• Beneath the Hood

  • A Forbidden, Age Gap Romance (Sugarlake Series, Book Three)
  • By: Emily McIntire
  • Narrated by: Gideon Frost, Ramona Master
  • Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (67 ratings)

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Beneath the Hood  By  cover art

Beneath the Hood

By: Emily McIntire
Narrated by: Gideon Frost, Ramona Master
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Publisher's summary

From USA Today best-selling author Emily McIntire comes the third interconnected stand-alone in the Sugarlake series.

Jackson Rhoades has a perfect smile and a broken heart. When he gets offered his dream job in Hollywood, he packs up his shattered pieces and leaves Sugarlake for good.

He thought he was hired to restore classic cars, but instead his new boss tasks Jackson with keeping an eye on his unruly 19-year-old daughter.

Jackson agrees reluctantly, not realizing doing so will change his life forever.

Blakely Donahue is one of the biggest influencers in North America. She’s followed by millions but has never felt more alone. Obsessed with counting calories and drowning under the pressure of perfection, she’s barely holding herself together. When her father’s new employee starts hanging around, Blakely can’t help but feel a pull.

Jackson is nine years older and entirely off-limits, but he’s the first person to look beyond the surface and see Blakely for who she truly is. Before either of them can stop it, they’re crossing boundaries and breaking all the rules.

They know better than to get too close, but for some reason, neither can stay away.

Even if it means destruction for them both.

Beneath the Hood is the third interconnected stand-alone in the Sugarlake series. It contains mature and graphic content. Listener discretion is advised. Full list of TW can be found on the author's website.

©2021 Emily McIntire (P)2021 Pink Flamingo Productions

What listeners say about Beneath the Hood

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liked it

Gideon and Ramona did such a wonnderful job bringing this story to life, they did such a outstanding job on the roles of the characters. making me want to find out more about this series and i could not highly reccomend this series to anyone to check it out.

Age gap taboo, emotional storytelling, and an author I’ve been dying to read? Why yes, it was time for me to pick up this series, and let me tell you, I’m kicking myself for not diving in sooner. I’ve moved right on into the Sugarlake magic, and I’m pretty sure I’m never going to leave.

Fans of the series will know this is Jackson’s story, the sweet bestie whose permanent friendzone status with his best friend/love of his life ultimately had him fleeing Sugarlake to return to California to live his and his beloved father’s dream of building cars for the big screen. A job that puts him in the sights of the much younger thorn in his side, Blakely, daughter of Jax’s producer boss. But some light flirting and a chance intensely vulnerable moment between them opens the door to their relationship being something else- only these two have more baggage than a LAX baggage claim- baggage that will become an obstacle not only to their happiness together but also their own self-identity.

I expected to not like Blakely- or to at least need time to warm up to her. On paper, Blakely is the kind of character I tend to dismiss. A social media influencer, a marionetted socialite, and later teen who complains about her privilege. But Blakely is truly none of those things- she’s such a special heroine. Mature beyond her years, she’s simply a survivor. A woman trying to cope with her own demons, a girl trapped by responsibilities that subversively traumatize her. There is an irony in her contrast- a woman with millions of instagram followers is one of the most heartbreakingly isolated and lonely characters I’ve read. A girl whose image is so disgeneously curated yet she’s perhaps one of the most genuine, REAL heroines I’ve read. I felt so connected to her- empathize with her, but I love how Emily kept us from pitying her. Because while Blakey is broken and beautifully flawed, she’s also quietly strong, determined, and vivacious. We experience her mental health struggles and her existential dilemmas so vividly - but we also see her sass, her energy, and her big beautiful heart that is so desperate to be seen.

Jackson- SWOOOOOOOOON. I am obsessed with this man. He’s just so charming- emotional aware, protective, compassionate and caring, reliable and honorable. He’s so resolutely strong -and he relishes being needed, caring for others- but that also makes him fragile, because the last person that needed him broke his heart. I am a goner for him-- he owns me.

I can not get over these two together. While they seem so different, they are two halves of the same soul. They both just want to be VISIBLE, they want to be chosen, to matter to someone. They want their pain and their hearts to be seen and cared for by someone else. And they find that in each other- establishing a sweet, sincere, and deeply intimate chemistry. We get to watch these two fully let down their walls, find their truest selves with one another, and confront their deep baggage, baggage that stems from the very people they love most in this world. Scars from those they hold dear. Their love is intense, emotional, and fiercy exposing, but also profoundly restorative. They ground each other, but they falter, they struggle as they grapple with parts of themselves, but they evolve- together as a unbreakable couple but also as individuals. As people who recognize that in order to choose another, you have to choose yourself. You have to love yourself.

Telling a story about a man who has spent years pining over another woman and somehow convincing the reader he’s moved on is a TALL task, even taller when his new interest is considerably younger, and a girl he’s not exactly been fond of. To be honest, despite the immediate chemistry I felt between Blakely and Jackson, I wasn’t sure Emily could convince me that Blakely wasn’t just the second choice of a man whose baggage is that HE was the second choice. But Emily proves me wrong- and she somehow does it in a way that honors both Jackson and Blakely’s connection as well as Jackson and Lee’s. She doesn’t erase or negate the emotions Jackson has felt and experienced prior to this story, rather she brilliantly uses them. She exposes them, makes them front and center, doesn’t shy away from their messiness. She lets Jackson struggle with them, even Blakely struggles with them, and then she does something even more brilliant- she finds a way to juxtapose both for us visible. We see the difference, we feel it, and we process it alongside our characters. And by leaning into that tension, she makes Jackson’s heart so transparent. But most importantly, it makes his shift authentic, believable, and most importantly, emotionally catalytic.

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Can't get enough of this series!

Oh my good God! Emily... you're an evil genius! Your characters always manage to sneak right under my skin and go straight to my heart. Gah! I love it so much!

Jax moved to California to get away from Lee and move on with his life. He's working his dream job and pretty soon he'll be seeing his cars on the big screen. His boss asks him to keep an eye on his daughter, Blakeley, and Jax can think of a million things he'd rather do. She's 19 and just annoying AF! Until he gets to see the real Blake, the one that worms her way right into his heart.

Blakeley, young and trying to find her way in Hollywood. She's an influencer and knows that what she's doing is fake, but she'll do just about anything to be SEEN by people. To no longer have to live in her father's shadow. Well Jax sees her, and it scares the shit out of her. I've never read about a more relatable character. Her panic attacks and control issues are so genuinely written, you can't help but feel like you're standing there with her. Such an intense read and yet completely perfect.

And that ending 😳 I'm glad July is a ways away... cause my heart needs a minute before it gets shredded again. Just kidding... I can't wait!!!!

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A Forbidden Age Gap Romance

Beneath The Hood by Emily McIntire is a forbidden age gap romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Gideon Frost and Ramona Master. This is the third book in the Sugarlake series and can be read as a standalone. However, I the stories are interconnected so I would highly recommend reading them in order.

The book comes with a caution: "Beneath the Hood features strong language, explicit sexual scenes and mature situations which may be considered triggers for some. Reader discretion is advised."

This is the third book of Emily's that I have read and it definitely won't be my last. I was pulled in from the first chapter and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. I loved the relationship that bloomed between Blakely and Jackson. Their relationship took me on an emotional roller coaster, but you couldn't help but root for them. I loved getting both of their points of view throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.

I can't wait for the next book in the series Beneath The Surface to be released on audio so I can get Lily and Mason's story.

Gideon and Ramona did an amazing job on the narration. They made me feel every emotion that Blakely and Jackson were going through.

I would highly recommend this book if you love forbidden romances, age gap romances, or contemporary romances.


The Flock Team
Audiobook Obsession Reviewer

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age gap romance

Blakely, born of privilege, is known on social media as an influncer. She has an image to protect. Her image, her demeanor, is all fake. She is paid to show up at clubs, wear certain clothes etc. Her diet, excessive excercise, panic attacks, and binge eating has taken a toll on her mental state.
Her father makes her work at the garage where she meets Jackson.
Jackson sees thru her facade and wants to know the real person. He becomes concerned about her emotional state, after witnessing one of her panic attacks.
In this age gap romance, emotions run deep, Blakely is in denial that she needs help. Jackson is pining for his previous girlfriend.
Gideon Frost and Ramona Master narration brings depth to each character. I can feel each moment of emotion, anguish, anger, torment, throughout the story.
🎧🎧audiobookObsession 🎧

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Good

I enjoyed this book the story was good but Blakely got a little annoying at times but overall a good listen, the narrators did a great job

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Exceptional Story & Listen🎧 Gripping & Heartfelt!

Emily McIntire has outdone herself with this third book of her “Sugarlake” series, I love and thought the first two books were amazing, not thinking this was possible, but this book is even better and become my new favorite, but then again Jackson “Jax” Rhodes has been one of my favorite characters in this series and this is his story. Jackson needed to leave Sugarlake, the only girl he ever loved does not see like that, she just wants to be friends, he held out hope for her but when she gets back together with the one who broke her heart, he knew they would never be more than friends. And when the opportunity rises to work on custom cars for a Hollywood producer, he jumps on it, it is something his father always wanted, to have his cars shown in on the big screen, Jax was happy to make that happen in his honor. The boss’s daughter, Blakely, works in the office and when the boss asks him to keep an eye on her, he finds it is not just a request or something he could get out of. Blakely is a social media influencer, her father does not think much of her profession or appreciates how much she grew her own brand, mainly because he never bothered to see what she really does or how much work she puts into it. She may be 19 years old, but he only sees her as a kid, the one thing he gets right is how people take advantage of her. Blakely wants nothing more than for her father to love her for who she is and to see her, really see her. I did not care for Blakely when I first met her, I thought she was shallow and all about the fame, but there is so much more to her. The complexity to both these characters is amazing, so is the chemistry between the two. Jax is almost a decade older than Blakely but Blakely never connected to anyone like she did with him, he is the only one who ever saw her for who she is, inside and out. Jax also has his own awakening in regards to his feeling for his best friend and the girl he loved back in Sugarlake. In the end he also faces Chase and their issue. This fabulous forbidden, age gap romance novel is beautifully plotted, it contains plenty of drama, angst, heartfelt and emotional moments and a slow burn but steamy romance. Emily McIntire, thank you for another amazing story and emotional rollercoaster ride, I loved every minute and every word of it. Also thanks for keeping it real with Blakely and her inner battles and issues, I am keeping it vague because it is best for the reader and/or listener can experience her journey on their own.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fabulous narration, Gideon Frost and Ramona Master are talented narrators and versatile voice artists. They had a complete understanding of the characters they portrayed, gave each a voice that fit that character’s persona to a tee, sounding believable in every role they played and just as I pictured the character to sound. Gideon Frost played the perfect Jackson and Ramona Master did the same for Blakely. You could hear how much heart they put into their work as they captured the characters’ emotions and projected them into their performance. These two are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another exceptional listen.

Thank you @PinkFlamingoProductions The Flock! @AudiobookObsession AudiobookObsessionReviewer🎧

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Jackson’s HEA

Title: Beneath the Hood
Author: Emily McIntire
Format: Audio (duet)
Narrator: Ramona Masters, Gideon Frost
Genre: Romance, Hollywood/influencer, forbidden, age gap, enemies to lovers, virgin
Standalone;: yes but all interconnected
Part of a Series: Sugarlake book 3
POV: Blakey, Jackson
Steam Level: Steamy at times
5/5

Beneath the Hood is the third book in the Sugarlake series. There are some recurring secondary characters and some references to previous events in earlier books but these are no really relevant to this story and what is relevant is explained quickly. Jackson aka Jax is living his and his dad’s dream of restoring cars for the movies. He’s also nursing heartbreak that the girl he loves loves someone else. Blakey is Jax’s boss’ daughter-way younger than him, very annoying and quite off-limits. However when her dad asks Jax to keep an eye on her he sees the real her, the parts everyone else denies or doesn’t want to see. As he peels back Blakey’s layers he sees the real girl behind her influencer persona and she’s a hot mess. I like the Emily McIntire isn’t afraid to tackle hard issues in her books. And that she has the characters work through their issues, often reflecting that the issues won’t go away overnight or with willpower.

Favorite Quotes:
Sometimes you just need to know you aren’t alone.
They’ll never be as good as I am at tearing me down.
There’s no guarantee we have tomorrow so I might as well live for today.

I received this audiobook for free from Audiobook Obsession and Pink Flamingo Productions. This is my honest and voluntary review.

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Beneath the Hood

Beneath the Hood is the third book in the Sugarlake series. This book is told from dual points of view by Jackson and Blakley.

Blakley is a social influencer who has a pretty hectic schedule and life. Her father thinks she's wasting her time and forces her to work in his shop. This is where she meets Jackson. He works on cars that will be on movie sets. When Blakely has things going on, her father asks Jackson to shadow her to make sure nothing happens to her.

As Jackson follows her he realizes she's not the spoiled girl that he believed her to be. She has a lot going on in her life, and he realizes there is more going on, that other people are looking over. As they hang out they start to fall for each other but keep it a secret, because she doesn't want her life publicized, and she doesn't want him getting in trouble with her father.

What happens when their relationship gets exposed? Can Blakely get away from those hectic people in her life? Will her dad come around to the fact she's not a kid anymore? Will her dad take their relationship ok? Will they get their happy ending or will they be torn apart for good?

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So Enjoyed this third installment!

Having picked up this installment when it released i've been looking forward to getting back into the Sugarlake World once again with this audiobook! I got into it as soon as i could and was pulled back into this world. I so enjoyed this listen!

Having listened to both Gideon Frost and Ramona Master before i was so excited when i found out these two were narrating this story! I loved what these two brought to this story with their narration as Jackson and Blakely! They were absolutely fantastic!

I was so glad to get to experience Jackson and Blakely's journey in this new way! I got back into their story so quickly. Getting to dig deeper with these two was so great and so was their chemistry! From beginning to end i felt so much with these characters!

With Beneath The Hood, Ms.McIntire has created such a good story with feels that will be sure to grab your attention quickly! I cannot wait for more from her! I am so excited to listen to more of Gideon and Ramona's narration in the near future!

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Good addition to series

I love Jax and enjoyed this book, but Blakely drove me a bit crazy through the first half of the book. I understand that there was an issue with her eating and it was being covered in the book, but we didn't need to hear how many times she had to check her calories because it really made me want to bring the rating down. The book redeemed itself after the first half and there was a lot of angst in the book but Jax and Blakely are really good together. They both have been through a lot in their life, but they heal each other when they are together. Narration was great in this book!
#AudiobookObsession #TheFlock #PinkFlamingoProductions

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