For some reason when I requested this book I thought it was a new series from Luna Mason before realizing I had already started reading this before and DNF’d it. However as I did end up reading the rest of the books In the series and really enjoying them I decided to give Distance another go.

It was okay but I just didn’t vibe with either of the MCs to the point that I found them both intensely irritating.

As I’ve said I did enjoy the rest of the series and look forward to anything new LM releases I just think this falls short.

When the masked mafia hitman is a total golden retriever for her + he’d burn the world for her >>>

I'm not a big fan of the insta-lust but it really worked for Kellar and Sienna! And she made him grovel when he deserved to.

This is the first book in the Beneath the Mask Series, and I'm excited to continue with it. I really enjoyed Luna Mason's writing style.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensington for the ARC of this title!

I love all things dark romance, and I absolutely loved this!
The dynamic between the two main characters and the growth both of them have gone through. She is newly single and is trying to find the joys in life again. He is a heavyweight champ who has a debt to pay to the mafia. There is suspense, there is spice, there is so much within this that I wish I could read it all over again for the first time!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the eARC

I received an eARC of this from NetGalley. I cannot say enough good things about this book! I stayed up 3 hours past my bedtime to finish it. This book made me smile, giggle...the sex scenes were FIRE but the love story in itself was more than I thought i would get! I love mafia romance mostly because I like the side stories, the actual mafia part but this all blended so well! I am already online ordering book 2. I don't know how this ended up on NetGalley as apparently it isn't new but man oh man i will be reading the whole series and anything else I see from this author!

Distance was my first ever read from Luna Mason and it’s my favorite book from beneath the mask series. Keller is just so mmmm lol my first book boyfriend crush 😍 I love a good touch her and ☠️ trope and this book was definitely it! Keller and Siennas chemistry was insane and amazing. This book had plot and plenty of drool worthy spice! 🌶️
Read the whole series! You’ll love it.

Review Title: A Fast-Paced Romance That Didn’t Fully Connect

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Luna Mason’s Distance had an interesting premise, but the execution didn’t quite work for me. The story moved at such a fast pace that I struggled to connect with the characters and their relationship. There wasn’t enough time to fully develop their emotions, which made some of the conflicts and resolutions feel rushed rather than organic.

One major aspect that caught me off guard was the pregnancy trope. It wasn’t something I was expecting, and unfortunately, it’s not a trope I personally enjoy. While some readers may appreciate the added layer of drama and emotion, it didn’t enhance the story for me.

That being said, Mason’s writing is engaging, and I can see this book appealing to readers who enjoy whirlwind romances with intense emotions. It just wasn’t quite the right fit for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Great start to the series of interconnected standalones. I loved the combination of a mafia and sports romance, and Keller was a great MMC. Sienna was very lovely and I enjoyed her wish to help others.

I loved the chemistry they had from the start, and how protective he got over her right away. Their horrible upbringing grew them closer, and they fit so well together 🤍

Fast burn, insta-love mafia romance with great spice and storyline.

I’ll start by saying that I love anything Luna writes!

Luna Mason’s Distance is a spicy, suspenseful read that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Keller is the perfect mix of dangerous and devoted, and his obsession with Sienna makes for some seriously intense moments. The chemistry is off the charts, the tension is high, and the story has just the right balance of romance and action. If you love possessive, morally gray heroes and a heroine who finds her strength, this one’s for you!

I’ve seen a lot of Lunas work on bookstagram and have always really wanted to read them and thought this was the perfect excuse to introduce myself to her work. I’m not usually a mafia romance girl but this definitely piqued my interest.

From what I managed to read of the book I enjoyed the story, the plot seemed gripping and the chemistry and spice between the 2 MCs was really enjoyable and kept me wanting more.

However, the formatting and layout in this arc copy was not good at all, the first page of every chapter was a light grey coloured font and I really struggled to read, then that coupled with other formatting/layout issues made me really struggle to get into the story the way I would have liked. I will definitely be going back to read again once it has been released on kindle though!

4.5 ⭐'s rounded up
Simply put... I loved this book and ended up DEVOURING it!
I love Keller. I love how he LITERALLY gets on his knees and begs for her.. 🫠
Sienna... Perfect. I LOVED her sass and how she learned to own and demand what she wanted.

The Spice.. Chiefs Kiss ...The ending.. TEARS... The Epilogue.. HAPPY TEARS

Keller is a boxer & mafia guy who is over protective and the jealous boyfriend type. He’s also loaded……

Sienna is the recently single girl who was cheated on by her ex fiancé, now he’s stalking her, and she moves in with Keller within weeks(months?) of knowing him?

I think it was a fun read and definitely entertaining. I think the situation and plot moved fast in my opinion and there wasn’t much of a build up to the relationships.

I am curious about Maddie so I will probably read the 2nd one because I don’t think the writing is bad. I just think the plot execution could improve.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

“Everyone wears a mask. You can never truly love all of someone unless you see beneath it.”

I really enjoyed this book. The connection between the main characters is swoon worthy. The protective nature from Jax is everything! He’s dangerous, definitely morally gray, and so protective. You can’t fault him for trying to protect Sofia, for doing what was he thought was right.

The romance, spicy and everything in between is definitely worth the read. I can’t wait to continue this series.

I read this book just for fun and wanting a break from all the fantasy books 😆
🖤Definitely binge worthy🖤

“F***, I swear when she smiles at me I forget how to breathe. All the air is knocked clean from my lungs.”

Tropes:
-boxer
-dual POV
-mafia romance
-dark romance
-touch her and die

The plot was intriguing, and I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love some moments. The love story felt forced at times. There was little to no build-up before they were obsessed with each other. I just wish there was more tension or something. The way Keller talks to her is so unrealistic to me. I didn’t hate it. It just wasn’t my favorite. I will still read the rest of the series.

I wasn't a fan of this one. It had all of the tropes I like, but I just wasn't a fan of how they were executed. I'm as big of a fan of the F word as anyone else, but I don't think it needs to be said three times in one sentence and eight times in a paragraph (sometimes even more, I made it a game to count.) I also get that this is fictional but the man's penis was not eleven inches long. If it was, she would be very uncomfortable, not having the great time she was written to have been having in this book.

Luna Mason’s Distance is a dark and intensely passionate romance that grips readers from the start and refuses to let go. With an irresistible blend of spice and suspense, this novel takes readers on a thrilling journey filled with desire, danger, and emotional turmoil.

At the heart of the story is Sienna, a woman caught between two opposing forces—her dangerous, relentless ex who refuses to let her go and Keller, the man who desperately wants her but fears dragging her into his perilous world. As their chemistry ignites, the tension rises, making for an addictive and steamy read that only grows more intense with each page.

Mason masterfully weaves together elements of romance and psychological suspense, creating a narrative that is as unsettling as it is seductive. The shadow of Sienna’s past adds a chilling depth to the story, keeping readers on edge and invested in her journey. While the novel delivers a solid and engaging storyline, its strongest appeal lies in its fiery passion and the push-and-pull dynamic between the leads.

With its dark themes, sizzling romance, and a plot that hints at potential for more, Distance will undoubtedly appeal to fans of high-stakes, emotionally charged love stories. A promising read for those who crave intensity in both plot and passion, it’s a book that leaves readers eager for a sequel—or an entire series.

Now I will admit I’m a bit biased as I truly love Luna Masons books, this isn’t my first and definitely won’t be my last I read from them BUT
I do truly think this book is an underrated gem.
A boxing mafia romance? Why is this the only boxer romance book I’ve read and how do I get ten more???
Keller is exactly the type of man I love to read about!! I devoured this book from the moment I picked it up I was hooked. Kellers mouth had me blushing everytime he opened it I honestly get why sienna fell so hard! I could spend this whole review just raving about how much I loved Keller which is strange as usually a bit iffy on the mmc in these sort of books but he was just too likeable to not instantly love!!
I love how sienna actually holds her own and keeps her personality as the book progresses rather than her becoming almost a “yes man” as we see in other dark romances, this book keeps the line of obsession while keeping the relationship healthy which is a refreshing feeling that made me want more and more of these two!
This book was to me that perfect mix of sugar and spice and allll those good things us mafia romance reader live for!

3⭐️ | 2.5🌶️

This book was the definition of mid…

Did I hate it? No.

Did I love it? Also no.

There were definitely things I enjoyed—the storyline had potential, and I liked the character backgrounds. The boxing aspect was a unique touch for a Mafia romance, which I appreciated, but everything else? Pretty stereotypical. 😂

My biggest frustration? The FMC running away. Over. And over. And over. 🙄 Like, I get it—she had trauma, and I totally respect that. But at some point, just have a conversation! It got repetitive real fast.

The romance had its moments, and the spice was decent, but overall, it was just… fine. Not bad, not great—just one of those books you read, shrug, and move on from.

Would I recommend it? Maybe if you love Mafia romances and don’t mind some frustrating character decisions. Otherwise, there are definitely better ones out there!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

✨ Review ✨
***
Distance was a good read. I enjoyed the writing and the characters. The spice was hot and a huge part of this book. I loved Keller. He was so protective and caring. The story was good and easy to read. I enjoyed the action and but of darkness. The ending was so sweet and good.
***
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Romance: 🩷🩷🩷
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥
***

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC!!
I LOOOOVE this book!! I am here for all of the instalove, and the spice is SPICIN'!!! This is absolutely my favorite Luna Mason book.
The FMC is strong, kind and trying to move on with life after her cheating ex. However, the cheating ex isn't trying to hear all that. Enter our MMC. He makes sure the cheating ex hears ALL THAT. There is DV discussed and happening on page, so check your triggers. This was such an exciting and engaging ride and I'll for sure be recommending this to everyone!!
Also it's marketed as a mafia romance, which it is, but I feel like it's more of a fighter romance with mafia backdrop. (Hopefully that makes sense to anyone other than myself). 😂 My review will be posted on TT later today.

I read this book first time in 2023 and to read it again I realized why I liked it in the first place. Its a perfect blend of spice and plot and is best experienced when gone into it blind.

The only thing I have to say is that the book could of been shorter but that's really it.