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Ele's Reviews > Dream
Dream (Skins, #1)
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*4.5 stars*
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this was the sexiest Garrett Leigh book to date! It's also a very sex positive book. This is the part where I feel that a lot of writers screw up, and I love that there is no slut shaming in a Garrett Leigh book. This author nails this genre because she gives the readers what they want, but always without fetishizing anyone's orientation and with a deep respect for people's bisexuality or pansexuality. This is exactly what Skins is all about.
Angelo and Dylan meet in a sex club and their first encounter will set your e-reader on fire! But unexpectedely, fantasy meets real life a few days later. So basically, their story starts with a hook up, turns to friendship, and ends up being a deeply romantic relationship.
There's no hardcore BDSM here but there is a nice dose of kink, mostly exhibitionism. Also, a threesome scene (hot!).
I'm not a doctor, but Angelo's illness seemed very well-researched to me. It's also a big part of what drives the plot. As the story goes, the two men try to navigate their newfound friendship, a blooming love, money and family problems and the debilitating symptoms of a chronic illness.
It might seem too much and I must admit that I was expecting an endless pit of angst, myself. But despite the grittiness, the story read pretty easily and the angst never overwhelmed me.
Dylan first appear in What Matters, so if you 've read that you 'll recognize Sam and Eddie. I also LOVED the shoutout to Cass and Tom from Misfits (highly recommended).
Overall, this was a great beginning to a new series that I will definitely keep reading. Can we hope for a story about Rhys?
"They were different men, but their dreams were the same."
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this was the sexiest Garrett Leigh book to date! It's also a very sex positive book. This is the part where I feel that a lot of writers screw up, and I love that there is no slut shaming in a Garrett Leigh book. This author nails this genre because she gives the readers what they want, but always without fetishizing anyone's orientation and with a deep respect for people's bisexuality or pansexuality. This is exactly what Skins is all about.
Angelo and Dylan meet in a sex club and their first encounter will set your e-reader on fire! But unexpectedely, fantasy meets real life a few days later. So basically, their story starts with a hook up, turns to friendship, and ends up being a deeply romantic relationship.
There's no hardcore BDSM here but there is a nice dose of kink, mostly exhibitionism. Also, a threesome scene (hot!).
I'm not a doctor, but Angelo's illness seemed very well-researched to me. It's also a big part of what drives the plot. As the story goes, the two men try to navigate their newfound friendship, a blooming love, money and family problems and the debilitating symptoms of a chronic illness.
It might seem too much and I must admit that I was expecting an endless pit of angst, myself. But despite the grittiness, the story read pretty easily and the angst never overwhelmed me.
Dylan first appear in What Matters, so if you 've read that you 'll recognize Sam and Eddie. I also LOVED the shoutout to Cass and Tom from Misfits (highly recommended).
Overall, this was a great beginning to a new series that I will definitely keep reading. Can we hope for a story about Rhys?
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*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time
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rated it 4 stars
Oct 16, 2017 11:21AM
This sounds all kinds of fabulous!
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And angsty AF! I'm scared of the illness thing but I can't not read a GL book.
Ele wrote: "And angsty AF! I'm scared of the illness thing but I can't not read a GL book."Same. I immediately checked NG - nada! Usually her books go up several months prior to release too.
J *deep in the heart of Texas* wrote: "Ele wrote: "And angsty AF! I'm scared of the illness thing but I can't not read a GL book."Same. I immediately checked NG - nada! Usually her books go up several months prior to release too."
Looks like she's self publishing this one. Damn.
Sigh. Another GL that I won't read. Why can't she write anything without hurt/comfort, dammit!!??
Renée wrote: "Sigh. Another GL that I won't read. Why can't she write anything without hurt/comfort, dammit!!??"This is actually scaring me, it sounds too angsty. But she's an auto read. Even when I doubt her I end up loving her work. Have you liked any of her books?
Renee, this is not the author for you. I'll be reading it, tho! :D
Jewel wrote: "Renee, this is not the author for you. I'll be reading it, tho! :D"
Me too although the blurb scares me. But I had my doubts about that Porthkenak book too and I liked it a lot in the end, so...
Ele wrote: "Renée wrote: "Sigh. Another GL that I won't read. Why can't she write anything without hurt/comfort, dammit!!??"This is actually scaring me, it sounds too angsty. But she's an auto read. Even whe..."
Sure, the first two or three - I liked them. But after SO much hurt/comfort, I couldn't keep reading her. I really like her writing style, so as soon as she ditches the OTT angsty backgrounds of her MCs, I'll be all over it.
Jewel wrote: "Renee, this is not the author for you. I'll be reading it, tho! :D"
I know!!!! <---whiny
Ele wrote: "Me too although the blurb scares me. But I had my doubts about that Porthkenak book too and I liked it a lot in the end, so... "Yeah, color me not scared, at all... (I'm so weird)
Ele wrote: "J *deep in the heart of Texas* wrote: "Ele wrote: "And angsty AF! I'm scared of the illness thing but I can't not read a GL book."Same. I immediately checked NG - nada! Usually her books go up se..."
Not cool Garrett, not cool.
Ele wrote: "Renée wrote: "Sigh. Another GL that I won't read. Why can't she write anything without hurt/comfort, dammit!!??"This is actually scaring me, it sounds too angsty. But she's an auto read. Even whe..."
I'm the same way. I always end up loving them.
Doubt it'll be on NG it's a self pub.
Renée wrote: "Ele wrote: "Renée wrote: "Sigh. Another GL that I won't read. Why can't she write anything without hurt/comfort, dammit!!??"This is actually scaring me, it sounds too angsty. But she's an auto re..."
I would call Roads OTT angsty. The others are mostly shitty pasts. Lol
But it's true, therd's always comfort healing and the tone is melancholic. Doesn't work for everyone.
Jewel wrote: "Ele wrote: "Me too although the blurb scares me. But I had my doubts about that Porthkenak book too and I liked it a lot in the end, so... "Yeah, color me not scared, at all... (I'm so weird)"
You 're the strongest.
J *deep in the heart of Texas* wrote: "Ele wrote: "J *deep in the heart of Texas* wrote: "Ele wrote: "And angsty AF! I'm scared of the illness thing but I can't not read a GL book."Same. I immediately checked NG - nada! Usually her bo..."
.Lili. wrote: "Doubt it'll be on NG it's a self pub."
Lol...yup.
Ele wrote: "Renée wrote: "Ele wrote: "Renée wrote: "Sigh. Another GL that I won't read. Why can't she write anything without hurt/comfort, dammit!!??"This is actually scaring me, it sounds too angsty. But sh..."
Yeah - that's what I mean. The background of one or both MCs is always OTT shitty pasts with angst galore.
I’m curious about the disease. I can think of many that would end a dancing career but still allow a full life. Unless dance was your life.
Beth doesn't write wrote: "I’m curious about the disease. I can think of many that would end a dancing career but still allow a full life. Unless dance was your life."Sorry I missed your comment, Beth. The illness did exactly that; ended his dancing career and didn't allow him a full life. Aat least not before he asked for help.
Ele wrote: "Beth doesn't write wrote: "I’m curious about the disease. I can think of many that would end a dancing career but still allow a full life. Unless dance was your life."Sorry I missed your comment,..."
No worries Ele. Thanks for answering. As long as it isn’t the Big C or something else deadly I can deal.
Dealing with a chronic disease of my own I understand how hard it is to accept there are things you can no longer do and I still have problems asking for help. Pride goeth before the fall cuz I’m a big dummy! HaHa!
Beth doesn't write wrote: "Ele wrote: "Beth doesn't write wrote: "I’m curious about the disease. I can think of many that would end a dancing career but still allow a full life. Unless dance was your life."Sorry I missed y..."
No I get that, I can't deal with deadly either. I won't go there. And I don't think you 're a dummy. I believe you will relate with Angelo as well.
YES! All of your review :) Need to write mine but I utterly agree with this bit in particular:
It's also a very sex positive book. This is the part where I feel that a lot of writers screw up, and I love that there is no slut shaming in a Garrett Leigh book. This author nails this genre because she gives the readers what they want, but always without fetishizing anyone's orientation and with a deep respect for people's bisexuality or pansexuality. This is exactly what Skins is all about.
I wonder if we'll get a story for Rhys?
Cadiva wrote: "YES! All of your review :) Need to write mine but I utterly agree with this bit in particular:
It's also a very sex positive book. This is the part where I feel that a lot of writers screw up, a..."
Yay! Glad you liked it too! I hope we will. I really loved the guy.
RAWR!!! Sex club, sexy & exhibitionism? Indeed. Yes, indeed.
Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ & MANTIES Champion wrote: "RAWR!!! Sex club, sexy & exhibitionism? Indeed. Yes, indeed."Oh yes! They both love showing off! People were clapping. Nuff said.
Great review,babe.Looking forward to this one,x
Judith wrote: "Great review,babe.Looking forward to this one,x"Thank you, love;)
Renée wrote: "Sigh. Another GL that I won't read. Why can't she write anything without hurt/comfort, dammit!!??"I didn't actually find it that angsty/hurt/comforty tbh even with Angelo's illness element.
Damn, this one sounds good. Would I like it, you think?
~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Damn, this one sounds good. Would I like it, you think?"There is a (view spoiler)
I didn't find it massively angsty, there's some but it doesn't overtake the plot. It's not overly romantic but they definitely have a love story.
I think you might like this one or at least, I don't think you'd hate it or find it too depressing!
Ele!!!! Garrett just posted an unedited snippet from the third Skins novel and it's Rhys!!!!!!
Cadiva wrote: "~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Damn, this one sounds good. Would I like it, you think?"There is a [spoilers removed]
I didn't find it massively angsty, there's some but it doesn..."
I don't mind the spoiler. Annabeth Albert included such a scene in one of her Out of Uniform novels, and it didn't bother me at all.
I worry more about the chronic illness aspect. Do you consider the ending a HEA?
~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Damn, this one sounds good. Would I like it, you think?"There's kink but you have read and liked kinkier stories. The tone is gritty and melancholic but it is not overwhelming. Very sexy! Give it a shot but be gentle with me. Lol
Cadiva wrote: "Ele!!!! Garrett just posted an unedited snippet from the third Skins novel and it's Rhys!!!!!!"Omg! Woo hoo! Thanks for this!
~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Cadiva wrote: "~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Damn, this one sounds good. Would I like it, you think?"There is a [spoilers removed]
I didn't find it massively angsty, there's so..."
Don't worry about it. You know I don't like illness in my books but it was ok here. You won't have a problem with the threesome. Yes about the ending. I love yous and all.
~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "I worry more about the chronic illness aspect. Do you consider the ending a HEA?..."Yes, very definitely a HEA (and epilogue)
Ele wrote: "Cadiva wrote: "Ele!!!! Garrett just posted an unedited snippet from the third Skins novel and it's Rhys!!!!!!"
Omg! Woo hoo! Thanks for this!"
I know right! I support her on Patreon and just got the email. It'll be out later in the year (towards the end was the implication I got).
Wait, is this an offshoot from a MF book?
Not really no, they are all part of her Urban Souls universe. Dylan is the best friend of Sam in What Matters.
~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Wait, is this an offshoot from a MF book?"I haven't read that MF book and I had no problem following.
Ele wrote: "~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Wait, is this an offshoot from a MF book?"I haven't read that MF book and I had no problem following."
Same here. I didn't even know there was another book until I was finished with this one.
Jewel wrote: "Ele wrote: "~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Wait, is this an offshoot from a MF book?"I haven't read that MF book and I had no problem following."
Same here. I didn't even know t..."
Yeah, I didn't know that either. I went back and looked for it because I knew she had written an MF book.
I like the Urban Souls series, but I don't remember Sam or Dylan.
~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "I like the Urban Souls series, but I don't remember Sam or Dylan."They weren't in Misfits or Strays. The M/F book is in the Urban Souls universe, but not really part of that series.
Yeah, as Jewel says, they're part of the universe but the links aren't mentioned until this book (when there are Easter Egg references to Cass and Tom) and the link to her MF novel released under Gracie Leigh. There's enough explanation at the start of this one to not need the other book.
I'm just gonna go with it, then. I've only read like five pages.
