Skinny Dippin'

by Didi Oviatt

When Carla agrees to house sit a condo by the beach for a summer, she's met with a juicy surprise. Though reluctant and determined to stay away, Carla is drawn to the young man a few doors down. Blake is handsome, temperamental, and just as determined to win her over as she is to stay away. Three months under the summer sun are about to heat up parts of Carla that she thought lost, tossed to the wind and gone forever. But will Carla succumb to his possessive, domineering traits and become his for the summer, or will she let better judgment, along with their age difference, drive a wedge between the undeniable connection?

118 pages, Paperback

Published June 5, 2021

About the author

Didi Oviatt is an intuitive soul. She’s a wife and mother first, with one son and one daughter. Her thirst to write was developed at an early age, and she never looked back. After digging down deep and getting in touch with her literary self, she's writing mystery/thrillers like Search For Maylee, Aggravated Momentum, The Stix, and New Age Lamians. Along with a six- piece short story collection called the Time Wasters. She’s also collaborated with Kim Knight in an ongoing interactive short story anthology The Suspenseful Collection. When Didi doesn’t have her nose buried in a book, she can found enjoying a laid back outdoorsy life. Time spent sleeping under the stars, hiking, fishing, and ATVing the back roads of beautiful mountain trails. Sun-bathing in the desert heat, along with watching the relaxing dance of a campfire plays an important part of her day to day lifestyle.

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Reviews

[James]

I've read some of Didi Oviatt's works previously, and I'm always impressed! In Skinny Dippin', a ~40ish single mother is offered a chance at an unexpected extended vacation, coordinated by those who know and love her best. For two decades, she's raised both her kids and focused on little else but work and them. Now, she's due for her own new experiences... and what better than a beach trip to house-sit for some family friends? Less than 100 pages, this story gripped me from the beginning. Oviatt has a way of slowly drawing readers in with the right balance of background details, passion, and personalities. By the time the twins are done pushing their mother into the trip (and having their own relationship woes), she's already caught the attention of a younger suitor who appears to be distracted with his own problems. Blake might be a sinner or a saint; we can't quite tell. But his actions are causing a smoldering fire among all the woman vying for his attention. Oviatt shows us how our pasts can force us to see things differently, to hide or to not take risks. Love can hurt. People can lie. Girlfriends and husbands can cheat. Are second chances really possible? Wow! I enjoyed her story a lot... truly, I read it all in one setting because it flowed so well. You will immediately connect with it.

[Candace Robinson]

I was sucked into this story from start until finish!! I absolutely loved Carla and being in her head and could totally relate to her. And then we have the alluring Blake who I loved every time he was on the page! And yes, there is a twist!

[M.J. Mallon]

Didi Oviatt is a recent author who I'm pleased to have discovered. I read her psychological thriller Search for Maylee which I thoroughly enjoyed, recommended and reviewed on my blog. https://mjmallon.com/2020/12/17/searc...

Skinny Dippin' - what a title - it certainly had enough raciness to keep me reading! It's a short novella about a mid life woman Carla who is encouraged to spend some time alone on a sizzling vacation. A hot young man Blake catches her eye... I enjoyed her struggling with her emotions uncertain whether she should get involved with this mysterious younger man!

Also, I particularly liked the banter between her and her twin children which I thought was written very well.

The ending was a massive twist, returning to the hint of something unexplained which was mentioned at the beginning of the story. Cleverly done. A little different too which I like.

A highly recommended novella by an accomplished author with great potential. I am looking forward to reading more from Didi Oviatt.

[E. Billups]

Skinny Dippin’ is a perfect summer read. Immediately, Mrs. Oviatt throws the reader into Clara's life, a 41-year-old divorcee. Her husband left her for a younger woman only five years older than her grown, meddling twins - Marsha and Dean. Since the divorce, Clara’s life revolves around the twins and work as a bank teller, forgoing years of vacation time. But that’s soon to change.

Her meddling children want happiness and a new love for their mom and concoct a summer vacation, house-sitting in a friends’ gorgeous, beachside condo. With their persistent coaxing, Carla first resists. Strangely, Carla has dreamt of a young girl sitting on a beach chair with a large sunhat. The child felt so familiar and called her “C-ma” in the dream. Is it a premonition of another child in her future? Or a prospective granddaughter?

After much thought, Clara concedes to her children’s demands and leaves for the beachside summer vacation. Gorgeous, twenty-eight-year-old Blake Aspen, desired by every female at the beach hamlet, catches her attention, consuming every waking hour. But there’s something mysterious and dangerous about Blake. What secrets does this twenty-eight-year-old man hold? There’s an intense attraction between the two. No matter how she tries to dismiss thoughts of him, she can’t. Oviatt teases the reader with steamy beach scenes and passionate long gazes between the two. Will Carla dismiss her worries and insecurities about her middle-aged body, dating a younger man, and give in to her desires? Well, I can’t tell.

Skinny Dippin’ is a fast read, a page-turner that left me wanting more passion between Carla and Blake. Hmm? Will there be a book 2? I hope so. Mrs. Oviatt, thanks for the fantastic read.

[Suzanne Nemec]

Skinny Dipin’ By Didi Oviatt
Delightful read!❤

I started this book late last night, and I couldn’t put it down. It was insightful and fun as Clair, a divorce, finds herself attracted to a man after she hasn’t dated in a long time. I loved how relatable and funny Clair is, and Blake was the perfect counterpart to Clair. He’s everything a leading man should be. 😍
My only regret is that the story ended long before I was ready to stop reading.
This story is sure to capture your attention and your heart. I especially love how hints of the author’s intuitive and metaphysical side shine through—Bravo, Didi, for writing this fun and lovely story.