Review ~ The Fractured Heart ~ Scarlett Cole

Posted 7 May, 2019 by Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 9 Comments

Review ~ The Fractured Heart ~ Scarlett ColeThe Fractured Heart by Scarlett Cole
Series: Second Circle Tattoos #2
Published by St. Martin's Press on January 5, 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Pages: 283
Format: eBook
Source: Gift
4 Stars

All things, when placed under pressure, eventually break or leave a mark.

Tattoo artist Brody "Cujo" Matthews knows how to keep things simple. In life and in love. Abandoned as a child by a mother who refused to stick around to raise three boys she didn't want, he's intent on staying clear of complicated women. The only things complicated in Cujo’s life are the killer tattoos he designs and inks. That all changes when he’s asked to help organize his best friend Trent's engagement party, which means working with Trent's fiancée's best friend, Drea, the definition of high maintenance and sizzling curves. And the one woman he doesn’t want to walk away from.

Andrea "Drea" Caron is broke and tired. After years of caring for her ailing mom, she's at the end of her rope trying to manage the piling medical bills, two jobs, and a life placed on hold. She certainly doesn’t need the added frustration of a sexy playboy tattoo artist messing up her best friend’s engagement party or her carefully balanced life. But when Drea witnesses the abduction of a woman from the café she works at, she can’t help but turn to Cujo who’s determined to prove to Drea that he’s someone she can count on forever…but as they attempt to bring the truth to light, someone is working to bring that forever to a sudden, deadly halt.

Adult - (un)Conventional Bookviews Contemporary - (un)Conventional Bookviews

The Fractured Heart marked my long-awaited return to the Second Circle Tattoos series. Thankfully SCole was appearing at RARE Paris which gave me the push I needed to finish this amazing series.

Highlights:

  • Characters
    The Fractured Heart revolved around Cujo – co-owner of Second Circle Tattoos – and Drea. These two! I couldn’t wait for their story and to get to know them better. Their verbal sparring is so much fun and makes it seem as though they’re oil and water. However, they’re more like gas & match – and watching them work towards combustion was awesome. Getting better acquainted with them, seeing all they’ve been through and continue to endure, was heartbreaking. It also explained a lot about them. Their experiences became something for them to bond over. I appreciated the growth they both experienced in order to make their relationship work. Not only do we get Cujo and Drea’s story but we also spend time with Trent and Harper (from book 1) as well as Pixie and Lia, who also work at Second Circle Tattoos.
  • Plot
    I’m not gonna lie – there was a lot going on in The Fractured Heart. I admired how SCole incorporated the different elements – wove in the sub-plots so well. It all just flowed together and just worked.
  • Suspense
    SCole did well with the suspense element too. I liked the social issue she tacked and how she wrapped that into the plot. And although the resolution was a little too easy, I also appreciated how it was woven into Drea’s character growth.
  • Romance
    As I mentioned, these two had sparks flying via their snarky banter. But they both had a lot to work through – abandonment issues, health problems. There were times I wanted to smack Cujo but I also understood where he was coming from. Witnessing their feelings blossom was a delight though and I loved where they ended up.

 

The Fractured Heart was wholly satisfying overall and I was thrilled with my return into this world. So much so that I dove straight into #3!

 

Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

About Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

Brandee is a mom of 3 and a soon-to-be empty nester. She is also an avid reader, a genre omnivore, and a compulsive one-clicker - but she's in recovery. Besides being a reader, she's also a writer and hopes to divide the vast quantities of spare time she'll soon have between reading and finally publishing her first book.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 6,926 other subscribers

9 responses to “Review ~ The Fractured Heart ~ Scarlett Cole

  1. Beware Of The Reader

    Oooh Brandee Scarlett will be so happy that you read her Cujo!!!!!! Wonderful review my friend 😉 I can hear Scarlett squealing from here! LOL

  2. Fantastic review. I have to say, I love a book that handles a thick plot with ease and flair, however the fact that it had an easy ending is a little disappointing. I always find that anticlimactic. I am so glad you enjoyed this one, but I have to admit, when I saw Cole in the post name I thought about Kresley Cole lol. This author sounds amazing as well though, so I am excited to give it a go.

  3. I don’t think I’ve ever come across Scarlett Cole before. I like how although there’s a lot going on, it seems like it’s incorporated well and doesn’t sound like too much. I’m guessing this can be read as a stand alone but would it be better to read the first book for any necessary background? Great review, Brandee!

  4. I love when I enjoy a book so much I have to just jump into the next. Banter is my favorite between characters. this looks like a great read, so glad you enjoyed it. Great review. Brandee! Miss you lots!

Thanks for commenting - chat soon!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.