Skin Deep Paperback – September 5, 2016

I received this book at no charge from Amazon for my Kindle. It was a worthy read. Thank you to the author for generously providing this book free of charge.

Finn has struggled with a disconnection between her physical being and her sense of self worth since childhood. She detests the Gaelic name she was given at birth, and changed it. Raised with highly esteemed brothers, Finn felt displaced as an unwanted female in her family and loathes her body, her appearance and discounts all compliments. She has made a new life for herself in Dublin, surprising herself with career stability and solid friendships but her love life has given her the same negative returns as her self image.The Irish characters of Skin Deep are deeply connected; their conversations are earthy, profanely humorous and even bawdy at times, concerned as these twenty-something singletons are with their and one another's sex lives. As Daria, Finn's best friend and Londonite discovers, the sharp-edged, crass Irish repartee is meant to demonstrate affection while keeping each other at safe emotional distances. The novel is enjoyably quirky, fast-paced and the characters are surprisingly well-developed.This little novel is chick lit with a twist. Beyond the barbed humour, serious ethics and racism are examined. Skin Deep explores the dangerous territory in the myth of the best body with its big boobs being a launching point for self determination, and the inherent crises that drastic plastic surgery can inflict upon vulnerable young women. Finn deals with crises of her own on many levels, eventually arriving where she has a sense of belonging, mature love and understanding of her own heart.Fans of North America's Jennifer Crusie, Jennifer Wiener and the debut author Judith Natelli McLaughlin will enjoy the classic style of Irish author Catherine Barry's story of friendship, personal discovery and the many meanings of love.(The novel, formerly published in paperback in 2004, has been released by Endeavour as an e-book. It is a bit dated as a consequence of its age and no further editing, but the themes are classic and just as valid today.)

The subject matter of this book held promise, the flashbacks to Finn's youth were very poignant. Unfortunately there was frequent bad language in dialogue and thoughts and it was too much for me to continue beyond chapter 4.:

Once I started this book I couldn't put it down! When I did have to put it to one side I couldn't wait to pick it up again! Thought provoking. Well worth a read. Thank you Catherine Barry for writing this book!

Not bad , I did enjoy it but I wouldn't say it gripped me . I wouldn't bother reading it again.

Good read

Loved this book and its humour. Some real laugh out loud moments. Can't wait to start reading other books by Catherine Berry. Would highly recommend.