By Her Touch by Adriana Anders

Title: By Her Touch, the second book in the Blank Canvas series.

Author: Adriana Anders

Publication Date: April 4, 2017

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Blurb from Goodreads:

Undercover cop Clay Navarro left the Sultans biker gang a changed man. Its ringleaders may be awaiting trial, but he wears the memory of every brutal act he was forced to commit tattooed across his skin. He doesn't have space in his messed-up life for anything gentle--not now, maybe not ever. Dr. Georgette Hadley is drawn to the damaged stranger's pain, intimidated but intrigued by the warmth that lies beneath Clay's frightening exterior. But when the Sultans return looking for revenge, she finds herself drawn into the dirty underbelly of a life forged in violence...that not even her touch may be able to heal.

Review:

First, if you haven’t read the first book in the series Under Her Skin I suggest you pick it up and start reading immediately because it is a masterpiece that needs to be worshipped.  You can read my review of it here.

Now onto the good stuff: This book will hold you spellbound.  SPELLBOUND.  I don’t know how Ms. Anders does it, but she is going to make you feel things that have you wondering whether you’ve ever really felt anything before.  She had my skin itching, my heart thumping, and my whole body tense with despair, hope, love, fear, and relief (not necessarily in that order).  I swear there’s a permanent knot in my back from clutching my Kindle to my chest so hard that I’m surprised it didn’t snap in half.

We met George, the selfless tattoo removal specialist in the first book of the series, Under Her Skin.  That’s really the only reason you would need to read the first book first, but I still recommend it because it’s so heart-breaking and unbelievably well written that you’ll be thinking about it days later.  If that’s not a good enough reason to read a book then I’m not sure what your motivation to read is. 

George is smart and kind and, while altogether functioning, a little broken.  She and her pages bypass the fiction world and grab you right by your heart.  There’s no other way to explain it really.  You just read and hope that she figures things out in the end, like we all hope to do. Clay- handsome, dangerous, miserable Clay- is quite the male protagonist.  He’s strong and capable and a protector at heart, but watching him battle with himself over his past and present and future is a despairing experience.  You want to reach through the pages, wrap the guy up in your arms, and vow to protect him from himself. 

There are no perfect characters in Ms. Anders’ books.  Her characters are real and in such pain that you forget they’re fiction and find yourself praying that they find the peace they deserve. It’s a refreshing experience from the flawless, strong, and steadfast characters that we so often find (and love) in other novels.

The best part of this particular novel?  Ms. Anders can write. These are some of the best written, most captivating and unforgettable books that I’ve read in a long time.  The chemistry between her characters is unique, volatile, and passionate without being over-the-top or roll-your-eyes cliché.  Her overarching plot is exceptional and I’ve never read anything like it.  And the way she writes is unbelievably poetic, the words just falling into you as you make your way through the world she has created. 

As always, please support your independent bookstores (unless you’re a Kindle reader and can’t, for obvious reasons).  To find your nearest Indie Bookstore click here.

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(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)