Beneath the Stars

A Small Town Second Chance Romance (Sugarlake Series, Book One)

By: Emily McIntire

Narrated by: Sarah Puckett, Steve Campbell

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

From USA Today best-selling author Emily McIntire comes an angsty second-chance romance and the first interconnected stand-alone in the Sugarlake series.

Alina Carson meets Chase Adams when she’s 11 years old, after he moves in down the street carrying nothing but a chip on his shoulder and dimples in his cheeks.

Immediately she falls, loving him before she even knows what loving is. But becoming best friends with Chase’s little sister means that he’s off-limits, no matter how much their connection screams for something more.

Chase never cared much for following the rules. Abandoned by everyone who was supposed to love him, he’s broken and insecure, choosing to push others away before they have a chance to hurt him. But there’s something about the girl with golden hair, and before he can stop himself, he’s sneaking through her window, whispering his deepest secrets beneath her glow stick stars.

As time goes on and they get older, he decides to give their love a chance, no matter what anyone else thinks. But old habits die hard, and when tragedy strikes, Chase is back to doing what he does best.

Ruining everything.

Chase disappears, and years pass, leaving Alina with no choice but to pick up her broken pieces and move on. Until one day, he’s back. All grown up and taking over his family’s business.

When Alina and Chase are thrown together and forced to work in the same building, old feelings resurface, and Alina quickly realizes that Chase is on a mission, determined to right the wrongs of his past.

Starting with her.

Beneath the Stars is the first 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 author's website.

©2020 Emily McIntire (P)2021 Pink Flamingo Productions, LLC

Very emotional

This was a tough book to get through for me, not because it was bad. I thought the story was great and the characters were real. There was a lot of reference to substance abuse. As the adult child of addict parents, it really struck a nerve with me so I would have to pause it to take a minute.

Chase and Lily were left by their drug addict mother. Chase is the older sibling, so even when they were with mom (who I also think may have been Bipolar also) he was the one taking care of Lily. Alina meets them when they move in down the street when she and Lily are 11. They become the best of friends, and Chase ends up gravitating toward Alina also! She was just that person that all the people seemed to gravitate to. Eventually Chase and Alina got together (after she was crushing on him FOREVER). But true to the mind of the child of an addict, he constantly felt like he was not good enough.... and he let that take over his life and disrupt every relationship he had. Even with his sister and his adopted parents.

Alina was such a giving and understanding girl who put up with a lot from him. Until she suffered from her own tragedy and she basically couldn't deal with the drama anymore. Then she got to know what it is like to be the child of an alcoholic. 8 years later Chase moves back to Sugar Lake and runs right into Alina! He ends up witnessing her father having an issue at the bar and that is how he finds out the secret she is keeping from all of her friends. He then goes out of his way to help her.... and that is his IN to getting her back.

While a lot of people will say a lot of terrible things about Chase, I think he is very real! His character development was ON POINT! While he wasn't very swoony, I was rather impressed that he got himself some help in dealing with his issues! Not something a lot of people do. And then he uses these experiences to help Alina later on. I would like to have seen him grovel more, I felt like he should have done more to win her back and that after putting up a fight, she gave in kind of easy once he explained. But again, that is probably a bit closer to realistic because by this point he has gone out of his way to help her out and she really needs some one to lean on. But more groveling on his part would have been nice.

This was the first time I heard a duet narration and it took a little getting used to. But I really did like it. Steve Campbell was new to me.... but I have to say I am a fan! I totally believed him! Definitely love this story and I am eager to listen to the rest of the books about the Sugar Lake crowd! I need to know what kind of HEA they all get!


Story 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice 🔥🔥🔥
Swoon 😍
Angst 💔💔💔
Narration 👏👏👏

Beneath the Stars is so good

Beneath the Stars makes me yearn for the sugar-sweet love of honeysuckle summers, high school sweethearts & secret kisses under shooting stars. McIntire reminds us to always search for love that burns like wildfire.

What were my favorite aspects of the novel?
Characters

Alina: There is almost no way not to fall immediately in love with Alina - from the moment you meet her at 11 years old. While Chase may be the comet of their ever-burning love story, Alina is the glorious constant flame, striving to be her best while diving head first into her own bad decisions.

Her overzealously honest mouth and belief in the best of people pulls you into until you’re ready to move mountains to protect her. She’s the bleeding heart no one deserves as a friend or partner. Throughout the novel, it’s difficult not to be angry with how everyone in her life treats her. You’re fully rooting for her happy ending.

Chase: Chase is the man you want to hate, and he does everything possible to make you love him. It’s impressive to experience his transformation from a struggling young boy into an astoundingly complex man. Every man should read Chase’s perspective, because while he may not be the perfect man, he can teach many of us what it means to find light through yourself in darkness of your own making.

It also helps he’s one of the most reverent lovers that will have anyone preening with jealousy. Personally, I was not Team Chase for a lot of the novel - that protective instinct kicking in - but he puts new meaning into the word “soulmate.”

Jax: Jax might be the man for me. Between that smile and hair he could be the perfect man. He’s a great friend - with a few (understandable?) road bumps along the way. Let’s just say I’ll be returning to Sugarlake for Episode: Jax.

The Narrateds did such a wonderful job telling the story of Beneath the Stars. They brought the characters to life. making you feel like you where apart of the story. i highly reccomend everyone to check out this book.

Wow - so happy I picked this up.

I literally cannot say enough good things about this book. Every single chance I got was spent listening, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the writing, the storyline, all of it. This is already one of those books that has me wanting more. That being said, I think adding to it wouldn’t make sense…I’m just being greedy. I wish so badly it didn’t end. This is one of those books that grabs your attention right from the start, no waiting to get “into” the storyline. My only critique would be that I wanted to get a little more closure on a few things when the book ended, but you are left feeling good…left to piece together what you want the ending to be in that regard. I think anything more being added to this would have spoiled what is already so great. I already know this is a book I won’t stop thinking about for at least the next 2 weeks. I’m excited to read others by this author, and I will most definitely be recommending to friends. So happy I read this, one of my new favorites.

A Solid 4 Stars

In reality, I would probably rate this book a 3.5 if I could. I enjoyed the experience, but the issues or low points of the story and narration aren’t washed away by the high points.
I love the fact this story shows the path to healing and redemption in the male protagonist. I am bummed out we didn’t get more of that for the female protagonist. I really didn’t like the presentation of her being near faultless and “perfect”. She wasn’t and has work of her own she needs to accomplish.
I felt some elements of the side plots as well as the redemption section of their love story really faltered or were lacking. Alina really needed to go to therapy or something before jumping back into a connection that left the scars it did on her. However, it was immensely enjoyable to read about a healthy, respectable male love interest/protagonist! That was probably the best part of the book for me.
Throughout the story are many hints, references, and clues to the other side character’s stories that will be taking focus in sequels. That was a fun element. However, i feel even some of these side characters were not fleshed out as well as they should’ve been. Im curious about Becca’s story but really don’t care about Jax’s.
Anyways, all in all, a nice experience, easy listen aside from a few weird or jarring moments with narration (few and far between), and a nice story. Not sure if i will continue with this series, but i am interested in reading more from McIntire.

Beautiful and sad love story

I’m a sucker for a friendship romance and this book didn’t disappoint. It kept me up into the night, listening instead of sleeping. Love all the books I have read from this author.

Second Chance to Love!

This is the first book in the Sugarlake Series, a Small Town Romance. Alina and Chase's second chance to love is well written, and intriguing. Their story is filled with misunderstanding, and miscommunication. The back and forth past to present is well done and easy to follow. The supporting characters are great. Sarah Puckett and Steve Campbell did a great job with the narration. Looking forward to listen to Beneath the Stands, Eli and Becca's story, the next book in the Series. #AudiobookObsession #PinkFlamingoProductions

Chase and Alina aka “Goldie”... they are excellent!!

This is an excellent story second chance love. “Goldie” has loved Chase since she was 11 years old. They met and she was smitten. Chase spent all of his time making her think her feelings were not returned.. until the day he couldn’t hide them any longer. From that point forward, he has lived her fully.

Circumstances tear them apart while he’s in college.. and he is devastated. He spends several years discovering things about himself and becoming a better man... but he’s never forgotten his first, and only, love. And she’s never forgotten him either.

When Chase moves back to his home town to help his dad, and they see each other again... her hurt is still evident and he does all he can for her to see the man he’s become, not the boy he was then. But is it enough? You’ll have to read it or listen to find out! You won’t regret it!

Sarah Puckett is one of my all time favorite narrators... and Steve Campbell is fast becoming a favorite for me as well!!!

@pinkflamingoproductions @sarahpuckett @stevecampbell

Beneath the Stars

Beneath the Stars is the first book in the Sugarlake series. This book is told from a duet narration from Alina (Lee) and Chase. Chase and Lee meet when they are kids and become neighbors. They become friends and eventually start dating.

Something happens in their lives, and he isn't there for Lee when she needs him most. So she ends their relationship. Now years later they end up working together, and their feelings start to reconnect. However, Lee doesn't know if she can trust Chase again.

This book starts out at the present and then goes to the past so we get to learn their whole story. I really enjoyed every minute of it. Seeing their uphill battles and their good moments. Can Chase prove to Lee that he will be there for her when she needs him? Can Lee learn to put her trust in Chase again?

*The Flock*

Tragic Beauty

A tragic journey full of emotional dilemmas and the heartbreaking consequences of addiction.

Soul mates that find themselves only to be torn apart by happenstance and the aftermath that brings.

Loved it!

The Dual Narration was Spectacular Perfection 🥰

small town romance

Emily McIntyre has written a beautiful, emotional, gut- wrenching, second chance romance. She describes how the friendship and young love between 13 yr old Chase and 11 yr old Alina developed through their teens. Chase's broken background keeps him from knowing what real love is. It's hard for him to communicate his deep feelings to Alina.
The jealousy, insecurities, and lack of communication eventually led to their downfall. The story also touches how addiction to drugs and alcohol can effect the emotional stability of family.
Years later, Chase moves back home. By his going to therapy to understand himself, he becomes a better man. All he needs now is to convince Alina to take another chance on him.
Sarah Puckett and Steve Campbell tell this story with so much emotion. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
🎧Audiobook Obsession Reviewer🎧 The Flock Team