Skins

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

​Title: Skins
Author: Laura Rossi  
Publication date: 11/16/2017
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Cliffhanger: No

Sometimes I think Amazon just likes to mess with me. You know, like Bezos sits around with his team and says, “oh, ha, ha...watch Jennifer buy this book thinking she’s gonna love it based on the blurb and cover and great reviews, then we’ll hit her with all kinds of crap she hates. It’ll be hilarious!” So...yeah. That’s what happened here. I was lured in by an interesting blurb and great reviews, then got smacked in the face with a bunch of stuff that just didn’t sit well with me. Curse you, Bezos!!!

Here it goes:

• Andrea is not what anyone would call a strong heroine. She needs protecting (a lot) and doesn’t really do anything to better her living situation, which is making her miserable and putting her son in danger. Any mom worth her salt would figure out a way to get that sweet little boy far away from the murdering mobster ex. I don’t really care how far the guy’s reach extends, it’s a mom’s job to protect her kid, and I didn’t really see Andrea doing anything to protect little Eddy. (Except stay within arm’s reach of a dude who even she admits plans to kill her one day.)
• Instalove. After one night together (where they don’t really do any talking at all), these two are ruined for all others. Sebastian is willing to put his life on the line (and rearrange his whole life) for Andrea. I think I’ve made it pretty clear that I can’t abide instalove. (Unless it’s in a paranormal shifter romance, because, you know, animal attraction and all. But I digress...)
• So, Andrea, about this big bad mobster ex who you seem sure will kill you one day...you can’t leave the city and disappear because you’re afraid of what he’ll do, but you felt comfortable divorcing him? And he let that happen? Hmmm...methinks something’s rotten in Denmark on this one. (Or Rome, as the case may be. But again, I digress…) My bullshit meter was ringing like crazy at this point in the story.
• Holy stilted dialogue, Batman. These folks don’t talk like any normal people I’ve ever encountered. Every conversation they had sounded totally awkward and unnatural.
• There are 2 big reveals in the story. I won’t give anything away, but I will say that the first reveal was totally a “well, duh.” Anyone who couldn’t see that one coming a mile away wasn’t paying attention. And the second big reveal at the end? Totally unnecessary. In fact, I think it did quite a bit to ruin the anti-hero vibe the author had created for Sebastian up until that point, which was really the only thing I’d enjoyed about the story. Way to steal my joy, Sebastian. Way to steal my joy.
• I’m not and will never be a grammar and spelling Nazi. I realize that no one is perfect, and there will be errors in books (all books, be they traditionally or independently published). But when even I start noticing lots of typo-like issues...well, that’s a problem. The grammar and spelling Nazis would go crazy with this one, I’m afraid. (Lots of erroneous and odd capitalization, too)  
• And this doesn’t really have anything to do with the book itself, but if you look at the cover art at thumbnail size (like it ​appears on Amazon), it really looks like it says “SKINC” or even “SKING”. It doesn’t look like “SKINS” until you blow it up and look at it really close. I don’t know for sure, but that might be a problem for Amazon searches and such.
• So, long-story-short, this one just wasn’t my cuppa. But given it’s overall rating on Amazon, I seem to be part of the unpopular opinion crew. If you’re at all curious about it, I say go ahead and give it a read. Because who knows...maybe Bezos doesn’t feel the need to mess with YOU and you’ll really enjoy it. (But don’t say I didn’t warn you. Proceed at your own risk, and may the odds be ever in your favor.)
  
  Does this book contribute to or help crush the romance stigma?
  Ugh. Contributes mightily.
  
  Other reading suggestions
  For our favorite bodyguard reads, check out this list. We also have a list of our favorite criminal heroes. But for a great new adult mafia hero read, try Rachel Van Dyken’s Elect.  
  
  

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