Title: Beneath the Skin
Author: Lauren Dane
First published April 3, 2012
195 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9781619210523 (ISBN10: 1619210525)
Rating: 4.2
Overview
Beneath the Skin, the third book in the De La Vega Cats series, takes you on a thrilling journey into the hidden world of the jamboree. Gibson de La Vega is the Bringer, tasked with protecting his jamboree and upholding its laws.
After a heated confrontation with a rival jamboree, Gibson is shot, but his life is saved by Mia, a Porter – a family that has a long-standing history of conflict with the de La Vegas. Though drawn to each other, their attraction is complicated by their families’ past.
Mia is recovering from a terrible attack that has left her unable to do what she loves most, and the last thing she needs is an alpha cat like Gibson telling her what to do. As they work together to hunt down the culprits, their attraction intensifies, leading them to uncover a dangerous threat that hits closer to home than they ever could have imagined.
With Gibson’s life on the line, Mia must stand by his side and help him put an end to the chaos once and for all. This book contains a steamy romance, a tough hero, a strong heroine, violence, and bad language – all wrapped up in an exciting adventure.
About the Author
From a young age, Lauren Dane had a passion for storytelling. Even before she could write, she would share her tales with anyone who would listen.
Now, through a stroke of luck and destiny, she is able to share her words with a wider audience. It’s a dream come true!
In addition to her writing, Lauren is a devoted mom, partner, best friend, and daughter. She resides in the stunning yet rainy Pacific Northwest, and spends her late nights writing furiously once her children are tucked in bed.
Editoral Review
Beneath the Skin by Lauren Dane is a contemporary romance novel that was first published on April 3, 2012. Dane is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who is known for her captivating and steamy romance novels.
The book is set in a small-town community in Oregon and follows the story of Ella Tipton and her newfound love interest, Damien. The story begins with Ella returning home from a ten-year stint in California, where she had hoped to make it big as a makeup artist.
Upon her return, Ella has to deal with her past and confront her difficult relationship with her mother, while also navigating her newfound feelings for Damien. At its core, Beneath the Skin is a book about second chances, forgiveness, and the healing power of love.
The novel is structured around the themes of family, community, and self-discovery. Throughout the novel, Dane carefully creates a world that is both familiar and foreign, with relatable characters and a vividly described setting.
In terms of character development, the author does a great job of creating complex and realistic characters who are flawed yet sympathetic. Ella is a strong, independent woman who is trying to find her place in the world, while Damien is a brooding and mysterious artist who is haunted by his past.
As their relationship develops, the two characters have to navigate their insecurities and fears, which makes for a captivating and emotional read. Furthermore, Dane’s writing style is engaging and evocative, with detailed descriptions that bring the setting to life.
She creates a sense of intimacy and emotional depth that will resonate with readers, and her pacing is excellent, keeping the reader on their toes until the very end. However, the novel does have some flaws.
The plot is somewhat predictable, and at times, the characters’ emotions can feel repetitive. Additionally, some readers may find the book’s explicit language and sexual content off-putting.
Overall, Beneath the Skin is an engaging and heartfelt romance novel that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance. The book deals with themes that are relevant to our current society, such as self-discovery, second chances, and the healing power of love.
While it may have some flaws, the book’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys realistic and heartfelt romance novels, with relatable characters and a vividly described setting.
It’s a great read for those who are looking for an emotional and captivating story that will keep them hooked until the very end. Rating: 4/5.
