1 of 1 copy available
An uplifting, feminist coming-of-age love story about a young woman who dreams of becoming a tattoo artist, and living life on her own terms
Introvert Gina Mulley is determined to become a tattoo artist, and to find somewhere she belongs in her conventional Long Island town. But this is 1985, when tattooing is still a gritty, male-dominated fringe culture, and Gina’s whimsical style is far from the norm. Luck is on her side: Gina’s older brother Dominic owns a tattoo shop, and he reluctantly grants her one year to prove herself.
Gina devotes herself to perfecting her craft, but her world is turned upside down when a mysterious psychic and his striking assistant, Anna, arrive on the scene. Anna’s friendship opens Gina’s eyes to thrilling possibilities: finally stepping out of her brother’s shadow and embracing her own quirky self, both in her art and beyond.
The tattoo shop is rocked by a crisis just as Gina finds herself falling in love with Anna. When Dominic gives Gina an ultimatum, she’s faced with an impossible choice: Is this newfound independence and a shot at romance worth sacrificing her dreams? Or can she find a way to have it all?
-
Creators
-
Publisher
-
Release date
June 21, 2022 -
Formats
-
OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593590515
- File size: 346054 KB
- Duration: 12:00:56
-
-
Languages
- English
-
Reviews
-
April 11, 2022
Gervais debuts with the charming account of a recent high school graduate who dreams of breaking the gender barrier for tattoo artists on 1985 Long Island. In need of a job, Gina Mulley convinces her older brother, Dominic, to give her an apprenticeship at his tattoo parlor. Dom has just sold 20% of the fledgling business to investor Jeri Harrison, who plans to tap into an upscale market, but the plans are compromised by a vindictive chamber of commerce president, Dom’s lack of faith in Gina, and a romantic relationship between Dom and Jeri. Then Gina meets a young woman named Anna, who visits the shop with her employer, a traveling psychic. Gina and Anna become pen pals and eventually strike up a romantic relationship, and Gina must decide between proving herself in Dom’s shop or following Anna on the road. At times the story feels aimless, but Gervais gets a decent amount of mileage out of body art metaphors, such as her description of a tattoo as “something invisible made visible. A truth you’d kept to yourself that you were finally willing to have in the open, to be seen.” The complex characters in this otherwise patchy bildungsroman will keep readers turning the pages. Agent: Chad Luibl, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc. -
September 1, 2022
Gervais's debut novel wrestles with questions of coming-of-age in the 1980s, feminism, and living authentically when it seems that everyone is against you. Gina is introverted, but she's set on becoming a tattoo artist. Her brother, Dominic, who runs a tattoo parlor in their Long Island town, tries to protect her from the tumultuous, gritty, and male-dominated world of tattoo artists in 1985. Her art doesn't fit mainstream tattoo aesthetics, but that could be her ticket to success. Given one year to prove herself, Gina works hard. One day a psychic and his assistant, Anna, show up. Gina instantly falls for Anna. When the shop enters uncertain times Gina must navigate her career, new love, and family problems. Gina handles what life throws at her with grit, grace, and hope. Gervais throws in cultural references from the 1980s that will make readers smile who grew up then. Narrator Jesse Vilinsky brings the young Gina to life, embodying her optimism, anxiety, and growth with heart. VERDICT Those looking for an uplifting listen with a bit of romance will enjoy Gervais's novel.--Elyssa Everling
Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
-