Second Skin

The Maricopa County Shifters #1

by Simone Beaudelaire

Elisa Monroe’s controlling husband Alex declares it’s time for them to buy a house and start a family, but Elisa doesn’t want either. He manipulates her into buying the house anyway, and she realizes that the only way to have a life that belongs to her is to leave him. But how?

Marshalling support from her colleagues, her therapist and domestic violence workers, Elisa begins the slow process of breaking free. But Alex is not willing to let her go, and he escalates from bullying to outright abuse, revealing that he is a much more dangerous creature than she could ever have imagined.

Will Elisa escape with her life? Or will what lies beneath the second skin finally devour her alive?

Trigger This paranormal suspense novel contains scenes of reproductive rape and domestic violence. Reader discretion is advised.

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2021

About the author

Hello, I am Simone Beaudelaire, romance enthusiast, freelance proofreader, and novice author.
In real life, I'm a wife, mother, and full time high school French teacher, which doesn't leave me a lot of time for my hobby. Of course, that hasn't stopped me yet.
I hope I can connect with other readers of romance (and other genres. I love to read, and through my beta reading group, I have recommendations in all different categories.)

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can totally relate with what Elisa goes through and why she never had the strength to leave... Some may say, "why didn't she leave her mentally abusive husband", but unless you've lived in that kind of environment you wouldn't understand.

Elisa turns out to be stronger than even she would admit, and she has someone watching her back, not only one someone, but another someone too, one that never gave up on her. Now it's all up to her if she wants to live or die.... She has been shown things she still can't comprehend but can ultimately help her.

Very deep story revolving around a very real issue going on in our world today. Not confusing at all if you've lived it.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

The character building is good. The storyline is a great twist. There is something lacking between being a normal human world vs. the peternatural. It needs work to actually make it believable. More world building is needed w with more descriptions of this half and half world. Are those creatures truly hateful and uncaring without any human genetics. Too much to question to be fully satisfied with the story. Does the heroine survive and have a happily ever after? Who was the council? Can bites make more creatures? It is an interesting read but I can only suggest reading it for the experience.

[Lenore Latimer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could use more help.

This was a hard read because it was confusing. I didn’t understand why she stayed with her husband as long as she did. The things happening to her was so unreal that it made the book unbearable to read. I actually think it could be a good book if the mystery wasn’t so prolonged. I didn’t like the ending.

[Scott Shjefte · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF, could not like the characters, the situation was not friendly and it was further disjointed by the self-image of MC. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. Purchased this edition on January 6, 2025 for free.

[Katrina Skinner · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. I feel like there could have been more of an explanation of what she is, where they came from etc. it was a little confusing at times and I did find myself re-reading bits to see if I had misunderstood parts.

[ChattyChik21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh so good I really loved it

She is a fighter and I can’t wait for more of her story I was so surprised by how things played out it was realistically unrealistic