DNF @ 38%.

TW: commentary about EDs. I really gave "Beneath the Hood" by Emily McIntire a solid chance, but I am tapping out at 38%. This book is so detrimental in so many ways. I never read reviews before reading a book, but I had to see if the triggering content ever had a point. Many reviewers swear that it does, but it hasn't even begun to happen at this point in the book, and I just can't take it anymore. That's totally on me for picking a book about eat1ng d1sorders. The mental health representation and representation of panic attacks might be on-point, but the ED stuff is way, way too much. Calories this, over-exercising that, I have no doubt this will resonate with people in our image-obsessed culture, but the writing, the lack of accountability, feels borderline dangerous to me for younger readers to consume. On top of this, everyone who is around Blakely in her life is such a POS person, including Jackson, who is 28 years old to her 19 years old. Usually, I don't mind age-gap romances, but this feels like a bit much. Blakeley is written in such an immature way that it was hard for me to remember she was an adult. Her mannerisms are more juvenile and less vulnerable. Jackson comes across as lecherous in an 'older guy who is ONLY into younger girls' kind of way. He even makes comments about being apprehensive about giving her alcohol, but then does it anyway!?!?! Taking advantage much?!?!? Don't give me that "she's so mature for her age" garbage! Blakely's agent is also awful and lets her suffer multiple ways to boost her clout as an influencer. This was just a tsunami of bad for me. I did enjoy Brooke Bloomingdale & Liam DiCosimo's narration, though.

Thank you to NetGalley, Emily McIntire, and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobook for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.s

Okay so the book for me is 5 stars!!!
But this audio was not my favorite. It makes me so sad to say because I was sooo excited to be approved for the ALC but the MCs accent was so incredibly distracting for me. I feel like it took away from how great the novel is. So I have to rate the audio lower. But of course, that is just my personal preferences.

Thank you so much for the ALC, I will only be posting a review of the physical book on my socials.

I always strive to finish every book I start, but I found it challenging with Beneath the Hood by Emily McIntire. While the writing is commendable and the narrative shows promise, certain elements hindered my overall enjoyment.

The portrayal of the female main character (FMC), Blakely Donahue, who is dealing with an eating disorder, is poignant yet unsettling. The lack of support from those around her, with some characters either ignoring or exploiting her vulnerability, left me uncomfortable. This dynamic, coupled with the significant age gap between Blakely, a 19-year-old, and the male main character (MMC), Jackson Rhoades, seemed to amplify her susceptibility, even if unintentional.

Despite these concerns, McIntire's storytelling ability is evident, and I remain interested in exploring her other works. However, this particular narrative didn't resonate with me as I had hoped.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for the early copy in exchange for an honest review!

I felt so much for the FMC, Blakely. I can't imagine how hard it'd be in the public eye constantly having people spread gossip and rumors about you. Her anxiety and panic attacks were relatable as I also have anxiety. I felt like Jackson was so amazing helping her through those moments. Jackson was just amazing in general!!! And the spice was spicing! I loved the dual narration. It truly added depth to the characters and audiobook. Brilliantly done!

I received this Audiobook from Blackstone Publishing to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully listening to this audiobook.

I absolutely adored this audiobook! I had so much fun listening to it, and it gave me all the feelings. It was such a great, compelling story!

This is a dramatic, high-stakes romance with a mix of small-town charm and Hollywood glam. Blakely’s privileged life clashes with Jackson’s hardworking background, and their secret relationship brings plenty of tension—especially with the age gap.

Blakely’s struggles with body image and disordered eating are a major focus, so the TW is important. Jackson is a classic protective love interest, though his obsession with being her “only one” might not be for everyone. Some parts, like the drawn-out virginity scene, feel unnecessary.

Overall, it’s an emotional read with plenty of angst. If you like forbidden romance and drama, it’s worth checking out—just be mindful of the heavy focus on food and body image.

This was entertaining and I finished it in one day! I am definitely recommending to my book club!
The characters were well developed and Blakely’s panic attacks were incredibly constructed and written by someone who’s done their research.

I couldn't stand the fmc but I loved the mmc this is my least favorite of all time by this beloved author but anything she writes I'll try

This book is dealt with heavy topics TW, how they were written and dealt with such care. The author did the characters and topics good. The story as a whole was slow at times and a little long, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Trigger warnings: this book talks about mental illness, eating disorders and age gap romance.

When I started this book I wasn’t sure I’d like it. I’m not one for insta love but I kept reading and I am so happy I did. As the story developed I really enjoyed it. I feel like the discussions around mental illness and eating disorders was done really well. The characters were developed well and overall it was an amazing read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publiahing for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed it overall. Fun small town story and I liked how it tied to the other books in the story. Thanks for the chance to listen. I enjoy Emily McIntire's work.

I wish I was into this story more but I felt like the whole age gap trope was too forced. I get it, there's an age gap between Jaxson and Blakely. Take all that repetitiveness out and I think I would've liked it more. The pacing of it was REALLY slow too...

I don't know, in theory the premise and storyline are ALL there but just not executed well?

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for the ALC of this title!

The writing is good, the story is good. I did struggle a bit because I am not super excited to read about a heroine that struggles the whole book. There is a great message in the story, so I don’t want to discount that, it is just hard to have so many pages devoted to sad topics. But I did root for the couple and the glimpses of their happy kept me going. I would say this book is for a younger adult rather than an older adult.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the copy for review.

This is a great audiobook! The narrators do a wonderful job bringing the story to life. I loved this one so much! Blakely and Jackson took me on an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. I was rooting for them the whole time. Their forbidden love story has delicious tension. And I liked that there is representation for mental health. As someone who struggles with that I feel seen and can definitely relate. This book is filled with such heart and healing. I definitely recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for allowing me to listen to this audiobook ahead of release in exchange for my honest opinion.

Overall, 3 stars. The story was interesting, but I had a hard time connecting with Jackson and Blakely. I liked the mental health rep and learning about Blakely's struggles with control, food, and the image of perfection. At times I felt so much pity for Blakely, all the money and fame in the world can't replace a good parent or a loyal friend.

Spoiler alert: I wanted more groveling at the end. What Blakely did was way too big of a F U to Jackson. He should've made her work for it.

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for the advance audiobook!

Format: audiobook

This book is the third in the Sugarlake series. It is an interconnected standalone in the series that features Jackson, who left his hometown of Sugarlake to mend his broken heart and the betrayal of his best friend and headed to California to pursue his late father's dream of restoring cars for movie sets. There, he meets the 19 year old daughter of his boss, Blakely, who is working as a receptionist for his film company when she is not a social media influencer. Even though Jax knows she is forbidden for many reasons, he can't stop thinking about her, and Blakey keeps sneaking out to meet him. We learn there is more to this 19-year social media darling than meets the eye and anxiety and food issues are addressed in a very tasteful way.

4.5/5⭐️
1.5/3🔥

-her dads his boss
-age gap
-she’s a famous influencer, he rebuilds cars for movies
-mental health representation (check triggers)

Book 3 in the Sugarlake Series! I loved this one! The dynamic between Jackson and Blakely was everything. There was teasing, there was banter, there was trust that needed to be built, there was comfort in having that one person who actually understands you.

I think this is the first time where I read a book where one of the main characters is an influencer. It’s talked about a lot in the book, the roles and requirements of her job. I loved how we got to see the negative side effects of how much pressure came with this position. I feel like it seems so glorified and there’s not enough representation of the negative toll it can be on someone’s mental health. This book was able to capture the raw/real way being in the spotlight can trigger negative mental health.

I highly recommend this one, the character development of being able to be open and trust the other was phenomenal!

both narrators did a fantastic job and the production of the audiobook was amazing!! loved getting to reread this one via audio

I was surprised by my enjoyment of the book, the first couple chapters I was thinking this would not have been for me but the more the book went on I did start to warm up to the female lead. Not 100% of the romance in this book, I think it was more about being an influencer and the struggles the female lead goes through than exploring in more depth the actual romance between our two characters.
I do really like when books don’t shy away from the topics touched in this book and I do think that Emily handled these topics very well, which honestly can be quite hit or miss a lot of the time when also handled in a romance book. I do like that we get some healing for both characters and don’t feel like one character overshadowed the other even thought their trauma is quite different.

I received the ARC of this audiobook. This is an age gap romance between an influencer in the public eye and a man who is running away from a broken heart. This book contains difficult themes including grief, body image issues, disordered eating, and mental health issues. This book is more than a romance, with many layers!

I absolutely love this audio! Emily McIntire is a wonderful author. Blakey and Jackson are adorable. I love the awareness this book brings with eating disorder and how becoming a social media star can cause so much stress.
I will definitely be recommending to friends.