Review: Under My Skin

Title: Under My Skin

Author: Laura Diamond

Genres: YA Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: April 12, 2016

Publisher: Swoon Romance

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Bookish Brit Adam Gibson is one wonky heartbeat away from a fatal arrhythmia. But staying alive requires Adam to become keenly focused on both his pulse and the many different daily medications he must take in exactly the right dosages. Adam's torn between wanting to live and knowing that someone else must die in order for him to do so. He needs a new heart. 

The pressure is getting to him. Adam stops talking to his friends back home, refuses to meet kids at his new school, and shuts his parents out entirely. His days are spent wondering if can cope with having a dead man's heart beating inside his chest, or if he should surrender to the thoughts of suicide swirling around in his head. 

And then a donor is found…

Outspoken artist Darby Fox rarely lets anything stand in her way of achieving her goals . Whether it’s painting, ignoring her homework (dyslexia makes a mess out of words anyway), kissing a hot boy she doesn't even know, or taking the head cheerleader down a peg , no one has ever accused Darby of being a shy. She also happens to be the twin sister to a perfect brother with good looks, good grades, manners, and the approval of their parents - something Darby has never had. 

Darby's always had bad timing . She picks the worst time to argue with her brother Daniel. In a car with bald tires, on an icy road in the freezing cold, the unthinkable happens. In a split-second, everything changes forever.

Truth be told, I had an extremely difficult time reading Under My Skin. And no, it isn’t because it’s not nice or what-so-ever, but rather, it’s actually the entire opposite of it.

Everything is just so raw and captivating, and Under My Skin is just all about emotions, emotions and emotions. It was overwhelming, but every feeling was captured realistically.

I love how the entire plot line was a journey from facing the guilt, the confusion, the self-blame to a person who is able to accept the reality and finally be able to move on. To me, it was such a heartwarming journey to both Adam and Darby, and I found myself repeatedly cheering for them to finally be able to see the light and have a happy ending of their own. While Adam and Darby both face different problems and have different personalities as well, I love how both of them are able to find strength to see the harshness of life from each other. They help each other grow, which I really love.

Under My Skin has hit me hard in the face, as I found myself being able to easily connect with Adam and Darby. With both of them feeling how naggy and stifling their parents are, and having a tough time dealing with it, the way this was portrayed was very realistic. All the time, I just kept on hoping that their parents would give them space and alone time.

I guess, it really hit me hard in the face as I can see myself in their situation. I stopped reading this one for quite a couple of days because it scared me that I could see myself in them, that whatever Darby and Adam are experiencing, was my reality. Although, not to that quite of an extent, but yes, the emotions were just so honest and real.

Dealing with depression and the confusion of what’s happening around, combined with the way the people behave and treat oneself, all of these were captured and have given an emotional roller coaster. By the end of the book, it was an uplifting moment not only to Darby and Adam, but to me, as well.

Truly a raw, honest and captivating book that deals with family and psychological issues with a whirlwind of emotions, Under My Skin was definitely a different and intense read. I love how Under My Skin gives hope that someday, everything will be okay. This one is definitely added to one of my all-time favorite books!

       

Laura Diamond is a board certified psychiatrist currently specializing in emergency psychiatry. She is also an author of all things young adult—both contemporary and paranormal. An avid fan of sci-fi, fantasy, and anything magical, she thrives on quirk, her lucid dreams, and coffee. When she’s not working or writing, she can be found sniffing books and drinking a latte at the bookstore or at home pondering renovations on her 225 year old fixer upper, all while obeying her feline overlords, of course.