Shooting Scars

[b:Shooting Scars 17230559 Shooting Scars (The Artists Trilogy, #2) Karina Halle https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1371224737l/17230559.SY75.jpg 23745834] Scars to Your Beautiful Again, I find myself reading an author I am not familiar with. I actually enjoyed Karina Halle's writing style and that is what made me want to continue this trilogy. I feel like I have to start out with - You MUST read Sins & Needles before you read this book. It's not even a question. So please don't try reading Shooting Scars without reading Sins & Needles first! Once again, this was a crazy ride and the characters are so much fun to read. Javier Bernal is bad! He's so very bad, but I constantly find it impossible to hate him even thought I probably should. I understand that there is a book called On Every Street that I should have read and that is all about Javier and Ellie but I have yet to purchase it. Now let's ignore my statement and go back to Javier, shall we? He is your sexy bad influence and it is so well received. Javier in my eyes plays the dark role of Ellie's past that collides with her present head on. I found myself feeling like he always has his own agenda and then he does the unthinkable and I think oh maybe he has a heart. Ellie is my emotional roller coaster in this series. I go from being mad at her to feeling sorry for her because she is constantly a pawn in someone's games and it is never anything good. Now to talk about Cam who I absolutely adored. I can't say enough about him. I love him because he is real, he is crazy, he is intense, he is dark and he is genuine in his love, he's a standup guy, and wears his heart on his sleeve. He was my swoon worthy character who has wicked skills with a needle. I will be continuing this series for sure.

Still amazed at how annoying Ellie can be. I kind of liked Camden at the end of the last book, but in this one he is just bitching about everything, and having wet dreams about Ellie. Honestly, I think I like Javier the most, at least seems to have some confidence and backbone. Gus is alright too. But Ellie, I cant stand her. I just NEED to know how it ends at this point. I only read this book because I was hoping it would get better, but it is just not for me.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it wasn't as good as the previous two, at least in my opinion. My favorite was the story of Ellie and Javier, even though I despise Javier immensely. This book just didn't have as much raw emotion as the other one did and maybe there was just a little too much action in it for me and not enough romance.

First of all, let me begin by stating that I love the story that Halle has created and although I love some characters more than others, they are all beautifully brought to life and always stay true to who they are, in every situation. I think this is part of the reason I hate Javier so much, because of how incredibly realistic she made him and how nonredeemable he has become, up to this point in the book.

The development of all the characters were epic, especially in this book, and it was amazing to see how all their different journeys changed who they were on the inside as well. However, I would have liked to see a little more romance in this one, even though I know it was more so because of the story line, I just felt like that was missing a little.

Again, the is writing flawless ,as always and super easy to read and I found myself getting into the book and not noticing how fast the pages flew by. Because I work now, I am not able to read as much as I'd like but reading on the train is a big help, as long as I make sure not to miss my stop.

I can't wait to read the next book, now, because again Ellie and Camden are together and I always loved them. I definitely ship them more than Javier and Ellie, especially because Camden and Ellie bring out the best in each other and Javier just drags Ellie down, making her believe that she can't be good even if she tried. I am excited to see the dynamic of all three of them in the next book though, and how their relationships progress.

What I didn't like in this book was that even though it was mostly action, the book felt slow at parts and was lagging. And even when it was a bit slow, it seemed the romance wasn't there to fill the slow pace. Or maybe it's just because I despise Javier so much and want him gone, so I didn't enjoy his private moments with Ellie. Also, what was up with that cliffhanger at the end? It made me a little bitter, not going to lie. And even though I do want to read the next book, it didn't really make me all the more eager to start it right away. In some books I really don't mind cliffhangers but in that one I did, not entirely sure why.

All in all, this book was terrific and although it missed the mark at some points, for me, I still had a great time reading it and enjoyed it very much. I recommend this book and series to anyone who likes adventure, enjoys the occasional love triangle and isn't uncomfortable with some smut now and then.