3.5⭐️ – With Sliced Ice coming out, I realised I’d never read this sequel to The Red Files. I have to admit I didn’t remember much about The Red Files (if you follow my reviews, you’ll know it usually doesn’t have a lot to do with the quality of the book), which made it a bit hard to get into the story. If you’re wondering if that’s my way of saying don’t read Under Your Skin as a standalone, yes, it is.
Under Your Skin begins like a romcom, with Catherine and Lauren planning their wedding in Iowa. Most of the first third is Catherine meeting Lauren’s family and trying to convince them she’s worthy of their sister, daughter and granddaughter while politely not choking on too much fried food.
The plot picks up when Catherine’s ex – the one who ruined her career – comes back into the picture, at the same time as Catherine’s estranged parents. From then on, it’s hidden agendas and low blows while Lauren and Catherine work together again to uncover a conspiracy to erase whatever privacy U.S. citizens still have.
A book by Lee Winter is never a waste of time, even if I didn’t enjoy this one as much as some of her others (Breaking Character, Requiem for Immortals, Hotel Queens). I was also slightly confused by the cover. I love it, it’s beautiful, but it doesn’t fit the tone of the story. It’s not exactly off topic – there is an important tree in Lauren’s life – but it turns the spotlight on what isn’t, in my eyes, the main plot.
Anyhow, this was a nice read and I’m now ready for Sliced Ice.
Jude in the Stars 