This is another take it or leave it story. It wasn't bad it was worth the read but I don't think I would read it again. I am not sure if I would read anything else from this author as well. The characters were ok at the most and well also kind of meh. The story itself was lack luster and just wasn't enough.

I do not love this book. I think any time you've got a character that is running from their old spouse (unless it's an abusive spouse) you've got someone who is selfish and makes shitty decisions. Enter Sabella, the Queen of bad decisions.

First of all, you can't make me hate the husband and then have her get back together with him. One moment we hate him and now we're all supposed to like him again? It feels like a group text when your friend gets back with THAT guy. I can't say that either of these male leads is a winner, because every single character in this book needs intensive therapy.

Benton is a man child. There is no way around it. I was exhausted reading him. I get it, he's tortured, he wants to provide, etc. But Jesus H Christ my boy, if a woman is with you because she wants material things, what are you DOING?

Also, it's a huge trigger that should be added, but Sabella isn't divorced. Not even close. She left papers, he said no, rather than follow that up like an adult and have a default order made to force a divorce, she just fucks off to lalaland until ole hubby decides "let's try again" and she's like "well nobody else will love me so I guess so!" It didn't fit with her personality, at all.

A heartwarming and engaging tale of second chances and the healing power of art. Protagonist Sabella, a tattoo artist who specialises in covering up bad tattoos, finds herself divorced and seeking solace in the idyllic town of Stagwood Falls. There, she discovers a new purpose: teaching the community the therapeutic benefits of art. When she enlists the help of town social worker Benton Rhinehart, sparks fly despite their rocky first encounter. As they work together to bring Sabella's community art program to life, their friendship deepens, and they must confront their growing feelings for each other. The novel is a delightful blend of romance, friendship, and self-discovery, and readers will be rooting for Sabella and Benton to find their happily ever after.

The description pulled me in because I love a good tattoo artist romance but this just didn’t do it for me. I didn’t like how it played out and I don’t think I’d read it again

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

☁️ Secrets
🥑 Open door
✨ Found Family
💔 More than one love interest

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc.

Meh. That was my global feeling about this book… I don’t usually find the synopsis lacking, but in this case, it was not the same story. I felt like the ‘mayor’ arc was supposed to be important but it was not mentioned at all in the synopsis ? Some with the ex, he came back at 70% percent, whereas Benton competing for mayor was in like, 3 or 4 chapters in ?

Also, Spoilers !!! I did not like it when the main character goes from one love interest to the other, only to go back to the first… I mean, going back to her ex, just to dump him a week later ? What about Ben’s feelings ?!
I didn’t like Sabella’s personality at all, I find her a bit self centered. the only part of her character I liked were her background. She’s had a different and weird upbringing, even tragic at times.

I love a great tattoo story and this one did not disappoint. I enjoy flawed characters and the personal development in this title did not disappoint. A great read!

The premise of the book was very intriguing to me but unfortunately I struggled to get into the book and found it hard to motivate myself to finish it.

way too realistic for me. they're together at 30% and navigating a relationship where one wants kids and the other doesn't for the remaining 70%. no drama, just (mainly) good vibes

I love a book when the characters are complex and their feelings leave you torn inside. Tattooed Heart by Elizabeth Barone definitely falls in that category. Sabella and Benton got into a tangled mess of scorching hot passion and confusing feels but finally love cleared everything.

I love sassy heroines with touch of vulnerability. And everything about our tattoo artist Sabella screams "I am the queen but my armor has cracks too". She comes from an unstable home but a loving biker father who introduced art and tattoo in her life & she has made out a name for herself. She has been separated from her dbag high school sweetheart husband who was basically an addict and waste of space and refuses to give her an official divorce. She is rebuilding her heart and the small town is an amazing place to heal. I like how she is aware of her weakness and Strengths. She is talented and witty and smart and so kind. But she definitely makes some super bad decisions irrationally and hastily those made me shake my head. How on earth did she give the hubby a second chance? Benton pushing her away isn't a good enough reason. Wanting a baby is a more stupid one.

Now about Benton. Hmm this guy has even more issues than Sabella. Deep abandonment issues. Those seep into his life even now. He works hard as social worker and stretches himself thin to help others but he is surprisingly messed up about his own feelings. He has this ridiculous insecurity about not having enough materialistic possession for Sabella and he childishly pushed her away repeatedly. Sabella never ever cared for it and she showed so repeatedly. I think it's kind of admirable that he wants to be the man. He had to work through his issues and he did. Just took a long time. He was really caring and protective all the time. He has a tender heart. The chemistry was never lacking.

The last few chapters were definitely full of angst and emotional shocks but I am glad Sabella and Benton found their way through the mess.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

Family lost and found, making your own family as you find your way. Of course there is a Rocky romance or two intertwined, but more about the strength of love and friendship, and often forgiveness, of self and others. A very warm read.

Sabella, a struggling tattoo artist, dreams of a life of art that helps people cope with life issues they are dealing with. After her messy divorce she found herself in a small town working for her best friend at her tattoo shop. Her dreams of facilitating art that heals will only be possible with the help of Benton, a social worker that ended in a night of hurt feelings. Benton is always helping everyone else and never himself, so he is more than happy to help Sabella with her program. As Sabella and Benton work relationship grows so does their personal relationship.

“Tattooed Heart” by Elizabeth Barone is a great miscommunication trope book. I liked reading and was very sweet with the relationship, even the ups and downs. I waited patiently for their relationship in the book to work because I knew they are perfect for each other once they get over the miscommunication. The cover is also so beautiful. 4 out of 5 stars.

This was...disappointing. The blurb sounded good, I love a good tattoo shop romance and I loved the idea of Sabella using her craft to cover up past mistakes, but the story was poorly developed. The characters were hard to connect with and even harder to like. Unfortunately it was not for me.

This book left me seething by the end, and honestly, I regret reading it since I was having a good reading streak this month.

Let's start with something false that it's in the blurb: she's not divorced! Sure, she asked for it before bailing and moving to another town, but her husband was adamant about not signing the papers, and she continued her life for A YEAR simply swiping it under the rug. And this makes her a cheater, there's no other way around it.

This synopsis was full of things that in reality were half-baked: her tattoo shop? There are just a few perfunctory scenes inside it just because it's her job. The art program that she starts? We literally see it in passing, described by a third person, we never see her actually do anything with it.

Sabella is supposed to be 35 but has the emotional maturity of a high schooler. She left her husband because he didn't want children for ten years, and thinks that by ignoring him, he'll sign the papers. Then he comes into her town full of shit, thing that everyone around her could see, and she threw everything away (not that honestly what she had was worth it) to follow this spineless and useless husband in his newfound shitty life, only to fall into the same and trite patterns.

Now, let's talk about Benton, who is as fascinating as a goldfish. He is easily offended by the slightest thing and doesn't talk to Sabella for months because of a harmless joke that she made where she made fun of both of them! Not just him, she put herself in the joke, but nooo, let's act like a prissy princess.
His POV was a pity party from the first page to the last, and I couldn't stand him, I just wanted him to shut up.

There was absolutely no chemistry between them, and I don't understand why they would be wasting time with each other: she wanted kids, he didn't. To her it's a dealbreaker, or at least it is with her husband and not with the hunk who pays attention to her, so I guess she doesn't want kids anymore.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.