Series Review // Beneath by Meghan March

Today's flashback is the Beneath series by Meghan March. This is an emotional contemporary romance that tackles tropes such as opposites attract, second chance, friends to lovers, etc. Mind you, I've only read the first 4 books of the series so if you've read books 5-7, please let me know if I should get back to reading this series. I might do it anyway at some point because I'm a bit of a completist when it comes to series that are actually full of good stories. Note that the following reviews were written back in 2017 when I read these books.

So have you ever read these books? Are you interested in giving them a try?

1. Beneath This Mask

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.

Rating - ★★★★1/5

A solid 4.5. I had to dock because of the heroine of the book. She was terribly annoying. I'm all for being independent and convincing yourself that you can do bad all by yourself. But that's not what this was. I don't even know what this was. But I do believe that when someone proves to you that they can be trusted, you should friggin trust them. There is nothing wrong with looking within your circle for someone to lean on. What she was running from was serious, yeah, but come the frig on. Nobody was wanted for murder or something equally heinous. I also understand the fear of tainting other lives with the shameful smears that make up your own. But I'm not a fool. I do not adhere to the ideology of "sins of the father..." and all that nonsense. I just feel like she should have opened up to Simon earlier. Shoot, she didn't even open up to Con and he showed his loyalty ceaselessly as well. Ah well, I guess it had to happen for us to get the story we did. I just found her inner monologue struggle annoying. But I loved everything else about her.

Simon was awesome. A beautiful man going through his own inner turmoil but still has it within himself to be there for Charlie. He was just so sweet and patient with her. Even when a trauma landed someone he loved in the hospital. Nerves of steel. I'm just glad his patience was well rewarded and these two characters got their HEA.

Fave Quotes:
“Don’t break my heart, Charlie.”
I slid my hands up through his dark hair, hoping he could see everything I felt for him. Everything I was afraid to put into words. “Not without shattering my own.”

“This is me telling you, without a single reservation, that I want more. A whole hell of a lot more, Simon. I want it all. With you.”
My heart hammered at her words and the sight of her before me. Naked in every way. No walls. No masks. No secrets. No lies. Just Charlie. My inked, pierced, beautiful Charlie.”

2. Beneath This Ink

I’ve always known she was too good for me, but that never stopped me from wanting her.

And then I finally had her for one night.

A night I don’t remember.

I figured I’d blown my shot.

But now she’s walked back into my life, and this time, I have the upper hand. I want my second chance.

Will she be able to see the man beneath this ink?

Rating - ★★★★

I loved Constantine!! I also loved Vanessa!! The two of them together was so sweet. Their wasn't much drama. The only thing I took issue with was the heavy dose of classism, but that's because I'm not a fan of isms.

I liked the fact that they liked each other since high school but didn't believe that the other even noticed them. I felt bad for the blame Con carried over the deaths of his parents and I'm glad there was justice for him. Vanessa was such a great companion for him. I kind of figured out they were meant to be in Beneath This Mask.

Lucas was such a jerk throughout this book and I'm happy he was able to redeem himself in the end. I wonder what his back story is. Will there be books about him, Lord, or Hennessey? Not sure if the other two men are even single but I'd like to know more about them.

It kind of wigged me out that this book followed the same timeline as its predecessor. I figured it would occur sometime after. It was a little bit confusing but I did enjoy their POVs when experiencing the events from book 1.

3. Beneath These Chains

I was raised on the streets, so I know things are rarely as simple as they appear—especially this rich girl showing up at my pawnshop demanding a job. She’s the most tempting thing I’ve ever seen, and I’ll be damned if I can make her leave.

Shit just got complicated … but when it comes to her, I want complicated. We’re both fighting our own demons, and our only chance at a future is to let go of the past.

But will we be strong enough to break free from beneath these chains?

Rating - ★★★★

These books are so good. Beneath These Chains was amazing. You take two people scarred by their pasts, add an antagonistic gangster, also add a serial killer, and you've got a recipe for success. I already liked Lord from Beneath This Ink and I'm happy I was able to love him in this book. He's a real stand up guy. Devoted and loyal brother, friend, mentor, and boyfriend. Although there was no real OTT drama, the buildup towards solidifying a relationship between Lord and Elle was still enjoyable. Elle was a riot. Her smart mouth and stubborn ways were the perfect counter for Lord. My heart ached for Lord when he discovered the truth behind the murders. I can't even imagine that pain. I'm just glad that through all of the turmoil in this book, he and Elle managed to stay strong and handle everything together.

Now I'm preparing myself to read about Lucas Titan, sexy asshole extraordinaire lol. I have a feeling that I'm going to really love him too.

4. Beneath These Scars

I’m the guy you love to hate.

In every story in my life, I seem to end up playing the villain—and I’ve got the scars to prove it.

That role works fine for me, because I’m sure as hell not anyone’s hero.

I run my life and my empire with an iron fist—until she knocks my tightly controlled world off its axis.

She’s nobody’s damsel in distress, but I can’t help but want to save her anyway.

I guess we’re about to find out if there’s a hero buried beneath these scars.

Rating - ★★★★

I would like to say that I did not like Yvie/Yvonne. Not until the 85% mark thereabouts. A lot of the time she joined the exclusive club of TSTL. Many of us have suffered from abuse in our pasts, whether physically, mentally, and/or emotionally. And when what she suffered was described, damn did I feel for her. No one should have to go through that. But she survived people!! She came off as an empty shell because unfortunately she hadn't dealt with the trauma. There was no mention of therapy so I'm guessing she did some self-help. Didn't friggin work! She coloured everyone with the same brush. I get not wanting to get close to another man again, but she treated her friends like crap. She didn't allow them to even know her, much less get close to her. She was not a good friend.

She took the entire "independent woman" thing too far. Her pride kept getting in her damn way. We as people do not know everything about everything. But Yvie must have been the exception. Because whenever someone offered up help or a solution, she knew what she was doing. She didn't need them. Until about the 85% mark, I didn't want her to have a HEA. I wanted Lucas to find someone else. He deserved better than the disrespectful way she was treating him.

This book got a high rating from me only because of Lucas. I knew I would love him in his own book!! I appreciated the fact that he always always always kept it real. I love a straight shooter!