Beautiful Distraction

This book will hurt your heart a little..Mallory is so hard on herself that it’s hard to read the words. But I applaud Lydia for writing real life characters/stories that many of us can relate to. Finn is a such a sweet, patient and loving man. He has every right to get frustrated but maintains a sense of calm and encouragement. Lucinda Gainey delivers a wonderful narration for this story. She gives each character depth and emotion.

Beautiful Distraction is the small town romance between Mallory and Finn. It’s the 2nd book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone (I haven’t read the first one and there wasn’t an issue). It really started out good. While some people have said in their reviews that the way Mallory harps on her weight and has such low self-esteem was annoying and kind of ruined the book for them, I liked it. It is a big part of how some (if not a lot) of people considered morbidly obese feel. While I like having overweight heroines love their bodies and be confident, I also like getting representation of the opposite. Unfortunately, the book took a sharp downward spiral about halfway in. It started when Mallory really started to lust after Finn with it saying that it took all her might not to swoon or force herself on him. Seriously? Not jump him…force him. Disgusting. How and why did this make it past editing? I almost stopped reading and I had to take some deep breaths before I could continue. But it really colored my feelings for the book. Not something as bad as the previous issue, but an irritation nonetheless—when Finn says that he likes that she cooks for him and that it’s hard to find a woman willing to take up that role. Granted, he says that it isn’t a requirement but then he goes right on to add that he likes it. Why oh why was that necessary? Finn being old fashioned was a terrible excuse. Final thing that killed me was how Finn couldn’t believe she “enjoyed herself” without penetration. Umm what? To be fair, he spent time just in the chest area only but you do not need penetration to “enjoy yourself.” It does nothing but make me think he doesn’t know much about exactly how to please a woman and that made me laugh and not in a good way. This was my first book by the author and it will likely be my last.

An amazing second installment! This book works in the series and as a standalone as well. Finn is such a fantastic character. I love that he just supports Mallory and is there for her as a supportive friend first. He shows how much he cares about her and that evolves, quickly, into love. Mallory is extremely relatable. Every girl has doubts about how guys view them and if they are simply being used. Having such low self-esteem, it is completely relatable on how she feels. I also love how she sets goals for herself and meets them. But I love that she sets the goals for herself, and not for anyone else.

Finn has been skating through life with Erin. Mallory has come to the mountain to restart her life. The two meet and both have their hang ups. It is rocky at first BUT the Rocky steps later make it all worth it.

Never have I read a book that I identified with so well. At times I felt like Ms. Michaels was telling my story. The book Skin by Lydia Michaels is absolutely beautiful. Mallory is like most of us women I think, entirely too hard on herself and doesn’t see what other people do. Until she meets the sexy lumberjack Finn and he helps her learn to be happy with herself. I absolutely loved this book! The characters were amazing and it reminds us that what’s on the inside is what counts. And most of all, as long as we are happy with ourselves no one else’s opinion matters! ;) You won’t want to miss this second book in The McCollough Mountain series!!! It’s absolutely outstanding!!!