Customer Reviews

Skin Deep

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Tori Carrington's SKIN DEEP is the dream relationship of most women, falling in love with your best friend. Yeah, an age old plot line, but it works very well once again. Kyra gets dumped and decides she needs a change, so she turns herself into a sexier version of herself. Her best friend, Michael, can't stand other men seeing the new fleshier and sexier version. He realizes he wants that sassy woman just for his pleasure! But dare they risk their freindship to become intimate? Sparks fly off the pages when these two get together. Very steamy and very entertaining!

Reviewed by Miriam van Veen

Bookkeeper Kyra White is dumped by yet another jerk as her best friend in the world watches from a distance. Michael Romero is close to socking Kyra's last in the line of lovers right in the jaw when he sees the startled look on Kyra's face. He's not about to let his best friend take abuse from another loser.

Michael has been Kyra's champion since she came to work for his architectural firm, and since then they've become close buddies - shoulders to lean upon - to share confidences - and pick each other up after loves gone bad. They've always thought of each other like next-door neighbors, but suddenly Michael is getting different vibes. Hoy boy! Those vibes are going to be zinging pretty soon .....

When he gets a real good look at the new Kyra.

Kyra is tired of being plain Jane and does a 180-degree turn-around. She's cut her long plain brown locks, opting for short, spiked blonde ones. And goodbye sensible white, button front blouses with long skirts and HELLOOOOO slinky minis and low cut, tight stretchy tops that have every man ogling as she walks past. A new Kyra is born, and is she ever enjoying herself. The tiger in her tank is turned loose - and guess who her next prey is going to be? Yep - Michael better hang on tight, because this new woman is going to take charge of her life and go for the gold.

I am guessing the husband of this writing team wrote a good portion of this story as I sensed a man's viewpoint while reading Michael's thoughts. Michael goes through hoops learning life's lessons, but with Kyra to show him the way, how can he lose? Meanwhile, Kyra learns she's the same person inside no matter what she wears, but the hot, trendy look gives her the courage to fight for what she wants.

SKIN DEEP carries the Temptation HEAT label, and this story definitely fits the category. Hotter than a firecracker, SKIN DEEP pushes the envelope of erotic romance with vivid, descriptive sensual scenes that scorch the paper, but buried beneath this activity is a good story. For those who like them hot, you will not be disappointed in this latest one from the Carrington husband and wife team. SKIN DEEP won't cool down your hot August days, so be sure to sit in front of a fan with a cool glass of refreshment. Once you open the first page, you won't cool down until you reach the last page, and maybe not even then (grinning here)...

I loved this story! It is about friends who suddenly discover they are attracted to one another. They have worked together for years, and supported one another emotionally through heartache and other woes.
One day, the heroine decides to change her looks and personality and it throws the hero for a loop. It makes both of them look at one another differently with hot results.
Some "best friends to lovers" stories can be predictable, but this kept me on my toes and hard for me to put down. I wish this had been longer, perhaps in a Blaze format, as the characters were very entertaining. The love scenes were a scorcher, and the plot different from other stories I have read. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys friends to lovers plus makeover stories like I do.

When he witnesses Kyra White's public humiliation at the hands of her latest short-term boyfriend, Michael Romero cannot passively watch. In the four years of their friendship, Michael has witnessed more than a dozen men pass through Kyra's life. Despite his feelings for her, Michael refuses to be added to Kyra's short timers until her remarkable transformation inspires his own risk taking, adventuresome spirit to emerge.

Following her public humiliation and Michael's rescue, Kyra picks up a copy of Sex Kitten 101 and uses its tips to transform her life. New clothes, new hair and a new attitude attract men like crazy, including the one that has always treated her as a best friend. Certainly, Kyra never expected the complications that would evolve when Michael expresses his desire for her. Nor does she know how to reconcile the sultry siren with the strengths of the old Kyra in a new relationship.

Writing team Tori Carrington has a knack for seamlessly blending both the male and female perspective in red-hot reads that keep the pages turning. As SKIN DEEP once again proves, sensuality and emotional complications receive remarkably deft treatment, resulting in unusually rounded characterizations and a fun plot. Indeed, SKIN DEEP is a light-hearted, playful romp that provides just the amusing read readers have coming to expect from Carrington. Highly recommended.

While Michael Romero watches yet another one of Kyra White's boyfriends break up with her, he wishes yet again that he were her boyfriend instead, but he and Kyra are best friends so he settles for giving her a shoulder to cry on. As usual Michael is there to pick up the pieces and Kyra appreciates it while secretly noticing how gorgeous her best friend is.

Kyra decides to make a change. With a new hair cut and new clothes she intends to make a fresh start. Michael's reaction to Kyra's new look is a combination of shock, lust and panic. Every man that sees her will want her and Michael can't handle that thought.

Michael and Kyra's relationship changes one night when their mutual attraction explodes in a blur of steamy sex. Striving to keep their friendship intact while exploring their newfound passion is scary and intense. Maybe what's been missing in all their previous relationships was each other.

Skin Deep is a very passionate and romantic story where friends become lovers. I adore Michael and Kyra. They are so obviously perfect for each other that it's fun and arousing watching them figure it out for themselves! The other characters in the story play a very minimal role, which made the focus stay on Michael and Kyra's relationship. Skin Deep is wonderful love story that drew me in with it's witty, sexy and tender storyline, then kept me hooked until I finished the last page!

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

After getting dumped one time too many, Kyra decides a makeover is in order. Armed with a copy of "Sex Kitten 101," she does a complete turnaround, and captures the eye of her best friend and colleague, Michael. He does not really like the makeover, as it conjures up all kinds of thoughts he would rather keep to himself.

Michael soon becomes catnip to Kyra's kitten, and the two enter into a passionate affair, always fearful that they will ruin the long-standing friendship. When an accounting error leads to the possibility of Kyra being an embezzler, it is Michael that stands up for her. Can they remain friends now that they are lovers?

The husband and wife team that comprise "Tori Carrington" have written a breezy and sensual romp heavy on the steam (and a little light on plot) about the ramifications of altering a friendship and taking it to the next level.

Skin Deep by Tori Carrington
Harlequin Temptation # 890 - August 2002
Harlequin Special Release - January 2006

Michael is an architect and partner in his firm. He's been Kyra's best friend since the firm hired her as a bookkeeper. He's always been attracted to her, and yet somehow, never asked her out. Instead, he's been her confidant and helped her each and every time she gets dumped by some jerk. Kyra is mortified when jerk # 13 publicly dumps her and compares her to a dead fish. When she finds "Sex Kitten, 101" at the book store, she's ready to makes some changes. Oh boy, does she makes some changes. Gone are the long skirts and baggy blouses. On come the tank tops and skin tight skirts, and those impossible to walk in four inch heals Gone is the long brown hair. Now she's a sassy blond. You gotta love this transformation. Michael sure does, he can't seem to keep his tongue from hanging out, let alone the effect she has on his other parts!

Kyra has often had images of Michael in her sexiest fantasies. Now when she sees the lust in his eyes she's empowered. So she seduces him. When things get serious, she needs to prove to Michael that she's still the same ol' Kyra no matter what clothes she's wearing.

This was a sexy, fun read. The story is fast-paced and humorous. There are definite laugh out loud and big grin moments. I thoroughly enjoyed this book

In Tampa, Florida, though he hides his feelings, Michael Romano, a partner in an architect firm, knows that he wants the company's bookkeeper his best bud Kyra White as his own though he fears risking their friendship in any attempt to romance her. Following her latest rejection from some office loser, Michael takes Kyra to her favorite spot, a bookstore. Tired of male rebuffs, Kyra buys Sex Kitten 101 planning to remake her image from competent numbers manager to sexy siren.

From her hair to lip gloss to clothing, Kyra radically changes her appearance. Men, including a recent rejecter, desire her, but one kiss makes Kyra realize that she wants Michael. As they fall in love, Kyra quits her job because of an embezzlement charge hanging over her head. Additionally, Michael detests introducing his beloved to his parents because he feels ashamed of their old country ways. Thus, what easily should be a love of a lifetime built on passion and friendship appears doomed.

SKIN DEEP is a well-written torrid romance that reminds this reviewer of a General Hospital sub-tale (included Carl Anderson's song Friends and Lovers). The story line is what readers expect from the talented writing team Tori Carrington as the plot emanates heat from the two delightful lead characters. Though the embezzlement is interesting, the tension between Kyra and Michael is so hot that the money stealing becomes a minor nuisance rather than a strong subplot. Fans of equatorial relationships will want to read this tale because no one turns up the solar heat quite like this author team does.

Harriet Klausner