Skins: The Box Set Vol 1-4

Skins #1-3.5

by Garrett Leigh

Gay romance boxed set, the full series!

Dream
When unrequited love leaves Dylan Hart sleepless and nursing his wounds, instinct draws him to the one place he's found mindless respite in the past—Lovato’s. It’s a place for every fantasy—where a night of insane NSA fun with former ballet dancer Angelo brings relief to Dylan’s fragile feelings.


Friends to lovers, hurt comfort, angst.

Whisper
Lonely physiotherapist Harry Foster has the world at his feet. A full client list, a six figure Instagram following, and a publishing deal for a book he doesn’t have time to write until his agent offers him a break—a retreat to the wild south west coast.

Cornish horseman Joe Carter is lonely too. On paper, they have nothing in common, but Joe is beautiful…glorious, and when an accident puts his life in Harry’s healing hands, the whisper of true love is inevitable. If the trouble that put the farm on its knees in the first place doesn’t get in the way.

Friends to lovers, hurt comfort, horses, forced proximity.

Believe
Flight paramedic Rhys Foster is hooked on adrenaline. By day it’s blood and guts, by night it’s the thrill of the club. Entertainer Jevon Campbell is a play therapist like no other—dancer, magician, acrobat. Their connection is instant. As the days slip by, Rhys must learn to believe he’s worth the happiness Jevon is offering.

Friends to lovers, first times, men in uniform.

Crossroads
Angelo Giordano and Dylan Hart are more in love than ever. As the end of a tough year approaches, they reach a crossroads. Dylan returns to Cornwall for Christmas and Angelo can’t imagine watching him leave again. Can the love that surrounds them on Whisper Farm show them the way home?

Christmas novella, favourite characters, found family.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance

702 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2018

About the author

She/Her

Bonus Material available for all books on Garrett's Patreon account. Includes short stories from Misfits, Slide, Strays, What Remains, Dream, and much more. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/garrettleigh

Facebook Fan Group, Garrett's Den... https://www.facebook.com/groups/garre...

Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British romance author and artist. Her debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and she is a 4 time LAMBDA finalist.

In 2017, she won the EPIC award in contemporary romance with her military novel, Between Ghosts, and the contemporary romance category in the Bisexual Book Awards with her novel What Remains.

Garrett is also an award winning cover designer, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com

Reviews

[Garrett Leigh]

OUT NOW

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3iF33ed
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3mCr48f

“I can’t get enough of this gorgeous series. Heartfelt and beautiful, I’m totally addicted."⁣
⁣
🧡 Friends to lovers⁣
🖤 Found family⁣
🧡 Hurt/comfort⁣
🖤 Forced proximity ⁣
🧡 Angst/Kink⁣

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skins (The Boxed Set) Full Series of Gay Romance

Garrett Leigh has put together in a Set, the story of 6 Gay Men, their connection through each other. All of this started out when Dylan, a frustrated, overworked Debt Advisor with Citizens Advice Bureau, in Romford, goes to Lovato’s Sex Club, looking for release.

There he meets Angelo Giardino, once a member of English Ballet Company, now running his family’s run down Italian Takeaway restaurant. They hook up, with Dylan blindfolded, both are blown away, but both leave and walk away. But neither can forget each other.

Fate intervenes of course and that is the start of Angelo and Dylan’s story. But these two guys have a huge part in the stories of the other 4 guys in this set, all having their own stories to tell.

==============

Harry is a Physiotherapist in London and he is planning to write a book on his work with people overcoming debilitating health conditions. He needs to get away from his Clinic work to meet his publishing deadline. A friend finds him an AirB&B near Newquay in Cornwall for 10 weeks to finishing his writing. Harry has to find alternative support for his private and NHS clients, especially Angelo who has been diagnosed with ME.

Joe Carter is struggling to keep the family farm going, he has a heap of debt and loans due to the mismanagement of his drunkard father, Jonah. The family is descended from Romani and Traveller Great grandparents, on both sides. Currently he is running the place as a Rescue Centre for horses that have been mistreated or neglected.

Desperate for more income, his sister accepts a booking for 10 weeks B&B, unknown to her brother Joe. They need the £5,000 to buy horse feed and pay bills. When Harry turns up at the farm, Joe’s life as he knows it starts to change in unbelievable ways.

================

Rhys is a paramedic with London Air Ambulance services. His brother Harry is a Physiotherapist. Both men drawn to the caring profession due to their traumatic young lives with an abusive drunkard for a father, and a mother who retired to Malaga having escaped from her abusive husband. He has built walls around his emotions and just does hook ups at Lovato’s Sex Club near Romford. One night, he’s asked to be part of a threesome which suits him just fine, and this becomes a frequent part of his life for a few months and helps him feel less lonely.

However, his two “threesome” guys move on, the club isn’t doing it for him anymore so he goes to drown his sorrows at a local gay bar. After several drinks he notices a gorgeous man at the other end of the bar looking equally down. He sidles over and sits down and offers him a drink. They continue chatting and laughing together.

Jevon is 26 and is unsure of his sexuality. He’s had girlfriends but this doesn’t feel right for him. He looks at and admires handsome guys so he wants to experiment and find out if perhaps he’s gay. His job takes him overseas for months at a time so he hasn’t had opportunity to test himself. As a Play Therapist with an NGO Charity, he’s working with traumatised children in the Refugee Camps in Syria and other war torn parts of the world. Jevon is due to fly back to Syria in two days.

When he’s approached by a gorgeous man and offered a drink he accepts. They spent an evening chatting and laughing and even got to talk about his virginity and wanting to find out about his sexuality once and for all. When the guy leans in and kisses Jevon he doesn’t object, he responds and they leave together.

==================

All of the characters in these stories have been well developed and you really get to “feel them” and their issues. I felt for all of them. Each have their own traumas, health issues, family issues, financial worries.

I really liked how all of them became part of their own “found family” throughout the Boxed Set.

TW: ME Health Issues, Abusive fathers, Alcoholism. Issues relating to animal cruelty and rescue.

I bought this set and it is definitely worth the money for the engrossing stories and the lovely guys living and find love. Highly recommend this set by Garrett Leigh. Treat yourself to a set of “Skins”.

[Stephanie Carvalho · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read one or two of Garrett’s back list, and always enjoyed her style and the way she builds her stories and each character. After reading this box set, I went after all those other books that were waiting on my TBR and moved them next.! I’m beyond words as to how intense, sexy and vibrant her stories are. All the characters, even while dealing with angst, troubles and a ton of other things, are always alive and somehow “right on the spot”. Here on this series, all characters are connected, and I love cameos like those. It makes the story even more intimate, in my opinion. She has a way with words that keeps impressing me more and more! Garrett is now a favorite author!

Below a little of each book.


Angelo & Dylan - Dream
Here we have the story of two very very very different characters, who find each other in the most unconventional place and from there… things heat. In all senses. Both have traumas, both have their stories and their attraction is instant, even considering they first find each other on a playroom on a sex club. At first I was curious to see how the MCs were actually going to take the next step, seeing that they kept getting back to that room, because it was safe and familiar. I was actually quite glad with the way Garreth dealt with this subject, making their relationship progress at the right speed and on the right time. This book has the perfect balance of angst, confort, sweet and sexy times. Highly recommended, much like the entire Skin series.

oe & Harry - Whisper

Joe and Harry couldn’t be more perfect for each other! Their relationship does not grow as fast as Angelo & Dylan, but it is intense in its own way. Harry is Angelo’s PT, and rents a place far away so he can write his book - and slow down on his busy life. From their first encounter, we can see why they fit, all the banter and strange looks and everything else was just foreplay, for what was really going to be the change of their lives. Although a little lighter (on development of their story) than the other books on the series, it has definitely GL mark all over. I only wished for some more explanations on some circumstances that were brought during the story, and that the “solution” was somehow a little off, perhaps? Like put there in the last minute. It does not affect majorly the main plot, but being part of the characters stories, it should have been dealt in a different way. Other than this, it is a lovely story of starting over and finding love where least expected. And honorable mention to the horses. And kitties <3

Rhys & Jevon - Believe
After reading the first two books, I thought I was ready for this one. And damn I soooo wasn’t. Rhys and Jevon are one of those couples you cheer for from the beginning. You laugh, cry, swoon and swear with them, always hoping they get the best they deserve. Believe is the story that threats to break your heart, just to pick it right up after, giving you hope, faith and much more. Rhys has a lot to deal with - from accepting his friendship with Angelo and Dylan as a real, not just convenient one, to all the issues with his brother Harry, and how all those things shaped who he is now. Jevon is kind of the light of his life, the one who shows him that he can be more and that he deserves more. They have a hot start, and from there they have to deal with life as it happens and everything in between. In the end, they both realise what they can win and what they can lose, and it was great to see that and how it happened. The sexual tension here is off the charts as well….I highly recommend this one, just like the rest of the series.

Crossroadas Novella

As for this Novella, it was the perfect closure to all previous stories. It has a little bit of angst and drama, but not major. I’ve read this with glowy eyes, because it was so good revisiting all the boys and what they were up to.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely amazing series where a group of men find absolutely everything they need <3

Dream
3.5 stars! An angsty, but incredibly steamy read about two men who meet first in a sex club, then their worlds collide outside of it. I loved both characters, Dylan, who was fairly optimistic despite not having the best go at the time, and Angelo, who’s world (and body), were crumbling around him and taking him into a darker place. I thought the two worked well together, once they finally worked out how to be together, and brought out the good in one another. I do feel like we didn’t get as much of them actually falling for each other, maybe that’s because most of their sex scenes happened in the club, but overall I enjoyed their story.

Whisper
4 Stars. A wonderful slow burn story with a horse rescue as a backdrop to these two men finding love. As with the first book, these two men definitely have scars on their hearts, but they fit so well together and are able to overcome more troubling pasts. The supporting characters were amazing, and I’m glad we got to see brief cameos from characters from the first (and I’m suspecting the third) story.

Believe
4 Stars.My favorite of the series! I adored Jevon and Rhys and thought they were absolutely perfect together. Jevon is newly exploring his sexuality, and Rhys is realizing he can’t use his sexuality as a weapon against loneliness, and when they figure out they can figure everything out together, it’s perfect. Lots of real world/real life angst in this one, but it fit, especially with these two’s chosen career paths. Great chemistry, instant attraction but enough time spent together before love, a good touch of drama (you can expect that after the first two books lol). I just loved these two together and thought it was a great wrap to the series. (Besides the bonus novella I’ll be starting next!)

Crossroads
4 Stars. An absolutely perfect ending to the series! It was so wonderful to get to see all three couples settled (or at least nearly there!) into their relationships. What started with broken men missing something ended up with so much love, friendship, and family.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dream - Angelo has ME and met Dylan at a sex club and were immediately attracted. The ME has already affected his strength and comprehension. This story is of acceptance and overcoming obstacles in their path.
Whisper - We met Harry in Dream when he became the physiotherapist for Angelo. He needed to finish his book and retreated to Whisper Farm, owned by Joe, where he rented a room. As in Dream, you just fall into all the emotions and want everything to fall into place.
Believe- Although this can be read as standalone, the characters flow into the other and best read in sequence. I was so rooting for Rhys to get the story of his match. Rhys had been doing some soul searching regarding his life and means of unwinding when he meets Jevon. A coming out for one and acceptance of who he is for the other. Wonderfully written.
Crossroads - A Christmas Novella - This book is completing the circle of the three couples and keeping the love and friendship in its warm embrace. Their plans for the future is raised and solutions found to make them possible.
Summary- In the last few months I have been reading more MM romance and for some reason find the love between the main characters to be so emotional and profound. I have found the same in these couples.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

[Ana Nimity · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Skins series, Garrett Leigh tells lovely stories. The characters and settings drew me in from the first page of the first book, and I became emotionally invested right away. Her men are complex, flawed, sexy, and imminently loveable. Each book builds their found family along with the individual romances and the novella provides a beautiful epilogue for the set.

As an American reader, I found myself searching the web a lot because I don't recognize some of the words or terms, but for me, that's part of the charm and fun. I highly recommend this series!

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are so beautiful! These books are amazing on their own and now here they are all in one set. The three full length books and the epilogue type novella are all here. These guys are all flawed and perfect for each other. Your heart just aches for these guys and their struggles. Rhys is just desperate to be loved and poor Angelo with his health issues. Having a person with something similar to CFS makes his plight hit home. The author did such a good job creating these characters and seeing them all with their happy endings makes my heart happy. A wonderful series and one that I highly recommend. These stories are not light reading but they are so worth it. All the feels here. I did get an ARC of this set.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great box set of a really lovely series. Bit lighter and warmer than other Garret Leigh books it still has the same great writing and rawness but doesn’t have depressing feelings attached. Lots of feel good emotions from these hard won HEA’s without being too fluffy. Love the realness of the characters.

I also really enjoyed meeting these characters again Toby’s story set a few years later in The Sex Coach which is set in the same setting and with all the supporting characters.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dream
Holy Steam!!
Garrett Leigh certainly grabbed my attention with this first book in the box set. You can meet your soulmate anywhere, but Dylan nor Angelo thought it would be in the bottom chambers of Lovato's; the local kink club.
Dylan is a sweetheart who has finally admitted he needs to walk away from the two wrong people he is in love with.
Angelo has the weight of the world on his shoulders; trying to save the family business, suffocating debt and a medical diagnosis that has taken away his dream career.
During a chance encounter to leave their problems behind, they meet for one night of pure pleasure. Only Dylan and Angelo will have to figure out if more than one night can lead them both to the lifetime of love and pleasure they deserve.
This is a story of love, compassion, kink and understanding that no matter what life has handed you, sometimes it is best to take it slow and listen to each other. In doing that, you can find part of yourself you never knew you needed.

Whisper
The connection that Garret Leigh was able to make between this book and Dream, is one that I didn't see coming. When the path was revealed, it was quite intriguing.
Harry is Angelo's physiotherapist helping him better deal with his ME. He is briefly mentioned at the end of Dream. He is a lonely man who from the outside looks like everything is going great in his world. He's got a steady job, private clients and a killer book deal. Only thing is, his isn't writing. With his looming deadline and very little written, he is give the chance to take a writing retreat to finish his work. Onward we go following his journey to the sanctuary horse farm where he meets the grumpy Joe.
Joe is a man of few words. He is constantly working trying to save his family's horse rescue from crippling debt without letting animals slip through the cracks and keeping his anger in check. He doesn't need anyone, especially a city boy who only eats boiled chicken and greens, to make his life more complicated.
Through the book, we see each man open up more through the work at the farm and Joe's family. We encounter an angry black stallion and more love then we can think of. When Harry's book is done, will their relationship be over too? Will Harry leave the happiness he has been needing since he was a little boy or will Joe be able to convince him to stay?

Believe
Since the very first book, I was hoping that we would get to see more Rhys. He is a sweet, sexy man we're quickly introduced to through a steamy encounter with Dylan and Angelo at Lovato's. You'd think that would be where the surprise ends, but nope! He's also Harry's brother only he doesn't know the Harry is very good friends with Dylan and Angelo. Rhys has had a troubled childhood and used his evenings to play at Lovato's only time is finally catching up with him and he realizes that what he used to be looking for, doesn't feel right anymore. During a late night trip for one last beer, he finds Jevon about to leave.
Jevon is finding himself. After many years dating and sleeping with women, he's finally coming to terms with his sexuality. When he meets Rhys the instant attraction is unmistakable and he knows he cannot say no to going home with this man. He's leaving early the next morning so what could be the harm, right?
What began with one night of getting to know each other and fooling around a little sets the course of a second and third chance meetings. Will time and distance destroy what has barely even started between the two or will a tragic situation bring both men together in ways they could never dream. I encourage you to read to find out!

Crossroads
I was so happy that this little story was included as the final book in this box set! We get to see how all 6 main characters interact and how they all become one happy family for a wedding and Christmas. It wouldn't be a Garrett Leigh book without a little steamy session, though would it?!
The main story is focused around Dylan and Angelo's relationship after Dylan has been working in the city and Angelo 5 hours away at the farm recovering from his last large flare up. The men have to figure out if they will be able to make it work from the city, farm, at a distance or if at all.
This was the perfect book to round out the series.

I recommend meeting each MC couple and their supporting characters. The power that they have with love will give you hope.

[Susana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stories. Six men finding love through despair....
Dream
Can a dream come true if only for a night? What about forever?
Dylan Hart goes to Lovato to fulfil his fantasies for a night… But the encounter reverberates with him, and when chance puts his mysterious lover in his way, he’s willing to try to explore the crazy chemistry they share. But Angelo Giordano is struggling with many things, and he does not need the drama of a buddying relationship, although he could use a friend… a friend he shares a crazy chemistry with… a friend he cannot stop thinking about… a friend who has become more than a friend without him realising…
Whisper
Opposites are not always what they seem to be...
There seems to be nothing in common between successful physiotherapist Harry Foster and Joe Carter, owner of a farm on the verge of bankrupt. But they soon realize that they share much more in common than a crazy chemistry. Is it enough to build a relationship? Despite all odds, it maybe...
Believe
Two men used to heal people… can they heal each other?
Rhys Foster, paramedic, seems to be an easy going, fun loving guy. But lately his easy liaisons leave him feeling empty, and he cannot avoid envying the loving relationship some of his friends have found. When he meets Jevon Campbell he realises the deep connection he’s been missing is there. But will he be able to get over his issues and give Jevon a chance?
Crossroads
Angelo and Dylan are at a crossroad… will they continue their path together, or will they part their ways?
Angelo knows he cannot continue living in London. The stress of the city worsens his condition. Dylan cannot see himself living in Cornwall. He needs a job, and he is not a farm worker. How can Angelo and Dylan work it out? Fortunately, there are friends willing to give advice and support

Garrett Leigh has the ability to create characters who get under your skin. No matter if you do like them or not, you can feel their pain. Hers are memorable couples which are going to stay with you forever.
All that I expected and more
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Philip Cowsill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skins by Garrett Leigh is a set of 4 stories featuring a variety of characters who have connections to each other.

Dream. In the first book Dylan encounters Angelo at a sex club and then meets him as a client at work. Both are drawn to each other and become romantically involved. Angelo is suffering ME which debilitates him sometimes. There was quite a lot of sex in this book which sometimes involved Rhys a paramedic.

Whisper. Harry a therapist (who is treating Angelo) takes leave from his job in London and rents a room on a horse farm in Cornwall to find the time to write a book. There, he meets Joe who is the owner of the farm and is struggling to stay in business. A relationship slowly builds between them. After the high sex content in Dream, I was surprised by the change to low key slow burn in this book.

Believe. Rhys, a paramedic air ambulance officer is tired of the sex club visits and wants something more meaningful. He meets Jevon at the pub and takes him home for Jevon’s first experience with a man. He wakes in the morning to find Jevon gone without sharing contacts. Pure chance brings them together at an emergency. This time they stay connected.
Crossroads. The three couples all meet up at the horse farm for Christmas where decisions are made about their plans for the future with their other halves.

As with all Garrett Leigh books that I have read, these characters are ordinary everyday men struggling with real life situations, finding love, dealing with debilitating medical conditions, financial difficulties, and discovering their sexuality. No wealthy billionaires or famous rock stars in sight!

[Shana_Bobana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skins is such a great series! Each of the first three books are about men who are missing something (love/friendship/family) and about how they each find it. The fourth book has all the couples together on Whisper Farm and it is the perfect ending to the series!

I don’t want to give too much away so I won’t be getting very detailed about each book but they are all amazing! Each book is very different from the others but that’s one of the reasons it’s so much fun to read. They all connect but they don’t share the same retold story.

Dream is about Angelo & Dylan and how they are both exactly what the other needs. Angelo has a medical condition he doesn’t like to talk about and Dylan has anxiety that he tries to hide. Through each other they are able to find love, acceptance and happiness.

Whisper is about Harry a very serious physiotherapist who needs a break from London ho focus on his book, and Joe a grumpy horse farmer who seems to have everything go wrong. Through their forced proximity they realize they not only need each other but they life each other.

Believe is about Rhys a helicopter paramedic who uses his time in sex clubs for the wrong reasons (he has fun there but he’s looking for something in the wrong way) and Jevon an entertainer who helps at refugee camps. Rhys deserves love & happiness but he struggles to believe it.

Crossroads has all the couples together on Whisper farm. It’s a short novella that ends the series perfectly.

I received a free copy of this series, this review is my honest opinion.

[Ailidh Kloosterhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six men wearing different skins and who are unbeknownst connected with eachother. Dylan and Angelo meet eachother as debt advisor and client, but when Angelo loses the diner he worked so hard for to save, their friendship soon turns into more. Angelo suffers from ME but gets a lot of help from Harry, a specialised physio who helps him through the worst bouts of his illness and love from Dylan who can finally let go of his unanswered love.
Joe does everything he can to hold his farm afloat, together with his sister who suffers from severe anxiety attacks and his mum who lost her husband to the alcohol. Joe rescues and cares for abused and neglected animals. But who will care for him? When Harry rents a room at Joe's farm to finish his book about healthy living he can't help falling for the handsome but reclusive and hard to read Joe. But Harry has his own ghosts from his past that has made him wear skins.
Harry's brother Rhys is a paramedic who fights his demons by visiting a sexclub on his nights off where he plays with Dylan and Angelo. But seeing them and his brother in love hurts and he wants to change. Not sure how to do that he meets Jevon in a pub and they immediately hit it off. Jevon knows he's gay but so far hasn't acted on it and Rhys can for sure teach him. Their time together is limited because Jevon will have to leave the country for work in refugee camps and entertain kids. Can they still make it when apart? They all find their hea on the farm. I loved the books and Garrett Leigh's writing style.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful set!
Let me review each book individually...

Dream:
Save Yourself for Me

Physical illness. Hyperactivity. Sexual release. Holding onto someone even though life is complicated while you're striving to be independent can be an additional handicap when life kicks you when you're already low.

A wonderfully written story with a great plot and characters who will stay with you long after you've read the last page.

Whisper:
Stay with me...

Whatever happened to Dicky?

Harry and Joe are proof that you can move on from painful pasts.
Shadow, Mani and the rest of the menagerie keep things interesting.
Sal, Emma and George provide stability and love.
An interesting plot that devolves into a beautiful love story.

Believe:
A Perfect Pair

Jevon and Rhys are my favorite couple in this wonderful series, therefore making this my favorite book, so far! I love how the story, and their relationship develops, as well as how Garrett Leigh intertwines the other characters from the previous books.

Crossroads:
A Perfect Ending

When lovers communicate honestly with each other, solutions to relationship issues can be found. Having friends and family who love and support you is an added benefit. Though it's sad when you reach the end of a wonderful series, I was able smile knowing everyone was happy.

[Amy Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Garrett Leigh is brilliant at writing beautiful, complex characters. They will make you frustrated, smile, laugh, cry, and fall in love with them....in every book. This series was no exception. How convenient is it that they’re bundled up so you can read through with ease? No unnecessary clicks. You just...turn the page.

These books are connected by the characters themselves, and how small the world really is. Who knew a sex club would be at the center of it all, too? That was where Dylan, Angelo, and Rhys meet each other, and their stories begin.

In book one, we meet Dylan, Angelo, and Rhys, although Rhys is not a central character in this story. He is one of two links between books one and two though. Angelo is the other. Harry and Joe are the main characters in book two. Harry is Rhys’ brother and Angelo’s physiotherapist. Rhys and Jevon are the main characters in book three, and in book 3.5/4 we find everyone, together for Christmas.

The story flowed beautifully between books, with each book having a HEA, but not ‘ending’ there. We see our beloved characters in each book. See or hear about them. I love when that happens, because saying goodbye to characters that weasel their way into to our hearts is hard tondo sometimes. Each book could be read as a stand-alone, but would be more enjoyable in order. If you’re reading the story in the boxed set form, it’s too easy not to.

The characters, including side characters, were well developed and enjoyable, throughout the entire series. The writing was consistent, and the continuity was appreciated. I felt like each character remained true to who they were throughout the book. Nothing felt out of place or disingenuous. There were no sudden personality changes, which is always appreciated. It was easy to get drawn into their stories, and hard to say goodbye when it was finished.

***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***

[Larissa_S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This set has the full Skins series: The three main books and a Christmas novella which revisits the couples from the first three books. Each of these books alone is great; they are well-written, packed with emotion, multi-dimensional characters you will immediately attach to, and engaging storylines. But putting them together so you can read them back-to-back-to-back-to-back … it’s brilliant because it amplifies everything that’s great about the books alone and you feel like you are on a long journey, encountering and experiencing each of these couples along the way as they come together to find their HEAs.

Each book has a different feel to it: Book 1, Dream, is angsty and super steamy. Book 2, Whisper, is more of a slow burn between two men with a lot of baggage and scars. Book 3, Believe, is more of an exploration of sexuality - internally recognizing who you are and recognizing how their sexuality is used to cover up and cope with pain. Book 4 is a Christmas novella which ties it all up into a nice package. I highly recommend the whole series, but particularly the Boxed Set because the experience is so much better when read continuously from start to finish.

[Amber Antus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book and it delivered so much more. The three stories and the novella were so well written and just beautiful. The stories focus on a different couple in each book with a revisit in the novella. Angelo and Dylan in Dream are such a great couple. I loved how the story allows Angelo and Dylan to find their way at their own speed instead of rushing into something that neither one is ready for. Harry and Joe from Whisper were just as great of a couple. I loved all of the playful banter between them and how it all lead to them being together. Rhys and Jevon from Believe are probably my favorite. The two of them just gave me all of the feels and Rhys's journey through the book just made me feel so hopeful that Jevon would show him that he deserved to be loved all the same. Then Crossroads at the end was a perfect way to wrap-up the series. All three stories are on the steamy side. I absolutely recommend this book/series!

[Stephanie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the joy of reading books one and four of the series. Being such a stickler for reading a series in order, reading all four books in order was well worth it.

Each of the main characters had more than enough personal demons to exercise, yet they found the perfect partners to heal and grow with. Often times, emotions were fraught, but the steam, and romance between he couples imaginatively leaped off the pages.

Whether you were reading Dream, Whisper, Believe or Crossroads; each separate but intertwined story line left me thinking about them long after I've completed the final page.
Fighting for the one you love remained evident throughout. No shortage of well developed tropes, and carry over of characters from one book to the next. Maintaining the realism of friendships despite it being a fictional world.

**I received this ARC bundle via Gay Romance Reviews for my honest feedback.**

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was going to love this series from the book blurbs and I did. What I wasn't prepared for was to find it impossible to pick which story I liked best. In every bundle there is always one that stands out for me, but here I can't pick. The choice of character jobs was so perfect for the story and I was fascinated by all of them, paramedic, physiotherapist, ballet dancer all were great. The locations were well chosen and provided just the backdrop needed for each story. I found the author's strong point to be making the hurt/comfort trope feel real and not forced or contrived. This is one of my favorite tropes and it is handled expertly here. Emotional and gripping without being darkly angsty or melodramatic. Fair warning: You are going to want to binge read these, so don't start them at night before you need to go to work the next day.

[Siobhan Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such well written stories of lust, friendship and comfort. Each couple are shallowly linked to each other but they all have their issues. Nothing was ever smooth sailing especially when the emotions were so heavy but the fight to get the person the need and deserve was a journey worth travelling. Such bravery through adversity and the will to help where they can, a real solid base for them to build on. Emotions ran high at some parts and there was some exquisite bedroom action but the one thing they have in common is the love they fight for each other, one of the best series this year I've read.

[Janet Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this so much! I always love when you can get a continuous series by the same author under one cover. I loved that we got so many troupes, friends to lovers, forced proximity, hurt/comfort, and some angsty kink! I love it that we get previous characters in new stories. We got to meet Angelo and Dylan in Dream, Joe and Harry in Whisper, Rhys and Jevon in Whisper and in Crossroads, we got the whole story line wrapped up. Perfect! I am voluntarily leaving a review form an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.

[Xochitl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love box sets, because always allow me to have all the books together and to read them one after another. This series Is so amazing, full of heartwarming moments in between angst and indecision but always discovering that love is the answer for everything. Every book is the story of a couple finding a reason to heal and accept they deserved happiness and a forever. The last book is a Christmas story but I considered it more like an second epilogue of book 1 and was the perfect way to close this set. A wonderful reading!!

[Anathea Krrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't find enough words of praise for this series. This author's way is enthralling and heartwrenching. I love her characters. They are all well developed and each of them has their own quirks and personality. This series is charged with emotions and angst. Love and friendship are at the forefront, but nothing happens without epic struggles.
It is rare that I read a whole series in one sitting, but I coul not have put this one down if I wanted to. Now I'm hooked and have to read more from this author.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew going into a Garrett Leigh novel would be good and this was no exception!! I loved that all these were connected and had overlapping stories and characters...it makes everything so much more intriguing and emotional and just beautiful!!! I loved everything about this series and how each character had to find their own place in their “skin” and all that they went thru. Each journey was amazing and beautiful.

[Chelsea Skerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

No words needed

5 stars!! I officially want to move to Cornwall and befriend this delicious blokes. First series to read with this author and I am blown away. Emotion, angst, friendship and relationships built on real love!!!!! No fluffy storyline’s or fake situations like so many other romance novels base themselves on. Thank you xx

[Sheryl Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this boxed set. I read some of these individually but having them all in one location brought this delightful series full circle. I absolutely loved reading it.

[Kassandra Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is based on the box set.

Great set of books.

Love the British vernacular. You may go through all the feels with these books.

Highly recommend the whole series.

I received an arc and this is my honest review.

[devil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 is my favorite one, but it's definitely more enjoyable if you've read the earlier stories. So, having all the stories in one boxed set is perfect. Plenty of likeable characters, with interesting storylines. Definitely recommended.

[revieweswithracqs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is new to me however I have now become hooked to her stories. This storyline has unconditional love, also the characters have last trauma that they have to overcome to move forward and be kind to themselves and learn to love. This bundle is fantastic.

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a good set.. well priced also.. very good characters.. action packed.. fast paced... well written. i loved it all