aschae's review
5.0
As she always does, Pepper has created an incredible story of two people meant to be together, yet torn apart by their past and a secret. Olin and Gil have known each other since high school and formed a bond that no one could break. That is until Gil disappears from her life, never to be heard from again and with no explanation as to why. Fast forward to years later when Olin is desperate for work, applies for a job as a model for a body painter and finds herself face to face with the man who broke her heart all those years ago. Now that she's found him, will she get the answers her heart has been longing for? What she didn't know was that Gil's past is closing in on them and now that she's found him, there is no escape. Left on a major cliffhanger, I can't wait to devour the rest of this dark, yet beautiful story!
kidisitor's review against another edition
4.0
This story is a bit intense. There's a lot of mystery involved between the characters. It is a darker read with no happy ending in sight. Some of the mystery is revealed at the end, but it only brought more questions. He is not just damaged, he's totally broken. It does end in a cliffhanger, so you'll need to read book two to see how it ends. She is damaged as well, but is fighting for the both of them. Fighting a endless battle. It's got a beautiful quality about it. Though the story was intriguing and curiosity driven, there was a lot of repetition. I felt like so much of the conversations were just repeated over and over, causing this to be a more time consuming read.
*I received a copy of this book through Netgalley.
*I received a copy of this book through Netgalley.
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
2.0
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC to read and give my honest opinion.
Olin starts the book off by answering an ad for a living canvas body model when she discovers she knows the artist. Gil, the lead male has tortured soul down to a T and just about kills us with how many times he tells Olin... no or gtfo. Book has a huge elephant in the room but author doesn’t give an inch.
What did I like? I liked Gil in his younger years but adult Gil is anything but good. Since he tells Olin to GTFO eight million times I guess we can really say that she only has herself to blame. We get it, you loved Gil in high school and he needed fixing so Olin charges to the rescue but adult Olin is a freaking doormat. The ping pong relationship that Gil and Olin have is bordering on insanity on both their parts. It was truly annoying to watch them go back and forth about a giant elephant that nobody knows what the hell is going on.
Would I buy this book? Clearly my low rating is a downer and I love it when the author drags a tortured soul out for us to find some redemption but Olin and Gil had zero chemistry. I’m just shocked the author stayed this route because if it was torture to read, it had to be torture to write. I mean if I want frustration I have other avenues to get it.
Thoughts for the author? I wanted to quit this book through pretty much all of it. Even more so after that teacher chapter. I don’t even want part two. I have some love/hate relationship with your books but this one was definitely a hate.
Olin starts the book off by answering an ad for a living canvas body model when she discovers she knows the artist. Gil, the lead male has tortured soul down to a T and just about kills us with how many times he tells Olin... no or gtfo. Book has a huge elephant in the room but author doesn’t give an inch.
What did I like? I liked Gil in his younger years but adult Gil is anything but good. Since he tells Olin to GTFO eight million times I guess we can really say that she only has herself to blame. We get it, you loved Gil in high school and he needed fixing so Olin charges to the rescue but adult Olin is a freaking doormat. The ping pong relationship that Gil and Olin have is bordering on insanity on both their parts. It was truly annoying to watch them go back and forth about a giant elephant that nobody knows what the hell is going on.
Would I buy this book? Clearly my low rating is a downer and I love it when the author drags a tortured soul out for us to find some redemption but Olin and Gil had zero chemistry. I’m just shocked the author stayed this route because if it was torture to read, it had to be torture to write. I mean if I want frustration I have other avenues to get it.
Thoughts for the author? I wanted to quit this book through pretty much all of it. Even more so after that teacher chapter. I don’t even want part two. I have some love/hate relationship with your books but this one was definitely a hate.
gretareadsromance's review
5.0
The Body Painter was so good to read! It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and I couldn't put it down. Their story was both tragic and wonderful and I can't wait to read what happens next!
anitareadings's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
csharp0710's review
5.0
Oh yes, I love Pepper Winters! Her books always hook me from the beginning. You can expect some next level crazy as usual and this being a duet, a cliffhanger! Just go into it blind and you’ll love it even more!
kayreereads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The best way that I can describe this book is to say that it's like a roller coaster that's just started to make that climb up to the top of the hill, and then as it crests the top and you think you're going to go screaming down the other side, it ends. That may sound like a complaint, but it's not!
These characters take some time to warm up to, their history full of so many twists and turns that it'll take you most of the story to truly nail down what you think of them. I won't lie, some parts are incredibly hard to get through, but once you do all you can think about is where the next book might take you.
Both narrators for this book did a phenomenal job. The amount of emotion that it takes to bring a book like this to life is high, and they nailed it from beginning to end. I could listen to either one of them talk all day, so that certainly helped, but they put on a spectacular performance for this one.
These characters take some time to warm up to, their history full of so many twists and turns that it'll take you most of the story to truly nail down what you think of them. I won't lie, some parts are incredibly hard to get through, but once you do all you can think about is where the next book might take you.
Both narrators for this book did a phenomenal job. The amount of emotion that it takes to bring a book like this to life is high, and they nailed it from beginning to end. I could listen to either one of them talk all day, so that certainly helped, but they put on a spectacular performance for this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Child abuse
Minor: Car accident
lianareadsblog's review against another edition
4.0
I love second chance romance and this book seemed to be just perfect for me.
I enjoyed this book with all the angst and suspense, the characters are reliable and I need more of them.
I didn’t liked some repetition of the same thoughts but putting it in other words and at times it felt like stalling for me as well as some other times it felt too rushed.
I must admit that it’s my first book by the author and i’ve heard so much about her that I just needed to read at least one book but it won’t be my last.
I enjoyed this book with all the angst and suspense, the characters are reliable and I need more of them.
I didn’t liked some repetition of the same thoughts but putting it in other words and at times it felt like stalling for me as well as some other times it felt too rushed.
I must admit that it’s my first book by the author and i’ve heard so much about her that I just needed to read at least one book but it won’t be my last.
kodom251999's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! That was a wild trip! I loved it! Olin was so good doing her best to help others. Gil was stubborn, but he couldn’t let her. This story was so angsty and terrifying. It was a push and pull for both of them. I can’t wait to read the rest of their story!
books4dayswithrobyn's review against another edition
5.0
This story is raw.
This story is gritty.
This story is real.
This story is life.
Pepper Winters has such a way with words that the emotions you feel have you feeling completely ripped open and bare to the world.
The characters are bloody amazing and so well written, so easy to like, so easy to read.
Olin and Gil have that type of story that completely grips you from the first page. I felt so drawn to Gil though. He's very aloof and mysterious that you find yourself so immersed into him.
Olin was beautiful and the perfect living canvas.
I'm not going to go into too much detail with this book but you need to read this. You need to experience this.
My emotions are all over the place, i can't even pin point what i feel. The immense love i have for this book in completely transparent though, the words just seem to be stuck in my head going round and round.
This book was absolutely beautiful and well worth the wait. Book two can't come soon enough.
❤
This story is gritty.
This story is real.
This story is life.
Pepper Winters has such a way with words that the emotions you feel have you feeling completely ripped open and bare to the world.
The characters are bloody amazing and so well written, so easy to like, so easy to read.
Olin and Gil have that type of story that completely grips you from the first page. I felt so drawn to Gil though. He's very aloof and mysterious that you find yourself so immersed into him.
Olin was beautiful and the perfect living canvas.
I'm not going to go into too much detail with this book but you need to read this. You need to experience this.
My emotions are all over the place, i can't even pin point what i feel. The immense love i have for this book in completely transparent though, the words just seem to be stuck in my head going round and round.
This book was absolutely beautiful and well worth the wait. Book two can't come soon enough.
❤