Redeem

(Under My Skin #4)

Michael is West's ex (Reawaken) and Stewart is Elijah's ex (Reclaim). Their former lovers have now found happiness with someone else and they are dealing with the void in their lives and the fall out. They are both considered controlling, bossy, opinionated jerks who failed to listen during their previous relationship and became nuisances afterwards. 

Their meeting was unexpected and they did not really even know how connected they were by their exes and their friend group. But now they find themselves in a series of hook ups together, each more exciting than the last. But no strings, even though they begin to realize how lonely and in need of companionship they really are. 

They have both failed before. They've kept themselves at an emotional distance, hurt the ones they were supposed to care about, and suffocated them. They both have plenty of issues and bad reputations, but their break ups and time apart has started to help them see the error of their ways. But they also have fears, insecurities, and trust issues. In past behavior they seem to be similar, but in life circumstances they are opposite with Michael working at a successful investment firm, while Stewart is a coffee shop manager.  So that just throws up another barrier, even though I loved how Stewart could hold his own and was fiercely independent. 
Does it take two wrongs to make a right? Can someone in a similar situation be the one to help the other heal, move on, and find healthy relationship?

I actually loved these two! I never liked either of them in the other books as they were essentially the ones in the way of the couple I wanted together. But in this one they are stripped bare. I loved seeing their vulnerability, thoughts, feelings, and exposing their real selves. They are not bad men. They are men with pasts that shaped them, and caused unreal expectations, insecurities, and poor communication skills. But they are also capable of growth, change, and remorse. I loved seeing them start to build a connection and express themselves. They start to provide what the other needs even when they don't not realize they need it themselves. Their chemistry is amazing and together they just seem to make the other one better.

It's about trust, priorities, forgiveness, friendship, and redemption. They truly needed to learn to live and love differently, and to also love and accept themselves. They were able to really see each other under the masks they usually wore  and it enabled them to bare their flaws and hope for acceptance despite them. I Loved that the author truly made me fall for these two anti-heroes I previously disliked, and surprisingly I think this is my favorite of the series. 

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

When Brian “Brin” Schubert’s condo floods, he takes his co-worker up on the offer to stay on his crappy futon for a while. The last thing he expects is for his friend’s roommate to be the one guy he despises the most. The same guy who stomped on his heart senior year of high school. And by the looks of the girl on his arm, the same man who’s still deep inside the closet. 

Nicholas Dell never predicted that eleven years later, one of his greatest regrets would show up on his doorstep down on his luck. Nick has made some terrible mistakes—story of his life—and he’s been paying for them ever since. And if the guilt and shame aren’t enough, his first crush had to turn into one of the sexiest men he’s ever laid eyes on. 

Nick and Brin have weeks to steer clear of each other. Weeks to avoid strangling each other. But when stubbornness leads to skyrocketing sexual tension, hate-sex doesn’t seem like such an awful way to work through their frustration. Except hate is a powerful emotion, especially when it’s turned inward. And in Nick’s case he’s been drowning in a sea of self-loathing for so long, he can’t see his way out. 

As Brin reconnects with Nick, his perception of what really happened in their past begins to change. He’s finally ready to forgive him and take a second chance on the one guy who stirs him like no other. But Nick’s demons are complicated, heart-wrenching…demanding. So devastating, he might never allow himself true happiness—even with the one man who’s always owned his heart.