Two new narrators for me and i enjoyed them!! They did a fantastic job with this book and Emilys writing is always fantastic!!

Absolutely loved this story!!

Not sure why this book had to be so graphic. I skipped through the sex scenes. The main character's (Blakely) OCD and body issues were a lot. This could really be a trigger to some readers. I love, love, love the female narrator but the male narrator was so difficult to listen to. I will not be reading another in this series.

2.5 ⭐️

Reading the synopsis I thought I would eat this up because I enjoy a good age gap / forbidden romance. This book did not do it for me. I did not mesh with the main characters. They were both just irritating to me.

There were no content warnings mentioned so I was very surprised that for 80% of the book it is the FMC having a chronic eating disorder and counting calories. Luckily for me I’m not affected by that, but to those that are be careful reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for the ALC ✨

Beneath the Hood by Emily McIntire 📕

This book is not for me.

Didn’t like the MFC. Her attitude and the way she talks I found annoying. Was not aware there would be big trigger topics - eating disorder - as it was not in the description nor stated at the start of the audio. Though not triggering for me, just a few chapters in it’s clear how big this will play a part in the book and I don’t like what I’ve heard so far.

There’s meant to be a lust connection between MFC and MMC but I just couldn’t believe it.

DNF.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for access to the audiobook.

1 star ⭐️

Dear Emily McIntire,
I am still crying from this. As someone who relates to Blakely all too well, thank you for allowing us to be seen.

This was SO GOOD. I loved Jackson and Blakely. The audio narration was phenomenal. Liam DiCosima and Brooke Bloomingdale really brought these characters to life. They were easy, and fun to listen too. The emotion they portrayed throughout the book was top tier. I truly felt as through I was in apart of the story.

Thank you Emily, Netgalley, and Blackstone Publishing-Audiobooks, for the ALC.

Age gap girlys come one come all, this Hollywood darling is for you.

I'm not in my ED era anymore (thankfully), but I appreciated the representation here. At the end of the day open conversation about a disorder that affects so many people will always be an important one to have for me. It's a reminder that if this is something you're coping with, it's always a good time to reach out for help.

Overall, just like Jackson, this was another strong and steady read from Emily.

3.75 stars

I have to say I see alot of negative feedback because of the main fmc eating disorder but I found Emily approached it delicately enough while also showing the real reality. I think using an influencer who is rich was clever. The person who looks like they have it all but secretly falling apart worked well. Why I agree the love happened kinda fast, the mmc is a caregiver as evident in previous books, and learning she has more to her then spoiled princess ignites something in him. This is book 3 of the series and to me you really need to read them all. Also these are very spicy.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook arc. I usually love Emily McIntire books, but this one I found the mfc to be insufferable, the whole book she whines that she has to work for her father’s company and that no one takes her seriously that she wants to be an influencer and need to have the perfect image. She has an eating disorder that send her reeling anytime something isn’t cooked plain with absolutely no extras, and in one part of the book someone comments that she looks fat causing her to spiral even more.
He’s 10 years older and protects her after being directed to by her father and falls for her quickly but knows that their age gap it would be wrong since she’s only 19. He tries to help her be her and helps her thru her anxiety.

If you have food sensitivities or eating disorder I would stray from this book, as the mfc stresses A LOT over food so much so as to have a panic attack after having a slice of pizza and has major anxiety with any food in general.

I was so excited for this book. I loved book 1 in the series and liked book 2, but I was excited for Jackson. However…this was painful. The majority of the book documented body dysmorphia in great detail, but then completely skated past the therapy and road to recovery. The romance was basically insta-love because you NEVER learn anything about her personality to understand why he likes her other than she breaks down when things don’t go her way. Also, the privileged sob story is so so bad, and combine that with an influencer and you’ve completely lost 99% of readers. Just was not for me.

Although I absolutely loved how cute this book was and how much I absolutely ADORE Emily McIntire, I was not prepared for the FMC to have an eating disorder. This is something that is triggering for me and I often have to prepare myself when beginning to read a book with triggers. However, I was surprised by this as it was not mentioned in a trigger page. I highly suggest proceeding with caution if this is something that is a trigger for you!

Let me first start off by thanking NetGalley, Emily McIntire and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me the ALC of this book!
I absolutely loved this book! It was beautifully done! I felt all of the feels! The way mental health was represented in this book made me feel so seen!
Jaxson land his dream job of fixing classic cars in California. He soon learns that his “real” job would be to keep an eye on his boss’s 19 year old daughter. Blakely is a world famous influencer. Her life is completely in the public eye. Everything she does and says is on display and criticized. The fame she thought she wished for comes at a cost. The need for perfection or appearance of it has led to her suffering panic attacks and an eating disorder. When she looks in the mirror she only sees the flaws. After they start spending time together, Jaxson and Blakely soon can’t fight the attraction and chemistry building between them. He sees her. The real her and loves her flaws and all! Trying to get her to see that her flaws are beautiful isn’t easy and hiding their relationship and feelings is even harder.
The emotion, pain, and love I felt with this book make it a 5 star read! Thank you Emily for this beautiful book!

This book has been released in eBook and paperback. It will be available on audio on March 18, 2025. Thank you to Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks, Emily McIntire, and Netgalley for this ALC. It did not affect my review.


This book is not your typical romance book. It's not all fluff and love. It's a deep dive into past trauma, vulnerability, and healing. Jackson Rhoades is a 28-year-old mechanic with a wounded heart. He never thought he'd be responsible for a 19-year-old influencer, but since Blakely Donahue's dad is his boss, he can't say no. Blakely is far more complex than the carefully curated online persona she's created. She’s fighting battles no one sees, and Jackson—whether he likes it or not—becomes part of her journey.

What stood out to me most was the balance of emotional depth with romance. This isn’t a lighthearted love story—it’s raw, sometimes heavy, and deeply human. Blakely’s struggles felt heartbreakingly real, and Jackson’s quiet strength made him the kind of book boyfriend you can't help but root for. Their connection is slow-burning, complicated, and beautifully messy.

The narrators did an amazing job. I've loved Brooke Bloomington's work, but I was new to Liam DiCosimo. I can't wait to listen to more.

📖 Tropes you'll find in this book:
🔥 Age gap (9 years)
🏠 Forced proximity
💔 Damaged hero/protagonists with past trauma
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found family elements
❤️‍🩹 Emotional healing through love
⏳ Slow-burn romance
🌸 Virgin heroine

⚠️ Trigger Warnings:
🔞 Explicit sexual scenes
😰 Panic attacks
💭 Anxiety disorder
🥀 Eating disorder
⚡ Past trauma

That said, if you’re looking for a romance that’s all about butterflies and grand gestures, this might not be the book for you. The love story explores broader themes like mental health, identity, and discovering self-worth beyond societal expectations. And for me, that made it all the more powerful. Don't get me wrong, though; there is a love story too.

If you love emotionally charged stories with complex characters and a romance that feels earned, this one’s for you. But be warned—it will hit you right in the feels.

🔥🥵 Spicy chapters are 32, 37, 38, 39, 48. 🥵🔥

#BeneaththeHood #EmilyMcIntire #NetGalley

Beneath the Hood is the third book in the Sugarlake series. You can read in order or as a standalone. This book was about Blakely & Jackson. As I said before, Emily never disappoints. This was a 4 star read for me. It wasn't my favorite in the series so far, but it was still good. If you love a good slow burn age gap romance book, then I highly recommend you checking out this one.

I have been WAITING to hear Jackson’s story! The fact that this was an age gap made it 100x better!
Emily does such a good job with banter between her characters and I can’t wait for the next book!

Wow this audiobook was something else! Emily McIntire delivers an emotional, forbidden romance that pulls you in from the very start, and the narrators, Brooke Bloomingdale & Liam DiCosimo, absolutely nailed it! Their performances bring Jackson and Blakely to life in a way that makes you feel every ounce of emotion.

Jackson is the broody, emotionally scarred mechanic with a heart of gold, and Blakely is the seemingly perfect influencer crumbling under the weight of expectations. Their chemistry? Off the charts. Their push and pull? Addictive. And the age gap? Just the right amount of forbidden to keep things deliciously angsty.

The narration truly elevates this story. The emotions hit even harder because of the narrators’ delivery, making it impossible to stop listening.

If you’re into age-gap, forbidden romance with raw emotion and spice (okay, a lot of spice), then this is definitely for you too!

- [ ] This is an ARC review. I want to thank Emily McIntire and Blackstone Publishing for allowing me the chance to read this book ahead of release day! After reading the Never After Series, Emily McIntire immediately became one of my favorite authors! This book absolutely lived up to the hype I created in my head for her next book outside of the series. With this being an age gap (19/28) story I couldn’t resist. The sexual chemistry from the get go was a 10 out of 10. And then only increased as the book went on. Blakely is a representation of women’s insecurities at the forefront! Trying to live up to everyone’s expectations especially looks wise…sounds exhausting. Same with the positivity around mental health from the main characters is such a good representation and counter to the stigma of mental health disorders. I don’t know what Emily expects for all of her readers except for them to be in constant wanting while reading and after. It’s rude honestly! I usually read during work and well this is NOT a book to read/listen to while working. And yet I am wanting to reread/listen to the book again it was so good!

Beneath the Hood
By: Emily McIntire

The vibes:
- age-gap romance
- celebrity + non-celebrity
- secret romance
- part of a series
- FMC's dad asked MMC to "keep an eye on her"

This story was good and I enjoyed the secret romance trope! I gave 3 stars because I felt the physical aspect happened really fast in their relationship, and sometimes that was a little uncomfortable due to FMC being 19 and MMC being 28, and some of the dialogue felt a bit clunky or cheesy as well. Other than that it was enjoyable!

I really liked the audiobook narrators and will look for more books by this author!

Trigger warnings: Eating disorder, OCD related to eating and weight/body image, cheating

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for access to this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I was a part of Emily's ARC team a few years ago when this series was released. I loved all three and when I had the chance to listen to the audio, I started it right away. The narrators did these characters justice.
Being my favorite of the three, I love Jackson and Blakely's story. Also... Blakely's best friend is Kayla... being my name, I rarely see it in books.

I loved dipping back into this world. Anything Emily writes is amazing, but this series made me fall in love with her writing!

Let me start off by saying that I typically like Emily's writing and have loved several of her books. This one is not one of them.

This book is like a guidebook to having an ED and although it doesn't trigger me, I don't have the best mindset around food and the constant talking about food/exercise/calories was redundant and needless. I get that this girl strives for perfection and she is an influencer, etc, but we need more examples of real life characters and not ones trying to live up to some impossible and unrealistic standard. I admit since I'm choosing not to finish this book, there may be some redemption but I cannot get that far, sadly. DNF@40%

I think the narration by Brooke Bloomingdale & Liam DiCosimo is done well.

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️ Just Not for Me

Unfortunately, Beneath the Hood didn’t work for me. I found both main characters mildly insufferable, and there was little chemistry between them beyond Jax’s constant need to take care of Blake whenever she was crying or having a panic attack—which felt like every other chapter. I don’t mind age gaps in romance, but this one felt off-putting, with Jax babying her rather than treating her as an equal partner.

Blake’s eating disorder seemed to be the only defining trait of her character, reducing her to little more than a walking, talking calorie counter. While I appreciate when books tackle difficult topics, this one didn’t leave room for her to be anything else. If there are trigger warnings, they need to be much more explicit—while I wasn’t personally affected, I can see how easily this book could push someone over the edge.

I listened to the audiobook, and while Blake’s VA did a good job, Jax’s exaggerated southern drawl was hard to take seriously.

Overall, I think I’m realizing this author’s style just isn’t for me.