I really didn't like this book. It disappointed me in ways others never have.

I really liked the premise of this story but it was hard to get into and so for that reason I can't recommend the book whole heartedly. Maybe it's just me so give it a try if it sounds good to you!

3 stars.

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Under Her Skin is an emotional debut novel that deals with abuse and shows us what life can be like for a survivor. The pace is very slow but consistent, the characters are developed, and the story takes us on a journey that explores the building of a relationship based on trust and intimacy.

Adriana Anders is a new voice in Romance that will definitely captivate readers. This book follows Uma, a woman on the run from her abusive ex, and Ivan, her handsome neighbor who has a few secrets of his own. Their romance is one that will get a lot of dreamy sighs from people, especially with the level of Anders’ writing. Unfortunately for me, the story remained slow and a little boring through most of the book.

Positive points first: the writing is really good. The book has a fantastic beginning that makes you laugh and grasps your attention, and it does a wonderful job introducing some of the characters. The story is told in POVs of Uma and Ivan, and Anders manages to give them both unique voices that read very differently from one another.

The characters are developed, and all have different stories and backgrounds. Even the side characters have their own conflicts, which will definitely be addressed in the next installments. Not to say that some of them aren’t horrible people, because they can be and are.

Which leads me to talk about one of the main factors that fuels Uma’s story: her abuse. I won’t give away details, but I can say the author addresses it in the most respectful manner. It is not brushed off as something minor; Uma deals with it every day and we can see it is a struggle for her to overcome what happened and get her happy ending.

So I’m sad to say I still didn’t fully connect with the story, the main characters, and the romance. There is a little bit of instalove going on, but the relationship between Uma and Ivan develops along the course of the book. Also, nothing about Uma and Ivan as characters call to me, and their inner monologues become rather boring to follow. With that, the slow pacing also becomes an issue, as things took a while to move forward. Ivan can also be very… intense, and not in a way that appeals to me; and Mrs. Lloyd is an entire different problem.

Overall, Under Her Skin is a debut novel to be proud of. Romance fans that like their stories a little dark will certainly love this, and Anders’ writing shows great potential. I’m curious to see what she has in store, and will definitely check out her other works in the future.

4 Self Healing and Discovery Stars
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My 2017 has stared out with a bang...I have been reading a diverse group of books and every one of them brought something interesting to my reading table. With Under Her Skin, I was taken on a journey which surprised me. The author was new, the blurb intriguing and my involvement complete.

It was an experience which left me thinking of a number of things...

Of how evil people can be in this world...and how easy it is to wish for something, become isolated and manipulated by them and then suffer the doubts, guilt and self hate after being victimized. I am very lucky; in all my years, I have never experienced any of the types of treatment women have endured through no fault of their own...

How incredibly strong and brave these same women are to find a way to take back their lives...to rediscover who they are and move forward....The determination and resistance to all the negative inner dialogue ingrained takes a Herculean effort, I would think... and I respect it immensely.

So with all of that said...I was able to dive in and take what was given to me on the page...

This is a story which is not the most comfortable...but there is also a relationship between two broken people who are drawn to each other, provide a safe place for both...and experience what each needs...

This relationship in the context of all that has happened with each of them... seemed to have a type of calling out to each other...For me, it worked and was a way for the woman to find herself. For him, it brought him back to feeling a connection to someone, more than just a caring or protecting...
Each was able to be free in the moments of trust... and the trust grew.

The premise is not an unusual one for a romance book... and this could have been like many I have read...But this had more in the way it gave me the inner workings of both main characters...I was able to feel the hopelessness and panic she first felt in the story. I understood the way she had to deal with her self loathing and fight to be brave and overcome small tasks to get through the day. I was there when she fought to make herself go forward and do things which would help heal her, no matter how difficult they were....

And when she allowed herself to experiment and take charge of her sexual needs...I got it.

Our fella was the perfect vehicle for her...he sensed right away how damaged and skittish she was...His history with his sister made him recognize what she was all about...But it wasn't pity...which caused him to care for her...It was something else for the both of them...an almost animal instinct of her knowing he was there and willing to be whatever she needed...

And he was.

When these two start to come together physically, it is a way for her to take back her power... she is surprised with her actions and relishes the way she is able to control him and the situation. It is presented sensually, with care yet also with an honesty of how sex isn't always perfect and pretty...
For me, all of it worked.

There were others in this story...not all of them likeable...But they played their parts...Jessie, our fella's sister was given a hint of a back story with another engaging character...and since this seems to be a series...my guess is she will have her own book. I will be looking forward to see what comes next.

I would like to suggest Madeline Iva's review. It brings a personal view to this book which is very powerful and insightful.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A gifted copy was provided by SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca via NetGalley for an honest review.

A beautiful book. It was so well narrated and emotional it seemed real. Ivan was such an amazing hero and uma a deeply scarred but strong heroine. Cant wait for the rest of the series.

Beautifully  written  book, the story behind Uma and Ivan's pasts is really important  for  the  reader to  understand  what  they go through  and do as individuals  and  as a couple.

This was a heartbreaking, yet wonderful story about getting your life back.  Uma suffered horribly in the hands of her ex, who claimed he loved her, that is what is the worst part.  She was able to escape, and ends up living with a grouchy older woman, who is known as "the old hag", but then you find out why she is the way she is, and they end helping each other out.  She also meets Ivan, who lives behind the house she is staying, he is a gruff man, whom she is terrified at first contact, but then is drawn to him as he is to her.  Of course, you have the horrible jealous ex girlfriend who isn't even a girlfriend.  But you also have great secondary characters.  I would love to know what is between Jessie and Rory, there is definitely a story there. And this one ends great.