'Under Her Skin' by Adriana Anders is a powerful romance novel that follows Uma, an abuse survivor on the run from her past, who finds solace in caring for an elderly woman while navigating a budding relationship with her neighbor Ivan. The book delves deep into themes of domestic abuse, trauma, and healing, portraying the journey of two scarred individuals finding hope and love amidst their painful pasts. The writing style is captivating, with vivid descriptions, charming dialogue, and well-rounded characters that draw readers into the emotional journey of Uma and Ivan.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed, with a focus on their struggles and growth in a supportive environment.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is emotionally engaging and vividly depicts the characters' journeys, mixing tension with warmth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot involves a survivor of abuse reclaiming her life and finding love while dealing with the shadows of her past.

Setting:

The setting is a small town that serves as a healing space for the characters, contributing to the story's charm.

Pacing:

The pacing allows for a slow build of romance and character development, creating an immersive reading experience.

Yes. Yes, she was. She’d come all the way back to Virginia for the hope its free clinic offered, and if this was the only job she could get while she was in town, she should consider herself lucky to ...

Notes:

The main character, Uma, is a survivor of extreme abuse and runs away from her husband, who forced tattoos on her body.

Ivan, the male protagonist, is depicted as a gentle giant and an ex-con who has anger issues but is kind and protective.

The story takes place in a small town called Blackwood, where Uma seeks refuge and healing.

Uma's journey involves overcoming her trauma and learning to reclaim her body and self-worth with Ivan's help.

The book features a unique dynamic in their relationship, where Ivan encourages Uma to take control during intimate moments due to her past abuse.

The narrative addresses sensitive themes such as domestic violence, self-empowerment, and recovery from trauma.

Anders creatively depicts Uma's healing journey intertwined with romantic and steamy interactions.

The supporting characters in Blackwood add richness to the story, with an enjoyable mix of quirky personalities.

The story features a mix of romance, healing, and suspense due to Uma's abusive ex stalking her in the new town.

The book has received praise for its emotional depth and realistic portrayal of trauma and recovery.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Warnings include graphic descriptions of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and body mutilation.

Has Romance?

The book contains a strong romantic storyline between the main characters.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

His scarred hands are the gentlest I've ever known. If only life were a fairy tale where Beauty got to keep her Beast...

Every morning I wake up and remind myself I am not my past, but beneath my drab clothing hides a secret-proof of the abuse I suffered at the hands of my possessive ex, tattooed on my skin in a lurid reminder of everything I've survived. I'm alone and in hiding, trying to rebuild some semblance of a normal life. I didn't expect healing to come in the form of a rough ex-con whose rage drives him in ways I'll never understand.

Ivan's scars are on the inside-a wounded soul like me. But day by day, this gentle giant proves to me that there are second chances in life, and he deserves them as much as I do. And maybe finding each other will finally allow us to pick up our broken pieces and make something beautiful and new...

This high-heat romance is an emotional tale of survival and contains strong themes of past domestic/sexual abuse. Please see reviews for details.

Praise for Under Her Skin:

"A dark and emotional tale that will make your spine tingle as well as your heart."-SARINA BOWEN, USA Today bestselling author of Bittersweet

"The perfect romance...a hint of danger, a whole lot of spice, and an HEA you believe in."-ANNE CALHOUN, award-winning author of Under the Surface

"Emotionally riveting page-turner."-Publishers Weekly STARRED Review

"Incredibly sexy, heartbreaking, and intense."-Kirkus STARRED Review

Ratings (8)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (2)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (23):

Read It (8)
Want To Read (12)
Not Interested (3)

1 comment(s)

Hannah Martinez

Loved It

1 year

I love a story that rips at my heartstrings. Emotional, angsty, steamy and relatable: this is what I'm looking for in a good romance book. Amazing!

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Under Her Skin

Adriana Anders

Book 1 in the series:Blank Canvas