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lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
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:
Spoiler
alcoholism (side characters)It was a lot like her smile: slow, beautiful, but not overpowering. More like prolonged seduction. There was something so comforting in that.
jennabeebs79's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I will definitely read Book 1. I really enjoyed everything about this book. I found Jamie and Sierra to be great, well-rounded characters. I loved the back drop of a tattoo shop and all of the supporting characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a different type of romance, one without a lot of angst and unnecessary drama. It’s simply about two people finding their way to one another and accepting the other’s baggage and helping them through.
andipants's review against another edition
3.0
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.
mommasaystoread's review against another edition
3.0
Inked with a Kiss is my first read by Jennie Davids and the second in a series. That said, the book does stand alone as far as I could tell. At least, I didn't notice any glaring details I felt like I missed as I read Sierra and Jamie's story. On the technical side, the book is well written, and the pacing is pretty steady with no serious lags in the book.
Good pacing aside, I still struggled with parts of this one. I usually enjoy a good age gap romance, and while 12 years can be considered as a pretty big gap, I felt like there was a bit too much emphasis on Jamie's age here. She's 37 - seriously, 37, not ready for retirement, but it gets a lot more attention than necessary. Cutesy jokes aside, once it's established that the age difference isn't a problem, that should've been enough if it's not going to be used as a source of conflict.
The other issue for me lay in Jamie's big turn around. I expect some character growth, especially when it comes to characters who are as gun shy of relationships as these two, but there's one part of Jamie's character that makes a pretty dramatic change, and it just didn't ring true. Not that it wasn't a good thing because this particular change is certainly needed, but it comes way too abruptly. Given the backstory, I suppose it's really a long time coming, but I don't buy it - I found it hard to believe that the change would be so complete, so quickly. Of course, it was needed to give us the big conflict between the characters so we can worry about a happy ending, and that propels us to the big get it together gushy moment, but it just didn't feel right to me. It's kind of like there's no middle ground for Jamie. It's all or nothing with no room for a happy medium, a balance in her life.
Nevertheless, I did find both Sierra and Jamie likable, and there were some great moments between them. The book also touches on some serious topics, and Jennie Davids strikes a pretty good balance between getting too angsty and not angsty enough. In the end, there were things I liked and things I didn't about this one. I didn't love it, but I did like it, and I would check out other books by this author.
Good pacing aside, I still struggled with parts of this one. I usually enjoy a good age gap romance, and while 12 years can be considered as a pretty big gap, I felt like there was a bit too much emphasis on Jamie's age here. She's 37 - seriously, 37, not ready for retirement, but it gets a lot more attention than necessary. Cutesy jokes aside, once it's established that the age difference isn't a problem, that should've been enough if it's not going to be used as a source of conflict.
The other issue for me lay in Jamie's big turn around. I expect some character growth, especially when it comes to characters who are as gun shy of relationships as these two, but there's one part of Jamie's character that makes a pretty dramatic change, and it just didn't ring true. Not that it wasn't a good thing because this particular change is certainly needed, but it comes way too abruptly. Given the backstory, I suppose it's really a long time coming, but I don't buy it - I found it hard to believe that the change would be so complete, so quickly. Of course, it was needed to give us the big conflict between the characters so we can worry about a happy ending, and that propels us to the big get it together gushy moment, but it just didn't feel right to me. It's kind of like there's no middle ground for Jamie. It's all or nothing with no room for a happy medium, a balance in her life.
Nevertheless, I did find both Sierra and Jamie likable, and there were some great moments between them. The book also touches on some serious topics, and Jennie Davids strikes a pretty good balance between getting too angsty and not angsty enough. In the end, there were things I liked and things I didn't about this one. I didn't love it, but I did like it, and I would check out other books by this author.
hhushaw's review against another edition
4.0
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I highly recommend that you read the first book in this series first. The first book gives you a look at thorn and thistle as well as the tattoo artists that this series follows. I loved the first book in the series and I love this one as well. This author does an amazing job in getting the reader involved and enthralled with the characters.
rickosborne's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kc210791's review against another edition
5.0
The bond between a tattoo artist and their client can be a special one. What about when they are attracted to each other? This romance will take the reader on a roller-coaster full of reality checks and realistic moments between the women.
I couldn't put this book down. I found this book and writing style to be unique. There are not many easily accessible stories with tattoo artists and gay romance. It makes for a compelling story.
I couldn't put this book down. I found this book and writing style to be unique. There are not many easily accessible stories with tattoo artists and gay romance. It makes for a compelling story.
judeinthestars's review against another edition
4.0
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.
positivelyhorror's review against another edition
5.0
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.
unabridgedchick's review against another edition
1.0
DNFing at 47%.
The various elements of this book just didn't work for me. Romantic leads Sierra -- social worker -- and Jamie -- tattoo artist -- were wooden and flat. Their interest in each other was mostly superficial attraction, and not articulated well (or sexily). The story unfolded soooooooooooooo slowly, with long scenes that focused on planning (literally, like the planning of a shared fundraiser, just pages of dialogue of the characters brainstorming what to do. I could have screamed, it was so boring.) Both characters have some tragedy in their lives, which comes off heavy-handed and gets more screen time than the attraction.
Kind of shocked this is a Carina title; this really read to me like something self-published.
Also, the book cover betrays me - Jamie's undercut is mentioned numerous times, and I'm pretty sure Sierra is supposed to be blonde-ish. Jamie is also older (I mean, they act like she's ancient, but she's nearing 40) and neither of those cover models look like that.
The various elements of this book just didn't work for me. Romantic leads Sierra -- social worker -- and Jamie -- tattoo artist -- were wooden and flat. Their interest in each other was mostly superficial attraction, and not articulated well (or sexily). The story unfolded soooooooooooooo slowly, with long scenes that focused on planning (literally, like the planning of a shared fundraiser, just pages of dialogue of the characters brainstorming what to do. I could have screamed, it was so boring.) Both characters have some tragedy in their lives, which comes off heavy-handed and gets more screen time than the attraction.
Kind of shocked this is a Carina title; this really read to me like something self-published.
Also, the book cover betrays me - Jamie's undercut is mentioned numerous times, and I'm pretty sure Sierra is supposed to be blonde-ish. Jamie is also older (I mean, they act like she's ancient, but she's nearing 40) and neither of those cover models look like that.