Pounding Skin by L.A. Witt

Pounding Skin by L.A. Witt

Review by Lauren

source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own

Official Summary (add on Goodreads): Fighter pilot Jon Russell never sleeps with the same man twice. Known for his lack of shame when it comes to hooking up, Jon has no interest in commitment—even friends with benefits sounds like too much work.

Matt Huffman has slept with lots of women. He’s had loads of girlfriends. So why does the hot as hell pilot getting a tattoo as the result of a lost bet stop his breath? And how come he can’t stop thinking about him, even after he’s gone?

When Jon returns to Skin Deep the second time, he doesn’t want another tattoo. He wants to hook up with the gorgeous artist he spent hours agonizingly close to, and Matt wants to explore some curiosity about men. Fulfill the desire he can’t stop fantasizing over. And he wants to do it with Jon.

As their casual hook up becomes more than just skin deep, both Matt and Jon are faced with questions they don’t want to answer. Matt understands he’s bi—but are these feelings he has typical of hooking up with a man? Or is it only Jon that can make his heart pound? If Jon wanted nothing more than a fling, why does he find himself needing not just Matt’s body, but all of him? And can their relationship withstand the hardships that makes Jon avoid them in the first place?

Review: 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. 

Pounding Skin is out today, so go get it! And don't forget to enter my Favorite Things Giveaway. It's a hop - so check out what other blogger's are offering.