GRR Reviews Under Her Skin (Blank Canvas Book 1) by Adriana Anders

Under Her Skin was an interesting tale of two people trying to recover from their wounds and reputation, while learning how to trust, with tattoo being a major plot device.

Uma had to disappear from her abusive boyfriend. He was too powerful and too resourceful... He worked for the law. He had destroyed her life, piece by piece. She arrived in a small town in Virginia, where a dermatologist has a standing offer of pro bono tattoo removal work if you qualify, and she had to take the only job available... work as a housekeeper for a cruel old lady who sees all men are threats and she can do nothing right. And next door neighbor is Ivan, a blacksmith by trade... Ivan is a large but also gentle man, but Ivan grew up with a bad reputation and knew how to fight. Uma isn't ready for love yet, but Ivan is there like a rock to hold on to. But when she finally revealed her deepest shame, and Ivan went after the evil ex, Uma had to do the one thing she swore never to do... Talk to her evil ex, if only to save Ivan...

Intensely personal, severe PTSD from abuse, and recovery. I wish for a bit more explicit karma on the evil ex, but the ending is good enough. The b-story of the cruel old lady was good too.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman on the run settled in a small town, fell for the gentle blacksmith; her ex with resources are still hunting for her...

Tropes: protector, woman in peril, tattoo, scars, different worlds, small town

Overall Rating:  5/5