Book Review: Beneath This Mask by Meghan March

Hi, readers! Please welcome Kevin Ethan, our new official book reviewer, to ILRB! He’ll be hanging out with us once a week from now on, taking the time to give us his take on ⭐the coolest romance novels⭐! 😎

Let’s give him a hand… 😉

Kevin, take it away and show us what you have for today.

Thanks! ❤ This week’s I Love Romance Blog review selection is Beneath This Mask by Meghan March. I have to tell you that I just kept reading and reading! The story, which juxtaposes the “normal” romance roles, will definitely keep you interested.

Charlotte was a rich girl with many, many silver spoons. But, when her father is locked in a cell without a key, she has to learn to find her own way. Falling off the grid and on the run from the FBI, Charlotte “Charlie” Agoston leaves the world of Chanel and Armani for one of classic rock band t-shirts and her favorite pair of chucks.

When a group of drunk guys wander into her workplace, Charlie is quick to give them the brush-off. Her new, no-nonsense attitude, body art, and piercing eyes catch Simon’s attention, though.

He’s a Navy veteran and congressman’s son who, in my mind’s eye, is hot hot HOT. When Charlie decides to have one night of fun, it’s Simon who turns away. From there, the story takes some great twists and turns that you’ll just have to read for yourself by getting your copy FREE on Amazon.

The author, who was also a lawyer in real life, puts her legal knowledge to use while still keeping you engaged in the romance. I found myself really feeling for (and kind of in love with) Simon, who was ready to be all-in. But, with Charlie’s past, she’s the one always running away.

The author definitely understands building suspense, but in this case, the suspense is sexual tension. Unlike some books that put it all out there (Wham, bam, thank ya’ ma’am), the author keeps you warm without overheating, you know? At least in the beginning.

My only point of real contention with the book has to do with Simon. As an Afghan war veteran, he is revealed to have PTSD. On the plus side, he seeks help, which is amazing! On the flip-side, though, the author has somehow attached his PTSD to Charlie and the relief she provides. It really boils down to, “I’ve had PTSD for 4 years! But my girlfriend healed me!”

As a vet myself, I have to say, “That’s not how this works! That’s not how any of this works!” So, in the future, my advice would be to research the affliction before you attempt to heal it.

In the end, though, I love a happily ever after (HEA). So, if you’re looking for your book’s characters to find everything they ever wanted, this one is for you.

The story is interesting, and the romance is hot, but with some of the parts leaving me saying, “Really?!” – I give Beneath This Mask by Meghan March 4 HEARTS!

Recommended Read

Book Info:

Former Navy fighter pilot. Son of a congressman. Successful businessman in my own right. With a résumé like mine, women have never been a challenge.

Until I met her.

This sexy, tatted-up bad girl wasn’t part of my plans, but that punch to my gut every time I see her tells me I have to know more.

She’s a mystery. An enigma. A challenge.

I’m going to figure her out—and then I’m going to make her mine.

We’ll find out what she’s hiding… beneath this mask.

 

Universal Reader link: https://books2read.com/u/4NGANz

AUTHOR: Meghan March

TITLE: Beneath This Mask (book one of the Beneath Series)

GENRE: contemporary/military/romantic suspense

RELEASE DATE: September 29, 2014

PUBLISHER: Red Dress Press

ISBN/ASIN: B00NQ1EVG4

OUR RATING: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEWED BY: Kevin Ethan

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Great 4 Star Review for SCH!

Second Chance Heart by Marie Lavender #mf #romance #review @marielavender1

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After a wild storm forces her to take shelter in a small town inn, Dana Nelson thinks that all she has to worry about is a brief stay before she heads back to the city. She gets far more than she bargained for…

The last thing she expects is to run into an old flame, and even worse, the man who broke her heart twelve years ago. She’s sure that the only thing remaining between them is a strong attraction for another.

She can’t be more wrong…

The more time she spends with Vince Reynolds, the more she begins to believe she can trust him again. But, can she put her faith in the one man who captivates her, body and soul, or are some wounds too deep to heal?

 

A sweet short story about love, betrayal, and facing the past with an open heart and mind. But, for such a short story, it packs a huge punch. Dana and Vince used to be a couple until he ripped her heart out. They come face to face years later and he feels terrible for hurting her so badly. Dana feels a whole host of emotions when she sees her ex, not knowing if she can move on and forgive him for his betrayal.

The author did a great job of creating characters who not only feel intensely, but whole heartedly in so little words. It was sad, romantic, heart-breaking, and endearing all at the same time. Definitely worth the little time it takes to read!

 

Kindle | Nook

Great 4 Star Review for Second Nature on Readers’ Favorite!

Source: Great 4 Star Review for Second Nature on Readers’ Favorite!

Double Reviews for Second Nature!

Great news! I just found two new awesome book reviews for Second Nature, my latest paranormal romance/urban fantasy release!  Yay! Here is one from Crystal’s Many Reviewers site:

I’ll go ahead and admit it. Ever since Twilight, I’ve been a sucker for the forbidden human/vampire romance. That’s what attracted me to this book, and I was not disappointed.

 

Desiree has lost in love big time. She found her husband with another woman and now has supported her own sister in getting married and expecting a baby. She’s happy for the people in her life who deserve and get love, but finds herself wishing it could be for her. Alec is a vampire. He’s old, and has a system for getting his needs met. But when Desiree comes into the picture, she turns his world upside down. Can they make this unconventional love and passion work? Or is it doomed before it can begin?

 

This book was a pretty exciting read. It was not a traditional love story at all, in my opinion. I mean, it kind of has a creepy stalker type vibe to it. But hey, the guys a vampire…not human…so it works. It doesn’t try to fit Alec into the confines of the human world, and I think that’s why I was able to overlook a bit of his creepiness. I guess you could say that the world building was good enough that the whole thing came together pretty well and was an easy to follow and interesting story.

 

I thought this book went a bit deeper into the romance than these books tend to. It’s a bit overdramatic in parts, but for the most part I thought the questions it raises about the nature of relationships were very interesting. Overall, I enjoyed it. 4 stars.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

And here is another review from Amazon and Goodreads. Thank you, Sara!

I love a steamy vampire story, February 8, 2015 By Sara This review is from: Second Nature (Blood At First Sight Book 1) (Kindle Edition) I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. It was hot, sweet and cute. Even though the beginning wasn’t all that inspiring, what with the attack for a bite turned into almost rape that was actually consensual but still really weird. Yeah, it’s complicated. It was a bit surreal that scene. But then after that it got much better. I’m still not a huge fan of insta-love but I guess we could say they were soul mates and fated to be together. Needless to say, I loved Alec. Well, except for the first glimpse of him in the beginning and that scene of the first bite. After that I started to increasingly like him. And oh how hot he was. I love my vampire books with some steamy sex, and this got plenty. My hormones are grateful. I liked Desiree. Mostly. There were moments when I was like “Dude, what the hell are you doing?! Are you nuts?” And wanted to swat at her head for being stupid. But I mostly liked her. Her family was also lovely. I’m shocked that she didn’t realize the truth sooner though. I mean, it was pretty obvious looking at her and then at them. Desiree’s father and sister were really sweet though. The ending was cute.

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How exciting to get hit with two at once!  🙂