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What We Deserve

A 'Who Hurt You' Workplace Romance! (Wishbone Tattoos, Book 1)

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What We Deserve

By: Lizzie Stanley
Narrated by: Ella Lynch, Aaron Shedlock
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About this listen

I’m used to being alone, until she changed everything... When my ex-wife left, she said the cruelest words she could think of, and I took them all to heart. Now I work at my loveable cousin’s tattoo parlor and keep most people at arm’s length.

I have the occasional one night stand to take the edge off, but there can never be anything more than that for me. I don’t let myself think about how lonely I am.

At least I’m not ruining anyone’s life, right? Then Emily walks into Wishbone Tattoos, asking about the receptionist job.

And this shy, smiling, kindhearted woman is everything I’ve ever wanted. I can’t help falling for her, even though I know I mustn't, for both our sakes. But there’s something about Emily I don’t know.

Something that will make her the exception to my hard and fast rule...

She’s battle scarred herself, and running scared from a dark past which snaps at her heels, but I’m not going to let anyone hurt her ever again, I swear to god. And maybe, if we’re lucky and we both want it hard enough, the two of us will finally get what we deserve.

©2021 Lizzy Stanley (P)2025 Blue Nose Publishing Contemporary Heartfelt

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What We Need cover art
What We Need By: Lizzie Stanley
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This book has serious "found family" vibes and I loved it.

Emily is trying to escape a dark past and finds herself in a new town, applying for a receptionist job at a tattoo shop called Wishbone Tattoos. Where she meets Eli, a tattoo artist who looks like a total "tattooed bear" but is actually incredibly gentle and caring. Both of them are carrying relationship baggage—Eli is dealing with a rough divorce, and Emily is struggling with trauma and PTSD from her last relationship. Their slow-burning romance was really sweet because it wasn't just about their chemistry; it’s was about two people helping each other heal and learn to trust again.

The shop staff are a family, and you can feel the closeness and love they have for each other. I always love a book with a found family vibe and they bring a lot of humour and warmth to the heavy topics the book tackles.

The story does get pretty intense with themes of abuse and mental health, so it can be a bit of an emotional roller-coaster.

🎧 The audio book is duet, and I love this style. I swooned at Eli's voice, along with Dean and Leo, all were different and easy to recognise. Eli has this great Cajun accent that adds a lot of charm to his character. Emily's voice was sweet, but I have to admit it wasn't as easy to listen to. We also didn't get much different between other female characters - they sounded very similar.

Loved, loved loved the found family vibes!

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Listener received this title free

OMG THIS BOOK! THE AUDIOBOOK! This freaking book has stolen my heart. I don’t remember the last time I giggled and swooned over a couple like Emily and Eli. Emily just got out of a DV relationship and is trying to put her life back together in a new town by the sea, coming across a tattoo shop looking for a receptionist. Getting the job on the spot changed her life forever, everyone that works there are amazing and welcoming, and then there is Eli, tall and handsome with a calming presence that has Emily weak at the knees.
Eli is everything a woman could need when trauma is present, calm, safe and so very patient
Highly recommend

Absolutely Obsessed with this book!

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Listener received this title free

It is always great to check out new authors, even greater when the book turns out to be a gem of a novel. Then, to learn this was Lizzie Stanley’s debut novel, consider me impressed, not only by her writing style but by the compelling characters and intriguing storylines she created, and how naturally the story flowed, drew me in and flew by. This first book of the “Wishbone Tattoos” series lays down the foundation of the series, introducing the characters, tattooists of Wishbone Tattoos, Eli, Dean, Leo, and Sadie, some are blood relatives, but they are all a found family and I loved the camaraderie amongst them and how they look out for each other. That said, the story is mainly Eli and Emily’s story, Emily, the newly hired and desperately needed receptionist for their business. Emily comes with her own baggage, having gotten out of a terrible relationship, moving to get away from her ex, with hopes of never being found. Her ex did a number on her self-worth and played on her insecurities, always knocking her down. Getting that receptionist job was the best thing that happened to her, welcoming her with open arms, accepting her and making her feel like she was part of their family. Eli felt an instant attraction to her and the feeling was mutual, but neither would make a move, but everyone in the shop called it, and gave them a nudge in the right direction. It was great watching Eli and Emily first fight their attraction and then see their relationship morph into something so much more. They were perfect for each other and together, and he was amazing at building her confidence back up. It was also great learning more about the other three in the shop, and I am looking forward to their stories as well. I loved all the layers of the story and how they all played out, with the perfect balance of drama, a touch of angst, mostly from her ex, heartwarming moments, witty dialogue and banter, lots of heartfelt emotions, and a slow burn, but so worth the wait romance. Lizzie Stanley, thank you for this wonderfully impressive story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧Ella Lynch and Aaron Shedlock are a fabulous pairing, and they did an amazing job bringing the characters to life, giving each a voice that was fitting. I loved how they took each role and owned it, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters to sound. Lynch’s Emily was perfection, grasping every aspect of her personality, from her empathy to her vulnerabilities, and grew as her character grew into her own, with confidence and strength. Shedlock was just as amazing as Eli, showcasing his personality and demeanor perfectly too, as well as his accent of Eli and Leo, a mix of Brit and NOLA. Their tone was ideal for the story, and their expressive performance conveyed all the characters’ emotions, making you feel each one. These entertaining storytellers are a pleasure to listen to, and their captivating performance keeps you glued to the story.

Impressive Story & Listen🎧Intriguing & Heartfelt!

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Listener received this title free

This was a lot sweeter than I thought it would be. It's not quite Hallmark coded and there are darker themes (relating to off page events in the past) but when Em stumbled into Wishbone Tattoo looking for a job and fit in like a missing puzzle piece, the found family aspect kicks in straight away and is what kept me hooked. The insta-love does have a delayed start as Eli and Em are both working through baggage from their past but there is no doubt these two are made for each other. Ella Lynch does a stellar job with showcasing Em's development after escaping from her mentally abusive ex and her bright and bubbly narration worked really with the people pleasing front Em puts on to start with. The nerd in me was rooting for her; Star Trek just doesn't get enough love! I enjoyed Aaron Shedlock's accent work with the MMCs too; Eli's cajun drawl was on point but I think Leo may have been my favourite.

The focus is on Eli and Em in this book but the minute the Wishbone family started that group chat I was all in on the side characters too! Leo is breaking my heart and I am so suspicious of Peter already. He is 100% up to something. Dean's book is up next and I can't wait to dive in.

I love the Wishbone Family!

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