Warning: Mature Adult Audiences 18+. Contains language and actions some may deem offensive. Sexually explicit content. MF.
In book two of Permanent Hangover: Cain Washington would gladly pay a million dollars to have a shrew as nice as the one Shakespeare had to deal with. Because frankly, the one living next to him makes the Bard’s seem like a Sunday school teacher. As the chief fixer at the Permanent Hangover Tattoo Parlor and Bar, he’s cursed with the ability to see the beauty in everyone. Though his harpy of a neighbor tests and teases that ability on a daily basis, Cain’s never been one to let a challenge stop him. Especially with the flashes of the beautiful soul he can see beneath the surface that is keeping him mesmerized.
Bianca Jessel came to Minnesota for advancement and, more importantly, to escape the fact of who she is. Born ‘blessed’ with light skin, she found in the land of ten thousand lakes that she’s seen as everything, but a woman of color. Determined to keep it that way and assure a future blessing for her own children, she chooses her men based on a list of criteria. Sadly, the one person she wants the most has one glaring disqualifier. Too bad he lives next door.
After years of conditioning, and with the lies rapidly catching up to her, can Bianca push past the voice of her grandmother admonishing every aspect of who she is? Can Cain show that her beauty is not only inside her, but in the skin she tries to deny? Or will the decades of self-hate bring a halt to an everlasting love before it has a chance to start? And could the lies turn into a dangerous situation instead of one girl’s misguided musings of one’s worth?
Review by Twinsie Angie
I purchased this ebook and audio book.
Lemme start by saying I loved the narrator and the narration of the story. Logan did a great job varying up the different characters and their voices for me during the audio listening.
Ok so this book…..so complex….I had to sit on it for a few days to think about what I was going to share with you and why its taken me so long. One word – Bianca!! Man I just did not like her. But you see my 5 star rating and are like uhm Angie Explain yourself here. LOL Give me a second and I will.
Bianca. She is a mess. I mean a MESSSSSS!! The hate she has for herself makes her as cuddly as a porcupine. She has an end game and that is it…marry a rich white guy (with a cough I imagine) so she can be set for life. The issue is, she is also hiding more and more of herself with each failed relationship because …well…because she a black. Now I know you’re all like ..uhm Angie ..calm down and let me explain. Bianca’s grandmother did a number on her. She told her she was a blessing because her light skin made her undeterminable. She could be passed off as Italian, Jewish, etc but no one would think she was black. This is where my view of her changed. I felt bad for her. I mean she was never able to embrace what made her an awesome person because people could find out she was black. I can’t imagine being raised and being told to look down on people with the same skin coloring as your own and as your parents.
Cain…omg did I love him in book 1 annnd my love for the tattoo parlor player didn’t stop but wait…is he not the player he pretends to be? What is he a soft and gushy sweetheart after all??? Cain is not at all threatened by Bianca and her nonsense. In fact, he picks up on her and all that she does to push him away. After a night when Bianca needed help, Cain was right there to rescue her like he does with so many women he meets. Cain is there to break down Bianca’s walls and even help her see what a beautiful soul she is when she stops putting up the wall and facade.
Cain and Bianca start to explore where the relationship could go but Cain is all the while afraid she will hurt him and Bianca is afraid people will see her different for living as an openly black women. The twists and turns in the story were great. Catching up with the Permanent Hanger over crew was amazing. I don’t know if I want Puck or Sarah’s book next. Both are going to be such a great read but I kinda hope its Puck and his naps…lol
Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes young adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.
With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.
When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.
Michel is a member of RWA Pro and Midwest Fiction Writers. In 2013 she was awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and cat.