The Strongest Steel by Scarlett Cole

Book one in Second Circle Series

Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks

Publication date: July 7^th, 2015

Source: French book

Rating: 5 hearts

Synopsis

Harper Connelly never expected to find herself outside of a tattoo parlor at one in the morning, summoning the nerve to take back her past. She’s determined to forget her old life and is looking for an artist who can tattoo over the scars on her back.

Trent Andrews, local legend and owner of the Second Circle tattoo studio, has his own reasons for specializing in inking over scars. And in spite of her mysterious past and the difficult road ahead, he quickly realizes that Harper is funny, smart, and–under her ridiculously oversized clothing and SPF 100 sunscreen–totally hot. He’s happy to take on the challenge of designing a meaningful and deadly full-back tattoo for her.

But when cryptic messages start appearing on Harper’s phone, strange deliveries arrive at her door, and Second Circle is vandalized, Harper is convinced that her ex-boyfriend has tracked her down, and worse, that he knows about Trent. Running was the only thing that saved her last time, but now that she’s started to put down roots in Miami, she’ll have to decide if she can finally fight back instead.

Review

The strongest Steel tells us the story of Harper who had a rather horrible past, she would like to go ahead but she’s afraid. She’s looking for a tattoo artist to cover this past and move on. Trent is the best in Miami and he will be happy to help.

The story in itself is quite simple, a broken girl who wants to be stronger and who will fall in love with a man who can help and protect her. I liked this story a lot, her history is pretty horrible and I can’t imagine how anyone can do that. Harper is a strong woman in spite of everything, she certainly fled, but she could have chosen suicide.

Harper is a sensitive woman, she doesn’t like to be touched or behind her, she nevertheless takes on her and tries to move forward thanks to her best friend Drea with whom she works. I love Harper’s honesty, she protects herself and she isn’t very comfortable with her body. Harper is a smart woman, she loves words and letters and in all sincerity the tattoo she asks Trent is just beautiful.

Trent owns his tattoo studio, he has struggled to get there but he works with a great team, his best friend Cujo, Pixie and Lia. When he meets Harper, he knows right away that something is wrong and she doesn’t hide it. I loved Trent, he’s tender, considerate, protective, intelligent, hard worker and apparently he draws like a God.

I liked this story a lot, I think the more the characters’ past is horrible, the more I like the stories. The fact that everything takes place around a tattoo parlor and that Trent loves metal has certainly helped. The relationship between Trent and Harper evolves nicely, they learn to know each other and they have some secrets for each other.

The Strongest Steel was a quick reading, I was taken in the story from beginning to the end and I felt all sorts of emotions, stronger than the others. I liked the meeting of these two characters with the tender heart and I’m impatient to discover the history of Cujo and Dréa as well as the 2 following volumes.

Quick word: An overwhelming story with endearing characters.

About the author

Two-time RITA finalist, Scarlett Cole, is a contemporary romantic suspense / contemporary romance author (represented by Beth Phelan at The Bent Agency). Author of the Second Circle Tattoos Series. The Strongest Steel was a Best Debut Goodreads Author Finalist 2015, and Authors on the Air Global Radio Network #1 Contemporary Romance Pick for 2015.

When Scarlett isn’t writing, she spends her time reading, hoarding mason jars, and working out to off-set an epic sour candy habit.

Having travelled the world for work and fun, Scarlett is a citizen of both Britain and Canada. A true city-dweller, she considers Toronto and Manchester home and likes to set her books in vibrant locations such as Miami and Los Angeles.

If you want to know more about Scarlett’s books, visit her at:
www.scarlettcole.com
@ItsScarlettCole

Amazon – Goodreads