Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click that link and make a purchase I may receive a commission at no cost to you. This book was given to me for free from NetGalley, however, all opinions are my own.
Author
Emily McIntire is a #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of books that have been translated to dozens of different languages. Emily describes her romance books as serving steam, slow burn, and seriously questionable morals. Emily prides herself in being a stage four breast cancer thriver. In her free time she loves to spend time with her family, read, and redecorate her house.
This book is a standalone series. I’ve also read the third book in the series Beneath The Hood. The reading order for this series is; Beneath The Stars, Beneath The Stands, Beneath The Hood, and Beneath The Surface.
Plot
Eli Carson left Sugarlake and never looked back. He was supposed to be the next big star in the NBA but was forced to quit due to a career ending injury. Instead of going home, he accepts a coaching job at the University of Florida determined to leave his past behind him. Until his little sister’s best friend Becca becomes the teams new manager.
Becca Sanger is the preacher’s daughter and the town’s disappointment. When she refuses to go home her parents cut her off forcing her to get a job so she can stay enrolled at school. She thought she had it all figured out. Until she finds out Eli Carson-the person she hates most in the world-is her boss. Forced to be around each other, Becca and Eli’s hatred turns into heat before it all blows up, ripping them apart.
Years later, Becca is back home under her parents thumb living the life she never wanted when Eli shows up out of the blue with his new fiance and Becca is tasks with planning the wedding. There’s a big problem though. Becca still loves Eli. But, Eli still hates Becca for leaving.
Quotes
“You can’t cure it. You didn’t cause it. You can’t control it.”
“I’ve ignored a lot in my life-I’m a master of avoidance. It’s not a badge I wear with honor, but it’s one I wear all the same.”
“You can’t always have the thing you want most. Sometimes, no matter how bad you want it… it’s just not meant to be.”
Review
Overall I did enjoy this book. It wasn’t my favorite romance book I’ve read but I still enjoyed it and the characters love story. I’m a big fan of an enemies to lovers trope so I enjoyed that aspect of this book. The one thing I didn’t like early on was how little Eli fought when Becca left. I would hope that if he cared so much he would have tried a little harder instead of giving up. I loved reading about the pull they had towards each other from the start of the book to the very end. You could really feel how much they were drawn towards one another despite any other circumstances. Overall, I would give this book a 3/5 stars.
And that’s the end of my Beneath The Stands by Emily McIntire book review. If you read this book let me know in the comments what you thought of it. If you’re looking for other books to read check out these reviews: Not Safe For Work, Meet Me At The Lake, and Beneath The Hood.
