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Scratcher (Irons and Works Book 7) Kindle Edition

by E.M. Lindsey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,169 ratings
“I meant it when I said I love you. I was afraid I wouldn’t know it when I finally felt it, but I do.”

No last names.
No second dates.
No staying over.

Those three hook-up rules are only things keeping new tattoo artist, Micah, afloat in his love life, because without them, he’ll spiral. His BPD doesn’t define who he is, but it makes him love hard, and love fast. It makes him burn bright, until everything around him is consumed. He has his job at Irons and Works and his friendship with the other artists to keep him centered, and the rest is just… details.

But when a gorgeous man in a rumpled polo with the weight of the world on his shoulders walks into a bar one Thursday night, everything that holds Micah’s routine together is tested. Because the moment Ryan opens his mouth, Micah wants.

But Ryan’s life is just as complicated, if not more so.

Micah’s willing to bend the rules for him, but Ryan isn’t able to offer more than their Thursday night hook-ups, and he has no plans to tell Micah why.

For the first time in his life, Micah wants to fight to keep what he has, he just needs to know that Ryan is willing to give him something worth fighting for.

Scratcher is the seventh book in the Irons and Works series which are best read in order. It contains no cheating and a happily ever after.
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  1. Book 7 of 11
    Irons and Works
  2. Print length
    246 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    September 22, 2021
  6. File size
    2.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 11 books in this series.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B094HMYGMP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ E.M. Lindsey
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 22, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.7 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 246 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 7 of 11 ‏ : ‎ Irons and Works
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,169 ratings

About the author

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E.M. Lindsey

E.M. Lindsey

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E.M. Lindsey is a Romance author, an ancient historian, and avid lover of nerdy things.  EM lives on the East Coast of the United States. 

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,169 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book emotionally engaging, with one review highlighting the intense emotional journey of the main characters. The story quality receives positive feedback, with one customer particularly appreciating the connection between Micah and Ryan. The writing is well-executed, with one customer noting there are very few grammar issues.

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19 customers mention "Emotional content"16 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, with several noting it gives them all the feels, and one customer highlighting the sweet moments of falling in love.

"And it’s one more for everyone to read. Great story, great Characters...." Read more

"I think this is one of the most emotionally intense books I’ve read in a while. Everything about this book left me near tears...." Read more

"...These series have open my eyes, mind and heart. I recommend every book!..." Read more

"This book was so emotional for both main characters. Micah with his BPD and abandonment issues and Ryan's daughter's health issues...." Read more

9 customers mention "Story quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, with one customer particularly engaged with the relationship between Micah and Ryan, while another notes it's a good but intense read.

"And it’s one more for everyone to read. Great story, great Characters...." Read more

"...Otherwise, this was an excellent story that I recommend wholeheartedly." Read more

"...I said too much! Back to the story is a great story of a single dad raising a beautiful baby girl with cystic fibrosis...." Read more

"...OTOH, I did love the general premise, the sensitivity in bringing BPD and CF into this storyline, and I love the Irons and Works setting...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written, with one mentioning very few grammar issues.

"...The writing was solid but the plot was weak. Also if you get these books for hot steamy sex, this isn't it...." Read more

"EM Lindsey's writing is a treasure. Careful, compassionate, and real. Sexy, swoony, and funny...." Read more

"It was very well-written---the juxtaposition of Bipolar, BPD, and forging a relationship between two men who were hurting, vulnerable, and yet so..." Read more

"...Micah is worthy. Violet and Rachel are worthy. Such perfectly written words. Again. Who doesn’t think this is one of the best series ever!?" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Larry Hill
    5.0 out of 5 stars one more
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    And it’s one more for everyone to read. Great story, great Characters.
    I liked the way it was written and how the characters developed it had great movement throughout.
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  • JamG
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to this series
    Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I love reading books in this series and books by this author in general. As with the others, this book included MCs who were managing difficult circumstances and who often felt unloved and misunderstood. I had a really difficult time rating this story or reading it without judgment though. I’m a psychologist whose specialty is working with clients with BPD and BP, and I couldn’t help but feel that the MC with these disorders was conceptualized as someone with problems that would never resolve instead of as someone who had treatable issues and who needed to learn skills to manage them. Most therapists in this day and age would recommend DBT, and I wish this character had the hope that comes with getting treatment designed to reduce his symptoms. I love working with this population, especially because the treatment outcomes are usually so good. I’m not saying that a person is necessarily “cured” with DBT, yet a character as smart as the one in this book would likely be more functional than he was often written to be. The key to understanding why a person with BPD does what they do is to know that what we may see as problematic behavior is actually being used by the person with BPD to *solve* a particular problem. I just wish that Micah had been given the opportunity to feel that he wasn’t held hostage by his diagnoses. Otherwise, this was an excellent story that I recommend wholeheartedly.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Meagan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intense and emotional!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I think this is one of the most emotionally intense books I’ve read in a while. Everything about this book left me near tears. With all of the painful and heartbreaking moments, the sweet moments of falling in love and finding your person. The way that Ryan and Micah were so in love and yet incapable of asking each other for what they needed, and all the big feelings that come with being a single parent of a sick kid. Not to mention the way that Micah’s mental illnesses and mental health were treated like it was just another part of him, instead of something to be ashamed of or vilified for. Just…everything about this book was so intense and emotional and I loved every second of it. I think this might be one of my top favorite books in this series. It’s also definitely a contender for favorite book of the year! Scratcher is getting a solid five stars. 😭❤️
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  • Ms. Jacobs
    3.0 out of 5 stars Fast Ride
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book was well written with very few grammar issues. It's clear that Lindsey did her research about all the topics that were covered in this book. It was nice to see all the folks from I/W make an appearance.
    Here is my issues with the book; it was like circling the drain. Nothing seemed to happen. It was the same topics over and over again. All Ryan and Micha seemed to do was talk about thier issues, over and over again. The writing was solid but the plot was weak.
    Also if you get these books for hot steamy sex, this isn't it. I think they have sex a total of 3 times and it's mentioned they had sex maybe 2 times.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Blueleo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love these series!💙💚💛💜💖
    Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I like when I learn something new. I did not know about BPD or Cystic Fibrosis. These series have open my eyes, mind and heart. I recommend every book! What also like is that this genre M/M, Gay Romance have gone where a regular M/F have not and that is the acknowledgement of mental health is not just about "Gay Sex". As for "regular/normal couple M/F" is still stuck on the man saving the woman from whatever she stuck and even when the woman is tough and proven herself still doesn't acknowledge other issues mental or physical disabilities.

    I said too much! Back to the story is a great story of a single dad raising a beautiful baby girl with cystic fibrosis. Ryan has become and Island dedicating himself 24/7 and scare to let love in. Until he meets Micah. Micah suffers from BPD and Bipolar disorder due to a traumatic childhood. Micah has settled to thinking he will never find love and worst that everybody will leave him at some point in his life. Then he meets Ryan and both have this need and love for each other and the eye awakening that they deserve each other, they deserve Love!💖
    One person found this helpful
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  • JDenise
    4.0 out of 5 stars Worthy!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This was just going to be a quick one-night stand hookup for IT Manager Ryan and Tattoo Artist Micah, but of course, it was so much more. I have mixed feelings about this book. I felt like I was starting in the middle of the storyline. The way the guys (Irons & Works) all embraced and loved Micah, they were so invested in him. However, we were only subject to his lashing out, his BPD episodes. It seemed I was missing part of the tale. I also didn’t feel a strong connection between the MCs. Then there’s the continuity issue with baby Jazzy is 2-ish in this story but wasn’t she three in another story in this series. (I know I’m caught up in minor details, but they can be a distraction). OTOH, I did love the general premise, the sensitivity in bringing BPD and CF into this storyline, and I love the Irons and Works setting. An aside: Did Ruby and Amaranth (Basil’s sister) break up? Overall, this was a good but intense read. Rating: 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
    One person found this helpful
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  • Rachel Blomberg
    5.0 out of 5 stars Micah and Ryan's story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book was so emotional for both main characters. Micah with his BPD and abandonment issues and Ryan's daughter's health issues. Both had to learn to lean on each other and the people in their lives when things got bad.
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  • Heather
    4.0 out of 5 stars Irons and Works is Back!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Micah and Ryan are such a welcome addition to Fairfield! Filled with Lindsey's usually heart and steam, it's wonderful to have another story set at with the folks at Irons and Works.

    Micah's baggage comes with baggage - from a crappy childhood to an unpredictable adulthood, he's finally found a home at Irons and Works. His friends-his found family-know how to help keep him on an even keel and ensure he knows he's loved and supported. Ryan's a single dad to a sick daughter who can't see past her needs and his job. He allows himself one night a week off and, during one of those nights, he meets Micah.

    While the connection is quick, the men have to fight hard for their HEA as they learn how to give each other what they need to be happy.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars perfection
    Reviewed in Italy on September 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    As a person with BPD I am amazed..this book is perfection, I can relate with Micah so much..the representation is real and touching and so freaking perfect. I’ve loved it, this book will stay with me forever…
    Report
  • Rosie M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful way to return to a beloved town
    Reviewed in Canada on September 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this new book, feels like the seventh chapter of this wonderful town,
    it felt like coming back to a favorite vacation place.
    The amazing stories of the friends and lovers you've come to love and have
    missed so very much. Meeting Ryan and Micah who are new to Fairfield and I'm glad EM
    has shared their story with us. So worth the wait
    Thanks for the bonuses too!!
    Report
  • CandiceAlena
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book was everything to me
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 19, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This book was everything to me. As someone who is a single parent to a child with health problems and additional needs, whilst living with bpd and bipolar without a support system, this broke me and put me together again in the most beautiful way. I've read a lot of books where the portrayal of people who live with bipolar/bpd and they have left me feeling inferior and disgusting. This book did not do that. Yes, it made me sob. Yes, it made me feel overwhelmed and raw but it made me feel like there are some people who are willing to go above and beyond to understand these conditions and what it's like to live with them. This is exactly what E.M Lindsey has done. Micha's portrayed symptoms are very similar to mine and that made me feel seen and worthy of more than a life of hiding away.
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  • Freckles
    5.0 out of 5 stars another great addition to the series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Each of these books are so different and some of the lives so complicated yet they all have each other and the amazing family that Kat and Tony created at Irons and Works. This was another heart wrenching story for Ryan and his sweet daughter Violet who has has so many health issues and will always be needing help and caring leaving Ryan without a chance at love. Micah has his own demons but together they can work if they just try and stop hiding behind their fears and doubts. I was pulling for them the whole time. Really enjoyed this and seeing many characters from previous books in the series.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars The pandemic?
    Reviewed in Canada on December 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book for what it was, but I have been disappointed in contemporary romance as a genre for failing to acknowledge and incorporate the pandemic (when, for example, condoms are always seamlessly incorporated - why can't people grab their wallet, keys, and mask when heading out the door?). I am specifically disappointed in this series and this book because accomodations for disability are otherwise so central. And Violet would be so vulnerable to COVID - it would really humanize the cost of failing to wear masks, upgrade ventilation, get vaccinated, etc. (Like imagine Mat organizing a pop up vaccination clinic for regular customers? Everyone at Irons and Works wearing N95s all the time once they became available for non-healthcare workers? Building Corsi-Rosenthal boxes?) And if Irons and Works made it permanent, it would also protect Violet and other vulnerable people from the other viruses and bacteria as well. It seems like an opportunity lost to show what disabled solidarity looks like after 2020.
    Report

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