1/5 - yeah when one of the MC’s is so bitchy you feel like she’s judging and yelling at you it’s a no go go me. This may be a lovely romance but I’m not reading 300+ pages of hyper rudeness to find out.

It’s great to have strong characters but when they put off a reader that when you have problems. It’s disappointing because The Carina Press is really good about publishing steamy romances that you get behind from the beginning.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review*

MJ is a somewhat crusty and self-described mean tattoo artist who has no time for anything other than keeping her business afloat. Cassie is just trying to make it to the five year mark past her breast cancer diagnosis and trying to live her life before and after that moment. After her mentor passes away, she finds MJ, also a former protege, to finish out her tattoo artist training. MJ wants nothing to do with her and very nearly wins that argument, but Cassie is nothing if not tenacious.
What I liked about this novel is the fact that they very quickly admitted that they liked each other but that for many reasons it was not a good idea for them to be together. MJ was hurt in the past when she mixed business and pleasure and Cassie just wants to be sure she will stay alive long enough to finish her training, let alone start a relationship.
The two don't seem like likely romantic partners, but I think that's why they work best.

New Ink on Life is a good debut novel by Jennie Davids. Some people may not like the lead character, but their are plenty of people in the world we don't like and people fall in love with. I like the unique storyline and think it has some interesting characters. I hope to read more by this author.

This was my first lesbian romance and I enjoyed it. The writing style flowed well and I felt connected to the characters. I found both Cassie and MJ a little over the top - Cassie as a perfect, do no wrong good girl and MJ as an angry, mean and rude hardass. MJ’s realization of feelings felt more realistic than Cassie’s but the drama climax was a little contrived. Overall a good story and I’ll check out more from this author.

This is one of those books where I thought from the reviews that it would be worse than it was. I was pretty well entertained and I thought the characters were actually great.

Some people didn't like MJ but maybe I'm use to prickly people? She was 100% herself throughout the book, and had a great character arc that was enabled through Cassie's influence. Both of them made each other better, because they each had parts of their personalities that the other one wanted to emulate...whether MJ knew that or not. They complimented each other very well, so I can't ask for more than that.

The sex scenes were also handled not only with care, but also in such a way that they were still sexy when so much baggage was involved. Not an easy feat. We also didn't see EVERY time they had sex. Books that do that I end up skipping some of those hookups because it becomes boring. I sound like a dud, but it's true. I prefer to focus on the times where it moves their relationship either forward or backwards, and this author focused on those select times brilliantly.

The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I keep that rating for only books that I'm obsessed with and will read again and again. That takes nothing away from this book being a solid read.

I also now want to get more tats, so thanks for that.

I was really excited about this book when I first heard about it. Sapphic tattoo artists?? Sign me up! Unfortunately, this romance just didn’t work as well for me.

Cassie is nearing her five-years-cancer-free and in that time she changed her career and has been making strides to living her life for herself, but she refuses to hope too much and won’t become a full-time tattooist or start a relationship until she gets the all-clear. MJ is a tattoo shop owner whose previous partner left her and took half the staff, leaving her floundering with debt up to her eyeballs and using her badass image to keep people from getting too close again.

I liked that MJ and Cassie are such drastically different personalities and in many ways they help each other grow and improve. MJ starts off really cruel and harsh, critiquing everything Cassie does, especially because she can’t stand what she considers Cassie being fake and trying too hard to be a people pleaser. A big part of why the romance didn’t work so well for me is how abruptly MJ’s attitude shifts the moment she learns that Cassie is a cancer survivor. It was like she went from hating everything Cassie created to immediately starting to develop a crush-like interest in her. I absolutely get that learning about Cassie’s history will add understanding around her art, but it felt like an abrupt personality shift for MJ.

Thorn & Thistle, MJ’s shop, is a bit of a dysfunctional family in the beginning, in part because MJ lashes out and they’re getting a lot of harmful reviews that are hurting everyone’s revenue from previous partner. I wish we’d gotten to see more of the tattoo family and a better idea of who they were and what kind of artists they are. Like, I wanna know more about the side characters so I can look forward to their stories, but <I>New Ink on Life</I> really didn’t go past MJ and Cassie and their relationship. Even when MJ goes to see her father in the hospital, there’s a case of more telling than showing that they communicate, and that happens with the tattoo shop as well. In the end we know they’re working together and everyone is happier, but it feels like missing a chunk of the story.

My favorite part of this book was absolutely Cassie. I loved her growing into herself and gaining confidence. She’s so used to bending over backwards to do for others, even at expense of herself, so watching her make changes was wonderful. Her growth was absolutely the best part of this book, in my opinion.

Overall I found this book to be more okay than anything else. I wasn’t wholly invested in the romance, though I did like the contrast in MJ and Cassie’s personalities, as well as the ways they both grow and change. I wish there’d been more with side characters because as it stands, this felt more like a stand-alone than the beginning of a new series. If you’re looking for a wlw romance with tattoos and personal growth, this may be right up your alley.

This f/f contemporary had an interesting premise about breast cancer survivor Cassie who creates art for and tattoos other survivors. Unfortunately I could not get on with the romance in this at all because I found Cassie's love interest and boss MJ such a horrible person that I didn't want Cassie to end up with her. MJ bullies and berates Cassie as soon as she starts apprenticing in MJ's tattoo shop, and is determined to try to change Cassie's personality and behaviour, and I just couldn't get over how this felt more like an HR complaint waiting to happen than a romance.

Cassie Whittaker is a cancer survivor – although there’s still several months left before she gets her final health test. As one of the things she does to gain back the control of her life, Cassie leaves her job and apprentices as a tattoo artist. Her new mentor, MJ Flores, the owner of Thorn & Thistle shop, is 180 degrees different than Cassie. While Cassie prefers to make everyone happy, MJ doesn’t care what everyone thinks of her.

MJ can’t stand to see the “fake” Cassie, so she makes Cassie a deal. She will help Cassie to “find her backbone” while she mentors Cassie in the shop, and Cassie can help MJ with the marketing plan to keep Thorn & Thistle open.

When I first read the blurb of this book, I was immediately intrigued. I wanted to add more lesbian romance in my book catalogue and this sounded good – especially the promise of opposites-attract between the two women. I requested the advanced review copy from Netgalley and I was so happy that I got approved.

It is easy to admire Cassie – even if she doesn’t like to rock the boat and likes to please everyone (which probably drives myself nuts!) – the way that she stands her grown against MJ and works on her own self esteem slowly but surely, that’s something that can inspire.

MJ herself can come as brash to other readers, but I actually love her. I love characters who are willing to say what in their mind, even if it sounds rude to others. BECAUSE, I tend to do it myself in real life too, I even speak challengingly against my boss *laugh*. It’s in my bones, and MJ’s way just speaks true to me.

It loses its steam near the end, and I feel like there are important scenes written off page, which annoys me quite a bit. However, in overall, I find this debut from Jennie Davids to be an appealing romance between two women with opposite traits.

Davids also does a great job of making me curious with the other women at the Thorn & Thistle shop. I read that the next book will be Jamie's. Can't wait to see who is the woman the author is reserved for unflappable Jamie :)

3.75 Stars. I didn’t really have any expectations going into this book. I don’t have any tattoos but I’ve always been “the support friend” to go and help distract my friends from the pain of theirs. Luckily, being inkless didn’t stop me one bit from really enjoying this book. I was hooked from the first few pages and I found the story had a nice flow that was really easy to read. This is not perfect, but this is a quality debut book.

We all have our own personal triggers, mine happens to be books about cancer. I’ve lost so many people in real life that I don’t like reading about cancer in a piece of fiction. While this book was about a character having cancer, it was about her being a warrior that is fighting the disease. Not only was she a warrior against the disease but she wants to take that approach in how she lives her life. It was really nice to see this different way to address such an awful disease and I thought it was really well done.

Besides this being a book about tattoos and finding your own personal strength, it is a romance. As other reviews have mentioned MJ, one of the mains is a complete jerk at times. I actually think I would call her an ice king. Cassie, on the other hand is the complete opposite, a total people pleaser. These two are so opposite that they almost don’t work together. I was actually scratching my head wondering how did this pairing work? I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s because they both were what the other needed. Cassie needed more of MJ’s strength and MJ needed the warmth and caring of Cassie. Whether I’m right or not, this paring worked for me. I enjoyed them together and found all of the intimate scenes and sex scenes to be well done.

I’m really glad I read this one. It was more enjoyable than I expected and I think romance fans will enjoy this too. It looks like this may become a series staring other characters from the tattoo shop, if so I will absolutely be reading more.

“The skin on the deepest part inside of her neck was free of ink. I couldn’t look away. That part held my attention more than the bright art surrounding it. It felt like I was being allowed to glimpse something special that not many people got to see.”*

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The diagnosis of an aggressive form of breast cancer changed Cassie’s life. She quit her secure job and became an unpaid apprentice in a tattoo shop. She swore off relationships until she received the test results that showed her being cancer-free for five years. After the death of her beloved mentor, she seeks a new apprentice under MJ, the prickly owner of the Thorn and Thistle tattoo shop.

At first, MJ wants nothing to do with goodie goodie Cassie. She doesn’t care that their mentor wanted MJ to continue Cassie’s training. Her focus is on surviving her former lover and business partner’s vendetta. Something about Cassie’s dark art that is at odds with her sugary sweet persona makes MJ agree to take her on and to entertain her suggestions for growing the business to increase revenue. Despite their differences, the two artists can’t deny their attraction. Trust issues and scars, both physical and emotional, threaten their chances at a partnership both in and outside of the sheets.

The concept and the beautiful cover attracted me to this F/F romance, and the story did not disappoint. Cassie and MJ are compelling characters. The Thorn and Thistle employees make for great heroines for future books in the series. The story dove deep into the women’s trust issues, showing how they broke down each other’s walls. The descriptions of the tattoos they created is a super fun element which added color to the story world. Cassie’s character arc as a breast cancer survivor dealing with body issues related to her surgeries is nothing short of inspirational. I look forward to the next installment.

Thanks to NetGalley and Carina Press for the opportunity to experience this book in advance of its release.

*Please note that my review is based on uncorrected text.

I wanted to love this, but I could not get into this. MJ was rude, annoying, and too judgmental. Her personality immediately turned me off the book. Especially with how much she judged Cassie.

I seem to have read quite a few novels recently with angry women as leads but this one is a little different in that it is less about her finding her gentler side and more about her counterpart finding her own fire and anger. Cassie Whiteaker turns up at MJ Flores’ tattoo shop, Thorn & Thistle, asking for an apprenticeship. MJ is abrasive and bitter, and really has no interest in an apprentice except that Cassie was recommended by her own mentor. Reluctantly she takes her on but doesn’t really like the fake sweetness and spinelessness that Cassie portrays. Cassie has been cancer-free for nearly five years but when MJ realises this, she changes her attitude and agrees on an exchange of skills: Cassie can research and propose marketing ideas for the shop and MJ will help her find her inner warrior.

Although I don’t have a single tattoo, I love tattoos. I love the precision of line that is required for such an unforgiving medium. I love the way they alter the skin that they’re a part of. This definitely contributes to my enjoyment of this novel. I liked MJ as a character, her directness and her anger, but I loved Cassie as a character because she wasn’t the usual counterpart to the angry woman. Her cheerfulness wasn’t because she was happy and positive but because of her need to have people like her.

This is the first lesbian romance I’ve read where the main character has had a double mastectomy and it was beautifully written. It was also sensual and sexy with wonderful chemistry between the MJ and Cassie without losing the inner turmoil of each character’s experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the read even though it was quite poignant at times. Four and half stars, rounded up.

Book received from Netgalley and Carina Press for an honest review.

Nice debut book from Jennie Davids.

MJ Flores is the owner of a tattoo shop in Portland, Oregon. Cassie is a tattoo artist that searches out MJ to help complete her apprenticeship. These two characters could not be more different from each other. While MJ is brash and doesn't give any thought to what people think, Cassie is reserved and overly worried about others' opinions.

I was uncomfortable with the setting (tattoo shop) and characters (tattoo artists). Completely not my scene at all. While I can appreciate ink on other people, I do not have any tattoos myself. The author painted a picture of what I stereo typically perceive those establishments be like. Rebellious, out there, judgmental, and egotistical owners and artists. I have always wanted to get a bar code on my inner wrist with my dad's date of birth and date of death. Concept: Property of my father. But I've always felt I would be laughed out of the shop. This book only enforced that thinking. All of this was not to knock the setting/book. It was to really imply that the writer did a great job of setting the stage and characters. As all of that was pivotal for the growth that happens throughout. Yeah, MJ isn't likable in the beginning. But I don't think she is supposed to be.

I was able to feel very connected to both of the main characters as a result of their individual backstories that impact who we are introduced to in the beginning. I found it so satisfying to see how a sex only arrangement evolved. There was an underlying theme of hope as both MJ and Cassie begin to see each other as more than that. And there wouldn't be a great payoff if you didn't have a good dose of angst. And this delivers.

As this story has a huge focus on a non romantic sexual entanglement, you can expect that there are plenty of intimate scenes. I'm not the biggest fan of that but they were all well written and got the temperature rising. I didn't even skim read or skip any of it, which is saying something!

I didn't care for the repetitiveness off the phrase 'blissed out.' There are plenty other descriptive ways to describe that. And I feel like there are some family characters and story lines that were just kind of left dangling out there (Or at least I expected more.)

But overall this was a good debut novel. I recommend for those who love romance, tattoos, girl fights, old lady sweaters, and hate cancer.

<i>I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review</i>

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43263029-new-ink-on-life" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="New Ink on Life (Thorn & Thistle, #1)" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1552590592m/43263029.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43263029-new-ink-on-life">New Ink on Life</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18707673.Jennie_Davids">Jennie Davids</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2795805718">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I rec'd an ARC from NetGalley/Carina Press for a unbiased review. No synopsis needed.<br />Initially I was intrigued by the tattoo shop setting and breast cancer survival storyline (quite frankly the cover art was a hook also) and the author did not disappoint. A gritty and sexy romance with a dash of angst - leads Cassie and MJ are flawed but perfect foils for one another and enticed me into the world of skin and ink. I now look at tattoos from a totally different perspective. Ms. Davids has written a commendable debut book and I look forward to more in this series. 4 stars,
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/31134832-gail">View all my reviews</a>

Cassie Whiteaker is a survivor. She’s nearly five years cancer free and she’s finally pursuing her dreams. She went from a corporate job to apprenticing as a tattoo artist. She ends up at Thorn & Thistle and MJ Flores hires her out of pity (that’s what it felt like to me). Cassie knew MJ’s mentor who had passed from her fight against cancer. It’s the tipping point that pushes MJ to give Cassie a chance.
The two women couldn’t be more different than each other. Cassie is quiet, reserved and polite to a fault. MJ is definitely not. She’s loud, brash and has an attitude that is hard to get past. They end up working out a deal, Cassie will help MJ with the shop’s marketing and MJ will help her grow a backbone. Ending up in bed together was supposed to be a no strings kind of deal, but can you really keep something no strings when you start to get to know another person, their struggle and fight?

I liked the concept of New Ink on Life but there was something missing. I think it was the fact that Cassie and MJ were such polar opposites. It was hard for me to like MJ and it was difficult to relate to how meek Cassie was. MJ’s attitude was all a cover and I eventually came to understand that. I did appreciate what she was trying to teach Cassie. To stand up for what she wants and believes in. I just felt like it was the wrong way to go about that. The initial build up to their first kiss and first touches was intense. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for it to happen. But then I was a little let down the further we progressed into the book and their exploration of each other.

I like that art played a big part in Cassie’s growth. This is what she wants to do with her life and she’s settling into her skin as a tattoo artist. The description of some of the pieces she drew were vivid.

2 stars
I had a really hard time connecting to the book. I admit, I skimmed a lot of it. I could not get into it t all. It might have something to do with MJ. When I don't like a character, it is hard for me to like a book.

This is my first read with a focus on tattoos and breast cancer. For me, the read provides an understanding of the power of finding self through the tattoos. Which in my opinion is wonderful when a cancer survivor can find something to grab and hold on to through a life challenging experience. MJ Flores is a strong, no nonsense character that unexpectedly meets her match when she encounters Cassie Whiteaker. MJ initially exhibits a personality that you would not want to take home to meet your parents. Well, at least, I would not. Cassie on the other hand is sweet and reflective almost to her detriment. A read that made me think and I appreciated that.

Leaving a dependable job to apprentice as a tattoo artist was a drastic step after surviving breast cancer, but Cassie Whiteaker is nearly five years cancer-free. Nearly.When I started reading I couldn't put down.Jennie Davids is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

This was difficult to plow through initially on four major counts.


The first was that MJ is really dislikeable. She is rude, curt and plain nasty.


The second is the message that rudeness equals to strength. No! A nice, amiable person can also be strong. Aggressiveness is not assertiveness. Nastiness is not equal to strength.


The third was at anyone, especially someone as nice and strong as Cassie can be attracted to MJ. There is some serious masochism in that said attraction and that is just sad.


The fourth is that there is a story about MJ and Maya out there in one of the free story websites. So MJ and Cassie was difficult to handle because it screamed of cheating. Maya changing character from the original story was too much of a quantum leap.


Given all these issues, Cassie made us man through the book. She is a really great character. We also like the fact that this author has written a character with something seen as a serious physical disfigurement and has dealt with it with a deft touch. She has Cassie being aware and extremely sensitive to her bodily appearance and has MJ bring her out of it with tenderness.


While MJ gets a zero-to-negative in rating, Cassie is a four.

I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

While the tattoo parlor trope in romances isn't completely unheard of, I've never had the pleasure of reading one with a f/f pairing, and was ecstatic to find this book. I quickly fell in love with Cassie's character, finding her to be totally sweet and loveable, but just as tough and stubborn.

Despite my love Cassie, however, I found myself unable to relate to or like MJ's character. I really dislike how she immediately comes to the conclusion that Cassie was weak, fake, and not worth her time. And while she does eventually come to realize how amazing Cassie is, she was still awful toward everyone around her. I understand how awful it must have been to have people you trusted turn on you, but I don't understand why she thought being rude and disrespectful to those still around her would be the best way to instill loyalty among her employees and peers.

In addition to this, I really dislike love interests who are overly possessive. This is really a personal preference, but I just find possessiveness to be unattractive, and in this context it also came across as incredibly hypocritical.

Overall, I enjoyed Cassie's character a lot, and look forward to the future installments in this series, but my dislike for MJ's character took a lot away from my reading experience. Despite this, I enjoyed the author's writing style and am eager to see what other characters get a book!