Beneath the Hood by Emily McIntire 💔🚗

Okay… this book wrecked me in the best way. Blakely is a social media star who looks like she has it all, but behind the camera? She’s spiraling. Enter Jackson—a broody mechanic with zero interest in babysitting the boss’s daughter… until he starts seeing the real her.

This isn’t your fluffy romance. It’s raw, emotional, and so beautifully written. (Honestly would it be Emily’s writing id not? ) It dives deep into mental health, identity, and the complicated ways we try to protect ourselves from pain. Watching these two broken souls slowly open up to each other? 🥹 Ugh, my heart.

McIntire absolutely nailed the balance of heavy themes and swoony moments. If you’re into slow burns, emotional depth, and characters that actually grow, this one is for you. 💫

⭐️ 4.5/5
🧠 Mental health rep
❤️ Forbidden romance
📚 Dual POV
🖤 Age Gap
🚗 Influencer x Mechanic

Thank you so much to net galley, Emily & her team and Hachette for this audio book ❤️❤️

This book was an absolute dream and massive surprise. Influencer and mechanic go through such a beautiful journey of heartbreak, trauma, mental illness, eating disorders and love. I cannot believe I loved a book on a socialite so damn much!! Also one of the prettiest covers I’ve ever seen! The two narrators were great and turns out a southern drawl is sexy as. Plus, the hook into the next book has me keen to read the next! Wow 😭😭😭

A small-town, age-gap, angsty, forbidden romance.

Blakely is a nineteen-year-old social media influencer/celebrity and Jackson is a mechanic who works for Blakely's father. Both are realistically flawed individuals with hidden pain, that require assistance for healing.

Brooke Bloomingdale did an incredible job narrating Blakely, clearly communicating the angst and mental health struggles through her thoughtful narration. Liam DiCosimo’s accent really added to the character narration of Jackson.

This story explores disordered eating, obsessive behaviours and other personal struggles. I appreciate that the mental health difficulties were handled with nuance, and that therapy and treatment were depicted within this story.

With thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ALC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I don't typically like age-gap romance when one of the MCs is late teens/early 20s and this was no exception. To make it even more annoying, Jackson mentioned it all the time. If it was really bothering you that much you would't be crossing that line but you are so shut up about it.

I do like both Jackson and Blakely as characters. They are both flawed but are trying the best they can. I specifically appreciated how Blakelys ED and body dismorphia has handled. It's a serious topic to tackle and I think it was done really well. I also appreciated the emphasis on how society and social media pressurises women and young girls to look and be perfect.

Overall the story was ok, the relationship i wasn't sold on and most of the issues that happened could have been solved by talking but it was an easy read.

Beneath the Hood was my first read (audiobook listen) by Emily McIntire. While it's the third book in the Sugarlake Series I still decided to read this story as I'm a sucker for age gap romances and this one sounded really good.

I enjoyed this novel, but wasn't completely enamored with it. The romance between Blakely and Jackson felt too forced and fast for me to believe it. I still liked some of their interactions where they help each other deal with difficult situations. The mental health rep was the most interesting aspect of this book and was touching and emotional.

As for the narration, I truly loved Brooke Bloomingdale as Blakely but had a little more difficulty adaptating to Liam DiCosimo's personification of Jackson. It was still an enjoyable audiobook.

2.75⭐, 2.5🌶️

Sooo I think I didnt dislike this book as much as I just couldnt stay invested in it.

I was so excited for Jackson's story since book one of the series ( Jack's unrequited love or Alina is honestly just a childhood crush that he took way to long to get over.) But the love in this story was just a miss for me. There was sooo much drama going on with Blakely's job and squad that all I really remember is her wanting to be a submissive and honetly nothing else.

I couldnt get emotionally invested with Blakeley. I totally get why she is the way that she is being gaslit and micro-managed, but she still played the victim too frequently and was very immature. The age gap between the two wouldnt have been as bad if she wasnt constantly having tantrums that evolved into panic attacks. Jackson couldnt ever have a valuable conversation without her just shutting it down. I wanted her to have started evolving anf growing much earlier in the book. By 0% I was just resigned to frustration for her.

Thank you Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for an ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book had a lot going on and some of it might be my fault for getting into book 3 in a series without having read the prior books but I wasn’t sure at first.

I am normally okay with age gap, but it’s harder for me when one of them is still a teenager and it was mentioned a lot in here. Also let’s face it, Blakely is not super mature and going through a lot, I felt like she could have used a big brother looking out for her more than anything.

But it’s on me to take the trigger warnings seriously.

As an audiobook I enjoyed it, I loved both narrators.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the advanced listening copy, all my opinions are my own.

Beneath the Hood, the third book in the Sugarlake Series focuses on Jackson (Jax) and Blakely and their unlikely romance. Jax, who we learned to love in prior books in the series, has given his heart to another woman who will never love him back in the way he wants. In an effort to reset his heart, he moves to California to fulfill his deceased fathers dream - to have his cars on the big screen in Hollywood. Blakely, the daughter of Jackson's boss, is a much younger woman who is an influencer, working to maintain her status as glamourous and present in a highly publicized world, full of expectations and unrealistic expectations. This world has created demons for her to constantly fight and while she wears the mask well, it begins to fall and crumble. Jax, unable to stay away, is the first one to really see her for who she is, and while he wants nothing but the best for her, is met with resistance and pushed away. How can he get her to look beyond the world that she is so heavily reliant on? Overall, this was a great story and I loved that the author brings us uncomfortable but relevant topics that resonate with many people in today's world.

I loved the first book in this series so i was super exited and grateful when i received this arc audiobook of Beneath the Hood by Emily McIntire. Unfortunately the narration was not enjoyable and i couldn't get past the narrators i felt like they didn't match up with the characters, BUT since i was so interested in the story itself, i picked up a physical copy of this book and i must say it was a much more enjoyable way to consume this story in my opinion. I loved Blakely and Jacksons relationship and banter. I also loved the representation of mental health and felt that Blakely's struggles were very relatable. Overall great story and cant wait to read the next one!

The story was so much fun and I had a good time reading it.
This was a wonderfully written romance story.
I absolutely loved these characters and really enjoyed getting to know them.
A sweet, funny and heartwarming read!

Book 3 of the Sugarlake Series!

Narrated by Brooke Bloomingdale and Liam DiCosimo!

I love a solid age gap book and Brooke and Liam narrated this book so well. The “we shouldn’t but can’t stop” trope is always my favorite one with an age gap! I love that they have a conscious but always let their heart lead the way! Jax, and Blakely were so perfect. Blake who has everything handed to her, being the daughter of a Hollywood producer, and Jax who has worked his whole life to bring his father’s dream to fruition is the perfect clash of the princess and the peasant. Even though they are worlds apart they still see eachother for who they are, I loved that Jax saw through the Hollywood persona that Blake put on and knew she needed help. And that Blake saw through his troubled past and saw what a good man and heart he had that just needed to be loved. Brooke and Liam put the passion into this narration and at every pivot of the book I could feel the butterflies in my own stomach for their feelings and the passion. When Blake was having food troubles I felt her pain, and when Jax was being torn away my chest ached for him!

This book was a deeply emotional and, at times, challenging read, and not due to the writing itself, but because of the intense personal reflections it stirred within me. I strongly recommend reading the trigger warnings before diving in, as the story touches on sensitive themes that may be difficult for some readers. The hardest part for me was touching on the anxiety rep.

That said, I found the narrative both tender and compelling. At its heart, the book tells a sweet and poignant love story that left a lasting impression. The age gap and forbidden elements of the relationship were handled with nuance and care, adding depth and complexity without feeling sensationalized. These aspects contributed to the emotional stakes and made the connection between the characters feel all the more meaningful and powerful.

Despite the heavy moments, the story is ultimately one of healing, resilience, and love that defies expectations. The ending was especially satisfying, it offered closure on the series and a sense of hope that stayed with me long after I turned the final page.

Another beautifully written by Emily and emotionally resonant novel, this is a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time. The narrators really brought this story to life.

This one was a little slower for me. I didn't quite believe the love story between Jax and Blakely. It felt a little rushed, considering he was still in love with Lee. Also, Blakely's character read very young, so it was hard for me to connect.

What I did love:
Therapy and mental health/ healing have been a consistent part of these characters as they grow. I love it when a book doesn't shy away from topics that so many people experience. I also loved seeing Jax and Chase begin mending their friendship. It's never black and white, and Emily does a great job navigating the nuances.

Age-gap, mental health, disordered eating, heartbreak and healing

This book deals with a lot of issues but Emily McIntyre writes them so well. And for once the character gets professional help.
Blakely is a social media influencer, loved by many but knocked down by more. She puts so much pressure on herself, to the detrement of her health, only encouraged by people who should be looking out for her. Meticulously planning her meals, counting every calorie, recording her weight and punishing herself in the gym. Blakelys OCD controls her life and brings on panic attacks, that this close to her treat as tantrums. Used by her friends, Blakeley is lonely.

Her father, too wrapped up in his own work, doesn't see her, doesn't see her struggles and believes she's wasting her life. Believes she's rebelling.

In steps Jax. Working for her father, he's enlisted to 'babysit' Blakeley. He is the only one who sees her, sees her struggle. Jax, brokenhearted from unrequited love, tried to keep his distance. He's too old for her, she's his bosses daughter, he still has feelings for the girl who chose his best friend. But he's there for Blakely. He doesn't try to fix her issues, he listens, he supports her, he's tentative and loving. He's the green flag guy.

They both need to heal and battle with their demons before they can fully give in to what they feel for eachother. Blakley and Jax have to work for their relationship, which is a refreshing change.

Liam DiCosimo's delicious Southern drawl, smooth and rich, brings Jax to life. And I loved Brooke Bloomingdale, from some of my favourite smutty books, as Blakely.

This is the first book in the series I've read and my first by Emily McIntyre. I enjoyed her writing, how she wrote about hard real life issues with mental health, exposing the characters pain. I would definitely recommend this book. Yes it's spicy but there's a decent story to run alongside the spice.

Review of Beneath the Hood by Emily McIntire (Audiobook):

Beneath the Hood is a gritty, slow-burn romance that blends danger, desire, and emotional healing. Emily McIntire delivers a story filled with tension and chemistry, set in a world of underground mechanics and hidden pain. The audiobook narration adds depth to the characters—especially the brooding, guarded male lead and the fierce, resilient heroine—bringing their emotional journeys to life. With vivid storytelling and a strong emotional core, Beneath the Hood is a compelling listen for fans of dark romance with heart.

After listening to book two, I was really invested in Jax's story. Unfortunately, for me, this book just didn't hit the mark. It deals with some very heavy subjects in Blakely having an eating disorder and panic attacks. She is surrounded by people who not only promote her disordered eating but belittle her and her mental health at every opportunity. Plus, we are also in her head, so we're listening/ reading her justifications for how she is treating herself under the guise of being 'healthy'. It really felt like Jax was a crutch rather than a partner, add in that she is 19 and he is 28, and he keeps referring to her innocence, as well as her being treated like a child by everyone, and it just didn't hit the mark for me. This book felt less about the romance and more about Blakely overcoming her health/ mental health issues, and Jax's hero complex. That being said, I feel that Emily McIntyre handled the health/ mental health with care and empathy, really delving into accurate representation. Brooke Bloomingdale was fantastic and really blew me away in this book, with as stated, some really difficult scenes. Liam DiCosimo was great as Jax, but I did struggle with his voice for Blakely and it wasn't always clear which masc character he was voicing when it came to secondary characters. If you are looking for a book that isn't an easy read but is full of emotion and eventual growth, this is the one for you!

This book was not for me. I normally don't mind age gap romances but I could not get past that Blakely is only 19 years old. I also had issues with her fixation on her weight and how many calories she consumes. Her preoccupation with her influencer status. I know that she had OCD and other issues but I found her character to be toxic to any young woman facing similar problems.

Rating: 3.25 ⭐️

I liked this book. I’ve seen multiple reviews talking about how childish the characters come off as, but the FMC is 19. So I gave her a bit of grace.

Generally, influencer MCs come off as selfish and entitled, but Blakey didn’t give me that vibe. I really enjoyed her. She was surprisingly down to earth. And Jackson was incredibly supportive of her from the beginning. It was so sweet.

I was on the fence about the instalove trope at first but didn’t end up too bothered by it. The overall story was good. I’d say if you like age gap, instalove romances and don’t mind a late-teen character, give this one a chance.

That said, there were no content warnings listed at the beginning of the audiobook or the NetGalley listing. If you’re sensitive to on-page panic attacks or eating disorders, tread lightly. The MCs disordered eating habits are mentioned in-depth multiple times.

Age gap, Forbidden romance, Dating a celebrity, He’s a mechanic x she's a celebrity, Nickname: Princess, eating disorder rep, anxiety rep.

Was not a huge fan of this age gap romance, as it felt very insta-love. However, the description of the anxiety and eating disorder was written very well!

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.