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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Ok I never thought I would cry badly because of Roman Riviera but I really am related to Bella in spiritual level and it hurts to be treated like that. I know what they have is super toxic but sweet at the same time. Idk guys I just hope they have a great life together and no more running, both Mickey and his Baby Girl Mouse. Definitely gonna re-read it someday!
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC Review. Bella and Roman were two foster kids against the world. Best friends through their teens years, they protected each other—until Roman disappeared overnight, leaving her in hell. After years of silence, he barrels back into her life. But Roman may find the girl he left behind is now a woman with inner rage for days.
Bella is such an incredibly complex character. Raised in awful conditions, she’s grown from a mousey, scared girl to an angry woman. And rightly so. She displays strength, as well as questionable judgement. She’s scared but she’s taught herself to fight back. When a Roman-sized hole is created in his absence, she remakes herself and survives. Roman is absolutely unhinged and I appreciate that the author really makes you understand his mindset with this. You like him and understand him, despite his miles of red flags. There are times when you really see that despite everything, these are two traumatized kids making the most of a bad hand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Stalking, Sexual harassment
DNFed at 66%. Roman was so cringy that I just couldn’t force myself to read any more of this book.
🖤Book review🖤
Title: Skin of a Sinner
Author: Avina St. Graves
Overall star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: k!ller, stalking/k!dnapping, touch her and d!e, childhood friends, somnophilia, forced proximity, masked
Favorite quote:
"We're just - "
The ax comes down, splitting the trunk in two, then his searing eyes snap up to mine. "Call us friends. I dare you." - 220
Mind TW's
Review:
This is hard. I started off liking it, but flashbacks kept happening so it was hard to keep track of where in the story I was. There were also logistical questions, but big picture they don't matter. Around halfway, I found Roman annoying and then Isabella a little while later.
I almost DNF'd, but then the scene where Bella found the letters... I am broken. After that, it was smooth sailing to the end. The ending was so sweet.
I'm sad that while I loved the story, I didn't feel connected to the characters themselves. I would recommend it for the desired tropes.
Title: Skin of a Sinner
Author: Avina St. Graves
Overall star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: k!ller, stalking/k!dnapping, touch her and d!e, childhood friends, somnophilia, forced proximity, masked
Favorite quote:
"We're just - "
The ax comes down, splitting the trunk in two, then his searing eyes snap up to mine. "Call us friends. I dare you." - 220
Mind TW's
Review:
This is hard. I started off liking it, but flashbacks kept happening so it was hard to keep track of where in the story I was. There were also logistical questions, but big picture they don't matter. Around halfway, I found Roman annoying and then Isabella a little while later.
I almost DNF'd, but then the scene where Bella found the letters... I am broken. After that, it was smooth sailing to the end. The ending was so sweet.
I'm sad that while I loved the story, I didn't feel connected to the characters themselves. I would recommend it for the desired tropes.
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a true touch her and die dark romance between childhood best friends with dual POV/dual timeline.
Roman was unhinged, delusional, overprotective, and completely obsessed with the FMC, but he was surprisingly hilarious and definitely carried the whole book. Bella felt annoying and childish, and I can't think of any other redeeming qualities besides her protectiveness for her younger foster brother.
The beginning of the book was really good but then it started to drag and the plot was kind of messy/all over the place. This was very quick paced and I absolutely loved all the childhood memories and the letters he wrote to her.
Roman was unhinged, delusional, overprotective, and completely obsessed with the FMC, but he was surprisingly hilarious and definitely carried the whole book. Bella felt annoying and childish, and I can't think of any other redeeming qualities besides her protectiveness for her younger foster brother.
The beginning of the book was really good but then it started to drag and the plot was kind of messy/all over the place. This was very quick paced and I absolutely loved all the childhood memories and the letters he wrote to her.
This was a really intriguing dark romance. This was my second book by Avina and it won't be my last. Roman and Isabella were really interesting characters.
Bella knows Roman is a liar. They had known each other for a long time as children and he always protected her. But he promised to never leave and he still disappeared. Roman is back after almost three years away and he doesn't want to spend another minute without her. She discovers him back at her house while he is soaked in her families blood. He isn't going to let her go now.
I loved their dynamic as a couple. They had lot to get through as Bella has every right to be angry at him but he also had a valid excuse for leaving her all those years. This is definitely a dark romance and Roman is a very morally grey main character. So if that is not your thing you won't like this book. But if it is strap in for the amazing and wild ride that is this book.
Thanks to Beyond the book pr for this eARC exchange for an honest review.
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved how obsessed the MMC was with the FMC! It was a really good, fast, and easy read!
Absolutely loved this—just the right mix of dark and dorky, and it totally worked.
Bella and Roman meet as kids at school and bond fast. Roman quickly decides it’s his job to look out for her, especially since her foster family is the literal worst. Then Roman disappears for three years, and Bella’s left thinking he abandoned her. But nope—he was in prison the whole time for standing up for her against some bullies. When he’s finally back, he goes full ride-or-die mode, taking out her abusive foster dad and brother to give her a shot at peace. But dragging her on the run with him? Yeah… probably not the safest move.
This book was wild—in the best way. So much happened in such a short span, I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to read more from Avina!