I’m getting so attached to the characters in this series! I love how they are interconnected but follow completely different plots and tropes. I really enjoyed the story for this book, but wasn’t crazy about parts of the narration. I would give the plot 4.5 stars and the narration 2.75. I can’t wait to continue on with this series! It even left on a bit of a cliffhanger

Becca, Eli, and the small town of Sugarlake are the perfect ingredients for a second chance romance. Every family has their secrets but Becca and Eli’s family secret hold the power to destroy them. The love of a lifetime, new beginning, and the power to make your life your own sets the tone for a perfect ending!

Liked it (rounded up)

So, I rounded up because GR doesn't allow 1/2 stars and I always feel bad rounding down.

I discovered this was the debut series (I think?) and it shows. Good news, Emily's writing has grown so much since this series. I did not read book 1, but it didn't take away from the story for me.

Maybe I'm at the age now where I don't connect with college students anymore. Maybe it just wasn't the story for me. I'm not sure what it was, but i just didn't connect with either of them.

It was entertaining enough. Enemies to lovers, workplace romance, forbidden romance, coach/student, best friend's brother. All the tropes lean to me loving this story, but I feel like there was just too much that wasn't believable or too far fetched. I just couldn't suspend reality enough I guess. There was also a lot that was alluded to in the story that we didn't get to see as readers. I would've loved to see more of the sneaking around at away games.

The banter and the spice was fantastic and I'm glad I read the book, I just don't think I'll continue with the series.

Liam DiCosimo and Brittany Pressley did wonderful jobs with the audio.

Thank you, NetGalley for the audio.

This is book two in the Sugarlake Series and although I haven't done book one yet, I don't feel like I missed anything as they seemed to run concurrent to one another, whereas it was only towards the end when we discovered the couple from book one were together. It's definitely one I want to go back and read. (I will say there was a little confusion as books one, three, and four are all listed as book three on the cover).

I had mixed feelings about this book. I felt like it ran the gambit of emotions. The relationship has the tension we know and love from enemies to lovers, and their ability to not resist one another was engaging and fast-paced. And for those who need the details, the spice was definitely spicing. I loved the independent woman vibe that Becca has going on. Her wanting to stand on her own two feet and live life on her terms. Wanting to break that generational, religious bond with her family. But then things fell off a little for me. When we skip ahead five years, it was one of those, WTF moments. I felt like it was truly difficult to understand her motivations and add in there were a couple of things that felt like plot devices but were never given a resolution, and I was left wondering what the heck was going on. That being said, I also think it's important to remember that she was still young and so I was able to see past a lot of it. I felt the second half of the book was more angst-filled. I mean, she was planning his wedding, what sort of torture was this?

This is a dual narration by Brooke Bloomingdale and Liam DiCosimo. I thought Brooke was the perfect voice for Becca. Her performance really captured the essence of a young woman wanting to forge her own path with the innocence and naïveté that go along with that. The subtle and not-so-subtle voice changes for different characters were flawless, it was incredibly easy to know which character was speaking and the emotion that went along with it. Liam was great as Elliot, and I really enjoyed his performance of the character. When it came to the male characters, Liam did a brilliant job of making them identifiable. I did struggle when it came to the feminine voices, for me it became distracting as they didn't particularly sound the way one would want a female portrayed. The production was great with no major issues. Overall, an enjoyable listen.

The book includes family and religious trauma. Addiction. Alcoholism. Emotional abuse and gaslighting. Friends that aren't really friends. Heartbreak and angst. And a HEA.

Thank you so much for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Emily McIntire has always been one of my favorite authors, so when I heard about the opportunity to listen to this audiobook I couldn't resist. I read the original version of this story when it was first released, so I was eager to hear it brought to life through a narrator and try to detect the revisions made. The original book was a 5 star read for me, so this audiobook edition had a lot to live up to.

If possible, I would rate this 6 stars! It surpassed every expectation. The narrator did a fantastic job!

This charming romcom with a sports twist is one of the more delightful love stories! It really shines a light on mental health, particularly how family therapy can help with addiction. There's a good mix of drama and romance, which adds to the fun. I just wish the character development was a bit deeper, but overall, it's a great watch!

Thank you Netgalley and Emily McIntire, for the ALC.

Unfortunately this one missed the mark for me. The story line didn't quite grab me and pull me in...

Nothing special.

I didn’t have any major complaints, I just couldn’t connect with the story or the characters. It didn’t hold my attention at all. The chemistry between the main characters wasn’t anything remarkable either. I also didn’t like the five-year time jump—I think the book would’ve worked better if it had been written in a format that alternates between past and present chapters.

All in all, it’s not terrible, there are definitely some positives, but it’s not a book I’ll remember.

𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑰𝑭 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬:
♡ coach x student
♡ second chance
♡ lots of push/pull
♡ best friend’s brother
♡ breaking free of toxic family

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑼𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑺:
I really enjoyed this book! There was sooooo much tension between Becca and Eli. They start out as enemies, then we move into coach x student, mix in a little workplace, book ended with second chance. Which might feel like a lot but Emily blended them seamlessly.

Becca was FIERY and Eli didn’t take her sass lol. The way they grew on each other during their time together while she was at college was fun and then BAM “5 years later.” Eli is engaged to someone else and having his wedding in the same small town that Becca ran home to for her toxic family. Both characters had some hard realizations and choices to make regarding what they wanted for themselves. Thankfully there’s a HEA!

For me personally, the basketball aspects were too tiny and the lust was too big, but I know many readers that will enjoy the book exactly for that reason. I found an old cover that would fit better with the overall sexy atmosphere of the book. Anyway - the southern accent makes for some fun variation in the audiobook that the narrators transported wonderfully.

𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐜𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐲𝐫𝐞

🏀🎧🔥✨⛹🏼☀️

Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Becca Sanger has lived in the shadow of her parents her entire life. Manipulated and controlled by both her mother and father, she decides to break the tie & go solo. She finds herself a job on campus with the basketball team, where she smacks right into her best friend’s brother, Elliot Carson. Literally.

Going from Enemies, to friends, to lovers, Eli and Becca find themselves entangled in more ways than they expected. And despite her best intentions, that scares Becca. After growing up witnessing her parent’s miserable relationship and listening to the web of lies they spun, she doesn’t believe she can ever love anyone without getting hurt. So she leaves and runs back to Sugarlake, committing to the very life she swore to herself she never would. Back under her father’s thumb. That is until 8 years later, when Elliot Carson barges back into her life with his fiancé, needing help to plan their wedding.

First of all…what the F*CK. I guess this is what I get for going into this story blind. Because I was NOT expecting to be thrown so far into the future so soon and I really wasn’t expecting Eli to rock up with a fiancé. Talk about breaking my heart!?😭

I really enjoyed that sense of divine intervention and what’s meant to be will be. It felt that Becca and Eli were always meant to be together, from the very start.

I’m so glad the pair of them got their happy ending eventually but that ride was WILD. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this listen & I would recommend to anyone who enjoys:

🏀 Second chance romance
✨ Enemies to lovers
🏀 Best friends brother
✨ Forbidden romance
🏀 College/Sports
✨ Found family
🏀 Overcoming family trauma

Thank you to @itsemilymcintire @blackstonepublishing and @netgalley for the audio arc.

#audiobookreview #bookstagramuk #romancereadersofinstagram #romancebookrecs #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookreview #romancebookreview #secondchanceromance #sportsromance

Some spoilers so beware.
So I think the only thing that stopped this from being a 5 star was the ending...
I felt liked it was a bit rushed and would have loved to have seen a bit more of them together.

Small town Romance.

MMC - Elliot Carson
MMF - Rebecca Sanger

Becca (Rebecca) just wants to start her own life, on her terms. Only thing is - She cant escape from her family.
She's the preacher’s daughter and the town's disappointment.

Eli (Elliot) was the towns next NBA superstar but after a career ending injury his plans have changed,

I loved Becca so much but I was just screaming at her to tell her parents to F-Off and live her best life.
Its something about a southern accent... It always does it for me.
While I did like Eli I felt it strange that he didn't go home after his mother died, I get it but it still felt weird
that he just didn't believe what his sister was saying,

This was the first book I have read in the series and I will be buying all 4 books when available.
But after looking at the others the biggest question I have for Emily is --- Are we getting a Jeremy book??????
I NEED MORE OF HIM!!!!!

All the other characters in the book were good and looking forward to finding out their story,

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the audiobook. This book is solid on plot and great in audio, but I wanted a little more grovelling from Becca and a little more so when they broke up. It was a fast-paced story which felt like it was going with the motions and not exactly with feelings. The happy moments, the banter, and even the friendship is greatly written and expressed but it was all rushed when it got to the sadness. I know every story can’t be just angsty but it does require that element. Rest, I loved all of how everything happened and how nice the ending was, and also Becca, for being able to stand for herself.

It’s a 3.5⭐️ for me.

Liked the chemistry just not a big fan of the „new fiancé“ trope thingy but I still read the books because it might only be a little detail…wasn’t the case here. I’m gonna buy the book and reread it when it’s out cause all in all it was really enjoyable

Beneath the Stands is the second book in Emily McIntire’s Sugarlake series. It tells the story of Elliot "Eli" Carson, a former basketball star whose career ends abruptly due to injury. He returns to Florida Coast University as a coach, only to find Becca Sanger, his sister’s best friend, as the new team manager. Their shared history and unresolved feelings reignite, leading them down a path filled with passion, secrets, and the complexities of love and family. ​

Having read three books in the Sugarlake series, I can confidently say that Beneath the Stands is a standout, but don't make me pick a favorite. I've loved them all. Emily McIntire weaves a tale that's not just about romance but also delves deep into family dynamics and personal struggles.​

The portrayal of addiction in the story is both raw and real, offering a realistic glimpse into its impact on individuals and relationships. The characters are flawed, relatable, and their journey is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.​

While each book in the series can be read independently, I found that reading them in order enriched my understanding of the interconnected stories and character developments. The emotional depth and authenticity in McIntire's writing make this book a compelling read that stays with you long after the last page.

The Vibe it Brings:
📚 Enemies to Lovers
🔥 Second Chance Romance
🏀 Sports Romance
🏡 Small Town Setting
💔 Emotional Depth
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Secrets
🌶️ Steamy Scenes
🎧 Dual Narration
🧠 Mental Health Awareness
❤️‍🩹 Healing and Redemption​

The audiobook, narrated by Brooke Bloomingdale and Liam DiCosimo, brings the characters of Becca and Eli to life with authenticity and emotion. Their performances capture the nuances of the characters' personalities and the intensity of their relationship, enhancing the overall experience of the story.​

Beneath the Stands is more than just a romance novel; it's a deep dive into the complexities of love, family, and personal growth. Emily McIntire's storytelling is both poignant and passionate, making this book a must-read for fans of emotionally charged romances. Whether you're new to the Sugarlake series or a returning reader, this installment offers a rich and rewarding experience.​ I received a free copy of this audiobook, but these are my own opinions.

★★★½

Emily McIntire’s Beneath the Stands took me by surprise—in the best way. As the second installment in the Sugarlake series, it delivered a deeper emotional connection and more compelling character arcs than Beneath the Stars, which I didn’t expect.

Beneath the Stands felt more raw and engaging to me. Becca and Eli's chemistry was intense, and the themes of second chances, self-forgiveness, and healing hit home in a way that felt authentic and moving. While it still had moments of melodrama and could have been a bit tighter in pacing, I found myself more invested in this couple’s journey than I was in the previous book.

The audiobook narration was solid—both narrators captured the emotional tone well and brought out the vulnerability in the characters. Their performances really helped me connect with the story on a deeper level.

While it’s not a perfect read, Beneath the Stands worked better for me overall than Beneath the Stars. It’s emotional, a little messy, and full of heart—which is exactly what I look for in a second-chance romance.

This was sooooo good!!! I havent cried in a while reading a book and being able to know what Eli says in his letter to his mom hit hard!! I felt so connected with the characters. I want to be friends with them. I want to be there and help them out too!! I love love love the Sugarlake series. I’m so glad I picked It up.

Beneath the Stands is an emotionally charged second-chance romance that explores themes of family expectations, personal growth, and healing. The story follows Becca, a preacher’s daughter determined to carve her own path, and Eli, a former basketball star turned assistant coach at Florida Coast University. Their forced proximity reignites past tensions and unresolved feelings, leading to a passionate and tumultuous relationship.​

McIntire's writing is emotionally charged, capturing the complexities of love and forgiveness. While the characters' flaws make them relatable, their actions can be frustrating at times. The plot offers a satisfying mix of angst and romance, though some readers may desire a more extensive epilogue to fully experience the couple's journey.​

Overall, Beneath the Stands is a compelling read for fans of steamy, emotionally intense romance. It may not be perfect, but it offers a heartfelt exploration of love's challenges and triumphs.

Miscommunication or lack of communication was the main theme here and it was incredibly difficult to not throw my earbuds. Not a single character knew how to be open and honest. Also - what is the point in casting a male and female narrator for it not to be told in duet?! When a male cannot produce a genuine sounding female voice it kills the listen.

If I would have read this story I would have enjoyed it so much more.

Despite not loving the narration I am grateful for the advance listen courtesy of NetGalley & Blackstone Publishing.

If you love a story of enemies to lovers, best friends brother, and second chance romances then this book has it all and it is executed perfectly. There is the perfect amount of tension, regret, growth and a happily ever after to make a great story.