Pounding Skin is the second book in the Skin Deep, Inc. series. Both books in the series take one half Navy man and one half tattoo artist to create one explosive couple. I loved the first book, Back Piece, so I was very excited to read Pounding Skin. This book features Matt, who readers get to meet somewhat in Back Piece, and Jon, who is a Navy fighter pilot we are just getting to know. While these books can be read in any order, I’d recommend reading Back Piece first, because that couple is featured a bit in Pounding Skin and I imagine it would be nice to know their history.

As for Pounding Skin, these guys have some great chemistry, in and out of bed. Matt has had many girlfriends, but he’s never dated a guy. He’s always said “I’m not gay” so it takes a specific incident to make him question that. He knows he likes girls, but maybe he’s bisexual and not straight. As for Jon, he’s mostly definitely gay, but he’s not the relationship type like Matt has always been. When he starts “seeing” Matt, the two get along well and end up inviting each other to various work functions and the like, but nobody ever comes out and says “we’re dating” or “we’re exclusive.” It’s something Matt would like eventually, but is Jon the guy? And as for Jon, he’s not sure he believes in long term love and commitment, not when it seems to end in heartache for those around him.

I thought Witt did a great job showing the perspectives of both Matt and Jon. It’s easy to understand where both of them are coming from, even as you root for them to work it all out and be together for the long haul. I love the mix of Navy and tattoo artist in this series, as Witt is happy to share details and background information about both businesses. These aren’t just titles for the guys’ romance – this is their life, and that’s clearly shown in this series.

I liked this one a lot. For starters, NetGalley (or maybe it was Riptide) contacted ME about reading it before I could request it. That was cool. The story itself was pretty cute, focusing on a different character in the same tattoo shop as one of her previous novels. I love when books do that, so I was automatically pretty hyped. The characters were great and there was a nice balance of angst and romance so I would recommend this book to a friend.

Jon and Matt are an unlikely couple. The fighter pilot and the tattoo artist…one afraid of commitment and one afraid of his desire for a man. However, they have great chemistry and L.A. Witt weaves a compulsive story that details their struggles to reach their HEA.

This book was good! The story was fast paced and gripping. I don't read too many m/m but this was really good. I did get irritated with the hero a couple times but other than that I really liked the h/h. This is the first time I've read this author but it won't be the last.

Pounding Skin is the love story of Matt and Jon who meet when Jon goes in to get a tattoo. The book is a very well written feel good love story which will make you fall in love with the characters and the story.

Matt and Jon are two very well etched out characters. The best part about them is that they feel real and the emotions they portrayed really resonated with me. I loved the way the author has developed their relationship. From a causal hook-up to something deep and profound, their journey was beautiful to read. Matt and his feelings on discovering and accepting his sexuality has been written in a real way and it contributed well to the story. The change in Jon and how he evolved has also been portrayed well. Another aspect of the story that is especially commendable is their sexual chemistry. Their chemistry is off-the charts and the sex scenes are steamy and scorching hot. A lot of familiar faces make an appear in the story and it truly made it an entertaining read.

In this installment, we have Matt, one of the tattoo artists who works at Skin Deep Inc. with Colin and the gang, and Jon, a fighter pilot on the nearby base. The two meet when Jon loses a bet to his friends and squad members and must get a tattoo (his first) of their choice.

Matt is having a bit of a rough time lately. Trying to pay his bills has him stressed out, and threesome with his ex-girlfriend/now bff and her boyfriend turned a switch for Matt that has him questioning his interest in men. He believed it was a fluke until Jon walked into the shop, and he was left with little doubt as two what got his motor running.

Jon is a guy who has no interest in relationships and is quite happy being the single, no-strings-attached man of his crew. When the sparks fly between Jon and Matt, they both agree to see each other under these pretenses and in the name of helping Matt explore man sex. Talk about hot stuff! These guys have crazy chemistry and are perfect for each other. Before they know it, everything they said they weren’t interested in, they found they had basically been doing all along. Neither had any interest in hooking up with anyone else, they spent a lot of time together and even helped each other out “as friends.” But when the realization hits, things are said and they must evaluate what they really want. After some bumps, and what felt like a super quick u-turn, they are back on track.

I love Ms. Witt’s writing. Her stories are full of hot, usually military, men and loaded with steamy sex, but they have a story as well. In short, they are usually dependably delicious. This one fits right in, though there were some little things that kept it from being blown out of the park. One thing, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, is that there were a lot of (possibly too many for me) sex scenes. As much as I loved watching Matt and Jon explore, I found myself wanting to skim towards the end.

It was great that we got to see how Colin and Daniel were doing (from book 1), and meet some new interesting characters as well. There is some set up for the next installment, which looks very promising and will definitely be on my list.

A hookup turns to true love romance.

Tattoo artist Matt’s struggling to accept his burgeoning feelings is sexual attraction to men in general, and in particular for hottie Navy pilot Jon.

Told in dual POV from both Jon and Matt’s perspectives, this book certainly has some insanely hot moments.

Matt really struggles with being with a man, and Jon’s always been more of a love ’em and leave ’em type not letting anyone get too close. Jon is more than willing to help Matt explore his newly discovered bisexuality. Jon knows what he wants sexually and helps Matt learn what works for him. But as the relationship builds and the lines between hookup and for real get blurred Jon pulls away and there is some miscommunication.

Aside from the miscommunication towards the end the story flowed well with likable characters, good pacing, lots of sex, and a strong HFN ending.

There’s also an excerpt from the next Skin Deep, Inc. novel: Cover Up that sounds pretty darn good.

For the sticklers: There were some issues with editing that I would have expected, as a second edition, to have been found and taken care of, but all in all this was a fun read.

4.,5 stars for "Pounding Skin."

Fighter pilot / unrepentant manwhore Jon meets tattoo artist Matt after losing a bet with his squadron and being dragged off to Skin Deep to get a tattoo ... on his ass ... of a rival squadron ... because Jon had fucked three of their pilots in the last year.

Matt has been struggling with his sexuality of late, and after practically a lifetime of reflexively insisting "I'm not gay" Matt is slowly realizing he's bisexual. The sparks fly between Jon and Matt, and Matt learns pretty quickly that yup, he is bisexual and that sex with Jon is pretty damn amazing. Their sexual chemistry is off-the-chain and the term "pounding skin" doesn't only apply to the art of tattooing here.

The relationship starts out as fuck buddies, or as Jon says "you're talking to a guy who thinks friends with benefits is too much commitment." And at first Matt is fine with this. He's just getting his bearings and has no complaints. "He had Jon. He had amazing sex. And he wasn't about to demand anything more."

This story thankfully has considerably less details about tattooing and aftercare than Back Piece, with the focus of the story on Jon and Matt. In the beginning Matt really struggles - "when you've spent your whole life saying you're not something, it's really hard to adjust to the reality that you are" - and the plot really held my interest as Matt navigates his way, wondering if what he and Jon have is something more than sex.

The subplot of Nate and Caleb's troubled marriage provides the catalyst for Jon to wonder if safeguarding his heart is really the answer. As Nate tells Jon:

"I mean, yeah, yeah, you might get hurt. And every time we go up in our bird, we might crash and burn and fucking die, but that doesn't stop you from taking off, does it?"

While I liked the first book in this series, Pounding Skin really knocks it out of the ballpark with two interesting characters, omigawd hot sex, a tight plot and a HFN ending. In Pounding Skin, we get to catch up on Colin and Daniel from Back Piece, and I'm looking forward to Cover Up, the next book in the series and seeing how Jon and Matt's relationship matures and develops. 4.5 stars!

Smouldering, fervent and sinfully sexy!

This is a provocative tale that mixes the sweet, modest, tattoo artist Matt who finds himself suddenly reevaluating his sexuality and the cocky, confident, fighter pilot Jon who is only looking for fun, excitement and a good time.

The characters are charming, handsome, and desirable. The writing is smooth and erotic. And the plot is a classic romantic love story about friendship, support, acceptance, family, commitment, and love with a side of red-hot chemistry and an abundance of scorching sex scenes.

This is definitely an entertaining, tantalizing read that does a good job at developing the relationship and the characters and not only gives us the happy-ever-after ending we look forward to and expect in this genre but a cover that is undeniably drool-worthy.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ce nouveau roman de L.A Witt m’a fait de l’œil dès le début, d’une part en raison du milieu professionnel dans lequel l’un des héros évolue (Matt est tatoueur, et je ne sais pas pourquoi pas, mais je trouve cet univers fascinant), d’autre part parce que, toute vraisemblance mise à part, j’ai un faible pour les GFY, ces histoires où, l’un des héros ‘découvre’ son homosexualité grâce à la rencontre avec un homme qui va tout changer. Enfin ici, en l’occurrence, Matt se questionne déjà sur son éventuelle bisexualité depuis un petit moment déjà, et Jon va tout simplement mettre le feu aux poudres …

C’est suite à un pari stupide que Jon se retrouve dans le fauteuil de Matt. Malgré sa phobie des aiguilles et son peu d’enthousiasme à vouloir se faire tatouer, Jon ira jusqu’au bout et assumera ce pari en totalité, mais il lui faudra l’aide de Matt pour tenir le coup. Jon, le tombeur de service, craque immédiatement pour Matt, et dès le début, ils se sentent attirés l’un par l’autre, mais les deux hommes devront affronter leurs propres blocages pour pouvoir aller de l’avant.

J’ai trouvé les interrogations et les doutes des personnages plutôt bien traités, et j’ai été surprise par l’abondance de scènes coquines, un peu trop nombreuses à mon goût, moi qui ne suis habituellement pas regardante là-dessus. Néanmoins j’ai passé un moment de lecture sympa et c’est typiquement le genre de roman qui se lit bien l’été, pour se vider la tête et s’évader quelques heures.

Pounding Skin is the second book in the Skin Deep Inc Series but can easily be read as a stand alone book. This book centers around Matt who works at Skin Deep and has just realized that he might be bisexual do to an "off screen" threesome he had with his best friend and her boyfriend. The second main character is Jon, a fighter pilot in the Navy who has no interest in relationships and is a bit of a man whore. When the two meet they are instantly attracted to each other and agree to a purely sexual relationship. They quickly become friends and from there the relationship grows to a very sweet and romantic yet sexy pairing.

I liked the progression of Matt's realization of his bisexuality and why he'd been hiding it even if I didn't completely believe his complete dismissal of his sexual preference considering EVERYONE else knew about it. While Jon took a bit more time to warm up to he was a very believable character and his lack of desire to be in a relationship fit the fighter pilot mentality.

I thought the sex scenes between Matt and Jon were intense and very hot! I did love that Matt was completely on-board with exploring his bisexuality and didn't second guess himself. What I really loved was the way that Matt and Jon's relationship progressed even though neither of them would admit/realize it. I found it very sweet. Although the final resolution was a bit quick and I would have liked to see it stretched out a bit more.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I have to admit I absolutely can't wait for Nate's book as he stole my heart in this book.

3.5*

This is the second book I've read by this author, the first being Back Piece.
Back Piece didn't really work for me (for the reasons given in my review) and it looked like this was heading in the same direction, Matt seemed depressed and had a whole host of problems most of which were financial and so I struggled early on.

Matt has spend his whole life repeating the mantra "I'm not gay" until he's grown to believe it but now he's having serious doubts and no matter how hard he tries even he can't deny his attraction to Jon.

It didn't take long for it to win me over and I found that I liked Matt and Jon together especially the early scenes with Matt coming to terms with his attraction to Jon, the kisses and tentative touches were beautifully written.

As with the previous book there's a lot of sex here and I do mean a lot, as these two settle into their relationship. The problem is Jon isn't a relationship kind of guy he's purely casual and that's the way it starts out but has it become more?

I enjoyed this much more than Back Piece and I'm looking forward to Cover Up which should be an interesting read.

I loved this book. I am heavily tattooed and the author really gets so much about tattooing just perfect. This series keeps getting better and I am enjoying it a ton. There is a lot of heat here for sure, and with Matt coming to terms with his sexuality, there is so much to unpack and explore. I can't wait for the next one!

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Santy's review Jul 09, 2017 · edit
really liked it
bookshelves: arc, i-needed-an-ice-bath, m-m, part-of-series, read-2017, review-from-phone

3.5 Stars Rounded up because this was steamy!!

Book 2 in the Skin Deep Inc. series, this can be read as a standalone without feeling lost. The premise of this series is to pair up sexy tattoo artists and sexy navy officers.Based on that premise, this book hit it out of the park!

Matt and Jon had some very great chemistry even from the start. Like any couple , and especially in this case where Matt wasn't even sure he was bisexual, the beginning was a lot rocky. When they settled into the groove though, my Kindle nearly couldn't handle the heat from these two!

The main point of conflict was Jon's aversion to relationships and after what happened to his nearest and dearest, he flipped. I understood his actions even though I didn't agree with it. His realization of how important Matt was to him brings me to the only niggle I had with this. It was too abruptly sorted out.For someone who was so anti-relationships, I felt he could've struggled with the turn around more. With that said, I loved the way it ended.

The next book is about Nate and Lucas who have both had their fair share of heartbreaks. I'm definitely anticipating how they are both going to embrace love once again.

***eARC Graciously Provided By Publisher In Exchange For A Fair, Honest and Unbiased Review ***

An awesome M/M romance. I enjoyed how Matt thought through his feelings and didn't immediately freak out. He accepted his newly discovered desires and decided to explore them. Having denied being gay for most of his life, it wasn't easy for him to accept his bisexuality but the longer he is with Jon the more obvious it becomes. They have several struggles and major bumps in the road but these two were meant to be and for the most part stuck with it. A very well done story proving that love can come in many forms. I would definitely recommend this one.

**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

4.5 stars

Pounding skin is the first book I have read in the Skin Deep Inc series and much like L.A Witt's other work it definitely didn't disappoint.

The story centres around Matt, a tattoo artist who is in debt to his eyeballs and struggling to make ends meet. All his life he has identified as a straight man but when a certain sexy military pilot enters the tattoo parlour his world is turned upside down. Enter Jon, an out and proud beautiful man who begrudgingly gets a tattoo after losing a bet with his military buddies. After one thing leads to another the two guys agree to a friends with benefits situation. Despite trying to keep things casual, feelings slowly start to creep in and begin to make things complicated. Both guys have to start questioning everything they have known about themselves and their view on relationships in order to find true happiness.

I have to say I really connected with the characters in this book even they did frustrate me at times! I loved Matt from the word go as he was such a sweetheart. I really connected with him in particular as I related to his struggle with his sexuality on a personal level and the very real way he handled it made me love him all the more. Jon on the other hand I was in two minds about at the beginning. I grew to love him in the end but he really annoyed me at times, especially in the way he was so closed minded to any kind of relationship with anyone not just with Matt. I just wanted to shake him and make him realise what an amazing man was in front of his eyes!! However I loved them as a couple (even when they couldn't see it for what it was!) and the chemistry between them was undeniable. Moreover I felt that while their relationship progressed quite quickly, it was natural and quite real to life.

I also really enjoyed the secondary characters. I thought that Nate was just awesome and such a good friend to Jon even if he didn't deserve it at times! I was quite annoyed though that such a nice guy had to have something so horrible happen to him but I do hope that his story will be picked up somewhere in this series too and he gets his HEA. On Matt's side was Lisa who seemed like such a supportive friend but we definitely didn't see enough of her and I would liked to have gotten to know her more. Furthermore it wasn't until afterwards that I discovered that Colin and Daniel, who were colleagues of Matt's, were featured in the first book Back Piece. I still would have liked to have seen a little bit more of their story in this book too but I will definitely have to go back and read the first one as they were really sweet characters.

One thing that really stuck out for me was that Witt clearly establishes that Matt is bisexual. I have found in the past that some authors write characters (Men in particular!) who are clearly attracted to both men and women and yet they refuse to acknowledge this fact. However the fact that she even uses the word is amazing and I know that not every one agrees that sexuality should be labelled but it is nice to see it addressed so openly in a very masculine, strong character like Matt.

I really liked that this book had a Military element and that it was written in such a way that an extensive knowledge was not needed before hand (of Jon's job). Also I loved the steamy scenes and the fact that although there were quite a few, (like in every L.A Witt book!) they never seemed to be too much.

I have been a long time fan of L.A Witt and like most of her other works, I honestly couldn't put this book down. In fact I read it in one sitting and finished it in the wee hours of the morning! Furthermore I was also surprised to learn that the characters in each book over lap into others and as such I will definitely be seeking out the other books in the Skin Deep series.

The story is pretty simple with not a huge amount of plot. However we have two likeable MCs, one who is coming to terms with bisexuality and one who has never committed to any relationship before. The progression of their relationship is sweet, sexy and made me smile. I enjoyed it a lot.

I'm also very much looking forward to the next book in the series, as it was set up quite nicely in this instalment.

One man questions his sexuality, the other doesn't do relationships.

I don't know why but it's been a little while since I've read a book by L.A. Witt. I don't know how I missed the first book in the Skin Deep Inc. series, Back Piece, but I'm glad I saw Pounding Skin available on NetGalley. This one stands alone with no problem; I didn't feel like I missed anything from the first story but I plan to go back and read it because I enjoyed Pounding Skin so much.

The book starts out in a kind of humorous vein; fighter pilot Jon Russel has lost a bet and must get a tattoo of whatever his buddies pick and on whatever part of his body; within reason. When he sees the tattoo artist who will be initiating him into the world of ink he is stunned speechless by the man's good looks.

Matt Huffman likes women but lately he's also realized he's attracted to men, although he's not really ready to admit it out loud. He's intrigued by Jon and his commitment to getting a tattoo even though he doesn't really want one.

I loved how this story developed a bit slowly. Not the sex part, these two guys hooked up quickly, but the relationship between them developed slowly. They both agreed that it would only be for fun, no strings sex and companionship. As things begin to change John gets scared.

The depth of feeling conveyed by Ms. Witt's writing was just perfect. In a way, I pretty much knew how the story was going to go but I just didn't know how it would get there. The writing kept me glued to my e-reader and I didn't want to put it down. The only thing that kept me from finishing this in one sitting was sleep – as in my e-reader fell out of my hands when I could no longer keep my eyes open!

I almost never read excerpts for the next book when they're found at the end of my current read. I'm not sure what compelled me to read the one for Cover Up but I did and now I can't wait to read it.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

This review will be posted to Xtreme-Delusions dot com on July 11, 2017.

This is the kind of L.A. Witt book that made me fall in love with her....
Developed characters, good plot, witty dialog, hot sex. What more could you ask for?
A Fighter Pilot and a Tattoo Artist.. Who would have thought they'd go together so well?
Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Loosing a bet turned out to be a great thing.