Whisper (Skins #2)

Title: Whisper (Skins Book 2)
Author: Garrett Leigh
Publisher: Fox Love Press
Release Date: May 1, 2018
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Page Count: 314 pages
Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Read book blurb here

FYI -- Whisper is the second book in Garrett Leigh's "Skins" series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Harry, a successful physiotherapist in London, rents out a room in a Cornish horse farm so he can complete a book he's under contract to write. He meets the entire Carter family - mother Sal and daughter Emily, and brooding nasty over-worked gorgeous Joe. They are hanging onto the farm by almost sheer will and Harry's rent will give them a little breathing room, and allow them to rescue more horses.

Everyone here has problem and fears - agoraphobic fears of leaving the sanctuary of the farm, anger issues, alcoholism, eating disorders - but I love how they aren't treated as angsty crippling issues, but rather just as works-in-progress. Emily learns that she can get beyond her fears of leaving the farm, Joe starts working on his misplaced anger and learning to forgive (or at least, set aside his anger) towards his alcoholic father Jonah, and while Harry initially seems pretty much perfect, he himself receives understanding and acceptance from the Carter family.


I really like the family dynamics here, as well as the dynamics of Harry and Joe's relationship. They have chemistry to spare, and while their relationship goes from guarded interest to insta-love in a flash, I love the level of trust and communication they share. The narrative flow of the story is really lovely, and the story immediately held my interest.

My only issues were some plot points, i.e. Jonah's fight with a local bully that spills over onto the horse sanctuary and brings out the police, and Jonah's final explanation of the situation. It all seemed a bit too convoluted, and yet it all resolved in a matter of a few sentences. Also, while the HEA solves everyone's issues and crosses off all the problems, it seemed a bit too polished and complete, rather than a work in progress while, for me, was part of the charm of the story. 4 stars for Whisper.