Jackrabbit Skin by Ivy Pochoda

the setup…
Swan is a tattoo artist who is leaving her life and ex-husband Paul in Los Angeles for a remote and desolate town in the desert called Miracle Wash. A friend leaving that place has loaned her a container, her new living space. Despite its name, the town doesn’t welcome newcomers and to say they’re hostile is an understatement. Her next door neighbor Kurt is an angry, scary widower.

the heart of the story…
Swan is a true artist, not just someone who knows how to do tattoos. Her ink is unique and extraordinary but this town doesn’t appreciate it, in fact seems to fear it. There’s a strong sense of place in this story. The isolation, despair and danger leap out at you. I just wanted her to run.

the narration…
It’s a solid performance, told from Swan’s point of view, and the storytelling evoked the imagery of the writing.

the bottom line…
I wish I’d known more about Swan and what led her to believe she deserved a town like this because it was hard for me to connect with this character. The story was powerful in making me feel the rage and discontent of that town. And, Swan’s ink artistry was defined in ways I’d never seen before. However, I just wanted it to end.

Book Info

• Release Date: March 19, 2024
• Series: Never Tell Collection #5
• Narrator: Ariel Blake
• Audio Length: 1 hour, 25 minutes
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Listen to a Sample!

Goodreads | Audible | Amazon

(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy of the collection. All opinions are my own.)