with MJ but Cassie hardly even spoke, so that was a bit of a bummer. I wanted to see more from the characters I really enjoyed from the first book.
I’m definitely hooked on this series. Both books were good romances and I want more. I noticed one of the characters is thinking about doing a reality show like an Ink Master. The way it was thrown in I hope that means that is what book 3 is going to be about. I’d love to follow a character competing and falling in love on a tattoo competition show. Sounds perfect to me, but no matter what book 3 brings, I will absolutely be reading it.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
This is a small age-gap romance of about 12 years. Jamie, a tattoo artist is the “mom” of the group always taking care of everyone including her own parents. Sierra is almost the opposite of Jamie, very bubbly, outgoing, and up for adventure. Can two women with great chemistry, but that are so different, have a chance at being together?
I liked that while this book dealt with some tougher subjects like alcoholism, it really was a feel good romance. It did have some angst, but it was very low all things considering. I’m in a mood were I am craving drama and angst, so this was actually not the perfect book for me right now, but I really liked this couple so I was happy for them to have a mostly feel good romance.
The main characters worked for me. While both could drive me nuts for different reasons, I still enjoyed them. Even with Jamie being a little “subdued” at times, I think I was getting a little character crush on her. I was also happy with their chemistry together. The characters didn’t fall into bed right away and it helped their chemistry together grow so that the eventual sex scenes were pretty good too.
I did have a few complaints, but they were only minor ones. I did not understand why Davids made Jamie seem so old. She’s only 37! As a 37 year-old myself, you made me feel like I’m ready for retirement reading this, jeez. That was just weird and annoying. Secondly, I missed the other characters from the shop. I felt like in book one I was getting a good feel of the other artists, but here there was not a lot of interaction with them. There was a little with MJ but Cassie hardly even spoke, so that was a bit of a bummer. I wanted to see more from the characters I really enjoyed from the first book.
I’m definitely hooked on this series. Both books were good romances and I want more. I noticed one of the characters is thinking about doing a reality show like an Ink Master. The way it was thrown in I hope that means that is what book 3 is going to be about. I’d love to follow a character competing and falling in love on a tattoo competition show. Sounds perfect to me, but no matter what book 3 brings, I will absolutely be reading it.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
June 8, 2020
This is the second novel in the ‘Thorn & Thistle’ series is a standalone. The references to the first novel are so minor that there is no need to read them in order. Sierra Clark is having her new tattoo done by her favourite tattoo artist, Jamie Winston. Sierra has tried flirting with her but she’s been shut down each time. Jamie has a hard time tattooing Sierra because she’s wildly attracted to her but struggles with the twelve year age gap. An idea for fundraising for the youth centre she works for brings her into much more contact with Jamie and it’s not long before Jamie really can’t resist her.
While I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as the first in the series, it’s still a really good read. Jamie’s parents are alcoholics and she and her brother have pretty much had to raise themselves as well as look after their parents. Jamie feels responsible for them and her journey to releasing herself is well-written but sad. Sierra is interested in playing out her attraction for Jamie, but no so much interested in permanence. Between the two of them there is loads of miscommunication and pushing and pulling.
I like the sense of reality that Davids imbues her characters with, which gives the story a slower pace but I still found it engaging. There was an instance of misunderstanding which really didn’t work for me because the resolution didn’t balance out the initial act. Other than that, if you like angst, tattoos and a good dose of reality, this is a lovely read.
Book received from Netgalley and Carina Press for an honest review.
While I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as the first in the series, it’s still a really good read. Jamie’s parents are alcoholics and she and her brother have pretty much had to raise themselves as well as look after their parents. Jamie feels responsible for them and her journey to releasing herself is well-written but sad. Sierra is interested in playing out her attraction for Jamie, but no so much interested in permanence. Between the two of them there is loads of miscommunication and pushing and pulling.
I like the sense of reality that Davids imbues her characters with, which gives the story a slower pace but I still found it engaging. There was an instance of misunderstanding which really didn’t work for me because the resolution didn’t balance out the initial act. Other than that, if you like angst, tattoos and a good dose of reality, this is a lovely read.
Book received from Netgalley and Carina Press for an honest review.
March 21, 2020
I’m always impressed when an author takes two characters who have gone through really trying times and still writes a rather light and fluffy story. Fluffy doesn’t mean it’s not meaningful, by the way, but rather that it’s heartwarming without being depressing. That’s what we get here with Inked with a Kiss.
Both Jamie and Sierra managed to rise above tough childhood and become kind and selfless adults. At thirty-seven, Jamie is a respected tattoo artist. She’s on pretty good terms with her ex-wife and her teenage daughter, not so much her brother and alcoholic parents. Her parents are functioning alcoholics, have been throughout Jamie’s childhood. It’s all she’s ever known, and while her brother has decided to stop helping them since they’re not willing to help themselves, she has a very hard time letting go. She’s aware she’s enabling them to some extent, but she needs that feeling of helping, of saving.
Sierra is a twenty-something social worker whose job is threatened by budget cuts. She’s full of energy and ideas. Her latest endeavour is a fundraiser to get disadvantaged kids access to art supplies. When she asks Jamie – who does all her tattoos – for her help, she’s also hoping the attraction she’s feeling for the artist will flourish and lead to something real. She’s down for a fling, Jamie isn’t. Neither does relationships, for reasons linked to their past. Sierra lost her mother at a young age and was rejected by her grandmother until her outcast gay uncle took her in. Jamie doesn’t want to impose her complicated life (the complicated part being mostly due to her parents) to anyone.
Life, however, has a way of not caring about self-imposed boundaries.
There’s nothing intense about this novel, nothing depressing, but it doesn’t shy from sensitive and painful issues (I’m not talking tattoos, though they play a big part in the story). It’s a good example of what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The Carina Press HEA/HFN promise guaranteed that Jamie and Sierra would find a way to be together, but it never felt artificially straightforward. They both had to work on themselves and on the relationship, accept that not everything would be perfect every day. They’re both relatable and complex characters, with very different personalities. The secondary characters were layered too, from Jordan, the young adult working with Sierra to Jamie’s brother Ryan or her daughter Riley.
There were also characters from the first book in the series, New Ink on Life, namely Jamie’s coworkers. I haven’t read this one yet (Inked with a Kiss can be read as a standalone) but it’s going on my list right now.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Both Jamie and Sierra managed to rise above tough childhood and become kind and selfless adults. At thirty-seven, Jamie is a respected tattoo artist. She’s on pretty good terms with her ex-wife and her teenage daughter, not so much her brother and alcoholic parents. Her parents are functioning alcoholics, have been throughout Jamie’s childhood. It’s all she’s ever known, and while her brother has decided to stop helping them since they’re not willing to help themselves, she has a very hard time letting go. She’s aware she’s enabling them to some extent, but she needs that feeling of helping, of saving.
Sierra is a twenty-something social worker whose job is threatened by budget cuts. She’s full of energy and ideas. Her latest endeavour is a fundraiser to get disadvantaged kids access to art supplies. When she asks Jamie – who does all her tattoos – for her help, she’s also hoping the attraction she’s feeling for the artist will flourish and lead to something real. She’s down for a fling, Jamie isn’t. Neither does relationships, for reasons linked to their past. Sierra lost her mother at a young age and was rejected by her grandmother until her outcast gay uncle took her in. Jamie doesn’t want to impose her complicated life (the complicated part being mostly due to her parents) to anyone.
Life, however, has a way of not caring about self-imposed boundaries.
There’s nothing intense about this novel, nothing depressing, but it doesn’t shy from sensitive and painful issues (I’m not talking tattoos, though they play a big part in the story). It’s a good example of what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The Carina Press HEA/HFN promise guaranteed that Jamie and Sierra would find a way to be together, but it never felt artificially straightforward. They both had to work on themselves and on the relationship, accept that not everything would be perfect every day. They’re both relatable and complex characters, with very different personalities. The secondary characters were layered too, from Jordan, the young adult working with Sierra to Jamie’s brother Ryan or her daughter Riley.
There were also characters from the first book in the series, New Ink on Life, namely Jamie’s coworkers. I haven’t read this one yet (Inked with a Kiss can be read as a standalone) but it’s going on my list right now.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 13, 2020
I read Inked with a Kiss (Book 2 in the Thorn & Thistle Series) by Jennie Davids without reading the first book but it turned out to be fine. Whatever I might have missed will not be for long because I liked this one more than enough to get her debut book (New Ink on Life) as well.
Tattoo artist Jamie Winston has social worker Sierra Clark as a client and every time Sierra parks her cute butt in Jamie’s chair they feel there is more than a fleeting attraction. But both women come with baggage and so a relationship is not really what they are looking for right now.
What we get is a delicious push and pull as both women find out they can’t really keep it as casual as they planned. A fund raising project gets them spending more time together. I loved the tattoo parlor backdrop. I have a feeling book one is more about how that all came to be and I love to find out.
Jamie makes much of the 12 year age gap between the two, while Sierra is totally unfazed by it. But Sierra has abandonment issues so there’s that. The drama comes from Jamie’s dealings with her alcoholic parents and how enabling them prevents her from really going forward with her life.
The writing was solid and I liked the romance. Looking forward to reading the book that started this all.
f/f explicit
Themes: tattoo artist, social worker, age gap, trying the casual thing, ha! That never works does it, fund raiser, plants!
4 Stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Carina Press for an honest review.
Tattoo artist Jamie Winston has social worker Sierra Clark as a client and every time Sierra parks her cute butt in Jamie’s chair they feel there is more than a fleeting attraction. But both women come with baggage and so a relationship is not really what they are looking for right now.
What we get is a delicious push and pull as both women find out they can’t really keep it as casual as they planned. A fund raising project gets them spending more time together. I loved the tattoo parlor backdrop. I have a feeling book one is more about how that all came to be and I love to find out.
Jamie makes much of the 12 year age gap between the two, while Sierra is totally unfazed by it. But Sierra has abandonment issues so there’s that. The drama comes from Jamie’s dealings with her alcoholic parents and how enabling them prevents her from really going forward with her life.
The writing was solid and I liked the romance. Looking forward to reading the book that started this all.
f/f explicit
Themes: tattoo artist, social worker, age gap, trying the casual thing, ha! That never works does it, fund raiser, plants!
4 Stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Carina Press for an honest review.
May 15, 2022
Jamie is so consumed with taking care of everyone that she put her happiness last. Sierra doesn’t what a relationship for fear of losing someone again. They have an age difference between them which bothers Jamie. They work well together and seem to be the clam presence for each other. Great story and again hats off for the two narrators Virginia Rose and Carly Robins.
March 29, 2020
3.5 stars - Inked With a Kiss is the second book in the Thorn & Thistle series by Jennie Davids. This time, the focus of the story is on tattoo artist Jamie Winston and her client Sierra Clark. Jamie doesn’t have much time for herself. She is a single-mom and takes care of her alcoholic parents. She has a lot on her plate, but she kinda lusts after Sierra, a 20-something social worker with a difficult past who comes to see her when she needs a new chibi animal tattoo to cheer her up.
They both didn’t want a relationship, or so they thought...
Jamie was definitely my favourite out of the two MCs. I guess she could be considered “boring”, but I kinda related to her the most. She’s responsible, likes her routine and isn’t comfortable in crowds. Sierra is more like a wild child who doesn’t want to get attached. She likes having fun and nursing plants back to health. I liked how both Jamie and Sierra were willing to do things out of their comfort zone to get to know and spend more time with each other.
I’ve been waiting for this book ever since I read New Ink on Life last year. I really enjoyed the first one, and this sequel ticked a few of my boxes. I’m a little bummed to admit that I enjoyed the first one more than this one. It’s not a bad book, I had a good time reading it, and I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy it, but I personally didn’t feel any connection between the two MCs and their relationship didn’t totally work for me. Often, I was confused and frustrated by Sierra’s thoughts and actions. I didn’t feel like she was completely committed to her relationship with Jamie and that’s obviously a turn off. It got better in the end though.
Still, I think you should give this book a try and support the author if you’ve read and enjoyed New Ink on Life, like cute tattoos and love plants :p
I really hope we get another book in this series!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
They both didn’t want a relationship, or so they thought...
Jamie was definitely my favourite out of the two MCs. I guess she could be considered “boring”, but I kinda related to her the most. She’s responsible, likes her routine and isn’t comfortable in crowds. Sierra is more like a wild child who doesn’t want to get attached. She likes having fun and nursing plants back to health. I liked how both Jamie and Sierra were willing to do things out of their comfort zone to get to know and spend more time with each other.
I’ve been waiting for this book ever since I read New Ink on Life last year. I really enjoyed the first one, and this sequel ticked a few of my boxes. I’m a little bummed to admit that I enjoyed the first one more than this one. It’s not a bad book, I had a good time reading it, and I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy it, but I personally didn’t feel any connection between the two MCs and their relationship didn’t totally work for me. Often, I was confused and frustrated by Sierra’s thoughts and actions. I didn’t feel like she was completely committed to her relationship with Jamie and that’s obviously a turn off. It got better in the end though.
Still, I think you should give this book a try and support the author if you’ve read and enjoyed New Ink on Life, like cute tattoos and love plants :p
I really hope we get another book in this series!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2020
2.5*
Inked with a Kiss left me feeling decidedly tepid. It's the story of Jamie, a 37 year old tattooist, and Sierra, a 25 year old social worker, and their faltering steps towards a committed relationship. While the pair have undeniable chemistry, fueled by Sierra's regular tattoo appointments, neither one has plucked up the confidence to act on it. Jamie has a lot of life commitments - a 13 year old daughter, an ex-wife and barely functioning alcoholic parents - while Sierra is trying to avoid commitment altogether, keeping life breezy and easy after losing her mum as a child. Add the age gap into the equation and it hardly seems like the basis for a sound relationship: Jamie absolutely does not want to be Sierra's substitute mum, and Sierra doesn't want to be obligated or tied down by anyone. They have a lot to work through to come to a mutual understanding of what being together might mean to them.
This work is facilitated when Sierra enlists Jamie's help in organizing a fundraiser for the crisis centre where she works. The tattooists at Thorn and Thistle will design bespoke tattoos and host an auction at the shop to raise money for art supplies for the kids in foster care. It provides a useful cover for the pair to see a lot more of each other, and start to trust that their attraction is more than chemical.
It's a pretty sound basis for a romance and there was quite a bit that I liked about this story. Both Jamie and Sierra are essentially good people, who do the best they can, and give each other pleasure. I liked watching them go on sweet dates, get to know one another's likes and dislikes, and the intimacy and sex was very nicely done. The relationship itself is low angst, even though alcoholism and parental death is central to the journey of the characters. But. There was too much that grated on my nerves for me to really enjoy it. Firstly, Jamie spends the first half of the book worrying how ancient, decrepit and past it she is; at the age of 37 her body appears to be pretty much failing her, despite the fact that she's active. It was incredibly overplayed as a point of conflict, and I'm not just saying that because I turn 37 this year. Secondly, these two spent a lot of time in the early scenes of the novel objectifying each other in a way that I don't enjoy. Repeatedly mentioning Sierra's curves and 'bouncy' breasts (to match her bouncing personality) and Jamie's muscly calves didn't work for me as a basis for their attraction; I wanted to know more about how they had got to know one another over the course of their tattoo appointments. Thirdly, there were quite a few 'here's some plot' moments to move the story along, many of which felt unearned, including the final conflict that precipitates the grovel and commitment moment. While Inked with a Kiss is the second book in a series it reads absolutely fine as a standalone. Unfortunately though I don't think I will be picking up another one.
*I received an ARC of the this book from Netgalley.
Inked with a Kiss left me feeling decidedly tepid. It's the story of Jamie, a 37 year old tattooist, and Sierra, a 25 year old social worker, and their faltering steps towards a committed relationship. While the pair have undeniable chemistry, fueled by Sierra's regular tattoo appointments, neither one has plucked up the confidence to act on it. Jamie has a lot of life commitments - a 13 year old daughter, an ex-wife and barely functioning alcoholic parents - while Sierra is trying to avoid commitment altogether, keeping life breezy and easy after losing her mum as a child. Add the age gap into the equation and it hardly seems like the basis for a sound relationship: Jamie absolutely does not want to be Sierra's substitute mum, and Sierra doesn't want to be obligated or tied down by anyone. They have a lot to work through to come to a mutual understanding of what being together might mean to them.
This work is facilitated when Sierra enlists Jamie's help in organizing a fundraiser for the crisis centre where she works. The tattooists at Thorn and Thistle will design bespoke tattoos and host an auction at the shop to raise money for art supplies for the kids in foster care. It provides a useful cover for the pair to see a lot more of each other, and start to trust that their attraction is more than chemical.
It's a pretty sound basis for a romance and there was quite a bit that I liked about this story. Both Jamie and Sierra are essentially good people, who do the best they can, and give each other pleasure. I liked watching them go on sweet dates, get to know one another's likes and dislikes, and the intimacy and sex was very nicely done. The relationship itself is low angst, even though alcoholism and parental death is central to the journey of the characters. But. There was too much that grated on my nerves for me to really enjoy it. Firstly, Jamie spends the first half of the book worrying how ancient, decrepit and past it she is; at the age of 37 her body appears to be pretty much failing her, despite the fact that she's active. It was incredibly overplayed as a point of conflict, and I'm not just saying that because I turn 37 this year. Secondly, these two spent a lot of time in the early scenes of the novel objectifying each other in a way that I don't enjoy. Repeatedly mentioning Sierra's curves and 'bouncy' breasts (to match her bouncing personality) and Jamie's muscly calves didn't work for me as a basis for their attraction; I wanted to know more about how they had got to know one another over the course of their tattoo appointments. Thirdly, there were quite a few 'here's some plot' moments to move the story along, many of which felt unearned, including the final conflict that precipitates the grovel and commitment moment. While Inked with a Kiss is the second book in a series it reads absolutely fine as a standalone. Unfortunately though I don't think I will be picking up another one.
*I received an ARC of the this book from Netgalley.
May 30, 2022
Well, didn’t even realize this was the second book in the series. No need to read the first one in order to enjoy this one. Enjoyed some parts but frustrated with others. Chemistry was a bit off for me. And my gosh, did I identify with the older main 😬
Two narrators, overall a good job from both.
Two narrators, overall a good job from both.
March 28, 2020
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I haven’t read anything else by this author and didn’t realise this was the second in a series. The first book actually sounds more interesting, I might go back and read that one.
This was fine, but I didn’t love it. I liked the tattoo parlour setting and Sierra’s social work background. Sierra was a pretty interesting character, but I found Jamie dull. She also goes on and on and on about her age, but she’s 37 not 67. There’s a 12 year age gap between her and Sierra but it felt like it should have been 40 the way she carried on and it was tiresome.
I did like the way they met and that their relationship unfolded through them spending time together, also liked Jordan and Riley as secondary characters. The tattoo parlour characters might have made more impact had I read the first book. Jamie has serious parental issues, and I liked how these were depicted as well, and that she stood up for what she needed in the end.
Like I said, I liked it enough to finish it, but I wouldn’t re-read it. Those who read the first book would likely get more out of it. 3 stars.
I haven’t read anything else by this author and didn’t realise this was the second in a series. The first book actually sounds more interesting, I might go back and read that one.
This was fine, but I didn’t love it. I liked the tattoo parlour setting and Sierra’s social work background. Sierra was a pretty interesting character, but I found Jamie dull. She also goes on and on and on about her age, but she’s 37 not 67. There’s a 12 year age gap between her and Sierra but it felt like it should have been 40 the way she carried on and it was tiresome.
I did like the way they met and that their relationship unfolded through them spending time together, also liked Jordan and Riley as secondary characters. The tattoo parlour characters might have made more impact had I read the first book. Jamie has serious parental issues, and I liked how these were depicted as well, and that she stood up for what she needed in the end.
Like I said, I liked it enough to finish it, but I wouldn’t re-read it. Those who read the first book would likely get more out of it. 3 stars.
November 15, 2022
Stepping closer, she framed my tattoo with her hands. Goosebumps exploded over my skin. Possessiveness gave her touch extra weight. She stroked them as if they’d been on loan, and now she was reclaiming them, and me with them, as hers.
3.5 stars. A really engaging romance with swoony characters on both sides. Definitely the better book in the series, imo! Jamie is an established tattoo artist, a divorced mother of one, still on good terms with her ex-wife, and has cultivated a personality where she's always the fixer, the one who takes care of everything. Sierra is one of her regular clients, a young social worker who tries not to forge too many deep connections, but has been crushing on Jamie hard for years.
I fell so hard for both characters. I really adore the trope of a person who always takes care of others finally getting taken care of themself, and finally learning to put themself first. I loved that about Jamie, and I loved seeing Sierra relentlessly flirt with her and take care of her and fluster her. It was super charming. Both their personal storylines were great, and I loved how Jamie's plot with her alcoholic parents was handled, and Sierra's feelings about her mother and family in general. And again, they just seemed to work so well together. There was all this great chemistry and all consuming romance (I LOVED the bits about Jamie seeing her tattoos on Sierra and feeling possessive), but they had their separate lives and interests, and they didn't have to be everything to each other all the time. All their romantic scenes gave me so many butterflies.
This could have gotten a higher rating, but the ending conflict did turn me off kinda. There were just certain things that happened SO LATE in the book, it felt a little ridiculous, very much like melodrama. The book did sorta sell me on it in the end, but in the moment it happened, I was so annoyed. I also wish we got a few more scenes in the tattoo shop, to solidify that found family feel that the book was going for. We're TOLD that all the artists have gotten closer, but I didn't really feel it, aside from in the very beginning.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Carly Robbins and Virginia Rose, and they were both so great. This is another audiobook pair where their voices are distinct, but when they read each other's parts, it isn't too far off the mark. I do hope the author continues the series eventually, with other women from the shop. I'd love seeing more of them!
Content warnings:
It was a lot like her smile: slow, beautiful, but not overpowering. More like prolonged seduction. There was something so comforting in that.
April 13, 2020
“Art was like a muscle in that it worked best if used frequently. But thankfully, it wasn’t a muscle. It lived in your soul. Your unique perspective never went away whether you were practicing or not.”*
Jamie is extremely attracted to the pretty and oh so young social worker who always asks for cute animal tattoos. Jamie doesn’t have room in her life for another relationship. She is the calm voice of reason in the tattoo shop where she works. She’s co-parenting a daughter with her ex-wife and keeping her hot mess parents from being evicted.
Sierra fears abandonment. After her mom died, she’d spent several months in foster care until her beloved uncle was allowed to adopt her. Now, she devotes her life to helping kids and families in need. Her idea of a fundraiser with the local tattoo shop provides an opportunity for the two women to spend quality time together and a chance to open their hearts to love.
Davis’s follow up to NEW INK ON LIFE is a lovely romance. I loved how the age difference between the women (Sierra is twenty-five and Jamie is thirty-seven) is handled and reflected in their personalities. The baggage each brings to the relationship is relatable. The fundraiser, which provides a fantastic cohesive element, nicely displays Sierra’s passion for helping people and Jamie’s love for art. The kids, with their ache to create art, pulled at my heartstrings.
The novel showcases the other artists who work at the tattoo shop, but the largish cast doesn’t bog down the story in any way. The tattoo artists and piecer play a small part in the novel, yet they add nicely to the overall story and the world. MJ from the series starter has the biggest role, as the owner of the shop, and while Cassie her love has a smaller part, her personality shines through.
I really enjoy this series and I hope it continues with another of the tattoo shop workers finding a happy ever after.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley and Carina Press for providing an Advance Reader Copy.
*Please note that my review is based on uncorrected text.
Jamie is extremely attracted to the pretty and oh so young social worker who always asks for cute animal tattoos. Jamie doesn’t have room in her life for another relationship. She is the calm voice of reason in the tattoo shop where she works. She’s co-parenting a daughter with her ex-wife and keeping her hot mess parents from being evicted.
Sierra fears abandonment. After her mom died, she’d spent several months in foster care until her beloved uncle was allowed to adopt her. Now, she devotes her life to helping kids and families in need. Her idea of a fundraiser with the local tattoo shop provides an opportunity for the two women to spend quality time together and a chance to open their hearts to love.
Davis’s follow up to NEW INK ON LIFE is a lovely romance. I loved how the age difference between the women (Sierra is twenty-five and Jamie is thirty-seven) is handled and reflected in their personalities. The baggage each brings to the relationship is relatable. The fundraiser, which provides a fantastic cohesive element, nicely displays Sierra’s passion for helping people and Jamie’s love for art. The kids, with their ache to create art, pulled at my heartstrings.
The novel showcases the other artists who work at the tattoo shop, but the largish cast doesn’t bog down the story in any way. The tattoo artists and piecer play a small part in the novel, yet they add nicely to the overall story and the world. MJ from the series starter has the biggest role, as the owner of the shop, and while Cassie her love has a smaller part, her personality shines through.
I really enjoy this series and I hope it continues with another of the tattoo shop workers finding a happy ever after.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley and Carina Press for providing an Advance Reader Copy.
*Please note that my review is based on uncorrected text.
April 8, 2020
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is the story of the complicated relationship that develops between a tattoo artist with a complicated life and a young social worker who falls for her tattoo artist.
Jamie is trapped in an unhealthy cycle of caring for everyone in her life. While she’s happy to care for her daughter, she still feels responsible for her alcoholic parents and her ex wife. I had mixed responses to Jamie. I had empathy for her stress but I also just wanted her to do something about her situation. On the outside, she seems tough and in control but I kept getting frustrated with her inaction.
I engaged more with Sierra. Like Jamie, her childhood was difficult but she has moved on and become a strong adult. Sierra helps people because she enjoys it - not because she feels responsible for them. I love that Sierra continually surprises Jamie with her maturity and capability. Despite Jamie’s reservations, Sierra is the caregiver in their relationship.
As a romance, I’m not sure I really felt the chemistry between Jamie and Sierra - there are a few good steamy scenes in this story but I feel like there’s some sexual tension missing. I’m also not sure the sex in the book actually develops the characters and relationships as good sex scenes should.
For me, this was a slow, gritty read. Jamie and Sierra’s pasts are pretty dark and the women go round and round in circles together. I feel like the story is missing an overarching plot. The romance is too quick to carry the story and the fundraiser story line isn’t developed fully enough to carry the book either. Subplots about Jamie and Sierra’s families aren’t quite enough to pull the book together. The story wanders at times and so did my attention.
This is the story of the complicated relationship that develops between a tattoo artist with a complicated life and a young social worker who falls for her tattoo artist.
Jamie is trapped in an unhealthy cycle of caring for everyone in her life. While she’s happy to care for her daughter, she still feels responsible for her alcoholic parents and her ex wife. I had mixed responses to Jamie. I had empathy for her stress but I also just wanted her to do something about her situation. On the outside, she seems tough and in control but I kept getting frustrated with her inaction.
I engaged more with Sierra. Like Jamie, her childhood was difficult but she has moved on and become a strong adult. Sierra helps people because she enjoys it - not because she feels responsible for them. I love that Sierra continually surprises Jamie with her maturity and capability. Despite Jamie’s reservations, Sierra is the caregiver in their relationship.
As a romance, I’m not sure I really felt the chemistry between Jamie and Sierra - there are a few good steamy scenes in this story but I feel like there’s some sexual tension missing. I’m also not sure the sex in the book actually develops the characters and relationships as good sex scenes should.
For me, this was a slow, gritty read. Jamie and Sierra’s pasts are pretty dark and the women go round and round in circles together. I feel like the story is missing an overarching plot. The romance is too quick to carry the story and the fundraiser story line isn’t developed fully enough to carry the book either. Subplots about Jamie and Sierra’s families aren’t quite enough to pull the book together. The story wanders at times and so did my attention.
March 8, 2020
I couldn’t put this book down. It’s a very enjoyable read with relatable characters and an interesting story. This is the second book in the Thorn & Thistle series, I didn’t read the first one and it wasn’t a problem.
Jamie is a tattoo artist and a single mom, Sierra is a bubbly social worker and her client. Jamie has some issue with her parents and her slow social life. Sierra seems like the exact opposite always bubbly and talking a mile a minute. There is some obvious chemistry between the two, Sierra has tried flirting with Jamie several times, only to be shut down time and time again. Jamie thinks she is too old for Sierra, 12 year age difference, but Sierra doesn’t mind. When they start the courtship and working together on a fund raiser, things start to blossom and grow.
The author does a remarkable job pulling the reader in and keeping them engaged. Both characters have some back story and are relatable, very important in my opinion. The writing style is easy and leaves you wanting more.
I didn’t read the first book, but it might be nice to read it before you read this one, you might get some inside into the dynamics of the tattoo shop. The other ladies in the tattoo shop seem pretty great as well, I can’t wait for another book and will definitely pick up the first book.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Jamie is a tattoo artist and a single mom, Sierra is a bubbly social worker and her client. Jamie has some issue with her parents and her slow social life. Sierra seems like the exact opposite always bubbly and talking a mile a minute. There is some obvious chemistry between the two, Sierra has tried flirting with Jamie several times, only to be shut down time and time again. Jamie thinks she is too old for Sierra, 12 year age difference, but Sierra doesn’t mind. When they start the courtship and working together on a fund raiser, things start to blossom and grow.
The author does a remarkable job pulling the reader in and keeping them engaged. Both characters have some back story and are relatable, very important in my opinion. The writing style is easy and leaves you wanting more.
I didn’t read the first book, but it might be nice to read it before you read this one, you might get some inside into the dynamics of the tattoo shop. The other ladies in the tattoo shop seem pretty great as well, I can’t wait for another book and will definitely pick up the first book.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
April 4, 2020
I was never really interested in getting a tattoo but I have enjoyed reading about them. After reading the first book in the series, when I saw this one, I decided to read it too. This is a read that looks at several aspects of life and relationships. For example, happiness, friendship, family, love, alcoholism, children, and others can make a difference in your life if you let them. I like how the characters from the first book in the series provided story to this book.
Sierra Clark, is a passionate social worker/case worker with a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of others (especially young people and families). Jamie Winston, talented tattoo artist with a big heart attempting to take care of others (especially her parents) more than herself. With the self-talk, the reader is able to visualize the attraction between Sierra and Jamie as well as the issues they are dealing with and the rut they have gotten themselves into. Both characters are likeable as they put their work and family about all else. I enjoyed the slow wakening to what is important in life.
ARC provided by Carina Press via NetGalley with thanks.
Sierra Clark, is a passionate social worker/case worker with a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of others (especially young people and families). Jamie Winston, talented tattoo artist with a big heart attempting to take care of others (especially her parents) more than herself. With the self-talk, the reader is able to visualize the attraction between Sierra and Jamie as well as the issues they are dealing with and the rut they have gotten themselves into. Both characters are likeable as they put their work and family about all else. I enjoyed the slow wakening to what is important in life.
ARC provided by Carina Press via NetGalley with thanks.
March 15, 2020
3.5 stars
I was curious with unflappable Jamie when I read the first book of this series, New Ink on Life, and wondered who would be her love interest.
It turns out that Ms. Davids give Jamie Winston a bubbly younger woman, Sierra Clark, who works as a social worker and loves her chibi animals tattoo. Sierra makes Jamie's world tilted. She used to be the one taking care of everyone; Jamie has been doing that for a long time, starting from her alcoholic parents. However, this time, Sierra makes Jamie feels like a teenager and her feelings going up and down.
Okay, first thing first... I can understand Jamie. She has been one that everybody relies on. I think she needs to be; even if that makes her predictably boring. Heck, even her ex-wife thinks so. So Jamie wonders what to do with Sierra - with her being younger than Jamie too. She doesn't know if some of the excitement that Sierra is ready giving her, it's the right thing.
The only thing that bothered me about Jamie is the way she's so hang=up with her age... You're 37, Jamie, not 107. Come on!
Sierra, on the other hand, I'm having trouble with. I really don't understand her aversion towards relationship. Is it because of her age? That she's just want to have fun? But it doesn't feel like it when she approaches Jamie. If Sierra's reason it's because she doesn't want to lose someone she loves, it's not convincing enough for me. It doesn't feel like Sierra is a "screwed up" ... you know?
Guess my biggest issue with this book is I don't feel that the relationship is "balanced". That's why I don't love this as much as book one. Having said that, I still look forward to the next book of this series whenever that be.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
I was curious with unflappable Jamie when I read the first book of this series, New Ink on Life, and wondered who would be her love interest.
It turns out that Ms. Davids give Jamie Winston a bubbly younger woman, Sierra Clark, who works as a social worker and loves her chibi animals tattoo. Sierra makes Jamie's world tilted. She used to be the one taking care of everyone; Jamie has been doing that for a long time, starting from her alcoholic parents. However, this time, Sierra makes Jamie feels like a teenager and her feelings going up and down.
Okay, first thing first... I can understand Jamie. She has been one that everybody relies on. I think she needs to be; even if that makes her predictably boring. Heck, even her ex-wife thinks so. So Jamie wonders what to do with Sierra - with her being younger than Jamie too. She doesn't know if some of the excitement that Sierra is ready giving her, it's the right thing.
The only thing that bothered me about Jamie is the way she's so hang=up with her age... You're 37, Jamie, not 107. Come on!
Sierra, on the other hand, I'm having trouble with. I really don't understand her aversion towards relationship. Is it because of her age? That she's just want to have fun? But it doesn't feel like it when she approaches Jamie. If Sierra's reason it's because she doesn't want to lose someone she loves, it's not convincing enough for me. It doesn't feel like Sierra is a "screwed up" ... you know?
Guess my biggest issue with this book is I don't feel that the relationship is "balanced". That's why I don't love this as much as book one. Having said that, I still look forward to the next book of this series whenever that be.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
September 22, 2023
Tattoos, Helping Children and Finding Love…
Would love to see more from this author! Her writing is so enthralling. Although this book didn’t have me quite as gripped in the feels as the first book, it was still very well done and most definitely worth the read. I would definitely read more from this group of tattoo artists and a piercer :). I would absolutely get a tattoo from one of them and maybe even another piercing!
Would love to see more from this author! Her writing is so enthralling. Although this book didn’t have me quite as gripped in the feels as the first book, it was still very well done and most definitely worth the read. I would definitely read more from this group of tattoo artists and a piercer :). I would absolutely get a tattoo from one of them and maybe even another piercing!
March 5, 2020
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A tattoo artist and a social worker develop feelings outside of their professional relationship, but their combined baggage might be too much for them to handle. Both steamy and sweet, this romance felt a bit more realistic than some others I've read. Sierra and Jamie were interesting three-dimensional characters and I enjoyed following their lives. I'll admit I can be wary of age gaps in relationships, but it was handled quite well here.
A tattoo artist and a social worker develop feelings outside of their professional relationship, but their combined baggage might be too much for them to handle. Both steamy and sweet, this romance felt a bit more realistic than some others I've read. Sierra and Jamie were interesting three-dimensional characters and I enjoyed following their lives. I'll admit I can be wary of age gaps in relationships, but it was handled quite well here.
July 15, 2021
After reading the first Thorn and Thistle novel I went straight on to this one, and enjoyed the second even more. I was immediately engaged with the characters and love how the author creates complex, fully realised characters that really come alive from the page.
April 15, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
I loved the first book in the Thorn & Thistle series, which you don’t need to read before you buy this one (but you should), and I think I love this one even more. Is there a score higher than 5? Sometimes a sequel isn’t as good as the first book in a series, but this one is better, in different way. While MJ and Cassie do show up, I mean, it is MJ’s shop after all, they don’t intrude on the story. (I kind of regret that a little since I really do love them, but this is Jamie and Sierra’s story, so I suppose they had to get top billing.)
Jamie is responsible. Mature. Determined to do the right thing, even if it costs her her own happiness. The one time she forgets to unlock the shop, she all but has a panick attack because it’s a failure on her part, a sign that she isn’t capable of handling everything on her own. She’s struggling to be a good parent to her teenage old daughter, who lives with her mother the majority of the time, even as she feels Riley pulling away. Jamie wants a relationship, not a fling, but being in a relationship means she has less attention to spare for the thousand and one details that she has chosen to put on her own shoulders.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
I loved the first book in the Thorn & Thistle series, which you don’t need to read before you buy this one (but you should), and I think I love this one even more. Is there a score higher than 5? Sometimes a sequel isn’t as good as the first book in a series, but this one is better, in different way. While MJ and Cassie do show up, I mean, it is MJ’s shop after all, they don’t intrude on the story. (I kind of regret that a little since I really do love them, but this is Jamie and Sierra’s story, so I suppose they had to get top billing.)
Jamie is responsible. Mature. Determined to do the right thing, even if it costs her her own happiness. The one time she forgets to unlock the shop, she all but has a panick attack because it’s a failure on her part, a sign that she isn’t capable of handling everything on her own. She’s struggling to be a good parent to her teenage old daughter, who lives with her mother the majority of the time, even as she feels Riley pulling away. Jamie wants a relationship, not a fling, but being in a relationship means she has less attention to spare for the thousand and one details that she has chosen to put on her own shoulders.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
May 15, 2020
I received a digital arc of this book to review for Love in Panels: http://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/min...
Both women in this age-gap Romance have interesting jobs –a tattoo artist, and caseworker at a crisis center. I liked that Jamie has a teenage daughter and a good relationship with her ex-wife, and I found the portrayal of her parents’ alcoholism to be startlingly accurate. But there were more moments that felt ‘off’ to me than enjoyable ones. Mostly, the way they described each other. The general ogling language made me feel increasingly uncomfortable as their mutual crushes come to reality.
I DNFed at 34% when Jamie picks her daughter up from her ex and breaks their usual routine because she wants to see Sierra (who she has had precisely one only-kind-of date with) and ends up missing an important responsibility at work because of it. She says it's a meeting to organize a fundraiser, but she definitely could have planned around it, and it’s clearly really just because she has a crush.
Content Warnings: alcoholic parents, attempted credit fraud, death of a (really cruel, estranged) grandparent
Both women in this age-gap Romance have interesting jobs –a tattoo artist, and caseworker at a crisis center. I liked that Jamie has a teenage daughter and a good relationship with her ex-wife, and I found the portrayal of her parents’ alcoholism to be startlingly accurate. But there were more moments that felt ‘off’ to me than enjoyable ones. Mostly, the way they described each other. The general ogling language made me feel increasingly uncomfortable as their mutual crushes come to reality.
I DNFed at 34% when Jamie picks her daughter up from her ex and breaks their usual routine because she wants to see Sierra (who she has had precisely one only-kind-of date with) and ends up missing an important responsibility at work because of it. She says it's a meeting to organize a fundraiser, but she definitely could have planned around it, and it’s clearly really just because she has a crush.
Content Warnings: alcoholic parents, attempted credit fraud, death of a (really cruel, estranged) grandparent
March 10, 2020
Heavy but uplifting book about finding the person who helps you see the good in the world. Book 2 in the Thorn and Thistle world, but you do NOT need to read in order. This can be a stand-alone read.
Jamie, a 30-something tattoo artist at the Thorn & Thistle, has spent her life dealing with her alcoholic parents. As they spiral downwards, Jamie is left with the unenviable choice: keep supporting them, thus enabling their addiction or cut them off, losing contact with her parents. Sierra has had the hots for Jamie ever since she started getting tattoos from her. A social worker, Sierra teams up with Jamie to do a fundraiser and as the two get to know each other better, sparks fly.
Both women, for different reasons, are apprehensive to get into a relationship, but neither can resist the pull. And as their lives get more and more complicated, each finds that perhaps having someone to lean on is not a bad thing.
Jamie, a 30-something tattoo artist at the Thorn & Thistle, has spent her life dealing with her alcoholic parents. As they spiral downwards, Jamie is left with the unenviable choice: keep supporting them, thus enabling their addiction or cut them off, losing contact with her parents. Sierra has had the hots for Jamie ever since she started getting tattoos from her. A social worker, Sierra teams up with Jamie to do a fundraiser and as the two get to know each other better, sparks fly.
Both women, for different reasons, are apprehensive to get into a relationship, but neither can resist the pull. And as their lives get more and more complicated, each finds that perhaps having someone to lean on is not a bad thing.
March 6, 2020
Jamie is tattoo artist and has a lot on her plate. Jamie had to grow up fast because she took on the she was a product of foster care and she loves getting tattoos of chibi animals.
Sierra and Jamie are attractive to each other. Jamie thinks she to old for Sierra but something about her she can’t resist they get to know each other when Sierra ropes Jamie help with a fundraiser. What I like about both characters is they have flaws and they don’t try to be perfect for each other and realize that the right person can come along when you need them the most.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Sierra and Jamie are attractive to each other. Jamie thinks she to old for Sierra but something about her she can’t resist they get to know each other when Sierra ropes Jamie help with a fundraiser. What I like about both characters is they have flaws and they don’t try to be perfect for each other and realize that the right person can come along when you need them the most.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
November 12, 2024
Stumbled across this little gem! New-to-me author, and I'm glad this is actually the second book of the Thorn & Thistle series. The writing is great, and the story has just enough chemistry and angst to keep the pages turning!
Jamie and Sierra have been low-key crushing on each other, but there are a few things standing in their way: age differences, obligations, relationship hang-ups. However, they can't seem to help themselves. Very heartwarming to see them overcome the obstacles.
Jamie and Sierra have been low-key crushing on each other, but there are a few things standing in their way: age differences, obligations, relationship hang-ups. However, they can't seem to help themselves. Very heartwarming to see them overcome the obstacles.
June 30, 2020
Very cute, very queer, and I liked both Sierra and Jamie's POVs. I also appreciated the subplots around difficult family relationships and finding closure as an adult. A nice romance read for Pride Month. 🌈
April 24, 2020
Check out our INKED WITH A KISS post on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Sarah – ☆☆☆
This is the story of the complicated relationship that develops between a tattoo artist with a complicated life and a young social worker who falls for her tattoo artist.
Jamie is trapped in an unhealthy cycle of caring for everyone in her life. While she’s happy to care for her daughter, she still feels responsible for her alcoholic parents and her ex-wife. I had mixed responses to Jamie. I had empathy for her stress, but I also just wanted her to do something about her situation. On the outside, she seems tough and in control, but I kept getting frustrated with her inaction.
I engaged more with Sierra. Like Jamie, her childhood was difficult, but she has moved on and become a strong adult. Sierra helps people because she enjoys it – not because she feels responsible for them. I love that Sierra continually surprises Jamie with her maturity and capability. Despite Jamie’s reservations, Sierra is the caregiver in their relationship.
As a romance, I’m not sure I really felt the chemistry between Jamie and Sierra – there are a few good steamy scenes in this story but I feel like there’s some sexual tension missing. I’m also not sure the sex in the book actually develops the characters and relationships as good sex scenes should.
For me, this was a slow, gritty read. Jamie and Sierra’s pasts are pretty dark, and the women go round and round in circles together. I feel like the story is missing an overarching plot. The romance is too quick to carry the story and the fundraiser storyline isn’t developed fully enough to carry the book either. Subplots about Jamie and Sierra’s families aren’t quite enough to pull the book together. The story wanders at times and so did my attention.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Sarah – ☆☆☆
This is the story of the complicated relationship that develops between a tattoo artist with a complicated life and a young social worker who falls for her tattoo artist.
Jamie is trapped in an unhealthy cycle of caring for everyone in her life. While she’s happy to care for her daughter, she still feels responsible for her alcoholic parents and her ex-wife. I had mixed responses to Jamie. I had empathy for her stress, but I also just wanted her to do something about her situation. On the outside, she seems tough and in control, but I kept getting frustrated with her inaction.
I engaged more with Sierra. Like Jamie, her childhood was difficult, but she has moved on and become a strong adult. Sierra helps people because she enjoys it – not because she feels responsible for them. I love that Sierra continually surprises Jamie with her maturity and capability. Despite Jamie’s reservations, Sierra is the caregiver in their relationship.
As a romance, I’m not sure I really felt the chemistry between Jamie and Sierra – there are a few good steamy scenes in this story but I feel like there’s some sexual tension missing. I’m also not sure the sex in the book actually develops the characters and relationships as good sex scenes should.
For me, this was a slow, gritty read. Jamie and Sierra’s pasts are pretty dark, and the women go round and round in circles together. I feel like the story is missing an overarching plot. The romance is too quick to carry the story and the fundraiser storyline isn’t developed fully enough to carry the book either. Subplots about Jamie and Sierra’s families aren’t quite enough to pull the book together. The story wanders at times and so did my attention.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
dnf
April 13, 2023DNF at 43%
As much as I enjoyed the first book in this series, this unfortunately has two guaranteed interest-crushers for me: Jamie has a codependent relationship with her parents and Sierra is a Pixie Dream Girl caseworker without workplace boundaries. There are also a number of things that don’t make sense. How does Sierra afford so many tattoos on a caseworker salary who is worried she might lose her job due to budget cuts? For that matter, what kind of job does Sierra have where a) she doesn’t have to ask her boss permission to organize a fundraiser or b) someone whose job at the nonprofit is to raise money? Don’t even get me started on everything with Jamie’s parents or why she’s acting as though 37 is the equivalent of 90. The annoyances are piling up so I’m bowing out now.
Characters: Jamie is a 37 year old lesbian white tattoo artist and shop assistant manager. She has a 13 year old daughter named Riley. Sierra is a 25 year old lesbian white crisis center caseworker and ginger. This is set in Portland.
Content notes: alcoholic parents, identity theft by parents (Jamie’s brother), death of estranged grandmother (she cut off son after he came out and refused to take in Sierra after her mom died), past death of Sierra’s mother (uncle became caregiver), past foster care (grandmother declined to raise her so she was sent to foster care for 3 weeks until uncle got guardianship), past childhood instability, past divorce, gendered pejorative, ableist language, getting tattoos compared to addiction
As much as I enjoyed the first book in this series, this unfortunately has two guaranteed interest-crushers for me: Jamie has a codependent relationship with her parents and Sierra is a Pixie Dream Girl caseworker without workplace boundaries. There are also a number of things that don’t make sense. How does Sierra afford so many tattoos on a caseworker salary who is worried she might lose her job due to budget cuts? For that matter, what kind of job does Sierra have where a) she doesn’t have to ask her boss permission to organize a fundraiser or b) someone whose job at the nonprofit is to raise money? Don’t even get me started on everything with Jamie’s parents or why she’s acting as though 37 is the equivalent of 90. The annoyances are piling up so I’m bowing out now.
Characters: Jamie is a 37 year old lesbian white tattoo artist and shop assistant manager. She has a 13 year old daughter named Riley. Sierra is a 25 year old lesbian white crisis center caseworker and ginger. This is set in Portland.
Content notes: alcoholic parents, identity theft by parents (Jamie’s brother), death of estranged grandmother (she cut off son after he came out and refused to take in Sierra after her mom died), past death of Sierra’s mother (uncle became caregiver), past foster care (grandmother declined to raise her so she was sent to foster care for 3 weeks until uncle got guardianship), past childhood instability, past divorce, gendered pejorative, ableist language, getting tattoos compared to addiction
March 15, 2020
Jennie Davids brings us another episode in the Thorn and Thistle books. Inked with a Kiss is the second book in the series and this one has one of my favorite tropes: age-gap.
Jamie is a 37 year old assistant manager at Thorn and Thistle tattoo shop, single parent, responsible for taking care of her alcoholic parents. Jamie is also crushing pretty hard on her client Sierra. Sierra is a 25 year old social worker, passionate about her work, loves tattoos, super into Jamie.
The chemistry between Sierra and Jamie is pretty electrifying. Both of them really enjoy each other but have created some obstacles for themselves. Sierra is afraid of commitment because she doesn't want to lose another person that is safe and grounding. Jamie is worried that Sierra will just be another person in her long line of people to take care of and save. Both of them navigate these obstacles and find each other in the end.
I really believe in this author and this series. That being said, Jamie is one of my least favorite characters of the Thorn and Thistle group so far. She treats Sierra like a child because of her age and it's unwarranted. Sierra has consistently been taking care of herself her entire life. In the end Jamie redeems herself slightly but her apology to Sierra seems a bit flat. Overall, I enjoyed Jamie and Sierra’s story. I’m eager to see what's next for the Thorn and Thistle crew.
Jamie is a 37 year old assistant manager at Thorn and Thistle tattoo shop, single parent, responsible for taking care of her alcoholic parents. Jamie is also crushing pretty hard on her client Sierra. Sierra is a 25 year old social worker, passionate about her work, loves tattoos, super into Jamie.
The chemistry between Sierra and Jamie is pretty electrifying. Both of them really enjoy each other but have created some obstacles for themselves. Sierra is afraid of commitment because she doesn't want to lose another person that is safe and grounding. Jamie is worried that Sierra will just be another person in her long line of people to take care of and save. Both of them navigate these obstacles and find each other in the end.
I really believe in this author and this series. That being said, Jamie is one of my least favorite characters of the Thorn and Thistle group so far. She treats Sierra like a child because of her age and it's unwarranted. Sierra has consistently been taking care of herself her entire life. In the end Jamie redeems herself slightly but her apology to Sierra seems a bit flat. Overall, I enjoyed Jamie and Sierra’s story. I’m eager to see what's next for the Thorn and Thistle crew.
November 24, 2020
This wasn't anything groundbreaking, but it was reasonably entertaining. Some parts of the narration got a bit too far into tell-rather-than-show, and the Big Misunderstanding toward the end definitely felt rushed, and like it was there because it was "supposed" to be, rather than growing organically from the story, but at least it wasn't overly drawn out. I liked both of the characters a lot, and their personalities and interactions felt solid and believable. Age gap romances aren't super my thing, but this one managed to explore the idea without getting bogged down in angst and/or getting weird about it, which was good. I also appreciated both of the characters, especially Jamie, working through their baggage and growing both as individuals and as a couple, each being supportive of the other but not going so far as to use them as a crutch. Yay for healthy relationships!
Also apparently when it comes to hyper-specific microgenres, wlw-tattoo-shop-romances are my catnip, so this trope can definitely continue to be a thing please.
Also apparently when it comes to hyper-specific microgenres, wlw-tattoo-shop-romances are my catnip, so this trope can definitely continue to be a thing please.
January 29, 2023
This book felt wonderful to read. Both leads came with their own issues and both had insecurities to overcome. But the draw to each other was stronger, the accommodating.
Sierra finds cute ways to help Jamie who is her older tattooist. She even tries something that she has never done and Jamie helps her complete it. With alcoholic parents, jub cuts, being the responsibie one, the author found a wonderful route for their journey. Each grew and learned more about themselves.
I loved this series.
I listened book.
Sierra finds cute ways to help Jamie who is her older tattooist. She even tries something that she has never done and Jamie helps her complete it. With alcoholic parents, jub cuts, being the responsibie one, the author found a wonderful route for their journey. Each grew and learned more about themselves.
I loved this series.
I listened book.
April 28, 2020
Great read
I really enjoy this author & the world of Thorn & Thistle. In this book, Jamie, one of the tattoo artists, is busy being everything to everyone & often under appreciated. Sierra is a much younger social worker drawn to Jamie’s sense of responsibility. This is an age gap romance & a story of two strong women helping each other break free of the strings of their pasts.
I really enjoy this author & the world of Thorn & Thistle. In this book, Jamie, one of the tattoo artists, is busy being everything to everyone & often under appreciated. Sierra is a much younger social worker drawn to Jamie’s sense of responsibility. This is an age gap romance & a story of two strong women helping each other break free of the strings of their pasts.
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