“I’m a prisioner of a past I can’t escape.”
Our Naked Souls is the first book by the author, Alessandra Vitale, and I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. Really, what an amazing book! Characters with traumas to be worked on, with layers to be discovered as the chapters go by, which have a very strong connection/chemistry, which are provocative to each other, and single parent trope? Had gain me all.
“For the last three years, I'd walked around shackled to the event that had changed the bedrock of who I’d been. My life was divided in two: then and now.”
Arabel Reid, what a character! Seriously if you look at my notes, basically, it's all about her, including the quotes. She is presented to us right in the prologue, which just reminding me already leaves me with a tight heart, and there we see Arabel in a state of shock being examined. But three years have passed, and that's when we will get to know her better. She is a psychotherapist, and her two greatest hobbies are ariel dance (I loved knowing more about this style of dance, and seeing her talking about, made me identify too much because when I did ballet I felt the same things.) and flower gardening (she learned the language of flowers because she liked them so much and used them to express herself). I suffered a lot with her, my God, her pain is so palpable, but seeing her getting stronger and recovering her confidence made me super happy.
“She walked over to the back table, studying the different sculptures I'd made over the last few years. She focused on a snow owl and a bison. The former symbolized wisdom and darkness, the latter harmony and abundance. Who I was and whom I longed to be.”
Lorenzo Simonetti, another character full of layers, with a painful past but who is super strong. We met him together with Arabel, in the first chapter, and soon there we can see the connection between them. He owns the Simonetti Ski Resort, circumstances made him build and work in that empire, but he also has hobbies, skiing (which he loved so much but had to stop) and wood carving (which was an escape valve for his pain but which taught him so much). I also suffered for him, and being allowed to open up with Ariel helped him so much, because these two passed for a journey of healing both together and separately. And last but not least, his relationship with Caterina left me with a warm heart.
“The physical chemistry and emotional connection we shared made all others seem dull.”
I loved too much, it was a book full of teachings that I will keep and take into my life. Now talking about other points in the book, such as the family relationship. Super strong and present in both their lives, incredible incredible. One thing I'll have to admit is: I'm not a big Tolkien fan, in fact, I've never read or watched the movies but seeing the characters talking/expressing their love/enthusiasm for this author made me want to know his works. Their first time scene was perfect, Alessandra! I can't even put into words how this is my favorite scene, and it's not because of the sex, but the complicity between them, the trust, him helping her through her trauma, seriously, what a scene! AND I CAN'T LEAVE OUT THE NICKNAMES KKKKKKKKKK I LOVED SO MUCH! CIRQUE AND MR. STEEL. I'll miss them, I can't wait for Mignon's book.
“What’s the best kind of pleasure?”
“The one that comes from absolute consent.”
Please be careful with the triggers. TW: Abuse, Rape, Suicide, Drugs, Alcohol.
*ARC kindly provide by the author in exchange for a honest review.