Under The Paint

Title: Under The Paint

Author: James Michels

Genre: Romance Psychological Thriller

Publisher: Independant

Published Date: 2025

Book Length: 299

Format Read: E book supplied by the author in return for an honest review

Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend

About Book: In the world’s eyes, Henry and Gwen Henderson have the perfect marriage. Living in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, they are financially well off, good-looking, and respected in the community. They seem to have it all. But everything is not perfect beneath the surface. Each of them suffers from constant pressure to maintain their reputable images and seemingly perfect life. They’ve grown apart from each other, and the stress and mental isolation has caused both of them to develop different addictions. Everything on the surface seems perfect until Margot Tanner, comes to Detroit after leaving her home in Los Angeles with the goal to start a new life and escape her past. Dangerous people are after her, and even those close to her aren’t safe. Can Henry, Gwen, Margot, their lives suddenly more complicated, find their own happily ever after, or will their individual darknesses swallow them whole?

My Thoughts: Under the Paint by James Michels is a psychological thriller that follows three main protagonists: Henry, Gwen, and Margot. Right from the start, the pacing is steady, and Michels does a great job of establishing a strong sense of each character. As the story unfolds, he carefully reveals more about them, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and flaws.

One of the standout elements of the novel is the way Michels unwraps the details layer by layer, which kept the tension simmering throughout. His writing style was engaging and immersive, making it easy for me to stay invested in the characters and their journeys and I must say there was not a character I didn’t like, I was routing for each of them at different times. The storyline itself feels refreshingly different — while there are moments that are somewhat predictable, there were surprises that kept me on my toes.

I found myself eager to see how everything would play out, and I ended up finishing the book in just a couple of sittings. Michels balances character development and plot progression well, making this a thriller that’s as much about the people as it is about the twists.

Under the Paint is a gripping psychological thriller that combines steady pacing, layered character development, and an intriguing plot. While it occasionally dips into predictability, this did not take away anything from the book and Michels' writing style and storytelling ability shone through. If you enjoy character-driven thrillers that offer both tension and emotional depth, this one is definitely worth picking up.