This is the third book in the Sugarlake series. This book is definitely a more emotional read. Emily done such a great job writing about mental health in this one. I loved the age gap romance story, you have two people who are very different but who were exactly what the other needed. I'm obsessed with this entire series.

Beneath the Hood by Emily McIntire is book #3 in the Sugarlake Series and narrated by Brooke Bloomingdale & Liam DiDicosimo. This forbidden romance, age gap romance can be read as a standalone, however I would suggest reading in series order.

Jackson has moved to California and is attempting to heal his broken heart, working on his dream job of restoring classic cars for the big screen. Blakely is a social media influencer, daughter of the most powerful producer in Hollywood, and appears to have absolutely everything. We quickly find out that things are not as they seem and Blakely is suffering with anxiety, panic attacks, and disordered eating/body dysmorphia. Similar to the first two books in this series, there were a lot of really heavy topics and themes in this novel and this was not my favorite as I just really struggled to believe in their relationship for the first 2/3’s of the book. By the end, it was feeling much more authentic and I was much more invested! I enjoyed the dual POV narration, especially the performance by Brooke Bloomingdale.

Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks, and the author for this audio e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved the story but I really loved the narrator that accent?? Oh my god it was the cherry on top !!
I finished it in one day !

Blakely and Jax couldn't be more different if they tried, and really didn't like each other as he saw her as a spoiled social media princess, and she saw him as just a mechanic that her dad employed. They were both so much more than the surface level they saw in one another, and as their story unfolds, they realize just how wrong their preconceived notions were as they become everything to each other.

I really enjoyed their slow burn, true friends to lovers romance. Once they got to know each other and really started to open up it was apparent how much they truly saw of the other. In fact, I don't think anyone took the time to see what they did in each other and it was so heartwarming and healing to the both of them to finally just be seen and truly cared about.

Jax was a lover boy underneath that gruff exterior and Blakely was struggling in pretty much every aspect of her life, always trying to be what everyone else wanted her to be. I couldn't imagine being a young adult with all the emotional turmoil she was dealing with while the eyes of the world were on her. This felt like a coming of age for Blakely. She was not only discovering what made her happy and what she wanted from her life, but also realizing what true and unconditional love was with Jax. He was so swoony in the way he protected Blakely, not only from herself but others as well. He taught her how to stand up for herself and it takes a real man to want his woman to shine.

Overall an emotionally charged, beautiful story. Blakely and Jax will show you how the love of the right person can heal and help you grow, all while learning to trust yourself in the process.

Liam DiCosimo and Brittany Pressley did an incredible job telling this story. They told Jax and Blakely's story with the love and emotions you felt through their emotional journey. You could feel all the angst through their voices and it made me connect with the characters even more.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ALC.

Beneath The Hood by Emily McIntire was an emotionally story, make sure to read the trigger warnings as it has some pretty heavy content. There are several, and this book may not be for everyone. Age gap trope. This was book three of the Sugarlake series, so now I am going to have to go back and read one and two.
Sweet, sexy Jaxson—forever stuck in the friend zone—finally moves to California to chase his dream of having the cars that he and his dad worked, to be used in movies. He wants to hate Blakely and he avoids her at all costs, but something keeps pulling them together. He’s selfless, protective, compassionate, perceptive—just pure swoon material. Then there’s Blakey—a powerful example of how people hide behind masks. She is a social media influencer with an impossible schedule to fill. At first, she seems very much like a spoiled rich girl, but give her a chance and you will want to just hug her and tell her everything will be okay. This book wrecked me—in the most beautiful way. Emily McIntire’s writing in this one is absolute perfection. There’s nothing I would change (maybe a little less spice) besides that it was a deep dive into both characters struggles and pain. The demons they faced and a journey to self-healing. 4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Absolutely loved this book Emily has done it again. The story line and characters were top notch but i mean it’s Emily of course they were. Small town guy goes to Hollywood and falls in love with an influencer and he helps her heal. Such a cute good feeling love story.

I did not finish the book because of the triggers. The way the main character talks about herself isn't healthy for my mental health.

I do want to thank netgalley for giving me the chance to listen to this book, i Love emily mcintire so much. I feel bad for not continuing this book.

The narration was 4.5stars for me! I really enjoy Liam’s narration. Brooke is new to me but she did a wonderful job.

However, the book fell flat for me. I found the FMC to be intolerable and she did not redeem herself or grovel the way she should have… I love Emily’s books and writing style but this just wasn’t it..

Thank you Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for this Advanced Listener Copy of Beneath the Hood!


3.5/5 ⭐️ 3/5 🌶️

i really enjoyed the female narrator (Brooke Bloomingdale) for this book. she really added depth and emotion to the characters. however, i really did not care for the male narrator (Liam DiCosimo). his narrators for the male characters were fine for the most part, but i would actually cringe basically any time he was voicing any of the female characters. his southern accent also seemed kinda off at times.


to be honest, there were a lot of things that irked me about this story. first of all, i generally don’t mind an age-gap trope, if it’s done well. however, this one did NOT do it for me. why did the FMC need to be 19? tbh it was unnecessary to the story/plot and she could have easily been in her early 20s with the same effect. idk, it just felt icky to me. second of all, jackson was still “in love” with his best friend from back home when he started to see blakely regularly. then, somehow, within a few weeks - he’s suddenly head over heels in love with blakely? it felt VERY insta-lovey to me which i do not enjoy at all. unfortunately this made their romance seem less authentic to me and as a result it fell flat. and third of all - the way blakely broke things off with jackson at the end???? absolutely NOT. i won’t go into detail here but this made me greatly dislike blakely.

with that being said - this book did do a very good job at navigating a main character with an eating disorder and mental health struggles. it was honestly hard to listen to at times because it was clear that the FMC had never confronted her behaviors before and was so deep in her disorder that she didn’t want to even believe it was a problem. i appreciated that jackson helped to address this, even when it was hard. this part of the story is the only reason it’s getting 3.5 stars instead of 3 stars from me.

Beneath the Hood by Emily McIntire delivers an emotionally charged romance with a gripping narration that brings the story to life. The main character struggles with an eating disorder, adding a layer of vulnerability to her journey as she navigates self-worth, control, and unexpected attraction. The audiobook’s narrators masterfully capture the tension, passion, and personal growth, making each moment feel immersive. this audiobook is a heartfelt and engaging listen for romance fans.

Trigger alert: Anorexia and extreme exercise

Blakely is living in a posh influencer role and is good at what she does. She is 19 and lives with a mostly absentee father that works all the time with no mother (died in childbirth). She meets Jackson who works for her father, a movie producer working on stunt cars that will be in his movies. Jackson is 28 and getting over a lost "love" when an unlikely match occurs between Blakely and himself. The story revolves around Blakely, her eating (or rather non eating), her crazy exercise regimen, and the love that is developing. Overall I liked the book.

3.5 stars rounded to 4!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy

4 Stars – Gritty, Gripping, and Surprisingly Tender

Beneath the Hood delivers a bold twist on the classic vigilante tale, blending street-level grit with emotional depth. It’s fast-paced and cinematic, pulling you into a world of shadows, secrets, and survival. The main character is tough, raw, and deeply human—flawed but fiercely loyal—which makes the stakes feel real and personal.

What really stands out is the heart beneath all the action. Whether it’s quiet moments of vulnerability or unexpected flashes of compassion, there’s an emotional thread running through the narrative that keeps it grounded.

Some plot points might feel familiar, and a few side characters could’ve used more fleshing out, but the storytelling is strong, the atmosphere is immersive, and the ride is totally worth it.

Another hit from Emily McIntire!! I love her books and this one is no exception. I love the depth of her characters and their connections.

I thought the narrators voices matched the characters well.

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 Emily does it again, always serving masterpieces.

Jacks dips out of Sugarlake to chase his dreams (and definitely not because he’s running from heartbreak… sure, bud). California hands him a wrench and a new problem: Blakely, his boss’s daughter, aka a walking, talking, designer-clad menace. She’s rich, bratty, and makes his life hell—but PLOT TWIST: she’s also falling apart inside. And when Daddy Dearest asks Jacks to babysit her? Ohhhh, it’s on. Their tension?? Their banter?? Straight-up foreplay. And when they finally snap? I saw God.

Book Rating: ⭐️ 5/5
Spice Rating: 🌶️ 3/5
Format: Audiobook 🎧

The third book in the Sugarlake series absolutely broke me, in the best way possible! This was hands down my favorite so far, and I am obsessed with Jax and Blakely. Ever since book one, I’ve loved Jax, so finally getting his romance and seeing him get his HEA was everything!

Jax’s story was heartbreaking, and I kept wanting to reach through the pages and hug him. The poor guy just couldn’t catch a break, yet he was always there for everyone else. And Blakely? Her journey hit so close to home. Emily McIntire captured her struggles so well that I felt every bit of her pain right along with her. I’m not even ashamed to admit I cried, more than once.

If you love an age-gap, forbidden romance, this one needs to be on your list. And when Jax said, “I love your heart,” I absolutely sobbed. Just do yourself a favor and read it!

This is my least favorite book in the series. Usually, I'm all in for an age-gap romance, but not this one. Why did she have to be nineteen?? Jacks loved her so fast that I believe she was a rebound even if he himself doesn't think so. It reminded me of anime where the high schoolers bragged that they were dating older guys. It's so disappointing 😭 😭

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

SKIP CHAPTER: 23, 32, 37, 38, 39, 48, epilogue

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

I actually want to bang my head against a wall 🫠 sm tell me why I always get the second or third book in a series when I requested BOTH of the books 🙃 I really think I am cursed. Thank you Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for the free audiobook copy - please approve my other request 🥹- 🩷

This was my first time diving into the Sugarlake series, and after listening to Beneath the Hood, I know I’ll be reading the rest! Even though this is the third book, it stands well on its own—you can absolutely read them out of order.

I really appreciated how the story tackled mental health and personal growth. The way the main character confronted her struggles and sought help was handled thoughtfully and authentically.

As for the romance, this is a slow burn, but the forbidden love angle had me hooked the entire time!

Liam’s narration was fantastic—his voice was incredibly soothing and brought the story to life in such a compelling way.

Didn’t know this was the third in the series but I didn’t feel like I missed much.
I really enjoyed it. It was a slow start but worth it.

📱 Social Media Influencer
🛠️ Age Gap
📱 Eating Disorder
🛠️ Forbidden 🚫
📱 Anxiety
🛠️ Healing
📱 Panic Attacks

It was good but not something I would read or listen to again. It was entertaining and I found the narrator did fantastic .

I do recommend

I don't think I'm disappointed here, I think I expected this. I love Emily as a human but I do not connect with her characters. This is the first book I've read from this series and it was so bland. The characters are dry and didn't connect and the story is average/predictable. I don't think I wasted my time with it but it's not something I can recommend if you've read any other influencer romance book.

Thank you to Emily, Blackstone and Netgalley for an opportunity to review this title. I attest that I'm leaving my review honestly and voluntarily.