Under Your Skin by Shannyn Schroeder – a Review

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Description:
Blood Is Thicker Than Ink. . .

Norah O’Malley has been alone for a long time. It’s been ten years since her father and four brothers shipped her off to be raised by her aunt. Seven months since she’s seen the guy who got her pregnant–who still doesn’t know. And it’s two weeks since she came home to Chicago and discovered none of her family wants to talk–or listen.

She never expected to walk into a tattoo shop seven months pregnant and get her socks knocked off by instant attraction. She can’t even see her socks. But Kai Ellis is big and gruff and sexy as hell, and if he has a past, well, so does she. Even more, Kai knows how to listen so that Norah feels just a little less alone . . .

All the chemistry in the world can’t help Norah make her decisions. And no sizzle of desire will make Kai believe in happy endings. But a little time with someone who understands might just change everything . . .

Review:

Under Your Skin by Shannyn Schroeder is the 1^st book in her new For Your Love series. I loved the O’Leary series by Schroeder, and I am happy to say that Under Your Skin is a wonderful start to a new series. We even get a member of the O’Leary family in this book; Moira O’Leary is dating Jimmy O’Malley, who is the brother of our heroine.

Norah O’Malley is our heroine, who has returned home after 10 years. Norah had been sent at the age of 12 to live with her aunt, since her father and 4 brothers could not take care of her. Now she is pregnant, and comes home to be with her family, as she decides what to do about her pregnancy. We meet Norah and her family from the start, giving us a chance to learn about the O’Malley’s.

Norah was a great heroine; sweet, fun, beautiful, independent and determined to live her life the way she wants to. She decides she needs to get a job, as she is bored with being home. Visiting her brother Tommy, at his job in a tattoo parlor, Norah meets the boss, Kai, our hero.

Kai has had a rough childhood, spending much time in gangs, and eventually going to jail. But he has learned from his past mistakes, and now runs a good business, and determined to keep himself clean. Norah begins to crush on Kai, but he wants nothing to do with her, as he feels he is unworthy. With his mother coming home from the hospital, Kai needed someone to take care of her during the day. When he is desperate, he hires Norah, which will turn into a mistake…..a good mistake.

A major part of this story was Norah making difficult decisions on what to do about her baby. The father of her child makes an appearance, and they remain as friends only. Norah will stand firm that she will do what is best for the baby. Very nicely written.

This was a very slow build romance, which was also fun watching Norah do all she can to seduce Kai. It was nice to see Norah become friends with Moira, her first friend since she came home. I enjoyed meeting all her brothers, with Jimmy and Tommy my favorites. I look forward to future stories on them all, though there will be no story on Jimmy, since he and Moira had theirs in the O’Leary series (you do need to read that series). Kai’s mom was also a great character, as she was fun at times. . I loved Norah, and did like Kai, but his constant refusal to open himself to love was annoying at times. He had to let go of his past to move forward with Norah.

Under Your Skin was an enjoyable read, great characters and very well written by Shannyn Schroeder. I suggest you read this book and join the fun when we get more stories on the O’Malleys.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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