The Darkest Link: A Second Circle Tattoos Novel

This novel epitomizes the ‘can’t put it down’ stereotype. The plot was solid, exciting, and suspenseful. The cast was larger than life yet oh so real. The chemistry sizzled and the plot twists kept coming. Cole has taken an excitingly suspenseful plot, mixed it with intense emotion and a fantastic cast to create an absolutely unforgettable novel. Vivid descriptions weave their way throughout the tale, bringing everything to life in a manner that you can’t miss yet that doesn’t overpower the seamless plot. I love how Cole works emotions into her story. It is so hard hitting yet natural. The realism and possibilities that she opens up had me on the edge of my seat and dying to know what was coming next. I was in awe of her writing while feeling as if I were living alongside the characters. Speaking of characters, Lia and Reid definitely light these pages on fire. The chemistry between them is explosive. The ordeals that they fight through are suspenseful and also exciting. And they are just all round good people. I loved getting to know them. These two are the type of characters that could easily carry a story where nothing happens and make it entertaining. Paired with Cole’s fantastic plot and the unforgettable supporting cast these two were off the charts. This is quite possibly my favourite novel in this series. It could easily be read on its own, but as part of the series it’s absolutely unforgettable. Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

I loved, loved, loved this novel, a fitting end to what has been a great series by a new author. Scarlett Cole has really found her niche and she writes with confidence and style. Julianna 'Lia' Carlisle is the female tattoo artist at Second Circle, she favours the 1950s look (I picture her a bit like the cover on The Shameless Hour by Sarina Bowen) all red lipstick, pin-curled hair and corseted waists. Thanks to a legacy from her grandmother she is independently wealthy, unfortunately as they say money doesn't buy you happiness. Her father, Franklin Carlisle is a powerful lawyer with big political ambitions. Her mother has retreated into her shell, spending her time in a haze of prescription drugs and tending to her greenhouse plants. Lia has tried on several occasions to get her mother to leave her father and get proper medical help rather than the cocktail of drugs prescribed by a doctor more worried about her father's reputation than her mother's health. When we last saw Lia I thought she was getting into a relationship with one of Dred's band-mates so I was surprised when the story took a different turn. On her way back from her father's home on Star Island her Plymouth Fury breaks down and she is rescued by a cute guy on a motorbike who just happens to own a repair shop. Reid 'Kenny' Kennedy, said cute guy, has fled a family situation and set up his own business in Fort Pierce as a mechanic although what he would really like to do is design motorbikes. As Kenny and Lia develop a long-distance relationship while he repairs her car, the issues with Nathan and Harper back at Second Circle have not gone away. Soon Lia and Kenny are drawn into the problems in more ways than one. When a speeding car guns straight for Harper, Trent, Lia and Kenny is it Nathan trying to get revenge or is someone else the target? In this fourth book of the series Scarlett Cole is less about life at Second Circle and more about the people. All the previous couples feature in the book but Lia just dominates right from the get-go with her sexy 1950s clothing and her full-on make-up. If ever there was a strong, sexy woman she is IT. Kenny is a fitting foil to Lia's brilliance, he even notices that his life seems devoid of colour when she has gone. This book brings the series arc to a satisfying conclusion. There's the usual suspense but in a less 'out there' way. Oh, and there's a wedding! I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes tattoos, rockstars, Miami, reality TV, scheming politicans and fashion!!! Recommended for fans of Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy and Kristen Calllihan's NA books. I was gifted a free copy of this novel by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Seeing this series end makes me want to cry! Luckily a spin off series looms ahead and I can't wait. As with each book in this series you can easily read standalone but do yourself a favor and read them all. This author is one of my best discoveries. Finally we get Reid's story! I've always wondered what happened to him after reading The Strongest Steel and now we find out. Lia has always been a favorite character of mine and to see her get her own HEA was great. A chance meeting on the roadside leads to a night of passion between Lia and Reid. When he can't get her out of his head and makes a surprise visit to Miami to find her, his past and present collide in a spectacular way! Put this one on the top of the must read list! I highly recommend it.