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Under My Skin #2
Flesh & Blood
To anyone else, being unemployed in your mid-20s, living in your ex co-worker’s house and dating a schoolgirl who’s flunking all her classes might not seem ideal. But to Min Lee, it’s the perfect fresh start. A chance to do-over her life and reinvent herself as the man she was always supposed to be… if she’s actually supposed to be a man, that is. Min still has lots of unanswered questions about her gender, but none of them can stop her from looking forward to her bright future as a boyfriend, student and artist.
There’s just one thing that her conservative mother in South Korea doesn’t know about any of it, and is sick of waiting for her ‘daughter’ to get married.
With the looming threat of her mother finding out, Min would rather focus on living her brand new life and supporting her girlfriend and friends through their family dramas than deal with her own. But the clock is ticking on her big secret, and one thing is for she can’t keep her meddling mother in the dark forever.
‘Flesh & Blood’ picks up where the previous book ‘Under My Skin’ left off, and examines the obstacle of family in the journey to living authentically.
There’s just one thing that her conservative mother in South Korea doesn’t know about any of it, and is sick of waiting for her ‘daughter’ to get married.
With the looming threat of her mother finding out, Min would rather focus on living her brand new life and supporting her girlfriend and friends through their family dramas than deal with her own. But the clock is ticking on her big secret, and one thing is for she can’t keep her meddling mother in the dark forever.
‘Flesh & Blood’ picks up where the previous book ‘Under My Skin’ left off, and examines the obstacle of family in the journey to living authentically.
501 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2015
18 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
A.E. Dooland
4 books111 followersAE Dooland is an Aussie who is 100% certified queer. By day she's a counsellor, by night she's a writer and a gamer. She's married to a wonderful and very grumpy woman, and they have a couple of far-too-cheerful children.
You can get access to free short stories, news and updates on upcoming web serials at aedooland.com.
You can get access to free short stories, news and updates on upcoming web serials at aedooland.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 9, 2018
Much like book 1, I’m at a loss right now in regards to coming up with thoughts that make sense…and I’m left hungover.
So, there’s angst and then there’s this. This was pretty heavy and my heart felt like it was sitting on the floor through most it. Still, it was really, really good and I am going to miss Min and Bree now that I’ve finished this series. It’d be nice if something more would come because I could really do with a nice long story of everything just coming up roses for these two. Can we have that, please? Just a nice long book without so much heartache?
I actually cried while reading this series, which doesn’t happen to me often when I’m reading. Usually, I separate myself enough to remember it’s ‘just a book.’ Neither this, nor ‘Under My Skin,’ felt like ’just’ anything.
I don’t even know what to say. Maybe later I’ll be able to gather my thoughts and leave a helpful, coherent review, but right now I just can’t. Also much like the first book, this is worth so much more than it’s $2.99 price tag. I loved it and encourage anyone who can handle feeling a lot of feelings (and who enjoys doing so) pick up this book and fall in love with Min and Bree, too…
So, there’s angst and then there’s this. This was pretty heavy and my heart felt like it was sitting on the floor through most it. Still, it was really, really good and I am going to miss Min and Bree now that I’ve finished this series. It’d be nice if something more would come because I could really do with a nice long story of everything just coming up roses for these two. Can we have that, please? Just a nice long book without so much heartache?
I actually cried while reading this series, which doesn’t happen to me often when I’m reading. Usually, I separate myself enough to remember it’s ‘just a book.’ Neither this, nor ‘Under My Skin,’ felt like ’just’ anything.
I don’t even know what to say. Maybe later I’ll be able to gather my thoughts and leave a helpful, coherent review, but right now I just can’t. Also much like the first book, this is worth so much more than it’s $2.99 price tag. I loved it and encourage anyone who can handle feeling a lot of feelings (and who enjoys doing so) pick up this book and fall in love with Min and Bree, too…
September 8, 2017
There's about 2% good feels in this book. The other 98% is sads and bad feels. I guess overall I'd say it was ok. Bree is the only reason I finished it if I'm honest. She's pretty awesome and probably is going to be one of my most favorite characters in a long while. So thank you Bree. I guess Solve for i is the spin off? And Gemma falls for Sarah? I'm not sure I can do it. Sarah is portrayed in the first two books as super straight. Gem? Yea I can see it. So not sure I'm gonna try and tackle it. I might be convinced. So holler if you've read it. But this author and I do not mesh well. The anxiety in every single page is seriously exhausting.
May 12, 2019
I think I was suffering from "last book hangover" - (Max Ellendale's Mermaid, oh so good!) - so never really got into this book, felt like a lot of angst over not much action. Perhaps I should give it a month or two & re-read. Then again, perhaps not.
February 20, 2017
I was really glad to see A.E. Dooland write a second book in this series.
The cast of characters from “Under My Skin” are just too great to let go of and the issues the author writes about are unique. I have to say I’ve never encountered a book with an Australian-Korean non-binary character with a huge anxiety disorder as the lead. :)
I’d say this 2nd book is written just as well as the first but the subject matter is different.
This story deals less with Min’s acceptance of herself and more explores the dynamics of the families we create vs those we’re born into. The baggage and triggers brought on by Min and Bree’s family backgrounds sends Min into one disaster after another whipping us, as the reader, into a frenzy of anxiety until we’re fit to be tied.
This is really well done and, thankfully, we get some relief and feel good by the end of the story.
This could be a stand alone read but you’d miss out on a huge amount if you haven’t read “Under My Skin”.
I highly recommend both books.
The cast of characters from “Under My Skin” are just too great to let go of and the issues the author writes about are unique. I have to say I’ve never encountered a book with an Australian-Korean non-binary character with a huge anxiety disorder as the lead. :)
I’d say this 2nd book is written just as well as the first but the subject matter is different.
This story deals less with Min’s acceptance of herself and more explores the dynamics of the families we create vs those we’re born into. The baggage and triggers brought on by Min and Bree’s family backgrounds sends Min into one disaster after another whipping us, as the reader, into a frenzy of anxiety until we’re fit to be tied.
This is really well done and, thankfully, we get some relief and feel good by the end of the story.
This could be a stand alone read but you’d miss out on a huge amount if you haven’t read “Under My Skin”.
I highly recommend both books.
May 31, 2018
So first off I really only read the first 2 books because I wanted to read Solve for i , the third of her books. Though it says you don't need to read the first 2 books to read the third I really think you do, and that's not a bad thing. Both of the first 2 books are well worth the time to read.
February 27, 2017
I recently received by paperback copy in the mail, but I read the book as Dooland released new chapters, so my memory isn't the best in this case. I do know that this is a solid sequel to Under My Skin (which you MUST read at least once in your life).
Flesh & Blood will take you on an emotional roller coaster as Min works through the new problems that come as consequences of (mostly) figuring theirself out. There's dealing with the loss of Henry in their life, of working around their very conservative mother, of interacting with Bree's family, finding work, and a whole messy nest of other things. To be perfectly honest, it's emotionally exhausting reading the stress ball that Min is, and the bulk of the book isn't pretty, but that's how it's supposed to be. Min isn't perfect by any stretch, and that's what makes the book something anyone can relate too. These are problems anyone in Min's situation could encounter, and we follow along to see how they get through it.
Ultimately, the message is an encouraging one, and Dooland handles all of the issues respectfully and insightfully, without ever losing the characters in the chaos. While I did enjoy the previous book more, Flesh & Blood had GIANT shoes to fill, and as a sequel this is a great book. If you liked Under My Skin you'll like this too. I mean, come on, it's written by one heck of an author.
Flesh & Blood will take you on an emotional roller coaster as Min works through the new problems that come as consequences of (mostly) figuring theirself out. There's dealing with the loss of Henry in their life, of working around their very conservative mother, of interacting with Bree's family, finding work, and a whole messy nest of other things. To be perfectly honest, it's emotionally exhausting reading the stress ball that Min is, and the bulk of the book isn't pretty, but that's how it's supposed to be. Min isn't perfect by any stretch, and that's what makes the book something anyone can relate too. These are problems anyone in Min's situation could encounter, and we follow along to see how they get through it.
Ultimately, the message is an encouraging one, and Dooland handles all of the issues respectfully and insightfully, without ever losing the characters in the chaos. While I did enjoy the previous book more, Flesh & Blood had GIANT shoes to fill, and as a sequel this is a great book. If you liked Under My Skin you'll like this too. I mean, come on, it's written by one heck of an author.
January 17, 2016
Picking up right where Under My Skin finished, Flesh and Blood delivers more of what I liked about the first book. Interesting and relatable characters, fueled-by-anxiety drama and conflicts that feel real.
While gender identity is still explored in this book, the main theme of F&B are families and money - or lack of it. Mostly families. We learn more about families of protagonists and let me just say that calling them "unhealthy" is a very tame description. However, and this is what I love most about these books, they're never shown as The Villains, not completely. Everyone is the protagonist of their own story and it can be felt here - Min's mom has her reasons to behave the way she does, so do Bree's parents. It doesn't make the things they do any less wrong, but it's makes for much more interesting read than simple "my parents were bad, I should cut contact with them and everything will be ok afterwards". Nothing is so simple here. And I find it amazing.
Now go and read the book.
While gender identity is still explored in this book, the main theme of F&B are families and money - or lack of it. Mostly families. We learn more about families of protagonists and let me just say that calling them "unhealthy" is a very tame description. However, and this is what I love most about these books, they're never shown as The Villains, not completely. Everyone is the protagonist of their own story and it can be felt here - Min's mom has her reasons to behave the way she does, so do Bree's parents. It doesn't make the things they do any less wrong, but it's makes for much more interesting read than simple "my parents were bad, I should cut contact with them and everything will be ok afterwards". Nothing is so simple here. And I find it amazing.
Now go and read the book.
December 11, 2015
Funny, touching, anxiety-inducing, and heart-breaking in equal measures, Dooland once again delivers in the sequel to "Under My Skin." The theme of family in addition to the continuation of the themes introduced in the first book is well-executed; even if you don't fall somewhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum Dooland makes it easy to empathize/sympathize with Min as he tries to deal with the opposing forces in his life: his fresh start as someone he can actually look in the mirror at and be happy with, and his mother who he can NEVER open up to about his gender identity. I really appreciated the happy ending and the lesson in found family this provides. Sometimes our own flesh and blood aren't going to be the people who can support us the most.
December 7, 2016
Okay!
Well I won't say that this sequel was WORSE than the original, but I concede that it took an entirely different direction.
While "Under my Skin" was mostly about Mins transition, Flesh and Blood had an entirely different theme towards it, and at times I'd even forgotten that Min was trans.
This book was suspenseful and exciting, but stressful nonetheless. I felt like I was getting heart palpitations just thinking about it!
Overall, it was well written, but there was much potential that hadn't been tapped regarding Min's gender and character development.
Well I won't say that this sequel was WORSE than the original, but I concede that it took an entirely different direction.
While "Under my Skin" was mostly about Mins transition, Flesh and Blood had an entirely different theme towards it, and at times I'd even forgotten that Min was trans.
This book was suspenseful and exciting, but stressful nonetheless. I felt like I was getting heart palpitations just thinking about it!
Overall, it was well written, but there was much potential that hadn't been tapped regarding Min's gender and character development.
January 10, 2016
How happy was I to find out this had just come out on Amazon right when I finished the first book? Very, is the answer. I hope there will be a third book (please?!).
There was something truly cathartic about reading through Min's anxious, stressful life then letting it go. A.E Dooland creates fantastically deep and perfectly flawed characters. I especially loved seeing more into Bree's side of things (via Min).
Also, can I just say... Gemma and Henry? Ahh, go on :D
There was something truly cathartic about reading through Min's anxious, stressful life then letting it go. A.E Dooland creates fantastically deep and perfectly flawed characters. I especially loved seeing more into Bree's side of things (via Min).
Also, can I just say... Gemma and Henry? Ahh, go on :D
June 18, 2016
Inspiring
As a trans reader this book and its prequel hit me very close to home. It was truly a fantastic and heartwarming read, one I won't forget anytime soon
As a trans reader this book and its prequel hit me very close to home. It was truly a fantastic and heartwarming read, one I won't forget anytime soon
August 13, 2022
I really didn't need to go through another four hundred forty pages of Min Lee torture after already having gone through almost seven hundred pages of it in the first book. It was entertaining and appreciable the first time, but this time, it's just… eh. Some unresolved things don't help.
This is just more despair, and me giving this three stars because I'm unable to determine why it deserves two is almost aggravating.
Find a CliffsNotes version of this book or a substantial summary instead. As someone who really liked the first book, I just can't recommend reading this in its entirety. It's too long and almost all of it is just Min Lee in various forms of anguish.
This is just more despair, and me giving this three stars because I'm unable to determine why it deserves two is almost aggravating.
Find a CliffsNotes version of this book or a substantial summary instead. As someone who really liked the first book, I just can't recommend reading this in its entirety. It's too long and almost all of it is just Min Lee in various forms of anguish.
May 17, 2017
The chaotic life of Min Lee continues in this superbly well-written sequel. It is nice to see Min relax into her new reality, for a while, before bad decisions and family members turn the story into a rollercoaster of stress and tension.
As someone previously said, this book is not supposed to be pretty. It deals with the real grittyness that is family life, not shying away from uncomfortable situations and instead tackling them head on with a respect and dignity that it often forgotten in other novels.
As someone previously said, this book is not supposed to be pretty. It deals with the real grittyness that is family life, not shying away from uncomfortable situations and instead tackling them head on with a respect and dignity that it often forgotten in other novels.
January 23, 2018
Uplifting
While not quite as impressive as it's predecessor, "Under My Skin" , this story is still powerful. Some of the decisions Min makes that lead to much of the conflict and drama in the story are a bit hard to swallow, but in the end, they do fit with the character's background. Highly recommended.
While not quite as impressive as it's predecessor, "Under My Skin" , this story is still powerful. Some of the decisions Min makes that lead to much of the conflict and drama in the story are a bit hard to swallow, but in the end, they do fit with the character's background. Highly recommended.
December 14, 2018
This is the sequel of the series, and I hate to say that I got much difficulty finishing it. Too much angst and bad feels for about 99% of the pretty long book. And while I understand it dealt with rather huge problems (aka identity crisis & family issues), it didn’t justify the lacking of all the things I loved from the 1st book: Min’s dry humour, cute moments between M&B, and the satisfying finale..
And don’t let me start with the Mother! (the most uncool mother in Korea, and it did say something!, if you ever watched any Kdrama you’d know what I mean)
Plus, what the heck with Min’s LED noti flash! it gave me serious anxiety every freaking time it happened!
I was so glad when it’s over, and usually it’s not my feeling after reading a good book.
All in all, okay read. 2.5/5. if you’re a fan of the 1st one, i guess you could brave this one too.
p/s: but seriously, Henry was just too good to be true. I wish Dooland couldve written him some sort of happy ending too
And don’t let me start with the Mother! (the most uncool mother in Korea, and it did say something!, if you ever watched any Kdrama you’d know what I mean)
Plus, what the heck with Min’s LED noti flash! it gave me serious anxiety every freaking time it happened!
I was so glad when it’s over, and usually it’s not my feeling after reading a good book.
All in all, okay read. 2.5/5. if you’re a fan of the 1st one, i guess you could brave this one too.
p/s: but seriously, Henry was just too good to be true. I wish Dooland couldve written him some sort of happy ending too
February 18, 2023
Under My Skin was a wonderful story on its own, but it still left a lot of hanging threads. Flesh & Blood picks up where it left off, and follows Min's problems with money and family. Anyone who is interested in transgender issues should read this series.
November 28, 2016
It's an A. E. Dooland book and I expected nothing less. Beautifully written and carefully crafted.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews