Absolutely incredible, not a surprise since it's by Emily Mcintire. The narrators voices worked so well with each other, but they also matched the characters incredibly well for me.

The characters were lovable, and relatable. The writing was absolutely incredible, if there's one thing Emily is able to do, it's draw you in, her writing style is one that leaves you needing more once the book is over. I cannot believe Emily had me falling for a blonde man tho 👀

I liked the book, but there were some parts I struggled with. I don’t love the character of Blakely. I admired her perseverance and strength, but I thought she was a selfish character. I also didn’t love the woman narrator.

First off I’m real behind on this review. But hey I eventually got there. So for being book 3 in the series I was really hoping for this to knock my socks off. Jax has been one of my favorite characters this entire series and I was ready for his story and to finally get his girl. However, the execution wasn’t great. Now don’t get me wrong I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either.

My biggest issue with this was the stressing of the age gap. Jax being 28 and Blakely being 19. Maybe I’ve been reading too many dark romances with age gap tropes but this age difference never bothered me. Yet the book constantly made it clear that the reader should feel like it’s taboo. And I get it for some it might be, but for me in this day and age it doesn’t bother me. So the way that it was repeatedly shoved in our faces to the point where we should feel bad for shipping them made the reading experience uncomfortable.

This book already deals with some pretty heavy topics like panic attacks, eating disorders, OCD. But the age gap taboo overshadowed bigger issues that I think resonate more with people. I wish We would’ve spent more time handling these. Now again don’t get me wrong when these topics were addressed they were handled well. I just feel like they could’ve been flushed out more.

My favorite parts about this book and this series is the importance of therapy. Each book is a journey and every character seeks help through therapy. I love that Emily used this series to bring light to the topic and the importance of speaking up and seeking help. Our world struggles with so many mental health issues. It’s so refreshing to see authors using their platforms to write such relatable and relevant stories.

Now my last minor thing I read and listened to this in audiobook in tandem. I gotta be honest I wasn’t the biggest fan of the narrators. The guys impression of a woman’s voice clearly needs some work. And the woman impression of the man’s voice also left little to be desired. So if you’re choosing the physical or audiobook copy my recommendation would be physical copy.

Overall, even though this isn’t my favorite in the series. I still highly recommend this book and the series as a whole. Lastly Thank you NetGalley & Blackstone Publishing for providing me with the Audiobook!

Overall, this was a good story. Once again, I love that the author actually tackles heavy subjects and that the characters actually work on their healing using professionals. I loved Jackson in previous books and this one was no exception. Blakely was not my favorite heroine, but she was still ok. I can't wait to read book #4.

I am not entirely sure how I feel about this, story-wise and content-wise.

The narrators were good and I enjoyed the narration. However, the story and especially the age gap did not quite sit right with me. Especially since the guy knew her since before she got legal. I just felt uncomfortable reading it, and lowkey did not want to finish it,

I thought this was an okay audiobook. I think I was just not in the mood for a fluffy romance at the time I read it which is exactly what this was at the end of the day. As a palette cleanser, it could be amazing.

Sugarlake has quickly become my new favourite romance serves with each book getting better and better.

If you want to feel all the feels and enjoy all of the spice: meet Jackson and Blakey, swoon! This promises great banter, smart writing, a true character arc and all consuming romance. Some sensitive issues such as disordered eating dealt with in a really mature and respectful way.

As an aside; before this series I had really only known Emily’s darker contributions to the romance genre which I loved. It can be hard to separate the two or see how she would tackle a series like this but this is really a multi faceted author who can truly deliver both for her audience. She is now an auto-buy/read author for me!

I've heard about this series and so glad I jumped in with this audio! Now I need to go back and read the first few! Definitely recommend!

If Emily writes it, I want to read it. She has a great talent for writing characters with depth. You want to follow their journey and see how they grow. And of course, the spice is spicy!!!
I have a post scheduled for the 27th. I'll update this with the link once it goes live.

Audiobook Review: Beneath the Hood by Emily McIntire
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🎧 Narration: 10/10 PERFECTION

Let’s get one thing out of the way: the audiobook version of Beneath the Hood is phenomenal. The narrators didn’t just read the story; they became the story. Every ounce of tension, heartbreak, angst, and slow-burn chemistry was delivered with such emotional precision that I honestly don’t think I would’ve connected as deeply with the characters had I read it on my own. If you’re on the fence about trying this one, do yourself a favor and listen to it.

Now onto the story itself…

This book had me conflicted in the best kind of way. On one hand, it’s raw, beautifully emotional, and tackles some very heavy themes with care especially disordered eating, mental health, and the crushing pressure of living under a microscope. On the other hand, there were moments that were hard to sit with, especially when it came to Blakely’s treatment of Jackson.

Blakely is a complex heroine. I appreciated the realistic portrayal of her struggles with anxiety, OCD, and body image it really felt authentic, even painfully so. She’s lonely, spiraling, and trying to claw back a sense of control in a world that doesn’t allow her much choice. But that pain often manifested in selfish, cruel behavior, and it was tough to watch her lash out at the one person who showed up for her time and time again.

And that one person? Jackson. Sweet, patient, emotionally intelligent Jackson. This man is everything. He’s not trying to save her- he just wants to be there for her. He listens. He understands. He sees her. And honestly? At times, he felt too good for her. I struggled with how much he had to endure before Blakely was finally able to see what she’d done.

Their relationship is messy and unconventional, full of age-gap taboo, slow healing, and the kind of emotional baggage that would make any therapist sweat but somehow, it works. Because beneath all the chaos, they truly get each other. They see what no one else does, and that intimacy was written (and performed) so well, it made me feel everything right alongside them.

One thing I absolutely love about this series is the subtle overarching plot that keeps you guessing through the epilogues. There’s always something brewing just under the surface, and it adds an addictive layer to the already emotional storytelling.

Is Beneath the Hood perfect? No. Did I struggle with Blakely? Absolutely. But did the story hit hard and leave me thinking about these characters long after the final chapter? Without a doubt.

🎧 Bottom line: The audiobook is hands-down one of the best I’ve ever listened to. Even with the flaws in the story, the narration alone elevates this to a 4-star experience. Emotional, intense, and deeply human.

Beneath the Hood by Emily Mcintire - 3 Stars

Overall: A mixed bag for me. While I ultimately liked aspects of this book and found it an enjoyable read overall, I struggled to fully immerse myself. It felt like a book with strong potential that didn't quite hit the mark consistently, leaving me somewhat disappointed.

The Good:

Jackson Rhoades: An absolute highlight. Jackson is patient, loving, supportive, and truly an angel. His unwavering belief in Blakely for who she truly is, not her online persona, was beautiful. I loved his dedication and how he recognized her need for help before anyone else. "I would die for that man" sums it up!

Handling Heavy Topics: The author deserves credit for tackling eating disorders, severe anxiety, depression, family issues, and grief with sensitivity and care. The portrayal of Blakely's struggle with food and body image, especially under the intense scrutiny of being an influencer, felt raw and eye-opening. The exploration of how mental health impacts relationships was significant.

The Underlying Plot: I continue to enjoy the overarching mystery/suspense thread woven through this series. It's a great hook that keeps me invested in reading future books to find out what happens to Lily.

The Spice: The intimate scenes were well-written, heavy, and entertaining, fitting well within the series' style.

Age Gap & Core Connection: I liked the age gap dynamic and the idea that Jackson saw and valued the real Blakely beneath her carefully constructed facade. His role as her safe haven was compelling.

The Struggles:

Blakely's Character: This was my biggest hurdle. While I admired her strength in battling her eating disorder, I found her deeply selfish and frustrating in how she treated Jackson. Her inability to see beyond her own pain and recognize the hurt she inflicted on the one person truly supporting her was hard to stomach. "Hurt people hurt people" is true, but it didn't make her behavior less grating. By the time she sought help, the damage to my connection with her character was done. She felt undeserving of Jackson's goodness.

Pacing & Whiplash: The pacing felt significantly off. The relationship progression from flirty denial to deep love happened way too fast, making the chemistry feel forced and the connection hard to buy into at times. This also contributed to my difficulty fully connecting with the characters. The pacing gave me whiplash.

Character-Driven vs. Substance: While character-driven stories aren't inherently bad, this one felt like it needed more plot substance or a stronger "wow factor" beyond the heavy topics. It leaned heavily on the character struggles without enough other compelling elements for me.

Standalone Struggles: Despite being billed as a standalone, I felt lost at times, like I was missing crucial context or character depth likely established in the first two books. This definitely impacted my ability to connect.

Audiobook Narration: The male narrator's performance hindered my enjoyment of the audiobook.

The Trope: The influencer/celebrity trope isn't my favorite, but it was handled adequately here. I didn't hate it, but it didn't particularly elevate the story for me either.

Final Thoughts:
"Beneath the Hood" is a good but not great addition to the series. Jackson is a fantastic hero, and the sensitive handling of heavy mental health topics is commendable. However, the frustrating heroine, rushed romance, uneven pacing, and my struggle to connect as a new reader to the series held it back from being a standout. While this specific book felt a bit lackluster, I'm still invested enough in the series' overarching plot to likely continue to see how it concludes, especially regarding Lily.

Important Note: This book contains heavy, central themes of eating disorders, anxiety, depression, grief, and family dysfunction. Please consider your triggers carefully before reading.

Acknowledgement: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

4/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, and Emily McIntire for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. I’ve been a fan of Emily’s work for a while now, and once again, she did not disappoint.

The story centers around a gripping and somewhat forbidden romance between the two main characters—but it’s not just about their connection. We also get to explore their individual journeys, filled with personal struggles, trauma, and healing, which makes their eventual coming together even more meaningful and satisfying.

The characters were both incredibly likeable and had amazing chemistry. What really stood out, though, was how openly the story explored trauma and mental health struggles. Both leads are working through their own issues, and the book doesn’t shy away from showing how those challenges affect not just the individual, but also the people around them. It added an extra layer of emotional depth and made their journey feel all the more real and relatable.

The narration by Brooke Bloomingdale and Liam DiCosimo was fantastic—both brought the characters to life, and the dual POV format gave the story even more heart and dimension.

My only critique is the absence of a content or trigger warning for eating disorders. It’s a significant part of the FMC’s storyline, and I feel that kind of warning would have been appropriate for listeners who might find the subject difficult.

Overall, this was a beautifully written and emotionally impactful story. Emily McIntire continues to be a must-read (or must-listen!) author for me.

The age gap was hard for me to get over, making it hard to engage with what would otherwise have been a good book.

I have not read the other books in this series and that may be a reason why I was not a big fan of the book. One thing this book made me learn was I am not a big fan of age gap romance. The fact that she was still a teen felt creepy to me. Even if she was 20 I might have felt a little different but having a "teen" felt wrong. This put me off the whole book and I ended about 3/4 of the way through.

Solid 4-star read! The writing pulled me in right away—emotional, layered, and so well-paced. Jax’s journey of always feeling like second best was raw and real, and Blakely was a great balance—complex, not just the influencer stereotype. Their connection felt earned, and the tension was just right.

A L C • R E V I E W 🎧
Beneath the Hood by Emily Mcintire
Narrated by Brooke Bloomingdale & Liam DiCosimo

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
*NOW AVAILABLE*

This audiobook was dual POV and both Brooke and Liam did an amazing job bringing this book to life. I felt all the dramatic, raw emotions while I was listening to this audiobook, definitely recommend! ✨

The story follows Blakely and Jackson… I felt so much pain in Blakely’s character she experienced some deep stuff and struggles with her anxiety. Jackson is just the sweetest guy with a broken heart, he is a mechanic and hope to bring his dad’s dreams to life.

There is so much I can say but I don’t want to spoil this for anyone. If you want a good romance novel with age gap then definitely check this one out.

Thank you @netgalley and @blackstonepublishing for sending a ALC. 🤗

#audiobooklover #audiobookreview #alcreview #audiobookrecommendation #bookcommunity

Overall this book was enjoyable. I do wish there was more to the story so I could feel more connected to the characters

This series is well written and I love that the book takes on a tough topics of eating disorders and PTSD. While the writing and narration are all fantastic, and the depth and character development is on point. I didn't care for the age gap in this particular novel. The MMC is nearly 30 and the FMC is 19, which is barely out of high school.

ACR audio copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited to receive this book as an ARC because of how much I enjoyed the others in the series. McIntire’s writing is stellar here, as it is in the others. This also continues the series tradition of being very heavy and heartbreaking for a romance — this is NOT a rom com and goes heavily into OCD, eating disorders, PTSD and grief. For me, this wasn’t quite the right fit — while I’m fine with an age gap, a grown adult (almost 30) dating a literal teenager gave me the ick, and it didn’t help how immature the FMC came off. Not my favorite of the series, but you might enjoy it more if you can get past the creep factor.

2.5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This has been my favorite in the series so far. I love that this book dove into more serious topics such as mental health and eating disorders. I think the author did a great job at tackling these topics with grace. Blakely has great character growth and I found her relatable. She was a tad juvenile but that’s to be expected as she’s only 19. I love age gap romances but I do wish she acted a bit older since our mmc is 28. Jackson cares so much for blake it was what kept me reading. Overall it was a cute read. I didn’t find myself super invested in any of the characters. I also found myself needing a bit more plot wise.
The female narrator did a great job and the male narrator was just alright, not my favorite.
3.5 stars

Thank you Blackstone Publishing for the ALC!