Breaking Skin

by Debra Doxer

Dancing is like magic. It makes me disappear. When I dance I’m not a sister or a daughter, not a lover or a friend. I exist in the moment, onstage, where I turn pain into art and pretend the illusion is real. My past is an abomination and my future is unwritten, but my present is pure, fluid, and focused. I’m content, or at least I think I am, until the night I meet a man who makes me want more. He’s broken, just like me, but in different ways. He’s older and nothing like the men I’m used to. Compared to him, they’re all boys, immature and insipid, while he’s a force of nature, confident and virile. Virile is a word I’ve never used before, and I only use it now because he embodies it so completely. At first, he fights the attraction between us almost as hard as I do. But when words like destiny and soulmate whisper through my thoughts, how can I ignore them? He can have any girl he wants, but he looks at me as if I’m the girl he’s waited for his whole life. How can I tell him I’m not that girl? I wish I were enough for him, wish I were whole. But beneath my facade, I’ve been falling to pieces for a long time, and I don’t know if I’m strong enough to resist the downward momentum.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Second Chance, Sports, Family Drama

344 pages, Paperback

First published June 8, 2016

About the author

Debra Doxer was born in Boston, and other than a few lost years in the California sunshine, she has always resided in the Boston area. She writes fiction, technical software documents, illegible scribbles on sticky notes, and texts that get mangled by AutoCorrect. She writes for a living, and she writes for fun. When not writing, she’s walking her Havanese puppy and forcing her daughter to listen to New Wave 80s music.

Connect with Debra:
www.facebook.com/AuthorDebraDoxer
www.instagram.com/debradoxer
www.twitter.com/debradoxer
debradoxer@gmail.com

Reviews

[Jeannine Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars...

A drunk ballerina walks into a bar.

I was hooked from the very beginning, right at that line, this book pulled me in. This was my first read by this author, but it definitely won't be my last! I really enjoyed the writing and the storyline kept me intrigued.

Cole and Nikki's story begins with a ONS. They have a connection but both of them have decided on only one night. Yet it's obvious they feel a loss by the end of it.

I sense a tug at my heart, a heaviness in my chest I didn't expect, and it feels like longing but it also feels like loss. The loss of something I didn't know I wanted, but understand I'll never have.

We later learn that they were both in rough places and neither were in the right frame of mind to start a relationship. But neither can seem to forget about that night...

There are certain events in your life that leave an indelible mark. They change you because they write themselves on your soul.

Nikki was such an easy character to root for. Was she perfect? No. But she recognized her flaws and owned them. She didn't place all the blame on others. I loved how she recognized that even if *most* of the blame was on her family (in my opinion), she could have done more...

Renee made it difficult, but not impossible. I should have pushed harder. I should have come on my own when Renee told me it wasn't a good time because it was never a good time.

Deep down I knew this was a lot for Renee to handle on her own, but each time I mailed her a check, I told myself I was helping. Now I realize that check was a poor substitute for my affection. It was for me, not for them.

And even though her dreams of being ballerina is one of the most important things in her life, she sets that aside when her niece needed her. She's easily one of my favorite heroines.



Then there's Cole *swoon* To be honest, now that I'm reviewing this more than a week later, I can't remember any stand out qualities about him 😁 I know that sounds bad, BUT my memory sucks so it's not too out of the ordinary. I do know that I really loved him... he's the exact kind of hero I root for her.

She's the one who got away, and I'm letting her slip away again.

"Because we make each other stronger. The two of us together could slay dragons if we had to."

I really liked him and his reactions. *Mild spoilers*

- He tries to find Nikki after their ONS
- When he finds Nikki again, even though he feels a connection, he doesn't automatically assume she's a saint. Nikki's sister (who Cole has been sleeping with unknowingly) has filled his head with lies about Nikki. I didn't love how standoffish it was, but I appreciated the realism of it. I thought he handled it realistically.

The reason I couldn't give this 5 stars was because the conflict at the end seemed a bit forced and not very realistic given the characters personalities. I didn't really believe Cole would give up so easily. I also wished Nikki had been more forthcoming to her sister about her feelings for Cole.

This story exemplifies right person, wrong time, and I loved how they were able to come together again.

Cole and I found each other not once, but twice.

It felt like fate. And even though the circumstances surrounding their second chance (the fact that Cole unknowingly slept with Nikki's sister) aren't pretty, I kind of liked it. What if Nikki and Cole are soulmates and this was the only way for them to find each other again? Would you take a bit of messiness if it meant you got your soulmate? It certainly got me thinking and I really loved how it all came together in the end 💛



Safety: Mild OM drama (Nikki's ex-boyfriend is floating around a bit but he doesn't cause much drama) and OW drama (Cole and Nikki have a ONS and meet again two years later where he is currently sleeping with her sister. He was unaware that they were related and once he discovers this they don't sleep together again). Cole describes it like this...

"Renee and I were two lonely people who used each other for a little while. I'm not proud of it, but that's all it was, and Renee saw it the same way."

Closure: HEA. There is an epilogue that ends with them engaged.

[Jena]

self note avoid

MCs had a ONS, the H ghosts her in the morning.
Two year separation.

"Two years later we get a scene where the hero is having sex with the heroine's sister - his next door neighbor. "

He's been fucking the heroines sister while they were apart.


GAG.

[Malene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to take a few deep breaths after I finished Breaking Skin. This story was so powerful and the characters phenomenal. My emotions were all over the place but the one emotion I kept experiencing throughout the story was faith. I had faith in Nikki and Cole. No matter what obstacles were thrown at them I believed in them. Debra Doxer has created two beautiful and exceptionally strong characters. 

Nikki and Cole were two broken and flawed people in their own way. Their will to survive showed nothing but strength and resilience. They had both experienced loss and in Nikki's case horrifying neglect and abuse. How she chose to separate herself and her sister from that was heroic and selfless. Her relationship with her niece was heartwarming. It truly showed who Nikki was and what she wouldn't do for the people she loved. 
Cole simplified goodness. He was a beautiful father who loved his son with everything he had. That's also how he loved Nikki. Their love was all consuming and pure. Their first interaction in the prologue was exceptional. I was instantly drawn to both of them and felt their attraction. Their love was a slow build but it fitted the story perfectly. Their love grew with every day and so did their appreciation for each other. They truly were destined to be each other's soul mates.

Debra Doxer chose a controversial topic but it was handled with such care that it only made me love and cherish the story more. The writing was flawless and beautiful right along with these extraordinary characters Nikki, Cole and Langley. Definitely a must read!

5 BadAssBeautifulBallerinaStars



Arc generously provided by the publisher for an honest review

[naz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possible Spoilers -

Why did it have to be Nikkie's sister that is Cole's fuck buddy? I hate how he had allegiance to Renee for a bit. Fuck her. I know she went through alot but I came to dislike her a lot little, not just for being with Cole but she lied and was being a horrible sister to Nikkie. I don't want to read about a hero being with other women. It doesn't make it a great read for me. Why couldn't they just be good friends, why did sex have to be brought into the mix? It's always the same thing in majority of new adult books these days. Let the hero be friends with other women, it would have worked in this plot. Renee could have fallen in love with Cole without them being intimate. Write something different for once. I don't care that my rant is minor in comparison to the topics raised in Breaking Skin but this is just what really frustrates me in books.

[TeriLyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Breaking Skin generously provided in exchange for an honest review.**

4 "You can kiss me." Stars

Debra Doxer rocked this romantic contemporary suspense about two broken people finding each other during an unlikely time and never losing the feeling they get when together. I read this book in a day thanks to the lovely and compelling story telling of Doxer. She so easily allows the reader to naturally feel the gambit of emotions her characters feel.

Breaking Skin runs an emotional toll as Doxer weaves a story from the first person points of view of both heroine and hero, Nikki and Cole. As I don't want to spoil story I'm not going to give specifics about these two. The overall mood of their story is somber and mysterious, their coupling happening by chance after a series of unfortunate events. There's great build up to their situation, a friends to lovers type deal with a twist. Both characters have charm and a certain charisma in their melancholy that pulls you in from their very first encounter. You root for them even through the upheaval happening around them.

Some instances gave me pause in the story where I wished things could have been different in reference to a specific secondary character but nothing to detract from my enjoyment of the tale Doxer wove. While the development and changes in both characters are light, there's an element of poignancy throughout the whole book. The story wouldn't be the same without the pain and for that and the risks Doxer took in her story telling I found it more compelling. It delves into a dark side of humanity but only minutely to clarify the hang ups of the characters. Secondary characters provide additional reinforcement to the story throughout even when I found one particularly out of sync. The story surrounding our heroine and her sister, said secondary character, had a few loose ends and things that didn't sit well with me.

I really enjoyed reading Breaking Skin. Cole and Nikki are characters I felt connected to from beginning to end. I'd love to read a novella or extended epilogue about these two thanks to that connection. It's a great contemporary with an air of suspense.

[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what a powerful story I would find on the pages of this extraordinary novel. The words were potent and the messages were based in reality and numbing as well. More than a romance, more than a love story -- it comes packed with dedication, pain and hurt, lies and abuse beyond imagination, friendships both human and furbaby, along with a second chance at happy ever after with your soul mate. Several strong characters step forth and their presentations deliver a strong impact. The writing is incredible. Debra Doxer is a new-t0-me author but not for long. I will definitely be checking out her backlist as well as keeping an eye out for future releases.

[Debra Doxer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Skin is live on all platforms!

Amazon➡http://amzn.to/1RbFtzt
iBooks➡http://apple.co/1Tde6fT
B&N➡http://bit.ly/1Qe6bO5
Kobo➡http://bit.ly/1TJEFnk
GooglePlay➡http://bit.ly/1Yveary

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This author never fails to amaze me. With her stories. Her characters. With her words. Breaking Skin is a profound love story.

“There are certain events in your life that leave an indelible mark. They change you because they write themselves on your soul.”

It takes one moment for someone to imprint themselves on your heart. And that’s what happened to Cole and Nikki. They were both out one night, trying to forget the downward spiral their lives were currently going through. They spotted each other across the room. And sparked a conversation. But something else was sparked that night. That passionate night was something neither one would ever forget. And two years later, they find themselves facing each other again. But circumstances are different. Life is hard. Things are complicated. The one thing that still remains is that the connection felt two years ago? It’s still there. Stronger than ever.

“How is it that you can make me feel so good when everything is such a mess?”

Cole and Nikki are two broken people. Although broken in different ways, they find solace in each other. Cole sees Nikki as the beautiful ballerina who steals his heart on and off the dance floor. He is drawn to her selflessness. In his world, everyone looks out for themselves. In her world, she looks after everyone else. Her passion for life and love for others is that allows him to fall for her. And Cole? He is strength. He’s a testament to love and its power to save. Nikki doesn’t feel so helpless with him around. He sees the beautiful and strong person she tries to hide.

“Because we make each other stronger. The two of us together could slay dragons if we had to."

The emotions in this book are palpable. Deeply moving. Powerful. The author is phenomenal at allowing the readers to understand the deep pain Nikki feels. She is lighter when she dances. Her heart isn’t as heavy. She can put all her feelings of turmoil and anger into her dance. It makes her feel alive. Cole embodies love and everything love can get through. Their love is tested and challenged. But what’s destined to be never falters. It endures.

“With every step, you held my heart in the palm of your hand. When you stopped dancing, it still belonged to you. It does belong to you.”

The writing style is what lured me in as a reader. I read it in one sitting. I was unable to stop reading, as the author masterfully crafted a compelling and heartfelt story. I love that this author always puts her own spin on her contemporary romance stories. Nothing is ever the same. The characters are genuine, relatable. The storyline is a little mysterious to keep your attention, but addicting all the same. Breaking Skin was heartbreakingly beautiful. A definite must read for every fan of contemporary romance.

“I enjoyed watching you dance. You move like poetry.”

[Jae Mod · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Arc provided by the author for an honest review***


Debra Doxer is a phenomenal writer. She has several series’ under her belt including the Candy series, as well as the Remedy series. She can deliver a magical story within any novel. And Breaking Skin is no different.


Breaking Skin is a standalone contemporary romance novel. If you aren't familiar with contemporary romance, I suggest you give Breaking Skin a try. You can't go wrong with this book. I loved Breaking Skin, the way Debra is able to get you connected with the characters is astonishing.



The main character, Nicole, or Nikki, is a heart breaking underdog in my opinion. She's a very accomplished ballet dancer and she is the epitome of the passionate artist who wants nothing more than accomplishing her dreams. And her dream is to dance. She lives for it as others live to write or paint. Dancing is who she is. Nothing compares to it. But it's trials of ups and downs that can affect Nikki's dreams. Like anyone those obstacles have a way of crashing everything off its course. And her past will make an impact on her even if she wasn't expecting it.


Her whole life she thought she didn't need anything but her rhythm and her passion. But having her heart opened to the possibility of having her family, and seeing a familiar face. Nikki might figure out there are other things that will bring life back in you.


Debra's novel is a tug of the heart, and never let go kind of book. Her book is skilfully written. You can feel the emotions bleeding from the pages. She showed more than one way for a person to break out of their skin. I give Breaking Skin 5 stars.


Reviewed by Lindsey W.

[Vfc · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Rating is based on content not quality of writing***

Renee was selfish and manipulative, ignoring the extent of feelings between Cole and Nikki. I am not a fan of sibling-swapping.

Nikki and Cole met two years ago when she was twenty-one. He had been served with divorce papers on that day and they shared a ONS. He snuck out of her bed in the middle of the night without exchanging contact information. It took him a month to decide she meant something more to him (seriously), only to discover that she’d moved on without a forwarding address. Retracing their steps from that night proved unsuccessful.

He begins an affair with his neighbour, Renee (Nikki’s estranged sister) who tells him ghastly stories about her sister which he believes and in turn, he is thinks her shallow and uncaring.

No one visits Renee, which Cole concludes as meaning Renee and Langley are on their own. He knows she has an ill mother and a sister she doesn’t like. Langley proudly speaks about her aunt, a dancer with the San Francisco Ballet Company. Renee out of pique undermines any relationship between Langley and Nikki and doesn’t allow Nikki to see her niece nor does she give Langley any of the gifts Nikki sends for her. Renee also tells Cole that Nikki never helps out with their mother.

Renee blindsides her with a disappearing act leaving Nikki to care for Langley without any notice other than assurances of her return in a week, unresponsive to all attempts to contact her.

Six weeks later, Renee is still absent without any communication. Cole hired investigators discovering she’d been found incognisant and was admitted into rehab. Upon her return without a word of remorse for vanishing, she professes that she’s in love with Cole asking Nikki to walk away.

You met Cole, What do you think of him?”
“He’s nice,”
“Nice? It was like I won the neighbor lottery when he moved in. Did he tell you we were seeing each other?”
“He mentioned it.”
“He was being discreet. He’s a gentleman. He’s the type of man I should be with. Responsible and caring. Have you met his son? He adores Derek.”
“He’s a good father.”
“The kind of father Langley deserves. I have to talk to Cole. I thought about him a lot while I was in there. I realized so many things. I was falling in love with him, Nikki, but then I got scared and pushed him away.”
“Do you think he feels the same way?”
“I do.”

Did you fall for him, Nikki? I can’t blame you. He’s easy to fall for.”
“But nothing happened between the two of you.”
“Actually, something did happen.”
“But you knew Cole and I were together. You said he told you.”
“But I didn’t realize how you felt about him. If I’d understood—”
“How could you, Nikki?”
I realize I’ve been lying to myself too. I may not have known the extent of Renee’s feelings for Cole, but I suspected she had them based on her history. Renee doesn’t sleep with men unless she believes she loves them.

“Nikki, I don’t know what happened while I was gone, but I’m in love with Cole and you’re leaving soon. I need him. I need something good in my life. You already have so much. You don’t need him the way I do. I’m asking you to walk away. For me.”

Nikki sacrifices her ‘soulmate’ because Reneé, her sister, kept her safe from their father. She believes that had Renee not protected her...she might not have survived.

“Renee says she’s in love with you.”
“That’s too bad, because I’m in love with you.”
“I can’t do this to her,”
“What are you saying?”
“I can’t be with you.”
“You’re willing to sacrifice us for her sake when you know there’s nothing between Renee and me.”
“This isn’t about you and Renee. It’s about me and my sister. What I did was wrong, Cole.”
“Did Renee tell you that? Because I know your sister too, and she told me a lot of things about you. Things I know to be lies. Is it possible she’s lying now to manipulate you, to keep us apart?”
“Renee doesn’t mean to lie. She just has a hard time seeing things the way they really are. It’s not her fault”.

Nikki to Renee:::
“Whatever happened between you and Cole?”
“It didn’t work out. I told him how I felt, and he said he didn’t feel the same way. It wasn’t a long conversation.”
She claimed to love Cole yet responded, devoid of emotion. Recalling Cole’s accusation questioning Renee’s motives, as to whether she was manipulating to keep them apart. If her feelings for Cole are so easily dismissed, she shouldn’t have asked Nikki to disregard her feelings, implying that if she didn’t, she wouldn’t be allowed to see Langley. Nikki loved Renee far more than Renee loved her. In my opinion, Renee was emotionally detached.

This author included a disclosure which incorporated the widely controversial CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) a risk factor of certain sports by both players and professional sports leagues. CTE is associated to youth sports and the future of professional sports. If you have a child currently playing or considering playing a sport that carries the risk of repetitive head injuries, it’s worthwhile to educate yourself about the potential dangers.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very intrigued by Debra Doxer's Breaking Skin when I first read the description. I love stories that involve dancing and older man/younger woman romances often intrigue me. When I began realizing this book was not at all what I was expecting. Doxer's has a talent for penning a beautifully written story and though it took my a few chapters to get fully invested in the characters (I wasn't a big fan of Nikki at first), once I was all in I could not put the book down. I loved Cole, such a perfect male lead! On a whole I thought this was a very unique romance and it is always wonderful to stumble upon a book that is not your typical run of the mill storyline.

[Anna lost in stories *A* · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, let me just quickly say that I received the ARC of this hauntingly beautiful story in exchange for my honest review and I can concentrate on all the feelings it gave me... :) honestly, I signed up for it, because the synopsis intrigued me... but I absolutely did not expect that this story will be this... emotional and stunning... I have no quotes to share with you today, but that is in no way indication of the lacking writing style... just the opposite :) it was so beautiful, that for me to just pick a few sentences or part of a scene was simply impossible... without bigger context, those words would not convey all the emotions behind them... but make no mistakes, I was deeply moved by this book... now that we have this little intro behind us, how about I will try my best to tell you something more about this book that will convince you to give it a try, without spoiling you anything :)

I'm gonna start with our main couple :) Nikki is a 21-year-old ballerina, who meets Cole one night in a bar... she doesn't know it at that time, but he's eleven years older than her... there is a very hot attraction between them, and they spend the night together... but since the timing couldn't be more wrong in both of their lives, it ends only with that one night... that's the beginning of the book, and in the very next chapter we skip ahead two years, when they finally meet again :) but before I go into a bit more details about their slow building relationship, let me tell you more about them as individuals... I absolutely love books with flawed characters... I don't expect my heroes and heroines to be perfect... quite the contrary, their flaws and mistakes make them more human and real in my eyes... as long as a grown up person doesn't act like a spoiled brat, I'm more than ok with flaws :) and in this case both of our main characters have went throuh quite a lot in their respective lives and it took its toll on them... Nikki is numb and indifferent to most people and things, or at least she appears that way... there is a very dark story involving her and her family... I won't go into details, but you can sort of figure it out throughout the book, before finally learning all the details from her... Cole is an ex-hockey player fighting demons of his own... years of brutal sport changed him irreversibly... and that's just one of his problems... I don't want to go into too many details, because we get to know them both in the span of this whole book, so I'd rather you take that journey with them... it's definitely worth it :)

Besides that first night, theirs is actually quite slow building relationship... :) when they met that first time, both of them needed an escape from reality... and two years later they meet again under unusual circumstances... again, I can't get into too many details, I'm just gonna say this: Nikki is unexpectedly taking care of her niece, Langley, and Cole is the next door neighbour :) but since that whole situation is complicated, it's not like they fall into each other arms the minute they see one another ;) yes, the mutual attraction is definitely still there, but there's also everything else, the reality of all the differences between them and weight they carry on their shoulders... it's not easy, but with passing time, they realize how much more there actually is between them... and what started as a one night stand years ago, turns into a friendship, and then into something more...

Besides our main couple, there were quite a few secondary characters... I wasn't a fan of all of them, but each of them played a role in this story... I have to start with a person that I had the most problems with: Renee... she's Nikki's sister and... I have to admit I had troubles understanding her actions... although, I can't really judge her too harshly, cause she has a past of her own... it's all very complex and not easy to explain in a few sentences... then of course there's Langley, Renee's sister and Nikki's niece :) she was a sweet girl, who you just want to shield from some of the stuff she experienced and witnessed... there were of course much more people, but some of them I can't describe here, because they appear much later in the story... and some of them I'm just leaving out on purpose, so you'll have a wonderful surprise along the way :) but I do need to mention Siegfried... Nikki's dog :) I'm a sucker for dogs :) so each book that has a dog in it automatically gets additional points from me :) and this one was no exception :) he definitely was the scene-stealing hero in a few unexpected moments :)

I was going back and forth throughout this whole book, thinking about how I will write my review, how I will rate this story... and I have to say, I usually don't have this problems... but this time... this book... really did a number on me... in the best possible way ;) I absoltely did not expect the writing style to be so beautiful, raw and emotional... and we have chapters in 2 POVs so we can see into the minds of both our main characters... but besides that, the language, the way this author creates sentences... *sighs* she's a new discovery for me, and this is her first book I've read and it's always a gamble... you never truly know what to expect with a brand new author for you... you can read reviews, ask your friends about thier opinions, but ultimately you never know... and when you unexpectedly discover a beautiful gem... it's the best kind of a surprise... :) I did not expect to connect so much with the main characters... I did not expect to tear up at the beautiful ending... I did not expect a lot of things about this book... it really blew me away... was it perfect? absolutely not... there were times when I wanted to yell at the characters to do or say something else, but at the same time I understood why they were acting that way... I loved that there were no magical solutions for the very real problems and struggles all of them were going through... but what I loved the most is how honest and vulnerable this story was... I felt those raw emotions when I was reading it... my heart was breaking and aching for Nikki and Cole so many times... it was a hard and long journey, but it was sooooo worth it... I just hope I was able to convince you to try out this beautiful gem... I can wholeheartedly recommend it... :)

XOXO

A

[Shelby (BookLoversHaveMoreFun) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a book by this author in the past that I LOVED so much and became one of my favorite paranormal books. It was so different that I automatically became drawn to this one.

Breaking Skin turned out to be NOTHING like I thought it was, but in the best way possible. I found it EXTREMELY hard to put down. I loved how this book was original and kept me on my toes. Not only was there romance, but there was some suspense and self-discovery as well.

At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like Nikki. I quickly changed my mind when I learned why she closed everyone off. Cole was the PERFECT hero. Always helping and being there for Nikki no matter what stood in his way. I really liked that he was 11 years older than Nikki. It made it kind of taboo/forbidden which I'm a big fan of reading. Which reminds me of another subject I enjoy tremendously reading. Kids, any book that has kid(s) as a main character is my kryptonite. So it was a pleasant surprise when I discovered Langley.

I am DEFINITELY going to be on the lookout for all previous and future works by this author for now on. I can't wait to see what she does next!!

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two years ago, Nikki, had an amazing one night stand with a guy called Cole. They were both looking that night for an escape from their lives. Now two years later, they will be in the same place at the same time, but now Cole has a skewed perception of what Nikki is like. As he has been fed lies after lies from Nikki's older sister. What will happen when Nikki arrives not realizing the bull that Cole has been fed? Nikki who was supposed to be here for the weekend to visit ends up staying for the whole week as her sister disappears and now there is no-one to look after her niece. As the week will get on, Cole will discover that there are deep unresolved issues between the sisters. Can Nikki not only save what remaining family she has, but also her career as a professional dancer at the same time? Will Nikki be the self-sacrificing type when it comes to the crunch of an ultimatum - Cole or her sister and niece? Breaking Skin was an insight into the ways family can be torn apart and that sometimes it is the horrid truth rather than lies that can do the most damage.
For an emotional family and thought provoking novel, then check out Breaking Skin by Debra Doxer. This is one of her stand-alone novels.

[MyMy (PunchDrunkLibrary) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4.5 STARS***

This book was nothing like I expected to say the least. I ended up finishing it in one sitting! In all honesty, I am not even sure how to word my thoughts for Breaking Skin and pin-point exactly what it was about this story that had me sit my butt down from start to finish.

Breaking Skin is a contemporary romance with a dash of suspense that hooks you into the story. If you are big on fate and HEA, this is definitely the story for you. The author’s writing was as beautiful as the book’s cover.

“There are certain events in your life that leave an indelible mark. They change you because they write themselves on your soul.”

It only takes one moment for someone to imprint themselves into your thoughts and this is exactly what happened to Cole and Nikki. The story was built up perfectly from the moment they first met as a one night fling to bumping into each other unexpectedly two years later.

“We make each other stronger. The two of us together could slay dragons if we had to.”

The characters are genuine and relatable; even their flaws or choices they made that as a reader got me all riled up, yet in the same moment… I was thinking but it’s real. There were a few things that threw me back a little… for instance, a specific secondary character (just didn’t mesh well for me personally) but it was not anything major what-so-ever to take away the beautiful writing and story of sorrow and struggle to find one’s footing in life.

For those contemporary romance lovers, you need to add this to your TBR!

[CeCe · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF this is not for me.

When I read the chapter where the hero has sex with the heroine’s sister that was a BIG no-no for me.

The heroine meets the hero at a bar. They have a one night stand. Two years later we get a scene where the hero is having sex with the heroine's sister - his next door neighbor. Too much detail. The hero watches the heroine put her top back on, he asks her why she is leaving his house... Was I supposed to connect with the hero and the heroine or the sister and the hero?!?!? Yuck.
I just lost all connection at this point. Then the hero believes every bad thing that the sister says about the heroine. He feels an allegiance to her sister!! UGH. You may love this one. Reading is subjective. This could have been so good. Why couldn't the author make the hero and the sister friends??? Why did she have to make them f**k buddies with some feelings. UGH. Just no. Good luck.

I listen to a lot of audio books. The narrator was a C-. If this book is of interest to you, I would recommend you read the story, not listen to it.

I should have checked how many of the reviews were ARCs before I picked this one up.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It may be a line but its not a lie: you are beautiful" :-)

The cover for breaking skin was absolutely beautiful and as it so happens I love butterflies...this book was emotional and had a bit of surprise and I loved it, did not dissapoint....I love the fact too that I had to read until the very end or almost to figure some things out, loved the twist there as well! I was honestly a little heartbroken that Cole had slept with both sisters but I quickly got over that when I realised he loved Nikki and had no real strong feelings for Renee...Nikki was willing to give up her soul mate for her sister(:-( )turns out that was a bad idea because what's meant to be will always find its way :-) This is the very first book I bought and read by Debra Doxer and I will be reading more in the future so for that I give the book 5 stars...... PS. I wonder if its crazy to hope for a Langley and Derek love story years down the road...hmmmm

[Elizabeth]

Hero slept with both sisters 🤢🤢 I always find it interesting people will accept that in a book but if a heroine slept with two brothers she would be labeled a "slut"

[Michelle Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title:Breaking Skin
Author:Debra Doxer
Publisher:CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Reviewer:MAustin
Release Date:June 20, 2016
Genre(s):Contemporary Romance
Page Count:344
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:

*This is a standalone contemporary romance.

Dancing is like magic. It makes me disappear.

When I dance I’m not a sister or a daughter, not a lover or a friend. I exist in the moment, onstage, where I turn pain into art and pretend the illusion is real. My past is an abomination and my future is unwritten, but my present is pure, fluid, and focused. I’m content, or at least I think I am, until the night I meet a man who makes me want more.

He’s broken, just like me, but in different ways. He’s older and nothing like the men I’m used to. Compared to him, they’re all boys, immature and insipid, while he’s a force of nature, confident and virile. Virile is a word I’ve never used before, and I only use it now because he embodies it so completely.

At first, he fights the attraction between us almost as hard as I do. But when words like destiny and soulmate whisper through my thoughts, how can I ignore them? He can have any girl he wants, but he looks at me as if I’m the girl he’s waited for his whole life. How can I tell him I’m not that girl?

I wish I were enough for him, wish I were whole. But beneath my facade, I’ve been falling to pieces for a long time, and I don’t know if I’m strong enough to resist the downward momentum.<
/blockquote>

Review:
http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab...


Breaking Skin by Debra Doxer was a great 5 star read.

The story starts with Nikki and Cole having a one night stand. Little did they know that fate would bring them together a few years later in a strange way.

“I’m a bad choice for you, Nikki. I don’t know what you want from me, if you want anything at all, but if you still want to feel good, I can do that. I can make you feel good.”

Nikki is a ballerina who has been working very hard to get a solo. When she finally get’s her sister to agree to her visiting she get’s more than she had planned. When she get’s to her sisters, she finds her niece home alone and is shocked to see who lives next door.

When Cole see’s Nikki and finds out who she is he is shocked, he never realized that Renee was Nikki’s sister. Cole is a retired hockey player that has his own struggles, seeing Nikki brings a little hope back into his life. He hasn’t been able to get her out of his mind since their night together.

“We make each other stronger. The two of us together could slay dragons if we had to.”

The story takes off from here and there are several twists and secrets revealed. We also see a budding romance between two lost people looking for their soul mate. The things that happen really gave my heart a workout and I didn’t know what to expect next. The story was very well written and really pulls you in. Breaking Skin is a stand alone and we do get to see a HEA, but I loved Nikki and Cole and I would really like to see more from these two. I feel like they were just getting started. Thank you Debra Doxer for a great read, I look forward to reading more from this author.


ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 to 4.5 stars.

I had never heard of this author and reading this book was one of those random choices that actually paid off. It often happens when you expect it least, and Breaking Skin is an unexpected, pleasant surprise. It's off the main path and isn't a new release, but I don't understand why it doesn't have more reviews on Amazon. This is a damn fine story.
The angsty tone in the blurb piqued my interest, and I was sucked right in. I read this book in one sitting and I was not disappointed.
Not a fan of age-differences as a rule, but the gap of 11 years between these two flawed but strong leads was never a factor. They were well-matched, true soul mates with a powerful romantic connection. This wasn't an insta-love story at all, but following their first encounter it's clear to the reader, if not the h and H themselves, that it was love at first sight. It just takes a while to come full-circle.

Nikki was a little old soul, focused and mature for her age, and fiercely independent. She had been damaged by her past, and as a young twentysomething, her life was basically her job. On a rare night of drinking and acting her age, she meets sweet, sexy but broken Cole in a bar and they connect. Their ONS is clearly something deeper on both sides. Nevertheless, the unspoken understanding is that this is one night only, and in the morning Cole is gone. He leaves a little note stuck to Nikki's vanity mirror that indicates their time together meant something to him, too. It deeply affects her, leaving her wondering what might have been and wishing for something she believes she will never have. It's a poignant moment.

When the story picks up two years later, a twist of fate soon puts them back in one another's path but things have changed. Nikki never forgot Cole and her memory of that night is a good one, if not a touch bittersweet, so she is hurt and confused by Cole's coldness towards her.

These two have a lot to work through. They are both damaged and broken in their own way, physically and mentally. Both have injuries that affect their careers, Cole in particular, because his injury has the potential to have further reaching consequences. Both believe the other person deserves better. Conflict wars with chemistry. between them. In the background is the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Nikki's estranged sister Renee. Who, as it turns out, both Nikki and Cole have in common.

The tone of this book is serious and emotional, but not depressingly so. It's angsty but there are reasons for it. There is sexual tension and sex scenes, but they are beautifully written and minimal, enhancing the story rather than distracting from it.
Once certain things come to light there is a lesson to be learned about the far-reaching effects of toxic families and that you are not obligated by a blood tie. But in the midst of it all is the story of Cole and Nikki. They are two strong characters individually, but they have serious challenges to work through on their own if they ever have a chance to be together. It's not an easy journey and I even needed a tissue once or twice, which almost never happens.

Editing errors are minimal and don't detract from the reading experience. This is a well-written story with easy to read prose and dialogue that feels natural. There is a lot going on in the plot but I felt the author had control of it and never lost sight of the story between the mains or their growth, both as individuals and as a couple.
I highly recommend Breaking Skin.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I read the synopsis for this book, my interest was piqued, but what I ended up getting was so much more than I could have hoped for. While I was reading Breaking Skin, I didn’t want to put it down. When I wasn’t reading it, I was still thinking about the story and the characters. Nearing the halfway mark in the book, I began to check to see how much time remained, not because I was anxious to finish, but because I didn’t want it to end.

As an avid reader of contemporary romance, I am always searching for a book that stands out to me, that offers up a little something different, that not only tugs at my heartstrings, but also makes me feel as though I am living the story and feeling the emotions right alongside of the characters. Breaking Skin was that book. Debra Doxer did an amazing job of creating these characters and writing their story. She doesn’t just skate across the surface of the characters. The characters are very well developed, giving the reader an insight into their thoughts and motivations. I felt as though I knew these characters, I understood them, I wanted what was best for them. With every turn of the page, I fell further into their lives, getting lost in the heartache and beauty of it all.

One night to escape the pain of their real lives for a little while, to forget and to just feel something good was all that Cole and Nikki were really looking for. What began as a passionate chance encounter had left an impressionable mark on both of their hearts. Two years later, Nikki and Cole find themselves face to face, and while their attraction to one another is ever-present, the circumstances are very different. What happens after that? While I would love nothing more than to delve into every little detail of this superb love story, I think that it’s essential to discover and experience it individually.

There are so many layers to this book. It’s a story of second chances, forgiveness, perseverance, and love. The author doesn’t take the easy road and make everything fall neatly into place. She makes her characters and readers work for it. There is a depth and uniqueness to the writing that pulled me in and didn’t let go until the final page was read. Filled with romantic tension, heartbreak, and a bit of mystery, Breaking Skin had all of the elements that make me incredibly happy to be a reader.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

**FULL REVIEW**

"Knowing that doesn't change the way I react to her. I felt it for the first time in my life that night at Blackburn's. I've been with my share of women, but I was completely blindsided by it, and I feel it now too. It's hard to explain what Nikki does to me. I'm incredibly attracted to her, although attraction seems like such a bland word for this feeling. It's deeper than that. It's chemical and volatile. It's a spark capable of igniting an inferno. It's undeniable, and it's damn inconvenient."

I fell in love with this story from the very first page moment I saw the cover. I was instantly drawn in, and with each passing chapter I became more involved with Nikki's life and how it would turn out with her estranged family and... "the one who got away".

Stuck between her passion for dance and her guilt-stricken heart over her sister and niece, Nikki is forced to face aspects of her life she had long run away from.

"I'm the walking wounded, slowly bleeding out, but I'm the only one who can see the deep red stains that color my skin.

Making a mends isn't easy, and when she learns that not only has she been left alone but that the one person she thought she'd never see again lives right next door. And he no longer feels the way he did before...or does he?

So, take the journey. Find the answers to all of the questions...but mostly, fall in love. That's what this story does, it makes you fall in love. Fall for the man. For the woman. With the little moments that translate into something so much bigger than you could ever imagine. It's heart-wrenching and beautiful.

It's about loss, love, and finding everything you ever wanted in the least expected places.

"I'll become the bluebird each night and lose myself in the dance so I can find myself again at the end."

**5 Dance Away with My Heart, Stars**

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikki was a ballerina who’s knee had been giving her problems and pain lately. She had been told she was a good dancer but not a great dancer. Her boyfriend Tag just dumped her. But before they were officially done he was already talking to another girl. Tag worked hard at being a dancer and Nikki also did. They would bump into each other at the studio long after rehearsals were over. They spent hours talking and Nikki was falling for Tag. But Nikki never did open herself up to Tag. But Nikki did face tag at the bar he was at with the other girl and walked up with her head up. Nikki went out with her friend and fellow dancer and Nikki got drunk. Then a man came over to talk to Nikki. The man’s name was Cole She spent the night with him and when she woke up he was gone but had left her a sweet note. Then Cole moves next store to Nikki’s sister Renee and they sleep together a couple times but not as if they are in a relationship. Cole just doesn’t have what Renee needs. Nikki and Renee haven’t gotten along for awhile which means Nikki hasn’t been allowed to see her eight year old niece Langley. Then Nikki gets an invite to spend the weekend with Renee and Langley. When Nikki gets to the bus station she has to find her own way to Renee's home only to find Renee gone and Langley waiting for her. Then she sees a man next store who looks just like Cole.
This was an excellent story and I loved it. The plot was great as was the writing. I didn’t want to put this story down. It was wrenching at times but so very sweet at other times. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the twists and turns in the story but also the twists and turns Cole and Nikki went through.I highly recommend.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.

[Cally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and i do love reading authors work that i haven't read before and review it in return for my honest opinion.

This book took me on a emotional roller coaster

We meet Nikki Taylor who has return back to her home town which she isn't best pleased about but she has to go back to Cooperstown to she her older sister Renee and niece Langley. When she arrives at her sisters house she finds her niece all alone and her sister nowhere to be seen all the poor kid knows is that her mummy will be gone for a week. Nikki realises that she must stay and be there for her niece.

Her sister next door neighbours Cole is the same man that she had a one night stand with and to say that hes's overly happy to see Nikki is a understatement. Nikki cant understand for the life of her why Cole avoids her since their one night stand. But will the past stay in the past??

But what happens after 2 years after there one night stand the chemistry is still there between the former ballerina and hockey player.

I wont say to much as i don't want to say to much this author certainly knows how to draw u in from the start

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breaking Skin is my first book by the author.
I found myself hooked on the story by chapter three and it kept me engaged throughout.
I'm a sucker for age differences so this one was perfect for me.
A ballerina and an ex hockey star.
Both a bit broken, well that's a harsh word in my opinion, their both suffering and struggle to see their way out. But together they may just be what the other needs to work their issues out and come through it with a new outlook on life, on possibilities and love.
Contemporary romance is a genre I've gotten away from in the past year or two but Breaking Skin reminded me just how good it can be.

[Tash · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book on netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

1 am and i look at the clock... dammit. where did time go? I was SO consumed in this book I couldn't stop reading till it was finished.

Powerful, emitional and heartbreaking but in all the right ways.

Touches on subjects that are hard to read and hard to talk about, but done in such a delicate way.

not suitable for a younger audience due to the romantic/heated scenes i preferred to skim over. But the story, truly beautiful.

[Brande · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good

Very very good story line...romance, suspense, mystery all tied together. However, when the characters changed in the book at first you didn't know who was talking..I just putting the character that's speaking at the beginning of the chapter when there is a change.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this novel in return for an honest review!

[Shellby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved, loved this book! I cannot put into words how much I liked this book. It is emotional. It is an ugly cry book, but it is also an HEA.

-NightWolf Book Blog

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and what a great book. If you like contemporary romance with a little mystery pick up this book.