Review

Permanent Ink by Laura Simcox

Released August 4th, 2014

(318 pages, published by Macmillan)



 

A Something to Celebrate Novel

Blair Whitaker has one goal: get the hell out of Celebration, NY. Her ticket out is helping the town take the grand prize in a parade contest, which will ensure she lands her dream job. It's a win-win.

Standing in the way is Ben Lambert, a sexy, local tattoo artist whose smile makes her weak. To win the contest, she'll have to sideline his plans for the tattoo festival the town council allowed on the same weekend. But trying to thwart Ben is more than she bargained for, and before she knows it, she's starting to see Celebration–and Ben–as something more than a temporary distraction.

But Blair's in too deep to change directions now. Celebration is behind the parade contest, the mayor revokes the tattoo festival permit, and Blair is on the cusp of getting everything she'd planned.  But coming clean will turn Ben against her for good, and going forward means losing what she really wants and hurting the town she's grown to love.

  

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~~Avery's Review~~

*****4 out 5 stars*****

Permanent Ink (a novel in the Something to Celebrate Series) by Laura Simcox is filled with sweet romance, funny situations, and just enough drama to keep it interesting.

Blair Whitaker has come to the town of Celebration with only one thought in mind—how to get back out. She knows how to do it, too. Macy’s is having a parade contest. If she can help the town win, she’ll have her ticket out. There’s just a little problem in the form of Ben Lambert, local tattoo artist, and Ink Fest, which takes place on the same day as Miss Whitaker’s own parade.

The chemistry between the two main characters was instant. I was rooting for both them the whole way through, even at the times when I wanted to shake them and make them see some sense, especially Blair. Neither are perfect—Ben is almost too laidback (definitely not the alpha-male depicted in most books with tattooed heroes), while Blair is a control freak with a constant list. More than once I wanted to shout “Finally!” when Blair finally figured out some key points, especially in regards to how her actions affected others. At times, I did not feel like she as character had gained as much maturity as I thought she would, having lived on her own in New York City and being a professional. But once again, I was rooting for them to get together through the whole book--characters have flaws, otherwise they're too perfect and I can't relate. Honestly, I could relate to Blair, even while she irritated me. :)

Some of the side characters gave off the feeling of stock characters—with the kooky grandmother, angst-riddled teen, wise mentor, grouchy old men, and gaggle of helpful office ladies. This is something that fills me with the contrasting emotions of disappointment and satisfaction. They are characters that I see in a lot of books and yet I’m always happy when I meet them. The side characters definitely helped to keep this story moving along. Without them, I felt that the story would have lost a lot of its depth and humor, as well as its pacing.

On another note, I also found the plot to be predictable, even if the premise was unique and fun, and that really has nothing to do with story so much as the genre that it's in.

Overall, I enjoyed the book! Absolutely one of my favorites from the summer, I'd even say. I would recommend it to anyone on the lookout for a quick summer read with some kooky characters, funny situations, and sweet romance. I'll definitely be checking out the first book in the series and be on the lookout for more coming in the future!

*This book was provided on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review