3.5-ish stars

I, honestly, don't have a rating for this book, but since everywhere you post reviews pretty much requires one, I am saying 3.5-ish. Why? You probably think that means this isn't a good book. Well, it is a good book...

I think my lack of rating is because when it comes to this series, one expects a certain level of hilarity. Personally, I didn't get that level in this book. I mean, really, it is pretty damned tough to match or surpass the first few books in this series.

The book IS funny, I just wanted more laughs. As far as the tears, because let's face it, considering the subject, there should be tears. Many of you will shed some... Me? I am not that easily swayed. Now, the Playing With Fire Series, I did shed some tears in a couple of them... I just wasn't quite there with this one. But, then again if you follow my reviews, I am a REALLY hard cookie to crack when it comes to the weepy tears. There have been FEW books to bring on those pesky little drops of water!

Now enough about the the laughs and tears... Let's move on to the book itself! I loved the story! I loved the going from past to present. It gave more meaning to the entire series, not just this book. Seeing what went on before and after the frat party gives more insight to the relationships with these important characters. Let's face it: Claire, Carter, Liz and Jim are the four amigos. I am not discounting Drew and Jenny, but in reality, they are just the icing to the cake in the series. They keep it alive and kicking, but they don't carry all of the weight. Do you know what I mean?

Claire and Liz's relationship is solid. It is shown more in this book than in any of the other books. Plus, with everything in this book, their relationship is even more relate-able than ever!

Overall, this is such a sad, happy and bittersweet addition to this series. Would I recommend you read it? Ummmm, YEAH, duh! ( )

heart warming and real ( )

3.5-ish stars

I, honestly, don't have a rating for this book, but since everywhere you post reviews pretty much requires one, I am saying 3.5-ish. Why? You probably think that means this isn't a good book. Well, it is a good book...

I think my lack of rating is because when it comes to this series, one expects a certain level of hilarity. Personally, I didn't get that level in this book. I mean, really, it is pretty damned tough to match or surpass the first few books in this series.

The book IS funny, I just wanted more laughs. As far as the tears, because let's face it, considering the subject, there should be tears. Many of you will shed some... Me? I am not that easily swayed. Now, the Playing With Fire Series, I did shed some tears in a couple of them... I just wasn't quite there with this one. But, then again if you follow my reviews, I am a REALLY hard cookie to crack when it comes to the weepy tears. There have been FEW books to bring on those pesky little drops of water!

Now enough about the the laughs and tears... Let's move on to the book itself! I loved the story! I loved the going from past to present. It gave more meaning to the entire series, not just this book. Seeing what went on before and after the frat party gives more insight to the relationships with these important characters. Let's face it: Claire, Carter, Liz and Jim are the four amigos. I am not discounting Drew and Jenny, but in reality, they are just the icing to the cake in the series. They keep it alive and kicking, but they don't carry all of the weight. Do you know what I mean?

Claire and Liz's relationship is solid. It is shown more in this book than in any of the other books. Plus, with everything in this book, their relationship is even more relate-able than ever!

Overall, this is such a sad, happy and bittersweet addition to this series. Would I recommend you read it? Ummmm, YEAH, duh! ( )

I'm a long time fan of Sivec's Chocolate Lovers and the more recent Chocoholic series. Tattoos and Tatas was a good interlude between Chocoholics book two, Passion and Ponies, and a book three if/when it's released. With that said, I felt it was more a Chocolate Lovers book than a Chocoholics because the narrator is Liz (new narrator for the series, but an original character) and not one of the children of the adults in the CL books. it's a small detail of labeling, but just something I wanted to point out for those who haven't read the spin-off books yet. I feel that readers can still enjoy this novella having just read the CL series.

Onto the story itself. It was a departure of sorts from the mood the other books had. More often than not, readers are laughing non-stop at the hilarious situations and dialogue between characters. Tattoos and Tatas takes the comedy down a notch or two to show a more serious side of life. To put it all out there: Claire has breast cancer. This book is about the gang supporting her through her treatment, but Liz is having issues with her best friend during this difficult time in her life. What helps this story not be a "cry your eyes out" story the entire time is that, as expected, Sivec is able to weave comedy into it and give readers some laughs without making it seem like the situation isn't something to laugh at. To take a quote from the epilogue "I think people sometimes forget just how powerful laughter is." Laughter is sometimes the best medicine during hard times.

One of the few things I felt was lacking in this novella was the kids. With this being a Chocoholics novella, they're adults at this point and are the focus of the series so far. We only get mentions of them and how they're handling the situation, but they don't show up more than that. The reader gets to see Carter (Claire's husband) and how he's dealing with it all, but we don't see Gavin or his sister. The book's from Liz's point of view, so this is obviously part of it, though it was expecting a little interaction with the kids. This could also be something touched on in the next novel, so I'm not completely turned off by their exclusion.

Tattoos and Tatas, another great and touching adventure with Tara Sivec's beloved characters. It's great to see Sivec blend in the serious into this otherwise hilarious series without killing its enjoyment. I'm looking forward, as always, to more Chocolate Lovers/Chocoholics books, especially after this short glimpse into things to come. ( )

It’s such a weird feeling to want to say I loved Tattoos & Tatas by Tara Sivec when the subject matter is a bit heartbreaking and close to home. Less than a year ago, a close friend of mine passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. She was only 27 years old, 24 when she was first diagnosed.

Tattoos & Tatas is a novella in the Chocolate Lovers/Chocoholics world. When one of the matriarchs of the twistedly funny group receives horrible news, the gang steps up to make sure the company is running smoothly and the only thing on our beloved character’s mind is beating this disease. With these characters, you know there’s going to be some hilarious moments.

The novella is filled with flashbacks of moments we’ve missed out on and different POVs from big events we’ve been apart of. This book made me laugh one minute and had me in tears the next. I don’t want to give anything away, but my favorite moments involve ribs and balloons.

If you’ve loved the characters from the Chocolate Lovers and Chocoholics series, definitely give this novella a read. ( )