**ARC Review** – Better when it Hurts (#2 in the Stripped series), by Skye Warren

Dark Erotic Romance

Adult/18+ Read

I loved Better when it Hurts, Skye Warren’s latest addition to the awesome Stripped series! It’s another deliciously dark and decadent romance about a woman who tries her utmost to hide her real self from the world, but who is about to become undone when a bad boy from her past comes looking for revenge. The novel is scheduled for release on June 4th, but I was lucky enough to be given an Advanced Reader Copy and you can read my review here. Tina ❤

Blurb

Five years ago we lived in the same house. He was the ultimate bad boy. And my foster brother.

Now he’s back. Tougher, harder, meaner. All of it aimed at me, because I was the one who sent him away. It’s payback time. He wants his pound of flesh, and I am helpless to say no.

My Review ~ FIVE Deliciously Dark Stars! *****

Dark, Dirty and Emotional!

Yet more awesomeness from Skye Warren! I was thrilled to be given an ARC to review Better When it Hurts, the second novel in the Stripped series. This is the story of Lola, one of the strippers at the Grand, and Blue, who provides security. It’s dark, dirty and emotional and once I started it there was no way I could put it down until I had finished it!

I LOVED the character of Blue: the angry and conflicted alpha, always there in the shadows, watching Lola and waiting…. The couple have one helluva history, which reveals itself as the tale unfolds. Lola knows that Blue has not forgiven her for her past actions. His presence unnerves her and she knows that it is only a matter of time before she will have to atone for what she has done and she knows that it’s going to hurt. They have a tragic and tangled past and they have much to work through if they are ever to find resolution.

Skye Warren does a superb job of creating the most intense scenes of sexual tension and like Lola I was on tenterhooks waiting for this powerful alpha to make his move and demand payback! When he did I was absolutely gobsmacked by what transpired: the scenes between them sizzle with a bruising combination of raw emotion and passion. They are dark, dirty and primal and I loved them! Blue is able to strip away Lola’s confident demeanour, revealing the fragile woman underneath.

I was in no doubt that this couple had deep seated feelings for each other from their every word or action. I particularly liked how Blue is committed to preventing Lola being harmed by the Grand’s customers if they step over the line, wanting her for himself. The question is will Lola survive with her emotions intact and will Blue forgive her once he has meted out his revenge?

The author sets the scene perfectly with her descriptions of the Grand where Lola and the other girls strip. The faded grandeur of the once luxury hotel provides the perfect backdrop for the heart-rending life led by those who work there night after night. Lola and Blue’s story is a fabulous addition to the series and I am so looking forward to finding out about what is going n between the club’s owner Ivan and Candy, one of the other strippers.

If you are a reader of dark romance you will definitely want to put this on your reading list! .

Reviewed by Tina Williams

An ARC of this book was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review.

For the link to my review of Love the Way You Lie, book 1 in the series, click on the book title.