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Bare Skin

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Money gave me power, but a tattoo made her mine. When Willow walked through my door, I knew one thing for I wanted her all to myself. So I took her the only way I could... With ink. The tattoo I painted on her bare skin told the world she was mine. It would give her everything she could want--money, power, fame. And more importantly--Me. But I f*#ked up. I shattered her dreams and I didn't even realize it until it was over. I never meant to hurt her. Now, I'm dead set on fixing what I broke, with or without her permission. But what if she won't let me? What if she refuses what I'm offering her? Willow thinks that loving someone is hard. I think having to live without her would be even harder. *Author's Note* This full-length, standalone novel is a sweet read, with some steamy scenes that will make you sweat. This book contains a guaranteed HEA and is intended for readers 18+.

462 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2016

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233 people want to read

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Leah Holt

42 books405 followers

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5 stars
87 (23%)
4 stars
101 (27%)
3 stars
114 (30%)
2 stars
47 (12%)
1 star
20 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Cat .
131 reviews38 followers
July 18, 2016
“No, you said you have that affect, that's why I asked if you were full of yourself. Most people don't announce how attractive they are, only conceded people do.”

Life is too short to read a book with errors like this.

And I thought comparing tattooing to "pussy" was going to be the worst offense.

Silly me.
Profile Image for  B.E.Love.
1,391 reviews132 followers
August 24, 2017
I had a hard time with this one. There were parts I liked about this book and the hero is very mine, mine, mine, possessive which I love but I had a hard time connecting with the hero and the heroine and their story . I just can't pin point exactly why. It should have been one I loved. I will say I am not a big fan of the billionaire books. Thats just not really my thing and I would rathe have a grr guy(does that even make sense) than a rich dude. I also didn't get how the friend is all about herself but then, is she really because the hero didn't like her but she sure seemed to help him out in the heroine department.

It was also strange how the hero starts out as this amazing tattoo artist who creates these pieces that no one else can and him self says he has to be at his shop and keep the doors open all night because it's his name and his shop and then after he gives the tattoo to the heroine we hear nothing about him and his tattoo shop or him being at work (at the shop) or doing tattoos but he is with the heroine a lot especially when he should be at the shop, kind of like that part just fell off in the story. How does he have time to do all he does. I don't know. I know most loved the book and I didn't hate it it just wasn't what I was hoping it was. In the end I'm not sure if I would rate this one a 2 1/2 or a 3. it wasn't horrible at all I just wasn't really into it.
Profile Image for Vanessa Serrano.
250 reviews10 followers
July 23, 2016
3.5 stars

Cute. Kinda short. Insta-Love

The book started off great and it definitely had potential. It's not that I didn't enjoy the book, I really liked the beginning and I was expecting a really great romance (a solid 4 stars rating for sure) but after the 70% mark I just couldn't connect with the characters or the story, I skimmed through most of the final two chapters and didn't even bother on reading the epilogue, that's why I decided to go with my 3.5 rating

I did enjoy Willow character and I even could identify myself with her about her problem with being shy and having social anxiety but after all the internal dialogue I grew tired and she was such a doormat and kind of passive - aggressive girl always lashing out at Kash (honestly sometimes it was uncalled for) which made her a not so likable character, she was OK though.

Kash.. Was a little less than ok I guess. He's not bookboyfriend material, he might be an alpha male (not the good kind btw) and he was so obtuse so in my eyes he was an asshole and annoying; yes, he did some good things but I never really warmed up to him. I grew tired with his internal dialogue too; sometimes he was just so childish I couldn't stand him; and how he become a billionaire didn't make sense.

It's not a bad book, there were some great hot scenes and some of the dialogue was dream stuff, it just wasn't my thing.

Xx
Profile Image for CeCe.
3,619 reviews109 followers
March 1, 2017
This just became too much. I love hate/love relationship stories, but by 48% the heroine just annoyed me.
The verbiage was awkward. Heroine's BFF was annoying and selfish.

Willow's tattoo on her thigh that the hero did for her got her access to certain places. Willow first thought she was getting free pizza, etc., because her annoying BFF was a model and got her the access. Then Willow finds out it was Kash. The whole thing with the tattoo getting her access was weird. It even prevented a rape from three men. I am trying to remember exactly where this tattoo was on her thigh that everyone (including the pizza guy) saw it.

I love these stories and was excited to start this one, but after 48%, I could not continue.
Too many vague references to things and nothing that connected me to the story. I understand leaving something to be desired, but there was too much.

You may love this one. Reading is subjective.
166 reviews
July 18, 2016
Love hate

I had a love hate relationship with his book. To me, most of it read like a long poem. It took the characters 77% of the book to get together even though it was an instalove novel. I thought when they got together something great was going to happen but they had sex, she ran, he did something nice for her, she decides to admit her feelings for him, he found out about her past from her best friend, they live happily ever after.
What happened to the guys who tried to rape her in the store? How can she get over that so fast? He met her once and decides he owns her?
My head hurts!
Profile Image for Lily.
979 reviews56 followers
July 8, 2016
3 stars! ARC review!

The book started off great...

Willow's POV had me laughing and her best friend, Beth was hilarious. The way her and Kash met and that scene when they were alone was hot too!

But then it got boring and some of it didn't make much sense...

Kash's POV seemed to be more in depth. Sometimes not making sense. I feel his character was all over the place. He was a tattoo artist who turned thousands into millions and then billions but we don't get a lot of background as to how in a few years he became a billionaire. It just didn't make sense and it would have been better if the size of his bank account would not have been mentioned.

Willow started to become annoying. She started out shy and somewhat of a pushover with her best friend and in general but with Kash she would just lash out and act defensively over anything he said.

Both their POVs seemed to be more internal dialogues than actual interactions with anyone or each other.

We start to get more of them together around the 60% mark. Finally! I swear I thought they would never get together.

"There was an attraction I couldn't deny, and he felt it too. Kash wasn't shy about saying it, I was too stubborn to admit it."

I agree! Hella stubborn and not like the Willow we see in the first few chapters. I get that characters develop but she didn't grow much, not until the end.

I did like that they both acknowledged it was insta-lust at first but they developed stronger feelings as they got to really know each other and spend time together. That doesn't happen until like the last few chapters of the book though. No L word until a few months later was also a plus for me.

Overall, it was an okay read. The epilogue was very cute. I've read some of Leah's books and this one was a miss. However, I will continue to read this author and hopefully her next book is better.
Profile Image for Amanda Ridings.
149 reviews7 followers
August 2, 2016
This was my first book by this author. Our H is Theodore Kash Slade and our h is Willow James

Willow is an artist with enough baggage to fill the atlantic. She has a best friend named Beth that is a model and even though Beth is the only one that has stood by her, she still feels jealous of her. Beth is a model with an outgoing personality. She has no problem being in crowds, enchanting men or coming up with off the wall ideas to drag Willow along with her on. Willow is going to be alone soon because Beth is going to be away modeling for 6 months. The last night before she leaves, Beth drags Willow out and they end up at a tattoo parlor at the end of the night. As an artist herself, Willow doubt that the artist can do anything to her standards... then she sees her tattoo.

Kash is the tattoo artist of the shop Willow ends up in. While tattoo is his passion, he is rich on his own. He also has enough baggage to fill the pacific ocean. While at the shop one night, he is annoyed to see 2 girls come in. One is exactly what he thinks... a slutty airhead. The other steals his breath and sanity instantly. While tattooing her, he slips something in it to claim her and get others to treat her right.

Willow, was not a favorite of mine. It took until almost the end of the book for me to really warm up to her. Kash saved the story for me. He was wonderful. He knew he wanted to be with Willow, came up with a crazy way to claim her and then went about proving she should be with him. This was a really good first story for me to read by this author. I will definitely be looking into her other books.

I received an ARC for an honest review .
Profile Image for Marguerita.
494 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2016
The book started off okay for me. I liked Willow and her friendship with Beth. I also liked Kash and how he felt about his work. After the initial tattoo was over, the book kind of went downhill for me until the end. At points in the book I was confused and a little lost. One minute Kash is cocky and the next he is caring and apologizing. Kash seemed like too different characters throughout the book.

I wanted to stop reading a couple of times because some things weren't believable such as everyone being able to read her tattoo even though it is covered up, them having sex in the alley and nobody noticing and a couple of other things. I'm glad I finished it because the epilogue has to be my favorite part of the book. The rest I wish was a little more developed so I could have given it more stars.
Profile Image for Eunique Sade Powell.
185 reviews2 followers
July 16, 2016
Could have been a FIVE star

Great story line! Love the couple! The only reason this wasn't a 5 star is because it's entirely TOO MUCH POV from each and not enough dialogue. It's literally 10% worth of conversation and the remaining 90% is them talking to themselves. Inner dialogue is important but it shouldn't be the entire story. I was greatly disappointed because this book had AMAZING potential. I'm not turned off by the author though. I would read something else but it was a lovely and well thought out storyline worth 5 stars. The follow through and production just wasn't past a 2 star where quality was concerned.
Profile Image for Melissa friend.
200 reviews9 followers
July 13, 2016
ARC for an honest review
This was a great read, Kash and Willow didn't seem like a great match at the beginning but you can tell they are extremely attracted to each other
As the story goes on you can tell that they are not that different from each other
Another great book from this author
once started couldn't put down
84 reviews3 followers
May 28, 2017
Kash and Willow-Fate? Destiny? Leah makes you believe so

I love Leah's writing, so I may be biased, but this book is another great one from her. Willow is beautiful, but doesn't believe in herself, even though her bestie(who's an attention lover) does. Willow seems content to sit on the sidelines and let her BFF shine. Until her bestie can't be by her side, she's going to make her own dreams come true. Willow begins to want that for her own. She's an artist and knows the world is meant to see her work. Along comes Kash, who sees only Willow and iis determined to have her and help her believe in herself plus make her dreams come true. I loved how Willow didn't take everything and swoon. Even though she had issues, she still held her ground. I was pulled in, rooting for them both. Good thing Leah knows how to bring on the HEA!
Profile Image for Jodie Fisher-Batz.
20 reviews
February 22, 2019
This book, this one is my favorite.

Leah is amazing! This book stole my heart! Kash was an amazing man, Willow was awesome too. Watching her change, seeing her grow and accept herself and accept Mash was amazing. Watching her change Kash, making him see his past was not him, it didn't define the man he was. This was amazing, I so sad it's over. God I love Leah Nike's books. Each one I've read is special to me. Her stories reach inside my heart and squeeze. Love, love, love!!
Profile Image for thenerdybookworm_.
1,645 reviews66 followers
September 13, 2020
This was my first book by Leah Holt and it was a good one. Willow goes with out with a friend and they end up at Kash’s tattoo shop. Lash is immediately drawn to Willow and is determined to put his mark on her. When good things start happening to Willow she assumes her friend is behind it all, but when the truth comes out can she forgive and forget?
Profile Image for Marbea Logan.
1,302 reviews17 followers
August 4, 2018
This was a very beautiful and inspirational read. Being I love tattoos, and have many meaningful ones covering scars, I'm an introvert this story is relatable to me. I can't say the romance is, the feelings dialogued by the characters were repetitive in the story. But overall it was very good!
Profile Image for Natasha Dufrene.
43 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2017
Awesome

I loved this book it was so full of life. The characters are real and not perfect they have flaws. It was amazing story of how love can heal even the most broken person!!
Profile Image for Jessie Shepps.
610 reviews
February 24, 2021
Romance

A quick and easy read. Kash and Willow have an instant attraction. There is drama and steamy scenes. A good story with and HEA.
2,431 reviews3 followers
October 13, 2016
Kash may have been a billionaire but his delivery of speech left a lot to be desired. Who meets someone for the first time and talks to them the way he did to Willow? What a turn off. Money and looks doesn't make up for manners.
As for Willow nothing was ever really explained about her upbringing. Just vague references to it but not a real explanation.
It was really weird that once she got the tattoo and then everyone started going out of their way to please her. Except I didn't get the part as to WHY the author would have the 3 men going to rape her but then they see the tattoo and back off. They were in their business where she was able to report them. To me it added nothing to the story and was a very stupidly added in especially since it was never brought up to Kash about it and nothing was explained about what happened once the police were called. Bad decision of the author.
There were so many errors in this book that I had to keep going back and rereading thinking I had read it wrong but to find it was just written incorrectly.
Wouldn't recommend.
Profile Image for Catherine Marie Meyer.
790 reviews4 followers
March 22, 2017
my God!

this story just took my breath away. so many times this story caught me unaware of where it was going. I was totally involved with the characters and what was about to happen, a little too involved. bravo! great read.
68 reviews
February 28, 2017
It was okay

The story and pacing was fine, just a tad boring. I found myself skipping the heroine's point of view many times because of her repetitive thoughts. There were a few parts that came off a bit too preachy.
Profile Image for Joanne.
429 reviews10 followers
February 26, 2017
Interesting start to a story. I would have liked to have gotten more into how the characters overcame their history. I liked the idea of a billionaire hiding out as a tattoo artist though. Steamy scenes and a happy ending. Not bad for my first read from this author.
Profile Image for Melissa J (Book Addicts Reviews).
1,207 reviews98 followers
July 8, 2016
4.5 sexy stars!!! I don't even know where to start. I love Kash and Willow's story. Let me say I was a little worried when I read "a bad boy billionaire story", that always makes me think of 50 shades or just some rich stuck up guy who gets what he wants. But I was sooo wrong.
Willow and her best friend Beth (a supermodel who is so stuck on herself) walk in to a tattoo parlor. All Beth's idea, Willow was scared shitless about getting a tattoo. And it being one in the morning and her first tattoo at that. But Beth is her best friend so let's just do this. In walks the artist Kash....yummy. He is so full of himself and says exactly what he means. Complete opposite of Willow who can't even handle taking a compliment. Well these girls have no idea what they want so Kash decides to draw them up something. So Beth gets her tattoo and of course totally self involved and loves it. Willow sits and gets hers and it is this beautiful (no spoilers so I will keep what it is to myself)but Kash says something cryptic about it helping her one day. (I won't ruin it for you but that's one of my favorite pieces to this book). Well Beth walks out and let's just say things go a little past first base between the two and Willow has no clue why she allows this beast of man to fondle her but that she freakin loved it!! Now Kash is like claiming this woman he wants her bad but knows he will let her walk away because she will be back.
Willow just wants to get her art studio going, she has no time for men. She is putting all her efforts into this studio. She is finally meeting up with her investor and she is so nervous. And when this gorgeous man in a suit with dark shades on enters her nerves only sky rocket....
The rest of the story is just so damn good. I mean I kept a smile on my face. The end of the book had my heart beating out of my chest. I'm so happy for them. Both of these characters have an unhappy past and I think it was fate to bring these two together.
The only reason I could not give this book 5 stars is because for part of the book it just felt a little all over the place and confusing. I think I skimmed a little but then halfway through the author got my attention. If you like your men bad ass, warm hearted, very blunt, sexy, funny and just all together yummy this is a must read!!!
**I received this book as an ARC from the author and in return I gave my honest review!! Thank you Leah for allowing me to read this book. I loved it**
3,222 reviews67 followers
February 25, 2017
The H sees h and wants her, I didn't. She is pathetic perhaps worst h ever - DNF.
Profile Image for Lieve.
576 reviews17 followers
July 20, 2016
Bare Skin is another great read of Leah Holt that I totally enjoyed ! I really love her writing skills .
This author really knew how to drawn me into the fantastic story line and before I knew it ..she got me hooked
I loved Willow & Kash love story , it's a real page turner .Willow's a painting artist with a life filled with struggle and pain & Kash is a billionaire at day but his real life blood is his tattoo shop working at night .They 're both having a very loaded past but there's a lot of intense electricity between them and their chemistry is oh so steamy from the very beginning . Among other things .. I got so impressed by that incredible and gorgeous tattoo Kash draw on Willow's thigh . Just wow !!
Not going into any further details ,as it will spoil this awesome story with his great cover , I'll suggest ,for those who wants to know all about this gorgeous tattoo and the true meaning behind it ... you 'll just have to read this awesome book yourself , you definitely won 't regret it .
Thanks Leah , for another amazing read . Can't wait for your next .
*provided as an ARC for an honest review
Profile Image for Avephoenix.
1,088 reviews
July 10, 2016
This was a fast paced, well-written, sexy romance with some humor in it. I liked the way Kash and Willow's relationship developed throughout the story, even though it was inta-lust, they never called it love till months after they were seen each other.

I really liked the characters and felt connected to them, especially Kash and Beth. Yup, I know, Beth is not our heroine, but she was more center an mature than Willow, whom I really had hart time understanding and liking. In addition, I would have love to know more about Kash and how he became a billionaire.

Overall, I liked and enjoyed the story, and will continue to read anything from Author Leah Holt.


ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
300 reviews35 followers
July 18, 2016
So sweet and sexy!

This is my first book on this author and it was great! The h and H in this book so hurt from their past, that it affected their future. The attraction between them was hot, both was artists but Kash had a secret that affect willow from the tattoo on her he put on, to her future. But he found her so different, and when he when after her, boy was it sensual. She was hurt and did not trust easy but there was something that connected them, he may up for the past that he had hurt this family and him self, I loved him, he was so sexy and sweet to willow and it was pure love for them. Great ending and would very much recommend this book to all romances readers.
Profile Image for Princess Alyssa.
260 reviews3 followers
July 11, 2016
One night. One tattoo. One love.

Willow's an uptight bitch who's lacking the word "gratitude" in her brain. Yeah, I didn't warm up on her character. Thank God for Kash, otherwise I would've DNFed this @ 40%. Girl, I do not like you!

Kash, however, is giving. I would say his cherry blossom is personified as his character. I'd say cherry blossom tat = Kash = the Giving Tree.

I really liked the concept of the tattoo as the ball rolling of their love story. Cherry blossom, clichè though.

3.5. I skimmed though this book
Profile Image for Misty.
285 reviews3 followers
July 14, 2016
Another Amazing Book By Leah Holt.. Kash is a Billionaire by day and a tattoo artist by night. Willow is a artist. When here and her friend go to get a tattoo Sparks fly right away. The tattoo he chooses for her will change her life and she doesn't even know it yet. Kash is sweet, cocky and hot as hell. Willow fights the attraction she is feeling. Kash is set to make her his and wont give up. This book a emotional read. It is full of love, laughs and overcoming the darkness that can drag you down. Opening your heart to love.. A must Read...
I received a ARC in Exchange for a honest review..
Profile Image for Maria.
892 reviews7 followers
July 11, 2016
I really liked this book. a great love story absolutely not boring. willow is a young girl with a dream about owning her own gallery. kash is a rich guy who has he's own tatoo shop. that's were he meets willow and they instantly feels atrackted towards each other. but is there hope for the two of them despite there past. this is not the first book that I have read from this amazing author and it is definitely not the last. I can highly recommend it if you are into romance
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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