"Repeat after me: Bad boy can’t break your heart"
"What song’s that from?"
"Nothing. It’s just a good rule to live by."

Gavin Slater, the lead singer for Tattoo Thief took off...trashed his apartment, abandoned his pet, and went traveling to get away from his life. 

Beryl  is hired to clean up his apartment and ends up helping him clean up his life. They are two people who were stuck. She was stuck in one place but finally took a chance on adventure. He was stuck drowning in guilt and pain and could not deal with his life, so he left it. They end up corresponding via email and a rapport begins. She pushes him. He pushes back. But she begins to help Gavin face some things he needs to in order to heal. Sometimes it just takes someone reaching out. Someone to understand and to give a damn. It can make a world of difference. It can provide hope, inspiration, and promote healing. Sometimes just being honest and challenging when no one else will. These people were both a little broken and lost and needing to fix aspects of their lives. But it took virtual strangers to get through when their friends and family could not. He was lost, uninspired, and unable to move one. But he found inspiration in Beryl. And a reason to return to life. Since their connection was built on internet chats and emails, they were able to say things that they might not have had the guts to say  in person. And it made them get close before they ever met. 

"Is what we have so fragile that you can't trust this? You were the one who brought me back from the edge. You. I trusted you with my story. I put my heart in your hands."

Beryl was strong, resilient, capable, and had a general brightness about her. She literally brought out the best in people most of the time and was understanding and sympathetic. But she also pushed those she cared about to make good choices and appreciate their lives. She had a good sense of humor and really showed growth throughout the story. And Gavin was initially surly and cocky, but really started to open up and you could see the pain, vulnerability, and guilt in him. And he had a really thoughtful and loving side too.  I loved their witty email exchanges and chats and was really  anxious for them to meet in person. It was such a build up for him to finally get home and for them to be in the same space.

"Tell me how you really feel, Beryl, but don't tell me some half-truth. Don't tell me you like me a lot when I feel so much more for you. Don't tell me you're just crazy about me when I love you like my life depends on it."

"Thank you. For being my anchor. And for letting my fly."

It was about realizing what's important, taking responsibility, and opening up. It was sweet, funny and heartfelt, but had underlying issues edged with pain , loss, and guilt. They started out as strangers, then online friends, and found a closeness that neither of them ever would have expected. But they had challenges, issues, and growing pains. 

"Anything that's wrong-we can fix it. As long as we run toward each other."

This was written in a fast paced style in Beryl's point of view. It flowed well and the characters were well developed.  Some of the side characters stood out as well. It was humorous at times and emotional at others. The only thing I might have liked to see more of was a little more of them together after he came home. There was such a build up to get there, but it was a little rushed once we got them together. But I still enjoyed Gavin and Beryl's story.

We were introduced to her friend Stella and his bassist Tyler in this book They will be the subject of Tyler and Stella: Tattoo Thief 2. There was a small taste of them at the end of this one. And even though the band was not in this one all that much, I am sure we will continue to see more of them in the coming books in this series. 

Thanks to Heidi Joy Tretheway for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.