*I received a free copy of The Purest Hook from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
The Purest Hook by Scarlett Cole Series: Second Circle Tattoos #3
Published by St. Martin's Press on 3 May 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
Can a love built on secrets survive?
Rugged, hot, and rock hard, Dred Zander is exactly the type of man that normally sends Pixie running. Not dreaming about running her hands down his washboard abs...and lower. The lead singer and guitarist for the band Preload embodies trouble behind his quick smile and guarded eyes, and Pixie left trouble behind her years ago along with the name Sarah Jane Travers and the pathetic trailer her mom called home. With her abusive past in her past, she has a new life, a new family at Second Circle, and a dream of opening her own business. She needs capital and time. What she doesn't need is a tempting long-haired rocker or the paparazzi that follow him around.
But Dred has other ideas. Pixie's sweet hazel eyes, purple hair and kaleidoscopic tattoo of exotic flowers that swirl up her arm haunt his dreams, and he knows she wants him too. He just has to convince her. But as a juicy exposé threatens to expose their pasts, and a blackmailer terrorizes their present, Pixie and Dred have to decide what really matters and fight like hell to keep it.
While The Purest Hook was very well written, I found it to be more predictable than the prior stories in the series, and that took away from my overall enjoyment of the hotness that was Pix and Dred.
From the first Second Circle Tattoo book, I’ve been in love with this universe, the rugged characters who have hidden depths, and the nicely paced way Ms. Cole has to deliver her stories. I was very curious about Pix and her backstory, and it was definitely dark and gritty, which, in turn made me fall even harder for her 🙂 There were parts of the story that were supposed to be mysterious, though, and those were things I figured out within very few pages of meeting the characters or thinking about a specific set-up, and I was a bit let down that I managed to guess three major plot points before the end of the story.
That being said, Dred and Pix both deserved love, and their own story. I loved seeing more of both Trent and Cujo and their interactions both with their significant others and the other characters they hung out with. Also, an unexpected side-effect of The Purest Hook was that I now want more tattoos myself 😉 Of course, it would greatly help if I found a tattoo artist who could more or less read my mind, so I could get something completely original, and also something that is inside my head…
Written in third person point of view, past tense, and with dialogues to die for, The Purest Hook showed both what Dred and Pix were thinking, which made it very easy to feel their love and their heartaches. Of course, if you’re a Second Circle Tattoo fan, this book is definitely a must!
He wasn’t really equipped to deliver on anything more than bedtime fun and hot conversation, but for once, he considered trying.
“When are you going to let me take you out, Pix?” he asked reaching for her. And as sleep claimed him, he could swear she answered with something about George Clooney becoming president.
Her face was ethereal, and fuck if he ever thought he’d use that word. Who knew he was a sucker for whiskey-color eyes? Especially large ones with dark eyelashes that curled upward without a trace of makeup. Hell, did she have freckles?
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Pix’s backstory sounds intriguing and I like the idea of her and Dred being together. I haven’t started this series yet, but it’s on the list.
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Very interesting, Sophia Rose, and Dred’s too 🙂 I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy this series, as it’s really well done, with characters you can’t help but get attached to!
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It must be fun to have the tatto aspect. I’m not a big fan but I haven’t really tried a book on this topic so it would be interesting regarding this aspect
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I think well-made tattoos are awesome, Melliane, and reading about the artistic way these characters help others with tattoos was great.
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well, as far as plot goes, it may not be the selling point, but the characters though, they seem to draw you in. I guess that’s why we like books?
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The characters really, really draw you in with this series, Ailyn! And yes, that’s at least in part why I like books 😀
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Ahh that’s such a shame the book was so predictable. Dred and Pixxie sound like great characters though.
Lovely review! 🙂
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They were made of awesome, Nick. And it was too bad I managed to figure things out so easily, I would have loved to be shocked by the final revelations 🙂
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I love, love, love this series!
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Me, too, Samantha!!
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My tattoo wishlist is piling up. It’s addictive right? I want a new one too, I’m just thinking where I want my next one. I want it hidden lol
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Yes, it sure is a bit addictive. And it’s fun, plus now, I don’t need jewellery anymore 😀 And exactly where would you hide a tattoo, Braine? 😉
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I like the title of the series. Different. Sounds like a sexy set of books too. Sorry this one was predictable but glad you liked it for the most part. Good review.
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Very sexy books, Shane, and the characters are worth getting to know, even if I did find this one a bit predictable 🙂
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It can be fun if you guess some things right, but i also liked to be surprised, so that’s a bit of a shame you guessed three mayor plot points. It does sound like a dark and gritty character focused book and I am glad you enjoy this series so far.
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Yeah, maybe I was just especially observant that day, Lola? I’m not sure. But this series is definitely still a winner, though!
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Okay, I admit I didn’t exactly read your review because I just finished Strongest Steel and I’m really, really hoping to continue this series SOON! But I did see your rating and I did read your first sentence. And it makes me sad that Dred and Pix’s story isn’t ‘all that’. I do love Cole’s writing, so far anyway. Thanks for the intro! <3 *BIG HUGS*
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Hey, maybe you’ll enjoy it more than I did, Wifey 😉 Who knows? *BIG HUGS*
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