Ah...I was looking forward to this follow up to Beneath the Skin. I wanted to see if Sirena/Bella, Ari's sister, could redeem herself, because in Beneath the Skin I disliked her a lot. Here in Close to the Skin, she gets to shine. I can't quite say I ever liked her, definitely didn't love her, but I will say that she somewhat redeemed herself. She seems to love Ari and to have forgiven him for whatever misdeeds she erroneously thought he committed in Beneath the Skin, so that made me pretty happy considering that Ari is my forever love in the Skin Quartet series so far. She's fighting her feelings for Vernon, her ex, crime lord, all around bad guy who's trying to go, says he is going, straight. She and Vernon have a long, complicated history. There's love and lust all combined with suspense and action that Zara West is so deft at.

Bella really doesn't want to have anything to do with Vernon and his criminal ways. No, she wants to concentrate on her tattoo business, rescuing cats and her deco boys (graffiti artists) who are also her friends. But, Vernon is persistent, and in love with his Sirena. He's also ruthless, even though he claims to be going straight. Bella knows better than to believe the man, no matter that her heart wants him, loves him. But, when things come to a head, will Bella and Vernon make it? Will love win out over his criminal ways? Will it win out over Bella's hardened heart?

Close to the Skin is a great follow up to Beneath the Skin. Bella doesn't really endear herself to me as I was hoping, but she does somewhat redeem herself from the b***** sister she was in Beneath the Skin. Vernon, for all his criminal ways, is really likable and pretty adorable even. Their chemistry, combined with the suspense and action make for a layered, well-written romantic suspense. I'm really looking forward to book #3!