The Strongest Steel by Scarlett Cole 
Series: Second Circle Tattoo #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Also in this series: The Fractured Heart, The Purest Hook, The Darkest Link
Also by this author: The Fractured Heart, The Purest Hook, The Darkest Link, Jordan Reclaimed, Under Fire, Final Siege, Deep Cover , Love in Numbers, The Games We Play
Goodreads
"An incredible story about healing, pain, and trust...you don't want to miss this one!" --New York Times bestselling author Jen McLaughlin
"I know what you're up to," she said."And what would that be?" he asked with a devious smirk."You know.""Is it working?"She looked over her shoulder to where he was still reclining against the wall, watching her patiently. All the reasons she'd vowed to stay alone, to remain uninvolved, fled as he grinned at her."Maybe."
Harper Connelly never expected to find herself outside of a tattoo parlor at one in the morning. The scars that decorate her back are just one more reminder of things she'd rather forget, the past she wants to leave far behind her, but before she can move on she needs him.
Trent Andrews has his own reasons for specializing in inking over scars. And there's no way in hell he's going to turn Harper away. Not when a swirling mix of tenderness and desire slams into him every time her sees her. Being with Harper is like going 10 rounds in the ring-exhilarating, powerful, and dangerous. She stirs feeling in him he thought were long gone... if he can only get past her carefully constructed defenses.
Running was the only thing that saved Harper last time, but each session at Second Circle Tattoos brings her closer and closer to Trent. His lingering touches seduce her, making her believe in a life without fear, where she can be happy, whole, in love. 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. She ran from her past once before, this time will she have the strength to fight back?
"This book gave me so many feels! Angst, passion, and love all set in Miami, my favorite city. I can't wait for more from this author and I can't recommend this book enough." - Sidney Halston, USA Today bestselling author of Against the Cage
Title: The Strongest Steel
Author: Scarlett Cole
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.
This book is incredibly well written. The characters have a lot of depth and its not cheesy or cliche. Harper is probably my new favorite female character now. Her story is amazing and it was so easy to get wrapped up in her. Trent is my new favorite book boyfriend. First off, he is a tattoo artist and that is just cool. Not only that, but he specializes in tattooing scars which is just plain awesome. His treatment of Harper is nothing short of amazing.
The secondary characters in this book are interesting as well. The other tattoo artists, Harper’s friends, the students she tutors, all add to the story without being too much. They are interesting, but only in a supportive role so as not to distract you from the story.
You learn early on what happened to Harper, and so you know going into the story what the climax will be. Scarlett Cole still manages to create an amazing tension while you wait for this event. Knowing its coming doesn’t dampen the story at all which is quite simply wonderful.
I am not even including a “What I didn’t love section” because honestly, I have nothing to say!
The book releases on July 7th! Preorder now at the link below and put it on your TBR. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this book!
Also, check out Scarlett Cole here:
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