Forbidden, provocative, intense, passionate, and emotionally driven.

It's very rare, but sometimes you come across a story that touches you in the most unexpected way. It reaches down into your soul and changes the way you view things in your life. BEHIND THE CURTAIN by Beth Kery was that story for me. The minute I started this, it was like I was transported to my own little world where nothing and no one could reach me. And from that moment on it was just myself and these incredible characters and their heart wrenching love story. I had to make a conscious effort to not pick this book right back up and start reading it all over again, to experience the love and loss ALL OVER AGAIN. To experience the pain, the joy, the passion, the happiness ALL. OVER. AGAIN. Beth Kery ALWAYS takes this genre to the next level, and yet, I'm constantly surprised when she takes me there.

"From the moment I first saw you, heard you even, something told me you were mine."

I don't think I can even get into the story without breaking down, but just know that you will experience SO MUCH EMOTION from the very beginning, you will NOT know what to do with yourself. Ms. Kery transports us to the past where Asher and Laila first meet. Be prepared, your heart will melt, solidify, and then completely break. Then, she forces us to the present where they meet again, and it will be like deja vu with your heart. Melt, solidify, and break once again. Two people who live two VERY different lives are drawn together only to have it all ripped away. When they find one another again, the struggle to keep their hearts intact this time around is incredibly real. Nothing has changed - with their family life or with the love and fondness they have for one another. Two cultures that threaten to rip them apart once again...will their love be strong enough to withstand it this go-round? 

For me, it was an incredibly EASY decision to make, when I picked this to be a FAVORITE of the year for me. Impeccable writing, complex characters, a forbidden premise within the storyline. Beth Kery does absolutely NO WRONG in my book. I was completely mesmerized by Asher and Laila's emotional and beautiful romance. And I NEVER wanted it to end. I was so overjoyed to bask in their heartwarming love for each other and my heart was incredibly full by the very end. I CANNOT recommend BEHIND THE CURTAIN highly enough!

I am the first to admit I love second chance romance and Beneath the Veil is the ultimate second chance romance and I loved it.

Laila Barek has grown up in a strict Moroccan American home where family is everything and her parents not believing in mix marriages.  Up until now, Laila has been ok living this sheltered life especially since her family means everything to her.  Spending her summer on the banks of Lake Michigan she meets Asher the complete opposite of what she is used to but she finds herself attracted to him like no other.  When their feelings grow Laila needs to make a decision her family or the boy she fell in love with one summer.  Flash forward 8 years the decision was made but when Asher walks in her club unexpectantly old feelings resurface and now Laila needs to make another choice.

Asher fell in love with the beautiful exotic girl that summer.  He knew that he was different than what her family wanted for her being of different ethnic backgrounds he thought for sure their love would overcome and was devastated when it didn't.  Then all the years later when he sees Laila again he knows once and for all he can't ever let her go.

Ms Kery takes us on such a beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking ride that not only explores first loves but the differences and parallels between her two main characters. Both Laila and Asher have issues with their parents and are trying to get their approval but their experiences are very different and sometimes those differences cant be overwhelming especially when you are young.  Told in 3rd person the reader feels like you can see what is happening to both of these characters through a lens that was refreshing and I think a good choice by the author.  The secondary characters are rich and definitely help to drive the story though I did want a little more closure for one of the characters.  That being said its definitely Laila and Asher's story and so well told.

A modern twist on the classic Cinderella theme with an erotic twist.

Leila and Asher met when they were young and fell in love so fast that they didn't quite know what they had. Fast forward about 10 years and they meet again, by chance, and all the feelings come rushing back. Leila is still very tied to her family, so she must decide if her life, and her choices, are good enough to make sure she can live without them. A fun, steamy read!

There are times Laila can have quite the backbone, “that’s not fair! What exactly would you have me do, Asher? You’re here for another week. Do you want me to drive you up to my parents’house and explain to them how we’re sleeping together every chance we get, because apparently we have no self-control when it comes to each other?” I loved sweet Asher, "he cut her off by seizing her mouth in a quick kiss. “Don’t let them get to you. You’re too special for that, Laila. You’re worth a thousand of them. A million.” I enjoyed this book, I liked Asher.

Our patrons love Beth Kery. We always buy her for our collection. Fans will be especially happy that this is an entire novel and won't have to wait for short installments.