Elle Keaton
Skin Game
Skin Game
4.8 / 5.0
(5) 5 total reviews
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Gabriel Karne is cautiously optimistic. Life seems to be settling down into a nice even keel.
It’s a new year and the former con artist has a permanent-for-now address. No more rickety sailboats and living out of go-bags for Gabriel Karne. No surprises. No dead bodies.
Romance-wise, he and Ranger Man are easing into being a couple. A lifetime of habits is hard to break for both of them but they’re getting there.
Gabe even has a job. Will he regret agreeing to it? Probably but it’s almost legal, so baby steps.
But a strange young woman claiming to be his long-lost daughter appears on his new doorstep, and she has some sketchy documentation to prove it. It’s not impossible, but Gabe wasn’t born yesterday, and Heidi Karne was his mother, after all.
Then another damn letter—this one from a stranger—shows up. The author claims to be a friend of Heidi’s and to have some of his late mother’s belongings. Just great.
It's pretty clear that the past isn't done with him yet.
It will be fine. Everything will be fine.
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Whenever anything bad happens on Heartstone, the first port of call for the Sheriff's office is Gabe, who attracts trouble like it's his calling in life. This third episode of 'Fuck My Life' starring Gabriel Karne is no different, starting with an unexpected caller and from there, going downhill rapidly and leading to the now-familiar interview room.
At least Gabe still has Casey and Elton on his side. The trio work well together, trying to puzzle out all the mysteries surrounding Gabe's mother and family secrets. Information is hard to come by but Gabe's mother does like to reveal her secrets dramatically, from the grave.
I love the relationship betweem Gabe and Elton, a real found family vibe between the two of them. There's mutual affection and trust, Elton being the father figure that Gabe never had, with a twinkle in his eye and a bed and plate of food ready at all times.
It's rewarding seeing Gabe and Casey as a real couple now, our reward after the slow burn so far. Gabe now has a real partner, someone who cares about his well-being and steadies him somewhat. Of course, Gabe doesn't actually have an off button but Casey seems to have a Gabe-dimmer switch to turn down the worst of his recklessness.
There's also appearances from Shay and Claribel and they always make my day. Bowie and the stray cat were wonderful too.
We were left on the brink of another mystery and I can't wait to see what happens.
ARC Review
Yessssss. This book is so good. I’ve really been enjoying how each book has it’s own mystery within the bigger mystery.
The slow burn is finally burning but it takes such a backseat to the rest of the plot and I really like that. I didn’t know if I would or not but I think my love of mysteries is overpowering my love for a romance book.
These characters have grown so much across the books and I love them so much. I can’t wait for the next book!
Overall, very good book! This is book three in the series and it absolutely has to be read in order. There’s way too much story building and series of events happening to read out of order. Highly recommend reading the series!
I’m loving this series. Gabe and Casey are very different, yet fit together perfectly. The suspense and mystery are intriguing, with family playing an important part. An added bonus is the appearance of characters from Piedras Island.
I like how both Gabe and Casey are slowly getting used to being a couple. I thought it was realistic that it wouldn’t happen overnight, especially as they are both used to be being loners. I love how their relationship is growing and they’re realising how much they meant to each other, especially with the dangers involved in others wanting what they think they’re due.
I love Elton, and Bowie, and Keith.
I loved how the mystery of Heidi’s past unfolds although I suspect she still has a few well-kept secrets, and how everything is fitting together. I liked the twist with one of the characters, and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
Book 3 in the Subtle Deceptions series gives us a new mystery to unravel with the same cast of characters we’ve seen in the previous two books. Definitely not a standalone and best enjoyed in order. Gabe finds himself smack dab in the middle of another layer of his mother’s deceptions. Everything he uncovers about his mother’s life on Heartstone just leads to more questions. This book is no different and starts out with a young girl on his doorstep claiming she’s his daughter. That’s next to impossible, but with Casey & Elton’s help he tries to get to the bottom of it. But, Casey worries as Gabe often strikes out on his own and usually invites some kind of trouble. This mystery is no different. However, Gabe is no longer alone. He has Casey, Elton, and his recently discovered extended family in his corner. With all those people in his corner, including his and Casey’s fur babies Bowie and Keith, his previously unknown aunt’s plot is foiled. More answers to his mother’s life become evident. However, despite declarations of love, the mysteries of Heartstone island continue to ensnare both him and Casey. Another dead body is found with Casey’s card in his pocket. Looking forward to reading about the next mystery.
SKIN GAME, the third book in the SUBTLE DECEPTIONS Series, is another great follow-up to THE LAST GRIFT and BAIT AND SWITCH. Readers return to Hearthstone where Gabriel is once again caught up in "something" he doesn't quite understand. "Something" of the very hazardous kind. This series delivers taut, well-written disturbing and dangerous situations - with Gabe smack dab in the middle of most of them. With the help of his former neighbor and current partner Casey, another piece of the puzzle left by his late mother falls into Gabe's lap bringing more questions than answers along with very real peril. Gabriel is one of Elle Keaton's excellently written, complicated and flawed characters and I just love him! His relationship with Casey is a treat - filled with plenty of smart and snarky humor and steamy times wrapped in a very sweet and new love. I really, really like this series and highly recommend.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Happily Ever AfterFunnyScaryWonderful charactersSteamyRomanticWittyAction-packedUnpredictable